Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Even Reaching for the Moon, It Doesn't Reach
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A sweltering summer night.
There are sights that only reveal themselves once darkness falls. The soft glow of lanterns spreading out, mingled with the lively chatter and laughter of people. At the festival's night market,
"Alright~!! To celebrate successfully wrapping up today's festival!!"
"Cheers!!"
"Cheers. Ariel, are you drunk already? I told you not to drink ahead..."
"Hehe~ Kai~ Don't worry about that~!"
I sat across from the hero couple, sipping beer. I wasn't great with bitter drinks, so I preferred beer over soju anyway.
"Let's cheers together too."
"Clink."
I clinked glasses with the Glass Knight beside me. I wanted to offer her at least a little encouragement. After all, my curiosity had nearly hurt her.
"Licht, you're drunk already."
"...No, I'm fine."
"Red. Cute."
Mardol pointed at my neck with her finger and laughed. How did she even know I couldn't hold my liquor? I really couldn't compete with the protagonist.
I'd only slowly nursed one glass so far, and already this. Then again, I'd spent five years swinging a sword nonstop to protect our Saintess. My spirit might've aged inside this body.
'But here, I'm an adult this year.'
This was my first time drinking in this world. Should I have paced myself?
I glanced around. Students sat at outdoor tables, chatting over drinks and food, savoring the summer festival night.
Some had brown wolf ears or tails, or oni horns—various non-human features.
'Those are werebeast folk too... But why no real white hair? Not even albinos.'
No matter how I thought about it, Grand Hearts Academy resembled a real university—aside from group projects for midterms and year-end exams replacing finals.
'Makes sense, since it's a game.'
The Ten Heroes included people from other worlds by setting, so importing real-world education systems wasn't odd.
"Kai! Look over there! Salamander skewers!"
"Yeah... Salamander."
The mage tapped the hero's shoulder, pointing at a distant stall. She already seemed buzzed and excited from the alcohol.
"Kainel. Could you grab some more food with Ariel? I'll cover it."
I gave Kainel a look. Go buy it quick. How would he manage marriage without reading the room?
"Licht. What should I get?"
"Something for Mardol and me. Mardol, what do you want...?"
As I turned to ask the unmasked Glass Knight, thunk—a huge beer mug right next to us emptied.
"Whatever Licht likes."
Mardol wiped the edge of her glass visor smoothly, signaling her tolerance outmatched mine.
"...Wyvern foreleg roast, then."
"I win. Licht."
The princess flashed a V-sign at me again, then propped her chin on her hand. She's drunk. Totally drunk.
"Mardol, alcohol isn't meant to be chugged like that."
I started worrying about her more. Maybe the facelessness made her feel freer.
Moments later, once Kainel and Ariel stepped away,
"It's fine, Licht. I know my limits."
"...Pardon?"
"Just... feeling down today... Funny, right?"
Mardol spoke in her normal tone. Had I hallucinated? No. Dwarf-brewed beer should be safe.
"Licht, I know... you're pushing me away on purpose."
"..."
"If I couldn't tell... yeah, I'm an idiot. A fool."
She traced circles on the table with one finger, her body screaming intoxication. Her competitive streak must've kicked in.
I eyed the empty mugs beside her. Guess I'd have to carry her home.
"Was it obvious? Sorry."
"It's okay, Licht... I'm the bad one..."
"Don't blame yourself."
"...I still don't know. Nothing's changed about me."
Thud. She slumped her head on the table, turning to look at me sideways.
'Nothing changed... Yeah, with her self-esteem in the gutter, she'd think that.'
She must've suffered a lot. Seeing her soften under the alcohol felt novel.
"Still, you're way different from when I first met you."
"...How?"
"Hm... Your heart? Softer, maybe."
"Pervert. Licht."
Mardol poked me with a small laugh, then seemed lost in deep thought.
"...Licht. Even if Magic Hat was wrong..."
Soon, she poured out her worries, voice trembling.
"I don't think... I'm a good person."
Mardol cursed herself for failing to protect people from the Demon King. Her eyes, visible through the visor, glistened with tears.
"Why suddenly...?"
"...Licht, do you hate me too?"
"..."
I paused, pondering my words. Ignoring wounds just festers them. Better to drag out painful memories and air them when you can.
