Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Confession #02
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"Hold on! Wait a second, Arthin. Let's sort this story out..."
Was the tale I'd told him just too bewildering? Jorba, that sharp mind of his creased in confusion, raised a hand to interrupt me.
"So, to clarify, you've already died four times, and for some reason, every time you die, you return to the first day at the academy?"
"That's right."
"This is your fifth life, and for whatever reason, our Shaomei, Princess Agnes, Miss Violet, and that guy Kaiyen are the only ones starting to remember you?"
"You've got it."
Unbelievable nonsense, he muttered, but as he met my eyes, Jorba's face twisted in disbelief. Well, of course—my gaze was brimming with nothing but the truth, more than ever before.
"I can tell you're not lying, but... there's just too much that doesn't make sense. For starters, why haven't my memories returned?"
"I don't know that part either. I thought it might be just women at first, but with Kaiyen regressing too, who knows..."
Sure enough, the easiest way to understand would be to unlock the conditions for viewing this 5th Regression Privilege perk. The problem? No clue what those conditions are. Headache-inducing, really.
'What if I regress to the next round and this time, no one regains their memories...?'
...Of course, Unicorn has this inheritance trait, so she might remember me to some extent. But what about Shaomei? Agnes or Violet?
At first, I wanted to erase the memories because of that black history from last time. But the more time passed, the more I couldn't deny that having people who remembered me was becoming a huge pillar of support.
I didn't want to lose that support. In this infinitely repeating five-year loop, I didn't want to be left alone.
What I'd dreamed of wasn't an endless repeat of a ridiculously overpowered life. It was people who truly liked me, friends who saw me as a real buddy—things I'd never had in reality, the very things I'd longed for most.
At that moment, was it because she'd shared my gloomy aura through some mental link? Unicorn tightly grasped my hand.
"Don't worry too much, Arthin. I don't want you to be depressed except when you're brooding over your hair loss."
"...Gee, thanks. So, solve the baldness issue and live happily ever after?"
"No, I hope you suffer from it forever. Enemy of Agnes's virginity. Ow!"
I flicked Unicorn hard on the head as she veered off course mid-drift.
"Honestly, it's hard to believe... but Shaomei suddenly saying weird stuff, and you somehow seducing Princess Agnes all at once? No way I'd buy that."
"...So you believe me?"
"Of course. Why would you make up such absurd lies now, Arthin?"
Saying that, Jorba ruffled my hair affectionately.
Normally, I'd hate even a handshake with a guy because of my BL aversion, but somehow, the melancholy lifted, so I just swatted his hand away half-heartedly.
His hair was a similar reddish hue, and being a year older, Jorba gave off this vibe—like what having a real big brother might feel like.
"So, what's your plan from here?"
"Well, deal with the Demon King's minions while hunting for clues as best I can."
"No, that's important, but there's something even more crucial, right?"
"?"
What could be more important than clues about memory regression? Subjugating the Demon King?
"What are you going to do about that harem of yours? You've already gone after Princess Agnes and Shaomei."
"...No, I didn't go after them on purpose!"
"Shh, is that how a great hero acts, making excuses left and right? Look at me—no problems despite all the women who love me!"
I stared at Jorba, who brazenly spread his arms to show off, with the coldest deadpan glare.
No problems?
"Shaomei put it well. A man with the qualities of a hero should have three wives, four concubines, and countless women under him, right?"
The Jorba saying that would, two years from now, hook up with an elf exchange student and the empire's twin noble sisters at once, sparking a massive scandal.
I'd bailed him out of that how many times? No problems?
"Arthin, may this humble one slay that man?"
"Hold back, Unicorn. Karma comes around."
"Exactly. This Jorba will handle our little brother's girl troubles."
I was blocking Unicorn as she channeled holy power when her sweet offer made me whip my head around.
"...Handle my girl troubles?"
"You're agonizing over what to do about Miss Violet, aren't you?"
I shot up from my seat in shock. What the hell?
"Wait, how do you know that?!"
"When Shaomei consulted me about Agnes, she asked about Violet too."
