The Case of Being Reincarnated as a Heretic Mob Character in an Eroge Where Everyone is Extremely Determined - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Ending where I can’t sleep because a yandere girl loves me to death.

From what I can see in the protagonist’s dark fall route, the relationship between the Executives, excluding the cult leader, is neither good nor bad.

Even after living within the cult, my impression is that their relationships remain just that. They are like friends of friends.

This might be a clear difference compared to the relationships between the orthodox Executives.

If it were a spin-off work, Kenneth Orthodox and an Executive from Aaros Temple Order would be enjoying school life at the academy along with the protagonist…

Anyway, the guiding principle of the Aaros Temple Order Executive is to ‘follow the words and actions of the prophet,’ so other aspects are significantly lacking.

It might be possible to exploit Joanne’s biased affection to drive a wedge between her and Juanquiro.

Moreover, it might even be possible to manipulate Joanne into killing Juanquiro—

As preparations for the battle in Metashim are rapidly underway, I immediately set my plan into motion.

I need to confirm Joanne’s feelings for me while simultaneously gauging the extent of her affection for Juanquiro.

I’ll subtly draw out ‘who is more important to her, me or Juanquiro.’ If it seems feasible, I’ll also inquire about the prophet.

The ring finger inside the pendant has started to rot and emit a foul odor, so it should be about time for Joanne to show up; I decide to stroll outside.

Depending on the body part, the markers need to be replaced every few days before they rot.

“Ah, there you are! Oakley!”

See, here she comes. Slightly running over like she’s five minutes late for a date.

Joanne, as usual, is wearing the robe I gave her. It was originally mine, so it’s oversized for her.

Parts of the jet-black coat are so long that they almost drag on the ground, and the sleeves swing around like moe sleeves.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I thought it might be time to change the markers.”

“You’re so thoughtful. Then come to my room.”

Why her room? I almost questioned, but it’s obviously not a good idea to change markers outside.

Even in a Heretic stronghold, there’s a certain level of public order to maintain.

….

Joanne’s room was in an old castle on the mountainside.

It was my first time entering her room, and it was stark yet could be considered typical.

Most of her route is spent in the dungeon, so for some reason, this room is not seen even if you enter her individual route.

Even though the room belonged to Joanne, it took some courage to enter the room of the opposite sex.

I would have been less nervous if the decor had been grotesque, but it was such a normal room that I was at a loss for how to react.

“Why are you stopping? Don’t hesitate and come on in.”

“…yes.”

I was pushed from behind by Joanne and stepped into the room.

――Click.

(Did she just lock the door?)

Glancing back at the doorknob, I saw both a door latch and a twist-type lock installed. A double lock? I might have been lured in.

Joanne passed by me and walked towards the center of the room. I tried to reach for the door latch from my blind spot, but Joanne grabbed the hem of my clothes and dragged me further inside.

Then, tripping me up, I was rolled onto the luxurious bed.

“Hey. If you were alone in a room with your lover… what would you do?”

“Well… I don’t know.”

When did we become lovers? Joanne’s power of assumption is too intense.

“Don’t you think an Executive and someone like me is not a very good match?”

“Then make an effort to be a good match. That’s what my man would do.”

“I’m at a loss for words.”

Joanne lowers her limbs down over me, creating a cage as I lie on my back on the bed.

She positions herself like a hyena ready to devour its prey, and her short hair falls like a curtain, narrowing my field of vision.

She’s excited. Like a carnivore craving blood, she desires me.

A terrifying heat emanates from her every move.

In a past life, any affection from the opposite sex would have been nothing but my delusion.

Why is it that now, I must confront such straightforward emotions?

“Is this your weak spot?”

Of course, the heart is undoubtedly a human weakness.

Joanne slides her left hand, missing a ring finger, across my chest. Her long fingers press directly above my heart, stirring it intensely, and I hold back a scream-like groan.

I thought we were just normally exchanging the contents of the pendant, but I was in for a world of pain.

