Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage
Character page: Here
Chapter 119 – I cooperated with the hero and the vampire
“L-Love advice?” [Yuuga]
“Yup. Shot-kun’s probably worried about his love life.” [Youki]
“What do you mean? Shot-kun wasn’t showing any signs of that.” [Yuuga]
“All the girls around Shot-kun have boyfriends now, right? A harem doesn’t just disappear that easily. This is a universal truth.” [Youki]
In my previous life, some guys had girls all around them, too. It almost seemed like some special force was keeping those girls from leaving them. For someone like me, who didn’t have a girlfriend, I was struck with jealousy.
“I don’t really get what you’re saying.” [Yuuga]
“Well, basically, it’s about why the girls around Shot-kun ended up with boyfriends.” [Youki]
“Hmm.” [Yuuga]
The reason was clear as day, so there wasn’t much to ruminate about. He was probably bad at solving mysteries.
“It’s Caius’s love consultation. I guess that there were people who liked the girls from Shot-kun’s harem. So, they went to Caius for love advice, confessed, and succeeded.” [Youki]
That was the reason why the girls around Shot-kun left. He probably bore a grudge against Caius because of that. It was unknown how Caius’s real identity was found out, though, considering that he had kept this secret hidden for over two hundred years. It was probably just made up in the end.
All these were merely speculation, but I had a feeling that I was not far from the truth.
“Shot-kun did something like that? But still, if he did that… If he gets caught, it would be a big problem. Shot-kun is a noble, and if Caius-san is not a vampire but a human, it could’ve been disastrous. Well, I mean, Caius-san is actually a human.” [Yuuga]
The rumour was true, but throwing around accusations like this wasn’t easy. If Caius were indeed a human, a mere apology wouldn’t cut it after slandering someone.
“That’s why he made a personal request to you, so it wouldn’t turn into a big problem. If he had gone through the guild, he would’ve gotten into trouble because the guild would’ve taken action over a false accusation. But since it’s a personal request to you, nothing would happen if you keep quiet about it.” [Youki]
“No way… I was almost used by Shot-kun?” [Yuuga]
His hands were trembling and he looked quite shaken about it. It was probable that he felt foolish as he was almost taken advantage of. I hoped he would get his act together.
“Good thing I happened to come to this town.” [Youki]
“Yeah, truly.” [Yuuga]
“Should you be saying that? You could’ve said that you could have solved it on your own.” [Youki]
It was unbelievable that he could still afford to smile at a time like this. Would he have taken Caius down without further probing if I weren’t around? He shouldn’t be that foolish, I hoped.
“I-I wouldn’t have taken him down without confirming the facts…” [Yuuga]
“You did draw your sword on him the moment you met him, though.” [Youki]
“Ugh…” [Yuuga]
He admitted defeat way too easily. In the past during their journey, the three others must have gone through a lot because of Yuuga. Nevertheless, he should have matured a bit by now. Hang in there. I rooted for him a little in my heart.
“Well, if all’s well that ends well, then let’s wrap this up. If you have time to sulk, face forward.” [Youki]
“Yeah, thanks. You’re really kind, Youki-kun.” [Yuuga]
His downcast face suddenly softened into a smile. This kind of situation seemed like the moment when love began to bloom.
“Stop!!! That’s a no-go!” [Youki]
“Huh? W-What is it?” [Yuuga]
“Nothing. No, actually it’s not nothing.” [Youki]
“W-Which is it?” [Yuuga]
Was he just clueless about that kind of ‘world’? Or did he just not understand how these things usually play out? We were both flustered but for completely different reasons. It was strange how we both panicked over the same topic, yet our reasons were so different.
“Ugh, this is so frustrating! Whatever, tomorrow! We’ll settle everything tomorrow!” [Youki]
“O-Okay.” [Yuuga]
“All right, it’s decided. Let’s break up for now.” [Youki]
I ended the conversation abruptly and went back to the inn to sleep. Everything should be resolved by tomorrow. In fact, my part was already done, so all I wanted to do was to head back to Minerva.
♦♦♦
Read the chapters at rinkagetranslation.com.
The next day, I barged into Shot-kun’s mansion right away. Originally, I was planning to leave everything to Yuuga and take it easy, but…
“Yuuga, my words didn’t reach you, did they?” [Shot]
“N-No, Shot-kun. It’s not like that. Umm…” [Yuuga]
“I can’t believe that you’d not only side with that vampire, but also doubt me. It’s really disappointing.” [Shot]
“Uhh, umm…” [Yuuga]
Yuuga was already on the verge of yielding to Shot-kun’s words. He looked at me, his eyes pleading for help. It was obvious how things would go if I intervened.
“Sorry, but we’ve spent a lot of time investigating this even though it wasn’t an official guild request. Whether or not we doubt you is beside the point. The fact is, Caius isn’t a vampire, and he didn’t attack any women.” [Youki]
“Hmph. I’m speaking with Yuuga. And if it’s not an official guild request, then even more so, it has nothing to do with an adventurer like you. This is a personal request from me to Yuuga. It’s more like a favour from a friend.” [Shot]
“…Sigh.” [Youki]
He brushed me off, as expected. In conclusion, he was telling me to butt out since I was an outsider. At this rate, he wouldn’t listen to anything I said.
Yuuga has to be the one to corner Shot-kun with his own words. After all, his trusting nature was the root of this issue. It’s only natural that he should solve it himself.
