Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: 30-1. Remember Me Under the Magnolia Tree
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After receiving the Dragon Heart transplant, my body had grown even stronger.
"...Licht, you should rest. You're barely able to walk properly, and here you are."
The blond-haired hero clicked his tongue in disapproval as he watched me struggling to do push-ups from my bed.
"I have no choice if I want to adapt to the Dragon Heart's output."
"You're as stubborn as ever..."
"If I don't train, I'll be useless."
I gasped for breath. There were three Demon Kings left. To protect Pine, I had to get stronger—this was just the natural order of things.
'I thought catching Head meant the Nameless Saintess route was avoided.'
This damn world had no intention of leaving her alone.
A chill ran down my spine as I stared at the status window floating like a warning popup. The penalty was still there, unchanged.
I'd celebrated without even knowing what it was—my mistake.
Because of this, I was gritting my teeth and training from my sickbed. No one else could protect her.
Penalty or not, who cares? Whatever came, I'd sacrifice myself. All that mattered was keeping our Pine from any misfortune.
'If she'd become the Saintess, one thing was certain: she'd be even unhappier than now.'
Nex would have lost Sharutineth, and Pine would have been erased from everyone's memories—or lost her own, turning into a fool.
That was the original story or the sequel's storyline. I had to deny it outright.
"Mardol—no, Princess Pine explained everything."
"You know now too, Kainel?"
"Yeah, she said Ariel and I went to buy fruit so we could watch over you."
Kainel spoke up. Pine had finally shared her real name with someone besides me. It felt like progress—kind of amazing.
"She wants us to keep being friends... Well, it's very Mardol-like."
"Right? She's always been herself."
Thankfully, there was no awkward tension. More friends for her was good for me. Even as the Saintess, Pine had been lonely without any.
"Licht, you did something incredible. Saved the princess with Manarose too?"
"Just doing my duty, Kainel."
"The princess of the Granasia Empire nursing you devotedly... You've made it big, our Black Knight."
This had to be a good thing.
"...Isn't it too much kindness for someone like me?"
"Nah, I think the princess likes you plenty."
Thud. My arms gave out in an instant, and I face-planted into the bed. Pine? Pine Granasia liked me?
"Kainel, what nonsense is that...!"
Blood rushed to my face. I propped myself up and yelled at him. No way.
"Come on, isn't it obvious? You saved her life from Magic Hat and took down Head Aic."
"..."
"You even shared mana circuits with the princess. Not life-linked, but you can sense each other's location."
I couldn't take the embarrassment anymore. I'd had her right beside me for three months and never realized.
"Stop. Just stop."
"You have to own up to what you said, Licht."
Even if the Love Meter showed it, I was scared. I figured her affection was already at rock bottom.
Just 1 percent. It could drop back to 0 anytime.
"You're the one two-timing anyway. The Nameless Saintess and now the princess..."
"Aaaargh!! Stop it!"
"Just giving advice to my playboy friend."
I was furious at the grinning bastard mimicking my tone. I swung a fist through the air.
"No harems or pure love nonsense. Pick one and stay faithful, Licht."
He easily subdued my weakened self with one hand.
"So pick one already. Nameless Saintess or princess?"
"I've only ever had eyes for one...!"
When did he get so good at teasing? Total opposite of our first meeting.
"What? So not two-timing...?"
That's when it happened. The door creaked open, and a red twintailed girl and a white-haired beastkin girl entered the infirmary with fruit baskets.
"Kai, we're back! Huh...?"
"...Licht. You."
Ariel and Pine had returned. They'd probably sensed we'd almost fought—her golden wolf eyes glared at me.
"I told you to rest quietly..."
"Ah, Princess Pine..."
She strode over quickly, anger in her steps, and lifted my visor.
"B-burn scars..."
I blurted it out, worried the gruesome marks would upset her. But she wagged her tail and spoke softly.
"I'm fine, Licht. These are proof you've lived."
"You... kept them on purpose?"
Relief washed over me. My guilt hadn't fully faded, so erasing them felt wrong. This was my burden to carry.
"Yeah. I want you to be more confident. Stop with the negative thoughts."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Pine grabbed my cheeks with both hands and stretched them. Even as my grotesque face distorted, she just giggled softly, her cute wolf fangs peeking out.
"...So, what were you and Kainel doing? Tell me."
"Nothing...! Pine."
"Really? Kainel?"
My cheeks stung, but it felt good. Seeing her in casual academy clothes or armor without the helmet made me proud.
'She's ditched the glass helmet completely. Good.'
Maybe the trauma that trapped her was resolved. She seemed a bit bolder to the world now.
"Nah, this guy's been training until just now."
"Kainel...! You traitor...!"
I'd been inwardly relieved, but her white wolf ears perked up at his words, then fixed me with a cold stare.
"Lie down, Licht."
"I need more training...!"
"Princess... you won't obey...?"
"I'll lie down."
