(Chapter 16) Once Again Slave.
[As usual, you sense the same familiar malice, but being with Louise, you feel no fear and completely ignore the presence of that person.]
...You just started ignoring it right away.
Anna knows she has an old habit of getting easily carried away. Although she has reflected on it, it's hard to change.
Now, watching herself in the simulator, she starts to feel proud again, and inexplicably, a sense of shame creeps in.
[You patrol several streets and don't feel anyone following you, so nothing happens during today's patrol.]
[In the evening, you ride home with Louise, who asks you what you want for dinner, and you decide to let Louise make the arrangements.]
[So, you eat very heartily at night, perhaps the fullest you've eaten since graduating from the academy.]
...Can you really eat that much?
Anna is almost tempted.
[Before going to bed, you hear a strange noise outside your room, but you don't pay attention to it and slowly fall asleep.]
...?
Don't do that! Go out and check! You know it's a strange noise, why not go out and see?
What if something really happens... But it's Louise's house, probably nothing serious, right?
[Day Five: You wake up as usual, put on your armor with the help of a maid, and ride the horse Louise gave you to the garrison. However, unlike yesterday, Louise has something to do today and would be late, so you have to go to the knight's garrison alone.]
[Perhaps because Louise isn't there, you feel the familiar malice closely following you.]
[After some thought, you ride to a less crowded area, and after confirming that the familiar malice is still there, you spur your horse to make a sharp turn and charge directly towards the source of the malice.]
[A figure suddenly appears in the empty space, not wanting to confront you directly, and disappears on the spot.]
Space magic? And he was invisible before... some kind of invisibility magic?
Forgive Anna for not being familiar with magic, as advanced magic is only an elective course at the knight's academy. To graduate, one only needs to learn basic magic runes and some fundamental spells.
However, to use space magic so skillfully... the opponent's magical prowess must be at least at the level of a B-rank mage...
Is there someone this strong targeting me?
The real Anna's hair stands on end, and now looking at the "lock" she placed on her door and windows, the sense of security she just felt instantly disappears.
As mentioned before, to break the lock magic, one would need to use a sledgehammer to force it open. But for a B-rank mage, silently unleashing the destructive power of a sledgehammer is a simple task.
Does this mean she really has to move into Louise's house?
[The opponent escapes in a hurry, and you notice he seems to have dropped something on the ground.]
[You obtained the Bill Family Crest]
The Bill family? Isn't that the family of that disgusting pig?
Anna frowns, immediately thinking of her annoying superior, Philsey Bill.
Is this guy trying to capture me to become a courtesan?
Anna has considered before that this person might be the mastermind, or one of the masterminds, but she feels it doesn't add up.
First, why capture me to become a courtesan? Most people would think it's because of my beauty or simply to humiliate me.
Anna is very confident in her looks, and in fact, Philsey often stares at her directly, so it's likely because of her beauty. After all, Anna doesn't think she has offended Philsey much, unless there's some kind of family feud she's completely unaware of.
But the problem is, in the simulation, I became a courtesan twice, whether actively or passively, and both times it was the kind that only serves women. If it were really about my beauty, shouldn't I have met Philsey at least once?
However, in both simulations, until the simulation ended and achievements were unlocked, Philsey was never mentioned, while Louise frequently appeared.
Moreover, after experiencing multiple simulations, Anna feels that the reason she couldn't find a job the first time she actively became a courtesan was because she was being suppressed.
Although the Bill family, where Philsey comes from, is a noble family, they are generally looked down upon by the old aristocracy and classified as nouveau riche.
Many shops on the commercial streets of this town, as Anna knows, have investments from major noble families, and Latimir... that is, Louise's family, also has many investments. Philsey definitely doesn't have the influence to prevent all the shops in the town from hiring me.
Of course, there's also the possibility that these families couldn't be bothered to stand up for a fallen noblewoman like me, but Anna thinks at least Louise would never stand by and do nothing... probably.
And there are many other doubts that could exonerate Philsey. Anyway, Philsey's suspiciousness is low, and much of my suspicion of him is subjective dislike. And now I've picked up Philsey's family crest?
Let's continue with the simulation first.
[You put away the crest and say nothing, not planning to confront Philsey directly, but deciding to discuss the next steps with Louise before deciding what to do.]
[After the patrol, you discuss the situation with Louise, who decides to confront Philsey with you tomorrow. With Louise's backing, you're less likely to encounter any mishaps.]
This strategy... is also acceptable!
Anna looks forward to the next part of the simulation.
[Day Six: You and Louise go directly to the knight's garrison, meet Philsey, and get straight to the point, placing Philsey's family crest on the table.]
[Philsey nervously denies your accusations and claims to know nothing about the previous incidents.]
[Just as you're about to question him further, you suddenly feel dizzy.]
[Your vision starts to blur, and before you fall, you see Louise collapse before you.]
You dare to play dirty like this?
Anna didn't expect Philsey to be so bold as to even knock out Louise.
Louise is the daughter of a major noble family. Philsey, aren't you afraid of being skinned alive later?
[Day Ten]
Now Anna is confused, how did it suddenly become day ten?
[You wake up in a cage, finding yourself locked inside.]
[All around you are women as naked as you, and like them, you are shackled and chained.]
[You finally realize you have become a slave.]
?
[According to the people around you, you have been unconscious for several days, and you were sold here while unconscious.]
[Just as you anxiously try to find out about Louise's situation, someone arrives.]
[A voluptuous older sister comes to select slaves, and you, standing out in both looks and figure, were chosen.]
Lying on the sofa, Anna stares at the ceiling, her mind completely blank.
Another day of mental emptiness.