The revelation that Progenitor-san had a wife came as quite a shock.
I was surprised, and yet...
"I don't remember a thing."
Despite taking such a vicious dropkick to the face, Progenitor-san showed no signs of recovery.
I didn't want to be overly critical given our history, but...
Forgetting your own wife? That’s cold.
Honestly, it was just pathetic. My opinion of Progenitor-san was currently in freefall.
But wait. Would the Progenitor-san I knew really just forget his spouse? Was it possible that this "Versa" was simply delusional?
"Heh. I didn't expect you to remember with just that. However, I find the suggestion that I am a liar quite offensive. Erme, distribute paper and pens to everyone except Lumani."
It seemed Erme was the maid's name. She handed out the writing supplies to the rest of us. It was high-quality paper, paired with quills and individual inkwells.
Was she going to make us take notes?
"Ah, Miss Maid? I think it might be a bit much for Kuro’s children and Zabuton’s children."
What? They can write? Well, I suppose they managed to master fishing, so why not? Alright, little guys, do your best.
Once Erme reported that the distribution was complete, Versa made her proclamation.
"I hereby grant you permission to record the words I am about to speak."
So she really did want us to take a dictation.
"Note that recording is not mandatory. Only those with an interest need bother. Inferno Wolves, do not strain yourselves. As for the Demon Spiders... it appears you can write by manipulating your threads. Fufufu, aren't you just precious?"
She could look at Zabuton’s children and call them precious? Perhaps she was a better person than I’d initially thought.
Versa cleared her throat and struck a dramatic pose, shielding half of her face with one hand.
"Ugh... the 'King of Destruction' residing in my right eye seeks to break free. Be still! It is not yet time. Would you dare violate our Black Contract?"
Wait, what?
"Tsk. Now the 'Goddess of the Void' in my left arm has awakened? Such a spoiled child. I cannot let you out yet. Continue your slumber."
Um...
"I depart now for the land of death. I know. You will wait for me... Heh, truly, you are my one true wing."
What on earth was this?
I looked around the room. Progenitor-san was doubled over in agony.
"St-Stop! Make it stop! My head! Gaaaaah!"
If I had to guess, this was a compilation of Progenitor-san’s greatest hits from his younger years. I see. So Progenitor-san had a phase where he actually talked like that. And she was using these memories to shock his brain back into gear.
Judging by his reaction, she was hitting the mark... though he eventually collapsed and started rolling around on the floor. Versa showed no mercy. She seemed intent on continuing until the amnesia broke.
By the way, Lu? Why were you also on the floor, writhing in shame?
Apparently, she had been caught in the crossfire. It was an unexpected glimpse into her past.
Meanwhile, everyone except me, Lu, and Reginleiv was recording Versa’s monologue with feverish intensity. I certainly hoped they weren't planning to use this as blackmail material. Using a man’s youthful indiscretions for evil is strictly forbidden.
As for Reginleiv, the reason she wasn't writing was because she was clutching her stomach and howling with laughter. She was in absolute hysterics. It was another side of her I hadn’t seen.
Wait, she was starting to hyperventilate.
"Sorry, Miss Maid, could you help her out a bit?"
"That burning red hair... it is beautiful. Won't you allow me to monopolize that beauty for myself? No, the world’s blessing is unnecessary. This starry sky provides all the blessing we need. That," Versa said with a look of supreme satisfaction, "was Lumani’s line when he proposed to me."
She smiled at us, looking like she’d just won a marathon. It was finally over.
Progenitor-san and Lu were face down on the floor, completely motionless. The psychological damage appeared to be catastrophic. Reginleiv’s life had been in genuine danger, so I’d already had her escorted from the room. I suspect she’d laughed enough to last a lifetime.
"I... I remember now, Versa..."
Ah, Progenitor-san was back. Versa’s plan had worked perfectly.
"How dare you humiliate me like that?"
"I could always start Part Two, you know."
"...I am deeply sorry for forgetting you."
"Hohohoho! Consider that the penalty for forgetting your wife."
