Ch.64Chapter 64. Between Awkwardness and Unfamiliarity

Lin had always thought.

No matter what she did or what plans she had, she was the one holding herself back.

Even with Lucy’s exceptional combat abilities, as long as multiple enemies targeted her, Lucy couldn’t move an inch and had to stay close to Lin.

It was like that in Valter Croix, in the Zramun Archipelago, and here in the Imperial Palace.

The excuse that “porters are non-combatants” simply didn’t apply.

Situations and events never unfolded with such considerations in mind.

They just came crashing down as they were.

After being held back several times, Lin finally felt frustrated with herself and somewhat understood why the other party members disliked her during the Demon Lord subjugation journey.

After entering the DLC episode, Lucy’s obsession became obvious, targeting Lin exclusively no matter when or where, leaving the porter with no chance to properly respond.

This couldn’t continue.

She needed to reach a level where Lucy could feel at ease.

That’s why she planned the teleportation to Gillesman through the Imperial Princess’s attack.

Gillesman, the City of Sorrow where the Second Hero died.

It was the central location for the sub-episodes of Chapter 4: Imperial Palace, following Efalter, Valter Croix, and the Zramun Archipelago.

The palace ruins in Gillesman had two branching paths.

One side had a mage enhancement event, while the opposite side had a porter class change event. The palace ruins were designed so that both events couldn’t be completed simultaneously.

If you completed the porter class change, you would be forcibly moved outside the palace ruins with no way to re-enter.

If you completed the mage enhancement event, the ruins themselves would collapse, making Gillesman inaccessible forever.

After countless saves and loads, Lin had discovered there was no other way than to complete the class change first, progress through the episode, and then return later with Lucy to complete the mage enhancement event.

But that was just how the game system worked.

Lin was now in reality.

Originally, she had planned to only complete the mage enhancement event, but fed up with her own powerlessness, Lin decided to attempt both simultaneously.

There was no reason it couldn’t be done.

As long as she had Lee’s memories, there was no reason it couldn’t…

[Captain… please…!]

[Linna, are you flirting with me while you have someone waiting for you back home?]

[But… Captain, you made me like this…!]

[Then why don’t you say it with your own mouth?]

[Kuh…!]

[Go on.]

[…I’m sorry for being this kind of woman, Vazel.]

[Say it!]

[Ugh… Captain’s big, magnificent… into Linna’s wet…]

This wasn’t going to work.

The sky being wide open above was absurd enough, but the blatant NTR sounds coming from the next room made Lin open her eyes.

“Lin, I absolutely cannot sleep.”

“Me neither.”

That damn NTR guy was already launching mental attacks.

His target was clearly Tigria’s body.

“It’s creepy being alone. Can I come closer to you?”

“That’s a bit…”

Creepy, she said.

It was an unfamiliar word coming from her.

A mage who could nonchalantly wipe off monster secretions saying something was creepy.

[I’m coming, I’m comiiing-!!!]

“Let’s get out of here. I can’t stand this creepiness either.”

In truth, what they had been assigned was called a room, but it was actually a roofless ruin next to the expedition leader’s tent.

Probably a small house where people once lived.

Therefore, simply opening the door and walking out didn’t reduce the noise.

Lin walked until the disgusting sounds could no longer be heard.

Tigria walked alongside her.

She wanted to walk closer to him, but her short stature made it impossible to match his stride.

Lin, who had been taking large steps, soon realized this and slowed down.

Tigria quickly took small steps to stand beside him, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up slightly.

But being unaccustomed to making expressions, it looked somewhat bizarre.

Her heart was pounding from walking quickly.

At least, that’s what she wanted to believe.

It was late at night.

They had originally planned to enter the palace ruins this evening, but the expedition members had withdrawn early, making it impossible.

But after escaping the noise, the two found themselves in front of the palace.

“Lin… huff… you walk surprisingly fast.”

“Do I?”

“It seems so.”

“……”

“Am I still awkward to you?”

It was awkward.

Tigria kept talking to him.

She asked clumsy questions about him, but they were topics that were difficult for him to answer at length.

“Yes, a bit.”

“I see.”

Looking at the somewhat dejected mage, Lin inwardly sighed.

This behavior from Tigria was unfamiliar yet not entirely strange.

Though he didn’t want to recall it, it was similar to how he had acted when he was young, desperately trying to get Rina to say even a single word to him.

Saying ambiguous things that could be either compliments or teasing, just staring like a puppy hoping for a response—those childish days.

Reminded of his younger self, Lin found himself looking up at the tall palace gates.

“Did you come here often?”

“No.”

“Weren’t you from here?”

“I awakened my consciousness just before the end came. As soon as the original sent me outside the royal city, the flood engulfed everything.”

“I see.”

Tigria seemed to want to continue the conversation, but Lin wasn’t in the mood.

He was also inwardly flustered.

He hadn’t realized it would be this difficult to interact with party members other than Lucy.

Especially with Tigria showing such strange goodwill.

Despite knowing he should manage her affection level since the NTR expedition leader was in this sub-episode, Lin couldn’t bring himself to do so.

