My Desertion Would Be Faster Than Heros' Obsession-Chapter 56Vol 2.

That was my real name.

"But that was a long time ago, wasn't it?"

"When a component is missing, an empty space forms in its place. That void allowed dark magic to seep in, which caused the problem. Over time, the accumulation of dark energy reached a critical point, and stress acted as a catalyst, triggering the current situation."

At those words, my eyes widened. So, because I lost my name, dark magic filled the empty space, and that’s why I was in so much pain?

"Then what should I do?"

"There are two options. Either you refill the missing component or remove the accumulated dark magic."

"How do I get rid of dark magic?"

Retrieving a name that had been exchanged through dark magic seemed nearly impossible. Besides, I had no way of reclaiming it. That meant removing the dark energy was the only viable solution.

However, Victim’s expression remained doubtful.

"Well... research on human-related dark magic is still incomplete. I did hear once that consuming a potion made from a special combination of ingredients could extract accumulated magic from the human body, but I can't say for sure. Still, I’ll look into the materials and try to create the potion."

"Alright..."

I responded with a voice that sounded like I was on the verge of death.

Ah, so does this mean I'll just have to suffer until Victim makes the potion?

Fortunately, the doctor had prescribed me fever reducers and painkillers, so I could manage for a while.

Still, the fact that I was sick because of dark magic... It felt so much like a cliché romance fantasy, and yet, it was absolutely infuriating. I looked at Aquila with weary eyes.

"Aquila..."

"Yes, yes, Salvia."

The moment I called his name, Aquila responded immediately. I reached out and stroked his cheek.

"Make sure that bastard Victim works hard to finish the potion..."

"Alright, I'll squeeze him dry for you."

"S-Salvia, ma'am?"

"Thanks, Aquila..."

"Salvia ma'aaam!"

***

Thankfully, the fever reducers and painkillers worked wonders. As long as I took them, I could function normally while waiting for Victim to complete the potion.

Bang, bang, bang!

However, the next morning, I was rudely awakened by someone aggressively shaking the door. Not just that—

Ding-ding-ding-ding!

The alarm bell, the one that rang when an intruder was detected, was also blaring loudly.

"What kind of bastard—"

That bell only rang when someone entered through an unapproved path, like the backyard. In other words, a mail carrier wouldn't be setting it off.

"Salvia, I'll go check."

"No, I need to see this bastard’s face myself."

I was already exhausted from calling the doctor yesterday, and now, even in my sick state, someone had the audacity to wake me up. I was going to find out exactly who it was. Seething with anger, I stomped past Aquila and rushed downstairs.

"Salviaaaa!"

"Dalin, you crazy bitch!"

And there she was—the lunatic who had disturbed our sleep from the crack of dawn.

Why the hell did she sneak through the garden instead of using the main path?!

At that moment, a familiar face suddenly popped up behind Dalin.

"Ah, Altair!"

"Salvia, I’m here!"

"I never doubted it, sir~!"

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.

We embraced in a tight reunion. Surprisingly, Aquila didn’t seem wary of Altair. Hmm, I guess he had figured out that there was exactly zero romantic tension between us.

"Altair, have you returned?"

"Yeah, I made it back safely... It’s been an exhausting journey...."

His voice was tinged with fatigue, and his eyes grew slightly misty, as if recalling all the hardship he had endured. Seeing that, I decided we should head inside and talk properly.

After all, it wouldn’t be right to scold Dalin for breaking into my house when a hero like Altair had just returned from a difficult mission. Begrudgingly, I held back my anger and let them both in.

Once we were settled in the parlor, I finally got the chance to ask why they had come. Dalin spoke first.

"Salvia, camping is just too hard."

"And so, you thought the best solution was to break into someone’s newlywed home?!"

She had barged in because she didn't want to camp.

Currently, the Border Defense Army was still stationed in the capital, assisting with battles against the Imperial Army and guarding the royal palace. Since they had no permanent lodging, they had to set up temporary barracks and camp out.

But this lunatic Dalin decided camping was too difficult, so she used her shift as a palace guard as an excuse to break into my house.

"Hehe, well... I also really wanted to see you, Salvia."

"Don’t lie to me!"

I glared at her furiously, but then she shared some information that forced me to shut up.

"Oh, right! I also brought some news I thought you'd like to hear. The territory for our autonomous city has been decided."

"Oh? Where?"

"Uh... I don’t remember the exact name, but it includes the border we used to guard against monsters and stretches down to a long strip of villages."

As she spoke, Dalin unfolded a map onto the table. I studied it carefully, familiarizing myself with the shape of our new autonomous city.

"It’s an unusual shape... But actually, it might allow for more efficient governance. I'll have to look into it further, though."

After finishing my review of the map, I turned toward Altair. He had been watching me with an oddly triumphant look in his eyes.

"Altair, you must have worked incredibly hard on your mission. Was everything alright?"

