Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 195 – I tried to help the hero have a restful sleep

The ‘hypnosis therapy’ for Yuuga seemed to be going smoothly. I thought everything would be fine, so I started chatting with Gai while waiting for Yuuga to wake up… or at least, that was the plan. Unfortunately, things didn’t unfold as intended. Yuuga began groaning in his sleep.

“Hey, Gai. He looks like he’s in distress. Make sure you’re controlling his dream properly.” [Youki]

“What are you implying? I did everything correctly… Hmm?” [Gai]

“What is it?” [Youki]

“Kiddo, this is strange. My magic’s worn off. He’s just sleeping normally now, without any influence from the dream manipulation I cast.” [Gai]

In other words, Yuuga was now sleeping naturally. The pained expression on his face probably meant he was back to enduring his usual nightmares.

“Wait, wait. Why would ‘Nightmare Sleep’ wear off? You’re saying he’s just sleeping like normal?” [Youki]

My eyes drifted to the holy sword strapped to Yuuga’s waist. That sword, awakened by his love for Mikana, had already granted him the ability to fly with wings. But what if that wasn’t the full extent of its power? Could it also offer resistance to magic or immunity to certain effects?

“Hey, cast it again. Do it now. If we don’t fix this, he’s going to wake up feeling terrible.” [Youki]

“Fine, I’m on it. Give me a moment.” [Gai]

Gai hurriedly recast his spell, and Yuuga’s expression eased once more. However, before long, the magic wore off again, forcing Gai to recast it. This was quickly turning into a headache.

“Kiddo, you’re not seriously expecting me to stay here all night, repeatedly casting ‘Nightmare Sleep’ on this guy until he finally gets a proper rest, are you?” [Gai]

“…If I asked you to do that, who knows what Tiel-chan would do to me.” [Youki]

The thought of Tiel-chan showing up in the dead of night, her eyes glowing ominously as she demanded Gai’s presence, was all too easy to picture.

“Hmm, yeah… That’s… well, entirely possible. If it’s Tiel, I can’t deny the likelihood.” [Gai]

“She loves you to an unhealthy degree. Has anything unusual happened with her lately?” [Youki]

“Lately? No, everything’s been normal. Tiel and I both have our work to focus on. Keeping busy is good, you know. Hahaha.” [Gai]

“…That’s unsettling.” [Youki]

It was hard to believe that Tiel-chan, who usually ambushed Gai at his home and practically forced her way into his life, had been keeping a low profile. I’d need to keep an eye on her, but for now, Yuuga’s problem was the priority. His recurring nightmare about Mikana leaving him clearly needed addressing. Magic alone wasn’t going to cut it. I had to take matters into my own hands.

“I’ll take some action myself.” [Youki]

“You’d better know what you’re doing. I don’t know this guy’s full story, but I’m starting to feel bad for him.” [Gai]

“Don’t worry. By the time I’m done, Yuuga won’t just stop having nightmares, he’ll be dreaming of pure bliss every night.” [Youki]

I had a rough plan forming in my head, but I’d need some help to pull it off.

“Let’s make sure Yuuga gets the peaceful sleep he deserves. I’ll take care of the details.” [Youki]

I also had to avoid pushing Gai too far. If I did, there was no doubt Tiel-chan would come after me.

“…So, what’s the plan?” [Gai]

“First, we wake him up.” [Youki]

It felt cruel to interrupt his peaceful slumber, especially since the spell was finally working, but we needed to decide on the next step. Besides, a guy usually only gets the luxury of being gently woken by his wife. I opted for a Spartan approach instead.

“Hey, wake up!!!!” [Youki]

“Mmm… hmm?”

“Gai, give him a nightmare scary enough to jolt him awake.” [Youki]

“Are you sure?” [Gai]

“Do it.” [Youki]

Gai raised his hand over Yuuga and activated the spell. Yuuga’s peaceful expression immediately shifted to a pale and terrified look before he shot up from the bed in a panic.

“Hah… hah… what was that just now?” [Yuuga]

“Finally awake? You wouldn’t budge when I tried, so I had Gai give you a little nudge with a nightmare.” [Youki]

Yuuga, looking completely drained, glared at me. Was the dream really that bad?

“At first, it was a great dream. I was on a date with Mikana, you see. But then, out of nowhere, her face turned sad. And before I knew it, she vanished right in front of me. I searched everywhere for her, and when I finally found her, we continued our date – but then!” [Yuuga]

“…And? How did it end?” [Youki]

“You!!! You suddenly appeared, grabbed Mikana’s hand, and ran off with her!” [Yuuga]

“Like I’d ever do that!” [Youki]

Seriously? It was just a dream! I couldn’t believe he grabbed me by my collar over something so ridiculous. Besides, that scenario was impossible. I was committed to Cecilia, no one else.

