The Transmigrator Doesn’t Dream of Being the Protagonist – Chapter 90

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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Evening.

Vivian was relaxing in the servants’ quarters when her communication crystal vibrated.

As always, she checked it immediately.

It could be Sepia summoning her.

A servant had to be prepared at all times. That was Vivian’s motto.

―Vivian, are you free?

It was a message from Ethan.

―What is it?

―I have a question.

―Ask away.

Ethan didn’t reply immediately. But a short while later,

―I think it’s better if we talk in person.

―Okay. Where should we meet?

Vivian hesitated, then replied. It had been a while since Ethan had asked to see her.

But she didn’t get her hopes up.

The chances of Ethan liking her were slim to none. She felt a pang of sadness.

‘…You love Sepia…’

So, she would support them from afar. She thought about when she had started liking Ethan.

‘…It must have been after that day…’

Vivian had pretended to be interested in Ethan at Sepia’s request. She had to act like she liked him. She remembered their conversation.

‘That’s harsh… speaking so coldly. I’m not usually so emotionless…’

‘I know. You have a kind heart.’

That wasn’t the only reason she had fallen for him.

‘Maybe I got too into character…’

That’s what she had initially thought. But as time passed, she had been able to analyze the situation more objectively.

She had heard Sepia talk about how amazing Ethan was.

Ethan, who had defeated the demon in the dormitory.

Ethan, who had appeared like a hero on Arvis Island and swept through the undead horde.

Ethan, who had defeated the Death Knight.

And Vivian had witnessed his strength firsthand in Atlan.

He had single-handedly broken through Vine’s army.

He was strong. Incredibly strong.

‘A first-year Hero Candidate who has already formed a contract with a high-level spirit… and you’re strong enough to be a one-man army…?’

Even witnessing Arthur’s golden mana had been a surprising experience for Vivian.

She had never seen anything like it.

But compared to Ethan, Arthur’s achievements seemed insignificant.

‘If he appears, I’ll recognize him immediately.’

She remembered Ethan’s words. She was still suspicious. But maybe…

‘Ethan, if it’s you… I’ll give you everything…’

Ethan finally replied.

He wanted to meet at a cafe in Eastvan. Vivian put on the sky-blue dress she had worn on their previous date.

“Why did you call me so suddenly?”

“Have a seat. Want something to drink?”

“I’ll have a hot cocoa.”

Ethan ordered a hot cocoa for Vivian and a milk tea for himself. He didn’t get straight to the point.

“That’s the same dress you wore last time.”

“…You remember?”

Vivian’s eyes widened slightly. A faint smile touched her lips.

“Yeah, it looked good on you.”

He wasn’t lying. The dress suited her. They exchanged pleasantries.

“Vivian, what do you think of Arthur?”

“What? Arthur?”

“Just… curious.”

Vivian knew what he was trying to ask.

Did she have feelings for him?

“Are you asking if I like him?”

“Uh… yeah…”

His direct question seemed to have flustered her.

“Arthur is handsome. Handsome people are generally well-liked.”

Ethan listened to Vivian’s words.

She wasn’t completely indifferent to him. His golden mana was impressive.

“But if you’re asking if I’m romantically interested in him, then no.”

Vivian had heard about the transfer student from Sepia. It seemed like Arthur and the transfer student knew each other.

That was all she knew.

“Really…? Do you… have someone else you like?”

Vivian blinked. Was that why he had called her? He had said it was important, but this seemed trivial.

“Why do you ask? Are you going to set me up with someone again?”

“What…?”

Her tone was unusually sharp. Her communication crystal buzzed.

“Sepia is calling me. I’m sorry, Ethan, but I have to go.”

“Sure… go ahead. You should answer her call.”

Vivian stood up, bowed, and left.

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This was more serious than I thought.

Vivian didn’t like Arthur? What about her becoming the true heroine? What about Arthur obtaining Excalibur?

Could Arthur even exist without Excalibur?

Weren’t they a set? The only good news was that Arthur was growing stronger faster than he had in the original story.

And Vivian didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

I had planned to invite Arianna, Arthur, Vivian, and myself on a double date this weekend.

Would Arthur be able to resist Arianna’s charms, even with Vivian present?

I had no idea what was going to happen.

It was all because Arianna had arrived earlier than expected.

Arthur seemed to be slightly interested in Vivian. But knowing Arthur, he would probably choose Arianna.

And Vivian seemed indifferent to him.

How could I get them together? Should I arrange for Arianna to be killed by a demon, like in the original story?

