Chapter 49

EP.49 Hand

The Eltanian Count's territory in the eastern region encompassed the Allicar coast, which was considered the most beautiful in the Empire.

Sitting on the rooftop of the Eltanian family's mansion, one could see the Allicar coast sparkling like jewels in the sunlight from afar.

At night, the coast would be illuminated by the blue glow of bioluminescent plankton, creating a scene reminiscent of the aurora.

However, young Luce preferred the scenery during the twilight, not the daytime or nighttime views.

When the sun's embrace with the horizon was about to end.

She thought, the sun, which had shone equally on the world, was leaving so pointlessly.

What about Hansel and the witch from the candy house? Human life must be so fleeting.

Luce's eyes lacked vitality. The thought that she might never open her heart to anyone again was too heavy for the young girl to bear.

But if there ever came a time when she could open her heart to someone again.

Then, she should not regret not cherishing that person enough.

She should not regret not protecting them enough.

Luce would often repeat this to herself while gazing at the magnificent light of the sunset.

* * *

I regained my composure.

[ Luce Eltanian ]

Psychology: [ You suspect I am Grung. ]

[Psychology Insight] reveals the current psychological state. The reason Luce asked me to hold her hand was displayed in the status window.

Only then did I understand why Luce had come all this way.

When the battle against the Brain Deity ended, I had caught Luce as if cradling a princess. At that moment, my hands had touched her upper arm and legs.

Luce must have been comparing those hands with Grung's.

'Was she awake then?'

I hadn't noticed at the time because I was in a daze and my vision was blurry. The fact that Luce wasn't unconscious was a moment that made my seven years of experience as a Magic Knight in Merchen seem insignificant.

The important thing was that it was still at the 'suspicion' stage. It was evident that even if Luce had regained consciousness, she hadn't clearly observed my appearance.

Just by the fact that she wanted to hold my hand and compare it to Grung's, the answer was clear.

Moreover, it seemed that the Brain Deity was keeping my secret well, just as he had promised in the Midheaven world. I was a bit anxious, but it was fortunate that he was perceptive.

"Why my hand all of a sudden?"

"Just…."

"Luce, you should only hold hands with someone you like. Not with friends of the opposite gender…."

I spoke in a conservative tone to dispel the subtle atmosphere Luce had created.

Do you know the Socratic method of argument? Usually, when I pointed something out, Luce would counter with "Why?", "Why?", "Why?" and dismantle my argument.

So, I usually refrained from pointing things out, but this time I had no choice. I needed to embody a conservative mindset to get out of this crisis.

"We've already held hands…."

The moment I heard this, I realized I didn't need to explain why boys and girls shouldn't hold hands. She seemed to understand what it meant.

"Do you not have someone you like?"

"…I think so."

[ Luce Eltanian ]

Psychology: [ I'm getting excited thinking about Grung. ]

It's over. Grung is confirmed to be on Luce's main route. If my identity as Grung is revealed, I'm in trouble.

Even if Luce's main route only requires saving her during the half assignment evaluation, I had already saved her twice during the Brain Deity battle.

Luce is a character who, once saved, will be deeply affected. Having saved her twice… her heart would now race like a runaway train as soon as Grung's identity is revealed.

But because Luce had opened up without reservation, the situation was now in my favor.

"Me?"

"No, not you…, maybe…."

I deliberately pretended not to hear her soft "maybe" and continued.

"Who else? Anyway, it's a good thing, but why do you want to hold my hand? Just like that?"

I pressed Luce with a calm voice. It was unavoidable.

If my identity as Grung is revealed, I risk triggering Extra Bad Ending N.13.

But I couldn't just end my friendship with Luce. It was already too late.

Think about it. If I hastily deny or try to overturn the suspicion, it would only make Luce more suspicious.

Luce has a brain that remembers everything. If my words and actions show any contradictions, she will surely pursue the matter, and I will inevitably be exposed as Grung.

So, what should I do? Evasion is best.

The key is to keep Luce in a state of uncertainty about whether Isaac and Grung are the same person.

I just need to prevent her from being certain. I need to prevent her from directing her feelings towards me.

Slowly, slowly. I need to gradually build up evidence that I am not Grung through deductive reasoning.

At least until we defeat the evil deity Nephid.

In "Merchen's Magic Knight," if you follow Luce's main route and defeat the evil deity Nephid, the ending shows a scene of a happy family life with Luce.

