episode_0034

Reading the approximate future from Lorian’s sticky gaze, I scoured my surroundings to find a way to remedy this grim situation.

…However, as I looked around, my expression grew darker.

As always, things weren’t looking good.

The military forces of Gogyuk.

Honestly, they could be considered easier opponents than any we had faced before.

Unlike enemies where one must resort to all sorts of tricks to escape, these foes could easily be defeated by conventional means.

The difficulty level had significantly decreased.

However, ironically, the challenge was higher than ever.

The reason being…

“…Engaging in battle is reckless.”

Due to the fierce battle with the disciples of evil, the condition of our group was beyond words.

If only things were slightly better, I could have dealt with that lunatic’s arrogance, but continuing the battle would undoubtedly lead to total defeat.

“What should we do?”

I sighed heavily at the trial that had once again befallen us.

Lately, it felt like this damn world kept testing my limits.

Am I being paranoid? Could it all just be a coincidence?

But can’t help feeling that way, right?

Because otherwise, why would this damn world keep throwing one tough task after another at me right after finishing one?

In my heart, I wanted to shout out in surrender.

However, the cost of giving up was too high.

To die or become a stepping stone.

Isn’t the outcome of failure too extreme for a mere test of limits?

The merit of success is merely ‘survival.’

Although a headache threatened to return due to stress, I slowly regained composure by shaking my head.

“The important thing now isn’t this.”

We need to find a way to escape to the north or central regions by any means necessary.

I shifted my gaze away from the seemingly unhelpful elves and back to our group.

Then, among them, I noticed a guy with a sword who seemed relatively unharmed.

“Why are you staring at me with such a peculiar look? Feeling uneasy, are you?”

Complaining with a sullen expression, the swordsman.

I smiled and cautiously asked him, “Can you fight a little more?”

“Is it possible? Or are you saying that even after seeing this arm of mine?”

With a bewildered expression, he showed me his trembling right arm.

The angry muscles in his arm, which had almost single-handedly provoked the disciples of evil, flexed mightily towards me.

Indeed, if it ended with just that after provoking the aggro of the disciples of evil, it was truly remarkable.

However, regrets remained regrets.

I gazed at the swordsman with a mixed look of nostalgia.

…If only I could awaken him, we could swiftly resolve this damn situation. Isn’t there a way to awaken him?

Within the encirclement of the Gogyuk forces closing in, I quickly recalled the content from the original work about when the swordsman grew.

And soon, I remembered his growth trigger.

The swordsman’s growth trigger was none other than desire.

So, overcoming or fulfilling that desire would lead to his awakening.

“Phew.”

After confirming the awakening conditions, I breathed a sigh of relief, but then I couldn’t help but stiffen my face.

Wait a minute.

The target of desire is me now.

Does that mean I have to shake my buttocks and flirt with him to awaken him?

“Damn it.”

After briefly imagining that scene, I cursed and tightly shut my eyes.

…Do I really have to do such a thing?

This humiliating act, which is not even enough to come in nightmares every night, do I have to do it right now…?

I wanted to explore other viable options, but unfortunately, time was not on our side.

A decision had to be made.

Would I set aside my embarrassment and awaken him?

Am I going to be dragged into a dangerous situation in Gogyo again?

Once again, the decision didn’t take long.

Right, rather than being taken advantage of by several people, wouldn’t it be better to be taken advantage of by just one person with some dignity left?

If being preyed upon is inevitable in the future, isn’t it much better to be preyed upon by someone you know!

With determination, I approached the sword-wielding figure and whispered softly.

“Sword? Of course, it’s not possible, but if you manage to break through the blockade.”

“…”

“I’ll grant you one wish. Including naughty ones.”

Upon hearing this, the figure closed their eyes silently, then nodded with a grin.

“Let’s give it a try.”

With that, they adjusted their greatsword and lunged towards the encirclement.

—

Clang!

“Argh!”

Crushing another paladin, I advanced vigorously.

