Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: 43-1. Is Faith Stronger Than Will?
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In mass media, willpower is usually portrayed as something unbreakable.
But I think it's more like a flame that may look extinguished but never fully dies out, reigniting time and again.
What matters is giving it your all. Even if you break or bend, getting back up is what makes us human.
The carriage wheels jolted to a stop. We had arrived at the ruins of a land where beastkin tribes once gathered to live.
"Here we are. Iron Wolf Village."
Iron Wolf Village. Thanks to its vast plains, wheat and barley were its specialties. Another notable feature...
Locke Granasia hailed from here, and the villagers revered Tardun, the god of will.
"Helmet! Look over there! It's His Majesty the Emperor!!"
Ariel hopped off the carriage and pointed excitedly at a massive statue, jumping up and down. It depicted a wolfkin wielding what looked like a halberd with a long handle.
"...No, that's not it. The scar is too short."
Pine, standing beside her, pointed out the flaw in the statue resembling her father. To me, it looked pretty much the same.
She had these moments where her senses were incredibly sharp.
Wolf King Locke.
A cheat-level character who commanded all Ten Heroes with overwhelming strength and charisma, even during the Demon God War.
Legend had it he could flip day into night just by swinging his axe. A lumberjack of myth.
'The nickname "wolf that devours the sun and bites the moon" came from that...'
His appearance in the game PV was spectacular. With a single axe swing before the Demon Kings, day turned to night as easily as flipping a hand.
Compared to me failing to kill Magic Hat and thus unable to free Empress Bellin from the card, it was worlds apart. The current Demon King Slayer was a rushed Dragon Slayer adaptation.
The Head hadn't died completely either, nearly killing me. The other ultimate, 3D Magic Circle, required holding hands with Pine, making it impractical in emergencies.
"So this is your hometown, Pine?"
"Yeah... The empire came after I was born."
Kainel glanced over the bustling village crowd and commented.
It wasn't as grand as the capital, but it was home to Pine. I'd visited in the game too.
"Fresh, high-quality meat just in!!"
"Your fur looks good today. Been to the groomers?"
"Stance is the foundation of swordsmanship. It's about form, not technique."
Beastkin with animal ears and tails chattered lively all around. To reach Tardun's temple, we'd have to climb the mountain from here.
"Pine, have you been here before?"
"When I was little... briefly."
Ariel chatted with Pine, who had taken off her armor and helmet. Her snow-white hair fluttered in the breeze.
The name Pine Granasia wasn't public knowledge.
Lupus might recognize her, but no one would peg a white-haired wolfkin woman as a princess.
"Pine, any place you want to go? We should head to the temple tomorrow, I think..."
The sun was high in the sky. Starting the hike now would mean descending in the dark. Better to stay overnight and head to the Lupus Mountains tomorrow.
'Need info on the temple too.'
I'd thought the Library of Truth would have everything on the Demon Kings, but variables abounded. Preparation was key.
"Accessory shop."
Pine stopped in front of a building with a crooked, weathered sign that read [Sleeping Cat].
A familiar name. I'd come here with Pine back when she was the Nameless Saintess.
We'd bought a ring then, I think. Focused on protective gear for the weakest saintess, to keep her safe above all.
"Sounds good. Let's go in."
The creaky wooden door groaned as we entered. A woman with black cat ears lay slumped over the counter.
"Welcome... nya..."
She was still here. No idea how old she was. The shopkeeper lazily scanned our group of four.
"Hello!"
"Welcome to [Sleeping Cat]... Yawwwn..."
"She's falling asleep again...?"
Ariel greeted cheerfully, but the catkin woman dozed off once more.
Harmless enough—she moved faster than anyone if you tried to steal.
In the game, her name was Kru nya. A max-level shopkeeper, famous among players.
"Pine, why the sudden interest in accessories?"
"From outside... it looked pretty."
