Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: EP.190 55-2. Powerlessness Grows
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Time flew by in a flash, and the sun was already setting.
The air grew bitterly cold in an instant, so we lit a bonfire near the tents.
The dancing flames cast a warm, soothing glow.
"Thanks to you, we had so much fun. Thank you... Licht."
"No need to thank me."
I was the one who owed her my gratitude. Thanks to Pine, I no longer feared fire.
There had been that sudden mishap where she buried me at the bottom of the valley, but she seemed to have enjoyed herself regardless.
She must have had her reasons. No matter how much I pressed, she just blushed and hiccuped, so I let it drop.
To keep Pine from catching a cold, I fetched a blanket and draped it over her, then stepped away to prepare dinner.
"This takes me back to when we first met Helmet Guy. Right, Kai?"
"Totally. It's just like that time."
As I chopped onions, their voices drifted over. The hero couple must have finished swimming and returned.
Were they reminiscing about the time in the carriage when I deliberately mimicked the crown prince?
"When you first met Licht?"
That was before Pine came along. Curious about my past, she unleashed a barrage of questions at Kainel and Ariel.
"He used to hit on me back then too, you know~!"
"...What?"
Ugh, they'd zeroed in on my sore spot. I had no choice at the time.
It was the love rival ploy. Kainel was the type who would never admit his feelings for Ariel without some competition.
"Really... Ariel?"
"Yep, just to stir up some jealousy in our Kai~!"
Gulp. A bitter taste filled my mouth. She wouldn't go all possessive like she did up north, would she?
No matter how precious she found me, I dreaded what she might do next.
I stir-fried pork in the pot to render the fat, then sautéed the onions and other vegetables.
"The Licht I know wouldn't do that. He was always into some saintess."
My hands moved faster. I added water, finished the prep, grabbed the dishes, and dashed back to the group.
"What fun story are you all sharing...?"
"...."
Too late. Pine's glare was icier than ever, fixed silently on the bonfire.
"...Those advances back then weren't sincere."
"Right! He hasn't even approached me since~!"
Like a defendant in his final plea, I laid out the facts plain.
No matter how cute or pretty people called Ariel, I felt nothing.
"Thanks to that, Kai and I are together now!"
"Honestly... without Licht, we'd probably still just be friends."
The Blazing Flame Mage rested her head on the Light Hero's shoulder as she spoke. They exchanged soft smiles.
"It's true..."
Only then did Pine sigh in relief. A faint grumble echoed from inside her helmet.
If the player went harem route, it'd derail the saintess path and shatter things with Pine.
"So, Kai, how'd you feel when Licht hit on me?"
Ariel snuggled closer to Kainel, gazing up at him.
"Honestly? I was pretty jealous."
"No way."
Come to think of it, when we emerged from the water, a gaggle of girls had clustered nearby. Probably there for Kainel.
He was the type who could've built a harem even in the sequel Black Heart.
"Hey, when you showed your face, it just proved God plays favorites."
Kainel's joke left me speechless. His exasperated look seemed genuine.
Probably envious of my sword skills or how close I was with Pine.
I said nothing, just lifted the pot lid. The rich aroma of bubbling curry wafted out.
"...Smells amazing."
"Figures from another world. Even the food's exotic..."
Pine and Kainel reacted first. No shock at the curry, though.
This world mixed folks from every era thanks to hero summons.
I recalled Baek Mok-ryeon taking a liking to coffee after trying it here.
"...Yellow stew?"
"Close enough."
I plated curry over rice, and Pine dug in ravenously. A glass barrier shimmered up around her unnoticed.
"...Delicious."
Her waist-length white hair swayed; without her helmet, her snowy wolf ears twitched perkily.
For whatever reason today, she hadn't undone Masterpiece.
I'd have loved to see that tail whir like a fan. Still, glad it hit the spot.
"Mmm, Helmet Guy's cooking is the best!"
"Ariel, slow down. No one's stealing it."
