I woke up amidst a swaying sensation that made me feel like I might get seasick.
“*Guh, ugh…*”
The awakening was terrible. I had a horrible headache… but it was far better than that ring. It wasn’t unbearable. I had no experience as a minor, but could this be what a hangover feels like?
Ah, damn it, not only was my head not functioning properly, but my vision was also somewhat blurry. I wasn’t really drunk, was I?
“*Hah…*”
With the worst wake-up, groaning as I tried to gather my thoughts, I finally assessed my surroundings.
It was a dim, musty, small room. The intermittent swaying felt like a sign that I was on a ship.
With a head that felt foggy as if shrouded in deep mist, I slowly began to remember my current situation.
“*Haven’t reached Pandora yet…*”
I had escaped that nightmarish experimental facility and boarded a ship bound for what seemed to be another continent called the Pandora Continent.
For now, the fact that I was still safely on the ship meant that I hadn’t been caught by that Albino beauty who called herself the Seventh Apostle Sariel, which was somewhat of a relief.
Due to the inhumane experiments, I had gained superhuman combat abilities like a special effects hero, but even so, I was no match for her. It was dangerous to overestimate my power in this other world. Well, now that I had successfully escaped, I probably wouldn’t meet Sariel again.
However, I couldn’t relax just because the visible danger had passed. A thought suddenly struck me.
“*Where am I?*”
Perhaps it was strange not to realize it sooner.
I had indeed boarded a ship, sneaking into a dim and musty cargo hold and hiding within a wooden crate filled with fruit resembling apples, using black magic to conceal myself… or so I thought. But the scene in front of me didn’t match any of my memories at all.
First of all, I was supposed to be sleeping inside the crate. Yet, neither the crate nor the apples were anywhere to be found.
The surroundings were a filthy wooden compartment that was far too cramped to resemble a storeroom. It felt so confining that it was like a prison… in fact, there were iron bars instead of a door.
Could it be that this was indeed a prison?
However, it seemed certain from the sensations that I was on a ship. If so, had I been discovered and captured by the crew as a suspicious person while I was sleeping…?
“*Hey, are you awake, bro?*”
When I looked up at the abrupt voice, I saw a man standing beyond the rusty iron bars.
He was the typical appearance of a town thug. Sunburned skin, arms peeking out from a filthy shirt adorned with lightning-like tattoos, and multiple shiny piercings in his ears. But he had a monkey-like face, a skinny build, and wasn’t particularly tall—at first glance, he didn’t seem very strong.
But given Sariel’s example, I wouldn’t let my guard down.
“*Who are you?*”
“*Whoa, whoa, that’s my line!*”
Speaking with a carefree attitude, the thug approached the prison cell.
“*Hehehe, hey bro, what kind of screw-up did you pull to end up here?*”
“*What did you say?*”
“*Drifting in the middle of the vast Atlas Ocean looking like that? Lucky for you, bro, if we hadn’t found you a bit later, you would have drowned by now.*”
Apparently, I had been thrown into the sea.
It wasn’t certain that they would always restrain someone viewed as a suspicious person. It didn’t seem odd in this medieval-like world to quickly dispose of suspicious individuals if that was the judgment made.
Nevertheless, to have slept so deeply that I didn’t wake up from that… how deeply was I sleeping? Or had they cast a sleep spell on me before tossing me into the sea to prevent me from resisting?
No, but even so, my clothes had changed. I had escaped in nothing but the white clothing and underwear forced on me as a test subject, covered in blood from killing my masks.
Yet now, despite being a little dirty, I was wearing a simple outfit of a shirt and pants.
Of course, I had no memory of changing myself. Moreover, it was unlikely that sailors would go out of their way to change the clothes of a suspicious person they were about to toss into the sea.
The inconsistencies in the situation increased my discomfort… but it seemed indisputable that this ship had indeed picked me up while I was drifting in the sea.
“*Did you help me?*”
“*Ah, it’s all good, no need to thank me. You can tell what will happen to you from what you can see, right?*”
Well, the troubled thing was that I had no clue what that was.
“*Could you let me out of this cell? I’m not a suspicious person… though I know you wouldn’t believe that, I don’t intend to harm you. If you helped me, I want to properly thank you.*”
“*Hey bro, are you alright in the head? If you’re serious about that, ah, could it be that you’re actually some rich kid?*”
Apparently, I had made quite an outlandish statement.
