Chapter 56: Victoria’s Reference Book, all 49 volumes

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Translator: Soafp

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I went to visit Maidol, the attendant of Christina and Victoria.

“Long time no see, Ask-sama.”

“Hey.”

“So, what brings you to see me today?”

Skipping small talk, I got straight to the point.

The reason I came to see Maidol was to learn about Victoria's preferences and tastes.

“I see. You wish to know more about Victoria-sama for date planning purposes.”

“Yes. Even small details would be fine.”

“Then please take this reference book.”

“Reference book?”

Tilting my head in confusion, I watched as Maidol lifted her long skirt and produced a thick book.

“Wait—where did you just pull that out from?”

“Ara, please don't look at me with such heated eyes. A maid's skirt can hold anything, you see.”

“…Is that how it works?”

“That's how it works.”

If that's how it works, I guess it can't be helped. Still, what did she mean by “reference book”?

Thinking that, I opened the book she handed me.

“…That's terrifying.”

Inside was a dense record of Victoria's daily behavior.

How many times she turned over in her sleep at night, what time she woke up, what she ate for breakfast, how many times she chewed before swallowing.

What she stared at for how many seconds, and what she looked away from—and for how long.

For the first time, I learned that when the feeling of “this is disgusting” overflows in a human mind, it transforms into fear.

“What is this book?”

“A reference work I compile personally. One for Christina-sama and one for Victoria-sama—forty-nine volumes each. The commemorative fiftieth volume is scheduled for completion next month.”

“Ugh, that's scary. I've got goosebumps. How did you gather details this precise—”

“Fufu. That is a secret.”

Feeling deeply unsettled as Maidol chuckled softly, I continued reading. She even provided commentary as we went.

“Victoria-sama's hobby is observing people. She has a fondness for mystery novels and detective plays.”

“Huh.”

“Incidentally, her sexual appetite is quite strong, so about three or four times a day she mas—”

“Ah, I don't need that kind of information. Also, knowing that much is seriously concerning.”

“Fufu, thank you.”

“That wasn't a compliment.”

I didn't realize people this unhinged actually existed. This is genuinely scary.

“Her favorite foods are sweet desserts and yakitori.”

“Yakitori? Princess Victoria likes yakitori?”

“Yes!! It seems she can't forget the taste of yakitori she secretly ate in the castle town after sneaking out when she was young, and even now she occasionally sneaks out to eat it!! The way she gets embarrassed about it makes it all the more adorable!!”

“Shouldn't you be stopping her from sneaking out, as her attendant?”

Still, this was more useful than I expected.

I can't expect good yakitori in an empire where the food is terrible, but maybe visiting bookstores would be a good idea.

“By the way, Ask-sama. This isn't payment, but may I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“What do you find wonderful about Victoria-sama?”

I stopped turning the pages and froze in place.

The pressure was almost indistinguishable from killing intent.

…This is a woman who compiles books about Victoria with her own hands.

Even if Victoria is the one pushing herself onto me, I might be an unwelcome presence to Maidol.

If I answered wrong, she might attack me.

I couldn't answer carelessly—but it wasn't a question with an obvious answer.

“I don't know.”

“…You don't know?”

“Princess Victoria is a beautiful girl. She has a large chest, and she's proactive toward the person she likes. That's about all I know about her.”

If I don't know her well, being asked what's wonderful about her is difficult.

“So my answer is that I can't answer.”

“…I see. Then allow me to tell you one good thing.”

“A good thing?”

“Both Christina-sama and Victoria-sama—what makes them truly precious lies in their hearts.”

“Their hearts?”

Maidol nodded enthusiastically.

“Indeed!!”

Wow, her energy suddenly shot up.

“Ask-sama, do you know what a slime is?”

“A slime? You mean that weakest of monsters, the one that can even be preserved as food if sun-dried?”

“Yes, that slime.”

Why are we suddenly talking about slimes?

“Slimes are weak, fragile, and can be easily killed by crushing them. A trivial existence. However, even a slime is still a monster. If one appears in a town, exterminating it is the obvious course of action.”

“That's true.”

“However, when they were young, Christina-sama and Victoria-sama were different. They found an injured slime that had somehow wandered into the castle garden—and instead of killing it, they treated its wounds and gave it food.”

“I see.”

“What would you do, Ask-sama? Would you save the slime?”

“That depends.”

I answered without hesitation.

Certainly, Christina and Victoria's benevolence is admirable.

It deserves respect—but…

“What do you mean, ‘it depends'?”

“If the slime attacks people, I'd kill it. Removing harmful things is part of survival.”

“Then how would you tell the difference?”

“…No idea.”

“Then killing it would be the only option, wouldn't it? Since it might attack people.”

Hmm. That's true.

“In the end, humans are creatures who cannot tolerate things that cause them harm. That is precisely why Christina-sama and Victoria-sama—who are not like that—are precious.”

“I see.”

“…I'll say this plainly. I truly despise you for being the one Victoria-sama is pursuing!!”

“You're very direct about it.”

The killing intent was intense.

I thought so during the magic tournament and when we met in the underground dungeon of the capital, but now I understand the source of that pressure.

“And I despise those who flock to the two of them, drawn to their beauty like hyenas swarming a corpse.”

“That comparison turns them into corpses, though.”

“Details are irrelevant. Ah, my apologies. I forgot to serve tea. Please.”

“Thank you.”

I drank the tea she offered, moistening my throat. Delicious.

“…I cannot entrust Victoria-sama to anyone but someone whose heart I acknowledge as truly precious.”

“How do I earn that acknowledgment?”

“Humans are creatures who restrain themselves through reason. When that reason is stripped away, their true nature is revealed.”

“True nature?”

“Yes. Whether you are merely a hypocrite who casts healing magic at night to look good, or a saint who genuinely gives without expectation—I wish to see which you are.”

I froze.

Wait. Does that mean she knows about me using aliases like No-Face or No-Name to secretly heal people?

“Fufu. You look surprised, but to me, it was obvious.”

“…How?”

“Although I cannot see, my other senses are heightened. Sound, scent, the movement of the air—I can tell from those.”

Impressive. I should probably change how I walk from now on.

“I won't ask why you hide your identity or why you act as you do. I have no interest. I simply want to know your true nature. Which is why—I slipped something into the tea.”

“…What?”

“That tea contains a drug that strips away reason. Don't worry—it only lasts about half a day, and it isn't poison.”

“…Now that you mention it, I do feel like I can't think properly anymore…”

Maidol smiled.

A deeply evil smile—one that reminded me of that pathogenic monstrosity.

“Now, show me. Show me the true nature within you. The ugly, wicked heart that defines humanity!! Gluttony, lust, sloth, greed—anything is fine. Show me your essence!!”

“—I want to heal.”

“…Eh?”

“I want to eradicate every sick and injured person from this world. Every last one. As cool as possible.”

“…Ha?”

I leapt out the window.

The sun was still high in the sky, and it was a perfectly clear day without a single cloud.