Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: 31-2. Wolves Surprisingly Have Heavy Love
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The next day arrived, and I faced Pine with an embarrassing sensation lingering from the night before.
"Ah, Licht."
"Pine... Did you get home safely last night?"
"Yeah, thanks to you."
These days, whenever there was no one around at the academy, she would often take off her Masterpiece or glass helmet.
"Let's go together."
It was great that she had become this bright, but she was being too forward.
I flinched and my hand trembled as she immediately grabbed it, interlocking our fingers tightly.
"Oh, did you get a new hair accessory?"
"...Something like that. How does it look?"
"It's pretty. Really pretty."
She was so beautiful with the blue rose pinned in her hair that it was hard to even speak.
"It's incredibly pretty. Hehe..."
Pine closed the distance even more at my praise. I could feel the soft touch of her skin against mine.
I understood she was doing this partly to support me while I was still adjusting to the Dragon Heart.
'But what if people misunderstand us like this?'
Our intimacy level was too high. It had only been 1 percent before, and she'd even tried to kiss me. Just as a slight doubt crept in...
A heart rippled before my eyes, and a translucent status window appeared.
Right, at this level, it could just be the alcohol talking. Probably an event that raises the Love Meter.
"Licht, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
The corners of my mouth shot up uncontrollably. At this rate, I might actually end up dating Pine for real...
No. Love isn't something that can be quantified. This could just be the developers toying with me.
I could confess at 49 percent and get rejected, dropping to -100 percent.
'Like with Nex or Sharutineth, where the Love Meter suddenly plummeted.'
Love shouldn't be reduced to such a fleeting, trivial term.
You can know the depths of a thousand fathoms, but not a person's heart.
If I misunderstood and rushed into a confession, we might become strangers the next day.
But I couldn't leave her side either. The unhappy future ahead wouldn't change unless I achieved the Grand Route.
It had said from the start that new endings required meeting the conditions.
Besides, justifying means with my own emotions would be the worst.
'Her happiness matters more than my Love Meter.'
At least until everything was resolved, I had to ignore such things.
If she was truly on a path to happiness, it would rise slowly like this, for sure.
'Even when Head nearly killed me, if I hadn't used Manarose, it would've been dangerous.'
I'd thought it simple before, but seeing how the developers had hidden things so thoroughly, there were still many trials ahead.
She wasn't the Saintess from the [Knight Heart] or [Black Heart] I'd played. Now she was a princess.
A princess with a name. Pine Granasia.
I shouldn't overlay her with past memories.
I'm definitely not hopeless with romance. If I consulted a female friend, I'd figure out why Pine was acting this way.
'Maybe talk to Ariel?'
But those two weren't dating yet either?
She might freak out like 'Hiiyaak!! Helmet guy! What are you saying?!' and fear her feelings for Kainel getting exposed.
Telling Sharutineth or Heavenly Demon would just get back to Pine and become fodder for teasing.
"Pine, why do you always hold hands like this?"
"Does it bother you...?"
Though I'd never dated in my life, my cold reason calculated other possibilities.
It fit her playful personality.
Or it could be drunken antics, leaning on people and closing distances.
I'd have to stay by her side whenever she drank from now on. Some sleazy guy might target her, and even with her guards...
'Sudden situations are hard to handle.'
Even during Magic Hat or Head's academy attack, her guards couldn't reach her. In the end, I had to protect her.
I put strength into her staggering legs. There was so much to do ahead. At least three more Demon Kings to catch.
"Yes, it bothers me a lot."
"Holding hands like this makes me feel safe. Licht."
At that moment, seeing her beaming smile melted my reason. No, those wolf ears flopping down were against the rules.
In soccer, that'd be offside. Don't break through when there's no defender.
"What about it makes you feel safe...?"
"Yours is big, thick... and sturdy."
Ugh, don't say things people could misunderstand. You sound like a character from an erotic game.
"Pine, please watch your word choice."
"Hehe, you're embarrassed. Licht."
Like a predator marking her prey, her white tail wrapped around my leg to keep me from tripping.
The memory of nearly getting kissed last night replayed vividly in my mind, like rewinding a cassette tape.
"...Do you hate me doing this, Licht?"
No. I love it.
A chill ran down my spine instinctively, but with our Pine, anything was fine.
"I don't hate it."
"Good..."
Even if her feelings were heavy, I just had to match and accept them.
Love is something you build together, step by step.
If, by some chance, she actually liked me,
'This wouldn't be so bad.'
At least being locked in the imperial underground didn't sound terrible now. I could endure house arrest for pure love.
"Sorry for teasing you a bit. Your reactions are just so fun..."
That small smile of hers was my greatest happiness, a smile I'd burn my body to protect.
"You can keep going."
"Really...? As expected, Licht's a pervert."
I'd endure the false label of pervert. Better than looking like an emotionless, unhappy glass knight.
"So you like this kind of thing..."
"I'm only letting it slide because it's you, Pine."
"Pervert, pervert Licht. Hehe..."
Sacrificing for the one you love is what a Black Knight does.
"...Huh?"
This time, I decided to poke her cheek lightly with my finger. Poke. I wasn't one to just sit and take it.
"If you keep this up, I'll have to do this too."
"..."
Her cheek bounced back with elasticity. So soft and squishy. So this is what a girl's cheek feels like.
