Chapter 169: The Usual Game

Ṛ​ė​ａ​ｄ οｎ ḰаţȒεɑԁіɴģСαϝе

Translator Note

I wanna make a note here Ian/Ianne and how her name is going forward, when in situations of total safety and when only people who know Ian is actually Ianne (Ione, Sugar, Riley, etc.) will Ian be referred to as Ianne.

You will see a situation of that this chapter.

For the most part it will remain Ian, especially around Leon, but just in case anyone was confused! As always thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy Sugar and Riley’s Journey!!!

– LegoMyEggo

Clink. Only the sound of utensils clashing—or perhaps the sound of eating—filled the air.

Before the utterly desolate dining table.

Amidst it all, Sugar, cheeks puffed with a mouthful of pasta, glanced around cautiously. There were four people seated, including her. Originally, there should have been five, but the highest-ranking among them was absent.

Gulp. She swallowed her food and speared the garnish beside her steak with a fork. Grilled pineapple. ‘Mmm, juicy.’

“Shall we start talking?”

Wiping her mouth with a napkin, she casually opened the conversation, and the gazes of the other three focused on her.

“To cut to the chase, I’ve managed to obtain one of the materials for ‘that thing’ we discussed before.”

The ingredient for Saint’s Water. Since it was a secret among the four of them, she deliberately obscured the term as ‘that thing.’ The priests serving them here were tight-lipped, but she had no desire to risk it.

Sugar unfolded the auction catalog she had brought, spreading it out for everyone to see. Aside from Riley, who already knew, the other two widened their eyes.

“What? They’re selling one of them?”

“Yeah, look here. Song of Silence. It’s clearly listed.”

When Leon asked, Sugar pointed it out with her finger.

It was a byproduct of the distortion phenomenon in the Shattered Lands. So rare that even sending an expedition team would be considered a lifetime’s worth of luck if even one person returned alive.

A single piece might appear once a year, if at all.

“There’s a lot of other rare stuff here too. Tears of Elegy… I’d love to research this. An original Magic-Nullifying Ring? I heard there are a lot of knockoffs of this.”

“There’s a rumor that the merchants on Sky Island are colluding. They pretend to compete, releasing ‘new editions’ to make people buy more.”

“Ugh… money-grubbing mages…”

“Anyway, this adventurer must’ve hit the jackpot. They probably made enough to last a lifetime.”

“A lifetime? More like enough for generations.”

“I’m jealous. Maybe I should explore the Shattered Lands too.”

“And then die, costing even more in funeral expenses. Oh wait—you wouldn’t even find the body.”

“How poetic.”

“More poetic than you.”

As the two in front—Leon and Sugar—chattered like flowing water, Sugar suddenly glanced around. A pair of silent stares were fixed on them.

Riley and Ian were just watching them intently.

“Uh… anyone have something to say?”

Both shook their heads.

What’s up? Did I say something wrong?

Flustered, Sugar cleared her throat.

“Ahem. Back to the main point. When and where is this auction? It’s in Zenrock City, about two weeks from now.”

“Zenrock?”

Ian’s interest was piqued. Despite her gloomy expression, her eyes lit up slightly at the city’s name.

“Wow, already thinking about cleaning out the casinos. Classic Ian.”

“N-No! That’s not it! The city isn’t just about casinos!”

A port city by the sea, famous for its unique atmosphere and tourism. Of course, its lodging and casino industries were also well-developed.

While teasing the card-game-loving lady, Sugar’s gaze shifted to the frowning man beside her.

Riley just gave her a look, as if urging her to continue. He pretended to be calm, but something seemed to be bothering him.

‘Did he think I was using this as an excuse for that beach trip we talked about?’

Absolutely not. The beach she imagined with Riley was a quiet, rural place. Just the two of them, enjoying a peaceful time together.

Not that she was thinking of anything else. She just wanted to relax.

Just the two of them.

‘Well, we can talk about that later.’

“Anyway, we know when and where the auction is. Now, about the funds…”

“About the funds…?”

“Let’s save that for later. I’m a bit tired today. That okay with everyone?”

She wasn’t actually tired—she’d slept plenty with Riley in the infirmary earlier—but she lied anyway.

The other three nodded understandingly. Especially Ian and Leon, who were still unsettled by the earlier incident.

After finishing the meal, Sugar was the first to rise. Naturally, Riley followed.

“You could’ve stayed and eaten more.”

