Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: EP.174 51-2. At This Rate, It'll Be the Sports Festival.
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The sports festival preparations proceeded at breakneck speed.
No matter how much we reinforced the academy's barrier or scattered anti-tracking spells around the swordsmanship training grounds—none of those tricks would stop the emperor from coming after me.
One swing of his hand axe, and half the academy would be in ruins.
It was the bare minimum precaution. Surely even he wouldn't swing an axe at an event where parents might be watching.
"Over there! Move that structure to the left!"
The academy was soon buzzing with activity, construction underway in every corner.
"Don't touch this room—we're remodeling it separately!"
Dwarves dashed about clutching blueprints, their civil engineers displaying impressive agility.
"A sports festival out of nowhere? What a shock. Kai..."
"Yeah, it's always been famous for happening around this time, but still."
With nowhere to go amid the event prep, we wandered until we settled at a table in the cafeteria.
"His Majesty is coming to catch the guy who toyed with his daughter—is that why?"
Ariel paused mid-bite of her spaghetti, blurting it out like she'd just had a brilliant idea.
Her sharper-than-anyone insight felt annoyingly spot-on.
The man who toyed with the emperor's daughter—who else could it be but me?
Just yesterday, I'd shared candy in Pine's chambers and nearly kissed her impulsively.
"..."
Even without that, Locke might have caught wind of all the outrageous things I'd done to her.
Including the mixed bathing up north and all the incidents here at the academy.
Every single one was a red flag from start to finish.
"I really have no idea who it is. But he even put a collar on Her Highness."
"Right! I saw it at the social hall too!"
The hero couple grinned at me and Pine. Come to think of it, Ariel must have seen my face for the first time there.
"Our Kai's a bit more handsome, but yeah, you need that level to snag a partner!"
No, it's a choker, not a collar. Why are the people in this game so sensitive about the necklace Pine wore?
Some noble lady with animal ears even whispered at the social:
'What kind of lecher stuck to Her Highness that she's already wearing a collar...!'
In the game, everyone wore accessories like that—dog or not.
They're jewelry, right? Items that boost your stats when equipped.
Pine wore a cross necklace back when she was the Nameless Saintess.
Her in that pure white saintess robe covering her from head to toe.
For an instant, the image of that massive cross buried between her enormous breasts flashed in my mind, making my face burn.
Maybe it was seeing Pine Granasia in casual clothes yesterday. The image kept flickering before my eyes.
No matter how baggy the outfit, the curves of her ferocious figure peeked through.
The all-white look from head to toe was similar, but the innocent aura seeping out was even more tantalizing.
Maybe it was a good thing she wore full plate armor now.
If she'd walked around the academy in casuals, she'd have been flooded with suitors from every guy.
'...And I'd have had to swat them away from the side.'
Back then, I might have picked a decent one and set them up. But now? No way I want to hand her over.
"Mr. Mardol, don't you know anything...?"
I shot Pine a glance as I spoke. Our eyes met again—those golden wolfish pupils.
"Ah, uh...?"
I'd caught her staring at me the whole time. Pine Granasia trailed off, embarrassed.
"His Majesty coming... I bet the Imperial Guard's holding him back...?"
Coming from the princess herself, it had to be true.
The ones delaying Emperor Locke were the Imperial Guard—knights directly under the imperial family.
Even I might have been torn limb from limb before him.
They were stalling somehow to keep him from arriving here.
If they hadn't... my head would probably be rolling around the academy grounds right now.
Just imagining it choked me up, blood draining from my face. A chill killing intent crept up my spine.
"You've all had it rough..."
I sighed, offering condolences to the Imperial Guard. Food wouldn't go down my throat.
All this hardship for my sake. I hadn't done anything to impress them, either.
Maybe they took a liking to me for protecting Pine.
"Anyway, the opening ceremony's about to start. Wanna head over after this, Helmet?"
Ariel smiled brightly. I nodded eagerly to agree, but...
"...Licht isn't 'Helmet.'"
Pine blocked me with her veto. Her icy tone chilled the air.
"But... he always wears that helmet..."
"Still, I can't allow you two to go alone to the ceremony."
Why was she nitpicking Ariel's nickname? Pine crossed her arms and yanked me closer.
"...Huh? Alone? No! Mardol!"
