46 - Riel-san
Waking up in bed, I recalled a similar sensation from before.
As if I had been reborn—.
And as if I could do anything—.
That time when I created my own black history—.
I slowly sat up in bed, swore in my heart that I would never make the same mistake again, and looked out the window.
"Beautiful weather. It's as if it's celebrating my growth."
At that, the Third Generation burst out laughing.
"Pffft!!"
The Jewel Orbs became noisy, but since it was a common occurrence, I ignored them.
Besides, I had an important appointment today.
I got out of bed, took off my top, and stood before the mirror.
It seemed I had gained a bit more muscle than before.
Looking at my own body, I muttered.
"...I don't want to be the one to say it, but aren't I perfect? I'm definitely a handsome man."
The Sixth Generation shouted.
"Addition confirmed!!"
The Seventh Generation too.
"My, my stomach... damn it! Sorry, Riel... this is too funny, please keep going."
I ran my hand through my hair and spoke while looking in the mirror.
"What are you all fussing about? I told you, I will never repeat the same thing again. It's true that I'm feeling exhilarated, but I will show you that I can exercise proper self-control. Oops, I have to go to Damian's place today."
I was scheduled to receive my reward.
Yesterday, I had reported the completion of the request to the guild, received an [A] evaluation from Damian, and then we disbanded.
We had made a promise that I would receive the reward at a later date.
—Novem had.
"Pfft... s-so, are you all going together?"
The Fourth Generation was desperately suppressing their laughter.
I answered, wondering why they found it so funny.
Before I fell asleep in bed, Novem had explained today's schedule.
Since I had been away for five days, Novem would handle the cleaning and laundry of the mansion.
Miranda-san would go to pick up Shannon, who had been admitted to the hospital, and Aria would accompany me to Damian's laboratory to receive the reward.
Novem had left the metal worn by the monster I obtained with Damian. I also needed to have that transported.
While styling my hair, I said.
"I'm going to Damian's with Aria. Novem is cleaning the mansion, and Miranda-san is picking up Shannon. She should be fine by now. Still... I wonder why Novem didn't sell that metal?"
During the guild's handling of the matter, I had been almost unable to move.
My consciousness had been hazy, and while those around me were saying something, I didn't remember it.
The Fifth Generation explained.
"It's certainly a rare metal, but it doesn't contain any magical power. Moreover, it's apparently difficult to process. Didn't we even talk about how it would be more profitable for the academy to buy it as research material?"
The Seventh Generation took over.
"Indeed. Since Riel was unconscious, the decision was put on hold. There is also the academy's appraisal. It's best to hear the price later and then decide. For your information, the guild's purchase price was one hundred gold coins. Stingy bastards."
For defeating a boss on the fortieth basement floor, that amount was by no means a satisfying figure.
Perhaps the guild understood this, as they seemed to have recommended the method of having the academy buy it. Why would they do that when it would be more profitable for them to act as intermediaries and take a cut?
"I wonder why the guild didn't take a brokerage fee?"
The Second Generation explained.
"According to Clara-chan, it's because the academy's power is stronger. They probably hesitated to needlessly reduce the reward for Riel, who is an acquaintance of Damian."
It seemed that because they didn't want to make an enemy of the academy, they didn't mind a small loss.
It seemed Novem had paid Clara a reward.
(I'll have to go thank her later... maybe I'll bring a bouquet of flowers?)
Having finished styling my hair, I stepped out of the room while still shirtless.
Then, as if coming to wake me, I ran into Novem in front of the door.
"Good morning, Riel-sama. Um... you seem to be in good health today. Your complexion has improved. I'm truly glad."
Seeing Novem's relief, I—.
"Novem."
"Yes?"
"I love you."
The successive heads of the family began to make a racket.
I really wish they would read the room.
"This guy's actually gone and done it with this momentum!!"
"He's shining even though the moon isn't out!!"
"Pfft, bwahahaha!!"
"...I'm not so sure about that, but this is just how it is, right? Can he even suppress it if he's conscious of it?"
"A confession at this timing... Riel, think a bit more... no, it was impossible right now."
"The mood is just... why don't you try again, Riel?"
Ignoring my noisy ancestors, I gazed at Novem.
Then, Novem began to laugh.
