Ch.99Chapter 99. The Doll Learned a New Emotion

Once the crying began, it seemed impossible to stop.

While Biscon was handling the situation, Lin quickly carried Lucy out of the Romantic City and had no choice but to set up camp outside the city walls.

Throughout this ordeal, Lucy repeatedly tried to help, only to collapse and cry again. Lin hastily pitched a tent and laid the hero down.

When Lucy said she felt anxious without Lin in sight, the porter left the tent entrance open and worked alone, sweating profusely, until the mage returned.

Tigria, who had resolved the situation with Biscon, was left speechless at this absurd scene.

For someone whose emotions were limited to affection and guilt toward Lin, Lucy’s behavior was beyond comprehension.

In the end, the three-person hero party had to make the outskirts of the city their base for the foreseeable future.

Rumors were surely spreading within the city walls because of the incident Lucy had caused.

If Lucy heard their whispers, she would burst into tears again, creating a vicious cycle.

Previously, Lucy would have apologized and admitted her mistake, but remembering Lin’s words to Arsil, she could only keep her mouth tightly shut.

Even after a day had passed, Lucy continued crying until she was completely exhausted.

It was impossible to imagine how much the hero—physically the strongest among the goddess’s races—had cried to reach the point of exhaustion.

With her spirits so low, she naturally had no appetite.

Concerned about dehydration, they managed to get her to drink some water. Only when Lucy finally fell asleep from exhaustion could Lin step outside the tent and stretch.

His body felt incredibly stiff after spending the entire day holding the clingy Lucy.

However, upon exiting, Lin found Tigria looking dejected as well and sighed.

“I don’t mind such trivial matters.”

Lin was completely unbothered, already accustomed and resigned to such things.

“That’s absolutely not trivial,” Tigria denied in a gloomy voice.

As she said, just because Lin acted like it was nothing didn’t make it so.

The mage couldn’t even imagine how much he had endured, suppressed, and deadened his heart to reach this point.

But Lin didn’t care either way.

Even now, the demon army was likely gathering, and they needed to get Biscon’s permission to eliminate them as quickly as possible.

If that didn’t work, he would act independently, but it was better to move after consultation if possible.

“Have all the measures been completed?” he asked.

The “measures” referred to Biscon’s ban on that song.

The popular tune titled “The Hero Blushed.”

Even Lin would be bothered if a song gossiping about the past of a woman obsessively fixated on him was being performed everywhere.

“The minstrel who was singing it was caught immediately. He was using magic while singing, and Biscon sentenced him to flogging.”

“Flogging? Isn’t that too harsh?”

“Not at all. He was charged with insulting a hero and the imperial family. He should be grateful his head is still attached.”

Then he’s lucky to be alive at all.

Those were among the most serious crimes after murder and treason.

Lin had nothing more to say about that.

“Oh, and he was banished from the city.”

“That seems a bit unfair. He might not have known the news had reached this far.”

“That’s why information is power. Later, if someone other than those from Lowellina questions it, ‘I didn’t know’ won’t be an acceptable excuse.”

Lin understood the importance of information well.

Even now, he was troubled by the realization that the memories from his previous life as Lee had significant discrepancies with reality.

“Because of what Biscon said, rumors are spreading that Lucyena was rejected by Rainfold.”

“Well… that’s technically true.”

The problem was how brutally the rejection had happened.

Lucy had liked Rainfold, and the shield knight didn’t reciprocate her feelings.

That was the clear fact.

After checking Lin’s reaction, Tigria hesitantly continued.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

“There’s also… a rumor going around that the hero is… consoling herself with the easy-target porter because of her heartbreak.”

Human imagination truly knows no bounds.

It was a notion he’d never even considered.

Though he couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, a heaviness settled in his chest.

Once everything was truly resolved, he should just live alone somewhere without people.

The longer time passed, the more he disliked people.

“Lin… where are you? Lin…?”

A thin voice called from inside the tent.

Lucy had woken up after barely sleeping.

Not seeing Lin, her breathing immediately became rough.

“I’m right here.”

“Lin… did you go outside because of me?”

“I thought you might be uncomfortable.”

“No, not at all. You know I can’t fall asleep without hearing your heartbeat.”

Hearing their conversation from the tent, Tigria felt irritated.

Though Lucy seemed weak, her voice was subtly tinged with clinginess.

Despite having wronged Lin, she continued to cling to him.

However, Tigria was in a similar position, making it difficult for her to criticize.

The feeling that Lin had been taken from her.

There was no need to stay here and prolong this unpleasantness.

“Mail delivery!”

As if on cue, a letter arrived from the World Postal Service.

The ultra-fast mail service—the recipient seemed quite surprised by Tigria’s contact.

Though Tigria had proceeded without consulting Lin, their purpose was ultimately the same.

The mage took the letter and headed toward the Romantic City.

—

“Two face-to-face meetings in as many days? I don’t believe we have such urgent matters to discuss.”

Biscon maintained his haughty attitude.

His slicked-back hair gleamed with oil.

“Vice Commander, I request permission for an operation to eliminate the monsters or demon army currently gathering.”

“…Your manner of speaking has changed. You used to be like a stiff doll.”

“I don’t believe we’re close enough to make small talk about such trivial matters, are we?”

“……”

When Tigria coldly threw his words back at him, Biscon openly frowned.

But if there was something Tigria excelled at more than Lin, it was her complete disregard for anything outside her interests, as long as she didn’t suffer immediate consequences.

