"I won't say anything! Just don't put that weird thing in my mouth!"
Snow White, now a captive, struggled against her restraints. "If you shove something that big in, my mouth will break!"
She didn't know what the object was, but her instincts screamed at her to resist. Something about it was terrifying.
As for the dwarf's towel? Completely unacceptable.
Being captured by Amamiya was shocking enough—after all, since childhood, only the queen had been immune to her charm.
And now, Amamiya had effortlessly broken her curse, even removing the mushroom that had left everyone else helpless. Whether she admitted it or not, it was clear—he was powerful.
And there was no shame in submitting to the strong.
As for the seven dwarfs… in less than three minutes, they had gone from her devoted followers to indifferent bystanders. The curse was gone, and now, they wouldn't even look at her.
Because, as everyone knows—if you keep licking a dog, you'll end up with nothing.
Chika tilted her head. "It does feel a bit wrong to shove something like that in her mouth." She turned to Amamiya. "Amamiya, why don't you do it?"
Tsubame nodded. "It seems a little disrespectful."
"No—wait—why is everyone looking at me?!"
Amamiya let out an exasperated sigh. "I wasn't the one who brought out the prop!"
Every crime has its perpetrator. Every debt has its collector. Go find the real culprit!
In the end, they didn't use the ball gag.
Instead, at Chika's suggestion, they gave Snow White a "special treatment"—poking two small holes in the hood so she could see.
With that settled, Amamiya pulled up a chair and sat down in front of her. "Time for the interrogation." His gaze locked onto Snow White's sky-blue eyes. "I ask the questions. You answer them."
Tears welled up in Snow White's eyes as she bit her lower lip. Her voice trembled, full of grievance. "I… I'll tell you everything I know."
…Too cute.
Seeing her teary, helpless expression, Amamiya suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.
He had put a hood on Snow White, tied her hands behind her back, and had even considered gagging her.
Wasn't this way too rough?
Poke.
A finger jabbed his waist.
"Amamiya, snap out of it!"
Chika pouted, stepping between them. "Your eyes were locked on her, and your nostrils were flaring just now!"
Amamiya blinked and rubbed his face. "Damn… I was charmed again. I almost untied her and let her go."
"Should we switch interrogators?"
Hayasaka, standing nearby, smirked. "Senpai has a Slaanesh mushroom on his head—he might be more vulnerable to the charm."
"Huh?"
Tsubame stiffened. "Wait—how do you know it's a Slaanesh mushroom?"
"Ahem…"
Hayasaka coughed twice and looked away.
How did she know?
Because she knew the taste.
"Switching." Amamiya stood up. "Avoiding direct eye contact is probably for the best. The dog-licking curse is too dangerous."
Hayasaka took his place, sitting down in front of Snow White.
"Name?"
"Shirayuki."
"Age?"
"Sixteen."
"Gender?"
"…?"
Chika muttered under her breath. "Obviously a girl."
"Not necessarily," Amamiya whispered. "There are plenty of cross-dressing men in the world."
The passerby player nodded. "At sixteen, with a chest that flat, it does raise some suspicions."
"That doesn't matter." Chika blurted out, "Kaguya-chan is flat too."
A second of silence. Then, her eyes widened in horror.
She slapped her hands over her mouth, realizing too late that Kaguya wasn't even here.
She exhaled in relief. "That was close. Thank god Kaguya-chan didn't hear that."
Because just like a bald person hates being called bald—the more someone lacks something, the more they care about it.
And Kaguya was no exception.
She had beauty, intelligence, talent, and a powerful family.
But her chest?
That was her one fatal flaw.
"I've recorded it." Amamiya casually slipped his hand into his pocket and turned to the secretary. "Chika, you wouldn't want Kaguya to find out, would you?"
Chika: "…"
The interrogation continued.
Hayasaka sat behind the table, fingers interlocked. "Snow White, why did you knock on the door?"
"The queen drove me out," Snow White whispered. "I'm cold and hungry. I just wanted to find a place to rest for a while."
Hayasaka pressed further. "Why did she kick you out?"
Snow White clenched her fists, a flicker of anger in her voice. "After my father passed away, I was supposed to inherit the kingdom, but that woman stole my throne and banished me."
