Chapter 155
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Glorious Hoof
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After Charhela's sudden outburst, we took some time to calm down.
"......"
"......"
"Huff... huff..."
In the heavy silence, only Charhela's excited breaths, like those of a small beast, rang in our ears.
Weller was dazed, her hands covering her face, while I eyed Charhela warily and puffed on my cigar.
"...So."
I was the first to speak again.
Looking up at the swirling smoke, I said softly,
"You're really not giving up on marriage all the way to the end? Charhela."
"...Yeah."
She seemed to know her actions were embarrassing, her face flushing, but she nodded without backing down.
Was it stubbornness or conviction...?
"Sigh... Honestly, I can't wrap my head around a barbaric warrior's mindset."
"I don't expect understanding at all. I just do what I want."
"Figures. You uncivilized barbarian."
I muttered a curse and glared at her.
But she just lifted her chin proudly, grinning like it was a compliment.
"Sigh..."
Now that I thought about it, I scanned her up and down carefully.
Her face... it was the spitting image of Vivian's.
Or maybe it was the other way around—Vivian resembled Charhela.
Large eyes shining with innocence, a soft, round face with an underlying toughness that commanded respect.
But that didn't mean she looked childish.
She just resembled her; her own features were mature, like Vivian several years from now.
"......"
That face brought something to mind.
Players who didn't know the details often posted on the community forums asking about the connection between Charhela and Vivian.
It was like a newbie detector with its overt sexy vibe, and the veterans would roast those posts in the comments. Good times.
"...Kang Han-gil?"
"Ah, nothing."
Anyway, while her face was so like Vivian's, her body was completely different.
Taller than Vivian for sure, with great proportions, sturdy legs exuding healthy beauty.
Her smooth apricot skin glowed despite no pampering.
Speed-type slender beauty martial artist.
That one phrase summed up her style perfectly.
"...Hey. What are you doing?"
"Hm?"
Weller shot me a deadly glare, her eyes half-lidded.
She always had sharp instincts.
"Just sizing up the possible from the impossible."
"You, you crazy bastard...! You're really gonna...!"
"Don't misunderstand. Not like that. And if anything, it's impossible."
She resembled Vivian too much; it killed any romantic vibe.
I could treat her like a little sister, but nothing more.
"Why impossible?! You called me a beauty!"
Charhela raised her voice indignantly, but I just shrugged nonchalantly.
"No, it's because you look too much like Vivian... I could dote on you cutely, but anything else? Nah."
"Then just marry Vivian too! Might as well take us both top and bottom!"
"Are you actually insane?"
I shot back in disbelief, and she huffed, looking utterly wronged.
"Think about how I feel being rejected for that! I'm dead serious here! You're judging me just on looks without even considering my feelings!"
"That's the problem with the looks... Sigh, anyway, if you can't give up marriage, how about a compromise?"
"Compromise?"
"Yeah. Delay the wedding a bit. Until after we've wiped out that tribe with the demon backing."
"...No. You'd just run away anyway."
As she said, I planned to bolt, so I met her eyes firmly without flinching.
"No concessions means war's the only option. Is that what you want?"
"......"
She agonized for a long, long time with a pained expression before finally nodding in resignation.
"Siiiigh... Fine. Can't be helped. I'll back off here. I don't want to stake the tribe's fate on something pointless."
"......"
Stake the tribe's fate...? So she was ready to sic the whole tribe on me if needed.
Unbelievable.
The chief thinking that, and the tribesfolk ready to follow orders.
All of them.
"But once everything's done, you have to marry me. Got it?"
"...Isn't that a massive flag? Like, a really strong one."
"What's that mean?"
"Nothing... Got it. I will. Happy now?"
"......"
Charhela eyed my ready agreement suspiciously.
"For real?"
"For real."
Of course, it was bullshit.
Once the problem's solved, I'd be gone without looking back.
"...Fine. That'll do for now."
"Haa..."
"Phew..."
Weller and I let out deep sighs of relief.
And so, we finally found a compromise and wrapped up... no, tabled the issue.
With the wedding postponed somehow, everything else went smoothly.
We finished war prep in a day and set off in the carriage right away.
Charhela's worrisome tribe was called "Glorious Hoof"—a rather grandiose name.
"Glorious Hoof... Do they have some legendary ancestor or something?"
Charhela answered my question.
"Who knows? The tribesfolk would say yes, but no one really knows if it's true. Not even the chief."
"I see... Hey, time to get off? My legs are numb."
