Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: 31-4. The Wolf's Love is Surprisingly Heavy.
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The academy's first semester had fully wrapped up, ushering in summer break.
With the Hero Cult's attack providing a perfect excuse for repairs, the timing couldn't have been better.
'Dragon Heart... I've completely adjusted to it now.'
My body had fully recovered. I felt as good as usual—no, even better than before.
It was like my whole body was as light as a feather. Probably thanks to Pine handling the transplant so well.
Or maybe it was the Saintess from my dream who helped out. Either way, she was undeniably my lifesaver.
"Hahaha! My disciple!"
"Greetings, Master Drake."
In the end, I couldn't defy Emperor Locke's orders, so I'd arrived at the harbor dock to head north. There stood my very first teacher, and I greeted him.
"So, you're off to the north?!"
"Yes. It seems like catching that apostle is the only way to resolve this. How's your body holding up?"
In the end, I'd have to convince Asha to sort things out with Nex. Forcing them together could make it worse.
"Uhahahat! Now my disciple's worrying about his master!"
"Honestly, you've helped me a ton with swordsmanship."
In a way, this man was a benefactor to me too. A yellow-haired guy with scars all over his face, just like me.
"No ragtag Hero Cult thugs could scar this body of mine!"
Demon Slayer, Shadow Slash, Void Slash... Without his techniques, I couldn't have protected Pine.
"Disciple, I heard you took down the Head. Won't you really learn Perfect Dragon Slaying?!"
"I'll pass."
Drake had taken me as a disciple without prejudice. Even though I couldn't use basic magic, holy power, or spirit arts.
"That's so sad! Your master is truly heartbroken!"
"If Pine were here, maybe, but right now, it doesn't seem like you'd let me off easy."
I'd trained under him, honing bone and flesh. Sometimes I'd feel myself growing fast and think maybe I had talent after all.
"...The princess?"
But every time, Drake would whip me back into shape. To hunt demon kings, like Dennis said, we had to push to the extremes.
Ultimate techniques that overwrote common sense.
If I'd gotten complacent midway and quit, I wouldn't have these results now.
The salty sea breeze tickled my nose, seagulls swooped in, and waves glittered under the sun, forcing me to squint.
"Yes, is something wrong? You suddenly went quiet..."
"..."
Against that backdrop stood two swordsmen. What on earth had happened with Pine to make him freeze up like that?
"I heard from big bro—you, you... what's your deal with the princess, disciple?!"
Drake grabbed my shoulder and asked. Had Locke said something to him? The Grand Sword Master's hand was trembling.
"Just friends."
Too casual for colleagues, more like close classmates from university. Sure, I had a crush on Pine, but...
"Right! As if you could seduce the empire's princess! Uhahahat!"
"Of course not. We're not in the same league."
It was one-sided on my end. A 15-year unrequited love. From her position, it might even be scary.
'I fell for the future you.' Saying that would just make me look insane.
Even if she believed me by some miracle, she'd start obsessing over her future self, burying her true nature.
I didn't want that. I'd just be a stalker.
"Big bro worried for nothing! I'll trust you then, disciple!"
I could love any version of Pine, so I wanted her to live her own life. Even if she met someone, married, dated—it'd be fine.
And for her sake, I'd gladly give my life.
"Ah, there he is. Licht."
Then, a familiar humming voice called out.
"Found you..."
"Pine? How did you even get here...?"
In the distance, I spotted the glass knight in full plate armor. Just like our first meeting, clad in her masterpiece gear.
"I followed your scent."
She rushed to my side, closing in as if to sniff me.
It made what I'd just told Drake look ridiculous—they seemed so close.
"The Dragon Slayer greets the empire's princess!"
"Oh, Drake."
The man mumbled before finally kneeling in greeting. Even if they were close among the Ten Heroes, half-casual talk wasn't appropriate in public.
"No need for formalities, as usual."
"Uhahahat! Polite speech is so uncomfortable!"
Ignoring Drake, Pine checked me over from every angle.
"Good thing I wasn't too late..."
Confirming I was fine, she removed her glass helm and armor. Her feminine curves were starkly revealed.
"You're not seriously planning to come north with me like this, are you? Pine."
"Yeah, I was worried about you, Licht."
"You know my body's fully recovered."
Seeing her in the pristine academy uniform matching mine like a couple's outfit gave me a headache. It was only at 2%—why act like this?
"Still, I want to be your strength, Licht."
"Why? Pine."
If it drops to 0%, my resolve crumbles. Please stop.
"You're a lone wolf."
"...Pardon? What does that mean, Pine?"
"A lonely person..."
I grabbed her hand as she tried to lift my visor again.
"Hehe, Licht. You're so kind."
She intertwined our fingers on her own. I'd grabbed her wrist to avoid hurting her.
"Where do you get that from? I just do what I want."
"That's why I can't leave you alone. You'd break... get hurt."
