Chapter 71: The Hero’s Aimless Meandering

“…Hey, Lev. Anywhere you wanna go?”

“Wherever you take me, Karl.”

“Hmm… Well, how about we stroll around the food district and nibble on something light?”

“Yeah… that sounds fun.”

That day, the boy went on his very first date—completely unplanned.

He couldn’t really help it. After all, she had confessed to him just yesterday, and he'd been dragged into this date without any time for preparation.

Even though Karl was an adventurer, he’d only been to the capital a few times—and only for quests. He’d never stayed longer than a single night.

He didn’t know the city well enough to give someone a proper tour.

“…Karl, look. There’s a bunch of street performers.”

“Oh, right. In the capital, performers often make money doing street acts like that.”

“…That man’s breathing fire. Is he a mage?”

“Nah, he’s probably holding liquor in his mouth. Wanna watch for a bit?”

All Karl could really do was find interesting things on the fly and piece together a fun experience as best he could.

Street performers, candy shops, anything that caught his eye—Karl, ever the virgin, was desperately trying to spot anything entertaining.

“…He’s doing a handstand on a ball. That balance is something else.”

“W-Whoa. He’s swallowing a sword while still upside down!”

“…Now he’s on one hand. He might lose his balance…”

Surprisingly, the street shows were genuinely enjoyable.

They were pros who made their living entertaining others—it was a performance worth watching.

“Getting kinda hungry. Wanna get something to eat?”

“…Yeah.”

By the time the shows ended, their stomachs had started to rumble.

But even when it came to food, Karl didn’t know any fancy places.

So the two of them wandered into a casual-looking diner that seemed clean enough from the outside.

“……”

“……”

Let’s say it again—Karl was a virgin.

He’d never been on a proper date with a girl.

Strictly speaking, he had gone on a few outings with Maika before…

“Here, Karl. Buy this one next.”

“Aww, man…”

“That’s what you owe from the card game. Pay up.”

Those “dates” were basically just her making him treat her to things after losing at cards. It was hard to say if they even counted.

Maika herself considered them dates, but from Karl’s perspective, it was just her leeching off him.

“Next, we’re stopping by that store.”

“…Yeah, yeah, do what you want.”

And besides, Maika was the type to have every outing thoroughly planned in advance, so Karl had never needed to take the lead.

Which meant this was, in every sense of the word, Karl’s first-ever date that he was in charge of.

——What the hell am I supposed to do!?

Karl was, uncharacteristically, freaking out.

Lev was a girl he usually joked around with easily. A girl who felt like a little sister.

And yet now, somehow, he was too nervous to talk to her properly.

A fellow adventurer. A little sister-like girl.

And now… his first date partner.

With both of those roles rolled into one, Karl had no idea how he was supposed to treat her.

“This food’s good, but… kinda pricey.”

“Everything in the capital’s expensive. Honestly, this place is pretty reasonable.”

Karl chewed slowly on a soft, slightly sweet piece of bread.

It was definitely different from the plain bread he'd eaten in Ressal and Yowin. This was good bread. Must’ve been made with some high-quality wheat.

…Though the price was nearly double.

“I’ve got enough money. Don’t worry about it. I plan to make Maika pay me back for all those rigged card games anyway.”

“…Oh, right. That did happen.”

After all, Karl had caught Maika cheating at cards back in Ressal—he had leverage now.

She’d taken him for a ride so many times. Now it was finally his turn to collect.

Even the tight-fisted Maika would probably cave if he used that as a bargaining chip.

“…How long have you known Maika?”

“Huh? Well, let’s see… since I was old enough to remember, really.”

The small beastkin girl casually asked Karl something that had been bothering her. She kept her tone light, pretending it was just a passing curiosity—about Karl and Maika’s past.

What kind of relationship did they really have? Had they ever been together?

Karl replied,

“Well, I dunno. Maika and I are total opposites—our personalities, brains, morals, everything’s different.”

“…”

“But… she kinda feels like another version of me. Being with her just feels natural. I guess we’re more like partners than family.”

