Ch.117The Black Mage and the Black Knight (5)

“Isla, what are you talking about?”

I couldn’t say that. Isla’s expression was too serious.

There was no need to ask. Isla stared at me intently, then approached and placed her cold hand on my forehead.

The cool sensation felt nice.

“You don’t have a fever.”

“I’m a homunculus, I don’t get sick.”

“Still, if your head is boiling, you might talk nonsense.”

Hmm, fair point. I nodded in agreement, and Isla stared at me for a moment before pinching my cheek.

Ouch.

“So it really is Valterok.”

“Why is Valterok called a slaughterer? He seemed very polite and dignified.”

The Valterok I saw appeared to be a normal black knight.

And this was something quite rare, since “black knight” and “normal” usually contradicted each other.

So I thought Valterok was fine.

In the game, he was strong, dignified, and trustworthy (with exceptions for certain classes), and he seemed the same now.

However, Isla was saying that this Valterok was not a survivor but a slaughterer.

Did something change? I thought of the butterfly effect that typically appears in these possession situations.

Did my sister do something that turned him into a slaughterer?

It didn’t seem that way, but while I was thinking, Isla’s face suddenly drew closer.

Oh, this.

Sure enough, Isla pressed her lips against mine, then pulled away with a slightly reddened face and a small smile.

“First of all, hello. Nothing happened, right?”

“…No, nothing happened.”

“That’s good. You met a slaughterer and you’re fine.”

Isla’s hand gently caressed my cheek, and she swished her tail.

“So, why is he called a slaughterer?”

“Literally because he killed so many people.”

The story Isla began was certainly befitting of a black knight.

The proportion of dark mages in the north is higher than one might expect.

Partly because law enforcement is lacking, and because it’s a place where the Empire’s influence doesn’t easily reach, making it a good place for dark mages to scheme.

So black knights frequently traveled north to find and eliminate dark mages.

The Valterok that Isla knew was almost like a red mask.

A synonym for terror, told to children who cry, who don’t go to sleep, or who disobey their parents and act on their own when going hunting—he’ll come for you.

Many incidents, which may not even have been his doing, became attributed to the “Slaughterer Valterok” simply because a black knight committed them, and that’s how Valterok became known as the slaughterer.

Then there’s no need to be careful, is there?

That’s what I thought, but…

“There’s a reason why Valterok earned such a title and infamy.”

It sounded like he deserved the name, which was concerning, but that wasn’t the main point.

“I know there was an incident that first led to Valterok being called a slaughterer. You can ask the ‘uncle’ for details.”

She was indicating she didn’t know much herself. But that was typical of Isla.

The Mourner uncle would likely know. Though when I thought about the Mourner’s past, he didn’t seem to have much connection to black knights, but I wondered if I should go see him anyway as I joked:

“I’ll ask him. But I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Yes, Lu always handles things well. I trust you.”

Ah, really. When you make that face…

While grateful for Isla’s deep trust, I became curious.

What exactly did he do to be called a slaughterer?

Could I just ask him directly?

“Then I’ll go to work now. See you later.”

“Sure, take care.”

I walked away as Isla kissed me on the cheek.

What should I do first? Maybe I should find the uncle and hear what he has to say.

I thought about it but couldn’t find the uncle. Everywhere I asked, people said:

“Oh, if you’re looking for him, he went out early to gather firewood. How diligent he is despite his bad leg.”

“That uncle gave me this! This!”

“He was on sentry duty and came by to give us some snacks. He’s been gone for a while, so you’d better wait.”

After hearing from a woman giving eyewitness information, a child happily showing off a well-made knight figurine, and passing the sentry, I realized it would be better to wait rather than go looking for him.

He’s the Mourner after all, with no presence.

So I was trudging back, wondering if I should go meet Valterok instead, when suddenly:

“Luwellin.”

A voice spread from behind me. A familiar, pleasant voice. A voice that would sound wonderful singing.

And among the people I knew, only one person had such a voice.

“Melody, good morning.”

“Yes, good morning.”

Melody greeted me with a smile. I noticed she was wearing thick winter clothes, unlike usual.

Why is she dressed like that? The temple would be too warm in such clothes.

But I couldn’t comment on her attire. After all, I myself was wearing some shabby tabard or gambeson with iron plates.

I should get new armor. As I was inwardly lamenting, Melody strode up to me.

“So, aren’t you curious why I’m dressed like this?”

“A bit, yes.”

“Actually, I’m planning to follow you to meet Valterok! It’s famous advice to bring a duelist to negotiations, right?”