I clicked my tongue. Probably, Shaomei had hit a wall trying to resolve things with Agnes as promised and consulted Jorba...
"First off, Arthin, you need to feel some shame."
"...Shame for what?"
"Obviously, for hurting a woman's heart and then dithering around without making a move. It's not very manly."
Ouch.
His words stabbed my chest like a dagger.
"...I wanted to talk, but I didn't have time with the power thief to catch..."
"If it were me, I'd have talked to Violet before hunting the power thief! When the girls said to leave it to them, you should've insisted on handling the conversation yourself!"
I had no comeback. Truth was, I still didn't know what to say to Violet, so I'd been putting off the talk.
"From what I hear, you weren't without feelings for her either, and Violet still likes you a lot."
"...Still, how do I ask her to join my harem...?"
"No, Arthin. That's the wrong attitude."
Jorba, who'd been joking playfully until a moment ago, now fixed me with a serious look.
"It's a tough topic, so you need to give her certainty. Scared of rejection? Of course you are! Everyone dreams of a prince charming who looks at them that way. You're just running away—afraid of rejection, afraid of the hard stuff."
...I had nothing to say. It was still hard for me to say harsh or painful things to my people.
Maybe, ever since Violet first avoided me, I'd been aware I didn't want her to hate me.
"You asked Shaomei if she truly loved you. Now it's time you ask yourself. What kind of woman is Violet Purplecrow to you?"
Patting my shoulder, Jorba stood up with a relieved expression, like he'd said his piece.
"The only advice I can give is this: in love, give your all with sincerity every moment. And don't hurt Shaomei."
"...Thanks for the advice. I'll do my best, just like you said."
"That's all it takes. Everyone's awkward at first. Good luck."
Leaving those encouraging words, Jorba headed out of the clubroom.
"...Arthin."
"Yeah, I need to step up. Right, Unicorn?"
Unicorn, sitting beside me, called softly. I nodded, affirming my resolve to myself.
"No, wait... You're not planning to defile Violet too, are you...?"
"....."
I glanced at her, and her eyes were visibly welling up.
"Agnes and now Violet too... How many more noble virgins do you plan to ruin, Arthin?!"
"Ack! Don't hit me with holy power! You crazy filly!"
I fled from Unicorn swinging her fist with murderous intent and bolted down the hall.
But my running feet already had a destination: the salon in Gold Dormitory. Violet would be there now.
To face her with my true feelings, I sprinted at full speed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Stop right there, Arthin! This humble one isn't done beating you yet!"
Watching Arthin dash off at full mana-fueled speed, Unicorn shook her fist and yelled, her voice promising payback.
...Of course, even polymorphed, Unicorn's essence was that of a unicorn, the divine beast of the plains. Nobler and greater than the legendary Red Hare that could run a thousand li, a unicorn losing a footrace to a human? Unthinkable.
"...This idiot. Why does he have to act like such a playboy, messing around with so many women?"
Yet, strangely, Unicorn felt no urge to chase him. Instead, a heavy gloom weighed on her heart, hard to suppress. She sat on the stairs where Arthin had fled down and buried her face in her arms to hide her emotions.
"Two was already too many, but three...? Do you even realize you're contracted to a unicorn...?"
If it were just simple rage over him defiling virgins, she might've chased and thrashed him properly. But Unicorn knew her feelings weren't mere anger. She just didn't want to admit it.
Was it because Arthin was her only remaining support after the Plains King abandoned her? Even she didn't think that was it.
When she'd learned about him and Agnes—no, maybe even before—a faint ache had lingered in her chest.
"...Stupid fool. Do whatever you want now. Go get stabbed in the gut and die."
A strange emotion surged. One she'd never felt in her dozens of years. Why did this impure man feel so intimately close? Unicorn didn't know herself.
"....What an idiot."
She muttered. Maybe it was aimed at herself, not Arthin—but clumsy with such feelings, Unicorn didn't realize.
She just.
Just wanted to stay by Arthin's side, beating him a bit more. Unable to, sorrow welled up, and Unicorn sat on the stairs, sobbing softly.