…A blatant case of childhood-friend bragging.

“…Hmph.”

“Oh hey, Lev. I heard there’s a street singer performing nearby. Wanna check it out?”

“…Yeah. Let’s go.”

Lev couldn’t complain—she’d brought it up herself.

But Karl’s answer was more than enough to put her in a sour mood.

---

“Hello, everyone! Once again, a dream-chasing girl takes the dazzling stage in search of a fortune!”

The street-side stage was bustling with excitement.

The benches placed along the roadside couldn’t seat everyone, and the crowd spilled over with standing spectators.

“Thanks for the full house again today! Alright, let’s get the show started!”

The man who stepped onto the stage was a chubby, somewhat mean-looking guy.

“Whoa. No entrance fee? The capital’s pretty generous.”

“…Karl. This stage might not be very fun.”

“Huh? What do you mean, Lev? Have you seen this before?”

Lev frowned slightly as she watched the stage.

Karl, the naïve boy, was surprised that such a big performance could be seen for free. But the small animal-eared girl instantly sensed that this show was filthy.

“F-First up! From the eastern village, Alisha!!”

Eventually, a poorly dressed girl stepped onto the stage.

It was far from the glamorous costume Karl had imagined for a singer.

“My mother is suffering from illness. Please… please, I beg of you, have mercy on me!!”

Crying out like a plea, the girl placed a small basket on stage.

Karl, who had a question mark hovering over his head, fell speechless.

“A-Aah, oh skyyy~! For the harvessst festivaaal~!”

To Karl’s shock, the girl began to undress while singing.

Like she was enduring something painful, the village girl continued exposing her skin on stage as she sang.

In response, a rain of coins began to pour down from the audience.

“Wha—?!”

“This is a freak show. They shove people drowning in debt onto stage to earn handouts. If they don’t make enough, they get enslaved right there on the spot. That’s why they’re desperate to flatter the crowd.”

“…”

“…So? Want to keep watching?”

“This is disgusting. Sorry, Lev. I didn’t know it’d be like this.”

Lev snorted, as if to say I figured as much.

Karl had no doubt thought it was just a simple singing show. Had he known the truth, he never would’ve brought a girl on a date here.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

And just like that, what should have been a fun date turned into a miserable experience.

Karl didn’t miss the faint shadow that crossed Lev’s face.

“And now, here comes our second contestant!! It’s Ryu-chan (name withheld), who racked up massive debts behind her party’s back! She’s here on stage to make her fortune!!”

“Hellooo!! I’m Ryu, your reckless new idol!!”

“Ryu-chan, what’s up with that shady outfit? And why are you hiding your face?”

“Because I’m secretly the Demon Lord! I can’t show my face, or my cover’s blown!”

“Wowee, what a wild new contestant we’ve got here!”

As the crowd cackled with ugly laughter, Karl took Lev’s hand and pulled her away from the audience.

…He himself was too shaken to stay calm after seeing something so vile.

“Alright everyone, get ready! I’m making up this next song on the spot! It’s called I Am the ☆DE-MON KING!!”

“Yeah!!”

…In the end.

It was safe to say that Karl’s first-ever date had ended in failure.

Karl had spoken to Lev just like he always did.

And Lev, too, could only talk to Karl the same way she always had.

Which meant that even if today hadn’t been called a “date,” and they’d just gone out together like usual, absolutely nothing would have changed.

“…Sorry, Lev.”

“Hey, Karl… didn’t that last girl’s voice sound familiar?”

“Huh? S-Sorry. I wasn’t really watching—I felt too sick…”

“O-Oh… I see…”

Karl felt genuinely sorry for Lev, who had probably been looking forward to a fun day in the capital.

And deep down, Karl quietly sank into self-loathing.

---

“Hey, Karl.”

After they’d stepped off the performance stage, Lev finally worked up the courage to speak to the one she adored.

“…Are you bored being out with me?”

“Wha—no! Of course not!”

“I see. …Really?”

Since that morning, Karl had looked troubled.

