Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Several hours had passed since I was thrown into the cell.
A sound like a rumble from deep underground echoed.
It was a sudden noise, a brief tremor that quickly subsided. Construction machinery was impossible in another world, so maybe it was thunder.
When I strained my ears, I could faintly hear the rumble of thunderclouds growling. It might be a thunderstorm outside.
As I kept listening, the floor above suddenly became noisy. I heard several footsteps. Structurally, the living room might be directly above. As muffled voices started up, the area near the stairs grew louder, and I heard multiple people descending.
"Where is my angel-chuwan?!"
Angel-chuwan?
"My beloved, my sweet angel!"
Sweet angel?
"Oooooh! Finally......!"
The one who appeared before the cell was a pale, chubby man. He looked to be in his thirties, but his flushed cheeks made him seem like he could be in his twenties. His small bean-like eyes darted around nervously, his lips were absurdly thick and slackly half-open. He stared at me with a lecherous look, as if licking me with his eyes. It was seriously gross. For the first time, I understood how girls feel when ogled lustfully.
This is disgusting. I am thoroughly disgusted!
With the word "Lust" written on his right cheek and "Desire" on his left, it's like he wants to be called "Desire" itself, and he's breathing heavily.
"I am Adel Pochainsky. You must be Ellie Golden?!"
"......"
It was too disgusting for me to speak.
After about ten seconds of silence, the sharp-eyed man called "Boss" kicked the cell bars hard with a bang and shouted "Answer him!"
Reluctantly, I nodded.
"......Yes, I am."
"Uhooooooh! What a lovely voice! Like the chirping of a little bird in the early morning—no, even that's not good enough. It's the pure, transparent voice of an angel!"
Adel Pochainsky, visibly excited, kept rubbing his pudgy belly in circles with both hands over and over. Maybe it was a habit.
His nickname's gotta be Pochao, seriously.
"Don't you remember me? Hmm?"
I shook my head.
Like I'd ever forget someone like this.
"At the entrance ceremony of the Greifner Magic Academy two years ago, I was in the guardian's section, sending you heated gazes."
Like I'd remember that!
Nobody checks out the guardians' section one by one. How self-absorbed can you be?
I only became Ellie a few months ago. Even Ellie wouldn't remember him.
"Hmm? What do you say? Hmmm?"
Eeeeeek!
Stay away from me!
"Pescatore, open the cell."
"Lord Pochainsky, you haven't finished the payment yet..."
"I'm preparing it now! I already paid a deposit! I'm not taking her home just yet!"
"Haa... well, I suppose it's fine."
The man called "Boss," Pescatore, pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the cell.
Pochao shoved Pescatore aside and hurriedly entered.
"Ellie Golden...... Ellie-chan...... come here."
"Stay away."
I backed away with all my might.
But the iron bars of the cell soon pressed into my back.
"You don't need to be afraid...... I, I, I love you."
My blood ran cold from fear and confusion. This guy has the eyes of a genuine pervert.
Pochao approached me, spread his arms, took a deep breath, then dove at my stomach like a swimmer diving into a pool.
"Nooooooooooooooooooo!"
Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
He's a pervert. This guy's a total pervert!
A seriously dangerous pervert!
"What bounce! What pure skin! Nnnnssssuuuhaaahhhh. What a rich aroma. I have fallen in love! Marry me!"
"Ab-so-lute-ly NOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
"Nhoooo! So cold! But that's what makes it good!!!"
Don't you dare touch Ellie's body without permission!
Get a-way-from-meeeee!!!
I struggled with all my might to pull him off. But Pochao's clinging hands wouldn't budge. He kept murmuring "Mufu, mufu" as he buried his face into me.
Finally, unable to watch any longer, Boss Pescatore yanked Pochao off and threw him out of the cell, locking the door.
I can't help but thank him for that!
That might have been the most unpleasant moment of my life.
"Let's not continue this any further."
Disdain flickered in Pescatore's eyes. Can't blame him.
"Muu! Fine. You, come to the manor now. I can't wait for my secretary. I'll pay you right away."
"Understood. It's best for us if you pay quickly."
"Hmph, don't get cocky. Still, I do value the skills of you 'Pescatore Bandits.'"
"We appreciate your continued business."
"I know. Hey, let's go."
Pochao jerked his chin at his servant, then looked back at me with a beaming smile. No, seriously, spare me.
"I know you'll miss me, but wait there for me, okay?"
I ignored him completely.
I ignored him with the full force of a pitcher rejecting the final sign at the Koshien finals.
"Uhoho! So cold. But that's what makes it good!"
Shut up!
Just go away already!
"Farewell, my beloved Yaboon, say 'Lord Adel' for me."
