The Skill Collector

"No, thank you very much."

"I didn't go into the store, so isn't that strange?"

Cuyoli has pointed out that as the morning sun shoots in, he mouths his thoughts in front of people who nod in front of him.

"Do you call it word play? It's a metaphor."

"Really?"

Since I traveled with Cuyoli, I've been attacked more often than before.

The people rolling in front of me are part of it.

"How many deceased will attack you when you travel?"

"I guess it's because it looks like a great prey. I'm one arm, and Mr. Cuyoli looks like a weak woman."

In fact, they are both holders of dubious strength as to whether they can win by sending troops, but few can spot it.

I guess it just looks like a merchant with arms and his partner or his wife.

He was also frequently targeted when Cuyoli was traveling alone, and these situations were not uncommon or accustomed to each other.

A woman's journey alone in a land where vicious demons roam is nothing but reckless, but it's useless to worry about her having a high level of 'power' and an undead body.

"Sounds like you got a decent cut."

"Do not take the raw lightly. 'Cause that's the only thing that's blessed me to die."

Death comes to everyone equally. They say, but that doesn't apply to Cuyoli.

Deviated from people's reason, she knows no fear of death. There is no pain due to "pain paralysis".

As a result, you don't understand people's pain and sometimes you do too much when attacking them.

Back in the day, hostile opponents used to grind with all their might, but lately they seem to have learned to do something about it.

The hands and feet of the men who are cramped on the ground may be bent in an unexpected direction...

"Is the next destination still far away"

"At this rate, I think you'll be fine in half a day. It's a city I've always wanted to visit, but the conditions were not right and I postponed it."

The city of destination on its way to Cuyoli has been eyeing me for a long time, but I was exploring opportunities without a permit.

"What are the conditions?

"It is… a pleasure to arrive"

Treat the bones of the men who are falling and roaring and keep an escort. Let's gently set aside your handmade pain medication and recovery pills as well.

"Collectors are kind..."

"You'll pay for the treatment."

Cuyoli seemed to be trying to say something, but he looked at me as he borrowed his wallet from the other bag and collected the price and mumbled.

"This is also a valuable source of income because of the recent high expenditure."

"I can see it."

Cuyoli stares at the person pointing at him with his eyes narrowed.

"I see a white wall. I can also see the moat. Oddly beautiful."

In this world where demons roam, it is normal to surround villages and cities with walls, and it is the same as suicide to do nothing to combat them.

The city is also surrounded by high and thick walls, but for some reason one side of the wall is pure white.

Usually they connect hard, blunt-colored, inexpensive stones, but this white stone is like a fairly high value stone used for aristocratic floor stones.

The city walls shine in the light of the sun and the reflected light of the moat strewn around the walls.

"Rumor has it, the demons will be after you if you stand out from afar."

"Does that mean I'm confident in defense?

"Right. Do you call the soldiers here amazing, because they're special compared to the others?"

"Special?"

"I'll explain that when I get to the city."

Are you dissatisfied with the rush? I just swell my cheeks a little and stare.

Until now, there has been no expression in this exchange, but lately there has been more emotion on the table.

We've only been traveling a few days together, but Cuyoli seems to have a mental change.

Some of the white, huge walls have gateways, and there are sloppy people lined up in front of them.

I arrived at the end of the line, but the thin grin I had accidentally attached to the different people in line was about to collapse.

"Look forward to it, you"

"Right. Here we are bound forever."

The previous pair of men and women are leaning on each other with their arms together, and they are falling apart.

When I turned my gaze first because it was a sight I could not see, another pair of men and women were kissing even though they said it was in public.

The men and women further ahead are staring at each other and whispering sweet words to each other. As much as I regret not remembering lip reading, I'm arranging embarrassing words.

Such men and women continue from the beginning of the line to the front of themselves at the rear.

When I checked horizontally because I was concerned about the condition of the cuyoli, which became quiet next door, I had put my hand on my chin with a stare and thought of something.