He’d mentioned he’d never been on a date before, so she figured he was just nervous.

“You know… not even once today have I seen you smile, Karl.”

“….”

Hearing that, the Hero snapped back to his senses.

She was right. He hadn’t smiled once since morning.

“….”

“Th-That’s not it, Lev.”

He said that, but what exactly wasn’t?

It was true—Karl hadn’t been enjoying himself at all.

He’d been so focused on the date, taking it too seriously, that he hadn’t really enjoyed his conversations with Lev or smiled at her once.

“Hey, Karl.”

“…What is it, Lev?”

“What do you think of me?”

She asked with a slightly defeated look on her face.

“When you look at me, do you think I’m cute?”

“...Of course! You’re the cutest in the whole world, Lev—”

“Then… do you want to marry me?”

Those words, out of the girl’s mouth, left Karl speechless with his jaw hanging open.

“Uh, well, I mean… isn’t that still a bit too soon, or…”

“Right? …Yeah. But, I’d be really happy if you did.”

“…”

“Because I love you, Karl. I don’t see anyone else but you. So if you were to marry me, I’d be really, really happy.”

Gradually, her voice began to tremble with a trace of moisture.

“Karl… You don’t see me that way, do you?”

“…No, that’s not—”

“You care about me. You love me, as a comrade, maybe even as family. I know that.”

Honestly, she’d started to realize it herself.

Karl didn’t have a thing for young girls. A still-developing girl like her couldn’t be someone Karl saw romantically.

“Because you care about me… that’s why you didn’t turn down today’s date, right?”

Karl fell silent at those words.

He had no choice but to fall silent.

Because Lev had read his feelings with terrifying accuracy.

She had lost her family and was left all alone—Karl simply couldn’t ignore her.

She sought familial love, looked up to him, and he had come to find her utterly dear and lovable.

But it was unmistakably not romantic love.

It was the love you’d give to family, to a comrade.

“Karl, please. Don’t lie to me.”

“…Lev.”

“I don’t want you to be with me out of pity or a sense of duty. I want you to see me and fall in love with me.”

As she forced the words out, Lev hugged Karl tightly.

“If you really do love me… then kiss me. Right here.”

“────”

“If you can’t… then please, give me a clear answer.”

She pleaded.

Her eyes gazed straight into Karl’s.

Small as she was, Lev was still a woman.

And when it came to love—she was far ahead of Karl.

“…I…”

He could feel her warmth.

Karl’s reason wavered.

…Maybe she was cute.

Maybe he could see Lev as someone of the opposite sex.

She looked so different now—gone was the childish air. In its place, she wore the expression of a mature young woman.

Karl had to decide.

Lev had already given everything she had, mustered all her courage.

If he didn’t answer here—what kind of man would that make him?

Karl struggled, agonized, thought hard, and then────

“Karl!!”

“…Maika!?”

Just as he was about to give his answer—

His inseparable childhood friend—

Maika appeared before them.

---

“…Hmph. I figured Maika would show up too.”

“Ah, um, well…”

Even with Maika suddenly appearing, Lev didn’t seem shaken.

On the contrary—her demeanor suggested she had been expecting this moment all along.

“…Maika. Just now, I proposed to Karl.”

“W-What?”

“So, Maika… what will you do?”

While Karl stood there, eyes wide, stunned that Maika had shown up—

Lev turned to her rival in love and asked in a calm, composed voice.

“…”

What Maika saw was her dear friend Lev, face-to-face with Karl, just moments away from a kiss.

Clearly, things between the two had progressed far more than she had imagined.

“…Um, Lev. Could I borrow Karl for a minute?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Maika had come here to confess.

Irine had given her the push she needed. Maika had made up her mind. Today, she was going to tell Karl about the feelings she’d been carrying for ten years.

Which is precisely why Lev refused.

“I already gave everything I had. I used up all my courage.”

“…Lev…”

“I’m not backing down now. I confessed first, after all.”

Somehow—by instinct—Lev had realized it.