Based on the exchange, Versa really was his wife. My opinion of Progenitor-san bottomed out. You simply shouldn't forget the woman you proposed to with such... poetic flair.
Noticing my judgmental gaze, Progenitor-san addressed the room.
"Please, allow me to explain why I chose to forget her."
I’m listening.
"However, this is a complicated matter. Explaining it to everyone here would be difficult. Therefore, I will explain it to the Village Head first. Once he understands, I ask the rest of you to accept his judgment."
Just me? Well, alright.
I tried to step closer to hear him out, but he stopped me with a frantic wave of his hand.
"Do not come any closer! Village Head, stay exactly where you are and turn around. Yes... I want you to pull a single book from that shelf on the wall. Any book will do. Open it and read just a few lines—but make sure no one else sees. And whatever you do, do not read it aloud."
Progenitor-san’s voice was so grave that I took the instruction seriously. I picked up a book that looked perfectly ordinary and opened it to a random page.
...Hmm? ............
I quietly closed it, put it back, and pulled out another one. ......................
Sensing the shift in my expression, Progenitor-san called out to Versa.
"What was the nature of the book the Village Head just held?"
"A masterpiece of mine, obviously."
I see.
"Village Head, do you understand now? Even a vague inkling is enough. I’m sorry, but could you ask the women to leave the room? My words from this point onward are a contagious poison."
Since he was being so insistent, I asked the women to wait outside for a moment. I made sure they took the incapacitated Lu with them. As for Galf... Progenitor-san suggested it would be for his own good if he didn't hear this, so he left as well. If it was that bad, I didn't particularly want to hear it either, but duty called.
The only ones left in the room were me, Progenitor-san, the animal companions, Versa, and her maid.
Once Progenitor-san confirmed the door was shut tight, he let out a strangled cry.
"Village Head! Every single book in this room—no, this entire mansion—was written by Versa! And every last one of them is unified by the theme you just witnessed!"
"Don't be so reductive," Versa interjected. "The sub-genres are quite distinct."
"Shut up! Every single one is about men getting intimately 'entangled' with other men!"
Wait, what? Every single book? That was an incredible amount of work. But...
"I know! I know such literature exists, and I don't mean to mock it! I acknowledge it! It is a legitimate pursuit! I wouldn't even dream of telling you to stop! To produce this much volume takes undeniable talent, and I respect that passion!"
So the books themselves weren't the reason he’d fled into amnesia?
"I’ll even forgive the fact that you used me as a character! I don't really understand the whole 'top' and 'bottom' dynamic yet, so I can't say which I’d prefer, but you’re free to write whatever you want!"
Wait, she’d written her own husband into her stories? I’d hate that. Progenitor-san was actually being remarkably broad-minded.
"But! There is a limit! I cannot endure her actually kidnapping men and demanding I 'interact' with them! Do you have any idea how it feels, Village Head?! She’d kidnap some pretty-boy Prince, drag him in front of me, and ask me to try playing the 'seductive bottom' to his 'spineless top' just so she could use it for reference! Is it really a crime to want to forget that?!"
"Well... I suppose supporting a wife’s hobbies is part of being a husband..."
"There’s a line, man! There’s a line! After I finally refused and sent that Prince back to his kingdom, I came home to find she’d already written seven volumes about our 'forbidden elopement'! Then she presented me with a different Prince who was literally gift-wrapped in a rug, telling me that a 'different type' might be more to my liking! Who could blame me for deleting my memories and running away?!"
...
I wouldn't say I understood the lifestyle, but I understood the trauma.
The verdict: Not Guilty!
Progenitor-san’s reputation was restored in my mind. He hadn't just abandoned his wife; he’d been a man fleeing for his sanity.
"Village Head, we must not let this tragedy spread. Every book here is to be treated as a Forbidden Book. Please, tell the villagers that reading them, taking them, or even showing interest in them is strictly prohibited."
I gave him my word.
I also realized, with a heavy heart, that it was a very good thing we hadn't brought the children along.
Ultimately, I think the biggest victim of this whole ordeal was Lu.