Chapter 791: A Gentle Embrace
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 791: A Gentle Embrace
"Ariel... she should have gone this way."
Within the labyrinthine ancient architecture, Muen pressed forward in the direction he had chosen.
There were no lingering traces of Ariel’s presence or scent along the way. Even with the crisis resolved, a girl like her wouldn't be so careless as to leave a trail.
As for why Muen was so certain of her path... perhaps it was what one might call chemistry?
After all, they had fought side-by-side so many times. Even setting aside "chemistry," he had a fundamental understanding of her character.
"That girl definitely wouldn't go near the ruins. She’s likely somewhere scouting for loot."
Muen eliminated the wrong answers one by one, guided by his intuition.
Soon, his field of vision opened up, and he found himself in a familiar area.
"Is this... the corridor from before?"
Flickering candlelight illuminated the path. As he walked down the hallway, Muen saw the familiar numbered doors and... that mirror.
The mirror remained as ancient and plain as ever, blending almost perfectly with the wall behind it. From its appearance alone, it was hard to imagine it was a remarkable Ancient Artifact, though it was now a broken one.
"It’s still here? Ariel didn't take it? Or did I go to the wrong place?"
Feeling a touch of nostalgia, Muen stepped forward and tapped on the glass.
Ariel couldn't have crawled back inside, and by the looks of it, the female adventurers who had been imprisoned within had already been rescued by Miss Fei’er and the others.
So, should he take it? Ariel hadn't claimed it, and he could probably fetch a decent price for it. His father’s manor had basically been sold off, and Celicia was still at war with the Kingdom. Even the well-to-do were feeling the pinch these days. To be honest, paying Ariel that hundred million was going to be a bit of a struggle.
Better take it.
After some deliberation, Muen decided to be frugal. Besides, this thing would eventually end up in Ariel’s hands anyway as debt repayment, so why hesitate?
No sooner said than done. Muen gripped the edges of the mirror with both hands, but just as he was about to pull it down...
Wait.
He saw a reflection in the glass.
"Ariel?"
Ariel had appeared behind him at some unknown point, watching him silently.
Startled, Muen quickly let go of the mirror and turned around. "How did you get here?"
No, that was a stupid question. It wasn't like her whereabouts were any of his business.
"When did you arrive?" Muen asked instead.
"Just now."
The silent Ariel finally spoke. She looked incredibly calm, and she didn't ask why Muen was there. She simply stared straight at him, her gaze deep and inscrutable.
"Is there something on my face?" Muen asked, feeling a bit self-conscious under her stare.
"No." Ariel shook her head.
"Then... do you want this?"
Muen stepped aside slightly, revealing the mirror to her.
Though he’d just been thinking about using it to pay off his debt, the point remained: it would end up with her eventually. There was no need for him to agonize over whether to keep it.
Besides, in a sense, he really did owe Ariel a lot. It would be pretty low of him to snatch loot from her now.
But to Muen’s surprise...
"You take it."
Ariel shook her head again. "I don't need it."
"..."
Muen paused, frowning as he scrutinized Ariel’s face. But her expression was too placid, like the surface of a windless lake; he couldn't read a thing.
Was she angry?
But why?
After a moment’s thought, Muen took the mirror down anyway and tucked it into the storage magic ring on his finger. Ariel’s eyes followed his movements, watching him in silence.
"By the way, I came to invite you to return to Belland with me."
"Is that so?"
"Supposedly, that Calamity Dragon can give us a lift."
"Sounds impressive."
"Are you coming?"
"Yes."
"Think about it, it’s very conven—wait... really?"
Seeing Muen’s stunned expression, Ariel repeated herself seriously, "Really. I’m going with you."
"I see..."
Muen couldn't help but smile. "That’s great."
Inviting the habitually stubborn Ariel had turned out to be a hundred times easier than expected. She hadn't shown the slightest hint of resistance; she was more obedient than he had ever known her to be. Muen was genuinely pleased.
Wasting no time, he walked ahead, intending to lead Ariel to regroup with An so they could begin their journey back to Belland.
He had been away from that city for a long time; he actually missed it.
But before that...
"Oh, right."
Muen stopped abruptly.
"Ariel, can I ask you a question?"
"Ask."
Ariel’s tone remained calm, like that of a reserved, quiet lady. She didn't seem at all surprised by the suddenness of his inquiry.
"I wanted to ask... where did your ring go?"
On the middle finger of Ariel’s left hand, there should have been a ring. It was a memento from her mother, an antique bestowed upon her by Count Bugard during one of his drunken whims.
