Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: A Sick Visit (2)
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The aftereffects of going berserk...
My energy was draining away.
How was I supposed to shake off this damn lethargy?
“...”
The penalty would probably lift by tomorrow.
The question was whether I could hold out until then.
Just when I needed something stimulating.
The Saintess appeared with a flourish, as if to save me.
She was dressed in a holy manner in more ways than one.
The meaning was a little different, but it was stimulating in its own right.
“You don’t look well. Hmm, that can’t be right...”
She had definitely cast a healing spell on me.
I should have been well enough to go about my daily life by now.
She tilted her head, looking as if she couldn’t understand.
Well, it just happened.
I couldn’t explain my condition in detail.
I forced a smile and thanked her.
“I heard you treated me after I collapsed.”
“Yes. I poured all the divine power I had into you.”
“...You saved my life.”
“Think nothing of it. I was only doing my duty.”
She acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
As if she would even sacrifice her own life for me...
Wow! Is this the Saintess’s character?
Her benevolent figure shone so brightly it was dazzling.
“If you don’t mind, could you spare me some time?”
How could I refuse the girl’s request?
As a Saintess, Luciel’s time was precious.
Just being treated by her was like striking gold.
And I happened to be free.
I should use this chance to build a good rapport.
“I had a dream recently. I still remember it vividly. It must have been a revelation from the Goddess. In it...”
Wait, hold on...
I had a feeling that something troublesome was about to come out of her mouth.
“You became the Hero and ultimately defeated the Demon King.”
“...”
“There were sacrifices, and we were nearly wiped out, but you and I survived until the very end. After that, just the two of us...”
“—!!”
Agh, that’s the bad ending!
Bring back my cutie and my princess!
There was no reason to bring the Goddess into this in the first place.
As I saw it, it was nothing more than the girl’s own delusions manifesting as a dream.
“I may have embellished the last part myself, but I’m sure the first part is true.”
Her eyes shone with a brilliant light.
An absolute faith bordering on fanaticism.
She was convinced that I was the only one who could become the master of the Holy Sword.
That was one thing, but the ending was just too grim.
What were we supposed to do, just the two of us surviving?
The implication was so blatant that I didn't even have the heart to argue.
“I’m not just saying this. Your body accepted my divine power completely. In other words, we have good compatibility.”
“...”
Somehow, this was getting more and more burdensome.
What if the Holy Sword ignored me?
“May I try a little experiment?”
“What kind of experiment?”
“I’m going to cast a blessing and an enhancement on you.”
She wanted to confirm the effects.
I was curious myself, so I readily extended my hand.
Through our joined hands, she infused divine power into my body.
The Saintess’s blessing.
I could feel numerous buffs activating.
Immediately after, she cast a series of enhancement spells.
Luciel nodded in satisfaction.
“Just as I thought, they stack. You’re the only partner for me.”
“—??”
“The special relationship between the Hero and the Saintess... You understand what that means, don’t you?”
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
No, I do know, but I’m already taken!
She was usually endlessly gentle, but once she got angry, she was unstoppable.
So my protest was limited to a subtle glance, which wasn’t conveyed very well.
“Just think of it simply. From now on, we will overcome trials together, with one heart and one body.”
“—!!”
You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?
You’re trying to provoke me just to see me get flustered, right?
I would have been more comfortable if that were the case.
But the girl’s calm expression seemed as if it would not waver for anything.
“Hee hee, I’m already looking forward to the day the master of the Holy Sword is chosen.”
Leaving behind a bewitching smile.
Luciel said she’d see me later and left.
[Favorability +1]
[Favorability +2]
My favorability was rising even though I hadn’t done anything.
The moment I became the Hero, it seemed poised to break through 80 and shoot straight to 90.
Oh, Goddess.
Lead me not into temptation, but deliver your first daughter from evil.
“...”
Praying just made me feel even stranger.
Well, I should think positively. It was better than her hating me.
Anyway.
This incident made me realize just how necessary the Saintess was.
