I Was the Heroine, and in the Sequel, Even Though I’m a Mob, All of My Stats Are Maxed Out

Foolish Love

Alvin-sama’s expression was serious, and I realized that he won’t be satisfied with an ambiguous answer.

“I….”

What exactly did I want? To be honest, I didn’t even know myself. But one thing was certain, I didn’t want Alvin-sama to leave my side.

“Good morning, Nina. You look very cute again today.”

“I’m happiest when Nina smiles at me.”

“It’s a nice day today, let’s go for a walk, shall we? There are many of Nina’s favorite flowers blooming in the East Garden.”

“Good night. Have a nice dream, and see you tomorrow.”

I might have enjoyed and cherished the time I spent with Alvin-sama more than I thought I would.

Although he sometimes said some disturbing things, Alvin-sama was kinder to me than anyone else and always stood by my side, no matter what. I guess I was spoiled by him.

“I don’t want to lose Alvin-sama.”

“Really? I’ll guarantee your future life here, and you’ll be free to see anyone you want, except me.”

“Even so, I don’t want to be unable to meet Alvin-sama.”

That was my own, honest feeling. I didn’t have romantic feelings for him, but in this short period of time, I realized that Alvin-sama’s presence had grown on me.

Eventually, Alvin-sama’s hand approached me and touched my cheek. My shoulders jumped at the cool, chilly touch of his palm.

“If Nina chose me, I won’t hesitate anymore. Is that really okay?”

“What do you mean by ‘won’t hestitate’?”

“Maybe I’ll do something that you won’t like.”

Maybe he meant restricting me from going on demon subjugations, or not letting me get too close to the opposite sex. If that’s all there was to it, I didn’t think there was a problem.

If I wanted to go somewhere, Alvin-sama could go with me, and I, too, didn’t want to interact too much with the opposite sex.

I nodded quietly and he finally smiled.

“You’re really willing to be by my side, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m happy. I’m really happy. Thank you, Nina.”

He hugged me tightly and repeatedly murmured “I’m so happy” in my ear.

“I really need you, Nina.”

Although I wondered if it was something to be so pleased about, I was strangely relieved to see a happy Alvin-sama.

◇◇◇

“Owen, you’re back. I’ll take care of the rest, you get some rest now.”

Alvin said that as soon as he came into the office. He sat down in front of a desk piled with documents.

“Where’s Nina?”

“Sleeping in her room. Where are Theo and Dirk?”

“Dirk carried Theo to his room.”

“I see.”

After saying this, Alvin picked up a pen. His expression was very calm and he was a different person from the one who had just heard the news from Theo.

At that time, Owen was seriously worried that he might blow up the entire castle.

“You’re in an awfully good mood.”

“Yeah. I didn’t think it would work out this well.”

“What did you do to Nina?”

“I just asked her a question.”

As Alvin ran his pen through the paperwork, he told Owen that he had Nina make a choice between whether or not she needed him.

“I didn’t mean to force her to make a choice so soon. I guess I was losing control more than I thought, too. I knew how much Nina cared for Dirk.”

“….”

“It was a gamble, to be honest. I knew I was still just another friend to Nina.”

Alvin’s lips curled into a beautiful arc.

He had a beautiful and refreshing smile on his face, but he was thinking about such things in his mind. Once again, Owen realized that people could be frightening.

“Even so, Nina stopped me. At that moment, I was so overwhelmed with joy.”

Until now, Alvin had been in the position of clinging to Nina’s side, but now he was in the position of voluntarily wishing for Nina to be by his side. The difference between the two was huge.

Owen was sure that from now on Alvin would assume that they should put up with what he told Nina he didn’t want her to do.

“Poor Dirk. I guess his heart is broken.”

“I don’t feel sorry for anyone who didn’t tell Nina how they felt and didn’t do anything when Nina disappeared.”

Owen could sense a hint of irritation from Alvin as he declared that. And suddenly, he felt uncomfortable with his words “didn’t do anything when Nina disappeared.”

“…. Were you the one who summoned Nina again?”

“Yes.”

Owen couldn’t hide his surprise at Alvin’s simple answer. Because there was no way he could do that.

“How? Even the sacred power required for the ritual of summoning the saintess shouldn’t accumulate for a few more years.”

“I used my magical power as a substitute.”

“It’s not something that can be done with human power.”

The sacred power needed to summon the saintess naturally accumulated in the crystal at the center of the country. When the crystal was full, the saintess summoning ceremony was performed.

Now that Erica’s summoning had just taken place, it was said that the next summoning would be five years away.

“But Nina is here. That’s the answer.”

“….”

Again, Owen felt uncomfortable.

Alvin was originally the best wizard in the country, but recently his mana capacity and abilities had clearly jumped up. The amount of magic power was something that naturally and slowly increased.

There was only one way to gain it rapidly.

“─No way, Alvin, did you?”

“I hope you won’t say anything else.”

“…..”

Owen covered his eyes with one hand as his prediction turned into certainty. Such a thing should never happen.

In Alvin’s position, it would be even more so.

“If you get caught, you won’t be safe either.”

“Of course, I know that. All I need is for Owen to keep quiet. Oh, and Erica, too.”

“…. So, Erica could see it.”

“Yes.”

Owen had heard that the color of forbidden magic was jet black. That explained why Erica looked so strange when she saw someone using forbidden magic in the magic tower.

It was probably only then that she learned the meaning of black magic and that Alvin had used the forbidden art.

And in order to keep her quiet, Alvin left the scene with Erica, leaving Nina, who was always his first priority.

“Is there anything wrong with your body?”

“Not at the moment.”

“But that won’t necessarily be the case from here on out.”

“I’m sure.”

Alvin probably already knew all this without Owen having to tell him. He understood everything, including the risks of using forbidden magic.

“Even if you could master your powers, there’s a high possibility you’d die early.”

“It’s better than living a long life without ever seeing Nina.”

“…. You’re really out of your mind.”

“I decided to do whatever it takes to see Nina again. I have no regrets.”

Owen might have misjudged the depth of Alvin’s feelings for Nina. He had never imagined that Alvin would meddle in the forbidden art, which was a mortal sin.

“Even if I die, I want to create an environment where Nina can live happily. Will you help me?”

Owen’s heart ached at the way Alvin spoke as if his presence wasn’t necessary for Nina’s happiness in the future.

“Hey, Alvin. I’d rather you ask me to find a way to let you live longer or something.”

“I want you to prioritize Nina first.”

“…. You really are an idiot, you know that? A total idiot.”

“You’re the only one who would say that to me. Besides, I have no intention of dying easily. I  don’t want to give Nina to anyone.”

Alvin smiled as if he was in trouble. Owen thought he really was a helpless human being.

He should have had everything, but to throw it all away for the sake of one girl from another world would be nothing short of foolish.

Still, maybe Owen was a fool, too, because he wanted the clumsy and selfish Alvin to be happy.