Chapter 243
Chapter 243
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 243
Chapter Title: The God of Hypnosis
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"Crowded, huh."
"It's one of the rare days outsiders are allowed in."
"No wonder the candidates are puffing out their chests."
"Right? The student council president personally asked them to keep good behavior."
The student council president said it herself?
"Oh. You must not have seen Decal."
"The student council president? Or the guidelines from the council?"
"The guidelines, obviously. The auditorium got wrecked, so no morning assembly. Even if you wanted to attend."
"There was a notice in the dorm room. Probably in your notebook too?"
I opened my student notebook to check.
Sure enough, there it was.
A special day when outsiders were permitted entry.
Various rules about maintaining good conduct for candidates. Violations would deduct points.
For some, it might turn into a day of losing evaluation points over personal slip-ups.
But if they just stuck to business as usual, it could be a freebie day of racking up points without trying.
It didn't mean much to me with points to spare, but it seemed reason enough for regular candidates to watch themselves.
The restless ones would probably just head outside.
But this rule.
Did Sia make it? Or Neris?
Images of the two panting flashed in my mind.
The afterglow of that 15P session looked like it would linger for a while.
"This is sweet and tasty, Decal."
"What is it?"
Aba and I grabbed some street food.
It looked like hotteok at a glance.
Not filled with honey, but sweet and delicious all the same.
Perfect as a snack.
"On a day like this, it'd be nice to walk around with a girl.
Must suck not being able to hang with your girlfriend."
I casually brought up girlfriends, and Aba's face fell.
"I broke up with Lily."
"..."
Hmm. My fault?
Probably.
"We just saw things too differently. Not even sure if we really loved each other."
"Chin up.
I'll grab you another."
"Really? Thanks."
I decided to help with Aba's snacking.
Lily had gone to Aba as part of making sex friends during my face's peak charm.
Then I stepped in and taught her about sex, so yeah, breakup made sense.
"I should be the one buying.
Instead, I'm mooching off you, Decal."
"Can't exactly fleece points from a guy who just broke up with his girlfriend.
I've got too many points giving me headaches. Help me spend some."
"Hahaha. What kind of problems are those?"
Not like Neris or Herka levels.
But my points were enough that I could hit every stall and not worry.
Munching and sightseeing flew by until dusk.
"Decal. Look over there."
Aba pointed at something.
The area suddenly buzzed.
"Look. It's the Hero."
"It's the Hero."
"It's Lady Bellisa!"
Bellisa Kramel.
The Hero bearing her nation's fate and destiny on fragile shoulders.
She strode out proudly, accompanied by her neatly dressed attendant.
In ornate ceremonial armor that revealed her violet hair and pretty purple eyes.
Not her usual gear.
Though I'd only seen her usual once anyway.
Lisa usually wore practical armor for protection.
This looked better, of course.
Her hair swayed nicely, highlighting her beautiful face.
"I'd heard the Hero was stunning, but she's beyond imagination.
If there were a goddess, would she look like that?"
I couldn't help chuckling at Aba's mutter.
"Probably."
Lisa spotted Neris midway and exchanged light words with her.
Aba commented on it.
"Not going to say hi, Decal?
You're one of the selected, after all."
He said it carefully, like no one else could hear.
"She'll come here."
"...?"
Just a hunch.
The Hero's hypnosis training had already begun. I'd planted the suggestion to rely on me comfortably.
As expected, Lisa headed my way after parting with Neris.
Onlookers panicked.
As if the Hero's path had a fixed route.
But Lisa ignored them and walked straight over.
"You. Haven't seen you for days. Where were you?"
Like she got anxious without me.
Her slightly sulky tone was cute.
"Went home.
Got a lot of family to look after."
"...Hm. Can't be helped then. And the candidate next to you?"
Aba stiffened and spoke up.
"I-I'm Aba Rown, brother of Badek Rown!"
"Aba Rown of House Rown.
I remember your brother Badek's feats on the battlefield.
The little brother grew up splendidly too."
"Thank you!"
"So. What are you up to, Captain?
Wearing armor you wouldn't normally touch."
"Your insight's as sharp as ever, Investigator."
Insight, my ass.
She's too pretty for the battlefield, was all.
Monsters wouldn't fear her; they'd charge to try her out.
"Simply put... it's for show.
Sia chewed me out, saying my usual armor was too drab."
"Fair enough."
No way armor covering her face to toe would look good.
"You too, huh...
It's decent material, even if it's just for show..."
Lisa grumbled cutely.
"Walking around in dress armor.
Feels so peaceful."
"Decal. Mind if we talk now?"
"Suddenly?"
"I'll take my leave then, Hero!"
Aba backed away.
"Sorry for stealing your friend.
It's not something I'd share with others, so I hope you understand, Candidate Aba."
"No need to apologize!
I'm proud my friend can help the Hero."
"Thanks."
Now alone with Lisa.
Her attendant a step behind and all the stares felt like surveillance.
But the crowd looked expectant.
The special investigator who saved Melbrit meeting the Hero.
Fun speculation for candidates, what they'd discuss.
Wonder what couldn't be said in front of Aba.
"About the guerrilla squad?"
