Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: The World Assembly Has Romance (7)
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My heart felt uneasy.
An inexplicable anxiety I'd felt from the very moment we first met.
Even surrounded by hunters, she didn't show a hint of fear. Her presence shone through clearly, despite emitting no light, stirring my emotions.
My instincts screamed that there was something about this woman, that she wouldn't be any help to me at all.
When Siu appeared amid the charging hunters, displaying an ability I'd never seen before, my instincts were proven right.
In our recent communications, he'd only said he was bored alone, lounging at home. Yet here he was, showing up among the hunters with a serious expression, and I couldn't help but reach out to him.
Who was this woman that you, who hated revealing your power, would boldly draw your sword? Why were you hugging her so naturally, wrapping your arm around her waist, even after I'd pushed you away so much?
What was this dark, murky emotion welling up from the depths of my heart? Why did my eyes keep drifting to the waist encircled by Siu's arm? Why was this irritation settling in as I approached Siu's side?
I simply couldn't understand that feeling.
According to Ahgissi later, it was jealousy. He sighed, wondering how I could claim to like him yet know so little, which left me a bit embarrassed.
The tense situation, where it seemed the hunters might clash at any moment, resolved quickly.
The sacred halo of light she conjured, and Siu's sword path I'd never seen before.
I just watched as they neutralized the hunters in a single breath, their coordination perfect as if they'd practiced it thousands of times. It was such flawless teamwork that I couldn't find any opening to intervene.
I stared blankly at the two of them, watching events unfold.
But the situation kept heading in directions I didn't even want to imagine.
"Lover."
Siu's casual remark made the world screech to a halt.
I was here too, but it felt like I wasn't part of it at all. Not abandoned, yet feeling utterly discarded.
Tears streamed down despite my efforts to hold them back, looking utterly pathetic.
I said a few words to Siu, but in my confusion, I can't remember what.
I was just trying to soothe the even heavier ache in my chest alone.
And now, the next day.
Seizing a chance that came my way, I didn't hesitate to speak to the woman.
"You... follow me."
I couldn't just sit idly by if I wanted to claim what was mine.
All I could do was glare fiercely.
I followed her lead toward the stage, her back ahead of me. The cheers from the crowd and their excited faces were plain to see, so I just flashed a bright smile.
- Waaaaah!!
I didn't know why the people who'd pointed swords at me yesterday were now cheering like mad, but at least the hostility seemed gone, so I let it slide.
Soon, we stepped onto the stage.
I took my position opposite her, the woman named Yuna, and smiled again.
"...Don't smile. It annoys me."
"Oh my, it's just a friendly gesture~ We'll be seeing each other plenty from now on."
Her frowning reaction was so consistent. I envied how openly she showed her dislike.
Living like that without getting stabbed must mean the world was kind. Or maybe it was fortunate she had that much power.
"If you lose the duel, leave Siu."
Her bold declaration grated on me a bit.
"Ehh, why should I do that~?"
But the mask I'd worn all this time wouldn't crack so easily, so I deepened my smile and asked back.
"I can't yield Siu's side to you... You've been together a long time, so step aside. One person by his side is enough—me."
What an innocent girl, clueless about the world. Probably because she'd lived without real danger, always chasing what she wanted. If anything, Arsius was mine to begin with.
"Hmm~ Let me be frank. You've only been with him for less than a year, yet acting so possessive bothers me. It's laughable how you, knowing so little, assume you can claim Arsius all to yourself."
"What do you know..."
I cut off her words and continued with mine.
"I don't care if Arsius has multiple wives. Even lots of women are fine. The term 'hero's harem' isn't empty— he has the qualifications. Now he has the right to live as he pleases."
"..."
She glared at me silently.
"But Arsius's first is off-limits. Mine alone, for over ten years."
I couldn't yield on that. If she hated it, prove it with strength.
I declared firmly, drawing forth my divinity.
The announcer's starting signal rang out just as I finished, and she glared at me while aiming her bow.
Knowing I specialized in buffs, she wasn't giving me time to chant.
The first arrow flew without hesitation, aimed straight at my head.
Too fast for a chant. But even I hadn't just chanted from the back all my life, so I infused my hand with divinity and caught the incoming arrow.
"...!"
Not expecting me to grab it, perhaps. In that brief moment of surprise, I quickly chanted.
"Bless"
⟨ Bless ⟩
A blessing first.
Divinity settled into my body, lightening my movements, and I kicked off the ground. A stationary buffer was just an easy target.
The next arrows came at a different speed. Probably some technique.
I twisted my body to dodge the splitting projectiles and charged at her.
"Smite"
⟨ Smite ⟩
I slammed a sacred strike into the ground to obscure her vision.
And I declared it.
Anyone who aimed a weapon at me was evil, and the bow she held was something wicked.
Proclaiming it evil, I chanted.
"Divine Ray"
⟨ Divine Ray ⟩
Light burst from unseen places, slicing forward. I couldn't kill, so I reduced the power and fired at her.
Dust cleared, vision forward sharpened.
The sight was a bit different from expected. I thought she'd taken a solid hit even if not down, but she was on one knee, glaring at me.
"Oh my... Was Evgenia's influence a bit lacking?"
Even after the proclamation, the damage amplification seemed minimal. Plus, no sanctuary here since different worlds.
"Not just a buffer... You're a monster."
"Thanks for the compliment~ And as Arsius's companion, did you think I'd survive on buffs alone?"
She bit her lip at my words and stood.
Her bow aimed again. But no arrow nocked; she just closed her eyes in focus.
What a mediocre woman.
Immature for her age, strong but unreliable to guard Arsius's back. No sense of crisis from her peaceful world, sluggish movements.
Not a single appealing trait. As I prayed to end it, wind gathered around her. It formed on the bowstring, stretching long and sharp into an arrow aimed at me.
And it fired.
Wind Shot...
Wind Shot...
From the moment it launched, it flew without color, scent, or sound—the twins' technique.
Imperfect, crude form, but it was theirs exclusively.
Of all things, showing this last. My heart churned, prayer faltering briefly.
I faced the arrow head-on.
Pain tore through me from within, but I healed myself and advanced, spitting blood from my mouth while continuing the prayer.
Not expecting me to take it directly, her eyes widened.
I just shut my eyes tight against the aching longing and finished the prayer.
"Fragarach"
⟨ Fragarach ⟩
A single beam of light bloomed from my hand, taking sword form and gleaming as I swung it.
Her bow shattered against the blade. Weaponless, she stared blankly, and I shoved her back with the flat.
She collapsed with a thud, and I pressed the sword to her throat.
"Will you surrender?"
She extended her arm and nodded.
"You okay...?"
I smiled at her question.
"I'm fine."
Pain was quite familiar, after all.
Better to bury it under agony than let the longing consume me.
I dispersed my divinity and turned toward Arsius.