Which meant that he—and the people on this ship who saved me—hadn’t simply rescued me out of good will.
“*…What do you intend to do with me?*”
“*Well, just being a labor slave would earn a meager sum… but since you’ve got a great build, you could probably fetch a nice price as a gladiator if we hyped you up a bit.*”
I see, so it was about slavery.
I knew very little about this magical other world. Most of my time had been spent in that white research facility, and I had only recently escaped from there. From what I had seen while passing through the port town where the ship docked, there were no signs of modern civilization at all.
The lights illuminating the night town were lamps, not electricity, and horse-drawn carriages were running instead of cars.
That was indeed a town that perfectly fit the clichéd phrase of medieval fantasy.
If the level of civilization matched its appearance, it wouldn’t be strange at all for a slave system to be in operation. They had picked up a sturdy, mysterious man from the sea. If he could be sold as a slave at a good price, they might as well have picked him up casually. Especially if they were on a ship equipped with a prison, perfect for keeping people locked up.
“*Are you slave merchants?*”
“*Of course! What other reasons could there possibly be for boarding a ship with a prison?*”
So they wanted me to fetch a good price, he said while taking a swig from a leather pouch hanging at his waist. Probably, it contained alcohol.
“*Where is this ship headed?*”
“*We’re just heading back to Karamala. We’ll be arriving at the port soon. It’ll be a short association, but nice to meet you, bro. If you succeed as a gladiator slave, I’ll become a fan of yours!*”
Saying something odd, the thug continued to talk to me while gulping down the drink from his pouch.
Still barely grasping the situation, I decided to listen quietly to his drunken chatter, hitting the appropriate responses to gather whatever information I could.
However, I gained hardly any useful information. He talked about how the food at one place was good, how the drinks were cheap, and how any attractive women had their prices skyrocket making them unattainable. Then there were his complaints about the ship’s crew.
It seemed this thug was among the lower ranks of the crew.
And he was supposedly here under the pretense of keeping watch to evade the eyes of his seniors, drinking watered-down alcohol.
Great, now I knew too much about this thug’s circumstances. More importantly, I had to worry about my own situation first.
“*It’s foolish to be captured again after escaping…*”
After the chatty thug left, I muttered to myself.
“*But at least it’s better than those masks.*”
The first thing I checked after realizing I was in a cell was the restraints.
I was shackled with what felt like handcuffs around my wrists. Just that. There was no demonic ring to brainwash me, nor were there any traces of strange magic cast on me.
Of course, these shackles were made of plain iron, with no special functions like nullifying magic, exploding, or electric shocks. They were cheap enough that with a bit of strength, I could easily break them.
The iron bars of the prison also seemed to be made on a budget, as I could easily bend them with a grip, to the point where I started to worry about being the one captured.
In any case, this lax restraint that allowed me to escape whenever I wanted was a blessing.
The ship still seemed to be running over the ocean, so it wouldn’t make sense to attempt a riot and escape right now. I should stay quiet until we reach the port.
Thus, I decided to maintain the status quo, lying back down in the filthy cell…
“*What’s wrong… something feels off…*”
I wasn’t suspecting the thug. It felt different, as if this situation was set up to deceive me—rather, it felt more like something was wrong with myself.
“*I feel like I’m forgetting something incredibly important…*”
It was as if I had just realized I had forgotten to do one of my assignments on the final day of summer vacation—a feeling of despair and impatience was smoldering within my chest, as if my instincts were screaming that it was not the time to be captured like this, which only added to my discomfort.
What was I afraid of?
No matter how much I racked my brain, nothing came to mind. I distinctly remembered boarding the ship bound for Pandora and spending a few days hiding in the crate. There were no discrepancies in my memories.
Before waking up here, I had likely been fed up with the cramped sea voyage and then fell asleep… and then I woke up to find myself in this prison.
“*Could it be that something happened while I was asleep, and I forgot it…?*”
It was strange that I hadn’t awakened at all during my discovery by the crew or while being thrown into the sea. No matter how deeply I was under a sleep spell, I should have awakened if I was pitched right into the sea. Moreover, my body was also enhanced for resistance against such abnormal states.
“*…I can’t remember anything.*”
While it felt suspicious, no matter how hard I tried, I could only feel as if I had simply been sleeping soundly.
“*Damn it, is this some aftereffect of having my head messed with by that ring?*”
The needle of that ring definitely reached my brain. It’s not strange that any symptoms could occur. Just maintaining my self-awareness and memory is practically miraculous. I’m really glad I wasn’t turned into a complete wreck to the point where I didn’t even know who I was.
