Blanc was strangely persistent in following Pina even after the practice match was over.
If she were a player aiming for a reverse harem route, you’d think she’d pay more attention to other male characters. I don’t get what’s going on. Could she possibly have her sights on me?
Feeling anxious about being trailed, I blended into the crowd and made a run for it, grabbing Pina’s hand as we dashed away.
After what felt like ages of running, we finally arrived at a dessert shop in the Grancia Empire.
Even though my palms were sweaty and slick, Pina was holding my hand like it was precious to her.
“Okay, there’s no one around now. Licht.”
“Thank goodness….”
Unlike me, who was gasping for air, Pina seemed completely fine. I thought she’d be startled from the sudden run.
“Licht. Look at that.”
She tapped my shoulder and pointed to a chocolate that was as tall as a person. I was overwhelmed by its grand size, like a giant door.
It looked like a scene straight out of a Valentine Event in early autumn. There was a sign saying it was a special chocolate available for today only.
“It’s a special chocolate.”
“Um, that’s definitely for eating, right?”
From how it looked, it could double as cover! I knew Pina loved sweets, but wouldn’t eating something like that just rot her teeth away?
“Yeah, probably?”
“….”
The sign next to it read, “Share it with friends, lovers, and family!” Even seeing the word ‘lover’ didn’t seem to trigger any response from Pina.
From her current standpoint, I might just be considered a friend. Although we share strong feelings, so much so that I could almost call myself her boyfriend.
‘Now that I think about it, I never got the chance to give her any chocolate when she was the Nameless Saintess….’
The Valentine Event was a 2-week event that started on February 14th, where players collected chocolates dropped while playing the game to give to NPCs for affection and rewards.
The Nameless Saintess would always look enviously at the characters who received chocolates beside her. She only ever got candies, which were stamina-restoring items.
There was no way to combine a special chocolate with a recovery item like candy, so she couldn’t cheat either. And here was the chocolate she had desired.
While it seemed common to others, it was far from ordinary for our Pina.
“Should we buy this? You want to eat it, right? I can hear you swallowing.”
“Ah, no way….”
Without hesitation, I pulled out a gold coin. After I caught the Head and received money from the palace, my wallet was doing much better. Plus, I had the excuse of rescuing Queen Bellin.
“Since you won the practice match today, let me treat you.”
“Licht… for me?”
Thankfully, Pina had defeated Blanc in the match. That should put an end to any students opposing her wearing a Masterpiece.
“..You always think of me.”
Even if Blanc tried to stir things up again to alienate Pina, no one would be foolish enough to believe the defeated party’s words. Players and Hero Church members, alike, now had a safety net.
“Oh, Mardol?”
As we pondered over what flavor chocolate to get, I felt a familiar presence behind us. That voice… I recognized it.
“Hello, Licht-senpai!”
“Nex-senpai..?”
The purple-haired guy wrapped his arm around me with a fox-like grin. Beside him stood a vampire nun with red eyes.
“What’s brought you to the confectionery with Mardol? A date?”
“Ah, well… it’s a bit complicated.”
When I explained how I had run away from Blanc, Nex burst out laughing, and Schartines covered her mouth with a surprised expression.
“In short, you’ve fled for love.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Nah…”
Ugh, dealing with Nex is always awkward. He’s skilled at reading people and manipulating them. I wonder if things with Asha have gotten a bit better.
“Licht-senpai. Are you feeling alright? Our P… Mardol has been so worried.”
“I’m feeling much better.”
I didn’t mention Pina’s real name since there were other customers around. Eventually, I finished ordering dark chocolate with a slight bitterness and took a seat.
If it’s too sweet, Pina might finish it all in one day. I need to ensure she eats it correctly. Excessive sweetness can hurt her health.
“Nex-senpai, how have things been with the head of your family lately?”
“Huh? Oh, that esteemed head of our family? Things have changed a bit after his trip to the north. You’re curious about that, aren’t you?”
While I was chatting with Nex and Schartines, I realized Pina had quietly seated herself next to me.
“He said he’s sorry about what happened before… but whether he’ll allow me to marry Schar or not, I’m not so sure.”
“Did he happen to mention anything else?”
“Nothing. He told me to come back to the mansion… But I like being a free spirit, don’t I? Right, Schar?”
It seems Nex hasn’t told me about his father yet. He hasn’t mentioned the secret room in the library either.
“I actually think a sincere head like Nex isn’t a bad idea…”
The affection level displayed on the status window was at 64%.
Unless we set up a three-way confrontation at the social club, things could be tough. Schartines had a bad reputation as a vampire saintess, and there’s risk in accepting her as a daughter-in-law.
‘It’s like me and Pina.’
The situation with Pina Grancia as the Nameless Saintess was the opposite. This time, my reputation wasn’t good.
Thanks to the Hero Church, the reputation of heroes had plummeted.
