Wasshoi! Wasshoi!

How much time has passed since then?

Has the new moon not passed yet? Or has it already?

Since then, that woman made us dress up like babies.

Because of the Magic Tool forced into our mouths, our words were sealed, our clothes stripped off, and we were made to wear baby clothes.

What kind of Magic Tool is this? Not just our mouths, but our limbs and torso too—none of them will move the way I want!

We can only move by crawling within a designated pen. Our elbows and knees never fully extend, and before I knew it, we were forced into baby-like poses.

It's as if we'd truly been turned into babies—but seeing ourselves all huddled together like this, we're reminded that we're still adults being treated this way.

Of course, we're not allowed to use the toilet. We end up soiling ourselves.

… … The one in charge of changing diapers was the eldest among my companions, Joe.

Joe alone was specially permitted to use a 'potty'… though I'm not jealous at all.

What's with that white bird design? And apparently, you have to grip the two handles sticking out of its head when using it…

At mealtimes, we're fed milk from baby bottles while being talked to in baby talk: "Time for din-din～" Her expression is soothing yet completely mocking. H-how humiliating…

The robed man and the Silver came to check on us once.

"What do you think, Mashiro-dono? Full-grown adults reduced to this. Quite the masterpiece, no?"

"Hey hey, you're treating them like this… …? You know the word 'dignity', right?"

"It's precisely because I know it that I'm doing this. They shot at you, Mashiro-dono. This is only fitting, no?"

"Yeah, I'm glad you're an ally… Ahh, Beibei. How do I put this… uh, my condolences?"

"O-ogya-aaah! Babuuuu!!!"

Even though I showed my anger, thinking 'Don't look down on me, you mere beast!'—only pathetic baby words came out. Tch… how humiliating…!

"Hahaha, looks like they've really taken to it. See? They've completely become babies."

"For real? So you guys were into that kind of thing."

"B-buu!? Ogya, ogya-aah, ogya!!"

N-no! I can't speak because of this Magic Tool in my mouth! It's not like I'm choosing to stay silent!!

"See? They like the pacifiers so much they won't let go."

"W-well, people have their fetishes, I guess. I'll, uh, pretend I didn't see this."

"Hahaha. You heard her. Good for you, right?"

We were looked down on with utterly exasperated eyes…!

W-what the hell. It's because of this Magic Tool. It's all because of this Magic Tool!!

And then, some days later.

My companions, all trained to resist torture, were completely exhausted when the robed man appeared and gleefully announced:

"Rejoice! Today's the day we hand you over to the Guild!"

"Ogya!"

Oh, we're finally being freed from this hell…!

"Well then, time for the grand reveal. Come now, one last dress-up."

"Babuu… o-ogya-babu?"

Grand reveal. What does he mean by grand reveal?

While we were still confused, the hooded man hung wooden signs around our necks.

—Mine read: 'Beibei-kun. An energetic little dummy mercenary from the Holy Nation!'

My companions each had signs with introductions too.

'Joe-kun. An Empire spy who shamefully survived!'

'Cargo-kun. An Empire spy who couldn't bite his tongue off!'

'Chino-kun. An Empire spy who couldn't swallow his bitter medicine!'

'Migo-kun. An Empire spy who wet himself the most!'

We were absolutely roasted.

"O-ogyaaah!? Ogya-ogya!"

"Babu-babubabu!!"

"Ma-ma! Ma-ma! Abu-abu-abu!!"

"Daah-daah! Daaah! Daaaaaaah!!!"

Even my four companions raised their voices in protest at this.

Their words were converted too, so I couldn't tell what they said, but I'm sure it was profanity directed at the robed man.

… Hm? W-wait. This, plus a grand reveal, means…

"Now, we worked hard making this too. Don't be shy, have a seat."

"O-gya-gya…!?"

There were two golems. And a palanquin being carried by the golems.

How considerate of them—it was labeled "The 'Shining Sword' Party That Attempted to Destroy the Dungeon"!

The palanquin had five chairs arranged back-to-back. We were made to sit in them.

My body automatically assumed a baby-like pose. Plus, we were made to hold rattles. Of course, we couldn't let go.

… Wait. Wait please.

"B-babu! Babubabu! Babubabuu!! (I-I'll talk! I'll tell you anything! Please stop this!!)"

"Hm? What was that? Now then, all aboard!"

Aah, I can't speak!

Besides, this guy never intended to hear us out from the very beginning…

"Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"

"B-o-ogyaaah!?"

And so, the palanquin departed. Somehow, as soon as we left the cell, we were outside the dungeon.

"Wh-what's that, a golem? … Eh, 'Shining Sword'!?"

"Ugh, what is that. Babies…? Gross."

"O-ogyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?!?!?"

Don't look, don't look at me! The more I screamed, the more my words came out as loud baby wails and drew attention.

"Wahahahaha! You're so energetic! Wasshoi! Wasshoi!"

"Ogyaaaaaah!! Ogyaaaaaaaaaah!!!"

Wait, please wait!

I'm supposed to become a hero! Why is this happening to me!?

The golems carried us while bobbing us up and down excessively. The five rattles in our five hands made noise and, of course, drew even more attention.

Aah, w-we're being watched!? By the townspeople!!

This isn't what we want! We didn't choose to dress like this!?

Ah, b-but if we turn right at that corner, we'll reach the Adventurers' Guild and this hell will end—

"O-ogya!?"

Hey wait, left! It turned left!?

What are you doing!? The Adventurers' Guild isn't this way!

"Well, we gotta make sure everyone in this town kno～ws about you guys properly."

"Gya, ouu…!?"

"Oh, that's right. Why not change your party name to 'Shining Baby Palanquin' from now on? It'd be perfect!"

A demon. He's a demon.

I couldn't stop the tears that naturally welled up.

My four companions too. Ahh, Migo's wetting himself.

The palanquin carrying us paraded grandly through Karkassa, taking a very roundabout route through all the main streets before heading to the Adventurers' Guild.

Thus, we had our baby forms exposed in broad daylight, in full public view.

Ahhh… we're so pathetic.

If only we could truly become babies who couldn't think about anything… babuu…