Chapter 39: Titan

“So you’re saying you like Osvel too? Well, I have to admit that was a fairly likely possibility…”

Nerez pinched the bridge of his nose, suddenly overwhelmed by the situation.

Of all the people he knew, he was the one most removed from romance, and out of nowhere, he had found himself right in the middle of this situation.

“Haha, theoretically speaking.”

“Theoretically? Look, I’m really the least qualified person to talk about these things, but if you really like Osvel too, I think you should express your feelings.”

Ily clasped her hands behind her back in a gesture that reminded him quite a bit of Selene.

“Even if I really did like Osvel, I couldn’t compete with Sae. She’s already suffered too much. She doesn’t live with her grandfather for no reason, Lord Nereziel.”

“Actually, I’d been wondering where her parents were… But, Ily, it’s not as if suffering more gives someone a greater right to be happy.”

“It doesn’t?”

“Whoever fights to be happy is the one who earns that right… Though personally, I’d rather everyone just be happy and leave me in peace.”

“Haha, I never imagined gods would say such human things, much less the god of death.”

“Ha, I have far more experience being human than you do.”

Well, she’s a visiare to begin with… But this wordplay must be the Godscript’s translation at work.

“You have more experience? How so, Lord Nereziel?”

“That is none of your business.”

“Stingy…” Ily puffed out her cheeks in protest.

It doesn’t really seem like Ily likes Osvel. In fact, she seems strangely cheerful now for some reason… What was she trying to get out of this conversation?

***

The hunt had not gone well that morning.

None of the four had been particularly focused on hunting, so any good results would have been a surprise.

Nerez and Ily spent the whole time talking, and by the time Sae and Osvel returned, both of them were red in the face. It was obvious that hunting had not been their priority.

Ily was not the only one curious. Nerez, who had ended up quite involved in the matter (against his will, but also through his own fault), also wanted to know how things had turned out.

However, the moment they returned to camp, Osvel gave Nerez a deep bow and left without another word.

Watching him leave, Sae let out a long sigh.

…

“Are you all right, Sae?”

Ily was the first to hurry to her side and take her by the arm.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Looks like it wasn’t good news…” Nerez said. “If you want to talk about it, we’re here to listen.”

Sae forced a small smile, but a tear was already threatening to slip from the corner of her eye.

“There’s someone he likes…”

Nerez looked at Ily, fearing the worst for the girls’ friendship.

“An older woman…”

…

Nerez and Ily exchanged a glance.

What?! Out of nowhere?!

“He says she’s always been like an older sister to him, and he was afraid of ruining that relationship… He says my confession gave him the courage to do the same…”

“Oh… her… That is a surprise. I never would have imagined he felt that way…”

“Maybe this was for the best,” Sae said, rubbing her eyes. “It’s true that I had a certain longing for romance, but deep down, what matters most to me is that the three of us will still be friends.”

Apparently, Ily had some idea who Sae meant. But she quickly pushed that aside, and her expression brightened.

“That’s true. If that’s how things stand, there’s nothing we can do!” Ily exclaimed, pulling Sae into a hug. “Let’s drink away the sadness and celebrate friendship with some fermented fruit!”

Isn’t this all a bit too anticlimactic…?

“Will Lord Nereziel come too?” Sae asked, tears in her eyes.