SSS-Class Revival Hunter - Chapter 99

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 99: Your Heart (3)

──────

Dazed.

-Zombie, hey, Kim Zombie.

In this world, there is a sound-effect word, “meong.” It can represent a dog’s bark, and it can also mean that someone’s mind has gone blank.

Dazed.

-Kim Zombie? Kim Sparrow? Vice-lord? Hey, King of Death, are you listening to me?

My mind is blank. There is no distinguishing me from meong. I am meong-meong, and meong-meong is me.

The only scene coming to my mind right now is singular.

Red carpet. Red eyes. Blue fragrance. Voice. Touch.

-This guy's smitten. Seriously smitten. Those eyes, just like that rascal from the JeGal Clan when he fell for the Ice Palace Lord.

What is love...?

Confucius says, love is a lily flower.

Lady Silver Lily......

-Sorry, Zombie. This is all my fault. It's a different level. Far too different. Because of me, you've fallen for someone way out of your league.

While staring dazedly, Guardian Spirit was picking his nose. What an absolute worst posture one could adopt while apologizing.

Ah, this guy is not a person, but a ghost...

-But honestly, this is fucking hilarious. Keep going. More.

I muttered dazedly within.

'Suicide...'

-What?

'If I commit suicide, I can experience the same thing as a little while ago, right?'

-You're insane... But at least you haven't lost all your wits to mention suicide regression out loud. That's something, at least. Remember, this is all being broadcast inside the tower...

"Suicide......"

-There go your wits! You crazy guy! Hey, Shiny!

[Shiny leaps up and smacks the head of our hero.]

“Aaaagh!”

I rolled around the academy's lawn, holding my head.

"I know I'm not in my right mind right now! But I can't help but keep picturing the Lady!"

-She is already “Lady” to you, is she? One round of crazy is loaded...

"Ah, I absolutely must not wash my face today. Even if I do, I mustn't wash behind my ears. The lily scent is still there, don't you think? Want to smell my ear?"

-Two rounds...

"That Crown Prince with his noodle-like hair, what did he do in his past life to be loved by the Lady? Argh, damn it. Internet. I need the internet and a computer. Quickly, on every visible post, I must comment 'I want to become like the Crown Prince'..."

-Three fucking rounds...

"Ah, love! Sweet poison! Irresistible addiction! My heart!

-I knew it. This guy would be the most annoying in the universe once he falls in love. I saw it coming, yet I advised him, making me truly a terrible person.

"It's not just me!"

[Immersion into your character is intensifying.]

[Your immersion rate is currently 21%.]

"Look! Even the original butler's immersion rate is rising. It means he's harboring the same feelings as me. What does this mean? The butler is also falling for Lady Silver Lily!"

-Wait. Didn't that butler originally like Goldencup or whatever?

"Ha. You know nothing. Does love have to focus on just one person? Love isn't like that, you know? Love is... well, love is just... love."

-Wow. This guy, not even half a day into his first love, and...

I sprawled out on the grass. There was broad daylight. During academy class hours. Right now, the Heretic Inquisitor, the Crown Prince, and Lady Silver Lily must be in class.

"How can I save Lady Silver Lily? No, save her, what am I saying? Who am I to say such a thing? Just, how can I make the Lady happy?"

-As the one who unleashed your insanity into the world, I feel responsible and will give you advice.

The Guardian Spirit groaned.

-It's not yet time to think about that, young one.

"Then, what should I think about, elder?"

-You need to know more about the other person.

“Knowing the other person.”

-When you are courting someone, it is important to keep putting yourself in front of them and making an impression. Doing that while you are still strangers can feel embarrassing. But right now, you are her exclusive servant, so time together is guaranteed even if you do nothing. You hold the geographical advantage.

"Geographical advantage......"

-Yes. So relax and observe her more.

"But…"

-But?

"The world is going to end soon. This world."

-Hmm.

The Guardian Spirit crossed his arms.

-That is indeed a problem.

His tone was subtly different. It seemed like the 'problem' I mentioned and the 'problem' he referred to were different things.

But since the bell rang signaling the end of classes, I couldn't ask why his tone was subtle.

The true nature of the problem was revealed that very night.

It was a night when clouds had swallowed the moon, leaving the world utterly dark.

The candles lit in the dormitory struggled against the darkness to no avail. The Sormewin Academy was submerged in shadows.

"Consider this a reward for the impressive act you showed me."

