Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Royal Road Hero Tale (44)
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"Then I'll head in first. Take care of yourself until we meet again."
"Mm, you too."
With the formal exchange over, Siwoo trudged away from the training grounds without a word. Ever since that day, he'd been in this constant low mood. It was self-inflicted, sure, but watching him mope around alone like this was starting to get to me.
Sigh, once we set out, I guess I'll have to look after him a bit.
"So, why'd you call me aside separately? Was yesterday not enough for you?"
"N-no! There's just something I wanted to say to you one last time..."
For the record, I decided not to head back right away and spend a little more time with Louise. I figured we'd said everything there was to say while we were tangled up last night, but apparently there was something she hadn't managed to get out.
"Perfect timing, then. I've got something to tell you too. Yesterday, I confessed to Sophia about us."
"Mm! You're quick to act. So... how'd she take it?"
"How do you think? She was furious. But thankfully, she came around and accepted our relationship. She's still mad at you, but once we face each other, things should smooth over fast."
"R-really? Whew... that's a relief!"
To calm Sophia down, I'd gone full throttle until morning, but it paid off in the end. When I relayed that, Louise broke into a wide grin and clenched her fists tight. She seemed thrilled to have her feelings acknowledged.
But I didn't mention that Sophia had gotten the wrong idea about us. Whether I'd seduced her first or she'd tempted me, it didn't matter anymore, right? No point dredging up the details. Absolutely not because of any guilty conscience.
"That's all from me. What did you want to say, Louise?"
"Ahem, well..."
What could Louise be building up to? Pregnant? Nah, I'd used purification every time I finished inside, so no chance. Just saying she'd join us right away? That'd be great, but I hadn't heard anything about the guard captain returning yet.
As I wondered what had her hesitating like this, Louise stared at the ground and finally spoke up cautiously.
"I want to know how you feel... I told you I like you, but I still haven't heard your answer."
"Ah, it wasn't a confession expecting a reply! So it's not your fault for not responding! That's not it, but still..."
"You became the kind of friend who has sex with me as I wished... but I wanted to know if you did it because you like me, or just because you enjoy sex."
"Louise..."
She kept her eyes fixed on the ground, fidgeting and twisting her body as she confessed her hidden feelings. Stammering, raising and lowering her voice—it reminded me of her pre-tutoring days. I'd taught her about sex, but not love, so all her composure had vanished. With every word, her body shrank smaller, and by the time she finished, Louise was a total shrinking violet.
She really is adorable.
"I'm not demanding your love by any means! I'm more than satisfied with our current relationship... I just..."
"I just wanted to know your feelings. That's all."
I straightened her hunched form and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her eyes were rimmed red, but I pretended not to notice. She flinched at my sudden move, trying to pull away, but I held on firm.
"What are you doing?! S-stop that!"
"Don't play the pity card!"
Honestly, worrying alone, jumping to conclusions alone, getting mad alone—she needed a good scolding to snap out of it. Why do you think I spent all that time with Sophia in the first place?
The moment I explained myself, our saintess was already hard again, demanding I give her as much as I'd given Louise. When she said something like she wanted to die happy, I yelled it was impossible, but Sophia—powered up by Aria Goddess's strength—made it happen.
Good thing I'd maxed out my stamina stat just to school that succubus, or I'd have been out cold all day.
And after all that, Louise, you can't pull this on me. You think I'd go through that just for a fuck buddy?
"Hmph? H-huh?! Slurp, haa... what're you...?"
"Wha—what?! Are you kissing my lips right now...?!"
I silenced her outburst with my mouth, and Louise's face flushed crimson as her eyes went wide. Come to think of it, this was our first kiss. Meaning it was her first too... and her panicked reaction sold it.
Well, if you count blowjobs as kisses, it wasn't her first, but let's gloss over that.
"You're cutest when you're this flustered, Louise."
"You just... what...?"
"This is my answer."
From the moment I'd decided to claim Louise—no, even before that—I'd always felt drawn to her. How could anyone not with this beautiful knight's adorable side? It was only natural.
And the more time we spent together, the more that fondness grew into love. She was too lovable, gradually tainted by sex under my guidance, to leave it at just liking her.
So I'd been seriously considering our relationship. That's why Sophia had blown up at me—she knew.
But for her to get scared alone and reduce us to a purely physical thing? She deserved a punishment.
"...Really? You really... Kyaa! Hnng... mmm, haa... slurp."
"Sniff, haa... I'm so happy... smack, lick, hehe... But you know, women want to hear it straight from the man they love. So... could you say it?"
Sure, I'd held back to see this reaction and tease her a bit... but let's keep that quiet.
"I love you, Louise."
"Ah, aaa... I love you too..."
This is bad. We said just a moment, but it's turning into forever.
"I told you I'd check, didn't I?"
"......"
Back at the inn, I knelt before Sophia and groveled in apology. Even with her divine power letting her sense when I was having sex, I'd crossed the line with Louise, so of course she was pissed.
But bailing in that atmosphere would've been weird. Between 'blue balls' and 'getting chewed out,' I had no choice but the latter. And honestly? Getting scolded by Sophia wasn't half bad. Her angry face was too sexy. I could get addicted.
"But you came back after cumming three times, knowing full well? You think I'm joking, oppa?"
Still, if this kept up, I might unlock some new kink, which was scary. Time to wrap up masochist saintess play.
"Sofi, let's be honest with Siwoo. Tell him we're dating."
"Absolutely no forgi—hn? Really?! For real, oppa?!"
Sophia smiling is still the best.
"Phew... it's been a while."
I got back relatively early, but with everything that happened, it felt like years had passed. I stretched big, then put water in a pot for the ramen I always boil when returning to reality, reminiscing on what went down.
I told Sophia we should come clean now, and she wholeheartedly agreed. We'd planned to hide it until Siwoo got a girlfriend, but since he'd already cheated(?) first, there was no reason to keep our relationship secret anymore.
If we framed it as consoling a heartbroken Sophia over Siwoo's brothel visit—which led to us locking eyes—no way he'd blame us; he'd just feel guilty. I was worried about his mental state, but knowing he turns into a training maniac when broken, it shouldn't be a big issue. Sophia saw the logic and agreed, so we set a date to tell him.
And with that settled, I returned to reality. A breather before the next phase. In case Siwoo flipped out hearing it, I wanted to spec up first—and test the new challenges that popped up during the break. I was dying to know how they'd play out.
Oh, and those bombs I bought? Never used 'em. Tsk, such a waste.
"Kinda figured, but yeah—Louise's favorability broke the limit."
Louise's Favorability Manipulation was one reason I came back. Her behavior screamed over 100, and sure enough, it checked out. Now I had her skills.
Blue Flash, huh... That technique she used to one-shot the mutant goblin fighting Siwoo? Tempting. Gotta launch sword beams if you're wielding a blade, right? Wanna test it now.
Klein Swordsmanship must be that style I saw sparring her... I'm clueless about swords beyond knowing it's strong. Maybe picking one up will give me a feel?
"Body's itching already."
For testing at least, I prepped to dive into the next Heroine NTR. There was a training room option, but...
Too much hassle.