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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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Arthur and Arianna were sitting in a field of flowers. Cosmos blossoms swayed gently in the breeze beneath the clear autumn sky.
Arthur hadn’t known a place like this existed outside of Eastvan.
They spread a blanket on the hillside, overlooking the city. It felt like they were the only two people in the world.
“Anne, I decided to become a hero because of you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah! You used to read a lot of hero novels and said you liked heroic people.”
It was something Arianna had said when she was six or seven years old. She blushed and looked away, flustered.
“Did I really say that? I don’t remember…”
“We were both kids back then.”
“I… me too, Arthur.”
“What?”
Arthur blinked, waiting for her to continue.
“I enrolled in Iniros Academy because I wanted to become a hero for you. I wanted to avenge our village.”
Arianna’s voice trembled.
“But… maybe I don’t need to do that anymore. Since you’re alive, Arthur.”
Her hands, folded in her lap, trembled. The memory of their village being burned to the ground was a traumatic experience for both of them.
Arthur still had nightmares about it.
And so did Arianna.
“Anne, should we talk about something else?”
“Okay! How about our future?”
“Our future…”
“I want to have two children.”
Arianna smiled brightly. Arthur blushed, his ears turning red.
“One who looks like me, and one who looks like you! That would be perfect.”
“T-that’s a bit sudden!”
“But we’re engaged, Arthur. Were you thinking something… indecent?”
Arthur looked away, flustered. The city below looked small from their vantage point on the hillside.
“Wow, the view is beautiful.”
“Arthur, are you changing the subject? Do you think two children aren’t enough?”
“N-no! I think two is perfect!”
Arianna’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“If we get married and build a house, I want to plant a tree.”
“A tree…?”
“Yeah! An Elfwood tree. We’ll plant it after we get married. We can watch it grow with our children. And when they’re old enough, we can hang a swing from it. And we can relax in its shade while they play.”
Arthur imagined the future Arianna had described. It was a beautiful image.
“That sounds nice.”
“Yeah! It’s a wonderful future.”
“Anne, how’s life at Neydia Academy?”
A shadow flickered across Arianna’s face. But she quickly smiled.
“…It’s… okay.”
“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
She wouldn’t normally hesitate like that. Arianna bit her lip and remained silent.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Anne, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“It’s… it’s nothing.”
“Tell me, Anne. What happened?”
Arianna shook her head, wiping away her tears.
“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t be crying on such a beautiful day.”
“What is it?”
“Arthur… do you trust me?”
Arthur looked into her red eyes. They seemed to be searching his soul.
“Of course! I’m always on your side, Anne.”
“This might sound strange. You might not believe me. But I’m telling you the truth.”
Arthur nodded. He had always trusted Arianna.
“Ethan… I think he’s trying to use my weakness against me.”
“Use your weakness?”
“I hope I’m wrong.”
Ethan had met with Arianna yesterday. But he was trying to use her weakness? Arthur’s eyes wavered.
“Weakness? What weakness?”
“No… I must be mistaken. I hope so.”
“Tell me, Anne. What weakness was Ethan trying to use against you?”
Arianna hesitated.
“Ethan… he thinks it’s strange that you and I were the only survivors from our village. He thinks… I made a deal with a demon to survive.”
Arthur was speechless. Ethan was also precious to him. He was the only person Arthur had told about his status window.
“But please believe me, Arthur! You’re the only one for me!”
“Anne…”
“I’m scared… I don’t know what Ethan will do if he finds out…”
Arianna took Arthur’s hand. Arthur remained silent.
“You… you don’t believe me, do you…?”
This was the part where she was supposed to cry and walk away.
Then Arthur would grab her arm and stop her. But Arthur’s reaction was unexpected.
“I’m sorry, Anne, but I don’t believe you.”
“What…?”
“The Ethan I know would never do something so underhanded.”
Arianna’s tears flowed freely. She looked like she was about to collapse.
“You believe him over me? We’ve known each other for fifteen years…”
“…”
“Would you believe me if I let Ethan have his way with me? Would that make you see?”
“Stop it, Arianna!”
Arianna looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears.
“Arthur, you’re so mean… Why don’t you believe me? You’re the only one I have! Please, say something! Tell me I’m the only one for you!”
Arthur looked down at her.
“Anne, I don’t want to lose you. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything. You must have misunderstood.”
He turned to leave. His mind was in turmoil.
“Wait! Arthur, wait!”
“…”
“You’re right. I must have misunderstood. Come here… hug me… please… until I feel better.”
Arianna was trembling, as if she had been drenched in rain. Arthur walked over to her and embraced her.
“It’s okay, Anne. Everything will be alright.”
Her embrace was warm and comforting, just as he remembered. Arthur’s eyes suddenly widened.
“This is all your fault, Arthur. You didn’t trust me…”
“…Anne?”
A dagger was embedded in his stomach. Arthur stumbled back.
“I’m going to kill you, Arthur. I want to kill you and all your friends.”
Arianna felt a surge of rage, a burning jealousy.
She wanted to kill everyone Arthur cared about: Sepia, Tia, Tesha, Ethan, Anya. Everyone.
“Arthur, I want to kill you… I’ve been suffering so much, and you were happy with your friends?”
“…Anne, if you want to kill me, then do it.”
Arianna’s eyes wavered, as though she had momentarily broken free from the brainwashing.
“You must hate me… You must hate me for surviving and leaving you behind in the village…”
She could kill him now. She could aim for his throat or his heart. But Arianna stepped back.
“I… I… Arthur… I…”
Blood gushed from Arthur’s mouth. Was the dagger poisoned? His head throbbed, and his body felt weak.
Arianna had planned to seduce Arthur and take him back to her base, where she would brainwash him.
But if he returned to the academy, her plan would be ruined. She had to kill him now.
“I have no choice… I have to kill you…”
She raised the dagger again, aiming for his stomach. A dark figure emerged from Arthur’s shadow.
Clang!
A halberd deflected the dagger, sending it flying through the air. It clattered to the ground.
Arthur collapsed, his knees buckling. His vision blurred.
But he could see the black knight standing before him.
“…Lien?”
“Yes, Arthur. It is I.”
“Why… why are you coming out of my shadow…?”
Arthur’s vision faded to black. Ethan materialized, holding Tia’s hand.
They had been invisible, thanks to Silbert’s magic.
“Tia, take Arthur to Professor Cassia!”
“Okay!”
Tia lifted Arthur onto her back. She hated physical contact, but this wasn’t the time to be picky.
She ran down the hill, Silbert’s wind magic enhancing her speed.
“You’ve crossed the line.”
“What…? You were there all along? You were eavesdropping on our conversation? How creepy.”
I drew my sword. Runtar and Silbert stood behind me, ready to defend.
“This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to kill a heroine.”
“Heroine?”
“It’s the first time I’ve ever wanted to hit a woman.”
My eyes narrowed.
I kicked off the ground and charged towards Arianna.
My fist slammed into her stomach.
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I literally went 😯 like “omfg did Arthur really just straight up say that!?!”
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