The Archipelago

Why did he call himself a doctor when he was the captain and navigator?

Was his last name actually 'Doctor'?

Moreover, for a captain of a tiny port town, he possessed an incredibly thorough spirit of service.

To lay out the sailing plan in such detail with extreme politeness was remarkably modern.

"The ship is surprisingly large," Lucy remarked.

It was no wonder she was surprised. Even though it was the only ferry heading to the Zramun Archipelago, the vessel was practically a galleon.

"And there are quite a lot of people, too."

Indeed, the galleon-class ship ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was packed to maximum capacity. Rin, whose mind was filled with the memories of his past life as Lee, explained the reason to Lucy.

"The Zramun Archipelago is currently holding a festival," Rin said.

"A festival?"

"A festival to honor the Second Hero."

"I see..."

Rin had already told Lucy about the Second Hero and the Demon Sword. A Hero who, just like her, had been framed and betrayed by his companions.

For both the Second and Fourth Heroes to be stabbed in the back...

To be precise, the First and Third Heroes had died in battle while stopping the demon invasion, while the Second and Fourth had been betrayed. Though, Lucy had the unique distinction of actually completing the subjugation of the Demon King.

Come to think of it, both of them shared the commonality of being betrayed immediately after achieving their greatest accomplishments.

"It's a festival to honor the Second Hero's achievements and console his soul. It's not widely known, but a decent number of people visit every year."

"...What's the point of honoring someone after they're dead?" Lucy grumbled sullenly.

Seeing herself in the Second Hero's plight made her feel irritated.

"If I had died right after defeating the Demon King like those bastards wanted, would they have just thrown a festival for me and called it a day?"

"Well, it's a bit different. Very few people actually know that the Zramun Archipelago's festival is for the Second Hero."

"Why is that?"

Rin gave a bitter smile. This was also a bit awkward to tell Lucy.

"The Zramun Archipelago was the Second Hero's hometown. Because he was executed as a traitor, his younger sister and the islanders couldn't openly hold a funeral for him. So, they disguised it as a festival to start it."

"What is that..."

"Right? A festival to honor the Second Hero, yet barely anyone knows about it. It's completely contradictory from the start."

"True."

Although she understood, her discontent remained unresolved. Lucy leaned her head against his shoulder.

"It's annoying. I don't like it."

Rin didn't like the Second Hero's story either. Even in the game, only the Goddess's punishment after his framed death was directly shown; the rest of the backstory was merely hinted at like easter eggs scattered throughout the game.

Because of that, even Rin didn't know the Second Hero's story in perfect detail.

"Hey, Rin," Lucy said, pressing herself closer to him.

"The Goddess directly handed down divine punishment after the Second Hero died, right?"

"Yeah, she did."

"I think Rin is the person the Goddess sent for me."

Shyly, she buried her face in his shoulder.

"I'm so lucky. The Second Hero only got his vengeance through divine punishment around the time the betrayers' grandchildren grew up, but I was saved by Rin before I could even die."

Rin felt a bit embarrassed. In a way, since he had acted intentionally ever since awakening his past life's memories, Lucy's words weren't entirely wrong.

Still, hearing her praise him so highly made him feel incredibly self-conscious, even if it was just a private conversation between the two of them.

The Goddess, huh...

Actually, the Demon God was a much bigger problem than the Goddess. While the Goddess usually exerted her influence to strengthen humanity, the Demon God constantly carried out underhanded plots behind her back to weaken or cause betrayals among humans.

In particular, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the random events where the Demon God offered irresistible deals to heroes—including the Hero's party—to form contracts were explicitly designed to screw over the player.

Since it turned a party member into an enemy, if that event triggered in the original game, it was an automatic reset.

However, because that event ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠drew so much ire from players, the developers completely deleted it when they released the DLC.

If they were just going to delete it, couldn't they have released a patch instead of holding out until the DLC launch?

Seriously, game companies always have an incredible nose for money.

Right. Even if the event had been deleted, it wouldn't hurt to warn her just in case.

"Lucy."

"Yeah?"

"If an unknown entity ever approaches you and offers to grant a wish, you must doubt them immediately."

"A wish?"

"For example, changing the past?"

That was Arciel's wish when she fell.

"Or wanting to fix your own personality or tendencies?"

That was Nydrian.

"Or wanting to erase a certain existence?"

That was Tigria, though he didn't know why she wanted such a wish. There was no information on it.

"Things like that."

"Those sound simple yet complicated," Lucy murmured.

And every single one of them was a wish Lucy couldn't help but be tempted by.

Rin had merely listed the wishes of his former party members, but the current Lucy desired all three of them.

To change the past where she had mistreated Rin.

To change herself, who had lost her temper and spoken harshly to him.

And to erase the very existence of Linefold, the massive stain on her love for Rin.

It was impossible not to be tempted.

But Rin had told her not to.

If Rin told her not to do it, then she shouldn't do it.

"Okay, I understand. If anyone approaches me like that, I'll just cut them down."

"No, don't just go slashing people..."

"Hehe."

Still buried in his shoulder, she took a deep breath of Rin's scent.

His scent always put her at ease.