We had seen plenty wearing earrings or necklaces since arriving. Though the palace had those too.
I browsed the wares. Contrary to the shop's shabby exterior, the items were all quality guaranteed.
"Kainel."
"Yeah, Licht?"
I sidled up to the lone blond hero and broached the topic. Ariel and Pine had wandered to the corner, admiring cute accessories.
"How about a ring? A matching pair with Miss Ariel."
"What are you on about now?"
You two end up married later. Might as well set the engagement flag early. Stack those flags to keep the route on track.
"Here's one that boosts swordsmanship... and one that enhances mana sensitivity."
I showed Kainel two silver rings embedded with purple amethysts.
Lavender symbolized hero couples. Perfect color match. I hid my scheming grin behind the helmet.
"Don't believe me? Try it."
"If this is fake, you're dead..."
Kainel slipped one on and drew his sword. Whoosh—the clean, fluid slash cut across the shop. Lighter and more precise than before.
"Huh? This is... actually pretty good?"
"Told you."
Kainel stared at his ring-adorned hand, incredulous at his improved form.
"Ring of Will and Ring of Intellect. Rare items, not common."
Obviously. Hidden piece in the game. Item synergies were key.
Mana Rose, for instance, let mages skip circles. I'd planned to gift it to Pine as the Blue Rose.
"Customer, no swords in the shop, nya."
"Ah, sorry."
Then Kru nya extended her claws in warning. Shop system flagged attacks inside. Almost forgot.
"Licht."
"Kai! Look here!"
Two figures appeared behind us mid-chat. Something odd perched on their heads. Animal ear headbands.
"Hehe, puppy ears are cute! Kai...!"
"...Licht's doesn't suit him."
So that's where they went. Headbands counted as 'accessories,' technically.
Kainel's were floppy dog ears; mine, pointy wolf-like ones. Highlighting the mutt difference.
'Wore these for fun back then. Nostalgic.'
Game helmets were removable. Pine—the Nameless Saintess—had joked I looked like a wolfkin in the headband.
"Helmet... really can't come off... huh."
Pine kept tugging at my helmet, trying to remove it. Persistent with her disappointed look.
"Pine had a great idea! Any mana crystal balls? Gotta capture this!"
"Ariel... what's this... embarrassing!!"
Envy for the hero couple's success, probably. No use brute-forcing; conviction of the helmet perks or whatever.
"...Licht would've looked better in it."
"Sorry, Pine."
I apologized to her. Not like I could control it.
As Licht paid the balance and stepped out,
"Any other wolf ears...? Something to attach to the helmet..."
Pine hadn't given up, approaching Kru nya again. Her voice made the black cat tail swish.
"If the helmet's the issue... get a necklace instead, nya..."
"Necklace...?"
Kru nya yawned and pointed to the right wall. At her gesture, a hidden compartment appeared.
"Doesn't have to be ears, nya... For showing affection, these are more popular, nya..."
A special display of necklaces and chokers only.
A magic inscription zoomed in: 'Show you're his possession!' Secret sales counter.
"Why... more popular...?"
"It's wolfkin custom to ask a man to collar you... You from the empire, nya?"
Pine walked over and examined the items. Rings meant marriage to humans; for wolfkin, necklaces marked mates.
Actually, you asked your partner or lover to put it on. Kru nya skipped that in her drowsiness.
"Yeah, didn't know the custom."
Pine was unaware. She knew her father Emperor Locke and Empress Bellin always wore necklaces, though.
Doting dad Locke never shared wolfkin love stories with her.
The display had oversized dog collars with chains, fit for humans.
"No, something cute..."
Pine nearly went dark-side but shook her head, worrying only about Licht spoiling her.
She didn't realize that worry was love, but Licht was precious to her.
She didn't want to suppress the comforting pull. His presence alone eased her anxiety and sadness.
"...This one."
After some deliberation, Pine bought a black choker and smiled, satisfied.