Liolikin was still unconscious and thus couldn’t return to his seat.
For a moment, I wondered if Nidhr might take his seat and end up sitting next to me, but fortunately, he sat where he originally was.
‘Is it because of the structure of the spectator seats? The seats in the back are higher than those in the front, so maybe he prefers that spot since he can look down at us?’
It’s not that I’m making baseless assumptions out of my dislike for Nidhr.
His words and actions made me think that way.
“Did you perhaps think Liolikin could beat me because of his Berserk skill? If so, I’m honestly disappointed.”
There you have it.
He didn’t even realize Liolikin’s goal was to surpass him. On top of that, after getting knocked on his rear, he dares talk about being ‘disappointed’?
It’s as if he thinks Liolikin and I exist solely to satisfy him.
‘No matter how childish or petty his thinking is, a villain is still a villain. He hasn’t even gone dark yet, and already every word and action of his is dripping with condescension.’
I held back the urge to click my tongue, determined to set the record straight.
“Whether you’re disappointed or not has nothing to do with us. I didn’t expect Liolikin to beat you, just to physically knock you down. He achieved the goal I set for him splendidly. I’m satisfied, and Liolikin will be happy about that as well.”
Speaking in Possession Body fashion, I made it clear we never underestimated his skills.
At the same time, I tried to convey that we were nothing more than strangers and wished he’d stop meddling.
After all, nobles in fantasy novels tend to take pride in speaking in roundabout ways.
Nidhr, being not only a noble but also one with an inferiority complex, should’ve understood my words perfectly. But understanding the meaning and accepting it are two different things.
“You’re satisfied? Even after watching Liolikin lose his mind and rampage, you can say that?”
Why is he saying such things when he doesn’t even truly care about Liolikin? Still, I decided to listen to what nonsense he spouted to get a read on his intentions.
“Don’t you know anything about the warriors’ frenzy? Is this the first time Liolikin has gone berserk?”
With that, Nidhr launched into a lengthy explanation of the dangers of [Berserk].
Then he started judging again.
He said that although Liolikin was timid, his innate talent seemed decent, so he’d hoped to train him into a bodyguard knight.
But now, with such a major flaw, it was a pity; that weak mentality was always going to be a problem…
It sounded less like genuine concern for a person and more like musings over a broken tool.
‘I do realize that this is a pitiful character designed by the author Senna, who is basically the creator of this world.’
Even so, the fact that I couldn’t just let it go and felt annoyed proved that I’d grown attached to Liolikin.
At first, I only thought to use him in return for his attempts to exploit my Possession Body’s status.
But how could I truly reject a big, childlike kid trying his best to change just because he wanted to play together?
Having lowered my guard toward Liolikin, I’ll admit honestly: I respect his courage for trying to overcome his fears.
That’s why I felt guilty when I learned he’d acquired the [Berserk] abnormal status skill.
If I hadn’t pushed him so much, he could have grown by gradually conquering his fears, but because of me, he rushed and ended up this way.
“But really. Isn’t Liolikin’s rampage your fault for giving him unreasonable instructions?”
“Watch your mouth.”
As Nidhr poked at my guilt, Reysir Daudabina’s face twisted in anger.
But the original villain wasn’t fazed and, pretending to be benevolent, spoke to me.
“I get it. You wanted to fix Liolikin’s timid nature and make him more useful, right? But you pushed too hard. You should’ve given him a suitable goal based on his current abilities.”
The conditions I set weren’t excessive.
If only Liolikin’s opponents in the qualifiers hadn’t forfeited, or if his second-round opponent in the finals hadn’t been Nidhr.
If only that had been the case, I wouldn’t be feeling so wronged.
It’s only thanks to the owner of the [Truth-Reading Eye] assuring me that there’s no need to worry about [Berserk] that I’m not overwhelmed with guilt.
If Reysir Daudabina hadn’t done that, I’d have been crushed by endless remorse.
After explaining the dangers of [Berserk], Nidhr emphasized that Liolikin was now defective because of it.
And he blamed it all on me.
“Hah, this is why the ability of a leader is important…”
His intentions were obvious.
He mistakenly believed that Vigdis Shalbrady, Reysir Daudabina, and Liolikin saw me as their leader.
He wanted me to relinquish that position to him, trying to push me into a pit of guilt with his criticism.
He wanted me to fear taking responsibility, and thus rely on him.
All to manipulate me as he pleased.
‘What a waste of effort. We’re just people who eat together; there’s no such thing as a leader.’
Besides, this group only exists thanks to the original protagonist’s relentless meddling.
If Reysir Daudabina hadn’t gotten involved,
Vigdis Shalbrady and I wouldn’t have crossed paths outside of sword training on Sunday mornings.
Liolikin would have just run away when I told him to enter the tournament and defeat three people, planning only to use my Possession Body.
He wouldn’t have found the motivation strong enough to overcome his fears.
