12 - Chapter 9: Episode 9 [Ella?]
"This Magic Formula... Aria made this, didn't she?"
"Huh? Oh, right. How'd you know?"
"I can tell just by the way the Magic Formula's woven. But why'd she put up a barrier in the middle of the Royal Palace?"
"Well, it's a bit difficult to talk about here..."
Her question was natural, but it was hard to talk about in such an open place.
It was a truth—a double-edged sword—that could destroy the country.
"Really? Then let's go to my room. No one's there."
"Huh? You have a room here?"
I'd never heard of her having a private room in the Royal Library.
I didn't think I'd seen one last time I was here.
"I'm the Master of the Magic Tower, so of course I have a room. You'll see when we get there."
"Uh... okay."
I figured it wouldn't be bad to tell her honestly and get her help.
The library was practically Ella's domain,
so if she helped, gathering information would go much faster.
"This way."
Following the circular staircase, I ascended the tower.
We arrived at
the realm of magic,
specifically, the floor dedicated to senses.
"Here?"
"Yes, this way."
She made a light gesture in front of a bookshelf,
and it slid inward,
then split open to both sides like a sliding door.
So that's why I couldn't find a room no matter how much I searched the library; it was hidden like this.
The inside was concealed by a Magic Formula, making it invisible.
As I stepped into the unknown space,
the world seemed to turn upside down, and a new one appeared before my eyes.
"Wow..."
The entire room was filled with dazzling light.
Countless starry skies floated on the ceiling and walls;
a sun floated on the left,
and a moon on the right.
It was a room shining with such splendor and beauty it felt like seeing the whole world at a glance.
"Wow, it's so pretty. Did Ella decorate all this?"
"No, this room has been used by the Masters of the Magic Tower for generations."
"I see. It's really beautiful."
"It is pretty, isn't it?"
Was she recalling the past for a moment?
Ella wore a slightly bitter expression.
"Come, sit here."
I was guided to a sofa in the center of the room.
"So, why'd she put up a barrier?"
"Well, it's a bit of a long story. Do you have time?"
"Of course. I've got plenty of time, so don't worry."
"Alright. Do you remember the moment we all killed the Demon King?"
"How could I forget? You got caught in that magic, and everyone was so worried about you."
"Yes, I found out what kind of Curse the Demon King inflicted on me then."
"Huh!? Didn't Aria say there wasn't a Curse?"
"It was natural Aria couldn't find it. Because it wasn't a Curse, but an ability he gave me."
"He implanted a Curse in the form of an ability, not a Curse?"
"Exactly."
"Then that's a big problem! Are you okay?"
Ella's expression was tinged with worry.
I didn't want to see her look like that,
and I didn't want to cause unnecessary worry, so I was reluctant to speak, but
I decided it was better to speak up beforehand, rather than suffer alone and let the problem escalate.
"No, it's not the Curse that's the big problem right now."
"Haa... that's a relief. What kind of Curse is it?"
"Well..."
Now that I had to say this again,
it was truly...
Shame washed over me.
that I was raped by a maid,
that...
Haa.
No, I don't need to say all that.
And
I shouldn't be ashamed of something like this.
I should be as concise as possible
and convey it so she could grasp the core of the problem.
"Well... it's a Curse that makes me unable to resist any woman's command."
"Huh?"
Ella's expression showed she didn't understand what I was saying.
Of course.
Even I
would've found it hard to understand.
"So, if another woman gives you a command, you can't refuse?"
"Yes, to be more precise, only women with a higher Coitus Stat than me, but..."
"Coitus Stat? What's that?"
"I don't know the details either, but it's probably that..."
My face flushed with heat trying to say this in front of a woman.
"Coitus... it is."
"What? Your voice is too low, I can't hear you well."
"COITUS!!! I mean, sex capability!"
"Huh?"
Haa...
I'd seen Ella's rare foolish expression twice, but
my mood was utterly miserable.
"So you can't refuse the commands of a woman who's better at sex than you?"
"Yes..."
After processing the facts, the first expression that came to her face was one of unbelievable surprise.
Then she replied, almost as if half-joking.
"Pffft, you're not joking, are you?"
I sincerely wished it was a joke.
How wonderful it would be if it were just a dream...
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"No."
