TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 163
An empty laugh escaped at Mikhail’s words.
To say “don’t show off”—for a Possessor, showing off was as essential as air, and telling them not to do it was akin to telling them not to breathe.
Annoying as it may sound, but it’s true that I’m exceptional.
I put on an awkward expression and timidly voiced my opinion to Mikhail.
“I’m sorry. Being exceptional isn’t something I can control. I don’t want to show off either, but I’m just too outstanding. It seems inevitable.”
At the same time, I also informed Mikhail of a groundbreaking way to resolve this issue.
“If you really dislike it, it can be resolved if you become more competent than me, Mikhail. Then, none of this would happen, and you’d feel better….”
Mikhail’s brow began to twitch. His expression, as if looking at an Annoying Person, with one eyebrow raised, glaring at me, was a sight to behold.
I looked at Mikhail with a Small Smile.
“Was that too annoying? I’m sorry. Just think of me as ‘a strange person’ and try to understand. By now, you must be used to it, no?”
Mikhail clenched his Fist and glared at me.
“I told you, I hate this about you…. Showing up in Dangerous Moments and acting nonchalant as if it’s no big deal—it makes people feel like fools, and it pisses me off.”
I responded to Mikhail’s sharp words without much agitation.
Because I already knew that he disliked me. Besides, Mikhail had been in a mentally unstable state.
Missing Nemesis right in front of him.
Learning secrets he didn’t want to know.
Since all of it was what he had gone through, I could somewhat understand Mikhail’s feelings.
I put my hands in my Pocket, nodded at Mikhail’s words, and replied.
“So, what would you like me to do?”
“…”
“You still hate me. You hate me even when I help. You just find me annoying. So, what should I do to make you say something nice?”
I let out a Deep Sigh and voiced my dissatisfaction with Mikhail’s vague Whiny Complaints.
“You’ll hate me no matter what I do, won’t you? And the same goes for me. Isn’t it time to admit it?”
I spoke while looking at the corpses of the Heretics scattered in the Forest. Ten had fallen by my sword. Eight by Hanna’s Sword.
Mikhail’s eyes began to ripple as he looked at the considerable number of corpses.
“That this was something you wouldn’t have been able to resolve without me. It was the same before, and it’s the same now, isn’t it?”
Mikhail shook his head fiercely and retorted roughly.
“Even without you, we could have managed!”
“Were you planning to let everyone die?”
“…What?”
“Yuria, Hanna, everyone. Were you going to let them all die here and then resent the world for not helping?”
At my words, Mikhail wore a Complicated Expression, reminiscing about the past.
Recalling his Past Self, who had sought a Hero in the Slum where no one came that day, Mikhail gritted his teeth and spoke in a boiling voice.
“…Shut up.”
I spoke to Mikhail with a Stern Expression.
“Regretting what’s already happened is meaningless.”
“…!”
“In the past and even now, how long are you going to indulge in this Hero Play? It’s not like anyone told you to do it.”
“…”
I glared at Mikhail and slowly recited the harsh reality.
That the fact you’re breathing right now.
That the blood you claimed to hate so much hasn’t stained your hands.
If You Think About It, everything was something you should have done, but I did it for you—don’t you feel anything about that? I questioned Mikhail in a Calm Voice.
Because I’m not the Protagonist.
I’m not some Hero who extends Virtuous Intentions for free, nor a Cleric who offers love. There was no reason for me to altruistically care for others.
Of course, I was a Push-Over who showed kindness to the Young Lady and other Supporting Characters, but that was merely fulfilling my duty as a Possessor.
Essentially, I was a Coward who only protected those within my Fence…. If I were to put it bluntly, I could be called a Villain. Thinking that way, Mikhail’s words weren’t entirely wrong.
I let out a Deep Sigh and spoke to Mikhail.
“I’m not expecting gratitude.”
I slowly spoke the words hidden inside me.
“I didn’t do it hoping for a Hero’s Treatment, and I know you won’t give me that. There’s just one thing I wish for.”
“Don’t wish for anything. I won’t give you anything.”
“I wish I could do that too, but Mikhail keeps making me step in.”
I conveyed my True Feelings to Mikhail.
Hating him.
Carrying feelings of love and hatred.
At the same time, as a Close Friend who worries about him, I slowly voiced an unreasonable request from the depths of my heart.
“Don’t Get Hurt. I’m worried about you.”
Letting out a Deep Sigh, Mikhail clenched his Fist and spoke to me in a Cold Voice.
“Who do you think you are to worry about me?”
“A friend, aren’t I?”