Her slender hands pressed me down like kneading a cat, pinning me with surprising strength. How was she this strong? Even as the Wolf King's daughter.
'I took down a final boss, and still.'
Maybe I didn't want to get up. Or maybe I just didn't want to shake off her worried touch.
"Ah, you can get up now, Licht."
"Huh? Why, Pine?"
"We have to eat fruit. It'll help you recover faster..."
Suddenly, she pulled me up. Her soft grip on my arms sent my nerves firing wildly.
"Ta-da! Kai, cloud peaches! Pine and I picked them~!"
"Those are too sweet..."
"Aw, don't dodge! You loved that chocolate parfait last time!"
Ariel, in her mage hat, beamed and offered a snow-white peach to Kainel, who shot me a desperate look.
"Helmet guy's for Pine—eat up!"
But I couldn't help him.
"Here, Licht. Ahh."
I was under pressure too. Pine had peeled a peach at blinding speed and shoved a piece toward my mouth.
"I can feed myself."
"My arms hurt... Licht?"
The Wolf King's daughter claiming arm pain from a cloud peach? Light as fluff, fluffy and sweet.
"Ugh... they're trembling... Licht..."
Her shaky act was obvious, but since she wanted it, I obliged.
"Alright, Pine."
I nibbled small bites with my teeth on purpose. I'm done for. What the hell have I been doing to make our Pine act like this?
"...It's sweet."
I had to avoid touching her fingers. No sudden events.
"Eat it all, Licht."
"Ngh...!"
As I tried to leave the end, she pushed her finger into my mouth. A fork would have been nice.
"Hehe, like a scared puppy."
"..."
Her soft finger brushed my lips. She just smiled slyly like a fox, oblivious or not.
'Is 1 percent supposed to feel like this...?'
I glanced at the hero couple nearby, a sudden unease hitting me.
"Hehe, good, right? Kai, yummy!"
"Uh, y-yeah. Tasty. Not bitter... I mean, sweet."
The blond grimaced, mouth stuffed to hide his sweet tooth.
"Now crystal apples! These are sweet too!"
"Ariel, st-stop..."
The red cat kept stuffing him anyway. Even at 35 percent Love Meter.
"Why, Licht?"
"Nothing, Pine."
We could be like that too. Fruit from someone you like? Be grateful.
"Licht, your heart's acting up again."
"I'm fine. Don't climb on the bed."
"No, it's weird..."
She placed a hand on my chest center, checking her own pulse with the other.
"Just think it's because you're pretty, Princess Pine."
"O-oh... Helmet guy. What's with you two...?!"
Ariel smacked Kainel's back, covering her mouth in laughter. She'd seen something good.
"Just friends."
"Doesn't look like it? For real...?"
Sticking this close to Pine would make my heart explode. Heartburn? More like Ariel, don't you start.
"Oh yeah, Helmet guy! One of the Ten Heroes... White Magnolia, right? Found her."
"...Really?"
"Yeah! Just back at the academy, saw Professor Dennis bringing her."
It'd been hours since I told Dennis the Heavenly Demon was deep in the Endless Beast Forest.
"Lucky."
She'd been found already. Head's death must've lifted the fog as in the original history. I knew her location vaguely.
'With Laplace or the sages, they could pinpoint coordinates.'
I sat up. A month as my master—I couldn't miss this.
The [Knight Heart] protagonist couple's reunion? Had to see it.
Even if I'd seen it in the original, instinct said it might differ.
"Licht, if you're walking, lean on me."
Pine looked worried and supported me.
Body and mind weren't synced yet. Like a baby learning to walk.
"I need to practice alone."
"I'm fine. Go on."
Walking solo meant no help for bathroom trips, less skinship. I poured strength into my legs.
"It's okay now...!"
"Licht?!"
I stumbled, shoving her hand away to walk alone and fell backward. She could've been hurt catching me.
Crash. The floor shook. Quick thinking saved the day.
"A-are you... hurt anywhere...?"
"I'm fine... but..."
"Ah."
I'd hit the ground first, arms wrapped around the white-haired girl's slim waist. She hadn't bumped anything.
We'd fallen with her atop me, embracing softly.
Rose scent wafted. Her sweet feminine aroma melted my mind. Her alluring body's touch overwhelmed me.
"Licht, you okay?!"
"Pine, not hurt...?"
She pinned me like a sandwich—woman over man.
"...Pervert."
"Sorry."
Thump. The overwhelming softness on my chest made my head spin like a burning fuse. It was an accident. If I'd just leaned on her...
"Hehe, a big wolf."
This wouldn't have happened. I deep-breathed to calm down, but Pine rubbed her face against me, unaware.
"So cozy..."
Marking her scent? I'd heard beastkin do that to ward off others.
'Wolf, wolf... Yeah, our Pine's a wolf through and through.'
I barely kept my wits, stood with her help, and headed to meet the Heavenly Demon and Dennis.