Chương 72: Chapter 42:”Captured Yu — The Ambition of Master Megil”

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in a place that looked like a laboratory, filled with rows of suspicious-looking mechanical devices. I had been stripped of all my clothes and was chained to a table, stark naked. To prevent any movement, my limbs and torso were bound with thick, heavy iron locks. Furthermore, suction cups were attached all over my body, and needles were pierced into me here and there.

Following the wires connected from the suction cups and needles, I looked to the side and saw a mechanical screen flickering with movement. The machine was something like a computer—an object I had never seen in this world. It clearly stood out as an anomaly against the level of civilization here. Graphs were being generated in real-time. It seemed that data regarding me was being harvested without my consent. I was in the exact state of a test subject.

A chilling fear and a gut-wrenching sense of disgust welled up simultaneously. I tried to use [Qi Reinforcement] to break the locks, but for some reason, no strength would enter my body at all. Still, when I tried to force Qi into my body anyway, intense pain surged from the needles pierced all over me. My head, in particular, felt as if it were splitting apart!" Uaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah—!" I was forced to cancel the [Qi Reinforcement], and the pain stopped immediately. My body went even more limp than before.

Hearing my scream, I heard the footsteps of someone approaching. Before long, the person who peered into my face with a look of pure enjoyment was that woman, Karla.

"It seems you're awake. How are you feeling?"" Worst." I recalled having a similar exchange with Will in a similar situation before. Thinking of that, I spat out the words. She didn't care, looking all over my body with a lingering gaze and laughing as if amused.

"Fufu. You really are cute as a girl, but you have quite a cute face on this side too, don't you?"

"What the hell do you want?" Despite the situation—no, precisely because of such an overwhelmingly advantageous situation—I showed my discomfort at her throwing such trivial talk from a place of composure. Then, she added, lifting the corners of her mouth even more meanly.

"Besides, unlike your face, you seem to have quite a splendid thing." It was the moment I clearly recognized that being stark naked meant that part was also being firmly seen. Embarrassment welled up at once, and I turned my eyes away from her.

"Don't look at that..."

"Oh my. I'm not particularly a virgin. Don't worry about it." Come to think of it, she had a boyfriend once. She wore a composed face that exuded an adult leeway. In addition, that guy Tor arrived. I glared at him with anger, but he didn't deal with me at all. He spoke with an expression that looked truly amused from the bottom of his heart.

"Yu-kun. Examining you, I found out something wonderful. According to calculations, the Potential Magic Power Value of you as a woman is actually one hundred times the Effective Magic Power Value—in other words, about one million. Truly wonderful aptitude." Potential Magic Power Value. One million. I was bewildered by the unknown words and outrageous numbers, but since this guy was sneering, I didn't have a good feeling about it at all.

"Just a little more and the necessary extraction of magic elements will be complete, but that value is sufficient." And he offered his thanks, dripping with sarcasm.

"Thank you. Thanks to you, the completion of the plan seems to be a little earlier." As I thought. Setting aside details, I understood what he wanted to say. In short, he intends to use me for the completion of the plan! Instead of preventing the plan, I end up being used to facilitate it. I couldn't help my regret.

"So I have a request. I want you to provide that vast magic power. Won't you become a woman for a bit?" The words were a request, but in reality, it was an order accompanied by intimidation that allowed no argument. His eyes said he wouldn't show mercy if I disobeyed. Still, I rejected him resolutely.

"Who would cooperate with the likes of you!" He distorted his mouth into black joy.

"Hoh. I think it's better to obey obediently, though." I wouldn't yield. As I just continued to glare silently, he raised both hands and sighed, yare-yare.

"Karla. Do it."

"Yes."

"What do you intend to do?"

"Kukuku. While you were sleeping, I analyzed your nature a little." Tor sneered even more happily.

"Apparently, you have a unique spiritual world, and it seems equipped with elements to switch bodies there."

"What!?" Unique spiritual world!? It was the first time hearing it. But certainly, now that it was mentioned, that pitch-black space I can enter by wishing when choosing a body was mysterious. Could that be the spiritual world?

"I connected to it and made it so I can tamper with it a little. Now, what will happen?" The gaze that the guy—who feigned ignorance deliberately—threw at me was as if he were looking at a guinea pig or something. I shuddered.

"Master. Preparations are complete."

"Now. Let the experiment begin."

"Stop it!" From the needles stuck all over my body, I felt something flowing in. Instantly, my whole body began to heat up and creak. My heartbeat was getting faster and faster." U, uaaah!" This feeling is...! It's Will. It's very similar to when I was forcibly transformed by his [Interference]! In fact, it was exactly that. A melting sensation attacked my brain, and my thoughts became soggy. I knew my Adam's apple disappeared and my voice became higher." A, auu...!" Dammit! I won't become a woman! Go back!

Go back! However, contrary to my will, my body was slowly and steadily feminizing. Every time the change progressed, a voice I didn't want to let out leaked from my throat." Nhaa! Anh...!" In my hazy consciousness, I only knew that their gazes, licking me all over, were piercing. Don't look! Don't look at me! Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

Twisting my body many times, the time writhing in the gap between pain and forced sensation continued as if reminding me of eternity.

