Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: 54-4. Force and Force
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In a fantasy world, what do you use for transportation?
Paragliders? Hot air balloons? Maybe broomsticks?
There are teleport crystals, but those things are pricey.
"..Somehow, it feels off."
"Whoa!! Kai, it's my first time on a train!!"
"Ariel, sit still. You're not supposed to advertise that you grew up in the sticks."
Even with Dennis's 3D Magic Circle available, Emperor Locke had insisted the academy students travel by train.
Was there some special reason for it?
"Hehe, but it's still so cool!"
The red twintail mage flung open the window and shouted at the scenery rushing by.
Ariel and Kainel sat in the seats ahead.
Inside the train barreling smoothly along the tracks, Pine and I were seated side by side.
As if someone had planned it that way.
My future father-in-law might just be rooting for my love life.
"Licht.. have you ever ridden a train before?"
"Who knows..? Probably not?"
Admitting it would only make her suspicious.
Back in the real world, I'd ridden trains on school trips and retreats.
"With who..? A girl?"
It was noisy enough around us that no one else would hear.
But there was Pine, her golden wolf eyes gleaming as she grilled me. That glare was terrifying.
"It was a group trip. Just like this."
I broke out in a cold sweat and told the truth. Lying would probably make her hate me even more.
"Where'd you.. go?"
Suddenly, the distance between us shrank.
The knight in her helmet stared right through me. Her face was so close, her arm was invading my space.
"The sea. Not a valley."
"..Was it nice?"
Don't do this, Pine. People might notice you're a girl.
"Watching it calmed my mind. The water sparkled like jewels—truly beautiful."
What do you call it? Water-staring? When you're stressed or worried, zoning out by a river or the ocean always helped a bit.
"..I guess I still don't know Licht that well."
Pine hung her head, sounding disappointed. Her glass helmet clinked noisily.
"Don't take it too hard. We can always head up north again sometime."
I'd have to meet that house-husband type eventually anyway.
I just hoped she wouldn't nag about NTR or whatever after I sorted out Sophitia Grand Duchess's troubles first.
I had my own business to handle, too.
A sigh escaped me as the status window popped up again before my eyes.
So many left. Childish emojis plastered all over those pink letters.
It wouldn't even show up when I wanted it to. Could I really trust this thing?
Still, it was the only signpost I had, so no choice.
Fine if the penalty kept me from going home.
As long as it kept its promise of a happy ending for Pine once I cleared the Grand Route.
"Mardol, want an egg?"
"Egg..?"
I pulled a boiled egg from under the seat. I'd chilled them in cold water to make them easier to peel.
"They're delicious like this."
I tapped it lightly against Pine's glass helmet for a prank, careful not to hurt her.
"..You're lying."
Pine had a sixth sense for stuff like this. How did it work?
Her lie detector instincts were downright miraculous sometimes.
She snagged one of my snacks for herself.
"I'll get revenge.."
She cracked the shell against my forehead with the same trick.
Then, like a hamster, she peeled it with both hands and nibbled away.
She lifted her helmet just enough to hide her face, banging the glass wall as she ate. Adorable.
She seemed in a better mood now. Food was always the way to fix a sulk.
"Here. Have this with it."
I handed her an item I'd picked up at the night market yesterday.
"It fizzes, so sip carefully."
Soda. A leftover collab relic from [Knight Heart].
I'd gotten Pine's saintess outfit keychain here. Still dangled from my house keys.
I'd already popped the top in case she struggled.
I half-expected her to freak at the hiss.
"Sweet.. and cool.. it bubbles.."
Good, she liked it. Figured the carbonation might startle her.
But this combo was cheat-tier for train trips.
Bubbles, huh? Wonder what that sounds like to her...
"..Huh."
While Pine chugged soda and eggs, the train plunged into a tunnel. Darkness enveloped us.
The jolting car interior was pitch black—no visibility anywhere.
