Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Unconscious Flag
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I didn't respond.
Loveheart glanced at me cautiously, then looked away, repeating the motion.
Finally, she let out a sigh and opened her mouth.
"Long time no see, Yedre."
"......"
"Uh... Your condition doesn't look normal. Shall I heal you?"
I stayed silent like a mute who had eaten honey.
I had really wanted to see her desperately, and there were so many questions I wanted to ask if we met.
It wasn't certain if I'd ever see her again later, and my suspicion that she had done something to me was just a hunch, so I thought I'd stay calm even if we met.
But seeing her right in front of my eyes with my own two eyes, all the curiosity I had planned vanished, and this came out first.
"Did you trick me?"
"......"
This time, Loveheart fell silent.
Then, with exaggerated gestures, she said,
"You're using honorifics now? Have you realized the greatness of a goddess after all your hardships?"
Hardships, you say.
You're asking me that?
Maybe my expression soured, because Loveheart cleared her throat uncomfortably and carefully asked,
"What do you want to hear from me?"
"No. That's enough."
Yeah. That's it.
Conversation is pointless.
I don't know why she brought me to this world, why she abandoned me after dragging me here, what their ultimate goal or intention is—none of it.
I know one thing.
This bitch screwed me over.
Her attitude tells me everything.
And I know that those who screw you over for no reason deserve the same in return. Evil for evil.
Shing.
As I drew my sword, Loveheart flinched and sighed.
"This is my space."
With a single gesture.
A quick glance at my hand, and the sword dissolved into dust like particles and vanished.
But I didn't panic.
This inexplicable sensation again. I wasn't sure if it was thanks to that skill, but I felt like I understood the entire process of how the sword disappeared just now.
I was certain that if I stayed a little longer, I'd grasp this space completely.
I widened my eyes and sensed the space.
This place was clearly that goddess bitch's domain. A place overwhelmingly favorable to her.
The right answer would have been not to enter such a dangerous spot in the first place, but it didn't matter.
I'll kill her.
"Eek."
Loveheart flinched even more violently, sensing my killing intent.
"No... Even in my space, I can only chase you out. There's no attack function, so don't be so on guard."
"Is that so."
"No, no. Don't come closer while saying 'is that so'? I'm scared?"
Yeah, fuck off.
Haa... Loveheart let out a long sigh and layered up several defensive barriers. No, they were definitely barriers.
And they were powerful ones, fundamentally different from magic.
The hurdles to beating this bitch were getting higher, but it was fine. The harder the process, the greater the sense of accomplishment when you succeed.
"You sure use all sorts of things."
"Even Prostia's ultimate skill left you unscathed, so I can't relax with this either. Anyway, I want to talk."
"Talk, huh."
"Yes, talk. If I didn't, I'd have kicked you out ages ago, right?"
"Then spit it out, Loveheart."
The goddess bitch bristled slightly at the mix of honorifics and curses but soon exhaled deeply, calming herself.
Calm? Who needs to calm down right now?
You summon me to this shitty world and let all this crap happen to me?
Rage boiled up.
But deep inside, an ice block settled in.
Be angry, but don't lose your judgment.
If she wants to talk, humor her. Buy time.
Think of a way to kill her here during that time.
"Nooo. Yedre. You're saying I screwed you over and such, but that's not certain, is it?"
"Your attitude tells me everything."
"Hmm."
"Nothing more to say? Then, I'll try something myself..."
I felt the fragments of the vanished sword return to my hand.
I grinned and was about to attack.
"I'll send you back to your original world."
"......"
Huh?
"It was m... my fault bringing you here. I'll take responsibility and send you back to your original world."
"......"
What was she thinking?
Why make that offer?
I exhaled. My furnace-hot head cooled a bit.
Thinking calmly now.
Why did Loveheart suddenly contact me?
What's the reason for sending me back to my original world?
"Why glare like that? Even sending you back isn't satisfactory?"
"......"
"Ah~ Well, you went through hardships, so you need compensation, right? It's partly my fault, so I'll give you solid, powerful perks. I'll make you super popular even back in your world. How's that? I can throw in satisfying money too."
That's when I realized.
It's not for my sake sending me back—it's that she's the one who needs me gone.
Loveheart had a reason she absolutely had to send me back somehow.
And that was obviously due to the recent battle.
I recalled the countless alarm sounds that rang when I withstood Prostia's bizarre skill.
I see.
Because of the fight with Prostia, I'd drawn excessive attention from the gods.
That was the problem.
"Hey. Are you listening? Heed the words of a goddess."
"How many of you took interest in me for surviving Prostia's attack?"
"......"
With that probe, Loveheart shut her mouth.
"The alert said all the gods, I think."
"All of them? You're quite the exaggerator, Yedre."
I narrowed my eyes, and her cute, bubbly image shrank, replaced by the haughty aura unique to a beauty pressing down on me.
But that only works on guys desperate to impress her.
