Episode 21: Vestiges of Memory
“Decade, how is the new Avatar body performing?” “Dad, it’s more than just ‘great’—the motor skills are overwhelming compared to the previous one. Plus, the effective range of the Field has expanded significantly, and the power of Sense and Accel is on another level.” “I see. The recorded brainwaves, telepathic waves, and spiritual waves are all within normal parameters. There seem to be no issues.” “Yeah. With this, I think we can move Magic and Spirit to the next stage.” “True. Once you grasp the sensation, you’ll master them in no time.”
What is this… a dream…? The one called Decade is… me, right…? Father? …New Avatar body…?
“Dad…” “What is it, Decade?” “Um, you know… about that…” “What’s wrong? If you have something to say, speak up.” “Y-yeah… it’s just that that won’t settle down…” “Hmm? Oh, that. I see. Did things get… awkward?” “Yeah… I almost… well, I almost attacked a woman…” “I see… indeed, the sensors for sensuality are reacting abnormally.” “Is there anything that can be done? ‘Tomoway’ stopped me, but she punched me…” “Pfft… Hahaha, I see. You had quite a time.” “It’s not a laughing matter! Tomoway’s been in a terrible mood ever since, it’s been a nightmare…” “You probably forgot to take your medicine again. Why don’t you just do it with Tomoway? Then you wouldn’t need the medicine.” “N-no way! Even if it’s an Avatar… and we aren’t in that kind of relationship yet…” “Good grief, and here you are at that age, Decade… For now, I’ll adjust things to suppress it. Can you get into the Linkage Capsule?” “Yeah. Okay, I’m heading back.”
What is this, really… What are they talking about…? And the place they are in… it’s not old and worn out, but isn’t it the place where I woke up?
Suddenly, a flash of light streaked by, and a pain as if my body were being torn apart surged through me.
“Gaaaaaaaahhhh!!!” “Kyaah!”
I sat up as if launched. Huff, huff, huff… huff… ugh…
Was that a dream or not? I’m not sure, but it was a vision with a very long, strange sensation… After a moment, my usual senses finally returned. I was drenched in sweat.
Wait, where is this?
I was on a bed in a small room. It was a simple wooden room, but it had the scent and atmosphere of a woman’s quarters.
“A-are you alright? …Ah, no, are you well, sir?” “Whoa!”
The sudden voice of a woman startled me.
“M-my deepest apologies. I didn’t mean to startle you… I mean, to startle thee.“
Beside the bed stood a woman, bowing apologetically. A human woman… … That’s right, I remember now. I collapsed after defeating the Pterosaur…
As the woman lifted her head, I saw fox ears atop it.
What?!
What is this woman doing? Is she an adult doing cosplay? She clearly had human ears on the sides of her head. She didn’t seem to be a “Beastman” out of a manga or anime. But she was a stunning Caucasian beauty.
The woman looked to be in her mid to late twenties, a Northern European-style blonde—platinum blonde, perhaps—with wavy hair reaching down to her waist. And yet, her fox ears and tail were a perfect golden-brown “fox” color. Well, they’re just accessory ears and a tail, so I guess the color doesn’t matter.
What is she wearing? It’s strangely provocative. Fundamentally, it was a long-skirted one-piece dress like a medieval European country girl might wear, but it was luxuriously made with plenty of glittery frills.
Her necklace, adorned with numerous small jewels, was striking. The neckline was open enough to show cleavage, and she wore what looked like a vest-corset, styled to emphasize the swell of her chest.
Those voluminous breasts have to be at least an F-cup. She’s nearly 170cm tall, with a slightly sturdy, athlete-like build for a woman. That said, her waist is thin, giving her a well-proportioned, glamorous “va-va-voom” figure. A “selfish body,” as they say. Magnificent!
“Um, I am a slave of Master Claygate, a prostitute named ‘Giliane’.” “Oh, hello…”
The woman gave a stiff smile, pinched the hem of her dress, and performed a pose similar to a Western-style curtsy. I was a bit dazed, surprised by the sudden, archaic greeting.
Slave and prostitute? What on earth… And why the fox ears? She’s really loading up on the “attributes,” isn’t she?
“Therefore, I have been ordered by my master, Lord Claygate… I mean, I have been tasked with thy care. It is a pleasure to meet thee.” “Ah, I see… thank you for the polite… introduction…”
Seriously, what is going on? Setting the “slave and prostitute” bit aside for a moment, why is this woman—Giliane, was it?—speaking so humbly? Is it because I saved them by defeating the Pterosaur? Even so, she seems to be struggling with the honorifics; she must not be used to using them.
