129　Encounter with him, love or bewitchment?

Title changed.

(TLN: At this point in the novel, the title changed from all hiragana もと・せかいいちいのサブキャラいくせいにっき はいプレイヤー,いせかいをこうりゃくちゅう to kanji 元・世界1位のサブキャラ育成日記 〜廃プレイヤー,異世界を攻略中!〜)

"Brother, you and your people should go ahead and take control of Old Joh."

"Understood. But what about the saint?"

"I have an idea."

"An idea?"

"Yeah. I got an idea of a place where she can be protected."

　Now that the Pope was dead and the tide was turning in favor of the anti-church forces of 『Dizart』, they shouldn't slack off in their attacks.

　Rokunchea told Brighton this and walked over to Raspberry Bell, who was standing next to the collapsed Renko.

"Saint-sama, it's a pleasure meeting you for the first time. My name is Rokunchea. I'm the current Kongou titleholder and the younger brother of Brighton, the leader of the revolutionary army."

"Ohh. I'm Raspberry Bell. And this is Renko, my waiting-maid."

"As one would expect from the Saint, to remain calm in these circumstances. However, we can't stay like this for long, let's evacuate immediately."

"Mhm. Alright then. Let's go."

　Deciding it wouldn't be a great idea to be in such a conspicuous place in case Second came to pick her up, Raspberry Bell decided to follow Rokunchea's instructions.

　As soon as she decided, she quickly used "Recovery・Large" to restore Renko's HP.

"...I am truly ashamed of myself."

　After recovering from her near-death experience, Renko straightened her back and then bowed deeply toward Raspberry Bell.

　Until the very end, I was of no help――She felt in agony this whole time, thinking so.

"What are you doing? Put yourself together. Come, let's get going."

"...Are you taking me too?"

"Please don't joke like that! Otherwise, if I were to leave you here, I'd look like trash."

"Ra...Raspberry Bell-sama..."

　More or less, Raspberry Bell was grateful.

　I don't want to be seen as scum by Second, so I have no choice but to take Renko with me...Those were her real thoughts, however, there was still a certain degree of gratitude involved.

　It was both her real feelings and also a way for her to hide her embarrassment. Renko couldn't help but be overjoyed to see her open-mindedness, just like a true friend.

"Then, let's go."

　Guided by Rokunchea, they started moving.

　Turning their back on the men of Dizart, who were holding up the Pope's head as they started to seize the capital, Old Joh, the three walked into the snow-covered forest.

　　＊　＊　＊

"――Oh, my, what a coincidence, Second triple crown. Are you taking a stroll in the Sacred Country?"

"Ahh, Rokunchea? Pretty much, yeah, I just happened to pass by."

　This happened soon after transferring to the forest and releasing the Morph.

　It was such a silly conversation, wouldn't you agree?

　I had already thought that this guy might've figured out who SEVEN was, but... Seems like I was right on the mark.

"Ohh, that's perfect timing, in fact, I had something I wanted to discuss with you, Second triple crown."

"Mhmm, okay, I see, I get it, so you want me to protect the Saint and her handmaiden? Indeed, a tough one. But don't worry, leave it to me."

"Well, thank you very much. It's a relief that you agreed."

　And this was what officially happened.

　I will protect the saint after having accepted it as Rokunchea's request. The official stance is really important.

　I had absolutely nothing to do with the revolution in the Sacred Country of Kamel, but I had no choice but to protect the Saint since my friend asked me to. And this cheap acting was the necessary excuse for that.

"Well then, I'll be going now. I'll see you again sometime."

"Yeah, see you."

　Rokunchea dashed away. He's really a nice guy. If he ever comes to my home again, I'll be more than happy to entertain him.

　...Well then.

"Renko. You're also coming, right?"

"Yeah. I'd like to accompany Raspberry Bell-sama...But well, that's up to you."

"Come along then. I'll send you home first. Cubero and Besaid are waiting for you."

"...I suppose you want me to thank you."

　This girl, not being honest as usual...Seems like she's reminiscent of her younger self.

　While sighing inwardly to myself, I called Anko using "Monster Summoning".

"WHOOAAA! IT'S A DARKNESS WOLF! Senpai, did you tame one over here too!?"

"...!　That's right!! And I had a freakingly hard time doing it!"

　The moment Anko came out, Fran...Raspberry Bell shouted out in surprise.

　Yeah, this is it. This is the normal reaction of those who see a Darkness Wolf!

　Oh, god, it sure is nice to finally have someone who understands the struggle I went through!

"Wow, I see. So, the transfer function can even be used here. How convenient."

　Raspberry Bell looked at Anko with twinkling eyes. Yeah, that's right. You know what this means! This extraordinary usefulness will obviously be impressive for a Mobius player. This is the normal reaction. Ahh, feels good.

