I Healed the Cold Dark Goddess’s Loneliness, and Now She Won’t Let Me Go! - Chapter 25

The next day, after returning to the temple and going to sleep in an instant thanks to Lady Reine’s power.

We headed to see Lord Sulug. Instead of the city closest to the border we visited yesterday, Lady Reine teleported us directly to the center of the Domain of Light in the blink of an eye. When my vision cleared, we were standing in a place that looked like a magnificent palace.

“Reine! Haruno!”

Upon recognizing us, Lord Sulug greeted us with an expression that was a mix of slight surprise and overflowing joy.

“To think Reine would actually come here of her own accord. I never imagined I’d see the day.”

“Hmph. Only because Haruno insisted on it.”

Lady Reine replied while looking away. It wasn’t the bashful look she gives me; she looked genuinely disgusted. Her attitude toward Lord Sulug remains as prickly as ever.

“Is that so? Thank you for bringing her here, Haruno.”

Lord Sulug gave me a gentle smile. His smile is as warm as the sun. It’s hard to believe anyone would plot to take the life of a God like him.

“Since Reine has graced us with her presence, perhaps I should pull out all the stops for your welcome?”

“Unnecessary. We didn’t come here to discuss such things. …Haruno.”

Prompted by Lady Reine, I nodded.

“Um, Lord Sulug… so there’s really such a thing as ‘magic’ over here, isn’t there?”

First, a buffer. I shouldn’t jump straight into the assassination plot. I felt it would be better to lead into it gradually rather than dropping the main subject immediately.

“Ah, come to think of it, I hadn’t mentioned it. Do you want the power of magic too, Haruno? If so, I could give you some Divine Water.”

“Don’t be absurd. I will not permit you to put your factors into Haruno’s body.”

Lady Reine cut him off instantly. Her voice carried a distinct edge of anger, different from the usual irritation she shows toward Lord Sulug.

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

If I showed that kind of attitude in front of Lord Sulug, he’d just tease us about our relationship and I’d lose control of the conversation, so I hurried to get us back on track.

“Are you going to be okay, Lord Sulug, giving away your power to everyone like that?”

“…Okay? In what sense?”

“Lady Reine said so. If you keep this up, your power will eventually run out. That you might even disappear one day.”

“……!”

Lord Sulug’s eyes widened for a moment. He looked back and forth between me and Lady Reine.

“…I see. Thank you for worrying about me, Haruno.”

He smiled tenderly.

“But there is no need for concern. I know my own limits. If I were to vanish, the balance of the world would crumble and Reine might go on a rampage. I will ensure that doesn’t happen.”

“Oh, come to think of it…”

I remembered Lord Sulug saying something before about how if either of them is lost, the other would go out of control. I don’t quite understand what “going on a rampage” entails, but if he says he’ll prevent it, I guess I can breathe a sigh of relief.

However, Lady Reine didn’t seem convinced.

“So, you intend to hand out your power to humans until the very moment you fade? How foolish.”

Her voice was cold and filled with irritation.

“Have you still not learned how humans act when you give to them without asking anything in return?”

“Reine. If I can be a source of strength and a foundation for the people, that is my heart’s desire.”

Lord Sulug looked back at Lady Reine with unwavering sincerity.

“Besides, I believe in them.”

“Hah… You ‘believe’ in them? You really mean that?”

Lady Reine’s voice grew even colder.

“You really are beyond saving. Even though you are about to be struck down by the very humans you love so much!”

“Ah…”

She said it. I was supposed to be the one to break the news, and that’s how the conversation was flowing.

“What was that?”

Lord Sulug’s expression clouded for a fleeting moment at words he clearly couldn’t ignore. I rushed to elaborate.

“Um, we overheard something. A conversation between people planning to monopolize your power…”

I told Lord Sulug about the conversation we heard yesterday. How a plan to kill him and seize his power for themselves was already in motion.

“I see… is that so…”

Lord Sulug murmured quietly. There was no shock or anger on his face. Only a faint tint of sadness.

“Do you understand now? They care nothing for your devotion.”

Lady Reine spoke provocatively. The “I told you so” tone in her voice was obvious to anyone.

“Even if that is the case.”

Acknowledging everything and swallowing the truth, Lord Sulug looked Lady Reine in the eye.

“If that is their choice, I will accept it. Though I would feel bad for Reine.”

“Wha—”

“Eh…”

It was Lady Reine whose expression froze this time. Her eyes were filled with disbelief. To our ears, it sounded like he was willing to overlook the fact that Lady Reine might go on a rampage as a result. I was about to protest, but Lady Reine spoke first.

“You really… you truly are irredeemable…!”

Her voice trembled. Was it anger, or some other emotion?

“Fine! Go ahead and let the humans pick over your corpse! Let’s go, Haruno!”

“L-Lady Reine!?”

She pulled my hand so hard I could feel her frustration. She was genuinely furious. She was sick to her stomach over Lord Sulug’s naivety and the ingratitude of the people.

“Wait, Reine. Haruno.”

That was when Lord Sulug called us back.

“What now!?”

Lady Reine turned around, making no effort to hide her irritation. Her face was so grim she looked like she might explode. But Lord Sulug didn’t seem to mind her anger at all, wearing his usual calm smile.

“It’s a rare occasion. Please, let me show you around.”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

It wasn’t just Lady Reine; I let out a dumbfounded noise too. I mean, the atmosphere was incredibly hostile not exactly the time for that kind of offer but then I remembered. Lord Sulug was always like this in the game. He had a habit of intentionally “misreading the room.”

“The two of you went through the trouble of visiting me. We may never have an opportunity like this again, right? It would be far too lonely to let you leave just like this.”

Lord Sulug smiled, looking genuinely happy.

“I’m quite proud of how much this place has developed since the last time Reine visited. I really want to show Haruno as well… Just for a little while. Won’t you walk through this domain with me?”

“…Don’t mock me. Why would I ever—”

“Please, Reine. …It might be the last time.”

“……”

At those words, Lady Reine’s expression wavered slightly. Looking at her from the side, I could see a whirlwind of complex emotions in her eyes. Eventually, she let out a deep sigh.

“…Fine. Only for a little while.”

“Really? Thank you, Reine! And thank you, Haruno!”

Lord Sulug’s face lit up instantly. A sun-like smile that showed no trace of anxiety or grief.

“O-oh, it’s fine! I didn’t really do anything.”

“Nonsense. You’re the one who changed Reine into someone who would listen to my request.”

Being thanked with such a left-field compliment made me a little bashful. Honestly, Lord Sulug’s ability to win Reine over through pure persistence is amazing.

“Well then, I’ll lead the way. First—”

And so, with a smile that completely ignored the hostile atmosphere and Lady Reine’s look of utter distaste, Lord Sulug began his tour.

…Wait, we still haven’t actually convinced him of anything, have we…!?