385. Nightmare’s Humanization

After wrapping up my talk with Volk, for the sake of saving up MP to humanize later to investigate in town, I return back to my dragon form and meet up with Grandpa Magiatite in the upper level of the mine.

【“…… I do not know why the silver-haired man is with you, nor do I want to know. But, seeing as you’ve held your end of the deal, I will do mine. You can leave your Treant to my care”】

And with that, Treant has been left under the care of this metallic blob of slime.
Treant looks at me like he’s being treated as an abandoned puppy.

I-It can’t be helped…… we’re going to a city bustling with humans.
You can’t humanize, can you, Treant? I'm sorry, but we can’t bring you with us.
The moment you enter, no, the instant they see you, they’ll be out to kill you.
All your leaves will be plucked out of you.
The human inhabitants of this world are merciless when they view something as a monster.

“Ryujin-sama…… I’ll be going with you to the city too, right? I’m, a little nervous”

As Alo said that, her face, her eyes, basically her entire expression is shining with expectations.
So, she’s half-nervous and half-excited.
Well, I’m glad she’s looking forward to it. I was hesitating on whether to bring her too or not, but it looks like she really wants to come herself.
Even if her identity gets exposed, as a rankＢmonster, she should be able to escape from the city by herself.
Volk and I will be there to support her too.

Treant glances at Alo.
Alo, realizing her expression is showing her excitement, faces down and hides her face with her palms.
Treant stomps on the ground with his roots.
T-Treant……

All that’s left is Nightmare.
Nightmare has the skill that can let her humanize, and she also has the skill that suppresses the MP consumption for humanization.
I’m sure I can take her with me…… but the skills’ levels are still low.
When I first noticed that she had it, it was Lv 3, but after checking her stats again, it’s now increased to Lv 5.

Hey Nightmare, can you try humanizing for a bit?
Nightmare turns to me, and tilts her head as if pretending that she doesn’t understand me.

W-Why you…… you’ll be left with Treant, you know? Are you okay with that? Hmm?
Calling out on Nightmare, she turns her gaze to Treant.
…… Sorry, I kinda went too far.

No response from Nightmare.
Now that I think about it, she doesn’t really have any particular reason to fight for the humans.
The only reason she’s not attacking humans is probably because of Partner.
In Nightmare’s eyes, humans are something that she shouldn’t attack unless necessary.
She probably doesn’t know what to do with her〖Human Transformation〗skill, yet it leveled up despite being left alone.
Partner won’t be in this mission since I’ll be the one to humanize.
I guess you could say Nightmare has zero motivation for this.

Well, there’s no reason to bring her along if she herself doesn’t feel like coming.
Magiatite Gramps, I’ll leave her in your care too.

【“I don’t mind, but”】

Nightmare doesn’t seem to object.
Since she’s staying with Treant, Nightmare has a slight look of disgust.
I’m sure that if she’s with Alo, she has no problem, but if left alone with Treant, I can only worry.

She doesn’t care about me, only Partner, and she doesn’t think too highly of Treant.
Yeah, she’s quick-witted, but she’s also indifferent and doesn’t act cute. She’s like the cold-hearted top student of the class.
…… I mean, she even refuses to accept the love I’m giving to Treant.

【“Aww, I wanted to see Nightmare human look”】

The instant Partner said something, Nightmare raises her head and walks to Partner.

【“What? What is it?”】

Partner lowers her head to Nightmare’s level.
She inclines backward so Nightmare doesn’t need to keep looking up.

【“Uh, Im not that interested……”】
【“That’s not what I……”】
【“I think you misheard me”】
【“…… What?”】

They seem to be trying to communicate with each other by putting their faces closer, but since none of them have〖Telepathy〗, they’re struggling.
A confused and flustered Partner is certainly a rare sight to see, so when I chuckled a little, Nightmare glares at me.
I gently look away.