The sudden closeness made my heart race.
"Huh? I don't think Ariel meant it like that."
"Mardol. We're all going together!"
The hero couple looked like they'd cleared up a misunderstanding and corrected themselves.
"...Oh? We were going as a group...?"
Pine realized her mistake late and released my arm.
"...My bad. Sorry."
She bowed her head in apology.
Lately, she'd been getting greedier about monopolizing me.
Same at the social hall—she'd introduced me boldly in front of all those nobles.
The ladies who'd sent me invites bolted when they saw my face...
I figured there'd be no jealousy triggers, but apparently not.
My brooch was different from others, but surely not over something that trivial?
"Mardol, no bad thoughts. Have more cake."
I slid the cake plate I'd saved just in case toward her.
Strawberry cake—Pine's favorite. I'd noted it at the patisserie before.
"Ah, thanks... Licht. I'll dig in."
No idea how many plates she'd downed already. Amazing she never gained weight.
Ariel quit dieting after dating Kainel, but Pine didn't seem to manage hers either.
Did it all just go to one spot?
"...You just had a dirty thought."
"No...?"
Ugh, busted by Pine for my indecent musing.
She glared at me mid-bite, terrifying. She always sensed these thoughts like a ghost.
"Licht really is a perverted puppy...?"
Was it her sharp eyes or my quickening pulse? Some innate instinct?
"Well, Her Highness is pretty, so yeah. I was thinking about her a bit."
Time to own it boldly here.
I was already pegged as the princess's partner in the academy—I might as well flaunt it.
'Let's raise more flags.'
For Pine's Grand Route ending, I'd milk every affection point and choice available.
"..."
Clink. Her fork dropped. It clattered against the plate.
Her neck flushed red where it met her armor—shy, no doubt.
Success. Those wolf ears beyond the glass perked up. They'd been drooped moments ago.
"Mardol? Something wrong?"
I teased shamelessly, checking her face.
Dad used sappy lines like this on Mom all the time. Wonder if it'd work.
We left the cafeteria and headed to the sports festival opening ceremony.
"Greetings, students."
Just like at the entrance ceremony, the green-haired man stood on the platform. There was Laplace.
"I have important news to share with you all."
His expression, steeling himself with a deep breath, was so grave it made even me nervous.
He must have sensed the distant killing intent—his lips kept twitching.
"...It's this."
Laplace snapped his fingers. The sky turned pitch black as if by his power.
The once-bright surroundings dimmed like they'd been painted over in black.
Dark clouds blanketed the sky in an instant, evoking dread.
As everything plunged into darkness, he snapped again.
"Grand Hearts Academy! Autumn Sports Festival—commencing now!"
Magic lamps flickered on one by one, illuminating the academy.
"Sports festival events include the team that collects the most rune stones infused with mana wins!"
The words Grand Hearts Academy formed in starlight.
His power could be used like this too. Seemed like anything involving light could be toggled on or off.
"A game escaping the academy with spirits!"
Boom, whoosh. Fireworks launched into the night sky.
Red phoenix-shaped bursts, orange wolf-shaped ones, painting the heavens.
"And finally, the highlight of the autumn sports festival!"
The green-haired man spread his arms wide.
His flair for drama unchanged—he hammed it up despite knowing the emperor was charging toward us.
"Relay race with Pandora's Box!"
A question mark-emblazoned box-shaped firework exploded.
Not some plumber in a red hat game—Pandora's Box? Unique.
"Last Hope will proceed!"
Laplace stepped down as soon as he finished. His steps hurried—unsure when Locke would arrive.
"...Sports festival."
Pine murmured beside me, gazing at the fireworks.
The glass knight in full plate. Only I knew the cute wolf-eared girl inside.
I took her hand lightly; she flinched and trembled. No words needed—her heartbeat reached me.
"Excited, Mardol?"
"Huh...?"
Pine Granasia hid her identity deep in her Masterpiece, but I could guess her expression.
"I-I'm a bit worried..."
"It's fine. No matter who comes, I'll protect you."
I whispered, looking at her. I'd already shielded her from Locke and the demon king once.
Fail once, sure—but twice? No chance.
"So let's enjoy the sports festival, Mardol."
I hooked my pinky with hers through the glass gauntlet, sealing the promise.