Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Under the Magnolia Tree, Please Remember Me
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When the sun dipped below the horizon and night fell once more.
"Hahaha! My disciple is truly something else!"
"Drake, Magnolia is our disciple too."
The tavern in the Granasia Empire was bustling with noise.
"She was my disciple first!"
"In the end, who tamed the Heavenly Demon? Drake, it wasn't you."
"...Beatrice, you can't just blurt out the truth like that!"
The academy's faculty had gathered to celebrate the Heavenly Demon's return. It was only natural that Nana and Pine had been invited as well.
"Let's not bicker. It's been so long since Magnolia returned~."
"I don't know you."
"But you put a flower in your hair just like me... I admired you when I was little!"
People they hadn't seen in ages. There was Beatrice scolding the Dragon Slayer, and Maria trying to act friendly with White Magnolia.
"Drink up, everyone! It's on me today!"
"Wooo!"
Clink. A clear sound rang out as a dwarf who looked like a server poured beer from an oak barrel, filling cool glass mugs to the brim and sliding them across the table toward one side—courtesy of Dennis.
"...That burn-scarred face is stirring up trouble."
White Magnolia watched him with arms crossed and a displeased expression. Beside her, I was barely standing with Pine's support.
"Disciple. You're late with your greetings to your master."
"Your unworthy disciple greets his master."
The Heavenly Demon greeted me as she looked my way. I'd thought I'd rescue her someday, but I hadn't expected it to happen this soon. I bowed my head deeply.
"Shouldn't you at least perform the nine prostrations?"
"Ah, yes."
"Licht, it's a lie. Don't do it."
I thought it meant nine full bows, but as I bent my knees to kneel, the white-haired girl grabbed me and stopped me.
"Kehhehe! When did you turn into a man who's so tightly held by a woman!"
"..."
It's because she's our Pine Granasia that I'm held like this. But my mouth wouldn't open to say it. It was too embarrassing.
"Weren't you singing about wanting to see that Nameless Saintess or whatever before?"
"That person's the problem, as expected."
Honestly, I had no face to tell the Heavenly Demon anything here. The reason I'd even tamed the Head was ultimately for Pine,
"I'm glad you look healthy."
and every mind sword I'd drawn up until now had been with Pine in my thoughts. My body had endured the Heavenly Demon's training because I knew I had to grow stronger.
Revealing here that Pine was the Nameless Saintess would only hurt her.
I'd never shown her kindness just to reclaim a past love.
"I never imagined our disciple would take down a Demon King!"
"Demon Kings are meant to be defeated in the end, aren't they?"
"True. Well said."
If I spoke the truth, Pine would suspect me endlessly. To begin with, from another world.
Who would believe I'd possessed a character from a game world I'd raised?
That was also why I'd introduced myself to Pine simply as, 'The Black Knight who came to make you happy.'
"Repelling a Demon King with mind swords drawn in thought of the Saintess—and two of them, no less."
"I thought one was my limit too."
"...It's rare. It means the boy's convictions take on that many diverse forms and subtleties."
The conviction that would replace her tears, the gratitude born when she saved me from her trauma.
My love for Pine Granasia had existed for a long time, but it had never even properly begun.
"Refine yourself further, my beloved disciple."
"Thank you, Heavenly Demon."
Before, it had just been the relationship between a game character and player.
A one-sided love like a crush, emotions from one side only.
Overlapping Pine with the Saintess or trying to change her to fit my desires—that isn't love.
Being able to love her true self must be what pure love is.
I love everything about her. In this world, I couldn't use magic alone, but I believe the magic that makes you love what you hate is love.
If it doesn't work, we fix it together. If she's slow, I match her pace.
"...Hey, lady."
No matter what trials or hardships lay ahead, I was confident I could overcome them with love.
"Stop pretending to know Licht."
"Hmm, a kid who doesn't fear me even when seeing me!"
Seeing Pine act like this around people near me made it seem like her affection was spiking oddly. But the moment I started talking with the Heavenly Demon,
"Pine, she's still my master."
"...I hate it when you talk to pretty women."
"What about Miss Ariel, then?"
Pine immediately pulled my body back and dragged me away. Why was our cute Platinum Wolf acting like this toward me?
'Could she actually like me...?'
The thought flooded my mind for a moment. But no, that couldn't be. Even in reality, I'd always thought that and been wrong.
"Ariel has Kainel."
"Then my master, who has Professor Dennis, is the same, isn't she? Pine."
Before his burns, there were women who'd said they liked me, but back then, I avoided dating because I didn't want to burden anyone.
Later, it was only the Saintess for me, so I lived without knowing much about romance. My wife was on the monitor.
