*
The north is said to freeze all the way to the sea and is famous for its cold and harsh climate.
“Haha! The wind is really refreshing!”
That’s why we boarded an icebreaker using magic, me, Pina, and Master Drake.
We were heading towards the north where the demon beasts were rumored to be attacking, cutting through the waves.
‘I didn’t expect to be going with Pina.’
I had told her to stay at the imperial palace, but that was practically a sneak out, so I figured if I said she’d get in more trouble when she returned, I might as well let her on the ship for now.
“Licht, do you know much about the north?”
“Actually, not really.”
“I thought you knew everything.”
If the emperor found out about this, I’d be as good as dead. Why am I being so caring, like I’m applying burn ointment? I just can’t understand a woman’s heart.
“…So there are things you don’t know. Okay, that’s fine.”
What’s fine? My face heated up as I looked at her charming smile directed at me. Thank goodness I was wearing a helmet.
‘Should I have dated in reality?’
Pina was still clinging to my side. Is it because I saved her life from the Demon King or brought her mother back that she’s acting this way?
“Licht, are you cold?”
“A bit, yeah. Am I just sensitive to the cold?”
Even relating this to my near-death experience, there’s no way saving someone’s life would make someone fall in love with me.
“Hehe, it’ll be warm soon.”
Swish, a fluffy white wolf tail wrapped around one of my legs again. It was definitely warm. A soft, cozy feeling like cotton.
‘Even if I die tomorrow, it’ll be a good death, Lee Soo-hyun.’
I nearly blurted out something crude and covered the front of my helmet. Please don’t let me do something unconsciously like this.
“Pina, why do you keep wrapping your tail around my leg?”
“Huh? It’s a thing among family members of the Inrang Tribe.”
I didn’t know anything about that setting. Even the Nameless Saintess never did this. I knew the Inrang Tribe resembled wolves, but I’d never heard of tails being wrapped around each other.
That’s definitely a lie. The princess was staring off into the distance, avoiding my gaze.
“Can you please stop? People will misunderstand.”
“…Okay, Licht.”
That’s when it happened. Pina hugged me. I couldn’t help but be startled by the sudden action. A soft pressure enveloped me.
“Then, is it okay if I do this?”
“…Just keep wrapping your tail around me, please.”
An overwhelming seduction was pressing down on me, and the breath coming from close by was dizzying.
Who hugs someone when things don’t go their way?
It’s something I’ve felt for a while, but she’s really a bit clumsy. Like she learned love or romance from a book.
‘I did say something about becoming more precious if I did this.’
Crap, how am I supposed to comfort Pina? She’s the person I cherish the most. How can I express that…
“Operation, success!”
The platinum-haired girl smiled, finally loosening her arms around me. Seeing her wrap her tail around me again sparked a good idea.
“…Huh.”
“I told you to stop doing that, Pina.”
The tip of her tail was consistently swaying, and I didn’t want her to maintain control any longer.
“Licht… tails are… sensitive…”
Hugging someone at any time really is a hassle. I need to persuade Asha Aureus later, and she could become an obstacle.
“Pina, don’t try to hug me when there are people around.”
“W-Well… is it okay when we’re alone…?”
Gently, I stroked her tail down its length. It felt like a big cotton ball. Is all wolf fur this soft?
“When it’s just the two of us, it’s fine. Anytime.”
“Got it. Now, uh, please stop. Licht… this feels weird…”
It was addictive, and I kept stroking it, making Pina’s cheeks flush. Ah, did I go too far? I thought she’d like it since she enjoyed having her ears touched, but I guess I was wrong.
“I’m sorry. I’ll stop.”
She hung her head, softly tapping my chest with her hand. It seems my choice was wrong.
The white tail wrapped around me tightened even more, almost cutting off circulation.
“I’m angry. Licht…”
“Pina, it hurts. Stop.”
“You’re bad, Licht. Bad boy. You playboy…”
Why am I being called a playboy?
“Don’t talk to me like I’m the typical harem protagonist.”
“I didn’t look at any other girls but you.”
“I’m sorry, so just stop. Please…”
The strength of her punches was increasing, hitting my ribs.
“Pina, please…”
If this keeps up, I might really die. I could see something glistening in her eyes as if she was about to cry.
“Where in the world did you learn this from?!”
I really messed up, didn’t I? Tails must be sensitive for Inrang Tribe members. I resolved not to touch it again when suddenly…
“Hey, you two are causing a scene!!”
Drake shouted after witnessing Pina and me bickering. Pina immediately stopped her assault.
“…Hmph, Licht. You should never touch another woman’s tail.”
She turned her head away in a huff, puffing up her cheeks adorably. Does this mean it’s okay to touch her tail later?
“Disciple, are you really a virgin? Or do you really have no experience with dating?”
“…I don’t have any dating experience.”
I had no choice but to confess the truth in response to Master’s question, who looked frustrated, hitting his chest in disbelief.
“Tails with Inrang Tribe… No, never mind! I should really be quiet!!”
At that moment, Pina’s tail swished vigorously.
Seeing this, I turned my head to find her looking away, her wolf ears perked as if trying to eavesdrop.
‘…She won’t let my tail go.’
It wasn’t as serious as I thought. Even when pouting, her behavior of binding me remained the same.
“You’ll have to deal with your own sins!! Hahaha!”