"Haa... Haa..." By the time the aching finally settled down, I had been completely turned into a woman. My whole body was damp with sweat, drifting a sweet scent. A slender and supple body compared to a man. Two bulges pointing upward tsun without losing to gravity even when lying on my back. Those sights reflected in my vision firmly asserted my womanhood. Karla was looking at my whole body as if licking it. After peering firmly into the crotch where the thing was lost, she said as if truly impressed.

"Hee. Interesting. You really do become a girl." Tor also looked all over my body jiro-jiro in the same way. Setting aside Karla who is the same woman, being looked at as he pleased by such a hopeless man was the height of humiliation.

"Kukkukku. A captive woman, huh. As expected, this side makes a better picture." Tor brought his face closer while floating a vile smile. What would be done? I had only bad premonitions. While almost trembling with fear, I attempted resistance with all my might from my unyielding spirit. When his face approached close enough to feel his breath, I spat saliva on his cheek." Don't bring that scummy face close to me." Then he sneered niyari. He scooped the saliva on his cheek and licked it perori.

At the excessive disgustingness of that act, physiological aversion welled up at once.

"It seems you don't understand your position well." With the repulsive smile pasted on, my breast was grabbed roughly.

"Tsu...!" Being done as he pleased, I was kneaded many times. My breast changed shape like a marshmallow according to the movement of his hand. He pretended to be calm, intending to punish cheeky me, but... It was easily seen that he was excited like a male dog in heat. While feeling fear and regret, on the other hand, my heart was completely cold, as if looking down on him. Everyone is like that. Is it a breast you want to knead so much? I just endured the time of torture.

I must not cry just for the likes of this guy. Just clenching my teeth still and distorting my face in mental pain. Perhaps seeing it was too much, Karla frowned and intervened.

"Master. Let's end the play around there."

"Hmph. That's right." Finally, his hand let go. Saved. Although she is an enemy to be hated now, regarding this matter, I thanked her honestly in my heart.

"Alright. Start magic element extraction."

"Understood." There was a sensation as if something was being extracted from the needles attached to my whole body. Strength didn't enter my body. Let alone escaping, I could hardly even twist my body. I had no choice but to be done as they pleased helplessly. Powerless. That fact was frustrating beyond words. But at least, while this was being done, I wouldn't be killed. Thinking so, I had no choice but to take it positively even a little now. Before long, Karla was ordered by Tor and left this room.

I became alone with him. If there is no subordinate, his real intention might slip out a little easier. He might do something again but... it's not the time to be scared. To gain even a little information, I summoned up my courage and asked.

"Tor. What on earth are you trying to do by doing this?"

"Hmm—. Well, you'll know soon even if left alone. I'll tell you." He finally began to talk about his own ambition.

"It was more than three hundred years ago. Once, there was a Great Magic Empire that reigned with advanced technology overwhelmingly surpassing other countries." Its name was Edel. Tor spread his arms. It was theatrical, as if telling the beginning of a story.

"Edel is said to have been destroyed by an Avatar of God. By [Megil] being dropped by him. I am one of the survivors of that time."

"Survivor, you say?" Being that long-lived is absolutely impossible for a mere human. Then this guy is, perhaps—. To me staring at his face with a start, Tor nodded.

"Actually, I am also a Nesla. Both the race and the fact of being a survivor are the same as your master Inea. However, the reason and time for leaving the forest are different, though." Because she was an abominable child hated by the forest by birth. And because he was not satisfied with living in the forest and sought human wisdom too much. He was exiled from the forest. Rather proudly, he said. I never thought there was such a connection between Inea-sensei and this guy.

That's why when I mentioned Sensei's name at the Stardust Festival, this guy distorted his face for just a moment. Tor continued to talk triumphantly and truly eloquently. This love for explanation shown often even when he was a lecturer seemed to be his true nature without lies.

"By the way, why was Edel's magic called 'Lost Magic' and valued? And why now, in this town Sacris created centering on the few survivors at the time of destruction—yes, is it only transmitted narrowly from generation to generation only to their direct descendants? A big reason is that Edel had implemented thorough isolation. Edel was a so-called Floating City. Equipped with overwhelming magic technology and military power, floating in the sky, it was a paradise on earth.

Except for a few existing gates, a powerful barrier was put up around the city. It is said that at that time, other countries couldn't have any interaction physically either. Since numerous advanced magics were kept secret, they never spread to other countries." If his story was a fact, it was an outrageous thing. Floating City Edel. It seemed it boasted such tremendous civilization that it could easily overrun the current world where just the railway level is the best. Or rather, did he want to talk that much?

This guy. He didn't care anymore whether I was listening or not. He was completely intoxicated with himself. Still, since I was listening quietly, it seems certain that he got into an even better mood. He let his mouth slip further.

"Now, let's tell the truth that I haven't told anyone until now. Why does magic pollution still remain strongly in the Lasil Great Plains? It's simple. Because it continues to be polluted even now. By Edel, sinking deep underground exactly as it was." What did you say!? Then, are you saying Edel hasn't perished!? To me surprised honestly, he nodded satisfied and continued.