"Love is here."

Put your hand on Cuyoli's mouth and make him not talk any more.

Only for a moment the two of us saw this way, but we immediately returned to our own world.

This is the scene that can be illuminated if this is the Sumire of the Inn, but it just seemed like a different sight to her when she was away from love.

Honestly, I feel the same way.

"This is called the city of lovers. The men and women who vowed to love in front of the statue of the goddess in the heart of this city are supposedly bound together forever, making it a tourist destination for two new marriages and two lovers"

"Don't worry about people's eyes with reason, expose yourself to insanity"

"Mr. Cuyoli, let's cloud the words."

Hold your mouth again.

I know Cuyoli has no offense.

The same goes for body pain, but I haven't had a chance to know people's heartache because it's always been a pulling life, so I can't tell what I'm saying makes them hurt or uncomfortable.

I need you to remember to speak with them in mind. From now on, we will have more opportunities to deal with people.

While we were talking, the line moved on and it was our turn.

Two gatekeepers in metal armor approached, but one of them is a woman.

A certain number of women also exist in adventurers, but basically women are often good at rear guard bows and magic, and the rate of women fighting in the avant-garde is quite low.

Soldiers in particular have a high proportion of men and it can be said that it is quite rare to recruit women as gatekeepers.

"Are you two sightseeing? Or to give you the blessing of a goddess?

The female soldier has spoken better. He has a gentle face with a gentle grin.

When it comes to gatekeepers, I have a tough face and a normal tone of questioning, but I rarely respond like this.

"For once, it's not for sightseeing purposes, but if you can."

That's what I say, I scratch my head in embarrassment and look at Kuyoli for a moment. Of course 'acting' is activated.

Cuyoli tilts his neck, frowning at his roots and staring at me. With eyes as if you had seen an odd creature.

"Really? You two deserve this city to spend time together without abandoning your lost partner. May the goddess bless you."

That's all the conversation gave me a light clearance.

When I visited here alone before, I was not allowed to go in even though I was asked about this and the details, but would it be so easy if I were a man or a woman?

"The soldiers are all a combination of men and women. It's understandable that it's a pair, but why men and women?

The question of cuyoli is a good one. Not just the men and women we responded to, but all the soldiers are acting in pairs.

"You'll be more surprised when you see the whole city."

Diving through the gate and stepping into the city, his vision was filled with light red.

The walls and roofs of buildings all over the city are unified in light red, and their colors pop into your eyes wherever you look.

The cobblestones on the ground are the same white as the walls, the buildings are light red, and the sky is blue. The overlapping colors of the three colors had created a fantastic space.

I was listening in advance so I'm not surprised, but still don't get overwhelmed with this.

The men and women of the first apparently visiting ancestors stop and look at the sight with a lucid look on their shoulders.

This is the general reaction, but what about the cuyoli?

When I turn my gaze with anticipation and anxiety - I think with a crease between my eyebrows.

"Why are you wearing these colors? Buildings should take advantage of the color of the material. Do you really need to be this color?"

That's cuyoli. Don't bend yourself without getting flushed into the air.

The people around you who hear that statement go away, but let's not worry about it there.

"They say this color helps calm people's minds. They say it's hard to feel belligerent and it's hard to get into contention."

"Well, that's a practical consideration."

You should skip explaining that it's the color that many women prefer.

At least cuyoli prefers the plain colors I said black or brown to this color.

"Plus they use flower dyes that can only be taken near this city. Clothes and costumes dyed in this color are sold as specialties."

"You expect the publicity to work, too."

Yeah, yeah, he seemed convinced by shaking his head vertically.

The streets are honestly unsettling, but the men and women around them are leaning in without worrying.

Looking around the city, residents and people working in shops, young and old, were all acting in pairs of men and women.

"Is this also a rule that we both have to act on?

The cuyoli seems to have noticed there too, and the crease between the brows gets deeper.