“Oh, thank goodness… it is a relief. We can communicate… thou understandest me. Um, excuse me, but may I ask your name… I mean, might I inquire as to thy name?” “Ah, I am Takanashi Ei—wait, no… Decade. Decade Fanter.” “……Yes, thank you. Lord Decade Fanter, then.”
Come to think of it, I understand the language… why? The intonation is a bit different, but it’s almost exactly the same as the language spoken in that dream.
“Ugh…!”
Suddenly, a massive amount of information flooded my head. No, is this a memory? Is this the memory of the boy called Decade?
“L-Lord Fanter! Are you alright? Is something wrong? I mean, is thy health… er…” “I-I’m fine. Just a little dizzy…” “That won’t do… thou must not. Would you like to rest a bit longer?” “Ah, yeah… I’ll do that…” “Then let me wipe thee down. Thou art covered in sweat.”
The woman named Giliane came close and began to wipe my body with a towel.
“Ah, thank you.” “No, not at all. If I am… lacking in any way, please let me know.”
Though she struggled with her words, she seemed used to this kind of care. She wiped the sweat with a pressure that was neither too strong nor too weak—it was quite comfortable. Is it true, then, that she is a slave and a prostitute?
“I shall be outside, so if you have need of me, please use this to call.”
Finishing up, the woman named Giliane placed a handbell down and left. By the end, she had managed to speak proper honorifics. She must have received some level of education.
Sigh…
So I’m inside a carriage… Is this Giliane’s carriage? My initial feeling that it had a “woman’s atmosphere” was correct. But shocking things are happening one after another; I feel like this isn’t reality. I try to probe the memories that just flooded my head.
“Are these memories real…? Heh… Hahaha… If they are, it’s almost comical…”
The scenes I thought were dreams seem to be the memories of the original owner of this body—the boy, Decade. My head is still a mess and I can’t organize it all, but the gist is that this body was created by extraterrestrials.
Extraterrestrials! Aliens! It’s so absurd I can only laugh. And the reason they made this body was to play a “game” on this planet. Ahahaha…
Sigh… What is that… what does that even mean…
Well, if I concede that point by ten thousand steps, I still don’t understand why I, who died in Japan, ended up possessing or having my consciousness and memories transferred into this Decade’s body on another planet. My head is still in a chaotic muddle.
But what an event… what a fate… I don’t know whether to cry, get angry, be happy, or just be dumbfounded…
But I am alive like this… I’ve become a younger boy in someone else’s body… Apparently, I have to start my life over again… To be honest, I thought I’d just live out my few remaining years in Japan and end my life, finally finding peace…
Knock, knock.
“It is Giliane. May I enter?” “Ah, yeah. Come in.” “Pardon me.”
Giliane walked to the bedside, knelt on the floor, and peered into my face. It was the kind of service a first-class flight attendant might provide.
“Lord Fanter, how do you feel?” “Ah, yeah, I’m fine now. Sorry for the trouble.”
A soft, pleasant scent wafted over, making my heart skip a beat. Up close, she really is a spectacular beauty. Being stared at by blue eyes with such little pigment—completely different from Japanese eyes—makes me lose my composure.
“O-oh, please… polite words are unnecessary for a mere slave like me.”
Giliane was even more flustered than I was, waving her hands around. Watching such a beautiful woman panic is quite amusing. The fox ears make it even more humorous. But despite her behavior, a strange tension hung about her. It seems quite a bit of time passed while I was lost in thought. She must have come to check on me since I hadn’t called.
“Um, Lord Fanter, if you are able to get up, may I prepare you for going out? My master, Lord Claygate, wishes to greet you.” “Ah, I see. Understood. I’m okay.” “Pardon me, then.”
Giliane folded the blanket, helped me up, and began to wipe my body with a towel again. It was only then that I realized I was stark naked. I had been thinking so much I hadn’t noticed at all. Giliane proceeded with the task silently, seemingly unbothered.
“Um, I am truly sorry, but please refrain from using polite language with me. Master will scold me.” “Oh, is that so… Ah, I get it. Is this okay? Giliane.” “Yes, thank you. Also, please refer to me simply as Giliane, without any titles.” “Got it.”
Giliane looked visibly relieved as she continued her work. Good grief, what a stiff and troublesome situation…
When I was fighting, that old guy who was there when I took down the leopard-print wolves had been quite friendly. Is it because Giliane is a slave that it’s different? Or is it because I saved the wagon train from a crisis that she’s like this? I don’t quite get it…
Well, for now, it seems best to watch the situation and go with the flow. As Giliane began to wipe my lower abdomen, the sensitive “Junior” immediately reacted.