That saying usually meant that if negotiations went wrong, you could stab the other party to death with your duelist.

Well, Melody would be an excellent choice. She’s knowledgeable, versatile, and can cover the few areas where I’m lacking.

“So that’s why the winter clothes.”

“Correct! We probably won’t have to fight anyway.”

Not fighting is indeed the best option. As she said, it’s best not to fight black knights if possible.

They make it difficult to use magic by binding magical power, while they themselves use all sorts of techniques by applying anti-magic power.

They’re not easy opponents.

And fighting a level 20 monster who’s survived for 300 years?

I’d rather throw myself from a sky fortress and die.

Wait, didn’t I already do that?

Anyway, Melody is an excellent companion. She even has a magical device that can send one-on-one messages to my sister.

When my thoughts reached that point, I remembered what happened yesterday.

Naturally, about Melody too.

I looked at Melody. She was looking at me with her golden eyes. Her expression was vaguely relaxed, and also gentle with subtle happiness.

Her overall expression when looking at me was like that.

Thinking about it, it seemed she had been that way for some time. I wasn’t sure exactly when it started, but that expression was very familiar.

It was the same expression Isla often showed me—the distinctive look of a woman in love.

Only then did I fully realize what my sister had said yesterday.

Melody likes me.

I don’t know why she likes me. But romantic feelings are unpredictable; people often fall for others over small things.

Even I—

“Ugh.”

“Luwellin?”

“It’s nothing. Just remembering some deep, dark history I’d rather forget.”

“Deep, dark history… Is it serious? Should I treat you? A spell for courage perhaps…?”

“No, no. I’m fine.”

It’s better not to dig up embarrassing memories. There are more important matters anyway.

I glanced at Melody.

She was looking up at me with a worried expression.

She’s not one of the Three Tribes, nor even related to them.

She’s not a distant descendant like Isla, so that can’t be why she likes me.

Besides, normal humans would find it hard to believe or accept if they were told they were being controlled or mentally guided to like someone.

I could tell that Melody simply liked me of her own pure will.

Though the reason was hard to understand.

Was it my face, or my actions?

Or… well, I don’t know.

I gazed at Melody intently for a moment, and she opened her mouth slightly before lowering her eyes to avoid my gaze.

“Melody.”

“Yes?”

“I talked with my sister yesterday.”

“…Have we agreed to speak casually?”

“That’s not what I want to talk about.”

Hmm, how should I say this?

After pondering, I decided to just say it.

“Melody, do you like me?”

Melody stiffened with a start. Her gaze fixed blankly on me.

Her face reddened, and her mouth opened but didn’t close. Oh my, this is definite.

“I didn’t realize until my sister—”

“…What?”

But that expression didn’t last long. I didn’t know a person’s expression could disappear so quickly from their face.

Melody was looking at me with a completely blank expression.

The blank expression, from which even shock had evaporated, emanated a faint killing intent.

“…You didn’t know?”

“Uh, y-yes?”

I felt intense killing intent from Melody’s expression. Growing stronger by the moment. I unconsciously found myself looking at her waist.

What’s this? Did I say something wrong?

I thought carefully but couldn’t see what I’d done wrong.

“Um, Melody?”

“You really didn’t know all this time? After everything I did…?”

“Well, you never said anything…”

“Are you that oblivious?”

This is something only those who’ve experienced it would understand.

When a woman speaks coldly, even if I’m clearly stronger and more powerful…

There’s a chilling sensation down my spine that leaves me speechless.

That’s how I felt now. I unconsciously swallowed as I watched Melody’s expression gradually return.

“I thought it was strange that you weren’t responding at all…”

Melody looked somewhat angry. Even that was a controlled expression, showing only what she allowed.

I met Melody’s eyes as she approached very close, looking up at me from just below my chin, and I involuntarily hiccupped.

“Fine, if you want me to say it that badly. Listen carefully.”

Scary. It’s scary when a normally gentle person gets angry. Since she always smiled leisurely even in battle, there was an inexplicable pressure.

“The one who likes you most in this temple.”

Her hand touched my chest. A small hand, but warm and soft.

Yet it was also covered in calluses, reminding me that she was a swordswoman.

“Is me.”

Looking into Melody’s passionately burning golden eyes, I opened my mouth without thinking.

“No, that’s not—Agh!”

[Repeated Mourning]

[Remaining Duration: 60 seconds]

Intense pain shot through my shin. As I grabbed my shin and jumped up, Melody tightly closed her mouth and ran away with a bright red face.

“I hate you.”

As she fled, Melody wore a face of bitter sorrow.