'...Guilt weighs too heavy. She's carried this alone.'
Some issues you flee, but she was unloading on me now.
"Don't say that. I..."
Facing it eventually is necessary. Time to bolster her courage. I faced Mardol and spoke, chasing the bitter taste with sweet beer.
"Among the women I know, I think the most highly of you."
Excluding our Saintess, it was true. The prince misunderstanding was cleared; as a comrade, she was trustworthy.
"...Liar."
"Haha, no, really."
She'd taught me swordsmanship, ready to fight the Demon King side-by-side. A transparent, noble Glass Knight.
"You're plenty good. Just having those worries proves it."
That was Mardol Granasia as I knew her. Princess title aside, pure and kind—quirky spots notwithstanding.
"...So value yourself more. It makes me sad."
Without her, I might not be here. Assuming no Wolf Fang. Same for Kainel and Ariel.
"Sweet liar. Hmph."
"M-Mardol?!"
Then it happened. She spread her arms, hands on my visor, pulling my face close—less than a handspan away.
"...Licht."
"...What is it?"
"Can't... show your face? Just lift the visor."
Her hot breath tickled at this distance; golden wolf eyes gleamed like crescent moons inside her glass helm. She'd planned to get us alone from the start.
"...Later. I need to prepare myself."
"Promise. You will."
Maybe the alcohol got to me. Or atonement for dredging her pain. We were both drunk—a brief farce.
"Yeah, I messed up today..."
A nostalgic sensation stirred. What would she say about my scar?
"...I'll look forward to it. Licht."
Thus, one wolf successfully nipped her prey.
A hazy alcoholic fog enveloped her body. Pine Granasia, using the alias Mardol, felt oddly uneasy.
'...Liar. Licht's an idiot.'
The man beside her irked her. Her keen eyes saw through his fib.
"Among the women I know, I think the most highly of you."
But what followed—her being good, to cherish herself—was truth.
His frank words hit without needing scrutiny; emotions flowed naturally, feeling good. Déjà vu crept in.
'Sounds familiar... Oh.'
Probably the Nameless Saintess. Casual words from the helmeted Black Knight.
"...I'm mad, Licht."
"Stop drinking. You're too far gone."
"No. Don't wanna~..."
Jealousy bubbled. Yet she was the one beside him now. He'd piggybacked her gentle-like when her leg twisted today.
'Licht's back... firm. Broad... Huh?'
Maybe from first-time contact, or chugging booze. Pine's face burned inside her helm.
'Just my imagination. Yeah. The alcohol.'
She shook her head vigorously, seeking calm.
Treating her as plain Pine—not princess, not superior—like a true friend. That gratitude, perhaps.
'I want to know him more. But the Saintess stuff blocks it... Yeah.'
Sipping beer, she mused. He listened to her troubles, encouraged like a gentle rain.
"Give me your glass."
"...Huh?"
"I'll Black Knight it for you."
Or precisely, the black Black Knight helm suited him perfectly. The scar visible through his slightly raised visor.
Licht snatched Pine's mug, downing it fast so she wouldn't feel awkward. He didn't turn away like usual; his mouth showed a bit.
'...Burn scar.'
She didn't think him handsome. How could she? Pity and sorrow welled instead.
'How much it must've hurt. Licht...'
Seeing his childhood scar sank her heart, melancholy. She could hide hers with glass magic, but...
'I want to heal it.'
He couldn't even conceal his wound. Like gazing at an injured pup—perfect fit. Her buzz faded slightly.
"...Why stare?"
"Nothing. Just... you must've hurt too."
He spoke as she watched. Too obvious, huh.
'...Offering to heal unasked would hurt him.'
Pine shook off the thought. His twisted mana circuits blocked healing anyway.
'We're not that close yet...'
Promising and failing would crush. Reckless pity's worse than none.
"Friends... let's support each other."
"Yeah... Licht."
Tap. She leaned her head on his shoulder. Buzzed, the Black Knight didn't push away.
Silently supporting her glass helm. Safety swelled; her lips curved unwittingly.
"...Moon's bright tonight."
"Yeah. Mardol."
Under the lovely full moon, emotions between two who seemed distant gained weight—their gap narrowed just a bit.