I ignored it and continued.
"Exactly. Not all took interest in me, but they all know now that some no-name outsider named Yedre exists in this world. Right?"
"Tha..."
She's sweating bullets, slyly averting her eyes.
Yeah, you can't lie, can you, Loveheart?
If that's acting, I'll give you a standing ovation.
"Someone—whoever—wants no one among you to contact me."
"What are you saying?! Th-that's just your imagination!"
Why are you stuttering?
"Yes. Just my imagination. So I'll keep talking."
Ugh... Loveheart groaned and yelled sharply.
"No!!!! Yedre!!! I'll send you back to your original world!!! With perks and money on top!"
"You seem desperate. I think I know why."
Her glare full of utter annoyance felt so damn good.
"From the fight with Prostia, your allies took interest in me, and several reasons why you'd worry come to mind."
"Ugh..."
All the suspicions so far.
And why Loveheart was flinching from me.
I stared hard and said,
"You didn't give me what you owed me."
The first thing people think of with outsiders.
Perks.
Extra lives. Or skills, etc.
I probably didn't get the basics that outsiders should naturally receive.
And that was...
"Against your rules or whatever."
"Ah, nooo..."
"Not only that, you twisted what should have been a smooth adventure."
I just threw that out there, but seeing her panic, it must be true.
"Ah, no, that..."
"Why?"
I bellowed at Loveheart, who was hemming and hawing.
"Why!!"
Loveheart plugged her ears and leaned back from the shout.
"Sca startled me! Why yell?!"
"Startled? What a coincidence. I was shocked too—thought this was a game, but it's real, and I've nearly died so many times in this reality!"
Loveheart, dripping cold sweat, said in a shrinking voice,
"Nooo. You di-didn't die."
"Not in the end, sure."
"That's not it! I never meant to kill you... Argh! So! What will you do?!"
She started to say something, trailed off, then suddenly shouted defiantly, as if deciding to go for it.
No. That attitude... it's familiar.
Like my friend back home—basically, "You crazy bastard! You started it!" kind of rage.
...What the hell?
Is there something I don't know?
"Your only chance to go back is now! Choose! Go to the real world with all perks, enjoy comfort and wealth! Or stay in this world you hate!"
"I'll stay."
"Huh?"
My immediate answer made her eyes widen.
"I have nothing to receive from you, or any of you."
"Uh... You said you'll stay, Yedre?"
Whether she blabbed or not, I just said my piece.
Shut up and listen.
"You don't have to teach me anything. Like your real goals, for example."
"Wait. We never teach that from the start! Only to those who've achieved certain accomplishments... Oops."
She covered her mouth, realizing it was a slip.
I didn't really know what she meant.
I was just guessing words that would corner her most.
Loveheart eyed me warily and slowly backed away.
"Uh, um. I'll withdraw for today. Hope you change your mind next time. See you soon~"
"Didn't you say now was the only chance?"
I cut her off with sarcasm, and she scowled in anger.
"Argh! Be human and listen to a goddess for once!"
Pissed off, huh.
Finally dropping the polite talk.
Just seeing her mad made me feel good.
Killing her here would be tough. But I thought of something better than death.
Like Sor said.
"Someday, I'll track you all down."
"......"
"Track you down and ask directly. So don't come find me anymore. I'll stay here. Until I screw over the ones who screwed me."
"You crazy bastard! Stop the chuuni act and listen to me!"
"So, Loveheart."
Riiip. The space began to tear.
Horror filled Loveheart's eyes.
"Take care until next time. O goddess."
"Eek? Tearing my space...? How is that possible... Wa-wait! Can't we talk this out?"
"And you fucking bitch. I'll definitely screw you over."
Boom!
A flash burst like when I entered this space.
The moment I recognized the flash around me stopping, I was back in the real world.
"Yedre...?"
Asita, who had approached me before I knew it, called out in a worried voice. Her cheeks were still red. How much time had passed?
"Why are you spacing out...?"
From Asita's reaction, it seemed like only an instant.
My uncertain tone was enough for an answer.
Apparently, that god's space was unbound by time and space.
Dumb as she looked, she was still a goddess. Ordinary people didn't even notice what happened.
But one being was different.
Prostia.
He spoke in a bored tone.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Did you at least get a reward? Well. Since you tied with me, that's fair enough.] "......"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Hmm? What's this? No reward? Outsider. Don't tell me you still don't have a managing god? Well, if you're a hot prospect, that makes sense. Even I haven't heard of someone like you...] I glared sharply, and Prostia flinched.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I-I was just curious. Don't glare.] "I wasn't glaring."
I was glaring, but I denied it and turned away. Prostia recognized I met Loveheart, huh.
...Later, when I get the chance, I should calmly ask this lizard about the gods.
Then, a dying voice echoed.
"A-Asitaaa. Help meee..."
The voice was Sor's.
Even seeing her was grating now.
