That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 112

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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That’s not what kissing means!
Episode 112

The Eastern Forest?
At those words, the Envoy’s eyes gleamed with sharp interest as he smiled.
“Is that something you heard from a hidden confidant?”
“Yes, I work as an advisor to House of Ashford.”
An advisor was a position of considerable influence within the Estate.
“When do you plan to move?”
“I intend to depart soon.”
Lionel answered without hesitation, as though the plans were already finalized.
The Envoy smiled with satisfaction toward him.
“I have great faith in you, Lionel Priest.”
“….”
“So do not disappoint me.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Lionel bowed respectfully before departing the High Priest’s Residence.
“Lionel Priest, good day to you!”
Clerics passing by greeted him with cheerful voices.
Lionel responded with his customary benevolent smile.
Always kind, compassionate, and wise—that was who Lionel was within the Temple.
Until reaching his Office, Lionel maintained that gentle expression, but before opening the door, he gazed up at the night sky.
Tonight, the moonlight seemed unusually dim. Ashen clouds obscured the moon.
Lionel stared at it in silence for a moment. Then he recalled the Previous Duke.
Cedric Ashford.
The Empire’s protector and a great Mage Knight whom all revered. And the man who once called me his closest friend….
Lionel’s expression twisted into something sinister in an instant. He stepped into his Office.
Slam!
His hands, brimming with fury, slammed the door shut.
Since the day I came to know Cedric Ashford, I have never forgotten him for a single moment.
Throughout countless days as a Cleric, his face haunted me daily—even in moments that tore at my pride.

Second son of Count Orban.
That title had always preceded Lionel’s name.
His family favored only the eldest son, destined to become the head of the household. A second son with neither presence nor talent was merely a burden.
Yet Lionel perpetually craved his parents’ recognition.
He clung to his studies with desperate intensity and practiced swordplay relentlessly. But meaningful results never came.
Everyone around Lionel hurled mockery disguised as sympathy.
His only talent was concealing his festering resentment and maintaining a gentle smile.
One day, Count Orban commanded him.

‘Go to the battlefield. Assist Duke Ashford and earn yourself some distinction.’

Lionel dreaded the battlefield. The writhing monsters horrified him, and he lacked the swordsmanship to defend himself against them.
Yet he harbored hope.
If he accomplished something here, perhaps the way others perceived him would change.
But reality remained unchanged even after deployment to the battlefield.
Lionel was a shadow—one that illuminated Duke Ashford’s brilliance.
Everyone around him praised the Duke. Letters from his family spoke only of Duke Ashford’s exploits.
The pressure to earn distinction and the Duke’s absolute superiority began pushing him toward the precipice.
Duke Ashford possessed everything Lionel lacked.
Not only did he inherit the Empire’s greatest house, but he also commanded an exceptional intellect and martial prowess.
Each time he saw the Duke, a crushing sense of defeat washed over him. Only the certainty that his life was a failure remained.
Lionel lost his reason and descended into madness. Beneath his gentle facade, his heart churned with anxiety and hatred.
Then came an unexpected moment.
Today, I must accomplish something…!
Lionel’s mind made no rational decisions. He simply ran forward, swinging his sword wildly, until he encountered a supreme-tier monster.
Fear gripped him at its horrific appearance, but only briefly—he saw it as an opportunity.
It was a creature the Empire had long considered a plague. If he defeated it, everyone would turn their attention to him. With eyes full of admiration.
The thought that those gazes meant for Duke Ashford would instead fall upon him made him grin wickedly.
And as he raised his sword to strike—
The monster opened its maw and lunged to swallow Lionel whole.
Screeeech!
Something thick and viscous poured across his face. The green liquid was the monster’s ichor.

‘Am I all right?’

When he lifted his head—
Intense sunlight blazed down upon Cedric. The monster’s neck had long since rolled far away.
Before Lionel could even blink and comprehend the situation, cheers erupted.

‘As expected of Duke Ashford!’
‘To vanquish such a massive demon in a single stroke!’

Only then did I realize the truth—Cedric Ashford had claimed my achievement as well.
To hoard so much and still covet my accomplishment…!
Rage surged through my chest, igniting a fierce flame within.
The other knights spoke to Lionel.

‘You would have been devoured by that demon if not for the Duke!’
‘You must thank the Duke! To face a high-tier demon with such prowess.’

No, that couldn’t be right….
It had been a perfectly orchestrated opportunity.
The moment I swung my blade, the demon would have fallen.
The glory that Duke Ashford now basked in should have been mine.
Cedric Ashford approached and placed a hand upon his shoulder.

‘It wasn’t poor judgment. You were simply too hasty.’

So don’t make that face.
Lionel would never forget that voice, ringing out with crystalline clarity.
That night of great victory, the knights held a modest banquet.
The Envoy had come to bestow blessings upon the knights for their safety.
Thoroughly intoxicated, Lionel slipped away from the banquet hall and wandered aimlessly through the base corridors.
Hollow. As though his inferior existence was merely repeating itself once more.
Then a gentle voice stopped him. It was the Envoy.

‘I witnessed today’s battle. It was a courageous choice.’

At those words, Lionel laughed as though exasperated.

‘You should tell the Duke such things directly.’
‘I was speaking of you.’

The Envoy’s smile deepened slightly.

‘Are you not aggrieved? You were the one who charged into the heart of enemy lines, who lured the demon.’

Lionel’s pupils trembled. The Envoy nodded in response to his unspoken question—whether he truly believed such things.
Intoxicated and emotionally vulnerable, Lionel laid bare his anguish.

“Some are born into defeat. The family belongs to the eldest son, battlefield glory to the Duke. I possess nothing.”

As Lionel spoke of the Duke and gnashed his teeth, the Envoy’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“But there are other paths in this world.”
“What do you mean?”
“Both the head of a house and heroes eventually face death.”

The Envoy whispered in a damp, sinister voice.

“What if you were to bring a hero to his knees and witness his death? To achieve eternal life—something the hero could never possess.”

* * *

The next day, I waited with Theo in the Reception Room for Julian.
Theo sat beside me again, pressed close as always.
“Here it is. Yulia’s Stone.”
I removed the sacred artifact from around my neck and handed it to him.
We still took turns carrying Yulia’s Stone—Theo during the day, myself at night.
As I fastened the artifact around his neck, I let out a small laugh.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You said something ridiculous last time. That I should take Yulia’s Stone for a walk.”
“I was serious.”
“It’s not a puppy.”
“The cord is sturdy enough. It won’t matter if you drag it around roughly.”
Theo placed the necklace’s cord in my hand.
Then he pulled my hand toward him with deliberate force.
I was drawn naturally closer to him, and we found ourselves at a distance where our lips nearly touched, gazing into each other’s eyes.
As I felt his warm breath, I blinked rapidly in confusion.
“What do you want to do now?”
Theo released my hand and spoke. He was offering himself to me.
“I… that is…”
At that moment, the Reception Room door swung open.
“The door wasn’t closed, so… what is the meaning of this!”
Julian burst in with an expression of shock, shouting toward me.
“Did you call me here to show me this?”
Unfairly, it appeared that I was the one pulling Theo forcefully toward me.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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