"There are no rules, but this is a city you can't visit without two men and women. And the condition of living in this city is to bless the statue of the goddess. That's all."

"What does it mean to be blessed?

"You stand in front of the statue of the goddess and swear you won't leave each other forever. Rumor has it that the statue of the goddess will shine and be blessed."

When I heard this story, I wondered if Cuyoli's face would become even more tannic, but the wrinkles on her forehead were disappearing and instead she was staring at me with a serious look.

My eyes look slightly moist and my cheeks look just a little red, but what's wrong?

"The collector, um, what is it? Here for it."

"Yeah, I've been wondering how it works."

"... eh"

"I've heard rumors about this city for a long time, but I didn't know the woman who would accompany me, and I've been looking at opportunities. This is how I decided to travel with Mr. Cuyoli, and this was a one-time opportunity to visit the city."

…………

Kuyori is listening to me in silence, so why don't you give me a little more detail?

"Many men and women visit this city, but few return from it. When I heard from the people back there, they all had something in common. That is that I did not swear eternal love in front of the statue of the goddess. Apparently the sworn men and women remain in this city and the sworn men and women leave the city...... What's up, Mr. Cuyoli?"

Speaking to her shaking her shoulders as she leaned down, she raised her face steadily.

I've seen faceless faces scattered before, but I've never seen faceless expressions that make me feel cold as bottom. Even I dull understood just fine. Wrong response.

"So, you take that oath?

Ask me in a low voice that sounds like it's coming from the bottom of the earth, Cuyoli.

Were you able to speak like that?

"No, I've been able to identify the people of this city and understand some things."

"What do you mean?

"We'll talk about it when we get to the statue."

"Hmm."

The way you were in the mood earlier was foggy and I tried to take Kuyoli, who didn't even try to hide his grump, but he walked very slowly.

I understand my words and actions were unsavory. I guess I responded differently to the statement she was expecting.

I was proud that I was doing well when it came to rubbing my guests' romantic affairs, but when I got involved, things went crazy.

Going near the statue of the goddess, there is another line before it. Men and women are showing off their friendship.

"I'm sorry to offend you"

When I put my mouth close to Cuyoli's ear and whispered the words of apology, my body swayed vertically.

"Don't do that suddenly. Did you look grumpy...... I don't really know either. Sometimes it's frustrating when collectors talk to other people."

"Sounds like we should learn from each other slowly. Aside from that, the information I found in the" appraisal "I spoke of earlier. Most of the city's inhabitants had the same skills."

"Same skills?

"Yeah, that's right. I had the skill of 'swearing'. And that skill doesn't exist for the people in this line. but 'vow' skills have appeared to people after receiving blessings in front of the statue of the goddess"

"I mean, you think you're giving 'oath' skills in front of this goddess statue?

"It's reasonable to think so."

The problem is the content of this skill. If you normally think about it, we'll marry each other and be together for the rest of our lives. Imagine a marriage vow but exist as a skill that is enforceable.

Probably has the same effect as a 'contract'.

Anyone who has been granted 'oath' skills so as to subordinate a slave will be shackled in some way and unable to act contrary to its rules. That explains how different the city is.

"But why should we swear to each other in front of others? If we are confident that we can trust each other and love each other forever, why not keep it in our hearts?"

"Don't you want a guarantee? By making others swear, they love each other. and I want to prove it and get peace of mind"

It sounds great, but how much you can guess at my reflections on spending so long alone.

"Hmm. Then why don't you just swear? It's a temporary play. I don't care. If you were a collector, would it be possible to remove it where you were 'sworn'?

"I can look into that in more detail...... In the unlikely event that it becomes impossible to remove it, or it may be a curse, are you sure?

"I don't care, I just want it"

If that's what you're going to say, I'll help you.

The statue of the goddess looks like a statue carved from scraped stone in pure white. Beautiful goddess with long hair with white bird wings growing on her back. About a little higher than me.

Put 'masonry' in your skills and observe the statue of the goddess carefully again.