Lisa nodded.
"Heard you convinced the Philiote mage.
Thanks, Decal. Haven't met her yet, but she's supposed to be prickly?"
Prickly, sure.
Best sex friend now, though.
"Fighting's not my specialty.
Leave negotiations to me.
Anything but monsters that won't listen, I'll handle."
"Reassuring.
Having a teammate who handles what I can't is great.
But don't forget you're being targeted.
Tell me before leaving, and stick close."
"..."
Right.
Park Seo-yeon was after me.
That's how I joined the Hero party.
Natural for her to watch out.
"Got it. Sorry, Captain."
"Couldn't delay family visits.
At least let me track your location.
And... what're you up to now?"
"Nothing planned.
Just split with my friend."
"Then..."
Lisa's demeanor was odd.
Her blinks increased, like she was nervous.
Date invite?
"Time for outsiders to leave.
I've got no schedule either."
"..."
"There's this play I want to see.
Kinda hard alone. Come with?"
...
The one who slices monsterfied Park Seo-yeon in one stroke.
Stumbling over a date invite to me? Had to laugh.
Makes sense. No private friends for the Hero.
Her relying on me was inevitable.
I'd planned to peel her slowly, but things falling into place felt good.
"Stop laughing and answer."
"Let's watch together, Lisa."
"Uh. Yeah."
"Prefer Captain?"
"Call me Lisa. For now.
Gonna change quick. Wait for me."
"Meet at the theater then."
"Mm. Got it."
Lisa hurried off.
The play was a simple outdoor stage tale of Hero vs. Demon King.
Lisa returned in civilian clothes: a two-tone dress with jacket.
"Let's go."
Cold? She's bundled up, hiding her chest.
We sat in the empty back row.
Not even twenty viewers, so anywhere was fine.
Better from afar, though.
Actors would freak knowing the real Hero watched.
The play began.
Hero actor and Demon King actor faced off with weapons.
"Hero! My eternal foe who keeps blocking my path!"
"I won't let monsters harm humans.
I'll fight to my last breath for that, Demon King!"
Eh.
Passionate acting, but amateurish. Obvious no pros hired.
Boring.
Thought of slyly holding Lisa's hand.
Glanced at her profile.
"..."
Lisa watched with sparkling eyes, totally engrossed.
Childlike innocence.
Sighing and relaxing at the predictable tale.
How many such small joys had she had in life?
Play Heroes are ideals, not real.
But this world's Bellisa embodied it.
Fought centuries, no other life.
Goddess-chosen noble soul.
Destined from birth to save.
Apostle-like.
Untainted virgin too.
Planned to hypnotize her somewhere quiet, but changed mind.
Let her finish the play.
Didn't want to steal that much.
Simple plot: Hero defeats Demon King with trusty comrades, lives happily.
Repeated shows same day, so no complex story for latecomers.
Neither disappointing nor surprising.
Curtain fell.
"Ah..."
Lisa seemed wistful.
"Fun?"
"Yeah. Touching story.
You, Decal?"
"Decent."
Just that.
No twists.
As expected.
"Thanks, Decal.
Couldn't have seen it without you."
"You could've gone alone?"
"No one to go with, no courage.
Not supposed to leisurely hang here. Gotta hunt more monsters..."
"..."
"So it was really fun.
Sitting for a play. First time."
First time?
"This life? Or including past ones?"
"Strange thing to say.
Past and present lives are the same to me.
Born Bellisa Kramel, fought as Hero, kept world's balance."
...
Goddamn.
Hero's life harsher than imagined.
Pure fighter existence.
Even the one who saved Karen young fought monsters from childhood.
"...I see."
"Good the play Hero got happy.
Can sleep peacefully tonight."
That cliché touched her deep.
Lisa smiled, murmuring softly.
"You think you're unhappy?"
"Never thought unhappy, but never happy either.
Real and play differ inevitably..."
"How so?"
"Getting nosy.
Why curious?"
Lisa grew wary.
I leaned naturally toward her.
"This is normal.
Chatting impressions after. That's part of it."
"..."
Lisa stared wide-eyed.
"I said something corny. Sorry.
Hero who never learned fun... boring one."
"It's fine. Keep talking."
Curious what she saw different from play Hero.
They matched to me.
Beautiful, strong Hero.
But surprisingly, Lisa said something odd.
"I'm not that perfect hero."
"You just haven't beaten the Demon King yet.
Still a people-saving hero, right?"
"No, Decal. Don't get it?
I'm a half-baked Hero who can't save hearts.
Dress armor reassures crowds. But unlike play Hero, never heard thanks from those I saved."
"..."
"Many revere me.
Kids wanna be like me.
But I only know fighting. Pile monster corpses like mountains, pray for tomorrow's peace."
What kind of person is this.
Reincarnating fated lives as goddess proxy.
Yet laments not making hearts happy.
Chills.
Legendary true hero personality.
"...Shouldn't say this to others.
Must be off today. Forget it, Decal..."
"..."
"Used to being alone.
Why wanna rely on you...?"
Lisa looked at me.
Because of hypnosis control.
Would prick conscience, but I stood tall, meeting her gaze.
Knew where to take her.