In such darkness, Lady Silver Lily led the way, holding a lantern.

I followed her alone, carefully avoiding any step upon her shadow.

"I will reveal my secret to you."

"......"

Lady Silver Lily was wearing her nightgown. The loose white dress fluttered with every step, making my heart skip along. Was it because, as Guardian Spirit said, I was primed for insanity? But this feeling was too tender to be just insanity.

"Follow me."

Lady Silver Lily walked on. The night corridors were deserted. I followed, staring intently at her fingers illuminated by the lantern light.

"What are you thinking about?"

Suddenly, Lady Silver Lily spoke.

"Me?"

"What are you thinking? I can feel your gaze. I'm curious."

"......"

"Although temporary, you are my exclusive butler. It would be disloyal to ignore a question from your master. Since I've expressed curiosity, you should rightfully respond."

I hesitated.

"Well, that's..."

"Speak."

"...I thought about holding your hand, Lady."

As soon as I spoke, it felt as if my heart, not my tongue, had leapt out of my mouth. It was the emotion of embarrassment.

Even when Shiny recited an ode praising Gong-Ja, I was not this embarrassed. Seriously. My face felt hot enough to kill me.

"Hmm."

At that moment, something wrapped around my left hand.

It was the hand of Lady Silver Lily.

Skin. Texture. Cool temperature. The moment her slender fingers interlocked with mine, I almost mistook it for my heart being captured. The scent of flowers clouded my mind.

Just from holding hands.

"Lady."

"Have you thought about me all day?"

My tongue was dry.

"Did you long for my touch and scent? Did you fantasize?"

"That's..."

"Answer. If you're not honest, I will let go of your hand."

"Ye-yes, I thought about it."

"Clearly."

My head spun.

"All day, I only thought about you, Lady."

The scent of flowers whispered in my ear.

"Well said. You are my loyal servant."

[Immersion into your character is intensifying.]

[Your immersion rate is currently 29%.]

Now…

I can't even tell what's what anymore.

I just don't know.

"This, this isn't right."

"What's not right?"

Think.

I must think.

"I am from beyond this world... merely borrowing the body of a butler,"

"And so?"

[The silver-clad heart looks at you.]

"You regard me as a 'human', don't you?"

"I..."

"Was it a lie?"

[The silver-clad heart looks at you.]

"Are you, like the other apostles, considering me merely a 'native' or 'indigenous'? Or, in the terms used by Hamusutra who sent you, a 'Character'?"

[The silver-clad heart,]

"I..."

I barely managed to speak.

"I am... or rather, my original master is Lady Goldencup."

[Immersion into your character is intensifying.]

[Your immersion rate is currently 30%.]

"As such, I only agreed to serve Lady Silver Lily temporarily for a mission, therefore..."

"That's also an odd thing to say."

Lady Silver Lily looked at me.

"You said you thought only of me today. Doesn't that imply you didn't think about Goldencup?"

"That's..."

"Was it a lie?"

[The silver-clad heart…]

"No, it's not a lie, I..."

My head.

My breath.

"Then, aren't I already your master?"

"That's..."

"Call me your master."

The grip of our interlocked hands tightened slightly.

"Just once is fine. Call me sincerely."

"If you can utter those words, I'll reward you."

A reward.

“I promise you a sweet reward.”

For some reason, the instant I heard those words, my heart steeped in sweetness. Before I knew it, I was about to open my mouth.

-Kim Gong-Ja.

A soft call.

[Shiny trembles to bring back the hero's senses.]

A warning from the Sword Constellation.

The reactions of those two, and this languid sense of intoxication I felt now, were all familiar.

In the basement, when I saw Lady Silver Lily interrogating the servants, the same sensation.

A feeling of danger.

"Uh-hm?"

Lady Silver Lily turned to look at me, still expressionless, her red eyes observing.

"Why are you hesitating?"

"The reward, do you not want it?"

The reward.

"Just once is enough."

Just once...

If it is only once. If it is once as a test, would that not be all right?

I do sense danger. But even if something goes wrong, I possess the power to turn back time. Yes... I possess such a power. Therefore, I have the power to risk danger once. No, come to think of it, even saying that I would be risking danger is not quite right. Do I not need to say it simply to learn what will happen if I put these words in my mouth? When a traitor appeared among the rankers, when we first faced the Demon King of the Autumn Rain, if I fit things together carefully, are there not similarities between that situation and this one?