That if she left Karl alone with Maika now… she would lose.

“…Maika. Don’t expect things to go your way, just showing up now and thinking you can have him all to yourself.”

Saying that, Lev clung tightly to Karl, as if to protect him.

Tears shimmered in her eyes.

“…I see.”

She didn’t want to lose. She couldn’t lose.

—And that was only natural.

From Lev’s point of view, another girl had suddenly barged in on her date and tried to steal away the one she loved. There was no reason she should have to step aside.

“Hey, Maika. What the hell is going on?”

“We’re talking about you, Karl.”

“Maika…?”

This was all because of how indecisive he’d been.

Sayori had beaten her to the punch. Then Lev came charging in right after.

And Maika? She had just stood on the sidelines, watching.

“…Sorry it took me so long to say it, Karl.”

Maika realized this was her last chance.

She had interrupted someone else’s date to confess her love to the boy she liked.

If it weren’t Lev standing there, someone who understood her, she probably would’ve been slapped on the spot.

“…I’ve loved you since we were kids.”

And with those words from Maika’s lips—

She fell silent, turned her back on them, and walked away.

──── “Huh?”

Karl stood there, stunned once again.

Maika didn’t wait for a response. She walked away, slipping through the moment in silence.

…For her, that was the very limit of her courage.

“….”

“W-Wait. Maika?”

Staring at the back of his childhood friend as she left in silence, Karl was at a loss.

It took him quite some time to fully process what she had just said.

“…What a selfish girl.”

“L-Lev, what was that just now…?”

“…Figure it out yourself.”

From Karl’s point of view, Maika was someone who had already rejected him long ago.

And now here she was, out of nowhere, suddenly confessing.

In the middle of his date with Lev, no less.

She was normally a devilish girl, one with a total disregard for ethics.

But when it mattered, she was the most reliable of all—an emotionless, cold-blooded machine built for achieving her goals.

So the fact that that Maika had chosen this moment to confess…

“…This has to be some kind of scheme.”

“That’s terrible.”

Because of her usual behavior, people couldn’t help but suspect Maika of manipulation.

“Karl. That’s way out of line, no matter what.”

“Wait, it’s not?”

“It’s not…”

He was hit with an icy stare from the younger girl—Lev glaring daggers at the poor, clueless virgin.

Still, if Lev had known just how many times Karl had fallen victim to his childhood friend’s “honey traps,” she might have been a bit more sympathetic.

“…Maika’s always liked you, Karl.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. She turned me down ages ago.”

“Sigh… It’s Maika. Don’t you think it was just her being stubborn or something?”

Karl struggled to accept that idea.

The notion that Maika liked him—Maika, of all people—just felt impossible.

“I mean… who traps the person they like and drowns them in card debt?”

“…Because it’s Maika?”

“…Huh. Yeah, fair enough.”

Karl looked oddly convinced by that logic.

Meanwhile, Lev had the kind of expression that said, Why the hell am I the one explaining Maika’s feelings right now?

“…”

“So. What are you going to do, Karl?”

“…Yeah.”

Prompted by Lev, Karl finally began to think.

──

…Young Karl looked into the face of the girl, Lev.

It was the face of a child, with big, round, adorable eyes—still far from grown.

Yet her expression was earnest. There was a certain maturity about her as well.

No—in matters of love, Lev was undoubtedly more emotionally mature than Karl.

He tried to imagine a future where he and Lev were together.

It wouldn’t be a bad thing.

She would surely be devoted, always by his side. And while she might not be appealing to him now, as she grew older, she would certainly become beautiful.

A girl so good for him it almost felt undeserved had just confessed her feelings head-on. How could he possibly reject that?

Then he remembered the face of his childhood friend Maika—how she’d confessed with a desperate expression before walking away.

Maika, the girl he had once loved.

He thought she had turned him down. But the truth was, they had felt the same all along.

…She had been there by his side since the day he was born—someone irreplaceable.

“…Lev.”
“Yeah.”

And Karl made his decision.