【“I didnt get everything, but she wants to go too”】

Partner, still confused after their recent conversation, tells me that.
With Partner here, Nightmare becomes tame.
That’s kinda…… cute, actually.
Well, whether she gets to come with us or not depends on how human-like her〖Human Transformation〗will look like……

Nightmare stands up with her legs writhing.
An unsettling sound is heard as Nightmare’s body begins to shrink.
Her red eyes move to the side of her forehead.
The surface of her black body is shifting and changing. Black hair begins to grow from within her white mask.

Her height in human form is about 160 centimeters, or close.
Her previous black body turned into a robe.
Her face is…… covered by the white mask that’s occupying most of her face.

Maybe it’s because her eyes have moved to the hood on her robe, which now looks more like it’s a design from the robe itself.
I didn’t know you can humanize this way. It looks more like a mimicry than a transformation.
Well, at least the body is kinda hidden, so hopefully it shouldn’t look too suspicious.

Seeing her chest bulge a little, I can see that she’s female.
I mean, after seeing how she interacts with Partner, I kinda got a clue, but this confirms it.

So, uh…… will the mask just stay on then?
I’m…… kinda curious to see what’s hidden under it……

I watch what Nightmare’s reaction is, but as always, she ignores me.
She instead shows off her form to Partner, twirling around her robe like an innocent little girl.
Then, Partner just responds with “Ya look good, I guess” in a blunt tone.
It’s like they don’t even see me.
I mean, yeah, this was kinda expected, but still……

Hey Partner, think you can ask her to take off her mask?
When I asked her that, Partner nods.

【“Hey, take off your mask”】

Wow, so direct. Nightmare stops moving and becomes confused.
After a few seconds of silence, she tilts her head as if trying to trick her way out of it.

【“Alo, do it”】

In an unusual turn of events, Partner gives Alo a command.
Alo, although surprised, is just as excited to know what’s hidden under Nightmare’s mask and assaults her.
Nightmare runs as if her life is on the line.

…… Hey, you guys, you can stop now.
Maybe she just really doesn’t like her mask to be pried open.

Then, Alo raises her hand up and the cave floor begins to move on its own.
A number of earthen hands extend from the earth and entangle Nightmare.
It’s Alo’s skill,〖Ensnaring of the Rueful〗.
Alo walks towards the now restrained Nightmare.
Nightmare does her best to free herself from her restraints, but Alo’s〖Ensnaring of the Rueful〗doesn’t budge at all.

I grab Nightmare’s hood with my mouth and lift her up, then smash the earthen hands with my claw.
Everyone, STOP!
You don’t have to get serious over something like this!
Sorry for going too far, Nightmare. I was just kinda irritated by you ignoring me earlier.
Alo is the strongest of the three, so if she gets serious, it’s no longer the level of playing around anymore.

“…… I-I’m sorry too”

Alo bows her head and apologizes to me.
Go apologize to Nightmare too.

Alo does as I say and bows to Nightmare as well.
Good, good.

This feels like being a homeroom teacher in a class of kids.
…… And as for you, assistant teacher Partner, do you also have something to say to Nightmare?

【“…… Hm? What do you mean?”】

T-This insensitive dragon head.
With my temper suddenly rising, so did the inside of my mouth.
And because of that, I unintentionally drooled on Nightmare, who is still being carried by my drooling mouth.

B-Blerggh! W-What was that?
Then, I notice a red web hanging from within my mouth.
Nightmare’s〖Poison Web〗……?

When I opened my mouth, I accidentally let go of Nightmare, but before she fell on the ground, a web that connects herself to Partner’s forehead slingshots her onto Partner’s head.
Y-You’re really okay with how Partner treats you, Nightmare?

Then, Nightmare gives me a quick glance before looking elsewhere again.
She then wipes the parts of her robe that’s drenched with my saliva.
…… Oh well, can’t say I’m not envious of their relationship, but this is fine, I guess.

“…… Quite a number of unique servants you have”

Volk says with a smile on his face.
Tell me about it……