But that would create another problem. Vivian wouldn’t take care of a heartbroken Arthur.

How could she not fall for him after seeing his golden mana?

In the original story, Vivian had been instantly smitten by Arthur’s golden mana.

―Ethan, did you find someone for our double date?

I received a message from Arthur. He had no idea that this picnic could be his last.

It was still five days away. Plenty of time.

‘If I could find someone to play the role of my date…’

The most reliable person I could ask for help was Tia Erze. She was the most rational of the heroines.

I would have to meet with Tia and Arthur this weekend.

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Arthur held his head in his hands. He had a headache.

Ethan had called him last night, and they had ended up drinking at Ethan’s apartment. He had been looking forward to the delicious food Ethan had promised.

And the food had been delicious.

“What is this?”

He had been skeptical at first. Ethan had chuckled at his reaction.

“Try it. It’s fried chicken and hamburgers.”

“Fried chicken and hamburgers…”

Arthur took a bite of the chicken leg, dipped it in the sauce, and his eyes widened. It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.

Hessia was happily munching on a chicken leg beside him.

“Hessia, is it good?”

“Yeah! Yummy!”

They had also had beer with their meal. The combination of fried chicken and beer was so good that Arthur had overindulged.

Arthur was a lightweight, but Ethan could also hold his liquor.

They had even started a drinking contest.

And when he woke up, it was morning.

He remembered Ethan asking him a question during their drinking session. They had been talking about relationships and marriage.

It had been a natural topic of conversation.

“Hey… you… you liked Vivian, didn’t you?”

Arthur hesitated. He had been attracted to her.

He had even thought that if he were to date someone new, he would want it to be Vivian.

But that was before Arianna had returned.

“Now, there’s only Arianna.”

Ethan seemed stunned by his response.

“Are you… okay with Vivian dating someone else?”

“I hope she finds someone better than me.”

“Are you only going to marry one person, even if you become a hero?”

“Well… I’ll have to ask Arianna.”

Ethan’s reaction to his answer was surprising.

“What’s wrong?”

“Please… for the sake of world peace… embrace the harem ending…”

“Harem ending? What’s that?”

Arthur, who had never lived on 21st-century Earth, had no idea what a harem was.

“It’s nothing.”

Ethan looked dejected. Arthur had never seen him like this before.

“What if… Vivian still likes you? What would you do?”

Arthur felt a pang of guilt. He had liked Vivian, but he had chosen Arianna.

It might have seemed like he was playing with Vivian’s feelings.

‘Ethan is talking a lot about Vivian today…’

And he seemed unusually depressed.

‘…Could it be that Ethan liked Vivian?’

Perhaps Ethan had been secretly supporting him and Vivian, believing that Arthur liked her.

Ethan and Vivian had known each other for a long time, having both served the Logness family.

It wouldn’t be strange if Ethan had feelings for her.

‘If Ethan likes Vivian… then it makes sense that he’s depressed. He probably feels awkward pursuing her now that I’m out of the picture.’

Arthur nodded resolutely. If Ethan and Vivian liked each other, he shouldn’t interfere.

“Ethan, if you like Vivian, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll support you.”

Ethan looked at him, stunned.

“What are you talking about? Just answer my question. What if Vivian still likes you? Would you reject her?”

Arthur finally understood. Ethan had been persistently asking him about Vivian.

‘Vivian must have asked him to find out how I feel. That’s why he’s asking me all these questions…’

Otherwise, Ethan wouldn’t have been so direct.

“I’m sorry, Vivian, but there’s only Arianna for me.”

A look of despair flashed across Ethan’s face. Why was he so upset if Arthur had rejected Vivian?

‘Does Ethan really like Vivian…?’

Then it was a love triangle. Ethan liked Vivian, Vivian liked Arthur, and Arthur had chosen Arianna.

But Ethan had been trying to set him up with Vivian.

‘Or… is he just trying to help Vivian find happiness because they’re close friends?’

That would explain why Ethan had introduced him to Vivian in the first place.

Arthur sighed and took a long drink. He wanted to get drunk. He drank more than usual.

He woke up with a slight hangover.

Buzz.

His communication crystal vibrated.

―Arthur, don’t forget about our date today!

―Okay!

He remembered Ethan’s words.

‘Are you sure you don’t want to go on a double date?’

‘Why would I want to be a third wheel? You two should go alone. I’ll discreetly disappear.’

Arthur had chuckled at Ethan’s words.

It had been almost five years since he had last seen Arianna. He wanted to spend some time alone with her.

And today was their date.

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