The boy gently drew the girl close by the shoulder,

“…I’m sorry.”
“Okay.”

And embraced her.

“You were right, Lev. I was incredibly rude during our date today.”

“…Even so, I was happy.”

“I love you, Lev. That wasn’t a lie. I have no intention of making those words a lie in the future either. But…”

In Karl’s arms, Lev understood.

She knew then—that this was the end of her love.

“…I’m sorry. I’ve never thought of you that way.”

“I knew. I noticed, Karl.”

To Karl, Lev had always felt like family.

When she lost her home, he had been ready to take care of her until she could stand on her own.

But that… wasn’t love meant for a partner.

“…I wasn’t good enough for you, huh, Karl.”
“No, it’s not like that—”
“It’s fine. I feel better now. Really.”

Still held in Karl’s arms, Lev smiled through her tears without ever looking up.

She had done everything she could. And after all that, she’d been rejected.

Though the urge to cry welled up inside her, she had no regrets.

“…So?”
“Huh? So… what?”

“So? What about Maika?”

If she was going to be rejected anyway, she would at least go out with dignity.

That was what Lev thought as she swallowed her emotions and pointed in the direction Maika had gone.

“If it were me, I could track her down.”

“…!”

Right. Maika wasn’t the only scout in the party.

Lev too had been taught the basics by her famous adventurer parents—she had at least enough skill to follow someone.

“If you’re going after her, I’ll go with you to the end.”

“…Are you sure?”

“I am. Because I…”

The girl let go of Karl’s arms.

And she would never again be held by him as someone he loved.

“Because I love you, Karl.”

Even so—

To her, that boy would always be someone to admire.

---

“…There she is.”

“Ma-Maika!”

It wasn’t long before they found Maika.

Believing she had been rejected, the childhood friend was crying alone in a deserted alley.

“…Huh? Why are you two here—”

“We need to talk. Come with me.”

With Lev leading the way, Karl finally reached his childhood friend.

Now it was the boy’s turn to show some courage.

“…No. Don’t come any closer.”

“Just come over here.”

“No. I don’t want to hear it.”

As Karl stepped forward, Maika backed away.

Lev watched the pitiful game of tag unfold in silence.

“…!!”

“Hey! Don’t run!”

Maika was terrible at love.

Because she was so competent in everything else, romance had always been her greatest weakness.

And because of her high pride, whenever she faced a romantic crisis, she had a terrible habit of running away at full speed.

“Karl, after her!”

“Damn right I will!”

The childhood friend, fleeing like always.

The boy, chasing her down to prove his manhood.

“…"

Maika was using her sharp mind to its fullest, trying to lose them.

The truth was—if Karl and Lev had ended up together, she didn’t know what kind of awful things she might have said.

She feared she might have shouted things so vile, so out of character, that it would make others question her very dignity.

Right now, Maika didn’t have the emotional composure to properly accept heartbreak.

So she ran.

“…Damn it, I lost her!”

“Karl—over there…”

Maika’s escape route was executed with such precision that you’d never guess she was unfamiliar with the area.

There was no time for hesitation now.

Karl unleashed his power as a Hero, launching himself off the ground with no regard for the damage to the alleyways.

“…Wait!!”

And from behind, he threw his arms around Maika with all his strength.

“I’m only gonna say this once, so listen up!!”

The warmth of his childhood friend’s body.

Suppressing his burning embarrassment, Karl shut his eyes and shouted with all his might.

All to bring this story to a close.

“The one I really love—is YOU!!”

“…Excuse me?”

The voice that came back was one of confusion.

It was calm, composed—not like Maika at all.

“…Huh?”

“U-Um…”

A terrible feeling crept up inside him.

Like he had just made a mistake that could never be undone.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as Karl slowly opened his eyes.

“…”

And then, he found himself locking eyes with a familiar noblewoman blinking in surprise.

Oh no.

It turned out that Karl, having misjudged the force of his jump, had leapt out of the alley and accidentally confessed to Irine, who just so happened to be passing by.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached peak blockhead.