Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: 34-3. We Fight, But We Also Love.
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Unexpectedly, dealing with the undead beast wrapped up quickly.
If it had just been Asha Aureus the spirit sorceress or the Northern Grand Duchess relying solely on her spear arts, it might have been a real struggle.
But right now, we've got Drake the Grand Sword Master—and me, able to wield the Mind Sword.
No matter how endlessly it regenerated or refused to die.
Once you drive a spear through it and shatter it completely from the inside, even an immortal creature has to kick the bucket.
"Bad monster. I hate you."
In the end, Pine unleashed dozens of glass swords, shredding it to pieces.
Necromancy relies on corpses or life force as collateral. It's not infinite.
In truth, it might have been a flawless scheme woven with omniscience.
I thought briefly as I gazed at the glass shards sparkling in the sunlight.
Originally, without Pine or me, the North would have been in grave danger.
From what the pillar husband guy told me, the Apostle of Wrath conquers the North in one go.
From the start, I overlooked it because it wasn't the Demon King but just an Apostle-level threat...
This incident had been in the works even before Head died.
The defense line might have had gaps due to either omniscience or blind spots.
And Sophitia Coldheart's personality was supposed to have turned ruthless because of events like this in her past,
but the Northern Grand Duchess I'd just met for the first time didn't seem all that cold.
Had there been some change of heart? Or maybe because I'd blocked that air raid earlier?
"Why the long face?! Are you so moved by this master's dashing figure that you're in tears?! Uhahaha!!"
As I habitually propped my chin on my hand, puzzling over the inconsistencies, a short, yellow-haired man caught my eye. He shrugged his shoulders, brimming with confidence.
This guy was surprisingly sharp-minded, unlike his game portrayal. He'd just pointed out how one of the undead monster's arms was unnaturally swollen,
"Thanks for the advice earlier."
and thanks to that, when it swung its right arm, I didn't charge in recklessly—instead, I focused purely on defense.
"You should have spotted it faster than me!"
Something still felt off to him. He scowled, his face etched with dissatisfaction.
"Disciple, you won't turn into some empty shell relying solely on your sword's power, will you?!"
Drake spoke up as he eyed my Mind Sword, glowing with its blue light.
"..No, Master."
I gazed at the Black Knight helmet reflected on the blade, deep in thought. It wasn't exactly reliance on the sword.
It's reliance on Pine Granasia.
More than the power or abilities of my Mind Swords, Pine was what mattered most. Protecting her made everything else irrelevant.
All the Mind Swords I created were forged from memories with her.
If I'd ever thought power let me claim people's hearts at will, I never would have made it this far.
Weird terms like "Hero of Conviction" were utterly unnecessary.
To begin with, I had zero interest in building a harem and living a life of luxury.
Heroines swarming around me, switching up date spots every time? Playboy types make me gag.
But apparently, it worked even in light snow.
I'd noticed it when heading out to find Pine—sleet or no sleet, it could still melt into water droplets and move freely.
The fact that it could pass as a Hero's holy sword and deal damage to the Demon King was bizarre enough.
Come to think of it, every anomaly so far stemmed from me killing Head Aike ahead of schedule.
The status window had thrown up warnings and penalties because of all the variables it caused. Still, I refused to play by the game company's script.
Nothing in the world is perfect, after all.
Especially not the guy who'd nudged me to love Pine as the Nameless Saintess.
"Pine, are you mad?"
"No. Licht."
At that moment, I heard a tok, tok sound and turned to look. The white-haired girl with wolf ears was venting her frustration on the snow.
"Then why do you keep kicking rocks with your feet..?"
"..."
She'd seemed like she wanted to say something right before the monster showed up. It looked like she was upset because things weren't going her way.
Plus, I'd forced that finger kiss on her. Was she actually upset about it?
"Hey, Licht."
"Yes, what is it?"
After a pause, as if she'd sorted her thoughts, Pine spoke calmly.
"That thing from earlier... can you do it again?"
That thing from earlier? What exactly was she referring to?
"Finger... kiss?"
She remembered, alright. My heart started pounding wildly as she rubbed against my arm, pleading.
"Ah, it's racing. Licht's heart."
"Don't say stuff like that out loud! Pine!"
I couldn't meet her eyes properly, my gaze shaky. Her small, glossy lips worked as she continued.
"Hehe, Licht's a puppy. A super cute one."
My breath caught for a second at her calling me cute without even knowing me that well.
"..Just once more."
Why was she acting so foxy all of a sudden? Maybe becoming a nation's princess had made her a master at reading people.
It felt less like a wolf and more like a kitsune. Probably because she was white.
"Can't do it. That was shock therapy to snap you out of your rage state."
"Really..?"
I waved her off, trying to push her away.
But she'd already figured out my patterns and pulled me closer to her chest.
"Don't try to slip away."
Pine Granasia, sentencing my reason to death.
"You're the one who stole my lips first, Licht..?"
Enough with these full-frontal assaults. I'm a red-blooded guy too. I bit my tongue lightly to stay sane.
"If someone touched the lips of the Granasia Princess... what do you think my father would do if he found out? Licht."