"!?"
Yaboon!?
"Yaboon. A word I just made up. It means 'most beloved person.'"
No way!
This guy is nuts!
"Beloved" and "most beloved" mean the same thing, damn it!
I almost retorted out loud.
"Come now, Ellie-chuwan...... say it."
I refused with all my might.
I rejected it with the same resolve as a pitcher denying the final sign at the Koshien finals.
"So cold. But look, it's not scary. Say it."
"..............."
"Come on, come ooon. My beloved Yaboon. Say it."
"........."
"It's okay, it's not scary. Come on."
"......I'll say it, but I have a request."
"Uhoho! No matter how many times I hear it, that voice is beautiful! Right, Pescatore?!"
"......Indeed."
Negotiation starts with conditions, Pochao.
You already stated what you want. That puts you at a disadvantage.
Not that he seems to care at all...
Boss Pescatore made a sour face and nodded vaguely.
"So, what is your request?"
"Ariana... please heal my friend. And take these off."
I held out the restraints.
Pescatore immediately reacted.
"That I cannot do. You can use magic without a staff."
"Then at least let my hands and feet be free. You must have that kind of magic tool, right? If you grant my request, I'll tell you."
"Very well, that much is acceptable!"
"Lord Pochainsky. This girl is a student of the Greifner Magic Academy. It might be best not to make the restraints too loose."
"She'll be living in my mansion anyway. It's fine to give her some freedom now."
"......If you insist that much, then very well."
Pescatore made no effort to hide his grimace as he unlocked the cell and signaled to a henchman nearby.
At that, the henchman and three others pointed their staffs at me.
Damn, there's no way I can use magic the instant the restraints come off. I better stay quiet here.
The restraints on my hands and feet were removed, and in their place, iron bracelets like wristbands were put on my right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot. After more than five days in a caterpillar-like state, the sense of freedom was overwhelming. It's so great to be able to stretch both hands.
"You can't use magic with these. Don't even think about doing anything weird."
Pescatore narrowed his already sharp eyes and gave a warning.
"And my friend's treatment. I won't say anything unless that's done."
"Tch, noisy woman."
At his signal, the henchman took a small vial from his jacket pocket and rolled it toward me.
It was a healing potion.
"That's all I can do. The rest is up to Lord Pochainsky."
"That doesn't matter. Ellie-chan, go on, say it already."
"Ugh........."
"Come on now, what's wrong? A promise is a promise. Or are you not a lady who keeps her word?"
This bastard......
"Farewell, my beloved Yaboon. It's Lord Adel, don't mess it up."
"F-Farewell, my beloved... Y-Ya..."
What humiliation!
Dammit! Dammit!
"Yaboon, Lord Adel!"
"Mhm! Mhm! Mhm! Now be a good girl and wait patiently!"
He said the latter half dismissively. Apparently satisfied, Pochao climbed the stairs with a smile. Behind him followed his two attendants, Pescatore, the henchman, and the rest of the bandits.
But before they all reached the top of the stairs, a man in drenched armor tumbled in.
"Lord Pochainsky, it's an emergency! A massive number of monsters is heading this way!"
"What?!"
"According to reports, about a thousand! The city guard is currently mobilizing!"
"A thousand?! What rank?!"
"Estimated between E and C!"
"Keep city defenses to a minimum and request help from the Adventurers' Guild."
"Understood!"
Pochao was surprisingly serious.
Not that I'm going to start respecting him or anything.
While all that was happening, another armored man who looked like a messenger appeared, his face pale.
"The desert country Sandy has deployed today! They're passing through the city and launching war against Panta country!"
"What the hell?! I heard it wouldn't happen for another month!"
"Reason unknown! A fast courier arrived, requesting food supply prioritization!"
"At a time like this... Pescatore, the payment will be tomorrow. Got it?"
"You're returning to the mansion, aren't you? Then I'll accompany you."
"I said later! Hey, move it already!"
The men hurriedly went up the stairs, while Pescatore glared at Pochao with a look of disgust. Once everyone was gone, silence fell.
Sounds like things outside have gotten pretty crazy. Convenient for me, though.
With my now-free arm, I took the healing potion and slowly let Ariana drink it.
At first she resisted drinking, but once she started, she calmed down and had a peaceful look after about five minutes.
The deadline for escaping is before the monster swarm is exterminated and the payment is made. Most likely tomorrow afternoon. If the monster hunt ends tonight, then tomorrow morning is possible. Which means I have to get out somehow tonight, or I'll be a guest at Pochao's house.
I seriously don't want that. Anything but that.
No freaking way, absolutely not!!
While stroking Ariana's head, I started running scenarios in my mind.