"My mission..."

Altair’s face suddenly turned solemn. Then, in an utterly serious tone, he said—

"The moment I arrived at the royal palace of Butein, I was thrown into prison."

"...Excuse me?!"

"They accused me of being a spy from the Adolph Empire. Haah, just as expected, it wasn’t an easy task."

"My god... So what happened then?"

"Fortunately, one of the princes took an interest in my story and released me. After listening to my explanation in detail, he found no inconsistencies and chose to believe me. When I told him that, as a hetero sapien, I held a grudge against the Adolph Empire, then he finally understood."

I nodded. The stories about the Kingdom of Butein were truly fascinating.

"So, what was Butein like?"

"It’s smaller than the empire, but their royal authority is significantly stronger. Surprisingly, the citizens support that power. It seems to be because they have well-established relief and welfare systems for the common people. Apparently, the citizens are even allowed to voice their opinions on welfare policies directly."

"As expected, ensuring that people’s voices are heard is crucial."

I took a mental note from my conversation with Altair. We should model our autonomous city in a similar way.

Once Altair had finished talking and took a sip of water, Dalin, who had been fidgeting impatiently, finally burst in.

"Salvia! Salvia!"

"Huh? What?"

"I heard you took leave to prepare for your wedding. Congratulations on your marriage!"

"Yeah, thanks... Can’t believe I’m hearing that from you."

"Hehe, have you been enjoying your time off?"

"Not really, I’ve been sick these past few days..."

"Gasp! What happened? Are you okay?!"

"It’s a long story, but anyway... I’m fine now, thanks to the painkillers."

Dalin still looked worried, but I waved her off, assuring her I was alright. Only then did she shift the topic.

"So, have you chosen your wedding dress yet? I have an eye for these things, you know."

Out of nowhere, she brought up my wedding dress. But knowing Dalin’s love for pretty things, it wasn’t that surprising.

"Yeah, I picked one... but I haven’t decided on the rings yet, or even the venue."

"Oh? Do you have a particular style in mind for the rings?"

"Aren’t all wedding rings basically the same?"

I recalled my experience trying to choose a wedding ring. To be honest, all diamond rings looked the same to me.

"Diamonds all look alike."

"Oh, come on! It’s a wedding ring. Of course, it has to be a diamond!"

"Yeah, I know. But there were so many other pretty ones, too."

In my head, I pictured the dazzling rings I had seen—amethyst, topaz, opal... There were so many beautiful choices.

But the one that caught my eye the most was the ruby ring. It reminded me of Aquila’s eye color, so I found myself drawn to it.

I had stared at it for so long that Aquila had suggested buying it, ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) but I refused. After all, wasn’t a wedding ring supposed to be a diamond?

Still... Dalin, getting this involved in my wedding plans?

"You’ve grown a lot, haven’t you?"

"N-no, I haven’t...!"

The moment I narrowed my eyes at her, Dalin shrank back, but soon enough, she was grinning again.

"You know, Salvia, you’re such an interesting person. Sometimes you seem to have really firm preferences, but other times, you’re all over the place."

"Me? My tastes are completely clear."

I scowled at her, unable to agree.

If anything, my preferences were too strong. For example, I loved sweet things, I preferred bright-colored clothes, I liked expensive and pretty things...

I was counting on my fingers as I listed them when Dalin shook her head.

"No, no~ I meant your taste in men."

"Cough, cough!"

"Pfft! W-what?!"

"Hahahaha!"

Aquila, who had been in the kitchen preparing snacks for Dalin, choked on his drink. Altair clutched his stomach, laughing like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. And I nearly choked myself to death.

What the hell was she saying in front of my fiancé?!

But Dalin leaned in, lowering her voice like she was about to share a juicy secret.

"You’re about to get married, right? So, isn’t it fine for us girls to have an honest conversation before then? Is Aquila your type?"

"Of course! Because he’s like a sly little cat!"

...A heavy silence fell over the room.

Dalin, Aquila, and even Altair just stared at me like I had grown a second head.

What? Wasn’t it obvious? He was sensitive, wary, and didn’t open up easily—wasn’t that exactly like a cat? To me, he was the embodiment of a cat!

"R-right... I see... Well, that makes sense...?"

"S-Salvia, I think I should get going..."

Altair gave me a weird look before abruptly getting up.

And just like that, my discussion with Dalin about my type was cut short. Dalin stayed at our house for a little while longer, but eventually, she left too.

***

Meanwhile, even after we had picked out the rings and finished making all the preparations, Victim still hadn’t completed the potion. So I had to keep relying on painkillers and fever reducers to get through the days.

"Sigh..."

I was definitely feeling weaker than before I got sick. I lay sprawled across the couch, groaning. At this rate, I needed to start considering another solution.

‘If my name was the missing component, then... can I replace it with something else?’

Maybe I could create something equally important to me, something that could serve as a new piece in its place.