We were arrested and thrown in jail. Messina was the first to be captured, she was taken hostage and, as expected, we had no choice but to surrender. |
Messina |
"Ugh... How did this happen?" |
For some reason Palermo was taken to another room, so the only people in this prison cell are Catania, Messina and myself in her arms. There is no one else in the cell, it was silent. |
Messina |
"I'm really sorry, Signore Conductor. I haven't even got a clue about Iron Poisoning yet." |
Messina |
"It's my fault~, it's because I couldn't control Signorina Nia and her." |
Conductor |
No, Messina. There's no need for you to apologize at all. I'm just as guilty as you in that I couldn't even control my men. |
Catania |
"Sorry? Sorry? What did I do wrong again?" |
While I was comforting a depressed Messina, Catania puzzledly looked around the prison with interest. |
Catania |
"But I, Dottor Palermo need help――" |
Messina |
"Mhm. But you still shouldn't attack innocent people. But, well, this time it's Primaria's fault for suddenly starting to act up." |
Messina |
"Signorina Nia just doesn't know what is right and what is wrong yet. Naïve children are innocent, sì?" |
Catania |
"I'm ignorant, but not a child though? Look, breasts♪" |
Messina |
"Ahaha. It seems like the guards who arrested us also decided that Primaria was the most guilty of the crime. Only Primaria was taken to a separate room." |
Catania |
"Why, only Dottor Palermo? Even though I am also naughty~?" |
Messina |
"You're not naughty... Hmmm~, it's a bit unnatural now that you mention it." |
Messina |
"The guards seemed very surprised to see Primaria's face. They even left Signoria Nia and us alone and assaulted Primaria." |
Messina |
"I wonder, why Primaria, 'She's the impostor who pretends to be the principessa!', that's what the guards said...?" |
Catania |
"Principessa? I'm also of principessa blood, though?" |
Messina |
"Signorina Nia has Earth Mother Blood, sì? But when they said principessa they meant Primaria." |
Messina |
"What should we do, I don't know what's going on. I'm not good at thinking――" |
Catania |
"Me too! Same here, Messi♪" |
Messina |
"Primaria's the best at thinking, and she's the only one who got separated... In this case, only Signore Conductor can help us." |
Conductor |
Of course, I am thinking about what we're going to do moving forward as the commander. I'm useless this time because I can't do any Iron Injection, so I'd like to at least contribute to the planning an operation. |
Messina |
"Good boy♪" |
Catania |
Ah~, Messi isn't getting Iron Injections, so you are only getting weaker... I am okay because I suck life out of other people." |
Messina |
"Yes, if it comes to fighting, Signorina Nia might be the only one we can rely on." |
Conductor |
I'd like to keep things civil if possible, but I doubt that will be possible any longer. |
Messina |
"Mhm, I'm worried about Primaria too, so after we get some rest, we'll ask Signorina Nia to break down the prison walls and get us out." |
Catania |
"Mhm! I do my best! I'm going to be very violent♪" |
??? |
'――If you can, please refrain from being violent.' |
??? |
'Although the abominable villain has taken control of all the buildings in this place, they are still the property of our Kingdom of Sitiria.' |
Messina |
"What was that voice!? Who's there?" |
Catania |
"Messi, come down with Conduttore!" |
Catania braced herself like a wild beast and stared straight up. Following her gaze, a black stain spread across the stone ceiling―― |
??? |
'Nume Nume! Nume Numeron~!" |
The ceiling collapsed after a strange incantation. Furthermore, a gelatinous, eerie monster flowed in from the depths. |
Catania |
"EEH!? What's this, it's disgusting!" |
Messina |
"Slime? In short, Mist Monsters...!" |
Catania |
"Enemies? Enemy? Kill enemy, sì?" |
??? |
'――Hold it. I'm not your enemy, peasants.' |
The slime that had fallen in alongside melted ceiling stones suddenly spoke in the voice of a calm girl. |
Catania |
"Peasants? This is the first time I've heard someone other than Signorina Fussen use the word 'peasant'!" |
Messina |
"Are you really a 'person'...? A Mist Monster that speaks human language?" |
??? |
'Hmm? What is a Mist Monster?' |
The strange slime rattled on the floor and stared at us with its huge eyeballs that existed inside its body. |
??? |
'Let me guess, it's a generic term for demons contaminated by Phantom Mist. If so, then this child, or rather, I will say that I am not one." |
??? |
'This child ―― in your words, this slime, is a familiar that I created through alchemy. Not a single drop of it has been contaminated by the abominable Phantom Mist.' |
Messina |
"Alchemy? Familiar? I really don't understand what you're talking about~?" |
??? |
'I could explain it to you in detail. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of grace.' |
??? |
'Let me ask you a straightforward question. Who are you peasants?' |
Conductor |
I think it would be polite for you to identify yourself first before asking us so impertinently. |
??? |
'Hmm, how peculiar, the puppet speaks.' |
??? |
'No, I see, I understand... Hmm?' |
??? |
'I don't know the details. I see, what you say makes sense. If there is something I want to get, first I should give you what you want in return?' |
??? |
'That is the law of equivalent exchange, which is the national policy of the Kingdom of Sitiria.' |
Catania |
"Equivalent exchange? That's what Dottore Palermo says, sì?" |
??? |
'Palermo? Mhm mhm, I've understood quite a bit ―― very well♪' |
??? |
'First of all, let me show you the courtesy you are looking for. I am the seventh sovereign of the Kingdom of Sitiria ―― I am Sicilia.' |
Sicilia |
'The people call me Principessa Lia, as I am known to them.' |
Catania |
"Pri, principessa? This squishy creature, a principessa?" |
Conductor |
We were told that this slime is a familiar. So this Sicilia character is speaking to us through this monster from somewhere far away. |
Sicilia |
"You seem to be able to speak quite well, doll." |
Conductor |
You can call me Conductor. |
Sicilia |
'Hmph. Conductor, then. It is the peak of rudeness to speak to me without revealing your true face, peasant, but I must be forgiving of that, since it is mutual.' |
Messina |
"A-a stuffed doll and a slime talking to each other... Such a surreal sight." |
Sicilia |
'Hmm. I guess you don't live with monsters? If you're not used to it, I can at least show you my face.' |
Suddenly the slime jiggled and the face of a girl appeared on its surface. |
Sicilia |
'How's this?' |
Messina |
"Eh? Wha, Primaria?" |
Sicilia |
'Primaria? I presume that this 'impostor principessa' seems to be one of your lot?' |
Messina |
"Eh? Ah, that's what you mean. I've finally caught up with my understanding." |
Messina |
"You, er, Sicilia - doesn't that mean, you're the real principessa of Ancient Kingdom Sitiria?" |
Sicilia |
'I thought I've already said my name earlier?' |
Having said this, the princess of Ancient Kingdom Sitiria smiled fearlessly. |