Suddenly, a chill like an axe's edge pressed to my nape—pure killing intent.
Of course he'd come after me. Even just entering the palace, the boyfriend misunderstanding nearly got me sonic-boomed.
Imperial Guard, knight orders—you name it. He could mobilize every connection and authority like the Ten Heroes.
It'd make half the world my enemy.
Hell, she might step in herself. No matter how busy with imperial duties, this was the guy who handpicked guards for his kids.
It was only natural to rage if some stray bonehead snatched the lips of the daughter he'd cherished and raised.
Dad would've done the same in that spot.
Parents with that kind of fierce love for their kids just get each other.
When I had those burn scars and couldn't mingle with people, he was always there cheering me on.
I wonder if Dad would've liked Pine.
He'd probably rib me about hanging with such a pretty girl,
or grin slyly with a "Does our Suhyun finally have a girlfriend?"
The reason I never took "Hero of Conviction" lightly was all thanks to my father.
A hero has to live up to the name with their actions.
The newspaper clipping I'd saved as a kid—of Dad as a firefighter from behind—fit the title better than any game hero.
Now I was alone in this world, knowing no one, dropped here by luck and adopted by an elderly couple.
But that didn't mean I was clueless about parental warmth.
After agonizing for a long while, I lifted my own visor.
"..This time only. Pine."
I steeled myself to grant the request of the one who'd saved my life.
No matter how much I waffled and couldn't firm my heart when it came to her.
"Fine, if you can't... then instead.. huh?"
What would Dad say if he saw this situation?
With the pillar husband's advice in mind, time to draw out more of her true self.
"Wait, hold on... for real?"
Pine's golden eyes widened. She probably hadn't expected me to actually go through with it.
Her tail shot straight up, wagging furiously—a clear sign of excitement.
"Licht. I... I'm not ready yet...."
Fragile as glass, the kind that needed a "handle with care" sticker slapped on for guy-girl stuff.
Pine Granasia's true nature was a wolf lost in loneliness, desperately craving something to lean on.
A top predator in the food chain, yet still confusing obsession with love—enough to beg me for a kiss.
But when it came to pure love, I was the wolf here, more than Pine.
I didn't know if someone would come along to fill her emptiness, but I could at least manage this much.
"Come closer. Pine."
"L-Licht... wait. Stop.."
I wasn't exactly an expert on true love myself, but I had fifteen years of solo agonizing over my feelings.
That's why I kept failing to steel my heart, why impulses kept bubbling up.
How could anyone love the future you I watched through a screen?
A pillar I'd always carried in a corner of my heart.
If I slammed this massive emotion into her all at once and spilled the truth, she'd hate me. Her true self might get buried under the Nameless Saintess facade.
It'd just be selfish recklessness. That wasn't love.
If she'd been in Saintess mode, maybe I'd have been honest, but she's a princess now.
Still, everything up to now was my fault. I had to soothe the anxiety I'd caused her.
She was the most precious person to me, period. I couldn't keep dodging like a coward, failing to be honest about that.
"No need to be scared."
Second time's the charm after the first.
The initial hurdle's always the toughest. To keep her from tensing up, I pressed a finger to my lips again.
"Licht, the finger.. wait a sec... "
I poked her pristine white lips once more, bolder this time—brushing her upper lip too.
Had to pull out the trump card so she wouldn't ask again. She couldn't go begging for kisses around Kainel and Ariel later.
My Love Meter matters, but so do everyone else's. Pine.
You need that Grand Route ending to be happy. You're the only one in this game without a happy end.
The sequel devs were rotten enough to drift hard—they wouldn't let you off easy. Not you, Pine.
A lovely girl whose misfortune was scripted by the Demon Kings.
To someone as pure as first snow, impossible to touch easily, I could only leave a faint footprint.
"Ah."
But I'd messed up. A slight moist sensation lingered on my thumb. Should've had more experience to know.
"Eep..?"
If there was one thing I'd overlooked: unlike last time, I'd muffled her mid-"wait."
"Tongue.. touched...."
The tip of her reddish tongue had made contact. The small, soft feel was different from her lips.
"..Sorry."
Clack. I snapped the visor shut, hiding my embarrassed face. Should I wipe it? No, keep it... don't wash my hands.
Delusions swirled in my head like chasing clouds; dizziness made it hard to even stand straight.
"I-I'm fine. No need to apologize."
I hurriedly put distance between us, and she clapped both hands over her mouth. So much for her charging in earlier. Backfire?
"Yeah, it was an accident. Accident...."
Now she had her back turned, muttering to herself without looking my way. The girl who'd wrapped her tail around me before.
All I could see now were her wolf ears flattened back and her white hair.
"Pine, um...."
"Hic."
One step closer, and the frightened wolf scampered away in panicked steps.
We descended the mountain like we were playing tag, keeping our distance.
"..What kids."
"Still, if Locke finds out, it'll be big trouble. Grand Duchess Sophitia."
The Northern Grand Duchess watched us with a puzzled look, glancing between Pine and me.
"Brother, I did nothing wrong.."
Asha and Drake—one of the Ten Heroes—worried the news might reach the Emperor's ears.