Although my heroic tale was being turned into a play at the theater, if I were to marry a princess, reputed as a treasure to the nation, there would surely be a ruckus.
Some nobles or commoners might think, ‘That guy could fall to being the Demon King later!’ Many people in this world have deep-seated wounds regarding Demon Kings.
“Mardol, how’s it going with Licht-senpai these days?”
“W-Why are you asking that..?”
Just then, Schartines, making a flower bowl with her hands and wearing an enigmatic smile, directed her question to Pina.
“I feel like you two have gotten a bit closer. Mardol, are you two dating?”
“It’s just your imagination…”
“Oh my, last time you were crying for hours about saving Licht-senpai… Hm… mph!!”
Pina clamped her hand over Schartines’ mouth. Gulp, embarrassed, she started hiccupping, so I ordered a strawberry drink for her.
“Let’s talk about something else… us.”
I guess in this regard, we do have similarities. It reminds me of someone who spent 16 hours battling the final boss just to save a game character.
“Hey everyone, have you heard about the Shrine of Tardun?”
“The shrine..? I know about Tardun…”
Pina was the first to react. Come to think of it, she was related to the land of the Inrang Tribe. Most Inrang Tribe people originated from that region.
“It’s where the Inrang Tribe held their coming-of-age ceremony in the past.”
“A coming-of-age ceremony…?”
“It’s a place where you’re recognized as a real wolf.”
I wasn’t aware of that aspect. Was there backstory behind it? No matter how much I searched in the Library of Truth, I couldn’t find any info about the shrine.
‘So that’s why Drake asked Rock for points…’
If you’re recognized as the same wolf by the father-in-law, you might leave a good impression. Sensei has been hiding information just like last time in the north.
The Pina, who was the Nameless Saintess, probably forgot everything in ignorance, and now, being a member of the royal family, she might have this kind of information?
“Licht, why are you mentioning Tardun’s shrine…?”
Pina was looking at me with a weird expression. After the empire was unified, there really wasn’t anyone conducting coming-of-age ceremonies in the shrine anymore.
“I think to quickly complete the actual Demon King Kill, we might need the shrine’s help.”
“Oh, that makes sense….”
With a lightly disappointed tone. What’s good about being recognized as an honorary Inrang?
“Let’s go together.”
Pina pulled on my sleeve, speaking in a mumbling voice.
“Mardol, you’ve already gone through your coming-of-age ceremony, so you don’t need to go, right?”
“Didn’t I say before that I wouldn’t leave you behind? Licht.”
I was already planning to go together anyway. Is she lonely? She acts like a puppy waiting for its owner.
“Alright, I’ll go. I was planning to go together anyway… Mardol?!”
“Phew, that’s a relief…”
As I responded to Pina, she buried her face in my chest, nuzzling against me. So it’s true that wolves are said to be social animals. My helmet is getting uncomfortable!
“Licht-senpai. You two look good together.”
“Looks like our Mardol is showing her old self now…”
Watching our affection display, Nex and Schartines smiled like they were enjoying a beautiful scene.
I wonder if Nex felt like this when I was about to propose. Thankfully, since I was wearing my helmet, no one could see my face turn red.
“Mardol, could you please step back a bit…? I smell like sweat…”
“Whew… it’s alright…”
She’s got a nose like a bloodhound. Even when I’ve only exchanged a few words with the sage, Pina can tell if I smell like another woman.
In truth, perhaps the scenario of me being kidnapped and experiencing pure love was just a misunderstanding from her thinking I was fooling around.
Even as I struggled to push her away, it was no use.
There was a clear strength difference. Her golden eyes inside the glass helmet were shining as she looked up at me.
“Let’s keep being like this… Licht…”
That feels a bit creepy, like a yandere. You’re not switched on, are you? Just like in the dream I had a few days ago.
“Attention, customers!! Your ordered chocolate is all wrapped up!”
Just then, a small voice resonated, filling the confectionery. That voice caused Pina’s arm strength to relax a bit. Here’s my chance. I need to escape before this progresses any further.
“Here’s the Cyclops-sized dark chocolate! Right here!”
“Ah, thank you…”
Finally escaping from the table, I received the massive chocolate. The red rose wrapping saying, “Valentine’s Day is always today!” stood out.
Once wrapped, it looked even bigger. If Pina eats this, will she end up rolling on the ground? I couldn’t help but smile at the thought that even if she gains weight, she would still be cute.
“Enjoy your treat! Customer wearing the Black Knight’s helmet!”
After settling the bill, a bunny-eared staff member secretly handed me a piece of paper.
Inside that white paper was the note saying, “Feel free to melt and share with your beloved!”
“This was our boss’s special creation. Thank you for recognizing its value!”
I couldn’t help but imagine Pina covered in chocolate all over when I looked at that note.
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