When her fingertip movements cease, Joanne leans against me, seemingly satisfied with my lack of resistance.

She presses her head against my chest, listening intently to the sound of my heart.

“Oakley’s heart is racing.”

“…Of course.”

My heart was pounding rapidly.

Too many unexpected things had happened, and my reactions had become mostly passive.

I had foolishly assumed that her displays of affection… could only occur within the confines of a cell or an interrogation room, yet here I was, in a normal room, seemingly about to be sacrificed in a blood ritual.

It felt like I had leaped into mortal danger without being prepared.

I understood the magnitude of Joanne’s arrow pointing towards me. But what about the size of the arrow pointing towards Juanquiro?

“Does Joanne-sama like Juanquiro-sama?”

“…Why did you bring up Juanquiro’s name?”

“It’s important.”

“…Well, she’s a comrade. Just like any normal comrade.”

For some reason, Joanne’s voice took on an irritated tone.

Indeed, it seems her relationship with Juanquiro is just normal. Like they’re merely work colleagues.

From the looks of it, she might like me more than Juanquiro.

I was about to continue and ask, ‘Who do you like more, Guru-sama or me?’ but I couldn’t quite bring myself to do it.

“Should we exchange markers now?”

“If we exchange markers, will you leave?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“…I see.”

Unfortunately, I have no desire to share a bed with Joanne. I presented the pendant, offering the contents of the box.

Joanne applied healing magic to the marker, regenerating it as her own ring finger.

I couldn’t help but think it was quite a laborious act, considering she would eventually sever it again as a marker.

However, the effect was amazing.

(This woman, she can mercilessly cut off her own finger… I already knew it, but it feels quite something to see she doesn’t hesitate at all.)

Joanne, using the knife on the table, cuts off her ring finger. Blood leaks from the severed wound, splattering on my cheek.

Once again, her ring finger fits inside the pendant, and the box fills with blood and flesh.

Joanne, with a slightly distorted face, applies healing magic to the wound, stopping the overflowing spurting blood.

“Did it hurt?”

“A little.”

I wrapped my left hand around hers as if to comfort her. It was the fleeting human-like gesture she showed that made me do it. Joanne gently squeezed my hand in return.

Why, knowing the pain of being hurt, would you try to take away my limbs?

If it’s said to be a fetish, I have no choice but to remain silent, but without my arms and legs, at the very least I won’t be able to drape her my robe.

Would that really be alright?

“Joanne-sama”

“Hmm?”

“Are my arms and legs in the way?”

“Ah… yes, I think they are in the way.”

“…Why? Without my arms, I will never be able to drape a robe over you again.”

As I said this, Joanne, sitting atop my waist, widened her eyes.

“If I had no legs, I wouldn’t be able to stand by your side, Joanne-sama.”

“That’s true… You wouldn’t be able to hold me tight either.”

Knowing all that, why?

When I appealed with my gaze, she muttered softly.

“…Because I prefer that version of Oakley… maybe.”

A shiver ran through me. Could it be that she would take a person’s limbs for such a trivial reason?

It’s like the cruelty of a child who casually shreds the legs of insects and the lack of objectivity to not question it.

Even if I communicated the contradiction and urged for correction, fundamentally, maybe she could not change.

Maybe she was already complete as a human being in that sense.

“I like Oakley who draped the robe over me. I like Oakley who tried to save me by shooting the crossbow… But I like Oakley who can’t live without my help even more…”

…I fundamentally can’t understand this person.

Almost all the people I’ve met so far were capable of recognizing their faults and correcting their mistakes.

Joanne has a nature similar to the occasionally unreasonable delinquents I’ve encountered.

Even though we speak the same language, we can’t communicate.

And no matter what I say, it feels like I can’t change her way of life.

“Is it strange to want to dye the person you like in your own color…?”

Sadly, that’s just the kind of creature she is.

Seeing her spiral eyes unwavering, I completely gave up on trying to persuade her.

