* * *
As Vasco stammered his response, Arthur picked up the potion he had earlier attempted to feed him by mouth.
Though Vasco still looked too weak to move properly, he had no trouble swallowing the potion as it was poured into his mouth.
“Thank goodness…”
Arthur let out a relieved sigh.
“That was all bought by Raul, you know? Say thanks.”
Now that things had calmed down a bit, one of their comrades wiped away a tear and made a joke.
Vasco turned to look at me, his expression one of surprise.
Why that look?
This is the same guy who had the nerve to break into the Hessler estate just to make sure I didn’t end up paying the full penalty fee.
“You should be thanking Arthur instead. That stiff priest over there—”
“P-Please be quiet!”
Arthur snapped.
Ah, so he does like him.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be making such a big deal out of a simple act of first aid.
It was pretty amusing to see someone who was normally so composed turn bright red and raise his voice.
Vasco, on the other hand, seemed utterly confused, as if he had no recollection of being fed the potion by mouth.
He must be wondering what’s going on.
“What’s the matter?”
“He told you to shut up. Ask him yourself.”
“Don’t joke around in front of an injured person.”
The mood in the room suddenly became lively.
No longer was the air filled with the weight of impending death.
Vasco had survived.
Ah, thank god.
‘He’s alive… thank god.’
I was able to save him.
A sharp wave of exhilaration shot through my body and left it trembling in its wake.
This was a joy only I could understand.
‘I can save them.’
I had returned to the past.
The reality where so many people had died had yet to come true.
The future could be changed.
I could save them.
I did save him.
‘I have to save them.’
If this was my first step, then so be it.
Even if I wasn’t Batista, even if I was just someone as insignificant as myself.
There was now a faint hope that things could change.
Just barely within reach.
And that alone was enough to make me happy.
In the end, after draining my entire supply of potions, Vasco recovered enough to walk to the infirmary on his own.
He didn’t even have to be carried—so that should give you an idea of how much better he was doing.
After seeing Vasco off, I headed to the inn where their party was staying.
“Arthur.”
“Please, don’t say anything.”
Honestly, Vasco was the one in the worst shape, but Arthur had been injured too.
Yet he stubbornly insisted he was fine and refused to go to the infirmary with him.
It wasn’t hard to guess why.
They had ended up kissing by accident, so it would’ve been too awkward to go together.
Even if it was for medical reasons!
“What do you even like about him?”
“…I told you not to ask.”
What a ridiculous thing to say.
How could I not ask that?
“Even your god would want me to know.”
“Are you seriously bringing religion into this?”
“I’m serious.”
This was precious, firsthand information—practically blood and flesh—that could help me understand what true love was.
Since I had never experienced love myself, the best I could do was pester others about it, even if it got me scolded.
“You don’t even believe in god, Raul.”
“I do now.”
I’d heard the voice, experienced the power—there was no reason not to believe.
But despite my clear answer, Arthur narrowed his eyes at me in suspicion.
I met his gaze with an unwavering smile.
The silent battle of wills continued, but in the end, the priest, who despised wasting time on useless matters, was the first to look away.
“…He’s cute, isn’t he?”
Huh?
“Him?”
I could’ve understood if he had said Vasco was kind or unexpectedly gentle.
“If you’re not going to believe me, forget it.”
“Hey, don’t be so cold. I never said I didn’t believe you—I was just surprised.”
Arthur sighed.
“He’s simple and quick to anger… but at the same time, he doesn’t actually dislike people that much. Even small gestures of kindness cheer him up right away.”
Isn’t that a huge flaw for an adventurer?
That guy is way too easy.
“He’s oddly perceptive when his comrades are struggling and tries to help however he can… but he’s not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, so he often stumbles in the process.”
“That sounds more like an insult.”
“It isn’t.”
Arthur said firmly.
His tone was as sharp as a blade, but I could see the faint flush on his cheeks.
‘He’s serious about this.’
So that’s not a list of reasons why Vasco is a pain—those are things he actually finds cute.
Is love really something that makes even flaws seem endearing?
Makes sense.
I should remember this.
Next chance I get, I’ll ask the hero if there’s anyone he finds cute.
For now, though, I needed to help them reconcile.
‘But Vasco isn’t into big guys.’
He thinks they’re intimidating.
The fool doesn’t appreciate the appeal of reliability.
Normally, Vasco and I would just scoff at each other’s tastes and move on, but seeing Arthur genuinely care for him made me feel a little strange.
Vasco definitely wasn’t interested in Arthur, and Arthur was too blunt to ever make a move.
“Want me to help?”
“No need.”
Oh?
“Confident, are we?”
“…I don’t even have any intentions of making a move in the first place.”
“What? Why not?”
Arthur’s expression darkened slightly.
“Because you’re a priest?”
But that only applied to shrine priests who had fully dedicated themselves to the gods, right?
Adventurers with divine power who were granted honorary priesthood weren’t required to devote their entire lives to their faith.
Arthur shook his head.
“I don’t fit Vasco’s type.”
So he already knew.
“I’m not interesting. Even after becoming a priest, I still don’t understand how to make someone happy.”
“And?”
“Even if something did happen between us… I don’t have the confidence that I could ever make him think being with me is enjoyable. Isn’t it natural to wish for the happiness of the person you like?”
What the hell is he talking about?
Sure, Arthur isn’t the easiest person to get along with, and he struggles with forming close relationships.
But Vasco doesn’t seem to dislike him outright.
And when Arthur takes care of him, Vasco doesn’t even find it awkward.
That means they’ve interacted enough for it to feel normal.
So why does he immediately dismiss it?
“Did your god tell you to give up without even trying because the chances are slim?”
Because if that were the case, then I should’ve died ages ago for continuing to pursue the impossible.
Arthur shot me a glare.
“I’ll handle my own affairs.”
“Oh? So this is how you look at the person who just saved your crush?”
“…”
His glare softened.
Arthur sighed.
He was annoyed, but he had no way to argue back.
Instead, he changed the subject, saying that he was in charge of their party’s finances.
“I’ll make sure to compensate you for the potions you used. Whether in coin or—”
“A favor.”
Romance is entertaining and all, but I had my own pressing matters, so I followed his lead on the topic change.
“Look into an adventurer named ‘Gaspar’ for me.”
“Gaspar… You mean that blond-haired, blue-eyed adventurer?”
Oh.
That was fast.
* * *
