Tilea's Worries

"Sniff, sniff, waaaah!"

"Enough with the crying already!"

Threatened by the boss of the mature women, I tremble with fear. Tears won’t stop over my own carelessness. This woman was no ordinary matron; she was like a yakuza, threatening like one typically finds in a rip-off joint. Surrounded tightly by the mature woman's underlings, escape seemed impossible.

"Come on, missy. Give up and tell me your address," she demanded.

"Hii. Take the wallet, please. Just spare me my address, sniff, waaah," I plead, handing over my wallet while sobbing.

"Hmm, one, two, three...a hundred thousand gold, huh? You carry quite a lot. Were you planning a big splurge? Too bad, you’re short by three hundred thousand."

"I'll bring the remainder later, I promise. Please, just let me go home," I begged.

"That’s why I can't trust you. I’m not falling for your excuses. You will tell us your address," she insisted firmly.

The horror of these thugs discovering my home address was unimaginable—they would suck me dry to the bone. Not to mention, I couldn't let Timu or my friends hear of such an embarrassing tale.

"Tilea, sometimes you just have to do as they say," Mucha chimed in from the side.

It seemed Mucha had decided to submit without resistance, agreeing to everything they said. She had probably spilled her address long ago.

"Damn it, that's easy for you to say! You always hang out in such places; getting labeled doesn’t bother you at all. Your family would just sigh at your antics…" I thought angrily.

But for me, it was different. If everyone found out I had been hanging out here...

"Big sister, disgusting! I can't believe it! You’ve been frequenting such a sleazy place. You’re the worst! I hate you!"

"Miss Tilea, to succumb to such base desires is truly shameful. Look at me, I’ve maintained my purity all these years. Hah, unlike you, I’ve preserved my virginity."

"What does ‘child chamber’ mean?! You were tempted by elf shabu-shabu... I'm utterly repulsed. Come to think of it, you were looking at me rather dangerously... Ah, don’t come any closer. I’ll be returning to my village. And I won’t tell you the address."

"Miss Tilea, you have fallen low. I must sever ties with the evil god army today. I'm tired of such foolish escapades. From now on, I shall focus solely on adventuring."

"Miss Tilea, lesbians... that’s your thing, huh? And in such a place... it’s the worst. I remember you used to hug me a lot too... Maybe it wasn’t the perfume I should be wary of but you!"

"Such a person can’t be my master. I hate perversion!"

"Miss Tilea, had you asked, I could have shown you many hidden gems... The evil district is my playground. Did you use the visitor center? Being ripped off at this day and age, you’re an amateur. Let’s go together next time. Akemi is recommended around this time."

"Captain Ortissio, Akemi has been on the early shift since today."

"Oh, is that so? Well done, my right-hand man Gil, always on top of things. Guhahaha!"

"Fool king, die! Even as Lord Edim’s nominal master, you’re too foolish. It’s time for a coup. Step down from the throne. It belongs to Lord Edim."

Such criticism would rain down like a storm, perhaps with some sympathy...

But if this got out, it was over.

Mucha was trembling too, but she was alright. Or perhaps she had enough money?

"Mucha, speaking of which, why can't you go home? You can afford it, right?"

"Hey missy, she’s also short by a hundred thousand gold."

"What?! Even with the gems—"

"No good, Tilea!"

The matron grinned wickedly, laying a hand on Mucha's shoulder, who was quivering.

"That is... well..."

"You little brat! You said you had no more valuables, right?"

"No, that... ehehe."

"Guys, strip her down!"

Amidst Mucha's screams, the matron’s underlings quickly stripped her bare.

Apparently, Mucha had secretly hidden the gems in her wallet.

Underwear revealed, the gem was found.

Mucha, now despondent, had her gem taken. "Ah, dammit! That was a custom piece, hard to come by."

"Heh, this alone is worth five hundred thousand gold."

"Can I at least get change...?"

"Fool! This is a penalty for your lies. It’s confiscated."

"Don’t grieve. Your payment is done. You may go."

"Really?"

Mucha's eyes lit up.

Ah, the injustice! Was she going to leave me here alone?

In a panic, I realized this was an opportunity. I should have Mucha call for help, preferably someone from the security forces other than Remilia.

"But remember, don't talk about this to anyone. If you squeal..."

"I understand, I understand. I won’t tell anyone!"

Mucha, pleading for mercy with tears and snot, looked at me.

She held her hands in front of her face, apologized, and vanished through the exit.

That traitor! Normally, who would abandon a girl in such a situation? Especially since I'm a TS girl, that’s even worse. That's why you’re unpopular, idiot!