She turned to Amamiya, eyes pleading. "Brave warrior, please help me reclaim my kingdom!"
At that moment, a system notification chimed in the players' ears.
[Side Quest: Snow White's Revenge]
[Objective: The arrogant Snow White was driven from her palace. She is filled with resentment. Help her reclaim the throne.]
[Note: I do not fight to prove my greatness but to reclaim what is rightfully mine.]
Amamiya stroked his chin. "And what do I get in return for helping you?"
Snow White's eyes widened. "You're a hero, and you're openly asking for rewards?"
"Heroes need to eat too." Amamiya shrugged, unfazed. "If I help you for nothing, that just makes me a slave."
Snow White bit her lip. "I… I can grant you a fiefdom!"
"Not interested."
Amamiya shook his head.
The main quest only lasted two days—any promise of land was meaningless.
Snow White tried again. "I can offer you mountains of gold and silver!"
Amamiya's expression became righteous. "Apologies, but I'm a noble warrior who sees wealth as mere dirt beneath my feet. Gold and silver mean nothing to me."
Besides, they couldn't take loot out of the dungeon, making treasure less valuable than a loaf of rye bread.
Snow White hesitated, then played her trump card.
"I can sleep with you."
"…What?"
"I have never been with a man before. If you help me reclaim my throne, I will sleep with you."
"…"
You claim to be naïve about the ways of the world, yet when it comes to power, wealth, and seduction, you're a natural!
"Absolutely not!"
Before Amamiya could react, Chika's voice rang out.
Her cheeks puffed up in outrage as she latched onto Amamiya's arm. "Using your body as a reward? That's unacceptable! Mom always told me that girls should cherish themselves!"
Snow White lifted her chin, completely unbothered. "The hero is no ordinary commoner. He is handsome and strong. I am willing."
"…"
Tsubame cast a cautious glance at Amamiya. "Will Amamiya-kun agree?"
She had once believed him to be a gentleman. But after seeing him with a Slaaneshmushroom on his head, she wasn't so sure anymore.
The dungeon was a lawless place. A player in the mutual aid group once shared a horrifying story—how someone, crushed by despair, had turned to violence against innocent girls…
She didn't believe Amamiya would become a monster.
But Snow White was dangerously beautiful, captivating even to other women. It wouldn't be strange for a man to lose control.
"So, what's your answer, Senpai?"
Hayasaka smiled sweetly, already gripping the magical girl's gun.
If this pervert actually gave in to temptation and cheated right in front of her…
She would not hesitate to shoot.
"I refuse."
Amamiya shook his head.
Snow White narrowed her eyes at him before turning her gaze to Chika and the others with a look of disdain. "Is it because of them? None of them, even combined, are as beautiful as me."
You really have no filter. No wonder the queen kicked you out of the palace. You've probably never had a friend in your entire life!
Besides, beauty isn't just simple arithmetic. Sure, one of them alone might not surpass you, but together—Chika-Tsubame and Hayasaka bring three times the charm. That's far better than a single, self-absorbed princess like you!
Amamiya responded with a serious expression. "You are very cute, but I still wouldn't choose you."
Snow White frowned. "Why them and not me?"
How could someone in this world reject her beauty? This guy must be saying one thing and thinking another!
Yes, that must be it!
Amamiya met her gaze and said plainly, "Because I like them."
A subtle silence followed. Aside from the passersby watching the spectacle, Chika, Hayasaka, and Tsubame all had… interesting expressions.
Snow White, however, was unfazed. She lifted her chin proudly. "You can like them and like me, too. I don't mind."
"After all, I'm prettier than all of them combined."
Hayasaka crossed her arms and smiled. "Children really do say the wildest things."
Unbelievable!
She actually repeated it. Not once, but twice! What girl could tolerate this kind of insult?
Amamiya sighed dramatically. "Sorry, but your chest is too flat."
Snow White: "…!"
The Interrogation Continues
Hayasaka asked a few more questions before getting to the main point.
"Do you know where the Seeds of Nightmare are?"
Snow White looked genuinely confused. "What is that?"
"Hanamori."
Amamiya took out the Witch's Mirror, a tool that could only reveal the truth, and handed it to Hayasaka.
After verification, it was confirmed—Snow White wasn't lying. She truly had no knowledge of the Seeds of Nightmare.
