As consciousness slowly reclaimed me, I found myself resting on the knees of an ogre girl facing her boobs. Her green skin, long brown hair, and captivating sky-blue eyes greeted me as I awoke. A genuine smile adorned her face, and relief resonated in her words. "You're awake, I'm glad!"
As I stood up.
Realizing my state of undress, embarrassment flushed over me. Hastily reaching for my clothes, I hurriedly dressed, questioning the circumstances. "Why was I undressed?" I blurted out, my cheeks tinged with embarrassment. Her response, delivered with warmth and a slight blush, added a layer of unexpected tenderness to the situation. "Your clothes got wet, so you could have gotten sick. I undressed you, gave you a warm blanket, and made my knees a warm pillow for you."
"T-thank you," I mumbled, my embarrassment mingling with gratitude as I met her gaze. As my eyes focused, she introduced herself, her name resonating with a sense of strength. "Don't be worried, I am Magna. My father is the owner of the village. It's a pleasure to meet you. May I get your name?"
Returning the courtesy, I replied, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Magna. I am Tatsuya Ryota." The exchange carried a sense of newfound camaraderie, bridging the gap between different worlds.
Just then, the father of the village entered the scene, expressing his gratitude and admiration. "Oh, wow! You are awake, hero! I am very pleased for your actions. We were struggling with the dragons for so long, and you've saved us! I am in debt to you."
With a shy smile, I responded, "It's okay, hehe." The acknowledgment of my heroic deeds brought a mix of humility and appreciation. The unexpected bond forged with Magna and the villagers marked a turning point in my journey, emphasizing the unforeseen connections that magic and courage could bring. As the warmth of gratitude enveloped the room, I couldn't help but ponder the unpredictable path that lay ahead in this enchanted world.
Gulaino, the chief of the village, expressed his profound gratitude, pledging a loyalty that went beyond mere words. "I am willing to create a pact between you and me so I can show my loyalty towards you and follow every order you give me! Even if it takes my life."
Intrigued and considering the potential knowledge such a pact could bring, I inquired further. "A pact? What exactly do you mean?" Gulaino elaborated, revealing the mystical nature of the pact. "When two people form a pact, the one who asks for the pact has to follow every command from their superior. The one who asks also evolves to a stronger form, thanks to its master's power."
The prospect of unlocking hidden potential and gaining insights into this magical world captivated my curiosity. Embracing the opportunity, I agreed to the pact. "Sure, how do we do it?" Gulaino, filled with reverence, knelt down, summoning a red circle with intricate magic symbols beneath us, while saying "Oh my lord, may I follow you until my last breath."
"Now say, 'I accept you as my fellow follower,'" Gulaino instructed. The words resonated in the magical space, and as I uttered them, a red energy sphere enveloped Gulaino. When the sphere dissipated, a transformation unfolded. Gulaino had evolved from an ogre to an Ogre King, a testament to the power of the pact.
Simultaneously, a drastic change occurred within me. My stamina, once at its peak, plummeted from 150/150 to 0/150. The sacrifice of all my mana was the price to form this binding pact. As I fell to the ground, paralyzed, the slow regeneration of my mana began, at a rate of 1 mana per minute.
The intricate web of magic that bound us became evident. Gulaino, now an Ogre King, stood as a testament to the potency of the pact. The implications of this newfound connection echoed through the village, leaving me both fascinated and wary of the responsibilities that came with this extraordinary bond. The journey had taken an unexpected turn, and I lay there, awaiting the regeneration of my mana, contemplating the mysteries yet to unfold.
Resting on Magna's knees inside the inn, I continued my conversation with Gulaino about the pact, seeking to understand its implications. "What if you don't obey an order I give you?" I questioned. Gulaino, still kneeling, replied with unwavering loyalty, "I will simply explode out of existence, my lord." Though his words carried a weight of sacrifice, I urged him to rise, saying, "You don't have to kneel to me, please." With a respectful nod, he acquiesced, "As you wish, my lord."
As my mana slowly regenerated to 30, I finally stood up and walked through the village, witnessing the aftermath of the fire and dragon onslaught. Concerned about the reconstruction, I asked Gulaino, "Do you have enough people to fix all of this?" He responded, "First of all, you are now the new Boss of the village, my lord. Second, yes, we do have enough workers, and they can start building now."
Eager to contribute, I suggested starting the repairs immediately. Throughout the day, alongside the ogres who were the builders, I shared my knowledge from my previous world, guiding them in fixing the broken roofs, houses, and more. Despite the village's reliance on wooden structures, I applied my carpentry, building, and architectural skills, aiming to modernize and improve the living conditions.
As we completed the remodeling, the need for new clothes became apparent. Coincidentally, Magna, who possessed the skill of tailoring, agreed to create new clothes for me. Knowing the importance of paying for services, I promised to compensate her for her work.
The ogres, with my guidance, finished the renovations before nightfall, ensuring a safe and dry night for the villagers. My vision extended beyond the immediate repairs, aspiring to transform the village into a city where equality prevailed.
As the next day dawned, I discovered the surprise of new clothes meticulously crafted by Magna besides me on bed. A black knit sweater, matching dark trousers, a scarf, black cozy pants, and a white sweater adorned with thoughtful details to use in my waist. Their comfort and quality surprised me as I thanked Magna profusely in my thoughts.
Running outside in my new attire, I greeted Magna with a cheerful "Morning!" Expressing my gratitude, I asked about payment. Magna, however, playfully dismissed the notion. "What do you mean, pay me? I'm paying you for saving the village. Plus, you are our new boss, remember?" Her laughter echoed through the morning, reflecting the shared joy of newfound connections and aspirations for a brighter future. The village, once marred by chaos, now resonated with the promise of transformation and unity.
Emerging from the inn into the radiant sunlight, I took a moment to reflect to Kaori and Aria. "I promise Kaori, Aria. I will make this village succeed so everyone can live fairly and not be judged. I promise! And we will meet one day, and that day I will be able to take care of both of you." The determination echoed within as I met with Gulaino, assigning responsibilities before setting out on a walk to potentially recruit more builders.
Addressing Gulaino, I declared, "I'm going on a walk to see if I can recruit more builders! I will be back by noon, got it? You're in charge while I'm gone. Make sure people gather the materials I told them to gather, got it?" Gulaino nodded in agreement, shouldering the temporary leadership with a sense of duty.
Departing from the village, a subtle experimentation unfolded. Testing the limits of my newfound fire magic, I enchanted my clothes with fire resistance, ensuring they wouldn't succumb to the flames. Confident in this magical enhancement, I decided to take it a step further.
"Now," I murmured, activating my fire manipulation. Flames enveloped my legs, yet my clothes remained untouched, a testament to the successful enchantment. With the reassurance of fireproof attire, I embarked on a daring feat – levitation.
Using the controlled propulsion of fire, I ascended into the skies, experiencing the exhilaration of flight. The landscape unfolded beneath me – a patchwork of trees, flowing rivers, and a distant pond sparkling in the sunlight. The beauty of the world unfolded in a mesmerizing panorama, reaffirming the enchantment of this magical realm.
As I soared higher, the sense of freedom and liberation embraced me. The wind whispered through my hair, and the vast expanse below offered a breathtaking view. The experiment, born from curiosity, transformed into a journey of discovery and awe. The village, now a mere dot on the canvas of nature, resonated with potential and purpose.
In the embrace of the sky, I marveled at the possibilities this magical world held. The promise to Kaori and Aria echoed in my mind, fueling the determination to shape a future where fairness and acceptance flourished. The skies became a canvas for dreams, and as I descended back to the village, the landscape below shimmered with the promise of transformation and unity.