18. Why are you so skilled? (At the beginning of the month, asking for tickets!)
Regarding the “candlelight dinner” with Link, if I had to think of a way to cheer up the big shot on Kephir’s side and hope she wouldn’t be too nervous, then with Nilu, it was different. I originally just needed to casually explain the reason and my thoughts to her, and Nilu naturally wouldn’t stop my plan.
However, at this moment, the atmosphere suddenly became subtle. The interaction between us, which could be described as “ambiguous” in a nice way, or “awkward” in a less flattering sense, left me at a loss for words when faced with Nilu, who was rarely seen showing nervousness and shyness.
This must be the result of my earlier “eagerness”! Seeing Nilu in such a dirty state made my heart ache, that was for sure. But my unintentional bluntness was a bit too much, making both Nilu and me feel awkward. Fortunately, the subtle tension of both of us looking down and not daring to speak was finally broken by the distant shouts of workers excavating relics!
“Th-thank you!”
Startled, Nilu wiped her face with a handkerchief in a flurry, quickly returning it to me, her voice still tinged with lingering panic, “You don’t have to come all the way here for me. Right now, you could go find Kephir and be all lovey-dovey with her~”
I just came from there.
Of course, I wouldn’t bring up such an emotionally clueless comment at this moment. My gaze drifted to what was behind Nilu, a mix of curiosity and an attempt to ease the earlier “atmosphere.” I frowned and said, “Excavating relics is something the people of this kingdom can handle, Nilu. You don’t need to get your hands dirty.”
No girl likes to get all muddy in such a filthy place. If she just wanted to see the unearthed relics, Nilu could easily wait for someone to bring them to her for a leisurely look.
“However, they can’t possibly move everything into our house.”
The earlier tension and awkwardness faded as Nilu took my hand and led me to a nearby pile of recently unearthed, muddy ruins. She said earnestly, “The contents of these ‘relics’ are all related to the ‘White-Haired Elves,’ without a doubt. So I want to find any clues related to those White-Haired Elves as quickly as possible.”
Our eyes met, and understanding why Nilu was so serious made me feel a bit “heartbroken.”
“The ‘King’—the era of the White-Haired Elves has long since passed, I don’t know how long ago. Naturally, they have lost any inheritance, and can basically be considered nonexistent. Therefore, those that can still appear before us must have been ‘dangerous’ beings back then. So, if I search carefully, I might be able to find information about them, or even… perhaps find a way to deal with them.”
“To spare you from the worry of death.”
Unlike Kephiel, who didn’t fully understand my “script,” Nilu, who knew the serious problem I was facing, was very straightforward—she wanted to resolve the death script I was facing.
As for how, I had already gleaned that from her dirty face moments ago.
But…
“It’s just ‘perhaps,’ isn’t it, Nilu?” I looked at her. “Don’t busy yourself over a slim hope.”
However, this time Nilu’s attitude was resolute: “Allow me to refuse. Please don’t become a pessimist just because of your mood.”
“Well, there’s no need to go that far.”
“I won’t…”
“Then what you just said is a long-awaited ‘order’ from the master, is that alright?”
The word “order” was like a veiled acknowledgment of the chaotic relationship between Nilu and me, but with no other options, I had to resort to this method to make her relent.
I immediately saw Nilu’s expression shift from surprise to a hint of melancholy. Her gaze was filled with unspoken feelings, as if she were contemplating how to explain herself to someone she had known for a long time, ultimately turning into a sigh of compromise.
“You are always so stubborn in these strange matters. Mr. O’Keefe, even if you don’t care about your ‘future,’ there are still others who care very much.”
At the same time, the script appeared alongside Nilu’s words.
[Nilu knows about O’Keefe’s death script.]
As expected, Nilu was busying herself for this reason in the script. Since that was the case, I didn’t need to hide anything anymore.
I stopped, turned to look into Nilu’s eyes, and as she was about to turn away in that earlier “awkward” atmosphere, this time I didn’t give her the chance.
My hand rested on Nilu’s arm, and as she shivered slightly from nervousness, I spoke, “Nilu, let your fairies step back for a moment.”
“Yes…”
There was no need for Nilu to say anything more; her fairies, if they had any sense at all, knew exactly what to do. In the next instant, colorful specks of light flew away from Nilu. Once truly alone, her reaction became even more tense.
“You… you suddenly seem just like before… have you remembered something?”
Remembered? Remembered what?
I shook my head, dismissing it, and continued, “Regarding ‘death,’ there’s no need for you to gamble with such an inefficient method, Nilu.”
“You mean…”
“While escaping is certainly important, when faced with an unavoidable ‘danger,’ I have never been one to sit and wait. Instead, I take the initiative to eliminate such ‘prophecies.’ I did so in the past, and now that I can be with Kephir, I intend to do so even more.”
I explained to the somewhat surprised Nilu, “In fact… I came to tell you that in a few days, I need to have dinner alone with Rinka. You can think of it as a ‘candlelit dinner’ or whatever you like. But this ‘private’ activity with Rinka, Nilu… do you understand?”
If possible, I wanted to see Nilu’s flustered expression, reminiscent of a little girl, but unfortunately, the person before me was not an easily shy young girl, but rather the big boss of the script.
After a brief moment of adjustment and understanding, Nilu quickly grasped my meaning.
“I see, of course I can ‘understand’ your approach. By the way, you seem to have just come from Kephir? Rest assured, I am not like some foolish women who can never turn their brains around in time.”
Nilu, at a time like this, you really don’t need to throw shade at others.
“I’m glad you can ‘understand.'”
I sighed in relief, then tightened my grip slightly, “Because this time, my approach is different from before. Nilu, you… um, that is… are also involved.”
“Hmm?”
The puzzled look on Nilu’s face lingered for only a few seconds before gradually transforming into surprise. Realizing something, Nilu immediately took a step back and curtsied in front of me.
“‘King,’ I am your servant.”
There was really no need to be so “formal,” but at a time like this, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to interrupt Nilu’s good mood.
“I naturally belong to you, so please don’t hesitate. Feel free to command me as you wish.”
However, after the bow, Nilu still wanted to continue with the next action, and I had no choice but to stop her.
“Calm down, there are still people watching.”
I pushed Nilu back, who immediately wanted to pounce over. For the next few days, it would be better to avoid contact with her, lest her excitement fade away.
As for my situation, although I was caught between a wolf and a tiger, with the problem unresolved and the pursuers possibly closing in, surprisingly, I wasn’t as tense about the emergence of a death script this time.
After all…
This was the first time Kephir and Nilu were together after that “final battle.” At this moment, I even felt that I might be “invincible.”
——
The September monthly ticket event has been updated in a separate chapter, and the August winners list has also been updated!
Everyone, please support us with more tickets in September! This month, we’re preparing new shape pillows of Kephir and Nilu, along with some large illustrations. I hope everyone can contribute more monthly tickets, thank you!
PS: There will be some character design images later.