Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Even Reaching for the Moon, It Doesn't Touch
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Once the story wrapped up, Kainel and Ariel returned a short while later, arms loaded with food.
Wyvern foreleg roast and salamander skewers. Definitely fantasy fare. The glossy sheen made them look pretty damn appetizing,
"...Huh? Mardol?"
"Looks like it. Shh."
I pressed a finger to the front of my helmet, gesturing for silence.
The line must've been long—quite some time had passed, and the glass knight had leaned against my shoulder, dozing off.
Her breathing was steady and rhythmic.
Good thing. She looked exhausted; I was worried. The alcohol was hitting me too—my head was starting to spin a bit.
"Miss Ariel."
"What, Helmet?"
"Take good care of Mardol for me. I need some air."
My shoulder was starting to ache, but as a comrade, letting her rest this long should be enough. I started to step away.
"Nngh... Licht..."
Mardol mumbled in her sleep, grabbing my ankle like she didn't want me to go. Yeah, that's just how she is.
"...Licht."
"Yes, Kainel?"
"You and Mardol... dating?"
The oblivious blockhead eyed us suspiciously and tossed out the question. But in situations like this, there's a counterattack.
"We're just friends. What about you two—are you dating?"
"..."
Bounce it right back at the hero couple. See? You can't answer either. Close friends can be like this.
"So don't get the wrong idea. I already have someone I like..."
"...Licht?"
"Oh, you're awake."
Every time I try to plant a flag, this happens. Somehow, a buzzing voice was coming from my shoulder.
But today's fine. She's worried about fire-related stuff plenty of times, so I'll let this slide.
"I'm really just stepping out for some air. Head's spinning."
"Licht's a playboy..."
"No, I'm not."
"Heh. Be careful out there, Licht."
She slipped a candy into my hand as she saw me off. Guess holding this drinking party was the right call. If it weren't for my suggestion, Mardol probably wouldn't have enjoyed the festival at all.
She looks like she's having a blast.
Before I knew it, she was chattering excitedly with Ariel about something fun. My name popped up now and then, but I'll ignore it.
Comrades sizing each other up happens. After battles, during downtime, names come up in convo all the time.
The moon.
I savored the candy's texture in my mouth—the one Mardol gave me. Chewing on it cleared my head a little.
I turned and headed away from the group toward the main street. Then,
"Young man."
"...Yes?"
"Mind if I ask for directions?"
An elderly gentleman approached me.
The place he was looking for was a cocktail bar.
"Thanks, young man."
"...No problem. Just did what anyone would."
His refined attire screamed he wasn't your average old-timer. I'd successfully guided him there and was about to leave when,
"Care for a drink? Young man."
"...I'll pass."
The old man made me an offer, handing over a small glass.
"Come on now. Name's Molta."
"I have companions waiting. Can't be late, or they'll worry."
He seemed shady, so I refused. Guzzling a drink from a stranger in an unfamiliar spot? That's insane.
"...You're looking for someone, aren't you? I can help you find them. I'm an astrologer."
What? I bolted right back and sat down. Even if it felt off—like he might know about our Saintess—I had to hear him out.
Events pop up like this sometimes. No reason to pass it up.
"Haha, knew you'd sit. One question first."
"...What?"
"Do you believe lives have varying worth?"
Molta posed a philosophical question. The clear liquid in his glass trembled like it was vibrating. Why does this feel familiar?
Something's nagging at me...
I racked my brain, but it felt off—like groping for a light switch in a dark room.
"Classic dilemma, right? Kill one good person to save five? If you had the choice."
"..."
Trolley problem. I'd heard of it: runaway train on broken tracks, you pull the lever to switch rails.
"I believe all lives are equal, young man. Five over one—that's just common sense."
"So you kill the one?"
"If it's the only way, yes."
Molta smiled kindly, but something sinister lurked beneath that mask. The idea of sacrificing the driver flashed in my mind.
