I was all alone in the room, filling in the blanks in my notebook.
Another reincarnator. The odds were high that it was Giseok using the nickname ‘Northern Duchess Husband.’
If he caught the Magic Hat to get here, he must be similar to me. Why hasn’t he contacted Kainel or Ariel?
Something’s off. Questions kept rising like smoke. Once a spark ignites a thought, it doesn’t stop.
‘There’s no way he wouldn’t hire the protagonist.’
How could a guy skilled at reading others and using them not recruit the greatest force against the Demon King?
Nothing adds up. Could it be that he…?
“Is he walking a different path than mine?”
If he’s skipping the Grand Route ending, that would make sense.
Despite listing all possibilities since earlier, this was the only answer left. I scribbled on the paper, crossing out words.
If his Status Window pops up just like mine, then he must be joining the Academy.
But if he’s only looking out for Sophia, then fixing the heart condition would suffice.
Unlike our Pina, the Northern Duchess clearly has a happy ending as a main heroine.
There’s a reason I call him a pillar husband for no good reason.
He ended up successfully marrying and truly became the Northern Duchess’s husband.
But he often played behind the scenes, manipulating people without leaving the palace, which is why he’s frequently called a pillar husband.
According to Sophia, he left a few days ago in search of a cure.
If he was also reincarnated at a similar time as me, that wouldn’t make sense.
‘Perhaps Giseok reincarnated recently.’
A guy with a personality to prepare a cure in advance would check on Sophia and then leave the North.
‘This feels like….’
It’s almost as if I was summoned as a Hero. Assuming I’m the only one with the Status Window and the goal of the Grand Route.
Head once called me a Hero of Conviction, and everyone around sees it that way.
“I believe in love.”
I opened the window wide and chanted. The fake Holy Sword fell at an angle and landed before me.
I once thwarted Pina’s transition into the Nameless Saintess by using this to kill Head.
Before grabbing the Magic Hat, there was always a chance Pina could die. Who knows what else might be lurking ahead?
‘What’s left are the two living Demon Kings, unlike previous works, and the Magic Hat.’
As far as I know, this guy was definitely a man, so why did he appear as a woman in this prequel?
Not only that, but she looked like she knew me, with hair as white as snow and golden eyes.
Originally, he was a stocky man wearing a black mask and a magician’s hat.
With a grin that could tear his mouth, using cards and deceptive powers to mislead others, he was a Demon King who took what he desired.
‘My lord, you definitely said my lord… Why?’
My mind was complicated, like trying to fit missing pieces of a puzzle together. There wasn’t enough evidence to infer anything further.
If the Magic Hat truly knows me, then Head should know me as well, but he didn’t.
Also, why did Head fire at Pina with such precision?
He wasn’t targeting Hero couples like Kainel or Ariel, but attacked that unfortunate pure-hearted girl instead.
Looking at the case of the Celestial Demon, judging by descriptions from previous works, he must have become completely dull-witted.
Perhaps the reason Pina became the Nameless Saintess was to preemptively eliminate threats like Emperor Rock.
She was strong. In the future, she should be able to sweep away the Demon Kings just like her father, Emperor Rock.
“…”
I closed the notebook I was writing in and looked out the window. I wanted to breathe some fresh air, feeling trapped. Why is this world so harsh?
I was on the verge of cursing out loud. Even if my affection level with her became 100%, if I didn’t meet the ending condition, would it not result in a major drift?
This game company has a history from [Black Heart].
‘A name so obscure it wasn’t even listed among the dead.’
Isn’t that funny? Other main heroines have proper happy endings and can use loopholes.
Yet here I am, destined to die simply because I’m a supporting character.
Does that make sense? They clearly promised to show some epilogue in the sequel!
The [Black Heart] I worked hard to complete ended up as a trash game without Pina’s happy ending. Others might not care, but I did.
Even now, I’m helping couples to avoid that fate, and I’m actively erasing the reason for Pina to become a Saintess.
“My head hurts.”
With penalties and all, no matter how much I think, I feel like I’m still not even halfway there. I don’t even know why my affection level with Pina is rising.
Just as I felt the urge to escape somewhere and sort out my thoughts, a knock rang on the door.
“..Licht, are you there?”
“Ah, yes.”
With a click, a snow-white wolf walked in, and I quickly hid my notebook behind me. She wagged her tail, suggesting something to me.
“Licht, shall we go to the hot springs for just one day?”
“…Hot springs?”
Pina, feeling shy saying it herself, twisted her body while talking.
The hot springs in the North were said by the pillar husband to have breath-taking graphics.
“Let’s just go for one day. It’s good for your burn scars.”
Since it was Pina worrying about my burn scar on my face, how could I refuse this?
The Academy still has a ways to go before opening, so a day should be okay.
“Then with Drake-sensei…”
“No way. Sophia said otherwise.”
Ah, did the Duchess prepare this as a thanks? I had no intention of refusing such kindness. After all, I wouldn’t be going only with Pina.
“…I’ll go. Pina.”
Shouldn’t be any problems. I grabbed the golden bear charm in Pina’s hand and stepped forward.
First of all, I wanted to escape this space, regardless of the reasons.
“See you at the hot springs, Licht.”
Not hearing Pina’s softly spoken words as she blushed, I took my packed items and left the palace.
*
Not far from the palace I stayed in was a gigantic hot spring.