Hayasaka frowned slightly. "She also doesn't know?"
It was understandable that the seven dwarfs were clueless; they spent their days secluded in the valley. Little Red Riding Hood was just a child, so her ignorance made sense. But Snow White was different.
As a princess of the kingdom, her knowledge should far surpass that of ordinary people. The fact that she was completely unaware suggested that this was going to be far more complicated than they had anticipated.
"Amamiya, what should we do now?"
Chika looked over, eyes filled with curiosity.
Amamiya replied calmly. "There's one entity that definitely knows where the Nightmare Seeds are."
Hayasaka pursed her lips, deep in thought. A moment later, her eyes lit up. "I get it!"
Tsubame also made the connection and asked excitedly, "Is it the queen's magic mirror?"
"That's it!" Chika clapped her hands. "The magic mirror knows everything in the world. It must know where the Nightmare Seeds are!"
Amamiya nodded. "Next, we need to find Kaguya first, then figure out a way to question the magic mirror."
The plan was set.
Now, how to infiltrate the palace and obtain the mirror? That was another challenge entirely.
"I'm hungry. I want food."
Snow White tilted her head back, speaking in a tone that was more of an order than a request.
Hayasaka smirked. "Oh? But Your Highness is so noble. Surely, you wouldn't eat commoners' food, right?"
"Hmph."
Snow White scoffed but didn't argue.
After the arrogant mushroom had been removed, she was still proud, but at least now she understood what it meant to bow her head when under someone else's roof.
Amamiya sighed. "Let her eat something first. We don't want to be accused of mistreating prisoners."
Hayasaka nodded. "Since Senpai insists, fine. Give her something to eat."
First, she had the dwarfs step aside—ensuring they wouldn't turn into obedient servants at Snow White's beck and call. Then, she untied the rope restraining her.
Charm doesn't instantly turn people into willing bootlickers.
As Snow White ate, Hayasaka and Chika stood beside her, watching closely, ready to throw a sack over her head at a moment's notice.
"I'm done." Snow White lifted her chin defiantly. "It tastes fine. I can swallow it just fine."
"You talk too much."
Without hesitation, Hayasaka pulled the hood over Snow White's head and swiftly tied her hands again. Her movements were fluid and precise—so much so that Tsubame, standing nearby, shot her a subtle look.
"I get the feeling Hanamori is quite experienced at this..."
At the same time, Amamiya tapped lightly on the table, drawing everyone's attention before speaking.
"We've rested long enough. It's time to move on."
"Let's go!" Chika clenched her fist determinedly. "We have to find Kaguya-chan!"
Hearing that they were about to leave, the dwarves hurried over.
"Master Brave, night is falling. Why not rest here until morning?"
"Yes, traveling after dark is dangerous."
Amamiya shook his head. "We still have important matters to take care of."
Beside him, Little Red Riding Hood looked up and added, "The brave hero still has a world to save."
The dwarves grew even more excited upon hearing this.
"Honorable Brave Hero, please allow us to accompany you on your journey!"
"We wish to repay your kindness!"
Amamiya hesitated for a few seconds before nodding. "Very well. We'll move together."
After all, there were still unfinished side quests—Cinderella and the Glass Slippers, as well as the Red Shoes. To complete them, extra hands would certainly be useful, and the dwarves could prove helpful.
"Amamiya, what should we do with Snow White?" Chika asked. "Should we leave her here in the cabin?"
"Of course not. She's coming with us."
Amamiya glanced at Snow White, still hooded, and said meaningfully, "Leaving her behind would be a waste. We should put her to good use."
"…"
After some discussion, it was decided that Hayasaka would be responsible for watching over Snow White, with Tsubame assisting to ensure nothing was overlooked. This arrangement was the most reassuring.
Meanwhile, the dwarves finished their preparations for the journey. Some even wanted to make torches, but Amamiya stopped them, handing them flashlights instead.
The dwarves were so astonished they reacted as though they had just witnessed a miracle.
Even Snow White was taken aback—she had never seen such an advanced invention before. From that moment on, she became noticeably more obedient.
With the searching compass in hand and Kaguya's personal belongings as a guide, Amamiya quickly determined the general direction and led the group forward.