"...That's sophistry. It's contradictory from the start."
"Oh? How so?"
Anger surged. This guy was twisted. Even on such a grave topic, Molta stayed calm.
"Your words alone judge lives' worth. Molta."
"...Hm. Idealist, eh? So what's the right way?"
I pressed a hand to my helmet's forehead and sighed. Isn't it obvious? Weighing human lives like on a scale? What is this, ancient Egypt?
"Save all of them—five or one. That's what's right."
"Talking like a hero."
"It's just common sense."
"Satisfied. We might get along, young man."
A grin crept across his face. Instinct screamed danger; I stood up.
"No chance in hell."
"...Young man?"
Saintess info mattered, but not like this. The lingering sweetness on my tongue snapped me alert.
Danger. This whole cocktail bar's a trap.
Plus, my thoughts were warping. Never been here, yet it felt... comfortable?
This bar—no booze around, no patrons. Where'd this glass come from? Dread crept in.
"Not drinking? You have to, for the info you want."
No bartender in sight. Instinct screamed to run. My senses sharpened like a honed blade.
"No thanks."
I stared at the swirling clear liquid. Drink that, and I'm done. Probably poisoned. Should've known festival hawkers mean trouble.
Felt like an ant one step from the pit.
Cold sweat down my spine.
"You've entertained this old man, so per our deal, one tidbit."
He spoke as I headed up the stairs. Twist the knob, and I'm out.
"As you are now, you'll never meet the one you seek."
"..."
"What do you say? Come back, drink, and I'll tell you how."
His grating words made me turn. Molta smirked at me. If it's about our Nameless Saintess, we'll meet eventually.
"Fuck off."
"...Feisty young buck."
I spat the curse seeing his face. Unease bloomed in my chest, but I strode straight out.
"Fine. May Akasha's blessing light your path."
I ignored the mutter behind me. I don't want help from a lunatic who thinks sacrificing lives is right—not to find the one I love.
The cocktail bar, now empty save for the old man.
"...What'd you do to the helmet, Tardun?"
Head adjusted his mask and murmured lowly. Seeing his power fail brought a carefree grin instead.
"A hero who sees through double divine authority. Gotta recalculate back at the Demon King's castle."
The man stretched his stiff neck, showing fatigue. He eyed the liquid in the clear glass and began.
"You should've drunk this 'Lumen's Murmur' and slept. Even my omniscience twisted."
He clicked his tongue regretfully at the dwarves' masterpiece, drunk for rest after crafting.
"...Draped this place in ignorance fog, yet he slipped out."
He snapped his fingers—people appeared around. Only the seat Lee Soo-hyun had taken was empty; the rest filled.
"But you won't remember this meeting, young man."
He muttered to the crowd, but no one batted an eye.
"Fate's already rolling as it should."
More precisely, no one seemed to notice him at all.
"Ah, bartender. Martini, please. Clear this Lumen's Murmur."
"Order up, sir."
Head reordered from the passing bartender. Earlier, he'd offered it to the helmeted academy student across from him—same result, failure.
"Such fine stuff, too. Shame."
The Demon King of Omniscience pulled a notebook from his pocket and started jotting. He crossed out old script, correcting errors.
"Current Dennis hasn't mastered 3D Magic Circles yet. Raiding the academy like this? No issue."
He glanced at the distant blue-haired man drowning in booze—like an academy prof—and their eyes met.
"...No clue what Tardun's thinking. Akasha ordained us two as summoned heroes from the start. Dennis."
Dennis flashed white eyes suspiciously but didn't spot Head sitting far off.
"Then, Licht. No... Lee Soo-hyun."
His lips curled higher. Certainty this man would aid his prophecies.
"A hero who saves all needs trials."
His notebook, labeled Apostle of Gluttony, sprawled with mind-map lines to "impossible" repeated often.
"I'll give you the worst trial you can't overcome."
The Demon King of Omniscience marshaled all he knew against the Black Knight.