I thought this would make her release her tail from my leg, but…
“Don’t you dare look for me if you find yourself in trouble, even with my brother!!”
“Why are you shouting all of a sudden? You’re scaring Pina.”
I covered Pina’s ears with my hands. My heart nearly dropped at the loud boom echoing on the deck.
“…Licht. You don’t have to do that.”
The platinum-haired wolf was looking back at me again. Thankfully, she seemed to be feeling better. I’m not even sure what she was mad about, though.
“Us..? Our Pina?! You don’t know how terrifying my brother is?!”
“I know well enough. He’s the wolf king that even the Demon King at the Hero Church fears.”
Drake looked like he was utterly shocked, unable to close his mouth.
So, Pina is still our Pina and not someone else’s. At least until I find someone better than me, or until she finds someone she likes.
‘Besides, Emperor Rock isn’t hostile unless it’s a Demon King or a Hero.’
That’s why I named my nickname “Pure Love Black Knight.” He’s like a savior for my continued existence.
Even if Emperor Rock is scary, I’ll still be the Black Knight protecting her side.
“…Oh my god!!”
“What’s wrong with you… Master?”
He seemed dissatisfied when he noticed Pina and me being close. Pointing at my helmet, Drake scolded me.
“Didn’t you swear you’d train to protect a certain Saintess?! Why are you…”
“That doesn’t matter anymore.”
Ugh, I needed to cut him off before he said something strange. If the Nameless Saintess finds out who I am, Pina will surely hate me.
‘At least I need to grab the most important Magic Hat.’
Besides, until I take down the Demon Kings, it seems there’s still a route for her to fall into misfortune. I’ve already caught the Head, the final boss of [Night Heart], but…
“…Is that true?”
“It’s true, Pina.”
Unless I eliminate the Demon King of Truth in advance, the future where Pina dies in the sequel [Black Heart] won’t change.
Looking at the Grand Route’s progress and penalties on the status window, it was almost certain.
“That can’t be… You’re lying, right… Licht…”
If I have to watch her die after just talking about love, I would surely lose my mind. Just imagining it was horrifying enough to close my eyes.
‘Moreover, now that I think of it, it’s a death flag.’
If by some slim chance Pina actually comes to like me, I’d more than likely have to face death multiple times while dealing with all the Demon Kings ahead.
“Pina, there’s nothing I value more than you.”
“…This time, I believe you. I really will.”
I don’t mind dying for Pina, but she might fall into despair if she lost me. Just like in other games, I have to be cautious with flags.
‘…Oh, should I check the affection level?’
Suddenly, I became curious about how the princess saw me. The affection level, which was at 2 percent, was displayed on the status window.
I need to cross-validate with that. It’s a system that appeared the same way in parts 1 and 2.
It’s a gauge that indicates the probability of dating or the closeness between characters.
I had this thought that the status window might not be reliable,
‘So let me check the affection level at least.’
If the affection level from previous works is high, maybe I could understand why Pina is acting this way.
Let’s throw in a dad joke about the north’s grand duchess, Sophia Coldheart.
She happens to like this type of humor.
“Pina, do you know the Grand Duchess of the North…”
“Don’t even mention that barren woman.”
“…”
Oh dear, I guess my affection level has hit rock bottom. Pina even let out a small growl. She even showed her tiny fangs.
‘Do they know each other?’
Back when I was the Nameless Saintess, it seemed she had no friends or family. Now, it seems more plausible that the princess and the Grand Duchess know each other.
Pina Grancia and Sophia Coldheart would make sense as acquaintances, especially since both their fathers are part of the Ten Heroes.
“Do you know Sophia? Pina?”
“…I know her very well, so stop it. Licht.”
She’s scary. Is this really our Pina? Her cold tone made my heart feel heavy as if it were filled with lead. I must have misstepped in my words.
It seems the north and the royal family don’t get along. Is it because they hold similar powers? Watching Pina glare at me made me wave my hands in apology.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to tell a joke that a friend shared with me.”
“…A female friend?”
The guy I know is definitely male, and there’s no way he could be a girl like some game nerd. I’ve heard his voice when we raided together, and…
“He’s a male friend!!”
He’s even clarified that he’s male before. There’s also a saying that a true young man should love bear beastmen.
‘That guy used to call me a pervert for liking the Saintess.’
But royal family members seem to be more powerful. He always grumbled about how, no matter how great he was in the north, he had to fear Emperor Rock.
“And I don’t like bears. I prefer wolves instead.”
“Licht, I don’t like this side of you.”
There was chatter about the Grand Duchess’s interest in the royal family, and he advised me to fend off Rufus.
“You’re quite forward yourself.”
“…You’re the same, Pina.”
I gently patted her head so she wouldn’t pout anymore. Her ears flopped back in submission, and…
“Hhoo… Licht…”
Her white tail was spinning like a motor. I remember seeing a documentary that said wolves couldn’t be tamed. Is the Inrang tribe different?
“You fools! While you play with fire, we’ve all arrived!!”
At that moment, Drake yelled over to us.
The ship had come to a stop somehow.
“…Licht, let’s be careful getting down. The ground is probably icy.”
“Ah, thank you for looking out, Pina.”
While we were talking, we arrived in the north where snow was swirling around us.
The empire was stuffy during the peak of summer, but the climate was completely different here. She intertwined her fingers with mine and started to walk together.
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