“Hey, we went this over yesterday.” [Youki]
I whispered to Yuuga, offering him a lifeline.
“W-What should I say?” [Yuuga]
“Hey!” [Youki]
He had forgotten everything we talked about. Shot-kun, on the other hand, looked smug with a sneer across his face. As I pondered a solution, Yuuga suddenly spoke up.
“Shot-kun, this is the result of our investigation. If you’re about to go down the wrong part… I want to stop you. Because I’m a hero.” [Yuuga]
“Hmph, just because you’re a hero, does that give you the right to do whatever you want? I believe justice is on my side.” [Shot]
He was quite stubborn and refused to give in.
…By the way, someone is late. They should be arriving any moment now.
As I was thinking that, the door suddenly burst open.
“W-Who is it!?” [Shot]
“Hahaha! I’ve come as a special service for you, my troubled lamb!”
The one who appeared with such a strange line was none other than Caius, the so-called cupid of love. Before coming here, I had asked for his help to visit Shot-kun’s mansion.
“Wha- Yuuga! What’s going on here?” [Shot]
“I have no idea. Could it be that Youki-kun called him here?” [Yuuga]
“Didn’t I tell you yesterday that he’ll be getting a love consultation?” [Youki]
“That’s true, but to bring him in without explaining to Shot-kun first is…” [Yuuga]
“D-Don’t come any closer, you vampire! It’s because of you that everyone was led astray, and now I-” [Shot]
It seemed that Shot-kun exhibited an unusually strong rejection of Caius, proving my point.
“I have a rough idea of what’s going on. I merely gave them a little push. The choice was made by those around you.” [Caius]
“W-Why, how could this happen…” [Shot]
“Your love wasn’t enough for them. That’s all there is to it.” [Caius]
His words were merciless towards someone who was already disheartened. Shot-kun appeared meek at the moment, his earlier bravado gone.
“I guess it’s pointless to say more. The moment he shows up, it’s already over…” [Youki]
“Shot-kun…” [Yuuga]
“…I thought everyone liked me. Then one day, someone confessed to one of them. She told me she liked him too, and then she left me. One by one, they all left, and before I knew it, I was alone.” [Shot]
“Hmm… and?” [Youki]
“When I looked into the guys who confessed to them, I found out that they had all sought out the legend that remained in that abandoned castle. I knew about the legend, but I always thought it was just a rumour someone started. I never imagined it was real.” [Shot]
“Hahaha…” [Youki]
It was an irony that he was clueless about that legend despite being a local. He was either raised in an extremely sheltered environment, or he was always surrounded by women so he never had to be concerned about his love life.
“While investigating, I learned that the legend has been around for over two hundred years. So, out of spite, I made that request to Yuuga.” [Shot]
“Hearing it from your own mouth just reinforces how selfish and nonsensical your reasoning is.” [Youki]
“Hmph, laugh if you want. It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m finished. Do as you please.” [Shot]
Shot-kun showed no signs of resisting or making excuses, simply giving off an air of indifference, as if saying, “Do whatever you want with me.” I expected nobles to struggle more in a disgraceful manner, so I was a bit taken aback by his attitude. Seeing as he allowed us to do as we please, we could hand him over to the knights for trying to kill Caius out of personal grudges.
“…Hmph.” [Youki]
“What’s wrong? Weren’t you laughing earlier? Go ahead. Just laugh!” [Shot]
“Boy, you were simply hurt. The girls you liked left you. You were envious too, weren’t you? Of those who could truly love one woman!” [Caius]
“…What? What are you talking about? I’m just…” [Shot]
“There must be someone dear to you, deep within your heart!” [Caius]
Caius’s session was getting intense – his energy was so overwhelming that Shot-kun leaned back in his chair.
“You think we should stop him, Youki-kun?” [Yuuga]
“It’s fine as it is. I think he’ll resolve it somehow.” [Youki]
Since we were gradually fading into the background, we decided to watch how the scene would play out.
“If you had truly given up on love, would you have used others to seek revenge on me? You would’ve come to face me yourself. You were just scared to meet me, weren’t you?” [Caius]
“W-What are you suddenly talking about…” [Shot]
“How many people with love troubles do you think I’ve encountered? You can’t fool my eyes!” [Caius]
Caius leaned in close to Shot-kun, staring directly into his eyes.
You should stop now, Caius. You might end up giving him some weird trauma.
“Ugh…” [Shot]
“I see. It’s something you can’t talk about unless we’re alone. That’s also a problem people who are troubled by love have. They’re embarrassed to reveal who’s their crush, and they’re also shy to say their name.” [Caius]
“T-That’s not it!” [Shot]
“In that case, let’s hear about it in my castle. It’s a place where many who had love troubles confessed their worries. You could say it’s a sanctuary for those troubled by love! Now, let’s go!” [Caius]
“Whoa! L-Let me go!” [Shot]
“I bid you all farewell!” [Caius]
Caius carried Shot-kun under his arm and ran from the room, leaving Yuuga, who was frozen with his mouth agape, and me waving a handkerchief that I held.
“Shouldn’t we have stopped Caius-san?” [Yuuga]
“No idea.” [Youki]
Regardless, the vampire commotion was resolved. However, in the end, it felt like Yuuga and I had not contributed much at all.
RinkageTranslation 
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