Chapter 20: They Definitely Have a Problem
Misa felt Lance had clearly misunderstood him.
Looking at Lance’s expression, he felt a palpable killing intent in his eyes, as if…
If Arlo didn’t agree to keep it secret, he would do something bad to Arlo.
Misa could only softly remind Lance, “You can’t threaten Arlo.”
Lance nodded seriously. “Don’t worry, I didn’t intend to threaten him.”
He just wanted to talk to Arlo privately; it was reasonable communication, how could it be considered a threat?
Misa was about to say something else when a surprised shout from the Templar knight came from behind him, followed by Samuel’s remorseful call. Misa quickly turned around and saw Arlo slowly sitting up, clutching his head.
He looked at the group with some bewilderment, as if he didn’t understand what had happened or where he was. Samuel kept apologizing, which made Arlo even more confused. He looked around the room, finally resting his gaze on Misa and Lance.
Arlo was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality.
He remembered everything that happened on the volcano, Lance falling into the crevice, but now Lance and Misa were standing before him unharmed. He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Relaxing, Arlo almost involuntarily spoke, “Misa, I knew you would—”
Lance: “Arlo!”
Arlo was startled. “…Ah?”
Lance’s expression was serious as he quickly walked towards him. With a serious expression usually reserved for important matters, he said, “I have something very important to tell you.”
Arlo hadn’t recovered from the sudden interruption, but since it was the hero’s request… he nodded, asking, “What is it?”
Lance: “…”
Lance looked at the others in the room, then lowered his voice, whispering to Arlo, “It’s about the divine oracle.”
He looked up again and emphasized, “I can only tell you.”
Samuel stood up to leave, the Templar knight took the doctor’s arm and led him away. Misa stood there in confusion, puzzling over Lance’s words.
About the divine oracle? Only Arlo could be told?
Ginises hadn’t said anything just now! What did the hero want to tell Arlo?
He hesitated, unsure whether he should stay, but the last few times Lance wanted to talk to someone privately, he’d asked Misa to stay.
Misa: “I…”
Lance: “You go out too.”
Misa: “…”
Misa frowned slightly, unsure how he felt. It was like being excluded by Lance for the first time, but this emotion was too subtle and almost inexplicable, fleeting through Misa’s heart before disappearing. He followed Samuel and the others out, naturally fabricating a lie to answer Samuel’s questions about his “burns.”
Only Lance and Arlo remained in the room.
Arlo was nervous.
He didn’t have a good impression of the hero and was afraid of being alone with him. The corner of his forehead where Lance had hit him still ached. When Lance looked at him with a serious expression, Arlo swallowed nervously, cautiously asking, “What… do you want to say?”
Lance’s face was serious. “Arlo.”
Arlo shivered. “Y-yes.”
Lance leaned closer, looking directly into Arlo’s eyes, saying each word carefully, “On the volcano, whatever you saw…”
Arlo: “Ah?”
Lance: “Don’t tell anyone.”
Arlo: “…”
It’s a threat, right?
It’s a threat?!
Arlo shivered, unable to understand why Lance would say such a thing. Besides, what did he see? What was Lance referring to?
That day on the volcano, he only saw Lance fall, Misa caught him, and then they were both swallowed by the lava. He didn’t see anything else, did he?
Did something else happen that day that he shouldn’t have seen?
Arlo thought hard, recalling carefully.
Lance finished what he wanted to say, turning to let the others in. Arlo still didn’t know what he’d seen that he shouldn’t have.
Confused, he looked at Misa, seeking a clue from his demon colleague, but he saw Lance’s gaze fall on Misa. Lance waited patiently for Misa to approach, then lowered his voice, whispering something the knights couldn’t hear: “I’ve warned him.”
Misa: “Ah?”
Arlo: “…”
Lance wanted to tell Misa that he’d warned Arlo not to talk, but Samuel hurried forward, bowing deeply to Arlo and apologizing, interrupting him. He paused, then nodded solemnly to Misa, indicating that he’d done what he had to do.
Misa: “…”
Misa didn’t understand Lance.
He thought the hero was always strange, his thoughts different from ordinary people’s. He didn’t know why Lance suddenly nodded at him, but…
Since Lance nodded, he should nod back.
Misa nodded solemnly at Lance.
Lance seemed to understand Misa’s approval, smiling slightly at Misa. After a long pause, out of politeness and good manners, Misa smiled back at Lance.
Arlo: “…”
Arlo vaguely remembered something Misa had said to him.
To increase the hero’s favorability, the best way was to risk your life to protect him when he was in danger, and get injured for him. This method… seemed to appear more between the hero and his future partner.
Arlo: “…”
No… no way?
Because Misa saved Lance, their relationship had progressed to this point?
But isn’t Misa a demon? A demon and a hero—
Damn it, there have been real examples.
Arlo swallowed, finally understanding why Lance had threatened him so fiercely.
When Misa jumped to save Lance amidst the lava and fire, something inappropriate for others to see must have happened between them.
Yes, that must be it.
Although the time was short, it was difficult to have anything truly happen, but some simple intimate contact was certainly possible.
Otherwise, Lance wouldn’t have been so vague, nor would he have exchanged glances and smiles with Misa after Misa entered.
Arlo swore to heaven based on his many years of experience as an emissary.
Something definitely happened between the hero and the demon.
Misa had much to say to Arlo.
The hero’s strange behavior had deviated from the main storyline. Misa couldn’t decide, and needed to discuss things with Arlo.
Of course, Arlo had just woken up, and Misa didn’t want to burden him.
He felt he should care for Arlo, at least let him rest for a few days, but the goddess had given an oracle to the bishop, and Misa felt Lance might turn the entire Celestial City church upside down today. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to get rid of Lance and talk to Arlo about what to do next.
So Misa turned, showing Lance his self-proclaimed irresistible gentle smile, softly calling his name, “Sir Lance.”
Lance couldn’t resist such gentleness. He immediately looked at Misa, nodding, “What is it?”
Misa lowered his voice, “You have a duel tonight.”
Lance: “Mm…”
Misa: “You should prepare.”
Lance: “…”
Under Misa’s eager gaze, Lance finally nodded slowly.
He looked serious, as if making a great promise. This look was strange, but Misa didn’t care; he just wanted to get rid of Lance.
He didn’t care, but someone did.
Arlo saw everything—every move, every little glance.
Misa’s eagerness and worry, Lance’s solemn promise. Although he didn’t know what the duel was about, Arlo imagined the duel arena, the crown, the injured hero, and the worried demon.
Arlo: “…”
These two, they definitely have something going on!