That's not stone. Processed to look like stone but not.

Other skills were activated to examine the material, but none of the skills found out what the material was.

When it's your turn, a man and a woman dressed like a priest who were in front of the statue of the goddess open the book with their hands over this one.

"Well done. There you are. You two young people think of each other."

"I'm not young."

My whimpered voice overlaps.

I laugh small when I see the cuyoli in my eyes.

"Do you swear before the Goddess of Love that you will overcome all misery together, and that pain will be with you when you share and die?

"Oath -"

At that moment, the 'Intuition' skill I set aside just in case issues a warning.

Is this a warning against a declaration?

The eyes of the statue of the goddess that looked up - I felt it move slightly.

"Sorry, I'll still stop"

Block words and interrupt declarations.

The gaze of the surprised face cuyoli hurts, but it was decided that this should not be carried out, albeit provisionally.

"It was going to be this vibe, but I think we need to think more seriously about what happened the rest of our lives. We'll spend a few more days in this city and then we'll ask you again."

Turn that down, bow your head, and pull Cuyoli's hand away from the line.

I didn't miss the lettering inscribed near the goddess' feet as I made my way through the back of the goddess statue.

Jumping into the alley away from the crowd makes a face at Cuyoli.

"The statue of the goddess is not just a statue."

"Right."

There are thorns in your voice. Definitely grumpy.

If I had tied my mouth and swelled my cheeks, anyone would know.

"The material of that statue of the goddess also looked like stone, but it actually seems to be more rigid and impossible to produce in modern times"

"... more"

He doesn't seem to be in a better mood, but he seemed interested in the story.

"I've heard it before from Ariaria of Automata, who is also a" great relic ". That my sisters exist everywhere in the world. They say that the sisters are some individuals who do harm to people, while others are created for purposes useful to people. And many sisters say they are involved in skills. You know Mr. Iriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii He's an automata, too."

Statue of a goddess made of moving eyes and mysterious material. Conditions are in place.

Confirmation is a name inscribed on the statue of the goddess. Underfoot it said 'Wari Wari Wari' in ancient letters.

Their names, which are automata, have something in common, so they changed to certainty with their eyes.

"So the statue of the goddess is self-conscious and gives her skills?"

"Yes, it will. When the" Great Relic "was involved, it could have been irrevocable, so it was forceful, but I stopped it. I'm sorry I rushed you too far."

"If that's the case, I was convinced. But I want you to tell me everything in advance."

"Yes, I understand."

I decided to gather information in the city with Kuyoli, who accepted my apology, but the more I know, the more uncomfortable I feel.

The people of this city seem happy at first sight, but there are times when there is a glimpse of disgust and frustration with the other person in every word and deed.

Even so, I hide it and pretend to be happy without ever trying to get it on the surface.

Young men and women really seem to love each other from the heart. But the older I get, the more I see the debacle.

"It's what the collector said. How strange."

"Right. There were quite a few people who remembered the skills of 'acting'. Considering that you were acting from day to day enough to remember your skills, that means you're in a situation where you have to be."

"A relationship where you have to show false love? What are we going to do?"

"Let's go check out that statue of the goddess in the middle of the night. You can have a conversation if you want."

Waiting for the night to come up, before exiting the inn, he returned to the statue of the goddess.

There are no shadows around and not one of the watchmen stands.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Wari Wari. My name is Collector."

Keep your head down and see how your opponent reacts, but no response?

"You're an automata, aren't you?

sounds like heavy objects swayed.

I stare into the eyes of the statue of the goddess, but is there any change?

"Didn't you know Mr. Ariaria?

Now I heard a noise twice.

Still seems to keep imitating the statue.

"What I took out was a chunk of steel. I'll give this to Mr. Cuyoli. Pinch as much as you want."

The iron mass caught in her palm, executed according to my instructions, is dented as if it had crushed the clay.

Now I heard three swings.