"Only I, who happened to survive nearby, saw it. After [Megil] fell, the figure of Edel, which should have been shattered, regenerating in the blink of an eye in the dust. And the state of the regenerated country sinking slowly into the earth as it is and becoming invisible." Tor didn't even try to hide his entranced expression. Frankly speaking, it's disgusting. Where did that gentle lecturer go?

"Seeing that, my heart trembled. I was moved. To think that a power that can be called a miracle exists in this world. Avatar of God. That person is truly worthy of that name." I couldn't help but raise my voice. This guy is making a big misunderstanding." Will is... that guy is not someone to be called an Avatar of God! He is a Destroyer of Worlds!" However, this man didn't try to care at all.

"Hoh. Are you an acquaintance of that person? But you see. No matter what kind of person he is, it doesn't matter to me. It's just that I wanted overwhelming power like his."

"Power, you say. Seeking such a thing, what do you intend to do?" Tor didn't answer immediately. Convinced of his own success, he continued to tell his glory story as if on a solo stage.

"Sharing the luck of the Celestial Magic he used, I named myself Master Megil. Since then, I have lived with only the resurrection of Edel as my goal. To become the ruler of the masterless Floating City and obtain great power. First I dug a path leading to Edel, and searched for the Orb necessary to float the city again. Furthermore, I dedicated a large amount of magic elements necessary to move it, and also dedicated a lot of blood necessary to circulate magic elements. I did various other things too.

And now, the plan spanning over three hundred years is finally about to bear fruit." And he sneered more happily than any expression he had shown so far." Edel will resurrect soon. That magnificent paradise will return to the sky above the Lasil Great Plains! I will go to the sky. And I will erase this eyesore town. With overwhelming war potential. I will make this world know the former wisdom, the former glory!" Hearing up to there, I understood well. How many people were sacrificed for such trivial things.

Swallowed tears. And from now on too! Speaking for the anger of all people, I shouted.

"For such a thing... For such a thing! Did you take countless lives! Do you intend to take more!"

"Such a thing? Kukkukku. You don't understand. Isn't human essence in endless desire and curiosity? That is precisely what has always moved human society and history. Then, following human essence, what is trivial about seeking? To me, the other things seem like 'such a thing', though."

"That is nothing but sophistry! Certainly, looking at society and history, there might be such an aspect." Insatiable desire and curiosity created and nurtured science—in this world's terms, Magic Civilization. Collision of incompatible principles and assertions. Numerous conflicts have developed society with pain. Certainly, such an aspect cannot be denied. But." But, there must have always been various thoughts and connections of people who lived in that era behind it!"

To say that only selfish parts are human essence. Such a simple and univocal view is ridiculous.

"What really moved the era is not just desire and curiosity. It's all the various thoughts and connections of various people. Everything is equally important!" I recalled. Alice, Milia, Argus, Inea-sensei. Although hostile now, Karla-senpai, and Katie-senpai, and classmates and teachers at school. And people living in Sacris. Because everyone is here, the current me is here. The current town is here.

"Your act of trying to achieve a selfish ambition even by trampling on such thoughts and connections of many people, no matter how much you preach, can never be justified! It's not something to be forgiven!" When I declared that much, Tor frowned looking terribly bored.

"It's a pity. The current report is zero points. Yu-kun."" I will definitely stop your ambition!" Then he started laughing loudly holding his belly this time.

"Hahhahha! Interesting joke! What on earth can you do, unable to move? You will die here as you are. Together with your stupid friends who came to rescue you nonchalantly."" Dammit! Everyone!" At that time, a completion sound rang from the machine cruelly. It was a signal that sufficient magic elements were squeezed out of me. Hearing that, he sneered niyari.

"Now, everything necessary has been gathered. You have served your purpose."

"Do you intend to kill me?"

"What. I won't do such a barbaric act. As a token of gratitude for cooperating, I'll present you with your final moments. You should spend time slowly here."

"Kuh..."

"Farewell. We probably won't meet ever again. Hahhahhahhahhahha!" Leaving a sarcastic loud laugh, he left. In the laboratory where no one was anymore, I was lying down unable to do anything. I was powerless. Too powerless. —Come to think of it. Bound like this, unable to move. Being done terrible things. I feel like something like this happened when I was small a long time ago. When was that? Why do I remember nothing? 『 World of Heart 』. Power. Suddenly such words crossed my mind for some reason.

『World of Heart』, huh. Closing my eyes and wishing, a pitch-black and endless space is reflected. Like the universe. Just as I always do when transforming, I enter there. There is my male body in a shell state. There is me of this body I am moving now. Until now, I thought there were only these two things here. I assumed it was just a place to choose a body like character selection and return. But if you say this is my spiritual world. It should be absolutely impossible that there are only these two.

At a glance it looks like nothing, but. If I walk a little more, I might find something. This is the only thing I can do now. I started walking gropingly in the pitch-black world spreading endlessly.