As she continued to stare expressionlessly, Biscon snorted and sneered again.

“Why should I, mage?”

“Even a small force can pose varying degrees of threat depending on who commands it.”

“Depending on who commands it, you say.”

“While Lowellina’s army is renowned for its elite status, if the inexperienced Crown Princess takes military command, they’ll be nothing more than a disorganized mob with good mobility.”

Tension flashed across Biscon’s face.

The Vice Commander knew of his lord Airan’s ambitions.

Not only knew, but actively supported them.

However, explicitly mentioning a political rival as a point of comparison was something that could be seized upon by unseen eyes and ears.

“But if Lowellina’s elite forces were commanded by Lord Garin, by you, Vice Commander, or by the Commander-in-Chief, they would become an army worth a hundred men each.”

“What are you getting at? The demon army has always operated under the Demon King’s singular leadership. With the Demon King vanquished, there’s no commander capable enough to lead those demon forces.”

“You must have already received reports about the Demon Heroes. They were all individuals of exceptional intellect or strength.”

“A mere officer and a general exert different levels of power. From what I’ve heard, the Demon Hero parties always infiltrated our imperial territory and only engaged in propaganda or isolated local conflicts. There are no reports of them commanding troops on the battlefield.”

“They may simply have not shown themselves commanding, but their capabilities remain unknown.”

“Then all the more reason I cannot grant permission for the elimination operation.”

“Even if just the three of us go?”

“You mean two. The porter is nothing more than baggage, isn’t he?”

“The porter has now acquired combat capabilities that can be utilized on the battlefield.”

“That too is unknown to me since I haven’t seen him in action.”

Biscon turned his head away completely.

“Permission denied.”

At this firm declaration, Tigria played her final card.

“Are you aware that I’ve been assigned as a direct liaison to the imperial family?”

“…Do you intend to directly request approval from Duke Decarrun himself?”

“No, that’s not it. That would be… disregarding the chain of command.”

Tigria paused briefly.

“I have a duty to regularly report on the hero party’s status. Or to report immediately if there are any unusual circumstances.”

Unusual circumstances? Were there any?

Biscon’s face turned pale as he briefly pondered.

“The entire Lowellina elite force ridiculed the porter, a member of the hero party. I understand that Duke Decarrun particularly despises such behavior.”

“That’s because the porter was unpopular among the soldiers. Besides, didn’t you all ostracize him as well?”

“Whatever the case, such attitudes even after completing the Demon King subjugation mission are highly inappropriate.”

Though he tried to defend himself, it was clear his lord would issue a stern rebuke on this topic.

“And to add to that, an inappropriate popular song was performed throughout Lowellina, destroying Hero Lucyena Estel’s mental state. This warrants immediate reporting.”

BANG!

“You dare threaten me?”

“Vice Commander.”

Though Biscon slammed the desk and tried to intimidate her, Tigria didn’t even blink.

“Our hero party is camping outside the city. We can’t even enter Lowellina due to Lucyena’s outbursts and the porter’s unpopularity.”

“You…!”

Biscon, his fists trembling, quickly wrote something on a piece of paper.

Despite his haste, his handwriting was elegantly beautiful.

After firmly stamping it, Biscon handed over the paper.

“Here’s your elimination operation permit. Take it and get out.”

However, Tigria carefully examined the permit’s contents on the spot.

After thoroughly checking for any misleading content, the mage folded the paper and tucked it into her robe.

Then she took out the letter she had received earlier from the World Postal Service.

“Vice Commander.”

“Vice Commander…? You wench…!”

“I am the liaison for the hero party, directly appointed by the imperial family. Therefore, everything I just informed you of has been reported to Acting Minister of State Affairs, Duke Airan Decarrun.”

Only then did Biscon hastily examine the letter Tigria presented.

It was sealed with Duke Decarrun’s seal.

“I have no obligation to report to you, but I’ll share what the Duke said.”

“The Duke… spoke to the hero party…?”

“Yes. The content wasn’t much.”

Tigria casually remarked while adjusting her robe.

“‘I am ashamed. I apologize.'”

He had made his lord say such humbling words because of his own fault.

Biscon’s face twisted hideously.

“I look forward to smoother cooperation in the future, Vice Commander.”

—

Tigria carefully tucked away the permit Biscon had issued.

With this, she could help Lin.

Though she had acted independently, she had achieved something beneficial for him.

Lin would surely be pleased.

The mage anticipated seeing the porter’s happy face.

Her heart swelled with excitement at the thought that he might praise her.

But…

“Are you feeling better now?”

“No… I want to stay like this a little longer, just a little longer.”

From the moment she saw the two embracing in the distance, Tigria’s steps slowed.

The mage, who had intended to quickly show the permit and receive praise, grew cold at the sight of the hero nestling her cheek against Lin’s neck.

She had apologized to the hero and helped her be with Lin.

Yet Lucy was trying to monopolize him.

If she had kept him from yesterday until this morning, then the afternoon—at least from now, after resolving the issue—should have been exclusively Tigria and Lin’s time.

“This is unfair.”

I thought since you also love Lin, we could both care for him together.

“I want to be alone with Lin too.”

You’re trying to take even my place with your endless greed.

“I want to talk with Lin too.”

The truth is, I also…

“Want to possess Lin. Just for myself, forever.”

Trudge, trudge.

With each heavy step,

New emotions of possessiveness and jealousy began to sprout in Tigria’s heart.