Otherworld TRPG Game Master-Chapter 261: Tail Catcher -1

After setting aside the uncomfortable fact that an entire tribe of wild elves was now stalking Bennett, we focused on clarifying our objective.

"So, Bennett, what exactly do you need help with? Are you trying to add all these elves to your harem?"

"Of course not... It's about dealing with the dark sorcerer."

Our interests were aligned. I had my own reasons to go after the puppet master from the Redflame family. They had once sent the assassin, Roderus, after me. As long as they were my enemies, the puppet master would always be a threat, constantly trying to end my life. If we had the chance to take her down, we needed to seize it.

Of course, the situation wasn't exactly ideal.

My abilities were significantly weakened, I had switched from illusion magic to fire magic, and my reliable allies, Yuri and Yuna, weren't with me. It was a precarious situation.

Should we prepare more before engaging such a formidable enemy?

No.

The reason we should take the risk now is that the puppet master was likely just as vulnerable as we were.

A puppet master who typically manipulated flesh puppets from afar was now directly inside one of her creations, meaning she had no spare pieces to fall back on.

She had been caught up in the Goddess's Forced Exile, with no time to prepare or gather resources. The Redflame family's support was out of reach, and she likely didn't have enough puppets at her disposal.

Her abilities were exceptionally troublesome.

Once she returned to the Redflame family, we'd be dealing with an endless stream of explosive puppets creeping out of nowhere like cockroaches. Now that we'd uncovered the real her, this was our chance to take her down.

And while Yuna, a transcendent level fighter, might not be with us... If I thought about it, our current team was still close to top-tier. It was a situation we could handle.

I wiggled my fingers and called out, "Crow, come back."

"Oh no, Bennett, please save me! The master is going to absorb me! My consciousness will dissolve like cotton candy in a waterfall!"

"Quit whining and get back here, you idiot. If we lose the fight because we're short on resources, it's on you."

"If the master dies and I survive... Caw caw caw! I would carry on the master's will, of course! Ah, don't glare at me like that. I was just joking."

The ominous crow snapped its beak in frustration, as if to say, "Can't a bird joke?" before flapping over and landing on my hand. It was a strange feeling.

This was the first time I had encountered a MiMa shard with such a developed sense of self. Could a fragment this large really maintain such independence?

I hesitated for a moment and then asked cautiously, "So... would you like to set out on your own?"

Caw caw! "If Bennett would take me in, it could be fun to join that party. I'd get to see firsthand how he spends his nights with Tara and Niore!"

"He won't take you, and if you don't want to end up as crow kebab, you'd better behave."

"Well, it seems I have no place to go, then. I guess I'll just have to find comfort in the master's embrace. Let's go home."

The crow MiMa blinked once and then slowly dissolved into my skin, as though sinking into it.

It was a strange sensation. My mind felt slightly clearer. I regained some of the processing power and memories the crow had experienced in the Great Elven Forest... including the model of the wild elves.

This guy... he was really meticulous in what he kept.

MiMa shards vary in size. The four I've collected so far don't necessarily account for 4/30th of the whole.

If we consider my complete self as 100%, my current self is at about 20%. Yuna and Yuri are likely collecting pieces too, so full recovery shouldn't be too far off.

I clapped my hands to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, folks. I've gathered some useful information from a wise crow. The target, Puppet Master, is currently on the move through the forest. It seems she's wary of Bennett."

"What does her being wary of Bennett have to do with moving through the forest?"

"Because the forest is the elves' domain. Bennett being here means the elves can't enter the city, but once we step into the forest, it's a different story."

"Brother, why are you suddenly talking so formally?"

It was an homage to the crow.

I ruffled Selvia's hair as I continued explaining. The Elven Rangers were after Bennett, so the puppet master was likely moving through the forest, where the elves could operate at full strength.

It was like setting them up to get caught.

The elves' speed in the forest was no joke, according to the crow's data. Even with two out-of-shape mages in the party, they'd catch up in no time.

In other words, to capture and deal with the puppet master, we'd have to face the Elven Rangers whether we liked it or not.

We could bulldoze our way through. With Bennett's unbreakable resolve, Selvia's fiery spirit, and MiMa's illusions, we had the firepower. But stealing their sacred relic and then smacking them around would be too much of a bully move.

If possible, I'd prefer a peaceful resolution. And I think I have an idea.

"Bennett."

"Hmm?"

"How about using your charm on the elves? I can help."

"Are you insane?"

He always says I'm insane.

First, I updated Sissel on the situation. The dark sorcerer had stolen the elves' sacred relic, and Bennett had been framed.

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Even though she was retired, Sissel couldn't stand by and do nothing about the dark sorcerer. Whether driven by a sense of justice or something else, she responded with determination in her eyes.

"I see. In that case, I'll help. A knight's sword shines with glory wherever it goes."

"Thank you. That's a relief."

I gave Sissel a grateful look. Honestly, she could've just shrugged it off, but her willingness to step up was comforting.

Sissel seemed to recognize my commitment to taking down the dark sorcerer without orders from Erid. It felt like she was acknowledging me as a righteous mage.