With Pine suddenly going quiet, we headed slowly to the palace, hands still linked. Apparently, uninvited physical contact wasn't okay.
"Pine? You alright?"
"Ah, y-yeah. Licht... Why...?"
Seeing her stare off at distant mountains before reacting late, a wave of regret crashed over me.
The imperial palace we arrived at had a massive wolf statue guarding the dazzling entrance, a grand structure blending white and gold for a luxurious feel.
"Let's go in. Father must be waiting."
Is this where Pine lives? The difference between us was stark, confirmed with my own eyes.
We might've been similar as the Nameless Saintess, but now she was a princess of the nation.
"Licht...? Come on."
"Wait a sec. Just a moment..."
There was no way she was on my level. I was just a commoner, no noble title, wondering if it was okay to befriend her.
Just then, she dragged me into the palace.
Ah, she's seriously strong. If only she'd given me a moment to prepare.
Creeeak─. Bang.
Was it magic? The giant doors opened as I entered and slammed shut behind me.
"...Pine? You there?"
Sudden darkness enveloped me.
Pine, who had been clinging to my arm and hand moments ago, was gone. Complete void welcomed me.
"Who are you?"
At that instant, a deep, resonant voice shook the dark space.
A chilling steel sensation prickled my throat.
'This voice... I've heard it before.'
It was the emperor's voice. Wolf King Locke Granasia's.
Was he testing me? This was our first real meeting. In past playthroughs, low fame kept me away.
I'd only seen him in season or event trailers.
"Black Knight Licht."
I gave my title. Saying "Hero of Conviction" like Head would be wrong.
"Wrong."
He despised heroes. His wife, Empress Bellin Granasia, had been turned into a card by Magic Hat, after all.
"Who are you? Two chances left."
Bam, something struck the floor. His signature hand axe? Overwhelming pressure crushed me.
If that's not right, what is?
"Licht, Your Majesty."
Black Knight was my class, not 'me.' Just a shell I wore.
I thought that was it, but a needle-like chill of iron returned.
Bam again, the axe blade hitting the floor.
"...Last chance. Who are you?"
Think. That's my strength. A riddle with a set answer.
"Lee Soo-hyun."
No lies. Hiding anything might get me beheaded.
"Correct."
A small chuckle followed. I hadn't offended him.
"I hope you don't take offense at my test."
"How could I, Your Majesty."
"Tougher than you sound. I like it."
Up close, he was just like Pine's giggling self. Maybe she took after her father too.
"I welcome you, Lee Soo-hyun."
A chill ran through me, body frozen like electrified. Click, clack. Lights came on.
Vision brightened instantly. Wolf King Locke Granasia stood before me.
"What wouldn't I give the hero who saved my daughter and wife?"
A dark-haired inuman male with black wolf ears and tail.
Locke sat on a gold-adorned throne, looking down. I knelt immediately in respect.
"I pay respects to the wolf that bites the sun and swallows the moon."
"Rise. You have no reason to kneel to me."
Locke smiled softly, intrigued, stopping my action.
"...I owe you far more, Lee Soo-hyun."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Glory to the Granasia Empire."
Only then did I stand at his permission. The weight was no joke.
Above all, facing him, I couldn't imagine winning in a fight.
'He's number one among the Ten Heroes.'
His presence was an insurmountable wall. No wonder the Hero Cult's Demon Kings feared and hid from the emperor.
"Do you know why I tested you, Lee Soo-hyun?"
"Because I'm nothing else, Your Majesty."
"Exactly. You are Lee Soo-hyun."
I hadn't felt this awe even facing Heavenly Demon. I hid my trembling hands behind me.
"My daughter's guard reported on you, and the other Ten Heroes praised you unanimously."
The Wolf King rose, descending the steps slowly. Flowing cape. Attire screaming imperial emperor.
"In the end, I wondered: the hero in the Black Knight helmet—who is he to me?"
The all-black wolf approached. Scar over one eye on the emperor.
His fierce gaze pierced me; just nearing brought waves of death sensation.
"Lee Soo-hyun, I wanted to hear from your lips why you saved my daughter and wife."
"..."
Clack, his steps halted before me.
"What's the reason? Power or fame after all?"
His hand axe hung on the throne wall, yet I felt my carotid sliced, hand instinctively guarding my neck as I spoke.
"Because it was the right thing to do, Your Majesty."
"Hm, the right thing. Why is it right?"
Breath caught to my chin. Knees buckled under the sharp questions.
"Family should return to family's embrace..."
Thud. Unable to withstand, hands hit the floor.
"No one hurt by a Demon King... that's the right thing."
Panting, I barely continued. He'd said no need to kneel, yet this timed test terrified me.
"Not for reward or honor, Your Majesty."
But I willed myself upright. It wasn't for gain. Pure intent to save lives.
Acts done unknowing she was the Nameless Saintess.
I refused to be a shameless fool demanding marriage or love for saving lives. Even rewinded, I'd sacrifice to protect.
My conviction wouldn't waver. This was right.
"...Unexpected."
The emperor nodded, surprised, meeting my unyielding eyes.
"I'll trust your words, Lee Soo-hyun."
Whoosh, the pressure lifted. Satisfied, Locke reseated on the throne.
"Now, let's talk. Sorry for scaring you."
"It's fine, Your Majesty Granasia."
Just as I caught my breath...
"So, what exactly is your relationship with my daughter?"
The worst imaginable question hit me.