"She can even use Darkness Magic. Isn't that awesome?"

"EHH! That's way too awesome!"

"Right!?"

　We both were praising Anko, who was in front of us. Meanwhile, she simply stood there with her usual sharp eyes and smile, but her cheeks were slightly tinted in red.

"Anko, take this girl home, then this girl, and lastly myself."

"As you wish, my Lord."

　Anko's voice was slightly livelier as if she had gotten in a better mood after the praise.

　Immediately after that, Anko and Renko disappeared into the darkness. Anko used "Darkness Transfer" to go to the Firstest Mansion, and then "Darkness Summon" to bring Renko over there.

　The cooldown time is 60 seconds. During that time, it was just me and Raspberry Bell, alone in this quiet forest.

"Say, Fran."

"...Senpai. Please call me Ras over here."

"Oh, well, that's fine. Ras, then."

"What is it?"

"You, did you die?"

　Then, there was a moment of silence.

　After that, Ras looked me in the eyes and slowly nodded with a "yeah".

"Seriously?"

"No, no, that should be my line..."

　Oh, I see. Yeah, after all, I am 100% dead...

　I thought for a moment and then shared my own thoughts in light of Ras' situation.

"Do you think it's correct to believe that of the 3,000 hacked players, only the ones that committed suicide have come into this world as their secondary characters?"

"At the moment, I think so too. But there are still too many things we don't know yet."

"Nothing will become clear without first looking into it, right?"

"I guess so."

　Silence again.

　In a forest lined with dead trees. The piled-up snow absorbed all the sounds, and not even a single noise could be heard.

　Ras then placed her hand on her modest chest and closed her eyes.

　Then, after taking one big breath.

　And with an expression as if she made up her mind about something.

　She finally broke the silence.

"...I'm, originally a man."

"Ohh. I always thought you were a woman because you always acted kind of feminine, but you're actually a man."

"Y-Yeah...Well, I'm a man. I'm indeed a man. But I don't feel like a man at all, or rather, I've been living all my life as a woman..."

"You mean you have the heart of a woman?"

"Hmm, that's not quite right..."

"Fumu."

　I don't really understand with she's saying.

　However, Ras' expression was serious. So, I silently listened to what she had to say.

"A long time ago...Senpai, do you remember middle school? Don't you remember seeing a student who looked like me in the infirmary? We've met many times..."

　Ras spun around in her model-like figure and asked with an anxious look on her face. Her long hair, a mixture of red and white, spread softly, and a faint citrus scent floated through the air.

　Weird, if there was such a beautiful student, I'm sure I would remember it. Or rather, how could I forget the mix of red and white hair? Or maybe she did not have it and had black hair back then? If so...no, no. I can't, the red and white hair from now is so intense that I just can't picture her with black hair at all.

　However, the infirmary. There's no way I can forget that keyword. I did indeed play Mobius on the bed of the infirmary when I was in junior high. Knowing that then means that Ras definitely knows "Shichirou Satou". In other words, there's a big possibility that we have actually met and I have just forgotten all about it.

"Sorry, I don't remember any of it."

"I guessed so. Well, that was me."

"I see. So even though you were a boy, you dressed like a schoolgirl."

"That's right. It had to do with a family situation..."

　I wonder what that situation was.

"...I still think my heart is that of a man. But well, my body is that of a woman now."

"I suppose."

"To be honest, I was confused. I couldn't keep up with the sudden change."

"I'm sure."

"But there's a part of me that somewhat thinks this was for the best."

"...?"

　She's been going in circles since the beginning of the conversation, I'm not sure what Ras is trying to say.

　So, I opened my mouth as if to rush for an answer.

"And that heart?"

"Me...I have...Senpai, I've always...all this time..."

　All this time, she has...?

"Always, always..."

"...?"

"Been――――!"

　The next moment, Ras disappeared without a trace.

　...Noooo.

"...EHH..."

　Been what...?

　　＊　＊　＊

"――in l-l-l-l-love with you!!"

　Raspberry Bell closed her eyes tightly, clenching her fists in front of her chest, and made a once-in-a-life confession.

"An enemy."

"Umu, an enemy indeed."

　The living room in the Firstest state. Yukari and Silvia heard the confession of Raspberry Bell, who had been transferred to the house and expressed their rather intuitive opinion.

"Eh...What?"

　Raspberry Bell noticed the transfer by the sudden lack of cold weather and opened her eyes.

　There were two women with sullen expressions on their faces, plus a cat beastfolk girl who was energetically devouring her breakfast, and also Renko, with an expression as if she heard something that wasn't supposed to be spoken here.

"...～～～!!"

　Instantly grasping the situation, Raspberry Bell drops to the floor, and her face turned bright red.

"No, no, you're wrong! That was, that was just…!"

　And so, the Firstest household welcomed two new members.

　The future seemed to become livelier.

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