Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: EP.137 39-2. This Doesn't Look Like a Clone No Matter How I See It
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Grand Hearts Academy's male dormitory. Right now, Pine's clone was right in front of my eyes.
[Licht, can you hear me?]
[Yes, I can hear you.]
I was conversing with the real one through telepathy magic. The clone hadn't so much as twitched.
'She told me before not to barge into guys' rooms recklessly...'
This time, I'd ended up dragging her all the way inside the dorm. Words once spoken couldn't be taken back, so I had to watch what I said.
"...."
There was no helping it because Pine insisted it had to be done in my room for it to count. I had no choice but to go along.
'If it works out, I can use it like an extra life.'
In the game, it was a trick Magic Hat mainly used. During our last fight, the Demon King kept regenerating unless you struck the main body.
When she was the Nameless Saintess, Pine died due to a forced event.
But now, it was practically like we'd gained a way to overcome that. If I used the enemy's own method against them, it could be our breakthrough.
'I kill what I think is the real one, and ta-da! It was just a clone!' That'd work fine.
It was common in stories for characters thought dead to show up perfectly fine later. If Pine's death flag was the issue, then I needed to set up a survival flag for her.
Kainel had said he and Ariel would tour the empire a bit, so that should be fine.
Just moments ago, he'd sent me a greasy wink signaling to leave it to him.
That heroic bastard with his shining looks and personality. Thanks, man.
[I've put up soundproofing magic and detection barriers.]
[Ah, yep... Do we really need all that?]
Her voice echoed in my head. I got the sense the imperial guards were standing by outside too. Wasn't this a bit overkill? Tension made me swallow hard.
[...We might.]
Pine's clone removed her helmet. Silver-white hair identical to hers cascaded down to her waist. Nothing seemed off at first glance.
[What do you think of the clone magic?]
Even I wouldn't have known it was a clone if she hadn't told me. Pine spun her body once, having undone even her Masterpiece.
[It's perfect. It looks just like the 'real thing.']
The clone flinched, its body trembling. I'd heard the real Pine controlled it like a puppet on strings. Maybe that reaction was because the real one got startled.
Mirror Mirage. A spell that created an illusion mimicking the target's actions.
So why had she asked for my help?
[M-My clones work fine, but when I try making someone else's... the sense of touch doesn't come out right...]
Ah, so that's what it was. She was trying to make the enemy's clones too? That'd be hugely helpful for taking down Demon Kings in the future.
Unlike my plan to shatter her death flag, she apparently had other intentions.
[For example, if I tried making a Licht clone...]
With a soft rustle, a glass wall formed, and a clone in my likeness emerged. Its visor was lifted, revealing my face.
[The texture feels off.]
This came out way too handsome. Pine.
I tapped my chest like knocking, and it made a hollow thud. Eerie, even though it was my clone.
[You're definitely firmer and better-looking than this...]
Embarrassing. To be precise, the upper body's detail was spot-on. The muscles matched mine, and even the helmet and academy uniform were similar.
But sneaking this into the Demon King's castle or using it as bait for Magic Hat? We'd get caught for sure.
[I saw it in the hot springs too... I don't really know you that well, Licht...]
Pine's glass magic shattered with a fizz, and my clone vanished.
[What exactly do you need my help with?]
[Could you... just once... hug my clone over there? Licht...?]
Her clone spread its arms wide in a hug-me pose. She wasn't feeling it herself, so why go to such lengths?
[I think I can figure out your mana circuits that way.]
She planned to replicate the sense of touch through mana circuits.
The source of mana is the heart.
Its imposing presence cast a shadow. Hugging it tight would probably startle Pine. Or maybe not, since it was just a clone.
"You permitted this, Princess."
Muttering to myself to ease my nerves, I approached. It was Pine who wanted the hug. Not my fault.
I formed a wide circle with my arms, giving it space—not a full embrace. Even so, the overwhelming presence asserted itself.
'Stay calm. Calm. I'm just helping with the magic.'
Pine's clone was soft. She really could replicate texture too. Holding her like that made me feel at ease.
Like a little teddy bear.
First time hugging on purpose, knowing it was her. Last time was just to comfort who I thought was the crown prince.
[Tighter... I still can't tell.]
[...Got it.]
Since I kept contact minimal, Pine was acting spoiled. Her snowy tail wagged like it had a motor.
[Is this enough, Pine?]
I pulled her a bit closer, and she jolted upward in surprise. Why did she startle so easily? It was just a clone, after all.
[A little more...]
Still not enough? Hero couples needed close contact for combo moves too.
Squeeze. No choice—I fully pressed our bodies together. White hair tickled through my helmet's vents.
Her melting body heat and scent were driving me crazy. Hang in there, Lee Soo-hyun.
"...Pine? You okay?"
I'd been hugging her tight for minutes. Awkward silence flowed.
No reply through telepathy, and the clone's arms hung limp like cut strings. Sensing something wrong, I called her name a few times in alarm.
"...."
The clone, carrying a rose scent that tickled my nose, stayed still in my arms.
Had she severed the link? Pine always bolted whenever I got close like this.