Putting aside the happy family life with Luce, the important thing is that the risk of triggering Extra Bad Ending N.13 disappears by the time the final boss is defeated.

"Playing with people's feelings isn't right…."

As I rubbed my neck and spoke in a slightly resentful tone, Luce lifted her head and showed a troubled expression.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to…."

Her voice carried a faint tremor.

[ Luce Eltanian ]

Psychology: [ I'm worried you might hate me. ]

I felt guilty.

I'm sorry for pressing you, but my situation is difficult….

"No, I was a bit too harsh. Sorry."

"……"

"Still, since you've come this far, why don't you stay a bit longer? We can chat by the lake over there…."

I thought I had successfully changed the topic. I had quickly devised a plan to distract Luce with various stories.

I was about to start executing that plan as I moved my feet.

But the moment I turned and started to walk, I felt a weight on my right hand.

The smooth texture of her skin flowed into my fingers.

I was startled, stopped, and turned to look behind me.

Luce was holding my hand.

"…I didn't plan to ask for permission. Even if you hate me a little…, I thought it would be better to hold your hand."

Luce spoke in a refined tone, interlocking her plump, soft fingers with mine.

"You have calluses."

The atmosphere became heavy.

Luce lifted her head.

The sound of insects was loud. The streetlights, made of glowing lamps, swallowed the faint moonlight and shone brightly on us.

Under that bright light, Luce looked at me with eyes shaded by her bangs and asked.

"Are you… Grung?"

Extra Bad Ending N.13 "Cage" ending.

This ending occurs when Luce's affection for the protagonist exceeds the gauge.

Luce, unable to control her emotions, kidnaps and imprisons the protagonist.

She feeds him, bathes him, holds him in her arms, and showers him with kisses.

In a intimate voice, she whispers her feelings.

─ 'I love you, ■■■.'

─ 'I like you. I love you, I really love you….'

Time passes helplessly in Luce's love, and the evil deity Nephid revives, leading to the destruction of the world.

Knowing Luce's hidden, dark nature, I had to avoid revealing Grung's identity at all costs.

My relationship with Luce is a friendship.

Even if the line gets a bit blurry and some strange vibes are exchanged, it's a relationship where I can firmly say, "We are friends."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you Grung…?"

"How do you do that?"

"……?"

I immediately switched to acting mode and feigned ignorance.

Having aspired to be an actor during my school days, I had tried every kind of play. I take pride in my acting skills.

Luce seemed puzzled by my expression of complete ignorance.

"The black monster. You know it, right?"

"That…? Why is it 'Grung'?"

"You told me so. Isn't it really Grung…?"

"Idiot."

Luce flinched at the word "idiot." It seemed to be a new and stimulating term for her.

"How can that monster be me? Then why would I go through all that trouble every day?"

I'm Isaac, who practices diligently every day. She must know this fact.

…Am I just feeling sad?

"……"

Luce looked at me with a meaningful gaze.

But there shouldn't be any cracks in my performance. My facial expressions and gestures were all perfect.

"That's… true. Sorry for misunderstanding."

Luce lowered her eyes, conceding a point.

I don't know how accurately she felt my hand's texture during the Brain Deity battle.

But from her reaction to the calluses, I can guess that she didn't feel a clear texture.

Moreover, I didn't need to seriously persuade her. What better evidence could there be than the difference in magical power and skill between Grung and me?

Luce must think this reasoning is logical. She's not some fool who would immediately assume I'm a great mage.

But I couldn't say that this level of suspicion had been completely dispelled. Luce, who harbors affection for Grung, would be like a smoldering ember. The moment she finds even a small clue, the suspicion will flare up fiercely.

I couldn't let my guard down.

"But liking such a monster is quite unique. I don't know if I should say it's like Luce… I'm curious about what happened. Can't you tell me over there…?"

Luce suddenly interrupted me, calling out, "Isaac."

"What, why?"

What now?

For some reason, Luce looked like a shy girl, her cheeks flushed and her head bowed.

Seeing her fidgeting with her fingers, I had a bad feeling.

'Remain calm.'

It was no different from before. No matter what trials came my way, I would remain calm and overcome them.

Soon, Luce's eyes, which seemed to hold the vast ocean, looked straight into mine.

"Can you… teach me how to date?"

This…

It looks like I'm in for a tough battle.