She wiped away a tear with her fingertip.
"...Riel-sama, I am happy for your feelings, but I think it would be better not to say such things right now. More importantly, as you are now, it might be better not to go to Damian-san's place."
To Novem, who had brushed off my confession, I said.
"Your guard is tight. But that's what I like about you."
"I'm glad to hear that. Well then, shall we have breakfast, Riel-sama? And so, today—"
"I'm going to Damian's. I want to get various things finished while it's still early."
"I-I see."
Novem, who looked like she wanted to say something, had a troubled expression as she looked at me.
Since she doesn't usually make such expressions, for some reason, it made me feel happy.
It was probably because I got to see a different expression from Novem's usual one.
Heading to the academy with Aria, I handed over a note and was guided to Damian's laboratory by a staff member.
The laboratory was supposed to be a spacious place, but devices and such had made the room narrow.
Books were piled up like mountains. Students wearing white coats were tidying them up.
Everyone had dark circles under their eyes.
They were staggering about; they must have stayed up all night.
"Honestly, staying up all night is not good for the body."
When I said that, Aria, standing next to me, recoiled slightly.
She had been like this since we met this morning.
"What's wrong, Aria? It's a waste if your cute face is twitching."
I heard the Fourth Generation's voice.
"Perfect!! It's perfect, Riel! However, let's choose the time and place!"
I ignored them since they were noisy, and Aria opened her mouth.
"You... just as Novem said, wouldn't it have been better for you to stay shut in your room today?"
Since even Aria was saying such a thing, I shook my head.
She was surely worried, remembering my previous "growth."
For me, who had sworn in my heart that I would never do the same thing again, such worry was unnecessary.
"You're worried about me, Aria... I'm happy."
"Y-You idiot!"
As Aria blushed in embarrassment, the students in white coats tidying up around us, both male and female, clicked their tongues.
While we were having this exchange, Damian appeared, carrying luggage into the laboratory.
He had dark circles under his eyes, but his own tension was abnormally high.
"A fine morning, everyone! Although I haven't slept a wink!"
"Damian!"
When I raised my hand and turned toward Damian, Damian also raised both hands in response.
"Riel!"
While the two of us were greeting each other like that, those around us were looking at us with surprised expressions.
When I'm looked at that much, it makes me happy, so I want them to stop.
I'll lose my self-control.
"Glad you came. And your timing is perfect. I've just taken her out of the capsule."
Capsule?
Hearing that, I looked around and saw a person floating in a translucent green liquid.
They seemed to be sleeping.
"Are they not breathing? They don't look dead, though?"
To me, who directed my gaze toward the capsule, Damian explained.
"Did you only just notice? These children are ancient automatons. Perhaps you imagined a machine with lots of springs and screws? Too bad! They are 'something' that is infinitely close to humans."
Since they are infinitely close, there must be something clearly different.
Aria also seemed to have noticed just now, and she looked into the capsule in surprise.
"T-This is a doll!? She looks like nothing but a living person."
Then, Damian explained.
"That's why it's my goal. By a method that surpasses these automatons, I will create the ideal woman. I definitely will!"
Hearing Damian's enthusiasm, I felt ashamed of myself for thinking, "Wouldn't it be solved faster if he just made a girlfriend?"
Damian is a man. He is a man among men.
"Wonderful. I'll support you, Damian."
"You understand, don't you, Riel? I thought you would understand. After all, you're one of the few humans whose name I've remembered."
After laughing and sharing our joy, we immediately got to the main point.
"Now, as for the reward."
"Ah, this, right."
Seeing us suddenly turn serious after laughing, those around us were at a loss for how to react.
Damian removed a pure white sheet that had been draped over a cart.
As the sheet fluttered, kicking up dust from the surroundings, there slept a single woman wearing black clothes and a white apron.
No, she looked as if she were sleeping.
A surprised Aria looked at the automaton from up close.
"N-No way... this is a doll?"
The height of the cart was around my waist.
Golden twin-tails.
Her eyes were closed, but it felt as if she might breathe at any moment.
Her skin was white, and her lips were pink—.
Her feminine build had a large swell around the chest.
And on her forehead, a faint pattern could be seen.
It didn't seem to be a tattoo, but what kind of mark was it?
It didn't seem to be Damian's taste.
