313 – Between Love and Love – 2

We finished our simple disguises and hid in a nearby flower bed.

“⋯⋯Isn’t the black suit and fedora basically an advertisement saying ‘Look at me’?”

“Of course there’s illusion magic on this outfit. We’ll look like a couple of pretty flowers.”

“So, the illusion magic enchantment is great, but was there really a reason the outfits *had* to be all black…?”

“Would you be mad if I said I made it like this so I could match outfits with Yuri?”

She got mad. I got pinched relentlessly in the side.

But I couldn’t just not use something I already had, could I? I’m not a miser, but it chills my heart to make a whole new artifact with the same capabilities when I already have one.

Selbier was touching his shirt around the chest, looking like he was thinking, “Ah, so that’s why this feeling is lingering in my heart.” Then, as if his anger had surged again, he renewed his attack on my ribs. It hurts.

Design aside, the performance is reliable. Even though we’re talking so blatantly, nobody’s paying us any mind. We were able to calmly observe this Le-whatchamacallit.

Name: Le-whatchamacallit.

Age: Estimated to be mid-twenties.

Occupation: Hunter. He seems to regularly supply the inn with animals he hunts in the nearby forest.

Status: Commoner. A genuine hunting family, making their living as hunters for three generations.

“That’s the info we got just by putting in some simple legwork. After this, it’s time to go out and get the rest ourselves.”

“…So, we’re just tailing him like this.”

“If you’re tired, you can go rest in the inn. I’ll gather everything and come back.”

“I was the one who suggested we investigate. The person who brought it up can’t just slip away. You’re the one who should go and rest if you’re tired. I’m going to uncover the truth, all of it!”

Selbier huffed through his nose and started looking ahead. He looks so dependable with his fiery motivation.

We kept up our disguise and followed Le-whatchamacallit, keeping him in sight.

The first place his steps led him was a women’s clothing store. He told the shop owner he came to choose an outfit for his lover, then looked around, checking the clothes.

It seems he wrote something down, because he took out a small, rather worn-out notebook and opened it.

This is a good chance. Depending on what kind of outfit he chooses, we can find out what his tastes are.

“Can you really find that out?”

“Every man has a list of outfits he’d love to see worn tucked away in his heart. If you skim that list, you can somewhat grasp his hidden desires.”

“…What kind of outfits do you like, oppa?”

“Your understanding is insufficient to have that conversation, Selbier. Let’s discuss it again when you’ve gained enlightenment about the ultimate secret of the intangible sword. Ah, ouch. That hurts.”

Today is the day my ribs get completely destroyed.

But still, no matter what, wouldn’t it be embarrassing to spout such nonsense in front of a girl who has a crush on you, your childhood friend, and your student? I want to be seen as cool, at least a little.

I can have these no-holds-barred, balls-out discussions with Yuri, but… that’s because our mental martial arts are roughly on the same level.

While I was rambling, what’s-her-name brought over about three outfits. All of them were dresses, and each one was a safe choice with barely any skin showing.

I clicked my tongue.

“Wow… so boring.”

“What is?”

“Those were chosen just by following a guideline, without any aesthetic consideration. They don’t suit that elf’s figure, they don’t accentuate her curves, and there’s not even a hint of personal desire in them. It’s a choice that makes both the wearer and the viewer unhappy.”

“Aren’t they just normal, pretty clothes…? And as for the figure, isn’t it weird to know it without measuring? How do you even know that elf’s figure in the first place?”

Well, that’s because I scan it at a glance.

Even if I don’t want to know, my high-performance brain automatically scans everything and gives me an estimate. So just a quick glance, and bam, the body data is right there.

“……..”

Selvier crossed her arms over her chest, giving me a sharp look. Too late for that. This electronic brain had seen through everything from the very first moment.

Including the fact that Selvier’s are there, but not exactly bursting.

“She’s moving, let’s follow.”

“…..Okay.”

–

What’s-her-name’s next stop was a beauty salon.

Even though this town is entangled with magic and divine power, creating a civilization far removed from Earth’s Middle Ages.

Most of the population is still engaged in farming. Their concept of hygiene is also low.

In that kind of world, a ‘beauty salon’ has a different meaning. In a world where meeting people without showering for a week is normal, getting your hair styled and skin cared for is clearly a ‘luxurious’ realm.

It’s expensive, that’s the thing.

“At least, I don’t think the price is low enough for a hunter to use it without hesitation… Right?”

“Yeah. It’s a significant cost, even for a mage. I went once for a hair treatment, and my purse felt instantly lighter…”

“You get treatments too?”

“……I need to be pretty, so you might look at me even once, oppa!”