Though it looked like a mere trinket worth a bit of gold, it was a ring Ariel’s mother had refused to sell even in their direst poverty. It held a secret that even Count Bugard knew nothing about.
An ancient soul slumbered within that ring.
And that soul... was Ariel’s current teacher.
For a long time now, that ring—and the teacher within—should have been inseparable from Ariel.
"..."
The entire corridor fell silent.
The candles on the walls flickered incessantly, causing Muen and Ariel’s shadows to dance wildly.
Muen waited patiently. He felt that no matter how long it took, he had the patience to wait for a reasonable answer from her.
Unfortunately, he didn't get one.
What he got instead was a sudden, explosive burst of killing intent.
"So that's how it is..."
Muen’s body tensed instantly. His hands had already instinctively gripped the hilt of Elizabeth. He spun around with remarkable agility, parrying the Crimson-Gold Greatsword that came hurtling toward him, wrapped in a gale of scorching flames, just in the nick of time.
Muen was forced back a step, his hands stinging from the force of the impact. Ariel’s strength still surpassed his; a head-on collision put him at a disadvantage from the start.
But more than the tactical disadvantage, it was the confusion that made it hard for Muen to remain calm.
He looked up, staring intently at the girl before him once more.
She didn't have An’s dignified grace, Senior Sister Anna’s sultry charm, Liya’s adorable sweetness, or Celicia’s cold elegance.
But she was the type who grew on you. Her eyes, her nose, her ears, her lips—every feature was perfectly placed. No single trait was overly prominent, but when combined, the resulting portrait was enough to make the finest artist marvel.
But now, upon that portrait, Muen could see nothing beyond those exquisite lines. Her aura seemed fine, and his intuition told him this was indeed her...
But the reflection in her eyes was hollow and mechanical.
"Ariel, why...?"
"..."
Ariel still didn't answer. Failing her first strike, she closed in again. The Heavenly Fire Greatsword carved a perfect arc through the air—a strike only she could deliver.
But as Ariel drew near, amidst the roar of the burning flames, Muen faintly heard a sound.
"Miss Muse..."
It was Ariel’s whisper.
"I love you..."
"...No way..."
Muen’s pupils shrank.
A very unpleasant thought surfaced in his mind.
The idea seemed impossible because he felt that while anyone else in the world might fall for such a thing, Ariel never would.
Because she was the Protagonist... the invincible "Soaring Phoenix" who, in the original book, hacked through every obstacle and defeated countless enemies, born solely to save the world... How could she fall for something so ridiculous?
However, his previous conversation with Teacher Mela forced Muen to acknowledge the growing certainty of his suspicion.
Ariel loved Miss Muse.
But Miss Muse was a man—and he was Muen Campbell, the person she hated most.
Yet even so, she couldn't let go of that affection... Did that count as "twisted"?
Of course it did! It was twisted into a goddamn pretzel!
Muen hadn't expected that even at this stage, Ariel still hadn't moved on.
Aren't you supposed to be some emotional master? Why?
"Ariel!"
Muen let out a roar, trying to snap her out of it. "Wake up!"
"..."
No response.
Ariel continued to stare at Muen with that same eerie calm, her lips murmuring Miss Muse’s name. She shifted her blade, and a terrifying power began to gather.
That all-too-familiar starting stance told Muen exactly what was coming next.
"Heavenly Fire—Draw!"
Lethal flames and astral winds surged toward Muen without mercy. The searing heat and sword intent instantly set off the death premonition screaming in his head.
The Heavenly Fire Greatsword trembled slightly, yet it could not defy its master’s forced control.
Everything happened in a heartbeat. Muen had only a split second to act. Facing Ariel’s full-power strike, if he didn't give it his all, he would be torn to shreds instantly.
But... Muen suddenly pulled back his hand.
As if he were simply going to embrace death.
The firelight and Ariel’s face were reflected in his eyes. He watched them get closer and closer, closer...
Until the tip of the blade was a mere centimeter from his heart.
Until the heat singed a lock of hair on his forehead.
But Ariel stopped.
Her body trembled violently, as if she were struggling to break through some form of control. Her beautiful face flickered with intense conflict, and the hollow, mechanical look in her eyes was replaced by a mixture of rage and agony.
With a clatter, the Heavenly Fire Greatsword fell to the floor.
Muen didn't embrace death. Instead, he pulled Ariel into his arms. Amidst the dying embers of the great fire, he spoke softly:
"See? After all this time, you still can't bring yourself to actually cut me down, can you?"