It’s absurd.
An irrational and illogical awakening swayed by some emotional plea of kindness.
It can’t help but feel like a setup out of a light novel that loves emotional excess.
After all, in the original volume 10, Yuji had the sword spirit Kusunagi respond to his ‘kind heart wanting to protect the academy and friends’, leading to the True Name Release…
Still, it’s ridiculous.
[So if you want to reach complete True Name Release, stop dallying around with the girls and train a bit. Got it? Partner?]
“Who’s dallying around?”
It’s true that I’ve been a bit lazy from how tough the training is, but I haven’t just been messing around.
Is that what you call fun? It’s torture.
I’d prefer if they didn’t annoy me around here.
[Look at you pretending not to understand. Really. My poor lovely little sister. Tsk. Hey partner. If you make Olivia cry, I’ll kill you.]
Who’s the fool here, huh?
I should just keep my mouth shut.
Ignoring the Black Prince’s voice.
[Synchronization]
The ability is triggered again.
Thump, thump.
My heart burns like it’s on fire.
Mana surging from the Magic Core and Black Stone fills my body.
I grit my teeth.
[Unyielding will ready to face death! Yeah, this is how it should be for my partner. You’re finally looking a bit decent.]
Ugh, that just gave me chills.
“Can you please just shut up?”
[Nope.]
I feel like returning Durandal.
Just as I’m getting ready to hit him on the back of the head.
Bam.
With a flash, the surrounding scenery collapses like dominoes.
The death of the Architect is causing Labyrinthos to begin unraveling.
Beyond the crumbling landscape, I see the original lab’s scenery.
My companions appear, bewildered.
And there’s Aris, battling Mr. Digger, silver lightning and golden magic swirling around them.
Every clash of Aris’s spear and Mr. Digger’s axe sends shockwaves bursting out.
Behind them, I see Doctor Moromoro and Ritsuko in white gowns engaged in battle.
[Over there! Partner!]
I let the Black Prince’s words slide as I grip Durandal, switching to flight mode.
Due to the True Name Release, a black aura enveloping my body trails behind me like a shooting star.
The first opponent to deal with is Mr. Digger nearby.
I push off the ground, accelerating with flight mode.
“WAAAAAH!”
The loud scream resonates in my ears.
“What the?!”
Something is off, Mr. Digger senses it.
“Where are you looking? I’m over here.”
However, under Aris’s watchful eye, he failed to notice my presence.
Checkmate.
[Use the skill!]
I grab Durandal.
The blade ignites with black flames.
There’s Mr. Digger’s wide back right in front of me.
You’re done for.
Zing.
A headache is thumping in my skull.
[Black Light Sword Technique]
[Skill]
[Dark Slice]
Whoosh.
The black sword, infused with dark flames, rends Mr. Digger’s back.
“Oh, no…”
He lets out a pained scream, utterly shocked by the sudden attack.
I never thought I could take him down with just one sneak attack.
After all, Aris would finish him off anyway.
“It’s over now.”
Flash.
With Aris’s next line, a silver flash fills my vision.
Whoosh.
“You coward, Motherfu…”
Mr. Digger falls while mumbling curses.
Blood pours from the gaping wound in his chest, no doubt he’s done for as well.
Aris, I expected it, but as always, there’s no mercy for villains.
[That was a successful backstab. Wow. Partner. So sneaky.]
The Black Prince’s voice rings in my head.
Zing.
My head is throbbing.
I instinctively sense it.
My battle has reached its limit.
“Mr. Kim Deok-Sung…? Did you… help me?”
I hear Aris’s voice from afar.
I can see her shocked expression.
“Senpai…”
I speak while fighting dizziness.
“Please finish off Moromoro. And take care of Kasumi Senpai… she’s hurt too…”
There’s still one left.
Ritsuko is dealing with Moromoro, so if Aris joins her, they can easily overpower him.
Two S-Ranks against one S-Rank.
Finally, things are returning to the way I originally envisioned.
A hollow chuckle escapes me.
“Understood, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. Then…”
Aris speaks to me, her face slightly flushed.
“Take care of yourself.”
With a worried tone, she leaves me with a short remark and activates her flight mode to join Ritsuko.
Now it’s settled.
Stagger.
Dizziness rises as my body struggles to maintain balance.
I haven’t felt this crummy in a while.
“Hey, partner. Wake up. Come on.”
Just then, as I barely regain my balance at the Black Prince’s voice.
“…You!”
A familiar voice rings in my ears.
[Olivia?]
The Black Prince is right. It’s Olivia.
I see her running towards me, her platinum hair flowing behind her.
All strength drains from my body.
The world flips upside down.
“Ugh…”
I can’t hold on any longer.
Thud.
Just as I’m about to crash to the ground.
“Why did you show up now?! I… I was so worried… you fool!”
With a voice thick with emotion, instead of the hard floor, I feel something soft against my face.
Olivia caught me just before I fell.
She pulled me into her chest and stroked my hair.
I hate to say it, but it’s so soft and comfortable.
[Hey, partner. You little rascal, why are you grinning like that? How dare you be in my lovely little sister’s, g-g-g-g-g chest! As her brother, I will never forgive you!!]
Oh, seriously.
I feel like hitting mute.
