Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Epilogue
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The day after capturing the Ability Thief.
Unicor was preparing a portal with me to return to the land of the plains.
"The portal is ready! To think that even in my polymorph form, I could manage this—you're more capable than I thought!"
It was an ability that originally required Unicor to transform into a unicorn. But by fine-tuning our powers through the temporary contract I was still maintaining, we created the portal with surprising ease.
"Still, wouldn't it be better to revert to your true form? Even using the portal, it'll take quite a while in that shape."
"No, absolutely not. I'll never ride you when you're a unicorn again."
I was the one who had stopped Unicor from returning to his original form. After what happened, he wasn't about to ride again.
"Could it be you're still sulking over that cross-dressing girl comment? You have your cute side after all."
"Shut up!! As if you know how I feel! I couldn't even sleep because of it!"
Unicor clenched his fists in indignation, trembling with rage.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Title: Bearer of Reverse Charm Some people perceive you as a woman and find it attractive. Some men will feel basic fondness toward you. [Close]
I had checked my status window with a bad feeling after the monster's dying words, only to find this bullshit title attached. I couldn't sleep last night because of it.
Thanks to that, when I woke up in the morning, clumps of my hair were scattered on my pillow.
'If anyone approaches me because of a title like this, I'll kill them for real.'
In any case, that's why I'd resolved never to let Unicor transform into a unicorn again.
'Of course, we probably won't meet anymore anyway.'
Now that the King of the Plains' ability was recovered, it was time for Unicor and me to return to our respective places. We only met if I sought him out in past regressions, so there'd be no more encounters.
"And yet, buying me three carrot cakes just because we're parting—you must be more reluctant than I thought!"
"What's a cake or two at parting? It's just a reward for your efforts at the end."
"Then how about two more? This Seat wants to share with our priestesses!"
"Buy your own cakes with your church's money and share them..."
Watching him try to wheedle more cakes out of me with that ridiculous cute gesture to the end, I let out a hollow laugh.
'Well, it wasn't all bad. It even reminded me of the 2nd regression.'
They say even hatred can turn to affection. Our time suffering together wasn't just full of awful memories. I felt a bit nostalgic now and then.
Suddenly, Unicor met my eyes, looking uncharacteristically wistful.
"It's truly strange. You're neither a woman nor pure, yet I feel this inexplicable closeness to you."
"Guess you've grown fond of me despite yourself. Come on, let's go return that ability."
At my words, Unicor rolled his eyes a bit, then nodded with a prim smile.
"Hmph, very well. A leisurely stroll doesn't sound bad."
Unicor and I slowly stepped into the portal. Leisurely, chatting idly, reminiscing about old times perhaps.
* * *
"And so, the thief died by my hand, and the ability was recovered."
I stood before the King of the Plains and explained everything that had happened.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Is that so? As expected, you saved us once again. Just as I predicted.]
The King of the Plains replied with light mental waves, and Unicor raised his hand.
"Your Majesty, I have a question. How did you know this man would help us?"
At those words, the King of the Plains' mental waves grew heavier. Lost in thought, perhaps.
'Well, explaining regressions from scratch would be a headache.'
Even if we spelled it out plainly, he wouldn't understand, so it'd be tricky to explain.
[...Do you truly wish to know, Unicor?]
Unicor slightly shrank under the heavy mental pressure, like being crushed. But uncharacteristically, he nodded without backing down.
"...I'm curious too. There are plenty stronger than me at this point—why choose me specifically?"
Adding my weight to Unicor's question, the King of the Plains pondered at length before finally nodding as if resolved.
[...Very well. As the ones who resolved this incident, you both deserve to hear it.]
What could make him so grave? Unicor and I swallowed dryly in unison.
[It is because, in the academy, you alone could handle Unicor.]
...The King's words left Unicor and me speechless.
"Ah, do you mean I'm the only human suited for contracting with him?"
Unicor tried to rationalize it by recalling our bizarrely high contract synchronization rate.
[No, what I mean is... someone who can handle Unicor's personality and nature.]
"...What do you mean, Your Majesty?! I am a noble descendant of the great one-horned beasts!"
"Puhahaha! Puhahahahaha!!!"
I burst out laughing at Unicor, who was frantically proclaiming his worth in panic.
Yeah, that bitchy, finicky personality is tough for anyone to handle!