"No."
She flatly refused, wiggling her butt blatantly.
"Haa..."
Sighing at the sensation on my thigh, I took a swig of booze and glanced around the carriage.
"Urk..."
"......"
"Mm..."
The atmosphere inside was dark and tense, mainly thanks to Vivian and Lira.
Weller was there too, but her gloom was a different flavor.
No details, but she'd been dry-heaving since Charhela latched onto me.
"......"
Vivian showed clear anxiety, fidgeting restlessly. She kept glancing our way with a confused look, still undecided.
"Sigh..."
It was a bit bitter, but I wouldn't interfere.
Whatever she chose, I'd respect it.
"Vivian. It's okay. It'll be fine."
"Youngest, don't keep staring at those beasts. It'll just upset you more."
"Delve deeper, ponder more. It will bolster your choice and minimize regrets."
"Lady Vivian~ Want a snack? Sweets always cheer you up~"
Sisili, Weller, Nemes, Rampon Pashut, and others hovered around her, caring diligently. That eased my mind.
"......"
"......"
"......"
Lira's side was even more hostile.
She seemed to have decided she couldn't trust me, gripping her sword hilt tight, staring like a wounded predator.
I didn't get why she looked betrayed... but thanks to that, Murel, Rebecca, Katiola, Wendy, Ratifi, and the rest were on high alert, tension thick.
"...The vibe's really bad."
"Yeah."
I nodded absently at Charhela's words and pulled her closer.
Just to adjust for a comfier seat.
"Ah, ah...!?"
She stiffened instantly in my arms, face turning red.
"...Why so shy? It's gross."
"Wh-what? Uh, eek...! Didn't expect you to get this forward...? Already falling for my charms...?"
"No, your sitting was uncomfortable... But seriously, you were chanting 'sex sex,' yet your defenses are paper-thin."
"Urk... Of course...! I'm a virgin...!"
"That's a brag?"
I chuckled and patted her head.
No real intent, but her Vivian-like face made my hand move on instinct.
"H-hey, don't treat me like a kid...! See me as a woman...!"
She glared and grumbled but didn't swat my hand away.
"So gross..."
"What?"
I ignored her fierce glare with a smirk and sipped my booze.
It was over a day by carriage to Glorious Hoof.
"Hyah! Hyaah!"
"That carriage is amazing! Can't catch it!"
"Golem horse, right? I want one!"
Peering out the window, I saw hundreds of "Kubel's Claws" tribesfolk on horseback chasing us hard.
"War, huh..."
Not sure if they'd get a turn, but extras never hurt against surprises.
The issue was how long this awkward trip would drag on.
"Sigh..."
To kill time, I kept drinking.
Charhela seemed to have switched tactics.
She clung persistently, trying to seduce with her charms... but to me, it just looked like cute antics.
Hugging tight, bumping hips teasingly, sending signals with a sultry face... Honestly, just adorable.
"Hubby. This really elven snack? The famous one?"
I chuckled at her sparkling eyes on the treat from my lap.
"Yeah. Never had it?"
"Never! Elves are rare! And we just fight if we see 'em!"
Crunch!
"Mmm...!?"
Her eyes widened after biting in.
"Wh-what fragrance...! Incredible! This transcends snacks!"
"Yeah, yeah. Eat up."
Patting her head as she hamstered cheeks full, she pouted, then shoved a piece at my mouth.
"Hm?"
"Can't eat alone— you too, hubby!"
"Oh, sharing? Thanks."
I smiled and ate; she blushed, grinned wide, kicking her legs excitedly.
"......"
Every little action screamed kid— how could anyone see her romantically?
Tough break for her... but no marriage in our future.
"...Hm?"
A weird gaze; I turned to see Vivian's head snap away.
"...?"
Puzzled, I kept looking; she peeked back, noticed me, and startled.
What's her deal?
Tilting my head while munching, Weller's murderous face slid into view from the corner.
She mouthed clearly, demonic expression:
'I'll. Kill. You.?'
"......"
Her face had soured since I endured Charhela's non-seduction on her Vivian-like face; now it could kill with a look.
I turned away meekly, unconsciously petting Charhela's head with a sigh.
The next day.
We finally reached the Glorious Hoof tribe.
Bare plains, but barbarian eyesight spotted us from afar; a grand welcome awaited.
"Uoooooh..."
"Groooar..."
"Keeek! Kiiik!"
"...Called it."
I nodded at the shambling undead horde.
Low-level, but demon involvement confirmed.