Stacking blessings and enhancements.
The effects still lingered even now.
My combat power had skyrocketed as a result.
I felt like I wouldn’t lose even if I fought the princess, who was among the strongest.
An irreplaceable talent.
The Saintess’s support was indispensable.
With her, we could minimize casualties.
It was still fine for now.
She was just admiring the Hero as a Saintess, nothing more, right?
I didn’t know what the future held.
I could only hope her feelings would remain a beautiful camaraderie.
***
A short while later, Esterize came to visit.
An unfortunate princess whose fate was overturned by the Demon King’s army’s invasion.
Despite this, she acted like a vibrant young girl in front of others.
“How are you feeling?”
“So-so.”
“Well, that’s a relief, but why did you push yourself so hard? I thought something bad had happened again.”
She lightly chided me, saying her heart had dropped.
I was grateful that she took the time to check on me despite her busy schedule.
“Well, anyway, everyone was thrilled. Your reputation has gone way up.”
Another gain from defeating Maier.
The Jace from his troublemaker days would likely fade from memory.
“I think it’s a natural reaction. You were cool enough to fall for.”
“—??”
“—!!”
Her face flushed bright red.
She looked flustered, as if she had spoken her true feelings without realizing it.
“I-I mean... that’s what the others think!”
“...”
She looked so desperate trying to brush it off.
A gentleman should preserve the princess’s dignity.
I would overlook her slip of the tongue by remaining silent.
She cleared her throat and smoothly changed the subject.
“That aside, I learned a lot from your actions.”
“What did you learn?”
“A conviction to stand against injustice. A tenacity that never gives up. You embodied the very justice I strive for.”
“...”
She clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling.
It seemed I had unknowingly lit a fire in the girl’s heart.
We are the same kind.
We will surely become the best of comrades.
It seemed she was trying to form a bond of empathy with that sort of feeling.
Huh? It’s being interpreted like that?
I just accepted the duel because I thought I had a chance to win.
Somehow, the higher their favorability, the more they seemed to see only what they wanted to see.
Since this delusion was a positive one, I decided to let it be for now.
The atmosphere was pretty good.
I should ride this wave and try to raise her favorability a bit.
I gently prodded her.
Telling her to feel free to share any worries she had.
The princess flinched for a moment, then waved her hands dismissively.
“I don’t think this is something to say in front of a patient. Besides...”
“I already have an idea.”
“Hmm?”
“You can be honest with me. I can handle anything.”
“Because we’re comrades?”
“That’s right. It’s natural to lean on each other when things are tough.”
“Hmm...”
As if she needed to think it over.
She was calculating something in her head.
I didn’t have high expectations.
She was strong-willed and wouldn't want to show weakness.
She would probably end up talking about something trivial.
If we took it step by step like that, someday...
“Can I really tell you everything?”
“—??”
“To be honest, I have a lot on my mind. I was feeling really frustrated.”
Wait, what’s with this reaction?
She was charging forward, trampling my assumptions.
There was only one difference from the original story.
My existence or non-existence must have been the variable.
It felt a little early, but moving ahead with the plot wasn’t a bad idea.
“If the princess wishes...”
“Ah, not now! What if someone hears?”
It’s embarrassing, so that title is forbidden!
If you call me that again, I’ll get mad! Her sharp tone conveyed that exact feeling.
This girl. Pretending not to like it when she secretly does.
Her reactions are fun; I should tease her whenever I’m bored.
Anyway.
The conversation that followed was a bit more serious.
The princess of a fallen kingdom.
The last surviving member of the royal family.
Everything rested on her.
“Everyone is working hard together, but the gap between ideals and reality is just too wide.”
Nothing was going right, she said.
Well, the great task of rebuilding a kingdom wasn't going to be easy.
A severely broken object cannot be fixed.
It's easier to build a new one from scratch.
The analogy wasn’t a perfect fit, but it didn't seem too far off.
“We don’t lack manpower. The people keep gathering. But that’s what makes it more of a problem...”