No wonder her hair was so glossy. I stroked Selvier’s growling head to calm her down, while continuing my surveillance.

The hairdresser clacked her scissors, chatting amiably with uh-what’s-his-name.

“You’re back again?”

“Yes. I got a good response to my last style, so please do the same. I have a date tomorrow.”

“Leave it to me. One side covering your eye… And the color, a slight grey tinge. Is that right?”

Hmm?

The details of the request are peculiar. I glanced at Selvier, and she seemed to be thinking the same thing.

“That’s a Bennet hairstyle.”

“……It’s trending in the holy city, and maybe it’s spread this far? It’s suddenly hitting me how famous he is. He *is* the holy maiden’s partner, after all.”

“……”

Could it really just be a hairstyle that’s popular? It doesn’t seem likely, considering I haven’t seen a single person with a Bennet cut walking the streets.

The two-hour-long hairstyle change was finally over. I watched closely as uh-what’s-his-name paid.

His coin pouch noticeably deflates in an instant. Judging by his trembling hand and the fleeting expression on his face, he seems to be regretting it greatly.

Is this the result of such deep love that he’s willing to drain his own resources, just to somehow not lose the elf? If that’s the case, it’s a good sign. If he’s a romantic willing to throw his body in the line for love, then they’ll probably live happily ever after, right?

Still…

Something feels off.

“⋯⋯It’s unsettling.”

“⋯⋯It is unsettling, isn’t it.”

The sticky, clinging doubt only grew in size.

–

So far, it could be interpreted either way. A pure-hearted man who gives everything because he loves so passionately, or, this whole thing is driven by some ulterior motive.

Frankly speaking, the suspicion side has more weight.

Of course, I could just grab that Le-whatever and forcibly extract his memories to make everything clear. But I didn’t want to go that far. It feels a little… wrong.

Humans get used to repetition. If I get a taste for forcefully peering into people’s minds, if I become intoxicated by the convenience… it’s a bit dramatic, but someday I might end up checking Yuna and Yuri too, demanding “If your love is true, show me your brain!”

I don’t want to be the kind of guy who checks his girlfriend’s phone every day.

If Le-whatever *does* have ulterior motives, then what are his aims? Is his target the elf personally, or is he interested in the World Tree in the elf forest?

The World Tree is the most likely. The only artifact a wild elf group would possess is something like that, and since they’ve been living in the wild until recently, they probably don’t have any other valuables. The only thing they’ve got to pilfer is that tree.

So, how can I probe his intentions in a way that doesn’t feel so…unpleasant?

I was seriously debating whether deploying a female character to seduce Le-whatever was morally okay when Selvier raised her hand.

“Oppa, I have an idea.”

“Huh?”

“Us, I mean, let’s try it out in the same way. I’ll disguise myself as an elf, and Oppa will love me passionately. If it’s pure love, he’ll just brush it off, but if he has an ulterior motive…”

He’d react to a sudden rival, is what she’s saying.

It seemed like a pretty good idea, so we went ahead with it quickly. Selvier became a wild elf with red hair, and I disguised myself as a suspicious man who looks like he has ulterior motives even from 10 meters away.

Elf-version Selvier’s outfit was somewhat awkward and a mix of styles. The key point was to make it seem like she’d bought things as they came, because she’s unfamiliar with human civilization.

And to draw attention while in this state…

“We gotta go full-on cringe, like we saw when we were chowing down on those chicken skewers, make people’s skin crawl. Right?”

“D-do we have to go that far… no, if it’s effective. Yes.”

“The rumor’s gotta spread, enough to make ‘Mr. Whatchamacallit’ come sniffing around. Okay, I’m about to recite a collection of cringey lines. Mental prep?”

“……Doesn’t look like it’ll happen even if I wait ten years, so just do it.”

Alright. Selvier looked ready.

Maybe because she’s also in love, Selvier seemed incredibly invested in this. More enthusiastic than usual. Then I gotta put in the effort too.

I took a deep breath and set the mood. I subtly focused the lights to grab attention, and then delivered my lines clearly, with resonance.

Kneeling before Selvier, as if singing.

“Even as autumn fades, I feel hot and dizzy when I’m by your side. I think I’m getting heatstroke because you’re my sun…”

“Ugh.”

“If you are the tears in my eyes, I’d never cry. Because I’m afraid of losing you…”

“Ugh-ugh.”

Selvier’s face was burning red. Not like she’s thrilled and loves it, more like she’s mortified and doesn’t know what to do.

Her fists were clenching and unclenching, looked like the urge to violence that comes with cringe was taking over.

