Chapter 87

R​ead on KatReadi​ngCafe

Was it really that bad…?

Lucy tilted her head and put some food in her mouth.

Chew, chew.

“Ptooey!”

A bizarre taste spread across her tongue.

How could such an evil dish exist?

‘Why is this happening…?’

The ingredients were fresh, and the cooking process was precise.

Yet, the taste was indescribably terrible.

“…”

Maybe she just shouldn’t cook.

As Lucy’s expression darkened, Thor quickly apologized.

“S-sorry! That was a mistake. I’ll try it again!”

Thor picked up the food with trembling hands.

His siblings watched him with awe.

‘Brother Thor… going this far…!’

Thor put the food in his mouth and swallowed it without chewing.

As if trying not to taste it.

“Wow… the best flavor. It’s really… really delicious…”

Thor’s complexion turned purple.

His beard trembled.

It felt like he was being poisoned.

Still, Thor forced a smile.

Fortunately, he managed to eat Lucy’s food…

“Ugh, bleh!”

Thor shot up, covering his mouth.

He rushed out of the house.

The sound of retching soon came from outside.

―Ughhhh!

By the afternoon, they headed back to the square.

The festival atmosphere had grown even more lively.

The dwarfs were still dancing with beer mugs in hand, laughing and enjoying themselves.

Dwarfs who recognized Lucy pointed at her and whispered.

“Look, it’s that human girl.”

“The kid who knocked out Brugos?”

“Totally different from the smashing contest.”

“Haha, yeah. I was really fooled at first.”

“She’s still the little hero!”

Thor felt good about the dwarfs’ reactions.

He walked beside Lucy with his shoulders squared.

As if saying, “This amazing and cute girl is my wife.”

On the other hand, Lucy’s face was expressionless.

She didn’t react much to the dwarfs’ stares or whispers.

She just walked quietly.

She was still thinking about ruining breakfast.

‘Maybe I should try cooking with mushrooms next time… Grandpa and Kairos might eat it if it’s mushrooms.’

They arrived at the center of the square.

On the large stone table, the entries for the blacksmith competition were neatly displayed.

Thor’s Dracania was also noticeable.

The sharp blade gleamed in the sunlight.

“T-the results will be announced soon…”

Thor said in a trembling voice.

“Remember what I said yesterday? If I win this competition….”

“Hey~ Thor~!”

A cheerful voice called out from the side.

It was Priscilla.

Her brown hair was loosely tied, and a playful smile hung on her lips.

A lovely and lively appearance.

For a dwarf, she was definitely pretty.

“Ah, Priscilla…”

Thor forced an awkward smile.

Of all people, Priscilla had to show up.

He had planned to propose to Lucy as soon as the results were announced, but Priscilla’s presence made things uncomfortable.

“The results of this year’s Mining Festival Blacksmith Competition are now announced!”

The dwarf judge declared in a solemn voice.

Everyone looked at the judge with tense expressions.

“The winner of this year’s Mining Festival Blacksmith Competition is…”

Thor quietly fiddled with the ring in his pocket.

‘I’m going to win anyway. No entry can surpass my Dracania.’

A happy future began to form in Thor’s mind.

A peaceful life with Lucy, taking care of his siblings together.

They’d have about five kids, and the house would always be filled with laughter.

‘I’ll have to do the cooking, though.’

The results were announced.

“Priscilla’s Venom! Congratulations!”

“What?!”

Thor’s face froze.

The ring slipped from his hand and fell deep into his pocket.

The judge continued.

“Priscilla’s Venom is a dagger forged from the highest grade Venorium. Hmm, honestly, Thor’s Dracania, made of Draconium, was also exceptional, making it difficult to choose the winner. But in terms of forging skill alone, Venom was superior, so it was ultimately chosen as the winner. Let’s give her a round of applause!”

“Woo!!”

Clap clap clap!

Cheers and applause erupted.

“As expected of Priscilla!”

“So cool!”

“Highest grade Venorium? That’s amazing!”

Priscilla walked forward with a bright smile.

Her face glowed with the joy of victory and a confident smile.

“Congratulations.”

The judge handed Priscilla the dagger.

It was a dagger with a blade that glowed faintly purple.

“Now, please share a few words.”

At the judge’s request, Priscilla nodded and spoke.

“I’m truly honored to win this competition. But first, I need to apologize.”

Priscilla’s gaze turned to Lucy.

“Actually, this dagger and the highest grade Venorium belong to that girl. She entrusted me with the forging, but I entered it into the competition without her permission.”

The dwarfs began to murmur.

“The highest grade Venorium belongs to that kid…?”