The princess’s maternal family.
They were building a foundation centered around a certain duchy, but things were difficult in many ways.
Clothes, food, shelter.
Even the basic necessities of life were not being met.
“We’re especially short on food. In the end, it all comes down to money.”
“...”
Money solves everything.
Gold is the best thing in the world!
She seemed to subscribe to that kind of materialism.
Because of the plight of her people.
She had become a girl who laughed and cried over a single gold coin.
How heavy must the burden on those slender shoulders be?
Agh, my heart aches...
If only someone could save this poor princess.
Right now, I was just the heir to my family.
I had no real authority to exercise.
If I became the Hero, I could exert some influence, but that was for later.
For now, the best I could do was offer warm words of comfort.
It might not seem like much, but it would lighten her heart.
“Actually, more than anything, we need hope. We need to show them the possibility that the kingdom can be rebuilt. It’s a bit strange for me to say it myself, but I’m the only one who can be the hope for the people, you know? That’s what worries me a little.”
Esterize was strong.
She was among the top-tier candidates for the Hero.
She was certainly amazing, but that alone wasn’t nearly enough.
Becoming the Hero was the only solution.
A symbolism that everyone had to acknowledge.
If she could wield the authority of the Hero, most of her problems would be solved.
“You’re too pessimistic. That’s a needless worry.”
“Hmm, are you trying to comfort me? That’s not really what I was looking for...”
“This isn’t about comfort. It might take some time, but your wish is bound to come true.”
“—??”
How can you be so sure?
What makes you so certain!
She widened her eyes as if it were truly unexpected.
Why? Because I know everything.
In ten years, you will become a queen who has achieved a reverse harem.
Well, I couldn't say that.
Besides, this world had many variables, so a different ending could unfold.
Anyway.
The point was to put the princess’s mind at ease.
I put on a more serious demeanor than ever before and spoke softly.
“I just have to help you until it’s done. I swear it, as the heir to the Crodain family. So just look forward and run.”
“—!!”
The girl’s pupils quaked.
She looked at me with a question in her eyes, as if asking why I would go so far.
Because you’re my favorite character.
I just want to take care of you!
She was stronger than anyone, yet she unknowingly evoked a protective instinct.
Beautiful, righteous, and multi-talented.
And on top of that, she had the charm of being clumsy in a way that didn't suit a princess.
She was the type of person you couldn't help but like.
“You don’t need to feel burdened. As you know, I’m someone who has the ability to do so.”
“W-Well, that’s true, but...”
“By helping you, countless people will find happiness. That’s enough for me.”
“...”
She was silent for a while.
It seemed she was struggling to calm her trembling emotions.
After a long moment, Esterize finally managed to speak.
“If you put it that way... I suppose I have no choice but to accept.”
A faint smile formed on her lips.
She added her thanks and returned to her usual self.
“A new worry just popped into my head.”
“I’ll listen to that one, too.”
“No, how could I possibly say it?”
“—??”
She suddenly startled like a cat with its fur on end.
She began to make a fuss, as if insisting she was dying of embarrassment.
“You don’t need to know. No, I want you to know... Agh, what am I even saying?”
“...”
Hmm, no matter how I thought about it, it had to be that, right?
Did I perhaps stimulate the girl’s heart a little too much?
I don’t know anything.
I had no such intention!
It was all just speculation.
Delving into that statement would only lead me into a quagmire.
“A-Anyway... thanks to you, I feel a lot better. I’ll see you later!”
Her favorability shot up.
Is this right? It’s already approaching 80.
“...”
Well, it should be fine.
My princess was relatively sensible.
At the very least, she would focus on rebuilding her kingdom until it was done.
After that...
It wouldn’t be strange if she tried to seduce me.
If things went wrong, I might end up in her reverse harem.
Agh, that’s too horrible!
There was only one way to deal with it.
The moment I defeated the Demon King, I would hold a wedding with Ceria.
Surely she wouldn’t make a move on a married man, right?
The thought brought me a little peace of mind.