Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 160 – The hero was encouraged to rise again

“My most… important…”  [Yuuga]

“I’ve been listening to your story; something about it felt off to me.”  [Caius]

Caius mentioned feeling a sense of discomfort, but despite being with Yuuga this whole time, I didn’t notice anything strange. I tried racking my brain, but nothing came to mind. Even Yuuga, the one in question, tilted his head in confusion.

“From what I’ve heard, my impression of you is that once you set your mind to something, you don’t waver, and you never give up.”  [Caius]

Well, that was because I told him that Yuuga was stubborn and never backed down. So, I was his source of information.

“And I agree with that assessment. Knowing you, I can’t believe you would just accept that the woman you have feelings for now has a boyfriend.”  [Caius]

“Sorry to interrupt, but… wasn’t it because he couldn’t handle that Cecilia and I became a couple? That’s why he ran away?”  [Youki]

That was why he sprinted out of the mansion in the pouring rain, or at least that was what I thought.

“Even so, you would have pushed for more answers, especially if you couldn’t accept it. You rely heavily on that cleric girl, don’t you? So, learning that she now has someone else in her life was a massive shock. But the woman who once healed your wounds now lies in the arms of another man.”  [Caius]

“Could you stop saying it like that?”  [Youki]

He made it sound like I forcefully took Cecilia from Yuuga. However, from Yuuga’s perspective, it was probably true. He might be under the impression that I had stolen Cecilia away from him.

“You unconsciously sought out someone else to rely on. And that someone was your childhood friend.”  [Caius]

Yuuga remained silent no matter what was said to him, offering no rebuttal or argument. He seemed to be accepting everything Caius was saying. At this rate, he would be hypnotized into believing everything Caius said was true. I didn’t like the idea of things ending like this, and I certainly didn’t want this kind of forced resolution, so I protested to Caius.

“Hey, isn’t this a bit too much?”  [Youki]

“Doesn’t something feel off to you? Why do you think the childhood friend was so angry with him?”  [Caius]

“Well, I guess because Yuuga confessed to Mikana?”  [Youki]

“That’s part of what’s bothering me.”  [Caius]

Caius walked directly towards Yuuga, casually placing his arm against the wall by the entrance, blocking any escape route.

“Did you really… confess to your childhood friend?”  [Caius]

“Huh?”  [Youki]

My dumbfounded voice echoed through the room, but it didn’t break the mysterious atmosphere Caius had created. If I interrupted now, I’d definitely just be getting in the way, so I kept my mouth shut. Yuuga, feeling cornered with no way out, simply bit his lip and stayed quiet. Unfazed by Yuuga’s silence, Caius continued speaking.

“It seems to me that you were just relying on her. You knew she would always help you, comfort you, and be on your side. So this time, after being heartbroken and consumed by sadness, you sought solace in her again. Am I wrong?”  [Caius]

“I’m not… that weak of a person…”  [Yuuga]

“Ah, perhaps ‘heartbroken’ isn’t quite the right word. I’ve heard you tend to drag in any trouble that catches your eye, regardless of the situation…”  [Caius]

Bringing up Yuuga’s tendency to attract trouble seemed totally unrelated to the current issue. However, I decided not to interrupt him. It didn’t seem like he was done yet.

“I believe you naturally like being kind and helping others. Facing challenges without expecting anything in return, regardless of your own circumstances, isn’t something you do without reason.”  [Caius]

“…Eh?”  [Youki]

I couldn’t keep quiet after hearing his speculation. No way… I made a face like I’d just tasted something bitter. Was he seriously saying that Yuuga’s habit of being a trouble magnet was because of his innate desire to help people? I couldn’t believe it. But Yuuga did not deny it. Depending on how you see it, it could be taken as a compliment.

“And you also like the reverse, don’t you? Being helped by others, having someone to rely on… That’s why the kind and indiscriminately compassionate cleric girl appeared so attractive to you.”  [Caius]

“…Cecilia’s kindness was so dazzling. I was drawn to her because of that.”  [Yuuga]

“It’s more akin to admiration, isn’t it? From what I’ve heard about you and the cleric girl’s actions… unfortunately, there’s a gap between the two. Do you really think you could have helped everyone you saw in trouble all by yourself?”  [Caius]

“T-That’s…”  [Yuuga]

“Who do you think was cleaning up after your reckless actions without ever considering those around you?”  [Caius]

With a sly smile, Caius pressed even closer to Yuuga.

Now that I think about it, I remember hearing something similar from Mikana and Raven. They said it was tough because Yuuga would attract trouble wherever they went, whether in a village or a town. The three must have divided up the work to cover for him.

“You’ve been acting like this since childhood, haven’t you? Strong, fixed ideas tend to develop more easily during that time. In other words, she’s been supporting you since then. Your childhood friend.”  [Caius]

“Mikana has always been by my side, supporting me. She even worked hard to stay with me.”  [Yuuga]

“If you understood that much, why didn’t you realize it!?”  [Caius]

Caius suddenly raised his voice, surprising both Yuuga and me. Our shoulders flinched in reaction. Even the coffin rattled loudly, so it seemed like his companion was startled, too. Since she had known him far longer than us, the fact that she was startled meant Caius rarely raised his voice. I always thought he was gentlemanly and hard to grasp, but he appeared to have this side to him as well.

