Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage
Character page: Here
Chapter 90 – I consulted my former subordinate
We were surrounded by a sea of raging flames. Considering the number of buildings—the houses, fields, and church—that had caught on fire, we must have been in a village somewhere. In the center of the burning village, Yuuga and I were facing each other.
“So you’re getting in my way no matter what, huh?” [Youki]
“Yeah, I’ll be stopping you.” [Yuuga]
Yuuga pointed his holy sword at me. I wasn’t in my demon form, but in a get-up that was supposed to be sealed off – in Magic Knight of Black Lightning outfit.
“I’ll forge ahead as I like. No one can stop me. I won’t take orders from anyone. If you plan to stop me, it’ll only happen over my dead body.” [Youki]
“I’m a hero. It’s my duty to lead people to the right path. That’s why, I will definitely be stopping you.” [Yuuga]
Yuuga tightened his grip on the holy sword. Those weren’t empty words. He was definitely serious. An enormous pressure that was incomparable to the time we fought in the Demon Lord’s castle could be felt from him.
He might be the strongest enemy I have ever fought.
But, I won’t lose.
No, I can’t lose.
“You’re going that far to intrude on my love life?” [Youki]
“These romantic feelings of yours are twisted. You… won’t be able to make Cecilia happy!” [Yuuga]
“Shut the hell up! I will not lose to my own feelings!” [Youki]
“It’s not about winning or losing… You can never control your own will.” [Yuuga]
“Hmph, who do you think I am. I am Magic Knight of Black Lightning. I am in control of my own feelings!” [Youki]
I ran towards him as I made my loud declaration. Yuuga, in turn, stood in place as if waiting for me. Our swords eventually clashed and the battle began.
“You idiot!!!” [Youki]
I made a loud retort as I woke up with a start.
Dazed, I looked around and realized that I was in my own room. I pinched my cheek a little just to be sure.
“Yowch… It’s not a dream, but a reality. That’s good.” [Youki]
Feeling relieved that I was free from that mysterious dream, I got up from my bed.
“Hmm, are you awake? How is your dream this time? I fell asleep after casting my spell.” [Gai]
“There is only one thing I’d like to say. Could you please stop showing me all these weird dreams?” [Youki]
I would like to wake up normally at times. It is mentally draining to wake up screaming, or retorting to myself, “Wahh” or “Why???”
“Hmph, I see. Then I’ll try out the new dark attribute magic that I have recently learned.” [Gai]
“Hold it, don’t start experimenting magic on me! Besides, dark attribute magic sounds really scary.” [Youki]
“You don’t need to hold back, kiddo. It’s not really an assault magic. It’s an intermediate magic called ‘Illusion Eyes’. It is said that anyone who sees the light in the caster’s eyes will instantly be attacked by hallucinations…” [Gai]
“Wait a minute, I’ll buy you a sunglasses right away.” [Youki]
A store that specializes in unusual items should carry it. Once I purchase one, I’ll attach it to Gai and seal it to his face with my earth magic.
“I think hallucinations are more realistic and comfortable than dreams.” [Gai]
“Stop suggesting such dangerous things! More importantly, how are you able to learn a new spell? It’s strange when you think about it.” [Youki]
Gai has always been cooped up in this room, so how was he able to learn a new spell? He has not been battling other demons. The only thing he did was constantly casting ‘Nightmare Sleep’ on me.
“When I ate the magic ores Tiel brought, my magic power increased. Also, since she brought me a book about magic, I couldn’t help but to read it…” [Gai]
“You’re totally freeloading off Tiel-chan now, aren’t you?” [Youki]
I eavesdropped on their conversation yesterday, but I didn’t realize that she brought a magic book. What was she planning to have Gai do?
“Wait, don’t phrase it like that. It makes it seem as though Tiel is toiling away, sweating and bleeding outside, while I’m just idly sitting in the room.” [Gai]
“That’s a fact, isn’t it?” [Youki]
It sounded as though a crack appeared on Gai’s body. He must have been so shocked by that revelation that his face froze like a statue… Although, he IS a stone statue.