I felt a total loss of strength and let out a deep sigh.

“Oakley, you can stay here tonight.”

Abrupt words. I’m at a loss for a response.

“But…”

“It’s okay, I won’t do anything.”

“Even if you say you won’t do anything…”

At my feeble reply, Joanne twists her mouth sloppily.

She lifts the pendant around my neck and bestows a graceful kiss upon it.

“Goodnight, Oakley.”

“Good night, Joanne-sama.”

As Joanne turned off the room’s light, she rested her forehead against my chest.

She then moved her face around as if searching for the best position and soon began to breathe the soft breaths of sleep nestled against my chest.

(…Is she really not going to do anything? Was she not in the mood? Or maybe she was just tired? Either way, she’s a woman I just can’t understand…)

The moment her arms wrapped around my back, I felt a chill, but it seemed she simply wanted to hug me to make sure I wouldn’t escape. I’m held in her grip with the force of a vise.

“She really is adorable when she’s asleep…”

The twin hills are pressing against the area around my chest.

However, my son down below doesn’t stir… Well, naturally it twitched a little, but it didn’t really get into that kind of mood. And that’s how it should be.

I’d probably despair at myself if it were otherwise.

I felt an intense suffocation and heat as I slowly closed my eyes.

I might not be able to sleep tonight.

….

Time rewinds to a bit before Oakley is forced to assist in the interrogation of Juanquiro.

A certain man was becoming famous among the Executives as a very devout believer of the Aaros Temple Order.

“Aaros-sama is the best!!!!”

This scream was from an ordinary Believer who could no longer contain his love and respect for the prophet Aaros, choosing the early morning when everyone else was asleep to release his impulse.

The voice was loud enough to reach the ears of the Executives, and it was highly regarded as their regular alarm.

“Oh, someone is calling my name again.”

“It’s a man named Oakley Mercury. I’ve also had my eye on him recently.”

“A promising young talent recognized by Juanquiro… splendid. Our order would indeed be secure with young people like him.”

Upon receiving Oakley’s declaration of love from the old castle, Aaros’s tone brightened noticeably even through the mask.

Nodding repeatedly as if to savor the moment, Aaros readjusted his hat.

Having spent a long time with the Guru, Juanquiro understood that he was pleased with Oakley’s actions and was feeling a little embarrassed.

“Oakley-kun huh? Wasn’t he a survivor from a previous operation?”

“Yes. Excluding us Executives, he is the only Believer who has fought against and survived the Executives of Kenneth Orthodox.”

“…Hmm. So he worships me fervently. I truly am blessed with such subordinates.”

Aaros seemed to squeeze out these words with deep emotion, his tone tinged with tears, filled with profound emotion and motivation beneath his mask.

Juanquiro, moved by the tearful leader, held his shoulder and stood beside him and looking down at Oakley who was as small as a grain of beans.

“Oakley Mercury. Previously… he seemed unremarkable, or rather, someone who didn’t leave much of an impression. But now I see. ‘The early riser’ was Oakley-kun huh…”

It’s not just the Guru Aaros, Juanquiro, or Joanne. His name is starting to spread among the other Executives as well.

Even Pork Tedrotus, ranked fifth in the hierarchy, is beginning to acknowledge his existence.

“He possesses a sincere attitude towards us, excels in his zeal for proselytizing, and moreover, he has the strength and incredible luck to survive battles against enemy Executives. He is indeed a person of caliber that was distinct from the rest.”

“Is that so? He might be more of a minor character than we thought.”

“Haha, Juanquiro is quite strict, isn’t she?”

Juanquiro felt a slight twinge of jealousy towards Oakley, who was basking in Aaros’s attention.

” ‘Let the cute child travel.’ Oakley-kun must overcome more and more trials and tribulations to become stronger. We need to give Believers like him a gentle push on their backs.”

Juanquiro nodded at the words of the Guru. She felt a tiny flicker of emotion stir within her heart.