VRMMO: My first Contractee is Yandere

Liora's POV:

Freshly poured into a new bowl was tea.

More than tea, it was probably herbal juice. It didn't seem to be poisonous even when I appraised it. The old woman seemed to have some knowledge of tea ceremony, and the tea itself was surprisingly delicious.

"Oh, I'm so happy. It's not often that I get to host a girl of this age."

The old woman busied herself with hospitality.

She seemed lonely as she whispered that she wanted to offer some sweets but had none.

Today, I decided to stay at this old woman's home as she suggested. Since there were plenty of ingredients, perhaps her meals and supplies would improve instead.

Even I wouldn't extort free meals in such a village.

The old woman gratefully accepted the food I offered, apologizing as she did.

I recalled the moment I received money from the noble earlier.

Well, it's different from that time. But in terms of having to accept something I don't want, it's the same.

Today was not a good day.

The god have not returned...

It seems they need to go shopping. Even god need to shop. There are times when I need to shop too, so it's the same...

I was treated as the noble wished.

Originally, I should have worked diligently as a servant of the god. However, even I find it difficult to move effectively when the god have been absent for two days, and on a day when I lost to an enemy...

I should not fight in such a state.

As a servant of the god, I cannot squander my life at will. Anger wells up within me at my own inadequacy. I did not use the mattress infested with fleas.

There is a bed given to me by the god...

After using an insect-repelling potion, I fell asleep.

Waking up, I sensed that the granny was already awake. Using divine power, I stored the bed into my [Item Box] and made slight creases in the futon she had laid out for me.

I felt bad about not using something she had prepared for me.

The god love all lies.

I am permitted to lie to the god, so I allow myself to deceive my wife.

"Oh, Liora, you're awake. Sorry about the poor futon; it's not much, but I thought it would be better than sleeping outside."

"It wasn't bad."

"Is that so? Thank you."

"I also appreciate it."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Outside, it was still dim.

According to the god, they won't descend today either. They mentioned being busy with something... It feels so lonely.

The old woman is starting to cook with the ingredients I provided.

Neither I nor Samurai is skilled in cooking. The god usually handle it for us, and their cooking is incredibly delicious. While dishes prepared by those with cooking skills are supposed to taste better and even provide buffs, only the meals made by the god truly satisfy me.

Only the god can create that taste of happiness.

It appears the old woman has an aptitude for [Fire Magic], which she uses to cook.

I, on the other hand, only use skills in combat.

It seems handy.

The food was served. Although simple, the steaming dishes smelled good. I thanked her and started eating.

Delicious.

It didn't taste like something made by a chef; instead, it was closer to the god' cooking. The flavor made me feel happy and surprised.

"This is good."

"Thank you, dear."

The old woman's face wrinkled, not with joy but a hint of sadness. I remembered the tears a teacher once shed while we were conquering a dungeon.

Elders always seem sad.

Today, I plan to search for materials. Yesterday, I was useless. While the god are immensely kind-hearted, even beyond human comprehension, I can't forgive myself just because the god forgive me.

I've decided to leave the village.

I am strong, so I can leave. But these people are weak. The Third Field is vast, and the roads are filled with enemies.

Furthermore, the gatekeepers seem to be preventing the villagers from escaping.

These people are kept alive only to be crushed.

I don't particularly care. The god have told me that in this world, the strong can do as they please. The weak will be taken from, mocked, and plundered.

These people are weak.

The god once told me,

'Bondage is like chains. You're tightly bound, unable to move or do what you want. Always tangled up by someone. It's painful.'

But, they said,

'Chains aren't necessarily bad. If wrapped around you skilfully, they become armour, or a lifeline to prevent a fall. Beasts without chains are seen as threats and become targets for elimination.'

Freedom is the release from chains.

It means letting go of the disadvantage's chains bring but also discarding their benefits.

It's a dangerous and challenging path.

To pursue it, you need resolve.

And responsibility. By giving up the minimum protection, you embrace danger. You must be prepared to handle it yourself.

The villagers suffer from chains, but these chains also keep them alive. If they had the will to face death, perhaps they could also attain freedom.

But there is no benefit to disrupting this balance for them.

I live only for the god. That foundation is unchangeable. So I won't help.

"Liora, you should leave this village. You're strong and young. Staying here will only make your heart rot."

"I'm leaving today."

"That's for the best. Oh, wait here a moment before you go."

The old woman shuffled outside despite her bent back. I waited as instructed. The meal wasn't enough, but the tea was delicious.

It reminded me of the tea my teacher used to make.

Elders are always sad, but their tea is tasty.

After a while, I heard a scream and a heavy thud from outside.

I rushed out.

▽

The old woman lay collapsed on the ground.

It seemed she tried to climb a tree using a ladder. A small, shrivelled fruit swayed on the branch.

She had likely broken a hip bone.

She was unconscious. I used [Regen] and an [Advanced Healing Potion] on her. The god had a potion specifically for bone healing, but I left it at the [Ideal Atelier].

I had watch over her and returned to the [Ideal Atelier] to fetch the item.

The god once said, "Is it okay to have such a cheat skill?"

It must be convenient.

The old woman seemed to have regained consciousness, but she appeared mentally shaken by the unexpected pain.

According to the knowledge from Zerak and others, people tend to feel down when in pain.

I was the same once.

I had the old woman drink the bone-repairing potion.

I questioned the old woman.

"Why did you climb the tree? It's dangerous."

"...It's nothing."

The old woman averted her gaze.

As I tilted my head, shrugged, looking exasperated Samurai gazed at us. For a mimic, she behaves much like a human, though her behaviour sometimes carries a disturbing undertone, reminding me she's different.

In the elf's voice, Samurai said,

'She probably wanted to give the fruit to the Master, didn't she? You're so dense; no wonder you misunderstand your husband's true intentions.'

"I understand the god better than anyone. You're ignorant."

'The Master(GOD) should provide you more emotional education. Otherwise, you're practically a mockery of a human. I handle human imitation much better.'

"Be quiet. Go find a doctor."

'Understood, Master.'

The god have complete control over Samurai. However, I see Samurai as a potential enemy.

She's dangerous.

She says things like, 'I'm grateful to the Master and Mistress. I owe everything to them for allowing me to elevate as a mimic.'

But she insults the god.

She's a foe to the god. The only reason she's tolerated is that the god are overly merciful, and Samurai mistakenly believes the god are mindless.

Yet, samurai's words gave me understanding.

I reached out a hand to the partially recovered old woman. She grasped my small hand but immediately pulled away, starting to sob.

"What's wrong? Does it hurt?"

"...I'm sorry, so sorry."

Standing before the crying old woman, I was at a loss.

My body, which could face any powerful foe, wouldn't move.

Then, hurried footsteps approached from behind. Turning, I saw the guide from yesterday. Samurai must have brought him here.

He held some first-aid supplies.

It seems this village lacks proper medical care. I understood that he, likely being the only one able to, would handle the treatment.

The guide's expression was like an ogre's.

"You...traitor! Why'd you make the old woman cry?!"

"I don't know."

"Just because you're A-rank, you think you can do anything. That old woman—her whole family was killed by that bastard lord! Even a grandson about your age! She despises that lord, and yet you..."

While the guide continued his rant, the old woman clutched at her thinning hair and screamed.