“Let’s talk about that skill, ‘Illusion Eyes’ some other time. Or, if you’d like, you could actually use it to show Tiel-chan a happy hallucination as a form of gesture? For example, an illusion of you two holding hands while shopping in town?” [Youki]
There was no reply. The moving statue became a frozen statue. There was nothing that could be done even if I remained, so I decided to go out.
“I’ll be leaving then. Umm, you know… sorry.” [Youki]
Even though Gai remained motionless, I gave him a slight nod before leaving the room. I have my own problems to deal with, so his issue was the least of my worries at the moment.
…
“…So you ended up inviting me in the end?” [Duke]
“You’re the only one whom I can consult with about this, so please help me.” [Youki]
Duke and I were sitting at the cafe corner in our usual cake shop. When I tried to think of someone whom I could consult with, Duke was the first one who came to my mind.
“Captain, it’ll be good if you could get acquainted with more people, you know. People whom you could discuss things with.” [Duke]
“I have met quite a number of people since coming here, though. A swordsman with voice complex, a quirky guild employee, and then there’s that beefy-looking pastry chef…” [Youki]
“As they say, ‘Birds of a feather flock together’.” [Duke]
“You’re included in that flock too, aren’t you?” [Youki]
“Having a head that can be taken off anytime is already beyond common sense.” [Duke]
That is true.
I decided to drop the topic concerning my lack of acquaintances. If we don’t get to the main point soon, we will only be wasting time pointlessly.
“I have two things that I’d like to discuss.” [Youki]
“You serious? Well, I can pretty much guess what they’re about.” [Duke]
As he was used to dealing with me and my issues, he seemed to be aware of my troubles already. I felt ashamed. Should I be happy to have such an excellent subordinate? No, he should be a former subordinate.
“Well then, let’s get straight to the point. The first is about Raven and Happiness.” [Youki]
“…Perhaps it would be best for the two of them to take some time apart. From what I heard from you, their relationship has reached another stage by now.” [Duke]
At that time, due to Happiness’s direct attack, I couldn’t see what happened. Did they go as far as hugging or kissing? If it was a kiss, was it on the cheek or lips?
“Hmmm… I’m curious. What happened at that time?” [Youki]
“It’s uncouth to listen, or even think about it. It’s because she didn’t want you to know that she launched that attack at you.” [Duke]
Duke warned me not to pry too much. I didn’t want to be too forceful in questioning them about it as well despite my curiosity. If I were in their shoes, I wouldn’t want people to stick their nose into my matter either.
“I understand. So, it’s best to leave them be for now, right?” [Youki]
“Let nature take its course. The distance between them will gradually improve. Once the wheel starts turning, it won’t stop.” [Duke]
“I have a feeling that these two will stop unless I shove them outside.” [Youki]
“There’s no need to go that far. It’s good to support them, but it’s not advisable to overdo it by forcing them together.” [Duke]
“Wouldn’t it be better to strike while the iron is hot?” [Youki]
It’s an irony that they aren’t even together yet. I don’t think that there’ll be a problem if I give them a push, but I guess that’s no good, huh?
“Captain, there’s no point forcing two people together if they haven’t even sorted out their own feelings yet. I can foresee that they will end up feeling awkward and refusing to meet each other even more.” [Duke]
“Are you serious? Is that what’s gonna happen?” [Youki]
“Both Raven and Happiness have shy personalities. They’ll end up waiting for each other to make the move. So, none of them will probably see each other anymore.” [Duke]
“I suppose I should leave them be now.” [Youki]
“That’s right. For the time being, let’s do it this way. If any of them make a move, then we’ll decide what to do at that time. Is that okay?” [Duke]
Based on what was discussed, it will probably take quite a while before there will be any progress. It makes sense that they need time to organize their feelings, though.