“Hii!” “Ah, sorry! Uh… well… my bad…”
I instinctively covered myself with my hands, but Giliane backed away as if terrified. However, she quickly regained her composure and resumed her work.
“M-my apologies! I have shown you something unseemly.” “No, I’m the one who should apologize. Um, I can do the rest myself, it’s fine.” “O-of course not! I cannot allow that. If you wish to punish me for my insolence, please do so after you have greeted the Master.” “……”
Giliane continued the task while trembling. She was clearly frightened. Something about this situation is clearly weird—no, it’s too strange. Why does she have to be so terrified? Is she scared because I defeated the Pterosaur that the wagon train struggled against all by myself? Hmm, I really don’t understand.
After finishing wiping my body, Giliane rubbed a liquid that seemed to be perfume onto my neck, shoulders, armpits, and crotch before dressing me. Her movements were very practiced. I suppose this is where being a prostitute comes in.
I received similar treatment at a high-end “bathhouse for adults” back in Japan once. Even on a different planet, it seems the things men and women do are much the same.
Still, even being told she’s a slave doesn’t really click for me as a Japanese person. Being served and catered to by such a beautiful Caucasian woman feels unreal.
After all, when I was a child, it was an era where the country was starting to recover from war damage and the economy was picking up. The whole country had a complex about—and a longing for—white people. Perhaps because of that, I have a deep-seated, unconscious image of white people being “above” us.
I was finally dressed, and preparations seemed complete. But I was aghast at my own appearance. To put it simply, I was dressed like a medieval European noble. Actually, to be precise, I looked like a jester pretending to be a noble.
I wore a long blazer with fine embroidery everywhere and tights that showed the shape of my legs. The shoes were normal leather shoes, but the toes were very long and curled inward. I think this is more embarrassing than the “long school coats” with dragon embroidery on the back that a very small number of delinquent high schoolers used to wear.
“I am truly sorry. We do not have attire for nobles here, so I have prepared a costume used for the Audience Ceremony by Master Claygate’s son. It is a humble garment, but I hope you will forgive us.”
Giliane bowed deeply as she spoke. Attire for nobles? Audience Ceremony? What is all that?
“But, if I may say so, it suits you very well. You have a sturdy build, Lord Fanter, so the clothes look striking on you.” “……”
To my bewilderment, Giliane smiled with an expression that looked genuinely captivated. How am I supposed to react?
“M-my apologies! I have spoken out of turn. To say it suits you when it is a humble thing… We have no other replacements, so I beg of you to forgive us with this one.” “N-no, it’s fine. I’m satisfied enough.”
Because I had a complex expression and remained silent, Giliane thought I was dissatisfied. She apologized in a manner almost like a dogeza. I hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
Sigh…
I sighed inwardly. What kind of farce is this? Being made to look like a clown… am I being made fun of?
Between Giliane’s fake fox ears and tail, is there a costume party going on? Or is this the welcoming culture of this world? I have no idea… I’m starting to think God really is toyed with me.
“Then, Lord Fanter, this way. I shall guide you to my master, Lord Claygate.”
Standing up, Giliane bowed, took my hand, and opened the carriage door. Still unable to grasp the situation, I stepped outside with Giliane.
It was night outside. The wagons were lined up in a circle, and several lanterns were placed about, casting a weak light.
In the plaza created by the line of wagons, there were several tables, and many people were enjoying themselves, eating, drinking, and chatting. It didn’t feel like a party, but rather more like an outdoor restaurant.
The clothes people wore were quite casual—somewhat ragged shirts and trousers, like commoners in medieval Europe. Even so, several people were wearing animal ears. Like Giliane, their human ears were clearly on the sides of their faces, so I thought it might be some kind of trend.
As I observed my surroundings, a group approached, following an old guy and a young man. The old guy and the young man were wearing clothes similar to mine, and the ten people following them were carrying proper weapons and wearing armor.
They carried an aura like a Yakuza boss and his henchmen. When that group appeared, the chatting people stopped talking and stood up. Then they started walking behind the group. There were about 70 to 80 people in total. A “dangerous” vibe was coming through loud and clear.
When the group stopped about 5 meters in front of me, the old guy and the young man knelt on one knee, and the people behind followed suit.
“Lord Decade Fanter, it is a profound honor to meet you. I am ‘Claygate’, owner of the Claygate Trading Company in the city of Elevet.” “And I am his son, ‘Claymart’.”
The old guy and the young man bowed respectfully. The others remained still with their heads bowed. I could only stand there, utterly dumbfounded.
I couldn’t understand at all why so many people were kneeling before me. This wasn’t just the attitude toward a benefactor who saved them from a crisis; it was like the attitude toward someone of much higher rank. Giliane, who was with me, was also kneeling at my side.
