Ch.53Chapter 53. Doors Must Always Be Opened and Closed

“There will be a grand council meeting in two days.”

While preparing to go out, Lin asked Ravin why he had come to the archipelago.

The answer was exactly as expected.

In the memories of the reincarnated Mr. Lee, the hero rejoins the hero party, and a grand council meeting is held soon after.

Following Valtercrua, the demon lord’s party has made a prominent appearance in the Zramun Archipelago, and in the archipelago, the hero’s party was nearly annihilated.

Naturally, they need to seriously discuss what to do next.

Especially Rainford—his exclusive item, the shield “Unwounded Rock,” belying its name, was sliced through by Denarua’s slash.

Restoration is out of the question.

The shield knight who lost his exclusive item bestowed by the goddess will likely see his standing greatly diminished after this incident.

Though there was a high possibility that he was conspiring with Rinasien to put on an act, Lin didn’t care either way.

Once everything was finished, those two would either not survive properly or, if they did live, they wouldn’t be in any human-like state.

Don’t forget.

In the original version of Arrogant Saga, regardless of which heroine the player chose, Rainford and Rinasien were fixed as the characters who stab Lucy in the back in the DLC.

As the episode progresses, it will naturally turn out that way.

At that time, Lin can decide whether to sprinkle a bit more seasoning to suit his taste.

Of course, for now, just progressing through the episode was overwhelming enough.

It was fascinating how, despite all these different details, the main episode framework was proceeding exactly as before.

“I’m ready.”

Lucy was wearing light armor for the first time in a very long while.

With her enormous breasts tucked into the breastplate, except for the tiny bit that inevitably peeked out at the armpit area, it was difficult to guess her original bust size.

She had the holy sword at her waist, but wearing armor over a dress designed for ease of movement, she looked neither fully armed nor completely noble.

This in-betweenness matched her current position very well.

The past held her back from expressing her heartfelt feelings, yet she couldn’t just stay still out of shame.

Ravin’s criticism after the talk about the past kept circling in her mind.

The incident in the City of Romance.

The event when she received a forehead kiss from Rainford.

Though she had resolved to be modest and not show her pathetic past self again.

Her tendency to dive like a moth into the flame of love was ruining everything.

There was no vitality to be found in Lucy’s eyes.

[Ah, her mental state is shot.]

“……”

[Don’t be so down. You’re not the only one who’s wronged Lin.]

That wasn’t comforting at all.

She wanted to be someone who had never wronged Lin.

Like Ravin over there, speaking so energetically.

“Did you come without an escort, Ravin?”

“I brought Jiyol, but honestly, who’s escorting whom?”

“Just having numbers makes for excellent protection.”

“Hehee, are you worried about me?”

Lin smiled slightly at that.

“I wonder.”

“…That’s cheating.”

His smile had a magical power that could enchant people.

It might be limited to Ravin and Lucy, but that magic was incredibly powerful for both of them.

She envied him.

She envied Ravin, who made Lin smile.

She wanted to chat with Lin like Ravin did.

She had talked with Lin on the ship to the archipelago and on the coachman’s seat heading to the city with the magic circle to the islands, but that was when she was a clueless fool.

Now that she knew all about his past, knew that he disliked Rainford despite seeming like someone who could embrace everything, and remembered her own past of actively appealing to that shield knight, she felt like she had lost her place once again.

Nevertheless, the reason she stubbornly stayed by his side was because she was clinging to Lin’s single statement that he would have saved her even if she wasn’t the hero.

Was that giving her a chance, or was it merely compassion?

She wasn’t sure.

She wanted to open Pandora’s box to find out, but what if it was empty?

What if the person who had become her center actually had not even a shred of affection for Lucy?

Lucy didn’t have the confidence to live.

Even death wouldn’t bring her peace.

“Lucy?”

“Yes?”

When Lin called her, Lucy startled and raised her head.

He was looking at her with puzzlement.

“Are you still thinking about my childhood?”

After Lin woke up, Ravin confessed that he had told everything about the Sewage Alley days.

Though surprised, Lin didn’t mind much since he would have had to explain it himself eventually to justify why he needed to wear a mask and why he shouldn’t be called anything other than “porter.”

Instead, he felt sorry for Ravin.

“It must have been a painful memory…”

“If you’re sorry, why don’t you come with me to Valtercrua now?”

“I have things I must do.”

“That excuse again, hmph.”

Anyway, they had finished preparing to go out.

And Lin and Ravin were staring at Lucy.

“What, what is it?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? You should lead the way.”

“Why should I…?”

“Sigh.”

Ravin sighed in frustration.

“Except for the imperial family, you have the highest status in the archipelago. If you follow us around, people will look at us strangely.”

“I don’t particularly mind.”

“Idiot, it’ll naturally make Lin a target—people will wonder who he is. Think a little, will you!”

I see.

Lucy sank into self-loathing again.

“Ravin, you’re being too harsh.”

“I heard she treated the only survivor from her hometown badly. I can’t stand it.”

