Bacchus stood with his great axe held at the ready, his posture radiating the focused intensity of a seasoned warrior. Normally, I would have been impressed, but I didn't have the luxury of admiring his form right now.
"Now, listen, Eden-san. Be gentle, all right? Very, very gentle... Like you’re plucking a delicate flower..."
"I understand."
...Did she really understand? I was incredibly anxious.
Unfortunately, Bacchus was also brimming with fighting spirit, and he wouldn't listen to any further attempts to stop the match. All I could do was offer a half-resigned prayer that Eden would actually hold back.
As I stood there praying, Bacchus took a thunderous step forward. The impact cracked the stone beneath his feet, and his magic power surged around him like a howling gale.
"Let us begin, nameless powerhouse! I am Iron-blooded Bacchus, one of the Five War Generals! I’m com—"
Bacchus kicked off the ground with a powerful shout, his figure vanishing in an instant—only for him to suddenly appear "embedded in the far wall like a dart, upper body first."
"Ba... Bacchus-saaaaaann!?"
He was taken out before I could even perceive what happened! This was exactly why I told her she was a bad idea. Eden really was no good for this.
The fact that she claimed she was holding back more than enough only proved she was the literal incarnation of a "cheat" character.
Bacchus remained motionless, stuck in the wall as if he’d been knocked unconscious. An agonizing, suffocating silence filled the arena.
...It was a truly tragic turn of events.
Afterward, I practically begged Eden to heal his wounds. Fortunately, it seemed she really had held back to some degree, and his damage wasn't life-threatening.
Once Bacchus came to and handed over my stamp, I stepped outside the arena to wait for Lilia-san and the others.
"E-Eden-san. Please. Your power is just too much. Let’s agree that there will be no more proxies from here on out... Also, could you please just speak normally?"
"...I see. My beloved child wishes to strive through his own efforts. A mother’s heart swells with pride at your growth. And yet, the worry remains. It would be intolerable if even a single scratch were to mar your body by the hands of this world’s trash. Yes, your body is a treasure of the universe... I suppose I am simply overprotective. But yes, watching over my child's growth is also a mother's duty. I am worried—so very worried—but I shall endure it for your sake. Ah, but as you are now... Yes. Let us increase your physical capabilities a thousandfold. We shall bolster your magic power as well, until you can sweep away the filth of this world with a single thought. Yes, that is perfect! You are supreme; it is an affront to nature for such worthless trash to exceed you in any endeavor. It is deeply regrettable that I am forbidden by contract from simply 'purging' the trash myself, but strengthening my child is well within my rights. Yes, let us proceed. By my hand, you shall ascend to even greater heights... Oh, how wonderful. Yes, and then—"
"Stop! Eden-san, stooooop!!"
This woman was terrifying! How could she so casually suggest remodeling me into a superhuman?
"I-I’m fine just the way I am! No remodeling or anything like that!"
"Ah, that is true. My beloved child is already supreme at this very moment. I apologize; Mother was being shallow. Yes, that's exactly right! My child is a sacred existence that none may violate. Even as your mother, I cannot allow myself to change you on a whim. Come to think of it, it should have been impossible to add anything to my child, who is already the 'Ultimate Miracle'... This won't do. Yes, that's it! My beloved child is most wonderful and marvelous just as he is naturally. Ah, but please rest assured. Even if you lack the power to fight, Mother will protect you. Yes, that's right. I, your mother, will love my child more than anyone..."
"Could you please just step on the brakes for a second!?"
I frantically called out to Eden, whose eyes had turned into misty hearts. Seriously, if I didn't stop her, I felt like something truly horrifying was going to happen.
"A-Anyway, I'm okay now... So Eden-san, please just go back to sightseeing..."
"I understand. Let us do that. Where is my child headed next?"
"Um, the next one is nearby... it's this arena."
Even I had learned a thing or two. If I told her I was waiting for Lilia-san and the others before moving, she would undoubtedly start ranting about how "disrespectful" it was to keep her child waiting.
I figured the best move was to tell her the destination and get her to leave as quickly as possible. I thought it was a well-considered plan for dealing with her, but I was naive.