'...Wait, the clone smells? Clones made of glass shouldn't have a scent.'
A sudden doubt hit me.
"Pine."
Rose fragrance. Sweet and soft floral notes.
No matter how I thought about it, something was suspicious. I released the hug and peered closely at the clone's face.
"...This isn't a clone, is it."
Her flushed cheeks and dilated golden pupils screamed that the whole thing was a lie.
[No, it is a clone...]
She shook her head. Now she was speaking aloud without magic, and I could still understand—because it was the real Pine pretending.
She'd been the real deal entering my dorm room from the start. When I grew suspicious, she tried to school her expression. Too late—I'd caught her. She was even blinking.
"So it's fine to keep going like this?"
"E-Eek... L-Licht...!"
I grabbed her wolf ears and kneaded them. The squishy, jelly-like feel was irresistible.
"S-Stop... I did wrong...!"
With my other hand stroking her hair while groping away, she reacted. Why do it if she knew she'd get caught so fast?
"...Did you orchestrate this just to get a hug?"
I paused and asked slowly. She was the shy type, after all.
"N-No... Really... I wanted to make a Licht clone."
Pine confessed straight-up to the fake act. Her tail kept wagging, so she didn't seem to hate it.
"If I'm making someone else's clone... I only want to make yours, Licht."
Straightforward and pure.
That's why I liked Pine. Unlike me, she never ran from her feelings. Transparent and pristine, like the first snow of winter.
As the Nameless Saintess, she'd preached to me that pure love was invincible, corrupting me in the process.
That's exactly why someone like her was vulnerable—I had to be careful.
'If she did this with some other guy...'
Just imagining it was horrifying. Pine in the arms of some blond tanning delinquent? I'd grit my teeth through bloody tears and prepare to slay the Demon King.
"So, help me make it more realistic... Licht."
Pine pleaded in a voice that crawled along the floor, staring downward. She'd mustered courage to tell the truth.
Yeah, better than lying to make my clone. If she's honest, how could I refuse?
"More hugs do the trick?"
"Th-That's enough. Could I see your back...?"
Pine's magic was mirrors.
They reflected what faced them front-on. Recalling her Mirror Mirage variants, they only captured the front view.
"...If that's what you want, I'll do anything. Pine."
I started peeling off layers of clothing, one by one.
She'd never shown her back even in the hot springs. If this let her lure Magic Hat with my clone later, it'd help a ton.
After possessing a game character, what wouldn't I do to protect Pine?
"W-Wait, this is... too stimulating...!"
Pine covered her face with both hands. Wolf eyes peered through the gaps in her fingers. Pretending not to look while seeing everything.
During mixed bathing, she'd groped my arms saying they were firm. But after that cheek kiss, her reactions went overboard.
'...Maybe she's gradually awakening to love.'
The Nameless Saintess Pine had never experienced real love. She'd only harbored vague longing, toyed with by the devs' schemes.
A saintess idolizing romance novel characters.
Take her on dates—no special events. Not even couple actions available to heroines.
For example, Valentine's chocolate was an item you couldn't give her.
"Licht... you have scars on your back too."
"Ah, I've lived a rough life."
I removed my top and showed my back, feeling something warm touch it. Pine's hand.
"...That must've hurt."
I'd thrashed about. To protect Pine, I had to grow stronger than anyone.
Unable to use magic or spirit arts or anything, I'd poured every spare moment into swordsmanship.
Bit by wolves, pummeled by orcs, practiced Void Slash targeting flying wyverns. Looking back, it was a wild ride.
Couldn't lament lack of talent—not knowing what lay ahead. Whenever impatience hit, I pushed my body to the brink.
Because I alone knew the game's future and could save Pine.
"These are just badges of honor, Pine."
A wry smile formed. We'd finally met. Do you know five years had passed?
Spouting nonsense, Pine smacked my back with her palm.
"Badges... they're not...!"
Just showing scars had her on the verge of tears. Her scolding hand didn't hurt.
"I didn't know... you'd lived suffering like this, Licht...!"
"I just did my best."
That was when it happened. A heavy sensation on my back, Pine's arms wrapping around my waist from behind. She'd hugged me from the rear.
"Don't... ever do this again... because of that saintess person...!"
Ugh, sharp intuition. I'd said nothing about the Nameless Saintess, yet she figured it out.
"...."
Instead of dodging, I chose silence. Kainel said my lies were obvious anyway.
"Licht. Stay like this... just a bit longer...!"
Her breath tickled my back. Face pressed right up against me. This was getting really embarrassing. What if someone walked in?
Unable to handle the reversed situation.
Speak of the devil. Kainel flung open the dorm room door.
"Licht! How'd the magic training with the Princess go—"
The blond hero glanced between my shirtless self and Pine's back-hug.
"Oh, uh... I came too early, huh?"
Grinning awkwardly, he tried to close the door. It's not what you think. Stop.
I lunged in panic and grabbed the knob. He cracked it open to say something.
"I'll stand guard out front... take your time...!"
Explaining everything to Kainel took a solid thirty minutes for me and Pine.