Damn. I was the biggest fool for getting on that rascal’s ride.

"Now, it's your turn, missy. Just spit out the address while I’m still asking nicely. Let’s avoid any rough stuff."

"Please, just the address, just the address... I’ll really bring the money later."

"Ha, like I'd let you skip town after that. I’ll have my guys collect the money. You’ll stay as a hostage until then."

"Is that so...?"

"Relax, we won’t take any more. We don’t get involved," she reassured.

"Really?"

"Sure. If I make it too noisy, the security forces will step in because of the ruckus. We can’t afford that."

"Can I trust you? Really, if I pay, it’s over? I truly can’t take any more."

"Yeah, a promise is a promise."

"So, then... Ah, but—"

"Make up your mind already. Look, I have the address of that draper's foolish son. It wouldn’t take much effort to get yours. Do you want me to go through that trouble?"

Right, she had a point.

Thinking about it, once Mucha spilled the beans, it was pretty much checkmate. If threatened, she would definitely sell out my information. It might even look better if I confessed myself.

"Alright, I understand."

"Smart choice."

*Sigh*

"Don’t look so glum, missy. It’s a valuable lesson. At least we’re on the honest side."

True, if they were more villainous, they’d have squeezed out money and demanded my body as well. And given my body’s worth...

"So, the address?"

"It’s the Belga restaurant on West Street."

"Ah, a restaurant? So you’re the poster girl there?"

"Well, sort of. I’m the manager and chef and waitress, too."

But I won’t tell her that. No more information.

"And who at the restaurant can arrange the money?"

I didn’t want my friends, especially Timu, to despise me for this foolish mishap. There was only one person I could talk about this...

"Call Ortissio."

"Ortissio, huh?"

"Yes."

"Heh, is he your thing?"

"Absolutely not. Just an employee."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Well, fine. Whether you’re a lesbian or bi, it doesn’t matter. I just want to know if he’ll really sort out the money for you. It’d be troublesome if he ratted you out to the security forces."

"Ortissio can be trusted. He won’t abandon me."

"Alright, I’ll take your word for it for now."

The matron relayed the order to her subordinates. Several men opened the door and left.

Ort, will he really be okay?

I think he’ll act for my sake. Or seems to care about me in his own way.

The problem is Ort's impulsive actions. He’s the only one I can talk to about this, but I worry about his judgment. Ort tends to act unpredictably.

No, I have to trust him now. Thirty thousand gold should be manageable with Ort’s pocket money. I can pay him back later. Right now, I just want to get out of here as soon as possible.

Then, after a while, I waited with the matron.

"He’s late!"

"Yes, it seems so."

Hadn’t it been two hours? It wouldn’t be odd if they were back by now. But no one has returned. The matron tapped the table impatiently with her fingers.

"You didn’t give a fake address, did you?" her subordinate grabbed my collar, threatening.

"No, I didn’t lie. It’s true."

"Really? If you’re spouting nonsense, we can arrange the money with your body."

"Please, no—"

"Wait. She’s not lying. She understands the downside to lying too well, right?"

"Yes, that’s right," I nodded earnestly.

Giving

 a bad lie here would bring dreadful retaliation. The matron understood that well.

But what had happened? Ort was supposed to be in the Underground Empire at this time. He should have come out immediately if called. Had there been some trouble?

The matron's men went to the restaurant, and I tried to imagine what had happened.

One possibility...

"Which one of you is Ortissio?"

"I am. And who might you be?"

"Heh, I work at a brothel in the Evil District."

"Hmph, what do you want?"

"Your poster girl Tilea racked up a three hundred thousand gold debt at our place. You were requested to cover it. Hurry up!"

"Don’t lie. Lady Tilea would never visit a brothel."

"It’s true. Lady Tilea was there, flaunting herself with the women."

"Insolent fool. Lady Tilea would never do such a thing. You liar, I, Ortissio, Lord of the Second Division of the Evil God Army and King of Destruction, will punish you!"

"What, you wanna fight? Interesting. Everyone, beat him up!"

"Ugh! No, stop. Help—"

And he got beaten up. Quite the theory.

No? Maybe not. If that were the case, Ortissio would be useless, and the matron’s men would have returned by now.

There must be another reason they haven't returned.

Maybe this then...

"Insolent fool. Lady Tilea would never do such a thing. Edim, take him down!"

"Uh!? But... violence isn’t the answer."

"What are you, spineless! Get on with it!"

"These scoundrels unfairly insulted Lady Tilea and attempted to extort money and valuables from her. Do it, show your loyalty!"