"Then what's my Coitus Stat?"
[Ella Status Window]
【 Name 】
Ella Veronica : Lv 91
【 Stats 】
▷Strength : 55
▷Agility : 57
▷Stamina : 70
▷Mana : 135
▷Holy Power : 32
▷Coitus : 25
"Uh, hmm, it's 25."
"Alright, what are your Stats?"
Why was Ella really asking about something like this?
Still, it might be necessary to solve the problem, so
Yes, it's for problem-solving, so
even though it's an incredibly embarrassing number,
Yes, this is all just to break the Demon King's Curse.
That's right.
And it's a stat that wouldn't appear if it weren't a Curse.
So it's not strange.
Yes, it's all because of the Demon King.
As I continued to rationalize in my heart, I spoke the number aloud.
"3..."
"What'd you say?"
I always think this, but Ella's so tactless at crucial moments!
After all the courage it took for me to say it.
Haa, what can I do?
I grit my teeth and shouted,
so she couldn't possibly not hear it.
"THREE!!"
"Really? Mine's surprisingly high."
Ella seemed to fall into thought for a moment.
"So, I can do anything to Yuria, and he can't resist?"
"Uh... yes, that's right...?"
She suddenly seemed to be making a lewd smile;
it must be my imagination, right?
Of course it's my imagination.
My Comrade wouldn't betray me, would she?
"Then who else knows about this?"
"Just my Comrades and one maid."
I really hoped she wouldn't ask what had happened until now.
"Of course you made sure the maid kept quiet, but why did those guys leave you alone even knowing this?"
Fortunately, her question turned in another direction.
"Lily and Cynthia left for the Demon King's Castle to break the Curse."
"Ah, I see. They're really unnecessarily honest kids."
Ella's lips curved up as if hooked on her ears.
Had she thought of some good solution?
Her expression gave me a strange chill, but
I tried my best to calm myself.
"Haha, I'm just grateful."
"Then, Yuria."
"Hm?"
Ella moved over and sat next to me.
"Uh, uh...? Ella?"
"Don't worry. I'm just going to do a simple experiment."
"Huh...?"
An experiment? What is she talking about?
Ella's cold, slender hand slipped under my clothes.
"Ugh... E-Ella?"
"Don't resist."
At her words, my desire to resist vanished.
As if her actions were natural, I spread my arms to make it easier for her to undress me.
When I came to my senses, my upper garment was already completely removed.
"Ella, w-wait a second."
"Wow, is this real?"
"Ella, wait a second. I don't know what kind of prank you're thinking of, but this situation is more dangerous than you think."
"Yes, it's dangerous."
A lewd smile appeared on her face.
"So, any passing woman can get her hands on the kingdom's greatest weapon?"
"Uh... yes, that's right."
"Then I'll protect you, Yuria. Don't worry."
"No, protecting me isn't the problem; we need to break the Curse."
"Break the Curse?"
"Yes!"
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"So, why do we need to break the Curse?"
"Because it's the Demon King's Curse!"
What was Ella talking about right now?
That there was no need to break the Curse?
Why was Ella saying such a thing?
"Pffft, the Demon King's Curse? That doesn't matter!"
Ella tore at the emblem carved into the back of her left hand.
"Ella, what are you doing?"
I quickly grabbed her arm, but
the flesh on the back of her hand was already torn.
Since Saintess Aria was always around, I hadn't learned healing magic, but
I really should have learned it.
Red blood dripped from the back of her hand.
"Ella, what is this... A potion, where's a potion!"
I didn't know why she'd self-harmed, but
more blood was flowing than I'd expected.
If I didn't stop the bleeding quickly,
"Pffft, Yuria, you're worried about me even in this situation."
"Of course! Ella, you're my precious Comrade! How could I not be worried!"
"Yes, Yuria was so pure like this. Haa..."
Ella licked the blood flowing on the back of her hand with her tongue.
Her expression and actions were strangely alluring, unfitting for the situation.
"Gulp."
"Yuria, want to follow me?"
She opened the inner door and guided me.
I, of course, followed her command.
"This way."
In the room I followed her into,
there was a pink-hued bed, handcuffs for binding hands and feet,
and unknown magic circles were densely laid out.
"Gulp."
What on earth was this place for...?