Mikhail answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“Don’t associate me with you. It’s disgusting, so shut up.”
That’s too harsh.
But I didn’t curse at him.
With a Bitter Smile, I brushed off my complicated feelings.
“Mikhail, just shut up and get treated.”
“…You.”
“You’re bleeding too much.”
Mikhail looked down at his own body.
Perhaps the wound he had sustained during the battle was deeper than he thought, as the flowing blood had soaked his clothes.
Mikhail, looking at his own body with trembling eyes, quickly turned around and began to leave.
I don’t know why he’s so flustered, but I guess this conversation is over.
Waving my hand, I began to walk away.
“I’m leaving.”
And.
‘Thanks for the meal.’
[Q. Mikhail’s Guardian,]
A swordsman who encountered Nemesis.
The swordsman was a person with a gentle heart.
He hated killing and lived with the hopeful belief that he could reform villains through idealistic emotions.
He thought that if The Boy, who had been his light, were still alive, he would have lived like this. And during the years spent at the Nunnery, he had been taught about Hope.
The swordsman suddenly had this thought.
‘What if I meet Nemesis, the one who killed The Boy. How would I react?’
Now, after much time had passed. Thinking that the weight of his Emotions had lightened, the swordsman arrived at the Correct Answer of forgiveness in his heart, and today was the day.
And the swordsman came to realize how strong his Hatred truly was.
(!) Help Mikhail in danger.
1. Protect Mikhail without killing the High Priest of Oblivion ‘Yung.’ (1/1)
Reward: Tirbing’s hidden ability.〈???〉
If failed: Mikhail’s collapse.
*
Today, in Olivia’s Room as drowsy as ever.
Olivia was sniffling as she blankly stared at the Rainy Sky.
“Sniff.”
In the chilly weather brought by the Cold Weather After a Flower Bloom, Olivia wrapped herself tightly in a blanket and looked out the window.
The rain was slowly letting up.
The sky was full of Clouds.
In the Gloomy Weather, Olivia’s mood sank along with it.
‘I’m bored.’
Ricardo had gone out for work, and the Emergency Food Supply…. No, Gomtangi, perhaps due to the rain, was huddled in a corner of the room, doing nothing but consuming food. Yawning, the bored Olivia tried to stave off her dullness.
“Sniff…!”
Indeed, watching over the house alone is a tough job.
Since staring blankly Outside the Window without anyone acknowledging me consumed a lot of focus. I had to keep an eye out for any Thief breaking in and chase away those scribbling Graffiti on the Estate, so Olivia was concentrating all her senses with wide-open eyes.
Olivia nodded with Self-Esteem in her Job.
“Hmmnya.”
That aside, why isn’t Ricardo coming? It should be about Time for him to arrive.
-Young Lady, I’m heading out to work.
-Huh? Ricardo, you’re Unemployed.
-Unemployed? I have a proper Job as a Butler.
-But I’m unemployed.
-Take pride in being Unemployed.
-Hehe!
Ricardo, who claimed to have found a High-Earning Part-Time Job, had promised to return before sunset today. He even hooked pinkies with me and promised to give me two Chocolates if he was late, but now the Sun was already halfway down.
With her face leaning against the Windowsill, Olivia puffed up her cheeks and grumbled at the Sun’s darkened gaze.
“Puuuuh…. He’s late.”
Olivia’s Whiny Complaints, paired with her pouting lips, lasted for about ten minutes.
From afar, a familiar figure of The Man was approaching.
“Oh…!”
At the sight of the Man with Red Hair carrying a bunch of stuff in his hands, a Smile began to spread across Olivia’s lips.
‘It’s Ricardo…!’
Ricardo, walking with confident Footsteps, beamed at the sight of Olivia vigorously waving her hand.
“Young Lady!”
Ricardo waved his hand energetically.
Olivia, following suit, waved her hand to greet Ricardo, and she shouted loudly toward him.
“Ricardo! What’s for dinner tonight?!”
Ricardo brightly smiled and lifted the bag in his hand, saying:
“Tonight’s dinner is Soybean Meat Stir-Fried with Vegetables!”
“…”
Olivia hated Ricardo.
“Get Lost!”
“Hehe!”
But still.
“I want to eat something else!”
“Just eat what I make for you!”
“Eeeek!”
Olivia liked Ricardo.
He felt like a Friend.
Being with him was fun.
And it was comforting, as her worries seemed to vanish.
Friendship?
That didn’t seem right.
It felt inadequate to label this Fluffy Emotion as Friendship.
Though she hadn’t found the Correct Answer yet.
Olivia.
“Get Lost!”
Liked Ricardo.