Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: 54-3. Force and Force
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Lively voices of people chattering away.
A place where the merchants' hawking mixed in, making your ears ring.
"Customer, we've got fresh salt lizard jerky in today!"
In the empire, markets opened at night.
"Come over here and grab a red kraken tentacle!"
Moonlit night market.
It opened at sunset, a place where you could buy items unavailable during the day.
'Like when I sought out that black market dealer in Iron Wolf Village.'
In the game, environments often changed by time of day, so some players deliberately waited or rewound time.
Lights and clamor blended together, creating a boisterous scene unlike the daytime.
"This looks tasty too... What to do? What should I buy... Kai?"
"Ariel, aren't you on a diet? Eat in moderation... Ow, stop pinching me."
Kainel and Ariel were wandering around, pondering ingredients.
"Licht, try this."
"Pine, we're buying ingredients to cook at the valley, right?"
Pine was shoving a plump octopus tentacle into my mouth—somehow already purchased.
The day before heading to Kallisim Valley, I'd made a suggestion to Pine.
How about we go shopping together?
Our ingredients were running low anyway, and I needed to boost the Light Hero couple's Love Meter past 50%.
"...It's delicious. Thank you."
Is this kraken tentacle? Thicker than a person's arm.
A savory umami, like squid and octopus combined, spread through my mouth.
"Knew you'd like it. Licht."
Pine let out a soft chuckle, her snowy white wolf tail swishing playfully.
We walked side by side through the market alley.
Pine wasn't wearing her masterpiece outfit—maybe uncomfortable outside the academy?
Isn't this dangerous like this?
"Pine, lots of people ahead. Let's hold hands."
As I stepped deeper into the market, I came up with a little ploy.
"...Hah."
I clasped Pine's hand firmly.
Her soft, warm touch tingled up my arm.
She's staying still, surprisingly. Wolf ears twitching, tail perking up—she didn't seem to mind.
With Pine's strength, she could slam me to the ground anytime, but instead, she fiddled with my hand playfully.
"Then Ariel, should we hold hands too?"
Watching us, Kainel made a suggestion to Ariel.
"W-what naughty idea is that? You think I'd enjoy holding hands with you, Kai?"
Kainel eyed her long elven ears turning slightly red.
He nodded casually, golden hair swaying like it was routine now.
"...Because you're my boyfriend, Kai."
As he took her hand, the red-clad mage hummed a little tune.
Still shy, huh. Well, personalities don't change overnight.
But their relationship had grown from childhood friends to lovers.
[Kainel♡Ariel 52% ‘NEW!’]
The status window popped up before my eyes. A heart balloon inflated and burst, bringing a smile to my lips.
I wonder if Pine and I could be like this someday.
This number feels relative, not absolute. More about how the other perceives me.
"Kai... We used to run errands for our parents like this all the time as kids. Remember?"
"Of course. We'd always blow the leftover money on sweets."
It really feels like a progress bar for romance.
In the original game, even hitting 100% favorability didn't mean full affection.
It could mean trust, or just goodwill.
Human emotions aren't that simple.
Pine as the Nameless Saintess was the same. Even maxing her favorability at 100%.
No dates or lover-like actions possible like with other heroines.
'That's why I wanted Pine to be happy so badly.'
Even side characters deserve some happiness. The woman who longed for a white wedding dress now held my hand.
"Licht... Food stall up ahead?"
"...Ah, thanks, Pine."
Like a broken wind-up doll, my arms and legs jerked awkwardly. Face and ears burning hot.
"Licht, your hand's sweaty... It's okay...?"
How did I endure the mixed bath in the north? Barely suppressing desire staring at her exposed body.
Lately, expressing my feelings openly—maybe that's why. Emotions toward Pine feel strange now.
Just being near her, breath catches, heart pounds wildly.
As I tried to let go, Pine gripped tighter.
"Licht, for stew, what do you prefer in it?"
Whispering in my ear to distract? Her ticklish breath hit my brain hard.
"Uh, probably beef stew."
"I see... You said that last time too."
Recalling the beef stew from our group project, she pondered before continuing. Eyes already on beef and veggies.
"Then... For pasta, what sauce do you usually use?"
"Tomato."
"Potatoes... Salt or sugar?"
Tilting her head, firing questions.
"Sugar. But why these questions?"
Why ask suddenly? Pine was even noting them on a small floating glass panel.
"Just... Wanted to know...?"
Her wolf ears perked—curiosity, probably.
A glass basket forming in her other hand.
Pine was gathering meat, fish, veggies—like planning to cook for me.
I only knew she couldn't handle bitter foods.
Should I cook for her too? Did stew last time.
Before me, various ingredients piled up. Vendors sold all sorts.
"Hey, mister. Got some killer spices here."
One recommended yellow powder to me.
Demon with horns, face red like boiling magma—ready to explode.
"Handed down through our family for generations!"
This is curry powder.
Turmeric and spices wafting curry scent, making my mouth water.
Wonder if Pine likes curry rice.
"...Whoa."
Then, someone bumped Pine from behind. Her balance crumbled instantly.
I caught her as she fell forward. Soft flesh pressing everywhere.
"You okay...?"
Barely controlling my expression, I checked if she was hurt.
"...."
Ah, face bright red.
While Licht's group shopped at the night market.
"Silver Wolf, spotted a suspicious individual."
One of the imperial guards escorting Pine from all sides noticed something.
A short-haired woman watching Licht's group from a distance.
Blanc, who once held a dagger to the princess.
Someone who'd threatened them before, now lurking nearby again.
They'd cleverly punished her to prevent further approach.
How? Silver wondered, seeing her bypass all the hidden spells.
"Silver, for Her Highness's safety."
Silver-haired ponytail knight with wolf ears and tail.
Silver sent telepathic messages to nearby guards and pursued someone.
A woman in a black cloak, slinking like a shadow—a knight tailed her.
Noticing the pursuit, Blanc headed into an alley.
Footsteps quickened, echoing through the market. Chasers and escapee weaving through crowds.
Silver dashed forward, refusing to lose her.
The moment they entered a dark alley.
'Lost her...?'
Footsteps that were there suddenly stopped—a dead end.
Other guards sought the vanished her via telepathy magic.
Suddenly, the voice cut off sharply, like severed by a blade.
"My, how'd you notice with my presence erased?"
In the darkness, two glowing green eyes appeared.
Footsteps approaching: thud, thud.
Definite dead end before. Now, turning back—the path they came vanished.
Sealed into a pitch-black chamber.
"Inclan race is tricky after all... Should've been more careful?"
A figure emerged from the dark veil, sighing.
Cloak shed—it was Blanc, but her demon face shifted.
From wrinkled old man to innocent baby's face.
"You... What are you? Why approach Sir Licht...?"
Silver raised her sword. Instinctual dread made the blade tremble.
That alien sensation facing a monster in human skin.
Even after fighting Emperor Locke, survival instincts screamed.
Blanc now nose-to-nose with Silver. Emerald eyes reflected her.
"Who knows. Even I don't anymore..."
Blanc smiled.
"Wanna guess?"
Transforming into Silver's identical form.