"Mr. Cuyoli, embrace the goddess as much as you want"

"I understand."

Cuyoli walks over to the statue of the goddess with open arms.

I stood under my feet and tried to wrap the statue of the goddess with both of its arms, at that time.

"Stop! Hey, you guys, I don't think it's punishment or anything!

A surprisingly youthful voice sounds against appearance.

Is this the voice of the Automata who pretended to be the statue of the goddess?

There are no pieces of majesty to be angry at me and Cuyoli alternating fingers.

"You can still talk. I want you to tell me about the vows that Wari Wari is giving people."

"You guys know I gave you Aria's name. You were listening in advance, boring."

He seems to be unhappy that his reaction was faint, and when he lowers his hips on the pedestal and joins his feet, he has a cheek wand on him.

You'll be disillusioned if the residents see this.

"Maybe you don't think I'm pushing the 'oath' in bad faith or something. I'm just fulfilling the wishes of the producers and everyone. I'm getting confirmation from a man and a woman who want to be together forever, and I'm making it happen for them."

"I'm very aware of that, but what's going on with the 'oath'?"

"Uh, as declared. Men and women who have sworn an oath cannot be separated for life. You can't be more than ten steps away with a big crotch. If one of them dies, the other dies."

So the soldiers here had a reputation for being collaborative and strong?

If your partner's life is connected to your own, you'll also be strong.

"Will the vows be executed physically"

"That's right. And the mental follow-up is perfect. When you tell someone you swear you hated, disliked, or betrayed them, you have a severe pain in your body. You put in the phrase" share the pain "before you swear properly, don't you?

"... is that also physical? Nobody thinks that's gonna happen."

"Really? He seems to be mistaken about something, but this isn't enforced, and it won't run unless we think we can do that to each other. That's why people who fall in love just at the top don't activate their vows."

In other words, those who have 'vows' in their skills did so in their own desire.

"I guess those who swore were serious at the time too. But feelings are something that changes. You can see the bad parts, and you can be disillusioned."

"I hear people do. The Lord who produced this skill, this is the only story I've ever talked about, and he said that he was in terrible betrayal to his wife, and he couldn't believe a woman. That's where they created the skills that will accompany them for the rest of their lives. If I swear, I won't be able to leave this city."

The tone is like an aunt talking about neighborhood rumors.

I talk like any other HR, but do I have the consciousness to be doing it?

"He wants to take the vow of eternity on his own and break it off on his own. Then don't you think I should take a slight oath that I couldn't even do it from the beginning?

If I was doing it maliciously on the automata dressed as this goddess statue, I would have destroyed it, but apparently not.

"It hurts my ears there as a person, but you're right. I understand that Mr. Wari Wari has no offense. I'd like to ask you that once I know that. Is' oath 'releasable?

"That's what I can't do. I don't know how to disarm it. Oh, my God."

I don't care if they poke me in the head and put my tongue out.

Wari Wari are merely carrying out what has been ordained to them by the Lord. Besides, whoever gets the 'oath' wanted it for himself.

Maybe it's not the kind of project where I pinch my mouth...

"I can't seem to disarm it, but isn't there a problem with this one for disarming it on its own?

"You can let that go, but you can't disarm it?

Wahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwahliwa

I was thinking hard but if there is no problem, should I just buy it in 'buy or sell'?

"Collector. Expenses have been heavy lately, I guess. Isn't this the time to make money? I think we can make a lot of money by buying it from people who are unhappy with their current relationship."

Sure. Now that we're in a state of coercion, maybe a lot of people want to break up no matter how much money we pay.

Most people refuse to buy and choose to live together like this. I just want to believe that...

"Oh well, you're not a nice wife of the firm. Wouldn't it be okay for you guys to swear eternal love?

"I forbid it. We're..."

So once the words are separated, I see the cuyoli.

I remembered what she was saying and kept saying the words.

"It's not like swearing lightly in front of someone else. Keep your thoughts on them in our hearts… that's fine."