“Rather than the things I can’t remember, it might be wiser to consider how to proceed from here.”
After all, I find myself in a situation akin to being thrown into another world with nothing but my bare self. Fortunately, I possess enough combat capability to barely defeat a fire-breathing dragon that could be called a salamander, so I should be able to secure my safety to a certain extent.
However, no matter how strong I am, I still get hungry. My body has developed enough toughness that I can keep moving for a week straight without food or water, but that doesn’t mean I can remain fine forever.
To live, I must eat. To eat, I need money. Of course, simply eating is not enough.
Clothing, food, and shelter are essential for humans to live. If I don’t secure these first, my new life in another world won’t begin.
“For now, I absolutely refuse to become a gladiatorial slave.”
Being forced to fight for someone else’s convenience is no joke. I managed to escape from that hell by being fortunate.
I’ve already killed plenty of both humans and monsters. I don’t want to fight anymore.
“Right, let’s live peacefully. A life free from battles would be nice.”
First, I need to stabilize my living conditions. After that, I should explore ways to return to Japan. This seems like a better choice considering the circumstances.
“But living in another world… sigh, if it weren’t for that hellish human experiment, I might have been a bit more excited.”
As a member of the literature club who enjoys writing light novels, it’s only natural for me to have a taste for fantasy works. I could enjoy dreaming about a grand adventure in a world of swords and magic, alongside a cute heroine and reliable companions.
However, the other world I experienced was already a hell filled with blood, flesh, and pain. At this point, I can’t possibly think of this world as a kind, fairy tale-like place filled with dreams and hope.
In fact, I’m about to be sold as a slave right now. If I were still just an ordinary high school student, it would mean a certain and miserable slave life.
“That said, I won’t be thanking anyone for giving me this power.”
At the very least, I have to grab onto a life that is a bit more comfortable than the average.
I have no idea what will happen from here on, but as long as I do my best, I hope I can have a fun life in this other world—while I think about such sweet and positive things, the commotion outside suddenly grows louder.
“Hey, bro, we’re at the port!”
It was the punk guy who just chatted with me a moment ago, coming to get me.
“Hey, I think you know this, but don’t do anything weird, alright?”
“Hehe, even if I end up as a slave, I want to be whole.”
“Whoa, what a nice body…”
Behind the punk guy, three tough-looking men, who can be described as roughnecks, stand. Each of them prominently displays swords and axes, bearing not a trace of a law-abiding citizen’s presence.
They seem to be in charge of supervising me, a candidate for a gladiatorial slave, as I’m moved from the cell. However, I don’t feel any significant magical power or overwhelming presence from them. Compared to these guys, the orcs I faced in the mobile experiment seemed much stronger.
If it comes to the worst, I need to quickly immobilize these guys. Especially the third one—don’t look at my body like that.
“Please, just stay quiet. If you’re going to make a scene, do it after the sale.”
Saying that, the punk guy opens the cell door and urges me to step out.
For now, I pretend to obediently comply with those words.
If I’m going to escape, it would be best to do so after stepping off this ship and onto the land at the port. It’s dangerous to suddenly try to flee in an unfamiliar place, but it would be even more dangerous to be taken to their hideout like this.
Since he calls himself a slave merchant, he should have the facilities to store his goods. Among them, there could be dangerous items that would enforce obedience without any say, much like that ring.
Right now, the only thing binding me is this flimsy handcuff and these shabby-looking guys. After confirming the situation at the port, I should be able to escape by setting off a black magic smoke screen.
While formulating a simple escape plan, I walk through the cramped ship and finally step outside.
The sunlight shines brightly down on me. I realize it has been a while since I last saw sunlight. The facility was underground, and I sneaked onto the ship in the night.
However, now that I see the blue sky illuminated by the sun, it feels so ordinary that I don’t have any particular feelings about it.
“Ugh…”
As I squint against the brightness, a sand-laden wind brushes against my cheek.
At that moment, I finally realize what kind of place this is.
“What the… this is…”
It’s not the sea. It’s a desert.
The large, weathered wooden ship I’m standing on is floating not on water, but on a smooth sea of sand.
Looking back, the horizon stretches endlessly, bathed in sandy colors.
It’s an utterly unexpected sight… but seeing multiple ships sailing across the sandy sea, I can only accept that this must be such a place.