“Because you were treated with kindness from a young age, you came to feel like your childhood friend’s devotion to you was just natural. You only saw her actions but never noticed the feelings behind them, didn’t you? That’s how I see it.”  [Caius]

“…”

Yuuga didn’t respond. He didn’t even refute Caius’s claims, even though what he said was harsh enough to warrant an argument or even a physical outburst. Instead, he stayed silent.

“The kindness you were used to receiving from childhood must have made the cleric’s kindness feel incredibly fresh to you by comparison… I believe I told you when you first came to me – look behind you. Either way, I think it will be difficult for someone as kind as you to love just one woman, whether for better or for worse.”  [Caius]

Even after being showered with Caius’s relentless words, Yuuga remained silent.

Come on, say something! Isn’t there anything you disagree with? Are you just going to accept it all?

“Well, sorry for dragging you through my long-winded speculation… If what I said upset you, feel free to punch me. I had no concrete proof, yet I said all of this to you.”  [Caius]

Caius spread his arms wide, signalling that he had no intention of guarding himself.

Should I stop Yuuga if he actually starts hitting Caius?

Even Caius’s companion seemed worried as the coffin rattled slightly. Yuuga, on the other hand, looked like he had made up his mind about something. He gritted his teeth, raising his arm high… and then slammed his fist into his cheek. Usually, when someone hits themselves, they tend to pull their punches instinctively, but Yuuga’s punch was delivered with full force. It was no easy feat to hit yourself without holding back, but his face was now completely swollen from the blow.

“I feel better now. Thank you…”  [Yuuga]

“I see. So you’re not going to hit me?”  [Caius]

“…I don’t need to.”  [Yuuga]

Yuuga stood up and placed his hand on the door, ready to leave. It was still raining outside. Since I’d lent him some dry clothes, letting him get soaked again would be pointless, so I offered him the umbrella Cecilia had lent me.

“Here, take this.”  [Youki]

“Thanks, but I’m fine. Sorry, even though I have just borrowed your clothes. But I just want to clear my head. I feel like being alone in the rain right now.”  [Yuuga]

…What could he be feeling at that moment? I couldn’t tell. There was this lingering sense of unease as if something hadn’t been resolved. I was only an observer, but if this situation made even me feel this way, then Caius would probably… Well, he was already sitting on the chair, reading a book.

“Huh, you already back to that?”  [Youki]

“…Hmmm? Back to what?”  [Caius]

“No, I mean… shouldn’t you feel a bit more sentimental? You know, like reflecting on what just happened?”  [Youki]

After a conversation like that, there would usually be a moment of silence or reflection.

“I’ve already fulfilled my role. The rest is up to him. Only he can decide on whatever path he chooses from here on. I have no intention of forcing my opinions or decisions on him.”  [Caius]

“But from what you said earlier… doesn’t it seem like Yuuga might end up following what you suggested?”  [Youki]

“I only asked him what he wanted to do next, but I didn’t lay out any path for him to follow. That’s for him to decide. Not me.”  [Caius]

“Hmm…”  [Youki]

In other words, it would be up to Yuuga to decide what to do next. It was probably best for outsiders like me not to interfere.

“Well then, now that I’ve finished my part, I think I’ll do some sightseeing before heading home.”  [Caius]

Caius closed the book and hoisted the coffin onto his back. He probably just wanted to spend more time with his companion, but wasn’t it sudden?

“You just started reading, didn’t you? Why not relax and stay longer?”  [Youki]

“Hm? Oh, you mean this?”  [Caius]

Caius took out the book he was reading a while ago and showed it to me. It was an incredibly detailed schedule for his time with his companion in Minerva. It listed places they wanted to visit, things they wanted to do, and food they wanted to eat, with additional notes on her preferences and priorities. For example, it noted that she liked places with a particular atmosphere, so they absolutely had to go there. Or, if they followed a particular path, it would naturally allow them to be alone together. The thoroughness of his preparations was so intense, it actually gave me chills. I had to stifle the gasp that almost escaped me. To have gone to such lengths, he must have been really looking forward to his date with her. If his companion in the coffin noticed, it would ruin everything, so I left it alone.

“…Well then, see you around.”  [Youki]

“Ah, by the way, it seems you finally managed to say it. Congratulations.”  [Caius]

“Yeah, I guess.”  [Youki]

“Did you think that you were the cause of this? Because your confession succeeded, this whole incident was triggered, right? That’s a mistake… if you’re making that kind of face, it’s an insult to the woman who responded to your feelings.”  [Caius]

“You’re right. If I had regretted confessing, then I…”  [Youki]

“Hahaha! Feel free to visit me if you ever get lost in love again. Now, farewell!”  [Caius]

And just like when he arrived, Caius got stuck trying to leave with his coffin in tow.

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