If I felt this way, what about others? Looking at Asita, she gazed at Sor with pity.
"Asita... We're friends, right...? So... help me."
What the hell was her thought process?
Doesn't she remember what she did to Asita?
"No need to hear more. Asita. We'll handle the rest."
Clarir pushed Asita aside and stepped forward. She glanced at me.
Her eyes held some unknowable emotion.
But it was definitely not friendly.
No, you fucking bitch. I don't know the details, but didn't I just save the world from crisis?
Instead of thanks, suspicion?
I nearly died for real; this is unfair.
"No, Clarit. I'll do it."
Asita approached Sor.
"Sor, we were friends."
"Yes! Yes! Friends!"
Asita smiled sweetly at Sor, whose face lit up.
"So, we're done being friends."
"...Huh?"
"All the bad things you did to me. I'll forget them all if we cut ties."
Asita spoke firmly, without trailing off.
Then she stood, turned her back without hesitation.
"H-hey! What kind of friend does that! You fucking bitch! After all I've done for you... Gahk!"
A knight, unable to listen anymore, punched Sor's jaw to shut her up.
It was justified rage for Sor's crimes.
Damn, refreshing.
Not like my old world where Korea's law enforcement was weak; they just beat her down.
Unlike my controlled punch, he went full force—Sor’s legs gave out, half-unconscious as she was dragged away.
Despite her words, Asita glanced at Sor with bittersweet eyes when she got hit.
Whatever, the kid has a good heart.
Asita sensed my gaze and turned. Our eyes met, she flinched, trembled, and scurried away.
...Did they hit Sor too hard?
A delicate girl seeing intense violence; it's natural she'd be scared.
Whatever.
I'll see Asita later and soothe her then.
Need to repay her for letting me use the Fire Sword too.
After that, we took time to regroup.
Fortunately no casualties, but Prostia was so intimidating just existing that we spent quite a while checking conditions, fearing something might've happened.
Gold left site command to his subordinates and kept questioning Prostia.
Prostia looked annoyed but didn't emit killing intent.
That side's fine.
What about El?
She'd been held the whole time; is she okay?
I looked at El.
"Ah."
Our eyes met.
As if she'd been waiting for me to look away, but they met anyway.
Her eyes were still dazed.
...Did she get sick of me?
The violence on Hasor was intense. From a girl's view, I might look like a criminal.
No regrets about what I did, but... how to fix my image.
I approached El awkwardly.
"Um..."
"...Tough guy."
......?
At that moment, Flat—still wobbly-legged—stumbled toward El.
"E-El... You okay? Not hurt?"
Ooh, caring for his lover even in that state.
El must love it... Or so I thought.
Zing.
El glared at Flat... no, stared him down.
But why?
Her pupils were pitch black, devoid of their usual light, no affection.
...Like looking at a bug or nuisance.
"El?"
"Huh? Yeah. I'm fine, Flat. You okay?"
"Uh, y-yeah.."
Why did it feel so perfunctory?
El scanned Flat up and down, hesitated, then suddenly rushed toward me.
"D-Dr... Yedre, how about you?!"
She leaped at me, checking my body.
A bit overwhelming, dude.
"Um, th-thank you. For my sake.... going that far…."
For El's sake?
Honestly, less for anyone specific and more what I felt like.
But she didn't seem disgusted; better play humble and score points.
"No. Not just for you, El, but for everyone."
Sounded lame maybe... but El's eyes sparkled.
"I see! As expected of Yedre!"
"......?"
Her attitude flipped 180...?
Well, El's usually haughty but a good girl with a sound mind.
No need for image rehab then.
I'm the best, after all.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The ? of the Asura Field says. Idiot...] What? Wanna die?
But the gods. Still watching here?
Something bugged me.
If the gods were constantly watching, did they know Loveheart came here just now?
From the alert texts, it seemed gods could read thoughts, but were they reading mine now?
No reaction even thinking of Loveheart, so probably not...
Felt like even gods had restrictions.
In any case, the crisis—not enough even with hundreds of lives—was resolved for now.
But I didn't know.
No way a shut-in loser from that world could know.
The meaning of slaying a dragon.
And one ripple effect.
A few days later, when things settled but my mind was troubled by various events, Gold said this to me.
"You've qualified, Yedre."
"Qualified...?"
"Yes. Prynar Academy."
Ah. That servant position.
But what qualification? Even servants need quals?
Fancy school, maybe.
The moment I thought that,
"The conditions are much better now."
"Huh?"
"Right now, Yedre. With your achievements, you can qualify as an instructor!!"
"...Really?"
"Hm?"
...Is instructor such a big deal?
Gold's super excited, so probably yes...
"Hmm... Doesn't hit home, huh. Then one more."
"Yes..."
"The royal family has decided to award you a medal."
"...What?"
Royal family...?
I.e., the king?
"Come to the capital Sers with me, Yedre."