“Interesting. I thought it would be a small hot spring.”
But it didn’t seem like there were any customers besides me. Looking around, there were only those in different uniforms, acting like staff.
Instead of thick fur coats, they were dressed lightly, fitting for a steaming hot spring.
Maybe they cast some warmth magic, as even with snow falling, I felt no chill.
It was suspiciously quiet, with no one around except the staff. One could easily believe they were closed for a holiday.
Just as I was about to turn back, thinking they weren’t open today…
“How did you find us?”
Suddenly, a big guy with weasel ears and tail appeared, chomping at some grass behind me.
“Ah, I was referred by Princess Sophia.”
“Please show me your token.”
I handed over the golden bear charm Pina gave me. In that moment, the man’s eyes widened as he spat out the leaves he’d been chewing.
“Y-You’re a… golden-grade guest? May I know your name?”
“I’m Licht.”
He bowed and greeted me, then gathered the staff around and shouted.
“Everyone!!! We have a golden-grade guest!! He’s the one the Princess mentioned today!!”
“Yes!! Yes, sir!!”
The bear-eared staff promptly started pulling me into the building. It all happened so hastily I had no chance to respond.
“Then, dear guest, enjoy your time at ‘Ice and Snow Hot Springs’ in Caprostia!!”
Once inside, the staff finally let me go. I stood there dazed, taking in the lavish wooden floors and shining ceilings.
“The men’s bath is that way. Once you go in, you’ll find a variety of baths, so enjoy yourself.”
A staff member with hair colored like a penguin discreetly guided me while covering her mouth with her sleeve.
My belongings were somehow taken from me and handed to that lady.
“Um, my stuff…”
“I’ll take them to the special room where they’ve been prepared. You’re staying for just one day, right?”
“Uh.. yes.”
I felt like I’d fallen into the Northern Duchess’s meticulous plot. If I wasn’t on their side, would they impose such a generous reward?
‘Well, it’s been recommended by Pina…’
Pina possibly could have made a request to Sophia for me. There’s no need for such unnecessary concern.
As I was lost in thought about the overlooked details, an employee with mixed black and white hair halted.
“Is this the men’s bath?”
“Yes, it is. However, if you enter now, there’s a cleaning taking place…”
From what I saw on the way, it appeared the employees were busy preparing something magic-related.
“You won’t be coming out right away.”
They continued explaining that cleaning was taking place for guests’ safety, and I had no choice but to agree.
“Understood.”
If I didn’t follow their rules, I might find poison in my dinner later. I was nudged into the men’s bath.
*
A place filled with large hot springs of various colors.
Among them, I chose the green hot spring. There was a small sign saying it’s good for healing scars.
I stripped everything in the changing room, wrapped only a towel around my waist, and submerged myself in the hot water.
With no sign of anyone, it felt like I was the only guest who sought out this place.
“..Hah.”
Letting out a long sigh of relief finally found.
Pina must have mentioned me to Sophia; otherwise, the absence of guests until now wouldn’t make sense.
Once I confirmed no one was around, I took off my helmet and revealed my face. It was too hot to keep wearing it.
“The view is amazing.”
The warm water enveloped me, and I felt it healing me. A romantic scene with snow falling around the hot spring.
“I wish Pina could have come along.”
The girl who rushed over, worrying about my burn scars, ended up giving me her token. I really adore her pure side.
I thought it would have been nice to share such a beautiful view together.
How much have I taken from Pina?
What a kind and lovely person she is. When she curls her tail around me or snuggles against me, sheer bliss. It’s reportedly bad for the heart.
It didn’t matter if I almost died capturing the Demon King.
I’ve already paid enough price for it. I lifted my arm, casting a glance at the scar engraved there.
I would give my life for her in a heartbeat. I hadn’t chosen the path of fleeing, knowing death was a possibility.
That was the reason I jumped into the wolf pack shortly after reincarnation to save some wealthy person.
Even for the Nameless Saintess Pina or Princess Pina, I had to save as many lives as I could.
‘Now, it’s likely I won’t see Pina using honorifics.’
Pina will no longer call me knight nor wear a pure white saint robe. Because I’ll make sure of it.
Facing the Demon Kings is solely my responsibility.
What can be protected must be protected. If my body breaks, so be it.
With thoughts of conquering the Magic Hat racing through my mind, I gently closed my eyes, considering every possible means regarding the future ahead.
“..Licht. Hello.”
A familiar voice startled me, bringing me back. I opened my eyes to see what was before me.
“Pina?! How did you get here…?”
“Didn’t I tell you we’d meet at the hot springs?”
Before me stood Pina barely covering her body with a few long towels.
Seeing her curves that the towel couldn’t hide started a rush of blood to my head.
It wasn’t the heat of the hot spring sparking it; the stimulus was overwhelming, making my blood boil.
“You perverted dog.”
How did she even enter the men’s bath? I immediately tried to stand and flee, but something else had risen, rendering me immobile.
“..So, we really are in a mixed bath.”
I felt hit hard by the word that slipped from Pina’s lips.
The Duchess seemed concerned about our relationship, and even the staff from earlier said “everyone”.
The mixed bathing event you can only do in the North. Was the pillar husband’s comment about the graphics something more metaphorical?
“I’ll sit next to you, Licht.”
I felt like my heart was going to explode.