As Yuuga and I wrestled on Gai’s bed, what could only be described as the worst-case scenario unfolded.

“Guardian Deity-sama, I brought your lunch for y—”

Oh no. This is it. It’s over.

Tiel-chan stepped into the room, a cheerful bounce in her step, holding a lunch basket. But the moment her eyes landed on the scene; me and Yuuga tussling on Gai’s bed, her expression froze. For most girls, seeing two guys in such a situation might lead to… questionable assumptions. But for Tiel-chan?

“What exactly are you doing on Guardian Deity-sama’s sacred bed? Even I wouldn’t dare to do something so brazen. I’m so jealous. Oh, by the way, I just happened to have this on me.” [Tiel]

With a gleam in her eyes, she pulled something out of her pocket. Brass knuckles. Wait, what!? Why did she just happen to be carrying those?

I shot a desperate look at Gai, silently pleading for help. But he just shook his head, his expression saying, You’re on your own.

“Youki-kun, hurry up and run! She’s got an aura scarier than the Demon Lord, and she’s heading this way!” [Yuuga]

“Yeah, no, once Tiel-chan gets like this, there’s no stopping her. You just have to give up. Don’t worry… it’s not like you’ll never see Mikana again.” [Youki]

“That doesn’t reassure me at all! Mikana, help meeee-! “ [Yuuga]

While Yuuga continued whining, I had already accepted my fate. Thanks to Gai’s intervention, I managed to survive… though not without taking some damage.

In the end, despite my battered and bruised state, I couldn’t break the promise I made. To prepare this gift for Yuuga, I’d need some help.

“…And that’s why I’m asking for your help, Cecilia.” [Youki]

My first stop was Cecilia’s mansion. After barging in and explaining the situation, I was met with her characteristic calm demeanour, though this time, there was a slight hint of exasperation.

“Is it really necessary? I honestly don’t see how the item you’re asking for could be of any use.” [Cecilia]

“It’s absolutely impossible for me to get it on my own. That’s why I have no choice but to ask you. I know it’s unfair to Mikana, and I feel bad about it, but… this is something I need to do for Yuuga.” [Youki]

My desperation must’ve gotten through to her. With a reluctant sigh and a slightly sour expression, she finally agreed.

Next, I needed Sheik’s help.

After thanking Cecilia, I headed to the garden where Sheik was likely to be. Sure enough, I found him humming a tune while crouched in the dirt, busy with his gardening.

“Yo, Sheik.” [Youki]

“Oh, Captain! Long time no see~” [Sheik]

Sheik was as relaxed and carefree as ever. Though he might come across as a slacker, his knowledge of medicinal herbs was unparalleled. It was precisely because of that expertise that I needed him.

“Do you have any herbs with calming, sedative effects?” [Youki]

“I do~ Hang on a sec~” [Sheik]

He stopped tending to his garden and stood up, ambling towards the mansion. I figured he was going to grab his backpack or whatever he kept his herbs in.

While I waited, I sat down, only to hear footsteps approaching from behind. Thinking it was Sheik returning, I turned around, but I was wrong.

It was Fiora-chan.

“Good afternoon~!” [Fiora]

“Ah, uhh… good afternoon.” [Youki]

Fiora-chan greeted me in a childlike manner, even though she had arrived riding a fearsome, beast-like shikigami. Was she here to see Sophia-san?

“Is Sheik-kun here?” [Fiora]

“Yeah. I asked him to fetch some herbs from the mansion, so he’ll be back soon.” [Youki]

“Then I’ll wait.” [Fiora]

The shikigami she’d been riding vanished, reverting into a simple paper doll. Fiora-chan plopped down right where she was and made herself comfortable. I thought she might doze off, but instead, she began swinging her legs back and forth, glancing eagerly towards the mansion every few seconds. She was obviously excited for Sheik’s return. Did they spend a lot of time together?

“Do you often play with Sheik?” [Youki]

“Sheik-kun is so much fun! He knows a lot of things I don’t, so it’s always exciting to be with him.” [Fiora]

“I see. Well, I’m glad you’re there for him. I can’t always hang out with him myself, so I’m counting on you to keep him company.” [Youki]

Having a friend his age must be good for Sheik, too.

“Captain~! I’ve got it~!” [Sheik]

As we chatted, Sheik returned, carrying a small bag of herbs.

“Thanks, Sheik. I’ll get you something nice as a thank-you later. Oh, and by the way, you’ve got a visitor.” [Youki]

“A visitor? For me? …Oh, Fiora-chan?” [Sheik]

“Good afternoon! Sheik-kun, I want to talk about a lot of things today.” [Fiora]

Fiora-chan wasted no time wrapping her arm around Sheik, either to prevent him from escaping or simply out of habit. She seemed determined to monopolize his attention.

With my business with Sheik concluded, I decided it was time to move on and seek help from the next person on my list.

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