What the Heart Truly Desires
C-Captain...
Captain...
...Ngh. W-Wait a second...!
Their heated voices crept into both my ears.
Their feverish breath dampened the nape of my neck, and something wet slid across my skin. Was it a tongue? I couldn't tell.
The curves of their bodies pressed against mine, sending slow but aching ripples through me.
The more I was swept up in those strange, sultry waves, the more my strength to resist them drained away...
Oh my... The deepest desires of both of them are directed at you, Captain.
What a curious sight. It almost makes me want to know how it came to this.
Though her voice was laughing, there wasn't a trace of joy in it.
Heh... Honestly...
...How revolting.
Everyone has such base instincts. I'll never understand how they manage to hide them.
When in the end, they'll all become slaves to their desires like this.
Then again, the sort who frequent this place were especially revolting.
People who deck themselves in silk and jewels and spout honeyed words, while reeking of rot on the inside...
But there's no need to hide anymore.
Having received a revelation, I will use the golden chocolate to make this world cast off its false facade.
Ah, what a noble desire this is!
The magician was right that everyone lived with their desires hidden away.
And as she'd said, the desires people hid from others were sometimes ugly, sometimes base...
And sometimes...
...Too shameful to even say out loud.
But... that can't be all there is to them.
Heh... So that sounds like twisted logic to you?
You just want to look away from the truth.
The truth that every human being is ugly.
*Twitch*
What would you know?! Every time I have to face their vulgar desires, I...!
...
...Heh heh, heh heh heh.
How rude of me, raising my voice in front of the audience. I still have much to learn.
The magician drew close and took the golden chocolate from my arms.
In any case, I'll be taking this.
It's no use. Those two are already floundering in the abyss of desire.
You can shout yourself hoarse, Captain, but they won't hear a thing.
So keep your eyes wide open.
And watch as this golden chocolate grants my noble desire.
There's no way that's a noble desire!
It was nothing more than the delusion of a childish sophist.
Some desires drive a person to devote their whole heart, day and night, to making the principality safe and peaceful...
And grant them the will to do whatever it takes to revive their country.
Captain...
Other desires make a person crave recognition and praise from others...
Yet also support them as they train relentlessly, dreaming of a better tomorrow.
Captain...!
As long as the means aren't wrong.
As long as no one else gets hurt.
A desire that drives you to pursue and to strive is, in itself, undeniably noble.
Fil... Filthy, you say?
How dare you... You don't even know what I've seen, and you say something like that...!
So both of you, snap out of it!!
...!
What I truly want is...
That's...
Listen!
Now do you understand? Why I need to become rich!
I'm going to make a fortune and restore the principality!
So that everyone in the principality can live without worry!
Everyone said it was a reckless idea, but...
As long as there's one person who believes in that dream, I know I can make it happen.
Everyone, thank you! Thank you so much! Truly, thank you!
Always...
We'll always be knights who stand by the people of Monastir!
Captain, this is bad... I can't stop crying!
...I still have a long way to go before I grow into who I'm aiming to be!
So please, keep guiding me, right by my side...!
As the crushing pressure that had been bearing down on me eased, I finally let out a ragged breath.
Captain!
Are you both okay now?
That was close... in more ways than one...
Yes!
What I want most...
What it is, and what I need to do to get it...!
...You were the one who showed me, Captain!
For the sake of Monastir's future...
...I will make you mine, Captain. No matter what.
Of course! Didn't I tell you?
Someone as levelheaded as myself doesn't fall for the enemy's schemes so easily!
In fact, I was never swayed in the first place!
Liar?!
...Tch! Grr!
Why? My tricks don't work on those girls anymore either?
The hypnotic incense is still this thick... So why?!
Give it up already!
...Hah. Fine.
I don't need these petty tricks anymore.
I already have what I want in my hands, after all...!
With that, the magician raised the golden chocolate to her mouth, but just then...
Charlotte and Frey shot forward like lightning.
We won't let you have your way any longer!
Agh?!
Charlotte kicked the magician's arm, sending the golden chocolate in her hand flying through the air...
My chocolate!!
Captain! Catch!
A step ahead of the lunging magician, Frey's staff knocked it toward me...
...And it landed right in my hand.
Give it baaack!
Letting out a bizarre, scream-like shriek, the magician charged at me.
Even if I ran with it, getting through the crowd around us wouldn't be easy.
In that case...!
Then I'll just...
Eat it so no one can have it!
Wh-What are you doing?! Stop! Stop it!!
Nooo!!
*Gulp*