I’m not sure how many it has been. But I didn’t feel the need to count.

Instead of wasting time counting them, it was much better to think about making a wish to Beatrice.

Releasing my boiling power, I began to pressure the Gogyo forces.

“If you retreat now, you won’t be seriously injured.”

Normally, I wouldn’t have thought of directly confronting those lunatics.

If you show hostility towards those lunatics, life itself becomes tiresome.

In simple terms, it’s like avoiding something because it’s scary rather than dirty… similar to that.

But the situation was quite different now.

Beatrice had promised to grant a wish! Including naughty ones!

Who was Beatrice again?

Wasn’t she the woman who growled at me when I got too close, drew lines, and kept her distance, not even giving an inch!

Any wish granted was an opportunity for me.

A chance that might be the last, forcibly squeezing through a narrow gap!

I couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity, so I had to defeat the religious zealots in front of me.

So what if life gets tiresome?

If the girl I secretly admire promises to grant a wish, rejecting her here would be foolish.

Did I really threaten the Gogyo forces by flying over there?

Among them, a particularly arrogant woman walked out confidently.

She declared that she would intercept the woman I had my eyes on, wearing a badge that read ‘Virgin Candidate’ on her chest.

Unconsciously irritated, I sharpened my blade at her, but she easily blocked it and smiled.

“Why are you blocking the way for Gogyo’s front? Will you regret it? Let me show you once, move aside quickly.”

“If you were like me, would you step aside? Sometimes as a man, you must not retreat. That time is now.”

“You’re stubborn. I showed mercy, but you remain ignorant.”

“Haha, if you break through and open a path, of course you’ll look like a fool. Ah! She even said naughty things are possible!”

“…Shall we negotiate? I’ll make the deal for you. You live, I spend a pleasant time with the witch… Isn’t this a win-win situation?”

“I refuse! What kind of win-win is that? I’m the only one losing here. And you know it.”

Pointing at the witch, I glared fiercely at the unpleasant woman in front of me.

“She’s the one I’ve set my sights on first. Who are you to covet another man’s woman?”

“Tsk, it looks like they’re not even dating, let alone having a crush on each other. So why bother with someone else’s woman?”

“I’m still getting to know her. But what about you? It seems like you won’t even reach the stage of getting to know her.”

Mocking her with a smug response, she cruelly teased back, offering an unexpected reply.

“Why do you need to get to know her?”

“What?”

“Thoroughly and deeply ‘repenting’ eventually leads to understanding each other completely, doesn’t it? Witches are no exception. Just like any other penitents, they will end up loving me in the end.”

“To think this is a candidate for saintess… The future of the church is as clear as daylight.”

“Blasphemy may cost you your life, but shall we witness it now? Hoho, after all, your head will roll soon enough.”

“Whether it’s me or you whose head will roll, we’ll only know when we see it, won’t we?”

As he exudes aggression and readies his greatsword, he speaks.

“I do not lose. At least, not in this battle.”

There were too many things at stake.

A wish for Beatrice? Well, that was part of it too.

“What greater shame and disgrace is there than losing the person you love to someone who isn’t even a man but a woman?”

Above all else, this reason stood out the most.

To have Beatrice taken away by an unbeatable foe, to be left foaming at the mouth and charging recklessly at that lunatic?

It was Beatrice.

She was a woman to whom the phrase ‘love at first sight’ truly applied.

While countless criticisms of ‘disgust’ had been thrown her way, the assessment of ‘love’ was unequivocally unique to her.

To have that first love snatched away by another man.

I shook my head vigorously.

Even if it means facing death, I cannot give up.

Rather than discussing surrender, wouldn’t it be better to die honorably?

That way, even in death, wouldn’t I avoid becoming a laughingstock in the afterlife?

“Rather than being a fool who loses their lover to another woman, it’s much better to be a fool who valiantly sacrifices themselves trying to protect their lover.”

Gazing at the dazzling army of light, I quietly smirked.

“Come forth, you damn zealots.”

This is it.

Your graves.