Reborn In A Perverse Monster World! My System Adapts To Everything!-Chapter 22: Captured?

Jason noticed Ylva was taking longer than usual. He had been sitting on the edge of the smaller bed for what felt like an hour, staring at the simple note she had left behind. The morning sun was already climbing high, and the sounds of the city outside — merchants calling out, carts rolling over stone streets, and distant voices — were growing louder. His stomach growled loudly, but the unease in his chest was stronger than hunger.

"Where the hell is she?" he muttered, standing up and pacing the small room. "She said she was just getting food. How long does it take to grab some breakfast in fantasy land?"

He waited a few more minutes, but the silence in the room started to feel suffocating. Finally, Jason made up his mind. "Fuck it. I’m not sitting here like some princess waiting to be rescued."

He stepped out of the inn and into the bright morning light of Eldrath. The moment his feet hit the street, he realized he had no way to track her. As a matter of fact, there was no scent he could follow, no trail, nothing. He was just a regular human in a world full of creatures with heightened senses. Jason sighed deeply the moment he stepped out, rubbing the back of his neck.

Once again, the stares came. Now that the sun was fully up, they could all see him clearly, as opposed to the dim lighting of the previous night. Eyes widened. Conversations died mid-sentence. A group of fox-like merchants froze with baskets in their hands. Several lizardfolk turned their scaled heads sharply in his direction. The attention felt heavier in daylight.

Jason didn’t care. He might be mistaken for an elf, but they should figure it out quickly once they saw his rounded human ears. For now, they were hidden under the makeshift fabric band he had tied around his head like a headband. Still, he was the closest thing these people had seen to an elf, and that alone was enough to draw every gaze.

"Whatever," he thought. "Let them stare. I’ve survived worse than awkward looks."

Jason decided to do a little exploration of his own while he waited for Ylva. He hadn’t even taken a couple of steps down the street before the elves from yesterday found him. Two figures in dark cloaks with ornate breastplates underneath stepped out from a side alley and approached him cautiously, their movements careful and respectful.

Jason froze in place. "H-Hey, about yesterday, I’m no e—!"

Before he could lower the piece of fabric covering his ears to form a hairband and prove he wasn’t an elf, the lead elf immediately bowed her head deeply. The second one followed suit.

"Great One," the lead elf said, her voice smooth and deferential, "we had no word of your visit, so we were not better prepared. Please forgive our rudeness last night. It was a grave oversight on our part."

Jason blinked, completely thrown off. Yesterday these same elves had looked ready to drag him off or worse, and now they were greeting him like he was royalty. The truth was, after Tauriel learned of the possible pure-blood sighting, she had given strict orders. If she could find a way to breed with a pure breed, the chances of birthing the high-mage they desperately sought would be extraordinarily high. Little did they know, such a mage might already exist — just not in the way they imagined.

"Great One? That is actually kinky," Jason thought to himself, barely suppressing a smirk. There was no way he was going to turn down this golden opportunity.

He straightened his posture and tried to sound important. "I expected a better reception," he said, putting on an exaggerated tone. "Did you know where I slept? It was in one of these disgusting taverns." He pointed dramatically at the Silver Lantern across the street. The owner, who was sweeping the front steps, stopped mid-sweep and stared at him with an expression that clearly said "Really, man?"

Jason quickly lowered his hand and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh... never mind that last part."

The elf kept her head bowed. "We are deeply sorry, Great One. We have arranged accommodation suitable for someone of your status. The palace has prepared a private guest wing for you. It would be our honor to escort you there at once."

Jason felt a spike of worry. He had no idea if this was a trap, and without Ylva around, there wasn’t much he could do if things went south. But that strange feeling from his dream — the pull toward "the center" — was coming strongly from the direction of the massive gated palace on the hill. The big estate in the middle of the city seemed to tug at him like an invisible thread.

He decided to roll with it for now. "Take me there at once," Jason commanded, trying to imitate the haughty tone he imagined a high elf would use.

The elves gestured politely for him to follow them. As they walked through the streets, they noticed the way he spoke was strange. He could speak their language without issue, but the casual accent and blunt way of talking were nothing like the calm, disinterested voices of high-born elves. Still, they didn’t question it too much. This was Tauriel’s calculated attempt to get close enough to seduce him and obtain his seed.

Jason followed them, trying to look dignified while his mind raced. "This is either the smartest or the dumbest thing I’ve done since getting isekai’d," he thought. "Please let Ylva find me soon."

-

Ylva arrived just in time, carrying a heavy bag of fresh groceries in one arm. She had hurried back because she had picked up on their scent from several blocks away — the distinct metallic and magical smell of the masked elves. The moment she turned the corner onto the main street, she saw them escorting Jason toward the palace.

She froze in place, her tail lashing sharply behind her. "That damn fool!"

Ylva had no idea about the misunderstanding or the sudden royal treatment. To her, this looked like a clear abduction. Her claws dug into the grocery bag, nearly tearing through the fabric as she watched them lead him away.

She muttered under her breath, fangs bared, "If they lay one claw on him, I’ll rip their throats out and feed them to the merman."