“Gotta make sure you don’t cause trouble again.”

“I said I’ve reflected.”

Grumbling, they headed upstairs.

“Good work. Is it possible to see Her Holiness now?”

She cheerfully addressed the priests guarding the door, but the only response was a stiff, “That’s not possible at the moment.”

She had hoped to mediate the reconciliation herself, feeling guilty for sparking the sisters’ quarrel.

“This is a problem…”

Ugh. Frowning, she tilted her head.

The two of them sat together on an outdoor bench, letting the night breeze wash over them.

“Seems like the wound runs deeper than I thought.”

She knew Her Holiness was more sensitive than most. Hadn’t something similar happened before? The reason Ian never spoke her mind—because she feared her words would be twisted, believing silence was better.

Sugar organized her thoughts.

‘Ione is Ian’s older sister… One day, her little sister brought home some no-good man, calling him a friend.’

And to make it worse, that man was even sharing a dorm with her.

‘Let me put myself in her shoes. Sugar is Riley’s older sister. One day, her little brother brings home some no-good woman, calling her a friend…’

…

“The more I think about it, the more I understand Ione’s actions.”

—Thud!

A sharp flick to the forehead came without warning.

“Idiot. Focus on why they fought, not the situation itself. The goal is reconciliation.”

“Hiiing…”

Tears welled up as Riley rubbed his head.

“But… if that’s the case, the answer’s obvious. They need to talk openly. ‘I acted this way because of this. I’m sorry for shouting. I’m sorry for threatening you.’ That’d solve it.”

“…”

At that moment, Riley’s eyes narrowed. The gaze of a man with years of pent-up frustration.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Right. Openly. Honestly.”

He repeated Sugar’s own words back to her, piece by piece, as if sighing at his friend’s hypocrisy.

“A-anyway! Since we can’t meet Ione right now, we’ll talk to her sister first. I’m heading in, Riley! Sweet dreams!”

With a whoosh, she vanished back into the spire. Clearly, something had struck a nerve.

Left alone, Riley sighed but remained rooted in place until Sugar fully disappeared inside. Only when her white hair had vanished did he turn and head back to the infirmary.

***************

“H-hi, Ianne!”

After bathing, they gathered on a single bed. Sugar buried her face in Ianne’s plush, bandage-free skin.

Though her motives weren’t purely affectionate, she was still happy to share a bed after so long.

“You’re really this excited?”

“No man would hate this.”

Her voice carried an edge as she nuzzled, jealousy mingling with delight. A tragic creature.

“You’re a girl too… Speaking of, why did you insist on bathing separately? We haven’t done that in ages.”

“Um… Well…”

“Don’t want to bathe together anymore?”

“It’s not that… It’s just… embarrassing…”

Ianne studied Sugar’s flushed face, then her collarbone—peeking above her plain sleepwear (she’d forgone Riley’s shirt out of shyness). The mottled bruises below were obvious even unseen.

“What exactly are you two doing in the infirmary…?”

“Ah! Let’s sleep! I’m tired!”

…

Night deepened in the Holy City. Inside the towering spire, in Her Holiness’s chamber, two women lay side by side on a bed. Though clouds darkened the room, the faint lamplight let them see each other clearly.

Sugar grinned at Ianne, then fidgeted with her fingers.

Finally, Ianne spoke first.

“…Thank you, Sugar.”

“Huh? Why suddenly?”

“For coming here tonight after what happened earlier.”

“Ah… You’re sharp…”

“Anyone would notice.”

This was a woman who could spend all night with her childhood friend without raising eyebrows—and who wanted to cling to him all day. That she’d gone out of her way to stay meant something.

Gratitude welled up.

“Actually… I wanted to clear up a misunderstanding.”

“Yeah. I know. You teased my sister, didn’t you?”

Sugar pressed her lips together.

“You’re not usually like that. You probably said something casual, Riley panicked, and my sister got confused. Right?”

“…Were you watching?”

Uncanny. It was almost chilling.

“Sigh… I know. It’s a game. One you always play where you’re involved.”

“Ehe…”

“But here’s the weird part. Even though I knew… in that moment, I was just… angry. Even though I knew I shouldn’t shout.”

She spoke calmly, recalling how she’d raised her voice at her sister.

“You let it slide when I mess around with Leon.”

“You’re Leon’s friend too. Equals. But my sister is family. Not that I don’t see you as family, but…”

“Ah. I get it.”