“Gotcha. Let’s put aside Raven and Happiness issue for now. We’ll apply the wait-and-see approach.” [Youki]
“Yeah, do that. Then let’s move on to the second topic… It concerns yourself, right?” [Duke]
“Yeah, that’s right. The relationship between Raven and Happiness has reached another stage, but there is no change to mine. I am wondering if it’s okay to keep things as they are now. I was worrying so much about it that I couldn’t sleep last night.” [Youki]
The feelings building up inside me were akin to jealousy. As much as I was loathe to admit it, I was envious of Raven. It felt like I was contradicting myself since I was also consulting Duke regarding ways to improve Raven and Happiness’s relationship.
“In your case, you should first stay close to the person you love and understand her more… to understand more about Cecilia-san.” [Duke]
“About Cecilia? In other words, to stalk her?” [Youki]
“Are you an idiot? I’m a knight. If you were to do that, I’d have to arrest you.” [Duke]
“Then, what do you mean?” [Youki]
How else could I summarize what Duke just said?
“Didn’t I tell you to learn more about her the last time? When you secretly tailed us the other time.” [Duke]
“…Come to think of it.” [Youki]
I just recalled having a conversation concerning this before.
“Sigh, you’re useless. You didn’t even put it into practice after I went through that trouble.” [Duke]
“Ugh, sorry.” [Youki]
“I’d like you to do what I advised first, and if it still doesn’t work out, then we’ll discuss it again. It’s distressing when you ask me about it without taking any action on your part.” [Duke]
“…I’m really sorry.” [Youki]
I apologized, realizing my mistake. It was no surprise Duke was angry; after all, it felt like a slap in the face to ask for his guidance again after ignoring his advice.
“You really need to understand more about Cecilia-san.” [Duke]
“It sounds like there is a hidden meaning behind it when you said it that way.” [Youki]
“That’s the case, ain’t it? Captain, let me just ask you this. What do you like or dislike about her? Is there anything that she’s good or bad at? Do you know what she usually does?” [Duke]
I flinched at the barrage of questions. If I could answer all of these questions, wouldn’t qualify me as a stalker?
“…Indeed, I don’t know all the answers. But, wouldn’t it be gross if someone understood every single thing about you?” [Youki]
“That may be true, but I think some level of understanding is necessary. Besides, even though you claim that you like her, you’re not showing any interest in her. Isn’t that contradictory?” [Duke]
“Why would that be? There’s no way I’m not interested in her!” [Youki]
I ended up raising my voice a little. It was impossible for me not to be interested in the person I love.
“That’s what I’m talking about. You’re just not eager enough. I think you shouldn’t hold yourself back. Try and learn more about her.” [Duke]
Was he provoking me so I could make a move?
“…I understand. It’s important to have a clear idea about the person you like.” [Youki]
Let’s do it. I’m not stalking her. I’m just investigating her. A certain degree of risk is unavoidable if I want to clear the uncertain feelings within me. I shall start investigating her so I can deepen my relationship with her.
“Alright, I’ll make a move then. Duke, thanks for enlightening me. See you soon!” [Youki]
“…Let me just say that this is my personal opinion. Whether it would work out or not is a different matter.” [Duke]
I got up from my chair, preparing to leave the store after listening to Duke’s advice.
“Umm, Youki-sama, please pay the bill.”
“Ah, sorry about it.” [Youki]
Ami-san stopped me as I almost left without settling the bill. It was uncool of me, but I decided to make a vow.
“Ami-san, I’ll do my best.” [Youki]
“Eh? Ah, yes. Umm, I understand. Please do your best.” [Ami]
“Yeah, thank you for the meal.” [Youki]
“We look forward to your next visit?” [Ami]
Ami-san tilted her head quizzically as she saw me off.
I left the store for real this time.
RinkageTranslation 
Thank you!
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