Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Inspection
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At least it was a relief that the meeting with Vespa hadn't been a complete waste, just as she'd hoped.
“She wouldn't respond no matter what I called her before, but now she at least listens when I talk to her. But...”
“But?”
“She seems really down.”
“...Down?”
“Like she's lost all her energy. It feels like something about you upset her...”
“...”
“...B-but! She's expressing her emotions way more than before!”
“More... expressive? What do you mean by that?”
“Maybe because you chewed her out, but she's gotten way angrier and more irritated, so whenever I call her to cast a spell, the power's much stronger...”
“...”
“...A-anyway! There are positive effects, so maybe it's a good thing you kicked her once?!”
Realizing the mood was turning weirder with every word, Vespa hurriedly waved her hands in excuse.
“...That's fortunate, then.”
Well, fine.
As long as there weren't only negative effects, it didn't matter.
Her spells were stronger now, so it was basically achieving the original goal of powering up Vespa...
'Upset, irritated, angry.'
...No need to ask why she was like that.
He clearly remembered her snapping midway about always taking the Hero's side.
'Something's definitely connected.'
Thinking about it, it was pretty strange.
She'd never met him, yet she knew Carlyle was 'always' by Gray's side.
She looked like Vespa but didn't act like her at all, yet she still had all of Vespa's traits...
'...Need to look into this more closely.'
He had a feeling he'd run into that entity again for sure.
There'd be chances to learn more.
And the unfortunate part was.
[...]
“...”
Carlyle cautiously gauged the mood.
The guy inside the Holy Sword had been in a foul temper all day.
“...Hero.”
[Yeah.]
“I wanted to discuss ways to strengthen Panhaima.”
[Yeah.]
“It'd help if you shared your thoughts first. No one matches your insight in battle.”
[Yeah.]
“...”
Carlyle dry-washed his face and carefully placed the Holy Sword on the table.
“...Hero. Are you sulking?”
[Do I look like someone who sulks easily?]
He was sulking.
You could feel the poutiness radiating through his voice alone.
“.........Why are you sulking?”
[I said I'm not. Are you doubting me now?]
“.........”
Huh.
Déjà vu.
Even in past loops, there were times when he was pissed to the max but wouldn't say why no matter what.
'We're not even dating or anything...'
Even if the Hero in the sword seemed way more mature than when she was a kid, she still pulled this pouty girlfriend act sometimes.
'...Hm.'
And he had a trick that worked well in those cases.
It had backfired into a beating when he first tried it with Gray, but it should work fine now.
Carlyle stared silently at the Holy Sword.
Silently.
Without a word.
“...”
[...]
Staring.
Wiping away the usual carefree smile he wore around Gray, he just gazed steadily.
[...What is it?]
In the end, Gray spoke first.
Whenever she got annoyed in their relationship, Carlyle was always the one to yield.
But when the one who usually took her anger flipped it back on her like this, she couldn't help but flinch.
...Of course, overuse got him beaten for being cheeky. But it worked once or twice.
“Hero.”
[...]
When he spoke in a serious tone, he could feel her jolt inside the sword.
She seemed pretty flustered...
“If you don't tell me, I can't help you.”
As Carlyle said it softly with a blank expression, her flinching intensified—he could tell.
If it was truly serious, she'd brush it off here.
If the Hero said here...
[...I'm not sulking, but there is something I want to ask of you.]
...that meant it wasn't really serious.
Probably just a minor sulk that a simple action could fix.
“Of course. I'll do anything you ask.”
[...Being trapped in this sword so long seems to have dulled my senses a bit.]
“...”
[It feels like it needs fixing.]
Huh.
He'd thought it was minor, but it sounded a little serious.
Senses warping? Maybe her very existence or self was changing.
“...Got it. I'll talk to the Dean right away for a consultation—”
[No, no need for that. I do have a suitable solution in mind.]
“Yes? What is it?”
[If you could just do a simple check for me. Touch the spot I indicate.]
“Of course. How should I do it?”
And fitting his worry perfectly.
The 'solution' from the Hero's mouth was beyond imagination.
[.........The lips seem most appropriate. Would you touch there once?]
“.............................”
Carlyle stared at the Holy Sword like he'd witnessed the apocalypse.
“...Pardon?”
What nonsense was this?
Kissing the sword?
Even when the Archdemon tempted him to make him hers, it wasn't this horrifying...
“Th-th-tha, l-l-lips, you mean my—”
After stammering forever, cold sweat poured down Carlyle's face.
Unable to utter such blasphemy himself, he stopped and quietly closed his eyes.
“...Is this really necessary?”
[...]
Her voice carried a resolve like she was staking her life for martyrdom, leaving the sword speechless for a moment.
[Is kissing the sword really that big a deal...?]
...It is, obviously.
Forget how bizarre it looked— for Carlyle, at least.
“No, I don't get the principle or reason, but if you say so, Hero, it must be necessary.”
[...]
“You wouldn't lie to me. Right?”
[...]
The sword fell silent.
“...Hero?”
[...It's absolutely necessary to fix my senses.]
“...”
[As you said, I wouldn't lie. Yeah.]
“.........”
Now it sounded even more suspicious.
But anyway.
She probably wasn't really lying.
He'd trust that.
“...Shall I?”
Finally, Carlyle gripped the Holy Sword with both hands and brought the blade's center to his face.
[...Wait. Let me prepare myself.]
“It's just an inspection—why prepare...?”
[If I say it's needed, it is. Just listen.]
...Fine.
Carlyle glared sullenly at the sword, and from inside came a huu, haa, huu, haa— deep breathing.
[...Good. Do it!]
Hearing her resolute voice, Carlyle pressed his lips to the steel blade.
“...”
Cold.
His lips stung a bit.
...What the hell was he doing?
As he glared silently at the sword, a voice leaked from inside.
[Ah, heuk...]
“...”
Please don't make weird noises.
His self-loathing was numbing his sanity.
[...C-could you do it once more? The check isn't quite done...]
“........You want me to do this again?”
Carlyle spoke like he was losing his mind, and an enraged voice shot back from inside.
[Of course! Since someone else took your first—]
“...Pardon?”
[—I almost said. Anyway, do it once more!]
“...”
...Whatever.
She was demanding weird stuff nonstop, but he'd started, so he'd finish.
Carlyle brought his dead eyes to the sword again...
“Comrade! I just had a great idea—!”
“...”
...And as he did, Panhaima kicked the door open.
“...”
“...”
Silence fell.
Her gaze flicked between Carlyle and the sword.
...Then suddenly softened warmly.
“.........I don't know what's going on, but have a good time.”
“Wait. Hold on.”
“No, no, I get it—”
“I'll explain, so stay there, Panhaima.”
Please.
Just stand there and listen.
Please.
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