His state of mind, so different from during the Demon Lord subjugation journey, was subtly rejecting the idea.

‘Has my mind grown weak too?’

The person who could endure any disregard or mistreatment without batting an eye now felt awkward and uncomfortable just being alone with someone.

Disliking both his already weak self becoming weaker and his newfound shyness, Lin wished Ravin and Lucy were by his side.

When he lowered his gaze from the palace, he found Tigria standing far behind him.

“Why are you standing there?”

“I think this is about right.”

“What is?”

Through the sandy breeze, Tigria’s small voice carried clearly.

“The distance between Lin and me.”

“That’s not true.”

“Maybe not. But Lin is speaking more comfortably now than when I was closer.”

“……”

Lin took one big step forward.

“Do you want to become friends with me?”

Tigria took a small step back.

“I don’t know.”

Lin took another step forward.

“I don’t know how to make friends.”

“Neither do I.”

Tigria took another step back.

“Until the Demon Lord subjugation, you were at least friendly with Lucy.”

“Lucia just took care of me, we weren’t friends.”

“Did Lucy ask you things first?”

“Yes, and I vaguely remember giving brief answers.”

Lin advances.

Tigria retreats.

“Why did you do that?”

“I wasn’t interested.”

“Then Lucy got busy with her personal quest. That’s when you first asked me where she had gone.”

“Someone who came at regular times didn’t show up, so I recognized it as an anomaly.”

“I see.”

Lin stopped walking.

Tigria also stopped.

“You once said you wanted to observe me when we were alone.”

“Correct.”

“Do you want to observe me? Or do you want to get to know me?”

“That’s a foolish question. One must observe to know.”

“In that case.”

Lin stepped far back.

“You should just observe then.”

Looking as if she’d been struck, Tigria realized her mistake and followed Lin.

“Lin…!”

Unable to catch up even at a quick pace, she broke into a run.

But the frail mage’s legs couldn’t easily close the distance she had created.

“Please wait for me…!”

He didn’t stop.

He was heading straight for the entrance of the palace ruins.

“Huff… huff…!”

Why was she running?

She didn’t know.

The very thought of him disappearing from her sight was frightening and unpleasant.

Despite being out of breath, Tigria kept her eyes fixed on Lin as she ran.

Lin felt the same way.

Why was he being petty?

He didn’t know.

He was angry at her suddenly acting friendly.

Surely he had been nothing but an insignificant bug in their eyes.

He missed his former peaceful state of mind.

The mindset where he could diligently do his job without complaint no matter what happened to him.

What should have hurt, but didn’t

What should have been lonely, but wasn’t

He envied his former self.

“Lin!”

The porter, moving forward without hesitation, entered through the half-open palace doors.

The palace also had a large hole in its ceiling, allowing white moonlight to illuminate the interior.

They had effectively entered a dungeon, but the first 100 meters from the entrance was a safe zone.

The moonlight shining alone in the darkness calmed him.

Enjoying the feeling of tranquility, Lin decided to go just a little further inside.

As he turned his head, gauging direction by the moonlight,

“What the hell are you doing here?!”

Denarua was glaring at him with an exasperated expression.

“Are you out of your mind?! This is a dungeon!”

“I was taking a walk and before I knew it…”

“What? Then if you entered carelessly, you wouldn’t mind dying by my hand?”

“Could you let that slide?”

“Let what slide!”

Drawing her dual swords, Denarua frowned and threatened him.

“Are you prepared?”

The atmosphere was intensifying.

But he didn’t sense any real hostility.

So Lin decided to be honest.

“I’m sorry, it was my fault. I won’t worry you next time.”

“…Hmph.”

She snorted and swung her swords in the opposite direction, causing fallen monsters to groan.

“I’m cleaning up now, so come back tomorrow.”

“Cleaning?”

“Can’t you see? I’m cleaning up monsters.”

Why would a demon race clean up monsters?

“Are you worried I might get hurt by monsters?”

“I’m just clearing the path. Don’t be so self-centered, you idiot!”

Denarua shouted angrily.

“Who would worry about someone like you! Get lost!”

“……”

“Why aren’t you leaving!”

“Well, um…”

Lin sheepishly pointed at the loot dropped by the monsters.

“Can I take some of this?”

“Huh?”

“I really need it.”

“I said get out!”

A blade wind swept over Lin’s head.

The terrifying power made his spine tingle, but then he noticed that loot items had been blown toward him.

“Thanks!”

“Hmph…”

While he was busy collecting items, the dual swordswoman quickly disappeared.

Just as the porter had gathered most of the loot into his bag, a small hand offered him an item.

“…Here.”

It was Tigria, covered in sweat.

She couldn’t even catch her breath properly as she extended her trembling hand.

Somehow feeling ashamed of his earlier prickliness, Lin gladly accepted the item.

“Thank you.”

Then he took out a soft cloth and wiped the sweat from the mage’s forehead.

Tigria silently felt his gentle touch.

Though expressions were unfamiliar to her and her face was contorted, the corners of her mouth were definitely turned upward.