"Indeed, it's unthinkable for Lady Tilea to visit a brothel. I won't tolerate insults to my friend. You thugs, take this Vampire Punch! Ei, ya, beshi, bashi."

"Ugh! Stop, you, stop. Help me."

And so, the underlings were knocked out cold.

Yeah, this line makes sense. If Edim happened to be near Or, this could indeed happen.

There's also a possibility that Myu did it, but Myu is currently on an expedition outside the capital, so that's out of the question.

Conclusion... almost certainly, they are now lying unconscious in front of the store.

And most likely, Or has tied them up with rope. Or has a habit of tying people up with ropes whenever the opportunity arises. He's even been known to tie up Lady Remilia and children from the village, calling them great sinners. If such shady types have passed out, Or would definitely tie them up.

Which means, because of that Shibarissio, it's unlikely the matron's underlings will come back here. If we just keep waiting, we'll never be freed.

Damn, what to do?

"I, uh—"

"What is it? Were you lying about the address after all?"

"No, that's not it. I think I know why those people haven't come back."

"Hmm, do tell. Why is that?"

"They were probably taken down by the bouncer we hired at the store."

I couldn't very well say it was a vampire. I had to phrase it somehow.

"A bouncer, you say? Your store has such a person?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, must be a pretty lucrative shop then."

"Uh..."

Did I just walk into a trap? Being perceived as thriving might make us a target, but I couldn't think of a good excuse.

"Well, it doesn't matter. Those thugs, as rough as they are, are quite skilled, so you must have hired a top-level adventurer, right?"

"Yes, well..."

"Hmm. Since I'm holding you hostage, you wouldn't have done something foolish like handing my men over to the security forces. You've probably just tied them up and taken them prisoner."

"Probably. Oh, if that's the case, I can go back and release them."

"Wait right there. I'm not falling for that. If you go back to your bodyguard, that won't do at all. I'll have my men handle the release orders."

"But, if it's not from me, it might just happen all over again."

"Don't worry. If they try anything, I'll threaten to kill the hostage."

"Uh!?"

"So, should I speak to this Ortissio, or your bouncer?"

"Ort is fine."

"Got it. I'll contact my men. But since they hurt my men, I'll need to add a charge."

"How much?"

"Three million gold."

"Three... million? That's ten times more!"

"Of course. It's a penalty. You'll also cover my men's medical expenses."

"Ugh, understood."

I have to comply. It feels like I'm being milked for cash, but... I'll think about what to do after I'm freed.

"Oh, and tell Ort it's a secret mission from me."

"Pfft! What? Hahaha, is it a love code? Like mistress and servant? Hehe, missy, you really are bi, aren't you?"

The matron and her crew burst into laughter.

Embarrassed but it's for the best. If Ort hears it's a secret mission from me, he'll come running without question, and he won't blab to everyone else.

And then...

"Lady Tilea! Lady Tilea! Unworthy Ortissio has arrived!"

Fast! The secret mission really worked. As expected, Ort, being single-minded, barged through the door roughly.

I waved at Ort, and like a puppy wagging its tail to its owner, he approached happily.

"Ort, good of you to come."

"Lady Tilea, to be entrusted with a secret mission fills me with honor. I will dedicate my life to this task."

"That's... thank you. You haven't mentioned this to anyone else, have you?"

"Of course not. It's Lady Tilea's secret mission, so I sent everyone else away. Hehe, they were quite frustrated. Especially that darn strategist was priceless."

I see. At least it seems no one else but Ort knows.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

Hopefully, he'll handle the money delivery and hostage release... Wait, why is Ort here alone? What about the hostages?

As I'm about to ask Ort, the matron approaches.

"Hehe, is your sweet reunion with your lover over? Now, it's my turn. Ortissio, hand over the money. And what about my men?"

"Who are you?"

"Hmm, cheeky, aren't you? Want to see pain?"

"Pain? Presumptuous! I'll tear you to pieces!"

"Young fool, I don't know who you think you are, but ignorance will destroy you."

"Insolent! I will not tolerate it. How dare a mere human—"

Oh no. Ort is picking a fight with the matron in full chuunibyou mode. As usual, he can't read the room. If this continues, Ort's life might be over.

I quickly move behind Ort and apply a choke sleeper hold.

"Guh! Ti-Tilea...sa-ma?"

"I'm truly sorry."

Sorry. It's rough, but I'm doing this for you.

Your spirit is commendable, but it can lead to danger here. Then, I bow to the matron.

"I apologize. This child has a foul mouth and is naive. I'll make sure to talk to him. Please forgive us."

"Hmph. There won't be a second time."

