Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: 35-3. How the Queen Captures the Knight.
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I was left alone in the room, adding more writing to the blank spaces in my notebook.
Another possessor. Most likely Kwon Ki-seok, using the nickname 'NorthernGrandDuchessHusband'.
If he'd come here after defeating Magic Hat, he'd be similar to me. So why hadn't he made contact with Kainel or Ariel?
Something felt off. Doubts kept rising like smoke. Once a chain of thoughts ignited, it never stopped.
'There's no way that guy wouldn't recruit the protagonist.'
A guy skilled at reading others' intentions and using them to his advantage, passing up the greatest force for demon king subjugation?
It didn't add up at all. Maybe that guy...
"He's walking a different path from me."
If he wasn't aiming for the Grand Route ending, it made sense.
Even after listing every possibility, this was the only answer. I scribbled lines across the paper, crossing out words.
If he had a status window like me and needed to continue the couplings from the previous games, he should've enrolled in the academy, right?
But if he was only focusing on Sophitia, fixing her heart condition would be enough.
Unlike our Pine, the Northern Grand Duchess was a main heroine with a definite happy ending.
That's why I called that guy a pillar husband for no reason.
He'd gotten married and truly become the Northern Grand Duchess's husband, just like his nickname.
But he was often called a pillar husband because he stayed in the northern palace, manipulating people from behind the scenes.
According to Sophitia, he'd left a few days ago to find a cure.
If he'd possessed around the same time as me, that couldn't be true.
'Ki-seok probably got possessed recently.'
A guy with the personality to prepare the cure in advance would have checked on Sophitia's well-being before leaving the north.
'This makes it seem like...'
It's as if I was really summoned as a hero. Assuming the status window and Grand Route goal were unique to me.
Head had called me the Hero of Conviction, and everyone around saw me that way.
"I believe in love."
I flung the window wide open and chanted. The fake holy sword came flying in at a diagonal, landing at my feet.
With this, I'd once stopped Pine from becoming the Nameless Saintess by killing Head.
There was always the risk of Pine dying before defeating Magic Hat. Who knew what else lay hidden ahead.
'What's left are two living demon kings unlike in the previous games, and Magic Hat.'
As far as I knew, this one was definitely a guy, so why was it a woman in this prequel?
And acting like it knew me, even changing its hair to silver-white with golden eyes.
Originally, a burly man in a black mask and magician's hat.
A demon king who grinned ear-to-ear, hurling cards, deceiving with the power of lies, using truth to take what it wanted.
'Darling... it definitely called me darling... why?'
My mind was a jumble, like piecing together a puzzle with missing parts. No more clues for further deduction.
If Magic Hat really knew me, then Head should have too, but he didn't.
And why did Head shoot at Pine specifically?
Not aiming for the hero couple Kainel or Ariel, but at her, already so utterly unfortunate in her pure white.
Looking at the Heavenly Demon case too, and from the descriptions in my previous playthroughs, he'd become completely idiotic.
Wasn't the reason Pine became the Nameless Saintess to check the Wolf Emperor Locke and eliminate a future threat preemptively?
She was strong. Later, she could've swept away the demon kings like her father, Emperor Locke.
"..."
I closed the notebook and looked out the window. My chest felt stuffy; I wanted some cold air. Why was this world so harsh?
A curse was on the tip of my tongue.
Even if our Love Meter hit 100% and we connected, if the ending conditions weren't met, would they drop us into a drift ending hard?
This game's company had a track record with Black Heart.
'A person unnamed, not even listed on the death roll.'
Wasn't that ridiculous? Other main heroines had proper happy endings, even if by exploits.
Forcing death just because she was a side character?
Does that even make sense? They said the sequel would show an epilogue.
The Black Heart I grinded through hard didn't even implement Pine's happy ending. It was trash. Others might not care, but I did.
Even now, I was helping with couplings to avoid that fate, and I'd cleared the reason for Pine becoming a saintess with my own hands.
"My head hurts."
The penalty too, and no matter how much I pondered, it felt like I was only halfway there. I still didn't know why the Love Meter with Pine was rising.
Just as I thought to leave somewhere and sort my thoughts, a knock sounded at the door.
"...Licht, you there?"
"Ah, yes, I am."
Click. I hid the notebook behind me as a snow-white wolf entered, tail wagging as she made a suggestion.
"Licht, wanna... go to the hot springs for just one day?"
"...Hot springs?"
Pine fidgeted, embarrassed to say it herself.
The northern hot springs were killer graphics according to the pillar husband guy.
"Just one day. They say it's good for burn scars."
And she was saying it out of worry for the burn scar on my face. Any reason to refuse?
The academy term was still far off, so one day should be fine.
"Then with Master Drake..."
"No. Sophi said so."
Ah, the Grand Duchess prepared it separately as thanks. No intention of refusing her kindness. And it wasn't just the two of us anyway.