"I don't know, I just hate it."
"Kehhe! In the end, she instinctively sees me as a rival since I'm stronger."
"...That's why I hate it."
Maybe she doesn't like me after all. Who falls in love just because someone saved their life these days? That's so outdated.
"You're Pine, right?"
"Yeah, White Magnolia."
As I let out a sigh of relief, the Heavenly Demon sat me in a chair and led Pine off somewhere for a moment. I watched closely, wondering what was happening.
"I... have nothing to do."
"Really?"
"..."
The two whispered to each other. They were too far to hear. What fun thing could two women be talking about to act like that? How much time passed?
"Got it. I'll trust you."
"Kehhehe! Disciple, you're quite the sly one!"
Pine, now speaking politely to the Heavenly Demon like she did to Dennis. Could a few words really change our glass knight like that?
She approached me with a small smile. Her white hair fluttered beautifully.
"What on earth did you say to our Pine?!"
"Wouldn't it be better if you puzzled it out with that dense head of yours? Disciple."
White Magnolia tapped her temple with a finger and grumbled, while Pine dragged a chair right next to me, closing the distance.
"Let's drink today, Licht."
"...Huh? You said earlier not to drink since I'm recovering."
"I want to beat that 'Nameless Saintess'."
Ah, so she told Pine about the Saintess. I gritted my teeth in a "I'm screwed" expression, but the woman with deer antlers just bared her fangs in a grin.
"Licht. You said you don't know her that well."
That was when it happened. A blue-haired man approached from the side. His eyes were a striking blue like the ocean.
"Magnolia, why are you here?"
"Eek. Khm. Dennis! You can't just pick me up like that!"
"You're light. Stop bothering the young ones and come on."
Dennis approached the Heavenly Demon unnoticed by anyone and scooped her up princess-style. White Magnolia covered her face with both hands in embarrassment within his arms.
Our master could let out such a cute squeal. Who knew?
"Drink comfortably. We can celebrate like this today thanks to you, Licht."
"No. If it weren't for Pine, I wouldn't be here."
"Fair enough. I'm taking my wife now."
The blue-haired man flashed a wink. No longer constantly activating defensive magic, his eyes didn't glow. Sober steps, straight and true.
"Do as you like. Congratulations to both of you."
"Have a good night, Licht."
The protagonist, who had staggered through life as a drunkard, was now walking the right path.
"Dennis...! You still need to act proper in front of my disciple..."
"Magnolia, that's not for old folks like us to advise on."
"Ugh... I can't win against you."
The pair turned and headed to where the other faculty were gathered, chatting softly face-to-face as lovers, looking happy.
"Everyone, raise your glasses!"
"Cheers!!"
"Cheers!!"
People smiling brightly. Maybe I was born to see this sight. Joyful faces flushed with alcohol.
"Sister-in-law, take good care of our Dennis!"
"Laplace, shut it!! Hahaha!"
Clink. Glasses chimed. In the center of the tavern, where everyone melted together like in a furnace,
I smiled faintly at the status window in front of me. This was pretty good.
That must be the kissing scene under the magnolia tree via the 3D magic circle I'd seen earlier. In the original, they just reunited in tears and that was it.
'Thanks to me teaching Dennis the 3D magic circle.'
The event scene had become richer. That meant the other couples in the status window were like this too.
I was looking forward to what would pop up for Nex or Kainel. Probably more touching scenes like this one?
The guy who never helped when it mattered was making a fuss now. If you believed, remove failure penalties or something.
"...Licht, let's drink this."
"Huh...? This is...?"
While I rested my chin on my hand, pondering the status window, Pine pushed a drink toward me.
'Lumen's Sleep-talking.'
The liquor the Head had recommended last time we met. Was it okay to drink this?
"You sure? This one's pretty strong. It's what dwarves drink."
"I want something strong."
In the setting, dwarves drink it because they can't sleep after crafting masterpieces due to high tension or something.
"...What's the reason?"
"When you're drunk, your guard drops around you, Licht."
Her golden predator-like eyes met mine and gleamed. Now that I thought about it, with no Kainel or Ariel here, I had no excuses.
"Drink slowly instead, Pine."
"I counted last time. I can drink better than you, Licht."
Pine let out a soft chuckle. When did she become someone who could blend into the atmosphere like this? She was nothing like the doll-like, emotionless girl when we first met.
If she wanted to drink, I'd let her. I could play Black Knight if anything happened.
Pine brought small glasses. The moment we filled each other's.
"Then, cheers."
"Cheers."
Glancing out the window, I saw a crescent moon, and like the moon beginning to wax again, we started drinking.