“Ravin.”

When Lin gazed at him gently but firmly, Ravin surrendered.

“Fine, I won’t bully her for no reason. But I will if she messes up, so stop moping around in front of Lin.”

“…Alright.”

Lin, feeling so sorry for her, decided to pat Lucy’s head.

However, Lucy shrank her neck and stepped back slightly.

“Lucy?”

“No, it’s not that I dislike it…”

She was worried that touching her impure self would contaminate Lin’s hand.

How pathetic would she appear if she revealed these feelings?

In the end, Lucy forced a smile.

“I’m sorry. You startled me…”

“No, I’m sorry for surprising you.”

That withdrawing hand was so regrettable.

She wished he would approach her.

She wished he would try to pat her again.

Deliberately acting cheerful and flirtatious was something she had already done with Rainford.

If she did such a thing again, Lin would dislike her.

Lucy lowered her gaze again in gloom.

“If you’re not feeling well, would you like to rest in your room, Lucy?”

“No!”

“Yes!”

Lucy and Ravin’s answers clashed.

Lucy spoke in a trembling voice, like a machine gun.

“I, I’m still scared when Lin isn’t around. So please let me stay by your side. I know I’m a burden, but please, by Lin’s side…”

Ravin frowned intensely behind Lin, causing Lucy to stop her incoherent excuses.

“…I’ll just stay quietly by your side.”

“You’re not pushing yourself, are you?”

Aren’t you the one pushing yourself?

Aren’t you forcing yourself to keep me by your side when you dislike me?

A surging heart.

A sinking feeling.

Lucy, with emotions and reason all mixed up, clung only to him.

Even though she had heard about his past, this reaction was strange.

Lin decided to change the subject rather than dig deeper.

“Come to think of it, going out unprepared seems dangerous.”

“For example?”

For example

“What if we run into Arsil while walking around?”

“So what if we do? Just ignore her. What else could she do but talk nonsense?”

Lin thought he was right to bring this up, seeing Ravin’s nonchalant attitude.

“Arsil would definitely ask what happened to Sewage Alley.”

“Ah.”

Ravin uncrossed his arms.

“Right, that one would definitely do that and more.”

“What will you say?”

“What can I say? She’s a saint too, so she probably wouldn’t mention Sewage Alley considering her position.”

“……”

“…No. She’s straightforward to the point of being ignorant, so she probably wouldn’t even check who’s around.”

The moment Sewage Alley was mentioned, invisible eyes and ears would surely report to the imperial princess and the shield knight.

Then they would certainly strengthen their vigilance and start probing here and there.

“No, no. Since I already know Rina, it’s only a matter of time before I’m exposed anyway, right?”

“Then she’ll ask about me?”

“Hmm, Rina will?”

Lin couldn’t help but laugh.

It was clearly excessive self-consciousness.

She wouldn’t ask.

After all, she’s none other than Her Highness the Imperial Princess.

“I’ll handle it well. Trust in Ravin’s improvisation skills.”

“I know you’re good at improvising, but…”

“What’s the problem?”

“Don’t hit people when you get angry?”

“……”

“……”

“…I can’t?”

“Of course not!”

His head was already starting to ache.

Despite what he said, Ravin was someone who did what he wanted when he wanted.

Otherwise, he couldn’t have led a group in Sewage Alley and become the head of the thieves’ guild in Valtercrua.

Since Lin had deliberately made him the guild master, he wouldn’t cause trouble by giving in to his emotions.

“Let’s go, Lucy.”

“Can’t I stay behind Lin?”

“Haha, I guess you’re so used to being behind me that you can’t imagine being in front.”

Even that sounded to Lucy like it was her fault.

Finally, Ravin stepped in.

“I can’t stand watching this anymore.”

“Ravin.”

“I won’t say anything.”

Avoiding Lin, Ravin approached Lucy and whispered.

“I told you in Valtercrua to follow Lin’s words well, didn’t I?”

That one sentence was enough.

“It’s troublesome for me if you look too chastised. If you can’t even make simple judgments, stick to the basics.”

The basics Ravin spoke of meant acting for Lin’s sake.

Lucy finally seemed to understand what she should do.

“But where are we going?”

“I’ll tell you once we’re outside.”

“Alright, Lin.”

Lucy was still tense.

Lin hesitated briefly before reaching out his hand again.

His rough hand touched Lucy’s crown

And gently stroked it.

Lucy was surprised but didn’t avoid it this time.

She closed her eyes quietly and enjoyed the sensation he gave her.

“Let’s go, my finest companion.”

At those words, Lucy smiled brightly.

“Yes!”

Lucy opened the door energetically and

*Slam*

“Hey, um… I thought I should apologize to the porter…”

She quickly closed it again.

“Hey! Open up!”

Arsil banged on the door, but Lucy looked back and forth between Lin and Ravin.

“What should we do?”

“Window, let’s go through the window!”

“Good idea!”

It was the first time Ravin and Lucy’s thoughts aligned.