NOVEL WEB Chapter 54
54. Because, It’s A Thank You
Lilith used her magic to pull me up to the upper floor.
Gregorio lay on the floor.
His expression frozen in disbelief and agony──he didn’t move at all.
He was completely dead.
His wide-open eyes were staring at me.
As if in resentment.
For a moment, a fiery pattern appeared, then shattered.
I… couldn’t speak.
I was essentially the one who killed him.
Using the new defensive skill [Wing Sphere] to reflect Gregorio’s skill──resulting in his death.
He was a sadistic murderer who killed many indiscriminately.
Honestly, he deserved to die.
Still, the bitter feeling of having killed someone darkened my heart.
“Haruto──”
A whispering voice, and I found myself embraced by Lilith.
“Lilith…?”
“Thank you for protecting me.”
Her whisper made me realize.
Yes, I protected her.
I killed Gregorio and saved Lilith──.
For now, let’s focus on that fact.
“How many times has it been now? That you saved my life…”
Lilith looked at me.
“How many times, indeed.”
The first was fighting the dragon, the next was the demons──.
As I tried to recall,
“Mm…”
Something sweet and soft touched my lips.
It happened so quickly that it took a few seconds to understand.
Lilith kissed me──.
“Because, it’s a thank you.”
Right before me, Lilith’s face was bright red.
Maybe she was trying to comfort me?
I could still feel the kiss lingering on my lips.
Sweet, warm, and intense──.
──After that, Lilith and I rejoined Alice and handed Gregorio over to the vigilante corps.
Though only I knew he had a divine skill.
I explained that he used instant-death magic to cause the incidents… but proving it might be difficult.
At least, no more indiscriminate killings by Gregorio.
That’s the only solace.
Only I knew the truth──.
※
“What’s wrong, Lilith-chan? You’ve been spaced out. And your face is red.”
Alice asked suspiciously, and Lilith hurriedly waved her hands.
“N-No, it’s nothing.”
Saying so, she unconsciously touched her lips.
In the recent battle, Harut’os defensive magic reflected that man’s magic──resulting in his death.
Haruto seemed to be shocked by it.
Wanting to ease his pain even a little──half-impulsively, she kissed him.
“Lilith…?”
Haruto looked at her quizzically.
His face was red too; maybe he was thinking about the kiss?
In retrospect, it was a bold move.
Having no experience with the opposite sex, she suddenly──.
(From Haruto’s perspective, he must think I stole his lips. Is he upset… what should I do?)
Instead of comforting him, she might have made him feel worse.
She felt restless.
What to do, what to do… she muttered like a chant.
“Hmmm…?”
Alice looked meaningfully at both Lilith and Haruto.
“I’ll go on ahead. Lilith-chan, take your time with Haruto.”
“Huh, Onee-chan?”
“You wanted to talk alone, right?”
“Oh, wait…”
Before she could stop her, her sister left briskly.
Leaving only Lilith and Haruto.
“Um, thanks for earlier. You helped me calm down.”
Haruto smiled at Lilith.
“It was my first time causing someone’s death… He was a killer who deserved it, but I was still shaken…”
“I’m glad if it helped you feel better.”
Lilith smiled back.
“Kissing you like that… you’re not mad, right? I’m sorry.”
“Mad? Not at all──”
“It was my first time, so… I’m still nervous.”
As she said this, her embarrassment grew.
She couldn’t look him in the eye.
Her cheeks felt like they were burning.
“It was my first time too…”
“…! S-Sorry, I──”
“No, I’m glad… it was you, Lilith.”
Haruto said shyly.
His words brought relief, but also more embarrassment.
“I’m glad too… Hehe, I’m happy it was you, Haruto.”
Her face felt like it was on fire, but she spoke her true feelings.
Embarrassment, shyness, and sweet joy──.
These mixed feelings filled her heart with happiness.