Years of solo living paid off.
The hero couple scooped it up too. Like last time's beef stew, the pot vanished fast.
"...More?"
Main culprit: big eater Pine. I'd made extra, but her appetite had ramped up lately?
I could guess where it all went, but voicing it felt crass.
The wife's pouch stays ample for good reason.
"Sorry. It's all gone..."
I'd even given her my share, but she still looked peckish.
As I watched her poke at the empty dishes...
—Grrrowl.
My stomach growled. Valley play had worked up an appetite.
"...Licht, you haven't eaten?"
"Ah, no. I ate earlier."
I waved it off. No need for them to fret over me.
"Don't lie, Licht... It's obvious."
Twitch. Her wolf ears flicked like antennae, eyes narrowing as she scolded me.
"You only had eggs on the train with me...?"
Since when was she keeping count? Truth was, we hadn't been apart since the trip started.
Any attempt to put space between us, and she'd cling on adorably.
"Oh yeah..."
Staring at the empty pot, Pine pondered, then stood.
She grabbed a large leather pouch from the tent and headed to the makeshift kitchen.
"Wait... I'll cook this time."
From the ice magic circle-etched pouch, she pulled red meat, tomatoes, veggies.
What was she up to? Beef stew? Heart pounding at the chance to taste her handiwork.
She even unpacked a small glass knife to start. Homemade just for me—special.
Game gifts aside, I'd never actually tried it.
I waited quietly.
"Whew... It was tasty, but kinda unsatisfying."
"Watermelons chilling in the stream for dessert. Want me to fetch 'em?"
Prepped ahead for the perfect finish to delight Pine.
"Nah, we'll eat when Mardol brings food!"
Ariel shook her head. Eager for her friend's cooking, huh.
Soon, bubbling joined savory scents: nutty aroma, meaty richness...
Hold on—why the fishy stink?
"...All done."
Thud.
Pine's other pot landed heavy. Instinct screamed: do not open.
Chills prickled my skin.
"Licht, give it a taste."
Pine cracked open Pandora's box. Inside: nightmare, not stew.
"Eek..! What is that..?"
"No way... Mardol... You've never cooked before..?"
Her red eyes trembled.
Bright-faced Ariel until seconds ago shrieked at the staring fish head.
Why mackerel in beef stew?
"Yeah, but I tried my best."
Right—Pine's canonically a disaster cook.
That off taste in the beef stew gift when I was sick clicked.
Hero couple pinched noses, faces twisted.
Expression control time. Poison or not, make it look yummy.
Pine perked her wolf ears like a bunny, awaiting my verdict. Disappoint her, and gloom all day.
"I'll... dig in."
Oily sheen from mackerel fat.
Darkened stew stared back. Eyes shut, I shoveled it in.
One plate down quick, but the fishy tang lingered, tormenting.
"Hey, Licht?! Hold on..!"
"Helmet Guy... You're turning blue.."
Hero couple gawked, horrified at my stunt.
"Deli...cious.. Thank you.."
Let 'em stare. Love conquers all. Nothing's impossible...
"Knew you'd love it. Eat up, Licht."
"...."
Until Pine chuckled and piled on seconds, that's what I believed.
Around the time Licht's party departed Grand Hearts Academy.
"So, where'd they head from here?"
"To... Kallishium Valley..."
The red-haired man gripped a collar, interrogating.
"Slippery rat..."
Thud. He tsked, hurling the poor soul aside.
An academy janitor: white-haired, stooped, one arm mangled.
Blood soaked the campus. Yet no one noticed.
"Pin oppa... Cleared the perimeter."
Intinium emerged, face bloodied, beaming innocently.
As if it were all a dream.
The janitor gaped terrified at the carnage.
"God of Light... Please..."
Pleading skyward, but only a massive eye loomed at gaze's end.
Crunch.
The white colossus thrust its vast face close, jaws gaping drool—
And devoured everything in a blink.