Woooooo──!!!
Suddenly, a whistle blared, and light flooded in. Thin clouds spread outside the window.
"This is Calisium Valley—no...."
Calisium Falls.
The train raced across the water. A steel beast charging forward without tracks.
Splashing waves kicked up rainbows.
"..Pretty."
Pine stopped eating to admire the view, letting out a gasp.
So that's why Locke insisted on the train. He wanted his daughter to see this spectacle.
Milky foam churned below.
The water cascading from sheer cliffs was a sight worthy of the name.
In the game, the valley was down below this.
Between the cliffs, a single ribbon of waterfall plunged all the way to the valley.
But how were we supposed to get down from here?
The question crossed my mind when—
"Licht. Careful."
"Careful of what..?"
The train hurtled into empty air and dropped straight down. The outside scenery spun ninety degrees.
Instinctively, I pulled Pine close.
Pine Granasia had lately grown awfully curious about one man.
"..Scared?"
"Of course!"
Moments ago, he'd clung to her in terror.
Even with her glass armor making her look like a heavy knight, he saw her true self without prejudice.
Watching Licht pat his racing heart beneath the Black Knight helmet, a question arose.
Ignorance bred regret.
Why that expression? Did he not even know Empire trains flew through the air?
Such curiosities filled Pine's mind when—
"..Country pup."
Oh, right. He was from the countryside.
Seeing Licht's face pale as a ghost jogged a forgotten memory.
His records, which she'd dug up after witnessing him become the Demon King in the monster forest.
Found in Sprout Village and adopted by a childless elderly couple.
A man who'd trained in swordsmanship under the Dragon Slayer, who never took a single disciple in his life.
'Real name.. Lee Soo-hyun.'
His original world must not have had anything like this.
The sea, huh. If she'd been born in the same place as him, could they have made memories together?
Even after his hero's duty ended, she couldn't beg him to stay.
The thought of him building memories with some unknown face, in unknown clothes, soured her mood.
Even chugging the soda Lee Soo-hyun gave her couldn't wash away the dry taste of egg—or the frustration.
What Pine was doing now was just flailing. He was precious, but he had a home to return to.
She wished he'd stay by her side. Wished they could face hardships together.
Her bitter heart drew her gaze out the window unbidden.
Outside, emerald waters tumbled in a magnificent cascade.
"Mardol, stop teasing me about being a dog."
"Why..? Aren't you?"
The train hurtled downward, using the falling waterfall as its track.
"Wolves are cooler. Don't you think?"
"Licht's.. more cute than cool."
Pine let out a soft "fu fu" laugh as she eyed Licht. Teasing him like this was half the fun.
The spirits were timid, followed people eagerly—anyone could see it was puppy, not wolf.
"..I'll call you puppy too."
"I don't mind."
Had her father put her on this train to share moments like this with Lee Soo-hyun?
What had gotten into him? She'd noticed something when he'd bellowed for them to have a safe trip.
Her doting dad. He'd met Soo-hyun at the sports festival, hadn't he? Really nothing happened?
She could still picture him grilling the Imperial Guard over and over.
"Eek, eeeeeek...!!"
"Ariel, calm down. The train car's enchanted—no shaking inside."
Ariel screamed from the front seat. Seemed like a shock for everyone but Pine.
Come to think of it, Kainel and Ariel seemed to like each other.
Now they were getting affectionate right in front of her. It made her frown, but...
"Hehe.. hug me tighter.. Kai."
"As you wish, Mage."
Peeking through the seat gap at their faces, a pang of envy stirred in her heart.
The train rattled toward its destination.
Among the luggage Pine had packed was a secret weapon.
A swimsuit from an erotic book borrowed from the Library of Truth—red cover with a black rose.
Black bikini.
The exact color of Lee Soo-hyun's hair.
'This goes under the armor, right..?'
Wearing just underwear beneath her armor made Pine feel embarrassingly exposed.