Chapter 96

It's amazing.

An irrational and illogical awakening influenced by the sentimentality of kindness.

It can't be anything but a light novel trope, appealing to those who love emotional excess.

Well, in the original volume 10, Yooji also achieved full manifestation of his sword due to the kind heart of wanting to protect the school and his friends, so...

Still, it's ridiculous.

[So, if you want to achieve full manifestation, stop hanging out with girls and start training. Got it? Partner?]

‘Who’s hanging out with them?’

It’s true that I was a bit lazy because training was tough, but I wasn’t just hanging out.

Is that playing around? It’s torture.

They were just annoying me.

[Look at you pretending. Really. My dear little sister is the only one who suffers. Tsk. Hey, partner. If you make Olivia cry, I’ll kill you.]

Who’s trying to be a tough guy?

I’ll shut up.

I ignore the Black Prince’s voice.

[Synchronization]

I activate the ability again.

Thump, thump.

My heart beats hotly, as if it’s on fire.

The mana drawn from the mana veins and the Black Stone fills my body.

I grit my teeth.

[The indomitable will to face death! Yeah, that’s my partner. Now you finally look like someone worth seeing.]

A chill runs down my spine.

‘Can’t you just shut up?’

[I don’t want to.]

I feel like returning the Durandal.

Just as I was about to prepare for the back attack.

Flash.

The surrounding scenery collapses like dominoes with a flash of light.

The Labyrinth is beginning to dissolve due to the Architect’s death.

Beyond the collapsing scenery, the original laboratory setting is visible.

The party pours in with startled expressions.

Aris and Mister Digger, fighting with silver lightning and golden mana, are also visible.

Aris’s spear and Mister Digger’s axe clash, sending shockwaves flying.

“Oh, no...”

The enemy, caught off guard by the unexpected attack, lets out a pained scream.

I didn’t think I could take him down with just one back attack.

Aris will finish him off anyway.

“Now it’s over.”

Flash.

A silver flash fills my vision as Aris speaks.

Squish.

“This cowardly... MotherFu...”

Mister Digger, who falls to the ground, is definitely dead from the gaping wound in his chest.

Aris, as expected, shows no mercy to the villain.

[What a successful back attack. Wow, partner. You’re really despicable.]

The Black Prince’s voice rings out.

Thump.

My head hurts.

I instinctively feel it.

My limit in battle has been reached.

“Kim Deok-sung...? Was it... you who helped me?”

Aris’s voice comes from far away.

I can see her surprised face.

“President Senior...”

I say, trying to suppress the dizziness.

“Please finish off Moromoro. And take care of Kasumi Senior... since she’s hurt...”

There’s still one more left.

Since Ritsuko is fighting Moromoro, if Aris joins her, they should be able to subdue him easily.

Two S-rankers against one S-ranker.

Finally, things are going according to the original plan I had in mind.

I can’t help but laugh bitterly.

“I understand, Kim Deok-sung. Then...”

Aris, with a slightly blushing face, says to me,

“Take care of yourself.”

With a worried voice, she leaves a short message and flies off to join Ritsuko.

That’s it.

Wobble.

Dizziness rises, and my balance is lost.

This damn feeling is rare.

[Hey, partner. Hey. Snap out of it. Damn it.]

I barely regain my balance at the sound of the Black Prince’s voice.

“...You, you!”

A familiar voice rings in my ear.

[Olivia?]

The Black Prince is right. It’s Olivia.

I see her running towards me, her platinum blonde hair flying.

My body feels drained of strength.

The world seems upside down.

“Ugh...”

I can’t hold on any longer.

Thud.

Just as I’m about to fall to the ground.

“Why did you show up now! I... I was so worried... You idiot, moron!”

Instead of the hard floor, I feel a soft touch on my face, accompanied by a tearful voice.

Olivia has caught me as I was about to fall.

She pulls me into her chest and strokes my head.

This might sound weird, but it’s soft and comfortable.

[Hey, partner. You bastard. What are you grinning about? To think you’d embrace my beloved little sister’s... chest! I can never forgive you as an older brother!!]