Phew, managed to not worsen the matron's mood.

I loosen the choke sleeper and pat Ort's cheek a few times as he comes to.

"Ort, sorry about that. Are you okay?"

"*pant* *pant* Almost reached Valhalla for a moment there, but I'm fine."

"Well, if you can still speak your chuuni language, you must be alright."

Then I sternly instructed Ort not to talk back to the matron.

Ort didn't understand why. "Why should I tolerate disrespect to Lady Tilea?"

I had to push it as an imperial command. It's handy indeed.

"By the way, Ort, what happened to the matron's men?"

"Her men?"

Hmm? He seems evasive.

"You didn't bring the money, did you?"

"No, I have it here."

Saying that, Ort pulled out several leather pouches jingling with platinum coins.

It looks like he brought the money. Each pouch seems to contain several dozen coins. Isn't there more than three million gold in there?

"Ort, I told you to bring three million gold. Why did you bring five times that? There's about ten million gold here, right?"

"Yes, precisely about twenty million gold."

"What? Why did you bring so much!"

"Lady Tilea, I usually carry around this amount. Indeed, it's bulky. I understand. I'll convert it into more rare, smaller gems."

What kind of nonsensical thing is that? It's not about being bulky. How has he not been robbed acting like such a walking cash register?

"Look, just one thing. Do you want to be robbed?"

"Hehe, Lady Tilea, any foolish thief who dares touch the evil god army's funds will receive a righteous hammer from Ortissio."

Saying that, Ort throws some punches in the air. As if a fly-stopping straight punch would solve anything.

"Enough. Just put away the extra money—"

"Okay, that's far enough. Hehe. Lucky you, having such a cute lover. Twenty million gold. If they had any lingering effects, we'd be in trouble. I'll take all of it."

The matron took all the bags filled with platinum.

Ort glared at her, but thanks to my stern warning, he just watched.

The matron moved to the next table, where her men were celebrating and counting the unexpected windfall.

I guess the excitement of sudden wealth is understandable. But isn't she going to ask about her men? Are they less important than the money?

Well, it's not my place to point that out.

We've got our own problems. A loss of twenty million gold... Ort, you're even more reckless than Mucha.

For now, we'll think about the stolen money later.

Now to find out what happened to the matron's men tied up in the underground empire of the evil god army.

Why didn't they come with Ort? Could they still be tied up...?

"So, Ort, why did you come alone? Weren't their comrades supposed to come too?"

"Lady Tilea, their comrades?"

"Yeah, the people who came to deliver my message, and the ones who came to inquire before them."

"Oh, those guys?"

"Yes, yes, those guys. What happened to them?"

"They died."

"What?"

"Yes, they died. Their insides were splattered everywhere."

What?! What the heck is going on?

"Edim killed them? I can't imagine Edim would do such needless killing..."

"No, Edim didn't kill them."

"I thought so."

"It was Edim's subordinates."

"What!? Seriously? Who would do such a thing!"

"I'm sorry. They're so insignificant, I didn't even remember their names."

"You don't remember anything at all? Edim was there, right? You must have heard them call out his name."

"You're right. Hmm, I think it was something like Je... Jeje?"

"Jeje?"

"Yes, exactly that name! Impressive, Lady Tilea, even the most minor characters are known to you."

"Enough with the flattery. What exactly happened?"

"Ah, several hours ago, some frail-looking humans appeared in front of the evil god army's underground empire. They encountered Edim, who was on guard duty. Those fools made the mistake of annoying Edim. Seeing this, Jeje, enraged by their disrespect towards Lord Edim, hurled magic bullets at them."

"Did he take out everyone who came to the shop?"

"Indeed. He killed them all."

"What... I can't believe this."

"I agree. It's incomprehensible. Had I arrived any later, I wouldn't have been able to receive your secret mission. If you're going to kill them, you should first extract all the information. And if you're going to kill anyway, it would be more useful to turn them into magical slaves rather than let rage dictate such actions. It's unacceptable that he got carried away over some insults to Edim."

Putting aside my urge to interject with Ort...

Jeje, huh? Killing people as if snacking on popcorn. Normally, I'd deny that such a hair-trigger bomb was part of my group.

But if it were Jeje, given that Edim was harassed, it's likely he would dispose of them without hesitation.

Damn, this is an unexpectedly bizarre twist. I thought they might be just unconscious and tied up.

To think they'd been killed...

"As for that Jeje or whoever, it took him ten seconds to kill such small fries. Quite the weakling. I would have done it in a flash, no, instantly!"

Ort is being Ort, utterly oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

What should I do? The situation seems to have spiraled further into chaos.