Furthermore, Lucy was in an exceptionally good mood, feeling a sense of achievement that she had finally shared casual, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trivial banter with Rin, just like Labin did.

I love this so much.

I shouldn't act up. I'll just stay by Rin's side and live only for him.

Naturally, the archipelago was not a distance that could be reached in a single day.

To stave off the intense boredom, Rin and Lucy went out to the deck every day to chat quietly with each other.

"I heard a few people fell into the sea last night," Rin said.

"People did?"

Lucy was the one who had thrown them in.

"They said it was a group of troublemakers who had been causing scenes," Rin continued.

While Rin was fast asleep, Lucy had quietly gone on her own night patrol and overheard the troublemakers talking.

"Ah, I remember. The ones who were always drunk and picking fights?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah, you were about to teach them a lesson once."

Upon hearing them talk about killing Rin and taking her for themselves, Lucy had thrown every single one of them into the ocean on the spot.

"That's not all," Rin said.

"There's more?"

"You know those women who wore heavy makeup and revealing clothes?"

"..."

"What's wrong?"

"When did you look at them wearing revealing clothes?" Lucy asked, her voice dropping.

"No, I just happened to see them dressed like that, why..."

So, Lucy had thrown those bitches into the sea as well.

Right after dealing with the troublemakers, she had overheard another conversation.

"That black-haired guy next to the pretty brown-haired girl looks pretty earnest, doesn't he?"

"What? Is he the target this time? Unexpected."

"Idiot, don't you know guys like that save up their pocket money like gold? They're perfect for a quick fleecing. Once I get my hands on his coin purse, I'll just slit his throat and dump him in the sea."

"But the girl with him is really pretty. Do you think she'll fall for it?"

"You know nothing."

The woman who claimed she would seduce Rin raised her nose arrogantly.

"Would a girl who knows she's pretty ever date a guy like that?"

So, Lucy had revealed herself and asked:

"What's wrong with Rin?"

"Who the—urk!"

If they screamed, they might wake Rin up, which would be troublesome.

She drove her fists into the solar plexuses of the two women with all her might, grabbed them by their collars, and hurled them into the sea.

The waves were so rough that the sound of them hitting the water wasn't even heard.

Compared to Rin, someone like me is far from enough.

After confirming no one was around, Lucy smiled brightly up at the moonlight.

Goddess, I protected the world for Rin today as well.

"Lucy? Lucy?"

"Yes, Rin, I'm listening."

"Anyway, let's be careful on the deck. Especially don't get too close to the railings."

"Okay. Thank you for worrying about me, Rin."

It was ecstatic to receive his concern.

She shouldn't make it too obvious, though. Since it might trouble Rin, maybe just a light kiss on his neck...

Lucy was startled by the sudden announcement broadcast.

The town they operated out of was small, yet the ship was galleon-class, and it even had a magical broadcasting device inside. It was mysterious in many ways.

"Rin, we're arriving!"

"Yeah, let's get ready."

Lucy felt a bit sad to leave, but she was also excited for the journey ahead. During their time on the ship, she hadn't done anything to make him dislike her, and she had gotten to chat with Rin to her heart's content, just as she had dreamed.

Their time on the ship was ending, but the Zramun Archipelago was in the middle of its festival.

Rin had warned her beforehand that there were demons here too, but Lucy wanted to quickly obtain the Demon Sword, exterminate them, and enjoy the festival with him, even if only for a little bit.

Finally, the ship docked at the pier.

"Rin, what should we do now?" she asked expectantly.

"Don't worry, Lucy. I've prepared everything."

"Really?"

"We're going straight to where the festival is being held."

"Really?!"

Lucy was overjoyed, ready to jump. Rin had the same idea.

A festival date with her... No, no. Don't get ahead of yourself, Lucy. You haven't been chosen by Rin yet, nor have you been forgiven. Stop acting up.

Even so, it was hard to stop a grin from spreading across her face.

"We won't be able to enjoy it fully, but we can still have some fun at the festival while earning money," Rin said.

See! Look at that! He said we can enjoy it! And earn money too!

...Wait, what?

"How do we earn money?" Lucy asked blankly.

But before Rin could answer, a large, burly man stepped out onto the pier and shouted:

"Hey! All you guys who signed up for the festival porter gig, get over here right now!"

"Me! Over here!"

Rin raised his hand high and ran forward, shouting. Seeing him look somewhat excited, unlike his usual self, felt unfamiliar.

"Oh! You've got spirit! What's your name?"

"Chunsik! Lee Chunsik!"

"Alright, Chunsik! You alone?"

"No!"

Rin gestured toward Lucy.

"Suni! Come here quickly! This is popular! The spots will fill up fast!"

If it had been the old Lucy, she would have been deflated and disappointed.

But now, just seeing Rin smiling and waving at her made Lucy's heart pound uncontrollably.

"Suni!"

"I'm coming!"

Suni ran energetically to Chunsik's side.

"And what kind of Suni are you?" the burly man asked.

"L-Lee Suni!"

She slyly gave the same last name as Rin.

As if they were a married couple.

"A girl... It's going to be a bit tough, think you can handle it?" the burly man asked worriedly.

Suni smiled brightly and pointed at Chunsik.

"I can do anything as long as I'm with him!"