So it should be all right, should it not? Merely saying one phrase. If it goes wrong, I can simply turn back time once. That is all this amounts to. I have that ability.

Then once, just once, saying such a word...

「But you know that I am the Flame Emperor.」
「Then you’ll have to die.」

"King of Death."

"My Lord."

"My dear disciple."

My neck cooled.

"Lord."

My fingertips froze.

"My Lord."

My head…

"My disciple."

Cleared up.

My mind was clear. Thoughts raced as if compensating for the previous standstill.

Am I someone who can easily submit?

Is the weight on my shoulders that light?

No.

I am Preta’s Lord

And the Vice-lord of the Demonic Cult.

I have lived to not become like Yoo Soo-Ha.

That was why, refusing to let even a single death become something natural, I had run across the snowy fields together with the Master Alchemist.

"I'm sorry, Lady."

I placed my palm on the back of Lady Silver Lily's hand. Even if it's just words.

Because it's just words.

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I cannot recognize you as my true master."

I want to learn the joy of love. I'm learning it. But even so, I don't intend to lose [myself] to that extent. At least, I can't form a one-sided relationship with anyone.

"If you truly want my heart, Lady, you must use a different method."

"Speak. I will listen."

“I will serve you as my master, so make me your master as well.”

"......"

"I will value your judgment over mine, heed your advice more than my beliefs, and not hold myself most dear. I will follow you. But in return."

I looked into Lady Silver Lily's face. Our hands intertwined, we were very close. Red eyes. I knew they matched the color of the heart.

"Please treat me the same way."

"......"

"If you do something wrong, I will tell you. I will confess my sincere thoughts, views, and feelings to you, without any deceit. But I cannot be in a one-sided relationship. If I give you my heart, how will I breathe? I will suffocate and die. Only if you give me your heart, can I continue to live."

I gripped Lady Silver Lily's hand a bit tighter.

"If you want to see me go crazy, then go crazy for me too."

And then Lady Silver Lily shook off my hand. She stepped back two steps as if struck unexpectedly.

"...Indeed."

Yet her expression remained unbroken.

"You're different from the other simple-minded apostles. I thought you were just an innocent child... Perhaps I rushed too much, considering you're unfamiliar with love."

"You tried to seduce me to become your subordinate?"

"My mistake. I underestimated you."

Lady Silver Lily bit her lip momentarily. Even that face was terrifyingly beautiful. The night corridor. Even the moonlight became a shadow when it shone on her.

"Yes. I am not an easy man."

"Regrettable. It would have been easier for you to give yourself to me completely."

"You said understanding and responsibility are not different. One-sided responsibility is just one-sided understanding. I didn't approach you for that."

I felt my heart race but held back.

"So, what's this secret you said you'd tell me?"

"......"

Lady Silver Lily turned and walked away.

"...My family has an heirloom passed down for generations. A sword with a playful legend attached. A sword that grants any wish you make."

The end of the corridor.

Where even moonlight ceased to flow, a bundle of curtains lay. Thick red curtains seemed to hide something.

"But there's a condition."

Lady Silver Lily’s fingertips caught the edge of the curtain. With a sweep, she drew it aside. Behind it stood a full-length mirror of the sort one might find in a dressing room.

And,

"You must stab your heart with the sword when making a wish."

A sword was embedded in the middle of the mirror.

Lady Silver Lily stood in front of it.

The point where the blade was stuck coincidentally aligned with her heart.

[Shiny senses the presence of her sister sword.]

My waist-bound holy sword trembled.

[Shiny says that it is the third sister blade of the Guardian Holy Sword.]

Drip, drop.

Blood dripped from the mirror with the sword. The curtain that had been covering the mirror wasn't originally red. It was dyed red from the blood flowing from the mirror's heart.

[It's called the Sword of Prayer.]

“This was before I became a returner. His Highness the Crown Prince became betrothed to Lady Goldencup. I was furious and aggrieved beyond measure, so I placed my hopes in my family’s sword and made a wish.”

"What wish...?"

Lady Silver Lily's lips moved.

-Please let my love last forever.

"And then, my life became eternal."

"I can't die. My feelings for the Crown Prince remain unchanged. Since that day, my heart has been stuck."

Lady Silver Lily grabbed my hand.

She pulled it towards her chest.

Where the heart should be. Where it should beat.

"Do you want my heart?"

But…

There was no heartbeat.

"Sorry."