"I see. Then 'Mother shall send you there.'"
"...Huh?"
"Now, off you go. Do your best. Mother is looking forward to seeing you in action."
"Wait, what!? Wha—"
Eden flashed a dazzlingly beautiful smile, and my body was suddenly enveloped in light. The scenery changed in an instant.
...I see. So that was her move. She just warped me. This was bad; I had no way to regroup with Lilia-san and the rest of the party.
Having been teleported a significant distance away without any say in the matter, I took a moment to think. Moving around aimlessly would only make things worse. I decided to send a Hummingbird to Lilia-san to explain the situation and just wait for them to catch up here.
Once I sent the message, I stayed put. I had no idea what would happen if I went inside the arena alone, so waiting was the safest bet.
"Oh, you've arrived! I've been waiting for you!!"
"..."
Why did today, of all days, keep throwing things at me that laughed in the face of my expectations? Why was a three-meter-tall horned gorilla stomping toward me?
And "gorilla" wasn't a metaphor—he was a literal gorilla. Black fur, massive arms, even his gait was identical to a gorilla's. The only real difference was the single large horn protruding from his head.
N-No, wait, I had to stay calm. Assuming he was a gorilla just because he looked exactly like one was rude. He probably just had a strong resemblance...
"I am Kong 'The Stalwart,' one of the War King's Five Generals! Well met, otherworld brat!!"
Even his name was just Kong!?
"...Ah, um, I'm Kaito Miyama. Nice to meet you."
"Hah! If you're here, does that mean you beat Bacchus? For someone with a frame as thin as a withered branch, you've got some spirit!"
"Ah, no, the one who beat Bacchus-san was..."
"So you're here to challenge me next! Fine then, let's get started! Just so you know, I'm not as soft as Bacchus!!"
"N-No, I'm actually waiting for my friends..."
"Enough talk! Come with me! This way!!"
This gorilla wasn't listening to a word I said! Carrying on a conversation with him was impossible.
Kong—the gorilla—suddenly hoisted me up and forcibly escorted me into the arena. Once inside, he set me down and began thumping his chest with both hands. Drumming... He was unmistakably a gorilla.
"Alright! Let's do this! Don't worry, I can see you're weak, so I'll give you a handicap! If you want to use a proxy, that's fine too!! Now, get ready!!"
"..."
That was exactly the problem. I was waiting for the people who were supposed to be my proxies until I was kidnapped by a gorilla.
B-But what was I supposed to do? I couldn't call Eden. Putting aside how she treated me, she was utterly ruthless toward anyone else in this world. She considered them trash, after all. She had held back against Bacchus, but I had no guarantee she’d do the same this time.
I needed another proxy, but I didn't know who to turn to. Someone, please help!
"...Coarse and barbaric. This is why I despise the War King’s subordinates. Do you truly believe a gorilla devoid of both intellect and dignity is permitted to speak so insolently to Miyama-sama?"
"...P-Pandora-san?"
"Miyama-sama, please leave this to me. As your 'proxy,' I shall deal with this ruffian."
"Wait, what? But, Pandora-san..."
"There is no need for concern. By Shaltier-sama's arrangement, I possess a badge identifying me as Miyama-sama's companion."
...Heeey, Alice? When did you start adding companions without telling me? Also, it was just a hunch, but Pandora-san seemed like a very dangerous person.
"Oh, do not worry. I will not allow someone who has slighted Miyama-sama to get away with a mere fainting spell. I shall ensure he rues the very day he was born before 'educating' him so that he never speaks so rudely to Miyama-sama again."
"..."
"I’ll make him scream until his voice withers away."
...First Eden-san, and now another terrifying person had come to the rescue. I wasn't Lilia-san, but I felt like my stomach was starting to ache.
Dear Mother, Father—Just when I thought I’d finally talked some sense into the dangerous Eden-san, someone dangerous in a completely different way came to my aid. What is wrong with my luck today? Is this what they call... an unlucky day?
Heart-pounding! A Rescue Full of Yanderes
Eden Maman: The Annihilation Type Pandora: The Torture Type