To Reysir Daudabina, I’m just a tsundere who reacts amusingly when teased.
For the original protagonist to treat the one who bullied him as his leader isn’t just lacking plausibility.
It’s an act that breaks the entire story.
Therefore…
“You’re mistaken. I’m not the leader.”
“That’s right! Liolikin may look up to Karbaldr as a superior, but at the core, we’re all just equal friends.”
Reysir Daudabina echoed my words enthusiastically, covering my mouth with his own hand.
He must have thought I would deny the “friends” part if left unchecked.
‘I do have some tact…
I can deny the “friends” claim later, when Nidhr isn’t around.
So I just stayed quiet, even after moving Reysir Daudabina’s hand away from my mouth.
“Why did you suddenly cover Karbaldr’s mouth?”
“Uh… It just looked like his lips were cold?”
Even when Reysir Daudabina offered this ridiculous excuse to Nidhr’s reasonable question, I kept my silence.
I had no desire to participate in that absurd conversation.
“How is that even—”
“With the winter wind being so cold, why wouldn’t it make sense?”
“……”
Nidhr stared at Reysir Daudabina like he was a madman, utterly speechless.
Yet Reysir Daudabina just brazenly looked back, as if to say, “Is there a problem?”—leaving me to feel embarrassed on his behalf.
As the conversation ended thanks to the original protagonist’s nonsense, at that very moment, a perfectly ordinary “meow” rang out.
“Meow~”
I had already told Yor that it would be best not to draw attention in front of Nidhr.
If he caught Yor’s eye, he’d just end up a target of judgment.
So Yor had remained quiet all this time, but now he suddenly raised his hand and pointed somewhere.
Following his finger, I saw Liolikin approaching with a beaming smile.
That expression definitely means he remembers everything.
He remembers taking down Nidhr while in the [Berserk] state.
‘If he’s aware that he lost his mind and rampaged, why isn’t he scared or creeped out?’
Even though it’s a situation anyone would fear,
His bright, innocent grin was so absurd, I let out a hollow laugh.
I’d worried he’d blame me and resent me, but suddenly all the tension drained away.
“D-did you see it? I-I took down that… that arrogant b-bastard…! He wasn’t as refined as Karbaldr, or as scary as Yor, and compared to Reysir, his skills were nothing special, yet he kept showing off…! In the end, he just got knocked on his rear!”
Is he drunk on his first real sense of accomplishment?
For some reason, Liolikin, now back at his seat, had become rather cocky.
Listening only to his words, you’d think he’d beaten Nidhr and made it to round 3.
‘He’s obviously excited, but can’t he at least watch what he says in front of the original villain…?!’
To borrow Reysir Daudabina’s words, Liolikin’s lips looked awfully cold.
Meaning, I wanted to shut him up.
“Liolikin. Show proper respect to the defeated.”
“O-oh… I-I’m sorry for my r-rudeness….”
“I understand. You’re just overly excited from accomplishing a difficult goal, aren’t you?”
“Y-yes! He was a r-really tough and strong opponent… I barely managed to beat him.”
He only shrank for a moment after my scolding.
But as soon as I matched his mood with gentle words, Liolikin started proudly emphasizing his efforts.
“You worked hard.”
“Y-yes, I worked r-really hard.”
“When I saw you, I thought you’d give up. But instead, you didn’t run away and fought bravely. That took real courage.”
“Hehehe…”
“Weren’t you scared?”
“I-I was scared. But Karbaldr, you believed in me, believed I could do it… I didn’t want to disappoint you, so I gave it my all.”
“Good. You did well.”
“Heheh!”
Liolikin let out a laugh that didn’t fit his large frame, unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.
He really must be overjoyed.
I considered asking if his injuries were alright, but held back.
After all, he must have already received treatment and healed. Excessive concern doesn’t suit Karbaldr’s character.
“Meow meow.”
As I went silent, Yor gently tapped Liolikin’s head, meowing softly.
There was nothing to gain by drawing Nidhr’s attention, but perhaps he just couldn’t help wanting to praise Liolikin for his hard work.
Understanding those feelings, I didn’t stop the little dragon’s actions.
Again, Liolikin was delighted, quietly offering his head for Yor’s praise.
“Congratulations on achieving your goal. Shall we have a celebration party together this weekend?”
“P-party! S-sounds great..! Really great!!”
Reysir Daudabina, having watched Liolikin receive Yor’s pats, suddenly suggested plans for the weekend.
His “together” clearly included me.
No, rather, even if others might be optional, there’s no way I can avoid it. After all, Liolikin has always tried so hard to stay by my side.
‘If Reysir had suggested a party to celebrate his own victory, I’d have refused without a second thought…!
Of course, my sincere congratulations for Liolikin are real.
But I can’t shake the suspicion that this fox-like protagonist is using the celebration as a pretense just to drag me along.