In reality, I shouldn’t be someone so revered. Even searching the boy Decade’s memories, he was just a 16-year-old ordinary student, the son of an engineer who was an Avatar researcher majoring in genetic engineering.
“Um… what is… the meaning… of this? Why… is everyone… kneeling… before me?”
The situation has become too serious to simply go with the flow. If I play along poorly, it might lead to trouble later, so, feeling intimidated, I asked honestly.
However, even with the memories, they aren’t the accumulation of my own experience, so speaking at length in the language of this world is harder than I thought. It feels like I’m searching for words as I speak.
“”” Huh? “””
The old guy and the young man raised their faces and stared at me, dazed. I looked back at them with the same expression. We stared at each other in silence for a while. Everyone else just kept their heads down and remained still.
The old guy shifted his gaze to Giliane and glared. Giliane shook her head, as if to say she didn’t know. The old guy gave a small sigh and returned his gaze to me.
Come to think of it, this old guy is that balding man who was yelling when I fought the Pterosaur. Claygate—the balding man—asked me with a tense expression.
“Forgive me, but is Lord Decade Fanter not a noble?” “A noble… Me? No, I’m not.”
A noble?! What is that?! A stir went through Claygate and the others. I don’t get it, but it seems Claygate and the rest thought I was a noble. I don’t know why they thought that, but I understood why Giliane and the others were kneeling.
“Is that the truth? One who carries a family name and wears the Bracelet of Divine Iron. Is that not the proof of a legitimate noble of the Kingdom of Eleveto?”
Claygate confirmed with a suspicious look. A family name? In this world, is it standard that only nobles have family names? And so the bracelet I’m wearing on my left arm is called the “Bracelet of Divine Iron”?
Kangané (Divine Iron)? What is that? “Iron of God”… does it mean it holds God’s will, or is it a magical metal? Is it an imaginary metal like Orichalcum, Mithril, or Adamantite from fantasy worlds? And wearing that bracelet makes one a noble…
I picked up the bracelet near the spring where the Spirit of the Spring was, but was it not given to me by her? I had assumed the Spirit of the Spring sent it, but true, it wasn’t handed to me directly. Was it just a coincidence…?
“Um, this bracelet… I picked it up in the mountains, and when I put it on… it wouldn’t come off.”
I explained while rolling up the sleeve of the long blazer to show the bracelet. The place buzzed instantly.
“Is that truly the case? From what I have heard, the Bracelet of Divine Iron is a treasure that only the head of a noble house is permitted to wear—a proof of a covenant granted by the King.”
Whoa! This thing was that serious?! Well, of course common people would be terrified. I just thought it was hard and great for defense, but it was a precious item with that kind of status… Seeing my flustered attitude, Claygate asked for further confirmation.
“Then what of your family name? Is Decade Fanter your real name?” “Um, that is my real name. In my country… it’s quite normal for even ordinary people… to have… family names.” “Hoh, such a country exists…”
Claygate’s attitude was clearly one of half-belief and half-doubt. When Giliane asked for my name, I hesitated while trying to give my Japanese name. Giliane must have been probing my background while taking care of me. She isn’t just a slave and a prostitute.
Indeed, I was a suspicious person dressed like a primitive man. If such a person was wearing proof of nobility, it’s only natural to try and confirm their identity. I could have given my Japanese name, but Eiichi Takanashi died… probably. If I am to live in this world with this young body, I thought I needed a new name.
When the memories appeared and I was asked for my name, I just thought it would be good to use the name of this boy, Decade Fanter. Combined with my hesitant way of speaking the language of this world, I must seem like an extremely fishy person to Claygate.
“Then let me confirm once more: it is certain that Lord Decade Fanter is not a noble. And it is also correct that you are not a citizen of this country.” “That’s right. I am not a noble, nor am I a citizen of this country.”
Now, what happens with this answer…? There’s no way I could pull off a lie when I know nothing about this world. I have no choice but to respond honestly, but a misunderstanding has caused a major incident.
In a sense, I’ve made Claygate play a part in a farce, and it’s made him look foolish. Judging from his attitude and those around him, he must be someone of reasonable status and power. Since he said he runs a trading company, he’s probably a wealthy merchant or someone in a position to manage merchants.
Claygate glared at me hatefully. As if that were a signal, the ten men in armor holding weapons who had been waiting behind him stood up all at once and surrounded me.
So it’s come to this. My impression of a Yakuza boss and his henchmen seems to have been not far off. Powerful people are often like this. I understood that the mentality of people in that category isn’t much different from people on Earth.
Though, in modern Japan, I don’t think they’d surround someone so overtly with weapons… probably.