"...I'll go. Pine."
Should be no issues. I grabbed the golden bear amulet in Pine's hand and stepped out.
I wanted to escape this space for any reason.
"See you at the hot springs then, Licht."
I didn't even hear Pine's shy whisper as I grabbed my pre-packed bags and left the palace.
Not far from the palace where I was staying was a massive hot spring facility.
"Impressive. I thought it'd be a small one."
But no other guests besides me. Just staff in different uniforms all around.
Not thick furs, but thin clothes fitting the steaming hot springs.
Probably insulation magic. Snow flurries fell, but it wasn't cold at all.
Suspiciously quiet without other people, like they'd closed for a holiday.
As I turned to head back to the palace thinking they weren't open today,
"How did you find this place?"
A hulking man appeared behind me, munching grass. Weasel ears and tail on a staff member.
"Ah, on recommendation from Grand Duchess Sophitia."
"Please show your token."
I handed over the golden bear amulet Pine gave me. His eyes widened, spitting out the leaf.
"G-Golden... Golden rank guest! May I have your name?"
"Licht."
He bowed to me, then bellowed to the surrounding staff.
"Hey, everyone!!! Golden rank guest!! These are the ones the lady mentioned for today!!"
"Yes!! Big bro!!"
Bear-eared folk swiftly dragged me inside like clockwork. It happened so fast I couldn't react.
"Enjoy your time at Caprostia's 'Frost and Snow Hot Springs', sir!!"
The attendants shoved me into the building and finally let go. I stood dazed, staring ahead.
Click. Rrrumble. The grand doors opened, revealing the interior. Wooden floors and ceilings gleamed.
"Men's bath is that way. Various types inside—please enjoy."
A penguin-haired attendant with two-tone hair covered her mouth with her sleeve, guiding me. My bag was already in her hands somehow.
"...Excuse me, my bag."
"We'll move it to the prepared suite. Staying just one night, right?"
"Ah... yes."
Felt like I'd fallen into the Northern Grand Duchess's elaborate scheme. Rewarding generously if not on her side?
'Well, Pine recommended it too...'
Maybe Pine asked Sophitia for me. No need, though.
As I walked lost in those thoughts, the black-and-white haired attendant stopped.
"Is this the men's bath?"
"Yes. But entering now... building's getting deep cleaned."
From what I'd seen walking, staff were busily preparing with magic.
"...You won't be out right away."
Her added explanation about cleaning during my soak to avoid injuring guests left me no choice but to nod.
"Understood."
Wouldn't want poison in dinner for breaking rules. I was pushed into the men's bath.
A place with massive hot springs of various colors.
I chose the green one. A small sign said it was good for healing scars.
Left my clothes in the changing room, wrapped a towel around my lower half, and soaked in.
No signs of life around—felt like I was the only guest.
"...Hoo."
I let out a long sigh in the long-awaited rest.
Pine must've asked Sophitia to accommodate me. Otherwise, no guests made no sense.
Confirming no one, I opened my helmet's visor, revealing my face. Too hot to keep on.
"The view's insane."
Warmth enveloped me, healing. Snow falling in a hot spring—pretty romantic.
"...Wish Pine was here too."
She'd come straight to me with the token, saying it was good for burns. I liked Pine's pure side.
Wanted to share this scenery with her a bit.
How much had I received from Pine?
How kind and cute she was. When she wrapped her tail around me or rubbed against me, I thought I'd go mad with happiness. Bad for my heart.
Getting hurt or nearly dying fighting demon kings? Didn't matter.
I'd paid enough already. I lifted my arm, gazing at the scar.
My life was hers anytime. Knowing death awaited, I didn't run.
That's why, soon after possessing, weak as I was, I jumped into the wolf pack to save some rich guy.
The Nameless Saintess Pine, or Princess Pine—I had to save lives I could.
'Won't see the polite Pine anymore.'
Current Pine wouldn't call me 'knight' or wear the white saintess robes. Because I'd make sure of it.
Facing demon kings was my job.
What I could protect, I would. Even if my body broke—as long as it was just me.
Pondering Magic Hat strategies, eyes half-closed, thinking of all ways to face the future,
"...Licht. Hi."
A familiar voice startled me; I snapped my eyes open.
"Pine?! How did you get in here..."
"I said meet at the hot springs earlier...?"
There she was, barely covered by a few towels, asserting her presence.
Seeing her curves peeking past the towels, blood rushed below.
Not from the steam—too stimulating; my blood was raging.
"Perverted doggy, really."
Men's bath—how'd she get in? I tried to stand and flee, but something else was standing; couldn't move.
"...Knew you were in the mixed bath."
Her words hit me—I'd been had.
Grand Duchess minded our relationship, and staff said 'folks' plural.
The mixed bathing event only in the north. Pillar husband's 'killer graphics' was double entendre.
"I'll sit next to you, Licht."
I felt like my heart would burst.