“What are you surprised about? Is this your first time seeing the back port?”
The punk guy says, smiling as he sees my astonished expression.
I don’t know what the “back port” refers to, but I’m simply surprised by the existence of a sandy sea and ships navigating it. This is likely an everyday sight for the local inhabitants. So, there’s no need for me to make a scene about how amazing it is.
Ah, yes, as I say something nonsensical like that, I cautiously observe my surroundings, trying to absorb the shock of the sandy port.
It’s not a very large port; more on the scale of a small fishing harbor.
To the land side are rugged, reddish-brown mountains, making it hard to see far. Yet, given the number of men busily unloading cargo, it’s hard to believe this is a desolate little island.
“Welcome to the farthest desire city, Karamala!”
“So, this is it.”
“Yeah, I feel sorry for you, bro, starting as a slave, but well, good luck!”
From the punk guy’s playful tone, I can now confirm it.
From what he said, it seems that the city called Karamala is quite large. It’s not just people like these punks gathering; there must also be clean and upscale restaurants and night establishments. This indicates a sizable population, with a clear divide between the rich and poor. And if there are many fortunate individuals, the city’s level of development must also be considerable.
A desert metropolis, huh? I can’t help but think of images like Las Vegas or Dubai.
In any case, I can ascertain that it’s a place ample enough for me to escape.
Now, I just need to pick the right moment to flee. Should I act the moment I step down the gangway and touch the ground at the port?
On the surface, I’ll be obedient, but internally, I’ll count down to my escape as I take one step after another on the deck, until finally—
“Hey, wait! Who are you guys, and where did you come from!!”
A particularly loud voice resonates. In that moment, the atmosphere of the port suddenly turns dangerous.
“Shit! We’ve been found out!”
“At this point, we just have to break through!”
From the look of things, the source of the commotion quickly becomes clear. Men armed with weapons burst forth from all directions, chasing after two girls.
One girl has short hair that springs up like dog ears, characterized by blonde hair and red eyes. The other girl has wavy silver hair and exotic brown skin, with striking blue eyes.
The fact that those two aren’t just children wandering in can be surmised from the swords and staffs they’re armed with.
And more importantly, from this distance, I can sense the strong presence emanating from the two girls.
Not to the level of Sariel, but I’m certain they possess superhuman abilities that defy their appearances. My predictions immediately become reality.
With a mighty swing of her large sword, the blonde girl slices through the men rushing at her, while the brown-skinned girl silences their advance with a white-wind-like magic when she raises her staff. It truly is a case of overwhelming force.
I doubt anyone would feel anything but shame when grown men are being taken down so easily by children. They are simply strong.
“Whoa, what the hell is up with that kid? This is bad, right? Come this way!”
The punk guy, who had been watching the scene with excitement, starts to panic as the two girls run toward our ship.
Given their gaze, it’s obvious the ship is their target.
“Oh crap, they’re really coming!!!”
As they close in on the ship, in the next moment, the blonde girl throws something inside.
“Duck!”
I imagined it could be an explosive, and instinctively pushed the punk guy nearest me down while I crouched.
Fortunately, the object that flew in released a cloud of white smoke instead of an explosion. It seems it was just a smoke screen.
Well, this saves me some trouble. Alright, I’ll take advantage of this chaos and make my escape—
“Rilian! Where are you, Rilian?!”
“I’m here to help, respond, Rilian!”
The cries of the two girls, who have boarded the deck under the cover of smoke, are unmistakably words aimed at rescuing someone.
To come aboard a slave merchant ship while shouting a girl’s name… anyone could immediately infer what that means.
“…It’s none of my business.”
Stop with the pointless sense of justice. I’m not in a situation where I can care about others right now.
I shouldn’t get involved in things I know nothing about, especially when I am completely unrelated. Keep your emotions in check and make a calm judgment.
Though I think that, my feet ultimately never move for that first step to escape.
“Just… just a little observation.”
I had to tell myself that to justify making a choice that made no sense.
January 25, 2019
Chapter 36 starts now. I’ve finally reunited with Reki and Ursula… it’s been a long journey, longer than I initially anticipated…
Also, on the 24th, the fifth chapter of the comic was updated. Finally, on the night of the full moon, adult Lily makes her appearance!
Furthermore, the first volume of the comic adaptation “Black Demon King” will be released! It will be on sale Friday, February 22, so please look forward to it!