[Yet, Unicor, even as an adult, you have no contractor, no true followers—dragging around church priestesses as pseudo-believers?]
"Whoa... Your Majesty! Weren't you supposed to keep that secret?!"
Unicor glanced at me nervously, shushing frantically.
No way—those priestesses I saw him bring out weren't real followers, just part-timers?
Suddenly, I recalled the priestesses eyeing female students with greedy gazes, drawn to Unicor's high affinity.
"Everyone's been through a lot... I get it."
"What do you get?! You were just chatting happily and acting reluctant to part!"
"Nah, you always feel reluctant at parting because of that fondness. Wasn't happy though."
As I mocked him, Unicor's mental state shattered; his eyes unfocused, on the verge of tears.
[To catch the Ability Thief, I needed my kin's power. As the legitimate heir of the sacred unicorn clan, Unicor was clearly key...]
"But no one else could handle his personality, so..."
[...You, who had been contracted with her for over five years, as her sole devotee and contractor, were the perfect fit. And my guess proved spot on.]
I nodded in understanding. Without Unicor's overflowing holy power, it might've been impossible. I handle holy power well, but I'm incompatible with it inherently—Unicor would've been too much for me alone.
"Then no choice but to take it on! Consider it my service!"
[Thus, Arthin, I entrust Unicor to you from now on as well.]
Haha, I laughed heartily at first, but my face stiffened. What? Did I hear something weird?
"What did you just say?"
I stared blankly at the King of the Plains, and in that moment, I sensed it.
His eyes, hidden behind that mane-like hair, had flicked away from my gaze.
[To oppose the Demon King, you'll need Unicor. You've proven that by resolving this incident.]
Wait, hold on—this is just passing the buck. Why avoid my eyes?
[So, I'd like you to take charge of Unicor from here on. You've formed a deep bond with him, haven't you? Think of it as our reward for solving this crisis.]
"Nooo?! I never formed any deep bond with that ill-tempered colt!"
"Wh-what?! Arthin!? How can you say something so cruel!"
Unicor stared at me with hurt eyes, stinging my heart a bit, but it couldn't be helped. After helping twice, this backstab?
Then, red glows flickered through the King of the Plains' mane, and a status window appeared before me.
⚔ INHERITED TRAIT ⚔ Unicorn's Sole Contractor [Open]
By the great authority of the King of the Plains, you become the unicorn's sole contractor! Contract Prerequisite: Acquire Holy Power, ignoring Holy Class requirements. Contract Prerequisite: Acquire Mana Sensitivity, ignoring Archmage requirements. Contract Prerequisite: Acquire Nature's Mana, ignoring Archdruid requirements. This trait is under the authority of a timeless existence. It persists even through regression. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Acquired your first Inherited Trait! Congratulations on clearing the tutorial! Tutorial Completion Reward: 『Quest』 menu added! Tutorial Completion Reward: 『Shop』 menu added! What the hell is this? Tutorial? Quests? Shop? Sole contractor?
"I haven't agreed to the contract yet!! This is a scam contract!"
[Take good care of Unicor, Arthin Ludwig. Foe of the Demon King.]
Ignoring my desperate plea with gritted teeth, the King of the Plains snorted lightly, and my body began to fade.
[I'll send you directly back to your land. Good luck on your adventures.]
"No, I don't need it—refund Unicor!! Give me gold or treasure instead!!"
My fervent shout echoed vainly across the plains, but as my body blurred and light enveloped me, the scenery shifted.
When my vision cleared, Unicor and I stood in the middle of the forest where we'd opened the portal.
Beside the dejected Unicor, slumped like he'd lost his kingdom, only one box of carrot cakes remained.
"...Arthin? What is this? Why am I contracted to you?"
"..."
Unicor, whose mind had been broken until moments ago, finally checked his status, then looked at me with tear-filled eyes.
"...Don't ask, fuck..."
Scammed into the contract, I too shed tears of injustice.
The old saying came to mind: Don't help a black-maned beast.
That Catoblepas' mane wasn't mane—it was hair after all.
Stabbed in the back like this.
Fucking bastards.
"What do we do now...? This Seat? This Seat's harem...?"
"...Shut up and let's head back... to the dorms..."
I pulled up Unicor, who was mumbling nonsense on the ground, and slowly walked toward the academy.
How do I explain this to Agnes and Shaomei?
Share that cramped Bronze dorm with this thing from now on?
"Ah..."
My head spun.