“What’s going on…?”

Priscilla slowly walked toward Lucy.

With each step, everyone’s eyes followed.

Soon, Priscilla stopped in front of Lucy and handed her the dagger.

“I’m sorry. I entered it into the competition without your permission. But I really wanted to win and give you the honor.”

“…”

Lucy quietly accepted the dagger.

She didn’t mind it being entered into the competition.

In fact, winning the blacksmith competition guaranteed its quality.

“…I thought a lot while forging this dagger.”

Priscilla said.

“When you saved my life, and when you came back alive from the Karak Gorge… those moments kept swirling in my head. Thanks to that, I realized something new.”

Priscilla took another step closer to Lucy.

“…You’re special to me. So much so that everything I’ve ever liked before seems trivial. You’ve become someone precious to me.”

The atmosphere felt strange, but Lucy didn’t fully grasp what was happening.

Priscilla leaned in and lightly kissed Lucy.

“…?”

Lucy froze in place.

The surroundings fell into a stunned silence, and everyone stared at the scene in shock.

Thud.

Thor collapsed to his knees.

His face twisted in shock and despair, and a faint groan escaped his lips.

“Ugh, ughhh…”

Whispers spread among the dwarfs.

“D-did they just kiss? A kiss, right?”

“It’s not a kiss! She didn’t use her tongue!”

“Is that really important right now?”

“Priscilla kissed the human girl…!”

“But they’re both girls! I never imagined this!”

“I actually like it…”

After Priscilla’s sudden action, the square remained heated.

The dwarfs raised their beer mugs and began chanting.

“Priscilla, do it again!”

“This time, a proper kiss!”

“Use your tongue!”

“The little hero and the best blacksmith? A perfect match!”

Priscilla blushed as she looked at Lucy, and Lucy stepped back in confusion.

Meanwhile, Thor began chugging strong whiskey in a corner.

“…”

Lucy felt confused.

She had been kissed unexpectedly before, by Ellie.

Back then, she hadn’t been too flustered.

Ellie’s actions were just a cute prank.

But Priscilla’s actions felt different.

It wasn’t a lighthearted prank—it felt like a genuine confession.

“I’m sorry.”

Priscilla apologized.

“Was it too sudden? But I felt like I’d never get another chance…”

Priscilla’s voice trembled slightly.

“I know you’re leaving soon. I heard from Thor’s siblings that your visit here was just a coincidence. That’s why… I wanted to tell you how I feel. I thought I’d regret it if I didn’t… after you left.”

Priscilla gave a bitter smile.

“Just… don’t forget me. Or this village.”

“…”

Lucy was flustered again.

Why was the atmosphere like this all of a sudden?

Even the dwarfs began to tear up and shout.

“L-little hero! Don’t forget our village!”

“You can come back anytime! This village is like your home!”

“Come visit again!”

“Before you leave…!”

Lucy quietly nodded.

She had already been planning to leave.

Now that she had the dagger, there was no reason to stay.

Maybe this was the right timing.

“Thank you, everyone.”

Lucy spoke to the crowd.

“I’ll never forget the memories I made here.”

If she was going to leave, she might as well make a grand exit.

She raised her hand toward the sky.

[Undead Summon: Bone Dragon]

A massive magic circle appeared in the air.

Grrr…

The Bone Dragon emerged from the magic circle.

Its wings spread, casting a shadow over the square.

“…Gasp!”

The dwarfs stepped back in shock as the Bone Dragon slowly descended.

Lucy hugged Finn and climbed onto the Bone Dragon’s head with Sophie.

Finn sat on Lucy’s shoulder.

“Take care, everyone.”

As Lucy waved her hand, the Bone Dragon flapped its wings and began to rise.

A strong wind blew, and the dwarfs cheered.

“Wooah!”

“So cool!”

“Little hero, take care!”

“She’s our village’s hero!”

“Good luck!”

“Wait, before you go…!”

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The Bone Dragon soared higher and higher.

Lucy looked down.

The dwarfs waving their hands grew smaller and smaller.

It was a pretty cool exit.

“By the way, Lucy.”

Finn quietly asked from her shoulder.

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Thor?”

“No need.”

Lucy replied calmly.

Goodbyes often come without warning.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The Bone Dragon flapped its massive wings and flew swiftly through the sky.

The destination was the Black Forest.

A new journey awaited.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading…!

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Wow, getting NTRed by your old crush is surely an unexpected feeling.

Anyway, Thor becomes an alcoholic and later dies from alcohol poisoning, cursing the village as a fat ghost, the end. (Smh…)