Just then, as annoyance bubbled up at the Black Prince’s words.
Olivia whispered sweetly in my ear.
“…You did well. You.”
That one phrase felt so warm.
It reminded me of my mom’s embrace when I was a child and the lullabies she used to sing.
I slowly closed my eyes and fell asleep in Olivia’s fluffy arms.
I’m going to cry over my little sister.
My head feels like it’s about to explode.
“Ugh.”
A groan slipped out of my mouth.
It’s that familiar sensation I haven’t felt in a while.
Am I in a hospital?
I slowly lift my heavy eyelids.
My blurry vision begins to clear up.
A pure white ceiling.
My body in a patient’s gown.
And a beautiful girl with platinum hair and blue eyes, Olivia, sitting right next to me, looking at me.
Olivia?
“…Have you woken up, dear?”
She gently places her hand on my forehead and asks.
“How are you feeling?”
Her slightly cold touch cools my burning forehead.
It feels nice.
Like when my mom used to take care of me when I caught a cold as a child.
[Does it feel good? Huh? You’re smiling like a Cheshire cat, partner. I’m boiling with rage. You rascal.]
A familiar voice echoed in my head.
It’s the Black Prince.
Ugh, just hearing it makes my face scrunch up.
“Are you still feeling bad? You look upset…”
Olivia speaks with a worried tone.
Why is she suddenly acting so out of character?
I expected her to be all tsundere, but seeing her genuinely worried makes me feel a little flustered.
She also looks overly beautiful for no reason.
I shake my head.
“No, it’s nothing.”
[Look at that, you lying piece of work. Pretending not to enjoy it but we both know you are now, right?]
‘Shut up. If you keep your mouth closed…’
[What will you do if I don’t? Partner.]
The Black Prince retorted mischievously.
Oh, seriously.
I didn’t want to say something this embarrassing because it makes my hands and feet curl up.
But I can’t help it.
Especially with my already bad health condition.
If I leave it like this, I might explode from anger.
I brace myself and send a thought.
‘…I’m going to cry over your little sister.’
Aaaahhhhh!!
Even though it wasn’t something I said out loud, it feels like my hands and feet turned into squid.
But there’s no other way to mute the horrendous fool known as the Black Prince.
Damn it, crazy light novel world, cursed author.
[Goddammit… What kind of hero are you with a personality like that? You selfish little brat… Why is my sister with this kind of jerk…?]
‘Thanks for the compliment, so shut your mouth.’
[… .]
The Black Prince finally shuts up.
Now it’s a bit quieter.
I should ask Saori later if she can develop a sheathe with a mute function.
I need to see this.
“You. You’re not okay, are you? You’re doing it again! Even in the Meijin Academy Underground! Last time you took it upon yourself to just collapse like that…”
Olivia bites her lip.
She lowers her head.
Why is she acting so out of place since earlier?
It’s awkward.
Woooooow!
The Black Prince protests as he shakes the blade of Durandal.
He needs a sheath, a sheath.
She suddenly raises her head.
“You don’t have to bear everything alone… I’m your devoted maid, after all… Every time you recklessly get hurt alone… Stupid, fool, sea cucumber, sea squirt, sea anemone… You, you… you are really the lowest of the low in the universe!”
Tears well up in her blue eyes.
Olivia wipes her tears with her sleeve.
“Uuuuuh…”
She lowers her head while groaning.
There’s no need to cry.
It makes me feel weak-hearted for no reason.
[Congratulations. You said you would make my lovely little sister cry, and you actually did? Partner. I told you to tone it down.]
To think such a silly person is one of the five heroes who saved the world.
It truly is a character setting fit for a light novel.
“Ugh, Hiik… Fool… Idiot…”
Olivia sobs and whines, her shoulders shaking.
The atmosphere becomes awkward.
I wish she would stop crying. It’s uncomfortable to watch.
I’m worried someone might come in.
What should I say?
[Hey, partner. In times like this, you boldly wipe the lady’s tears as a gentleman.]
‘Why should I?’
So embarrassing.
Not like I’m the light novel protagonist or anything.
[Not only are you not manly, but you also aren’t honest with yourself. Tch. Alright. Partner. If you wipe away my sister’s tears, I’ll keep my mouth shut for today.]
‘Really?’
[I, the Black Prince Raul Napoleon Bonaparte. A man who doesn’t make empty promises in the name of the royal family. Unlike you.]
That last line was a bit annoying, but still, since he promised like that, the Black Prince wouldn’t go back on his word.
I also don’t get why they love mentioning the royal family’s name so much.
Is it a Bonaparte royal trait? It would make Napoleon I cry in his grave.
‘If it’s that much…’
I can’t not do it.
For a moment’s embarrassment, I can gain peace of mind.
That’s a deal worth making.
Alright.
Taking a deep breath, I reach out and touch Olivia’s cheek.
“Hiik, Huh!”
Olivia starts to cry some more.
Her blue eyes flutter.
Without saying anything, I wipe her tears away with my hand.
Ah, how embarrassing.
[At times like this, you should say something like ‘do not cry.’]
‘Didn’t you say not to say anything just now?’
[If you don’t say that line, it’s canceled. Canceled.]
So petty.
Is this what it means to be a great hero who saved the world?
I sigh.
‘Alright. I can do it.’
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