(That's why he said he'd give her to me)
However, looking at the capsules around, the shape was different from the automaton here.
The automatons in the capsules, if looked at closely, all had the same appearance—in other words, the same features and the same hairstyle.
However, every single one of them had the same mark on their forehead.
"Now, as for the activation method, as a result of decoding the documents... it seems a master-servant contract is made using blood as a catalyst."
"Blood? What are you talking about, Damian?"
Hearing that, I shook my head.
Aria tilted her head.
"What's wrong, Riel? Just receive it already. After this, we have to talk about that armor. If you don't want it, I'm selling it, so hurry up."
Hearing that, I turned to Aria.
"Sell it!? Don't be ridiculous! Look at this lovely sleeping face... yes, she's like a sleeping princess."
"P-Princess?"
Aria was exasperated, and those around us had similar expressions.
The Fifth Generation said.
"What is this guy talking about?"
The Sixth Generation.
"Who knows?"
"The method for waking up a sleeping girl has been decided as this since ancient times! I learned it from reading picture books!"
Yes, in the picture books I read with Clara in the library, there was such a description.
That the curse of the captured princess was broken by the hero's kiss.
I brought my mouth straight to the automaton's mouth.
"Now, I shall break the curse."
"Eh, it's not a curse or anything..."
Damian was saying something, but I kissed her just as I was.
Then, the automaton suddenly began to move.
She slowly opened her eyes, and then into my mouth—.
"S-She moved!"
Damian's eyes sparkled even as he was surprised.
And Aria was screaming.
"W-W-W-What are you doing, Riel!!"
I slowly pulled my mouth away and spoke to the awakened automaton.
"How do you feel upon waking, my princess?"
The eyes that opened were red, and after looking around, she looked at me.
After her eyes looked at me for a while—.
"I never imagined I would be woken up in such a manner. Confirming genetic data. Completing master registration. Let's see, as for my mood... I suppose it's that the thought of worshipping and serving a pervert who wakes a doll with a kiss as my master makes me want to vomit? Oh, what is this... there is a problem with part of the data. It seems there is an interference in conversation."
Damian, looking at the automaton who had raised her upper body, looked at me with sparkling eyes.
"Isn't that amazing, Riel! To think you woke her with a kiss instead of a blood contract... Alright, I'll activate them with this method too!"
Seeing the happy Damian, the automaton stepped down from the cart and bowed with perfect etiquette.
"It seems this is a nest of perverts. While shaking in fear at the sudden crisis of my chastity, I shall call the person who lusts after dolls 'Master' starting today. Tell me your name, you piece of work."
Her words and attitude did not match at all.
But I was not one to be discouraged by such a thing.
"You're quite a punchy automaton. I am Riel... Riel Walt. Just you wait, I'll make you mine."
With a "Hmph," I ran my hand through my hair, and the automaton in front of me spoke while covering her mouth with both hands.
It was a cute gesture, but—.
"Despite the fact that dolls have no freedom, to have that attitude after master registration... there's a limit to being a chicken, Master. That [Chicken = Riel-sama] will be kept in my memory as my own secret. Oops, I said it out loud."
I directed a smile at the automaton.
"Just you wait, this chicken will eventually fly through the great sky... Fuha, fuhahaha!!"
I couldn't stop laughing loudly.
Saying it myself, I felt like I was falling in love with myself.
(Crap, I'm incredibly cool right now!!)
From inside the Jewel Orbs, I could hear voices making a violent racket.
It consumed magical power, but for the current me, it was only a negligible amount of consumption.
Aria said, her eyes slightly tearing up.
Did I move her?
I began to find myself frightening, being able to move someone to the point of tears.
"Riel... chickens don't fly in the sky."
And the automaton too.
"To have such an unbelievable scumbag as a master, it's certainly worth the effort of serving. I'll beat you senseless and re-educate you. Oops, my true feelings... I'm not in good condition. The network is also devastated, so just what time and where is it now? I'm very anxious that I don't know if it'll be clear even if I ask the scumbag in front of me."
Hearing the automaton's words, Damian looked happy.
"There are so many words I've never heard before! Someone, record this quickly! First, 'unbelievable scumbag~'"
On this day, I obtained a new companion.
And I mass-produced black history, losing something precious.