Really.

I feel like muting him.

The Black Prince’s voice, which makes me angry, rings in my head.

Ugh, just hearing it makes me frown.

“Are you still not feeling well? You... Your expression is so grim...”

Olivia asks with a worried voice.

Why is she acting so out of character?

I thought she’d act tsundere, but seeing her genuinely worried makes my heart a bit ticklish.

She even looks unusually beautiful.

I shake my head.

“No, it’s nothing.”

[Look at that disgusting face. So honest. You pretend to hate it, but you’re actually enjoying it, aren’t you?]

‘Shut up. If you don’t shut up...’

[What will you do if I don’t? Partner.]

The annoying Black Prince retorts.

Really.

I didn’t want to say this because it would make me feel awkward.

But I can’t help it.

My body is already in bad shape.

If I let it go, I might end up with a nervous breakdown.

I endure the embarrassment and transmit my thoughts.

‘...I’ll make your sister cry.’

Aaaaah!!

Even though I didn’t say it out loud, I feel like my limbs are turning into tentacles.

But this is the only way to mute the terrifying Black Prince.

This crazy light novel world, damn author.

[Damn... You’re not a hero, you’re a selfish coward... Why would my sister...]

‘Thanks for the compliment. Now shut up.’

[...]

The Black Prince shuts up.

It’s finally quiet.

I’ll have to ask Saori later if it’s possible to develop a sheath with a mute function.

“You... You’re not lying, right? You did the same thing in the basement of Meijin Academy! You always act on your own and then collapse...”

Olivia bites her lip.

She bows her head.

Why is she acting so out of character?

It’s embarrassing.

Woooom!

The Black Prince vibrates Durandal’s blade in protest.

I need a sheath.

She suddenly lifts her head.

“There’s no need for you to bear everything alone... I’m here, your personal maid... You always get hurt on your own... Idiot, moron, sea cucumber, sea urchin, jellyfish... You... You... are the worst man in the universe!”

Tears well up in her blue eyes.

Olivia wipes her tears with her sleeve.

“Uuuuuu...”

Olivia bows her head and lets out a groan.

She doesn’t need to cry.

It makes me feel weak-hearted.

[Congratulations. You said you’d make my beloved little sister cry, and you really did. Partner, you should have known better.]

That such a silly person is one of the five great heroes who saved the world.

It can’t be anything but a light novel character setting.

“Hic... Idiot... Moron...”

Olivia, trembling and crying, still acts tsundere.

The atmosphere becomes awkward.

I wish she’d stop crying. It’s a bit uncomfortable.

I’m also afraid someone might come in.

What should I say?

[Hey, partner. In situations like this, you boldly wipe the lady’s tears as a gentleman.]

‘Why should I?’

It’s embarrassing.

I’m not a light novel protagonist.

[Of course, you’re not being manly, and you’re not being honest with yourself. Tsk. Fine. Partner. If you wipe my sister’s tears, I’ll keep quiet for the rest of the day.]

‘Really?’

[I am the Black Prince Raoul Napoleon Bonaparte. I, a man who swears by the royal name, do not lie. Unlike you.]

The last part is a bit annoying, but since he said it, the Black Prince will keep his promise.

I don’t understand why Olivia and he both like to swear by the royal name so much.

Is it a Bonaparte royal family trait? Napoleon I, the ancestor in the afterlife, would be weeping.

‘If that’s the case.’

I can do it.

A moment of embarrassment in exchange for peace of mind.

It’s a fair deal.

Alright.

I take a deep breath and reach out to touch Olivia’s cheek.

“Hic, hic!”

Olivia sheds tears.

Her blue eyes tremble.

I silently wipe her tears with my hand.

Ah, it’s embarrassing.

[In moments like this, you should say something to stop her from crying. Kid.]

‘Didn’t you say you wouldn’t speak?’

[If you don’t say it, it’s off. Off.]

So petty.

Is this what a great hero who saved the world is like?

I sigh.

‘Alright. I’ll do it.’

No response.