“I just… felt like he wasn’t accepted. Like Leon wasn’t accepted by my family.”

“But Ione would’ve come around. Her sister’s new friend—someone normal, even chosen by the Saint.”

“I know. But it… burned. Like what I felt as a kid with my sister. That stifling, doubting feeling…”

A longing for freedom. The conflict it bred.

Back then, their relationship wasn’t just strained—they couldn’t communicate at all. Sugar had helped mend that.

“I thought you two were much closer now…”

“We are. But this isn’t about closeness. Sugar, haven’t you ever felt it?”

“Huh?”

“Distrust. Toward your own family.”

“…”

No answer came.

It felt like a spear through her chest. Words failed her.

Sugar’s family.

The trust and distrust woven through it.

The times she’d doubted. The jealousy. The trembling anxiety, the obsession, the madness—

“That’s how it is. I know it in my head… I know they care for and love me more than anyone, but…”

Ianne hung her head without answering.

“I’m so sorry for being this hypocritical. Getting angry at my family over one outside friend, then raging because they didn’t warmly welcome that friend.”

“I understand.”

“But, Sugar… would I have acted this way if it were any other friend?”

A question.

Slightly different from before.

When Sugar cautiously raised her eyes, she met Ianne’s rare violet gaze—clouded with unfamiliar doubts and tangled emotions toward her family.

“I practically cornered my sister for the first time in my life. Would I have done that for just any friend?”

“…”

“Leon… I don’t know why, but he gets to me. Enough to defy my sister over him…”

Ianne furrowed her brow. Not anger at her family, but frustration with herself.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Ianne… It’s just…”

“Tell me, Sugar.”

“Eh? Me?”

“What thoughts usually come to mind when you think of Riley?”

An absurd question. She’d never consciously considered it—never imagined being asked.

What did her feelings for Riley have to do with Ianne’s for Leon?

“I… Riley is, well… I… Uh…”

She wanted to answer honestly, to help. Ianne wasn’t used to men; novels were just fiction. Her emotions must be a whirlwind.

But putting it into words was harder than expected.

“J-just take this as a reference, okay? These are just a friend’s—a family member’s—thoughts.”

“…Fine.”

After a long pause, Sugar finally spoke.

“I always… want to hug him. Hold his hand.”

She started slowly, but once begun, the words flowed easier.

“Seeing him smile—even rarely—brightens my whole day. When he’s not around, I wonder what he’s doing. Especially in our dorms… I keep picturing his face. Is he thinking of me too?”

“…”

“Watching him eat well makes me proud. I could stare at him reading for hours. I want to memorize everything he cares about, so we can talk all night someday.”

“…”

“His eyes—when they meet mine, I get lost. At sunset, that blue holds the entire sky… like a gem. I want it.”

“…”

“Every time I say his name, or hear mine, it matters. Proof we exist, that we see each other. It makes my heart race.”

Sugar exhaled softly, her breath trembling—almost shy.

“And… I want to stay with him forever.”

The moment Sugar finished, Ianne pulled her into a tight embrace. Whether from restlessness or simple affection, her warmth enveloped Sugar.

“That was… kinda rambly. Again, just a reference—”

“I know.”

The thud-thud of Ianne’s heartbeat pulsed against her, feverish.

“I know, Sugar…”

Her voice quivered, electric with realization.

Sugar, flustered by Ianne’s reaction—and her own confession—buried her burning face in Ianne’s chest.

***************

At dawn, they headed to Her Holiness’s chamber.

“Huh? Still can’t meet her today?”

The same refusal as last night. Odd, given Her Holiness rarely turned visitors away. As Sugar tilted her head, Ian stepped forward.

“Step aside. I must speak with my sister.”

“Her Holiness ordered no admittance.”

“I’ll take responsibility as her sibling. Move.”

“Your Holiness…!”

Sensing something amiss, Ian pushed past the priests, forcing the door open. She needed to apologize—to understand.

But the priests hesitated; defying Her Holiness was unthinkable.

Tension crackled—

Cough-cough.

“Go… away…”

A frail voice, ragged with coughs, came from within.

Ian froze.

“Uh… Did she catch a cold?”

“…”

“Ian?”

Sugar, hearing the coughs, gently touched her shoulder.

But Ian stood rigid, face pale with dread.

“No…”

“…Huh?”

Then, under her breath, Ian whispered—

“Mother…”