Pine smiled faintly. She wiggled her fingers, her soft, warm ones brushing my hand, tickling my heart.
"Last time fighting the demon king, you nearly died twice..."
"..."
"Am I wrong? Licht."
Her golden eyes pierced me sharply, like scolding a husband. I was an upright guy—no secret affairs or debauchery—yet I felt guilty.
"...Miss Pine is completely right."
"Hehe, so listen to me."
She let out her signature laugh. When the person you love worries, you follow along.
"And if you heed the princess's words... good things might happen..."
Suddenly, something cool and moist touched my face. What was this?
'...Ointment for scars?'
While I ducked my head briefly, she'd lifted my visor and applied what looked like ointment. Surprised, our eyes met.
"What's this? Pine."
"Burn scar treatment. Holy magic could fix it instantly, but..."
Her expression didn't change at the burn marks. If anything, she seemed worried for me.
"I thought it'd be nice to heal them slowly, together."
"Why... go this far for me? You don't need to, Pine."
She even tried to hide it with a small smile. Her acting was so awkward. At least she didn't seem repulsed or scared—thank goodness.
"No, these are my scars now too."
Pine applied the ointment meticulously, carefully, without gaps.
"I've experienced some of what happened in your trauma, remember?"
Her touch was like delicate, fine hands, but it conveyed warm kindness.
"Honestly, I can't fully understand you, Licht."
Her white ears perked up, and her wolf tail wrapped around my leg, trapping my emotions.
"...Because I don't know you well enough."
My heartbeat drowned out the surroundings, rose scent swirling in my brain,
"But, like you said before..."
My body froze. Watching her gently tend my wounds, I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Even if I'm weak, I can be your strength."
Electricity coursed through me. Pure love. An instant stretched to eternity, melting away the guilt that had tormented me.
"There, all done. Licht."
"...Thank you always, Pine."
After covering my face, Pine Granasia straightened proudly and gently closed my visor.
"You endured well... Licht..."
I knelt slightly to match her height as she tried petting my helm—even on tiptoes. Gotta help.
"...At times like this, you're just a cute puppy."
A light tap on my head. Treating people like dogs isn't great, but...
'Driving me crazy. For real.'
In reality and here, she made me her love's prisoner. I couldn't help but be floored.
"Disciple! Is this really 'just friends'?!"
My master shouted something at me and Pine from the side, but I didn't hear it.
I just wished this moment could last forever.
After Head's death, the demon kings of the Hero Cult gathered in heavy silence.
—Crash.
Someone shattering a glass broke the quiet.
"...Damn it, that idiot Head!"
"Finn oppa, calm down..."
The red-haired man called Finn smashed his glass in rage, while the blue-haired woman Intinium beside him tried to soothe him.
"He got cocky with his powers and acted all high and mighty."
"Black Cloud, you always gotta pick a fight, huh?!"
Black Cloud, with deer-like horns like a heavenly demon, sneered at Finn. As Finn moved to activate his power,
"Enough."
The woman in the magic hat intervened. Trump cards flew like flying knives, halting at the three's throats.
The demon kings froze, necks nearly severed. No denying Magic Hat was strongest when drawing her true form.
"The Life and Death Ledger remains. Omniscience and Ignorance are gone, but..."
She placed a red revolver and book on the table, smiling sweetly.
"So, is that bastard's calculated 'prophecy' still on?!"
"Yes, the prophecy is still viable. Demon King of Martial Power."
Only then did Finn sit, crossing his legs. The others followed,
"The Truth Hero guarantees it. We can use my ability."
And they discussed Head's death again.
"Hmph, if it weren't for our Intinium, I wouldn't have joined Head's plan."
"Finn oppa..."
The blue-eyed woman gazed at him sadly, prompting Black Cloud to cross his arms and ask.
"So, we're proceeding as planned, clown?"
"Oh my, clown? Such harsh words, Black Cloud."
With one demon king dead, pushing the plan trusting her seemed risky, but her words stemmed from concern.
"Per Head's prophecy, we'll send Finn and Intinium next."
Magic Hat just smiled leisurely. She seemed to have gauged Licht's strength already.
"In the end, just deal with the lord husband—no, Lee Soo-hyun—and it's over..."
Snap. White hair turned black, like someone's.
"He won't know this demon king is twin siblings either."
Another snap, and monocled Magic Hat mimicked Head, reading the Life and Death Ledger.
"I've already sent apostles to bring monsters down from the north... Magic Hat."
"Good girl, Intinium."
She stroked the trembling Intinium's head like a pet, maximizing Head's prophecy.
"Hmm, so the prophecy goes exactly like this?"
Time passed, thoughts organized; the magician closed the book with a bright face, but
"...Someday, I should visit the academy with our lord husband!"
Seeing Magic Hat unperturbed by a comrade's death—unlike her—the other demon kings felt a chill.