I was taking some damage myself as I said the lines, but it’s fine. I can handle self-destruct damage, as long as I see someone cringe.

“Another load of crap. Other people are dating elves and I’m just… why me?”

“Oh for crying out loud…”

The aggro was definitely drawn, meticulously.

We messed around for about 30 minutes, then I distanced myself from Selvier and waited. If ‘Mr. Whatchamacallit’ is clean and has no ulterior motives, he won’t care if someone’s just chatting with or dating a wild elf.

But if he was planning on luring an elf into something, he won’t just sit back and watch.

While setting the bait and waiting, I thought about the wild elf community. Even if all this was for naught, there was no guarantee some black-hearted b*stard wouldn’t approach them in the future.

That security flaw – how the elf network gets all scattered when strong emotions hit – was still there, and I needed to fix it.

The Faceless case popped into my mind. I’d imbued her newly formed self-awareness with soul enhancement. If I applied that…

“Hey. Can we talk?”

“……”

I turned around to see… uh, what’s-his-name. Le Something. His expression was fierce, like someone who’d been cut in line. I knew our worries had become reality.

Unfortunately, the fish had been hooked.

–

Selvier, activating the transparency function in her suit, followed the crazy mage and Lemeau. They entered a secluded bar.

Selvier followed, leaning against the wall about ten steps away, waiting.

The crazy mage grinned with a creepiness that would make anyone suspicious. Even to Selvier, that expression reeked of ill-intent, and Lemeau immediately reacted.

“Why did you call me out?”

“You probably have a hunch.”

“What… you talk like you patented it or something. Do I need your permission to love a wild elf?”

Selvier recalled.

She’d been able to access a lot of audiovisual material at Aisha’s urging, and learned various stories. Mountains of love stories from modern civilization.

Some were exaggerated, some resonated deeply.

She’d often find herself unconsciously rooting for the sub-heroine who liked the harem protagonist. She’d even gotten angry seeing posts that said the childhood friend always loses.

It felt like she was cursing her own fate somehow.

“It’s already done. I even made a date for tomorrow. I made the first move, so I’ll be able to get things going faster, and there’s nothing for you to gain if you try to interfere.”

“Love isn’t something that moves at the same speed for everyone, you know. If I push ahead faster, I can still make a break for it, so why would I give up?”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Yeah, love has its own pace for each person.

Clearly, she was the first to meet him, but back then, she was too young to stir the heart of that crazy wizard. Being a kid, it was inevitable.

And while Selbier and the crazy wizard were apart, two other people slammed on the accelerator and crossed the finish line in a flash. Selbier belatedly tried to pick up speed after the reunion, but…

Now she’s stuck here, trembling as she waits for his answer.

What if they’d reunited a little sooner? Or, what if they hadn’t separated in the first place?

Even if she imagined these “what ifs”, reality doesn’t change.

“I won’t give up the World Tree. Let’s compete. Let’s see who can win over a wild elf faster, who can get their hands on the World Tree faster.”

“⋯⋯The World Tree?”

“Huh?”

“I’m not interested in that. We could…maybe we could negotiate instead⋯⋯.”

With two people more capable and beautiful than herself already in the picture, was she wrong to insist this wasn’t over?

Maybe wishing them happiness and fading away would be better for both him and her.

But even thinking that, she just couldn’t let go. When she remembered how he’d led her back in their hometown, she just couldn’t give up. She’d even stayed up all night, clutching her pillow.

It was precisely because of all this heart-wrenching turmoil.

“If the World Tree isn’t your goal, then why are you doing all this?”

“You seem to know, but… they say that wild elves are connected by their hearts, right? So, if I win over just one, the whole elf village will serve me. I’ll become the king of the wild elves.”

“⋯⋯And so?”

“And so? As long as I suck up to them, I’ll have a whole village of elf slaves! I could laze around all day and the elves would feed me, and if I swap them out with other elves every now and then, married life won’t get boring──”

The way he was trying to use love was unbearable.

*Clang!*

Selvier inverted the bottle and slammed it right down on Lumiere’s nape.

“Guh…!”

“For something like *that*, you didn’t have some…some grand scheme, did you? You just played with someone because you didn’t want to work?”

“You, you’re… ! Where did you even come from…!”

“Someone was waiting, their heart in their throat—!!”

*Thwack!*

Another blow followed, and Lumiere’s head slammed into the table as he passed out. Selvier glared at him, still breathing hard for a long moment, before snapping back to himself and looking at the crazy wizard.

“My body just moved on its own.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“…What do we do now?”

“I don’t know…”

The crazy wizard and Selvier fell silent, watching Lumiere, who had been involuntarily sent to dreamland.