With a top-tier warrior now on board, the momentum was building. We were going to rush in and twist the puppet master's neck.

As Sissel and I exchanged approving glances, Selvia jabbed in with a pointed question.

"Uh, but what exactly can a singer do to help? Cheer us on?"

"...!"

"...!!"

Oh, right. She's still in her Bunny Princess persona.

She was trying to keep it a secret, so I hadn't explained it to Selvia yet.

Sissel's bunny ears twitched nervously as she hurried to come up with an excuse.

"Well, you see... I'm close friends with Sissel Yurensto. I can ask her to help, and that's what I meant by offering assistance."

"Then why talk about a knight's sword and glory and all that...?"

"Um, let's focus on chasing down the dark sorcerer. I just got word that Sissel is nearby. I'll go get her!"

She dashed out of the room as if fleeing for her life, only to return ten minutes later fully armored. Sissel tried to adopt a cold, composed expression, like a seasoned knight, as she introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you. I am Sissel Yurensto."

"You sound just like the person who just left. You even have the same build."

Her façade crumbled immediately.

After a painful five-second silence, Sissel muttered a lame excuse.

"W-We're twins..."

"Oh, I see."

Selvia had finally uncovered the truth. The esteemed knight of the Eastern Front had a secret hobby of dressing up as a bunny girl and singing—a truth as red as a sunset.

Selvia leaned in close and whispered in my ear.

"So, do you have to be a pervert to reach a certain level of skill? You, that person, even the saint... they're all like that."

"That's rude, Selvia. The higher the exposure, the stronger the defense. Also, keep such remarks under a soundproof spell."

Knights have good hearing, you know.

Sissel's face turned beet-red with embarrassment as she stared intently at the floorboards, too mortified to speak.

With that, our strength was bolstered.

Now it was time to track down the dark sorcerer and deal with the elves.

The Elven Ranger leader, Eldar, rubbed his forehead in frustration as he experienced emotions he'd never felt before in his long life. It was the first time he faced such a trial.

The deadly trap laid by the intruders in the forest had caused all the Elven trackers to behave erratically.

They'd even lost the trail once!

Eldar pointed at a large leaf-covered snowman and spoke sternly.

"Hey, you're wearing too much. If you pile on leaves until you can barely move, that's the kind of mistake we forgive only when you're a child!"

A timid face peeked out from the leaf-covered mound.

"B-But, Leader... If I don't cover up this much, they'll see me. They'll see me naked!"

"We're the sharpest arrows in our family's quiver! We can't afford to be swayed by these new, unfamiliar feelings. Now, take off those leaves!"

"Ack! No, don't!"

Eldar peeled away the puffed-up leaf ghillie suit like it was a shedding dog in summer. Underneath, the elf was left covering her chest with her arms, her body twisting in embarrassment.

Next, Eldar turned his attention to another elf.

"You there! Stop clamping your legs together! How are you supposed to shoot an arrow like that?"

"S-Sorry, Leader. But I can't control it. Ngh...! Just the thought of someone watching me closely... if they, if the target looks at me with those kinds of eyes...!"

"It's all a trick! Fight it! Stand tall, be confident, and show your composure!"

"Nngh...!"

The tall elf tried to straighten up, but as the white skin peeked through the gaps between the leaves, Eldar found himself looking away in embarrassment.

This wasn't going to work. They wouldn't be able to retrieve the sacred relic or deliver justice to the culprits like this. Drastic measures were needed.

"If we can't break the curse the enemy cast on us, we'll have to manage it. Any brave elves who can show their bodies without shame, step forward!"

Several elves stepped forward at Eldar's command—those with strong wills who could overcome their embarrassment.

"Hah, hah, huff..."

"..."

One of them seemed to be enjoying the situation a bit too much, but Eldar chose to ignore it. He didn't want to think too deeply about it.

"Our special task force will... carry out a secondary mission to ensure smooth pursuit and vengeance. For our families' sake."

"And what would that be, Leader?"

"We're going to steal clothes from the human city. Clothes that cover us completely so that we won't be embarrassed...!"

A wise plan. Truly, their leader was brilliant!

The bashful elves gave a cautious round of applause, fearful of disturbing their leaf coverings. Yes, clothes would prevent them from feeling ashamed.

This "shame" seemed to increase sharply the more their bodies related to reproduction and survival were exposed. So, they would focus on acquiring clothing that covered those areas.

There was a particular garment that would do the trick. Eldar held up a pair of panties and issued his orders to the elite elves.

"...Get as many of these triangular garments as possible!"

"Understood, Leader!"

Under Eldar's leadership, the elves executed their clothes-stealing mission.

And the result was...

"This is the end of the line. Hand over the stolen relic and prepare to face justice!"

"..."

"Wow... This is like a fashion show."

"Brother, what are you looking at? Close your eyes!"

What lay before us was a surreal scene: an assortment of elven archers dressed in various styles of underwear, aiming their bows from the trees. It was hard to tell whether this was something to be admired or feared.