Lucy POV
"Huh? You broke it?!"
"Hehe, of course! If we can't defeat the artifact within its own domain, then I can just do it in the real world. Pretty smart, don't you think?"
Bernard says proudly, completely unaware of my conflicting feelings.
I just stand frozen in the middle of this underground chamber, completely speechless.
"Oh, that was actually pretty good. I can't believe I didn't think of that. I knew you could do it if you tried!"
"Ugh! Why weren't you faster?!"
"Huh? I-"
"And this stupid, shameless, useless artifact! Who was the mindless idiot who designed it with such an outrageous personality! I hope all of his works and documents were lost to time and even his name got forgotten! If not, I'll make sure he has no traces left in this world!"
Arthur pats Bernard's shoulder, clearly approving of his solution, but then Hina suddenly erupts, at first at Bernard but then she changes her target and starts stomping on the shattered pieces on the ground while cursing the artifact and its creator.
"S-Sera, calm down…"
"What? Ah, right! That woman was also lying, don't believe a single word she said!"
"Ah, but-"
"I said she was lying! Understand?"
"Ah, yeah…"
"W-what happened while I was gone…?"
While I'm still stunned by this situation and also by Hina's sudden outburst, Arthur tries to calm her down, but she isn't very receptive to it. It seems like that 'Lucy' affected her quite a bit. She only quiets down after she sees everyone nodding at her request.
So after seeing her returning to normal, I can't help but carefully speak up after a while and turn to Bernard:
"Um… the artifact… I wanted you to have it as a gift…"
"Hm? Really?"
"Yeah…"
"Ah, well… It did seem like a pretty good sword, really tough too, it took me a few strong blows for it to finally break."
I, somewhat dejectedly, reveal to Bernard the whole point of this treasure hunt, but he seems to take it rather well. He even noticed that it's much stronger than ordinary swords and it would have been perfect for his fighting style, but he doesn't seem particularly bothered. Even though it would have been even stronger if he infused his mana into it.
"But if I had to choose between a cool sword or my friends, I would choose you guys every time!"
"Bernard…"
"You… Even though you're still an idiot…"
He honestly reveals his thoughts, making the other two feel touched and creating a warm atmosphere.
"Um. Is this a bad time to reveal that the fake Lucy was bluffing? Any light mage could have gotten us out of the dream…"
"...!"
"What!"
I feel a little bad for ruining such a good moment, but if they ever encounter another artifact capable of pulling people into a trial, it's better if they know how it works.
Though at least it seems like Bernard actually learned the same lesson he was supposed to learn in the original version of this event.
"That vixen, I shouldn't have believed a word she said! Ah, sorry Lucy. I didn't mean…"
"No, it's okay. It was a really messy situation anyway."
Hina seems the most affected by this reveal and then she quickly apologizes to me and then she continues in a gloomy tone:
"It's not just that… I'm sorry I doubted you. I should have had more faith in you and not believe the lies of that fake illusion. I was just… afraid…"
"Hina… Everything more or less worked out in the end, so don't worry about it. And well, I also understand that I don't exactly have the best track record either…"
Now that the misunderstandings have been cleared up, I reach out, take Hina's hand and try to cheer her up. Her hand slightly tightens over mine and she looks me in the eyes.
"I promise I'll always believe you in the future! Even if you say the sky is green, I'll believe you first!"
"Ah. You don't need to go that far…"
"Sorry to interrupt you two, I just wanted to let you know that we've confirmed the artifact is no longer functioning so we should be safe."
After I manage to calm down Seraphina, Arthur approaches us.
"Oh, I see."
"...But it appears that you are already quite familiar with how this artifact worked."
"...! That um…"
Well, after everything we've been through, it would be weirder if Arthur didn't notice that something was off. He probably realized it while we were still within the illusion, he just didn't have the chance to ask about it.
So I get that, but ugh, how am I supposed to explain it to him…?
"If it's difficult to explain, it's fine. Haha, and judging by your face that is probably the case. I just wanted to let you know that even if you can't explain everything, you can just say so and we'd still be on your side, isn't that right Bernard?"
"Exactly, we're friends after all!"
"Everyone…"
Ugh, why is everybody so nice? Now I feel even worse for keeping secrets from them…
…
…
'And with that, this absurd trial event came to a close. Afterwards I collected all the shards of the sword, maybe I can still find a use for them, it was a pretty powerful artifact after all. Then we returned to the academy just as the sun began to rise.
So with this event over, Bernard's affection should have gotten a boost and the previously awkward atmosphere has disappeared too, as he later came to me to ask me for more training sessions. I don't know if I should be happy about that part though…
But anyway, with this, you should be able to reenter his route if you want to. Next I'm thinking about doing an event for Arthur, I even decided on which one I should do early. This time I chose a very simple event which should have no chance of turning weird.
It's mainly just going into Academy City incognito and then playing with some local children. So even if something goes wrong, it shouldn't become so absurd as Bernard's event. It might be simple, but when Lucy convinces him to play with the kids and allows himself to just forget about his position, he really enjoys it. It's a pretty important moment for him as he experiences what he never could as a child and it also helps him understand what kind of king he wants to become.
Or at least that's how it went in the game. I can't promise anything, but I'll try to at least raise his affection a little bit too for you.'
"Phew."
I write down the last sentence and lean back in my chair. I've never kept a diary before, but this must be what it feels like. It's a nice way to reflect on everything that's happened and gather my thoughts. Hm, well, I guess it is also the last trace I will leave in this world huh. That feels a little sad, but if it will help everyone reach their happiness then it's worth it.
Knock. Knock.
While I'm lost in my thoughts, I suddenly hear someone knocking on my door.
Is it Hina? But I thought she was busy today…
I get up, open the door and to my surprise it's a different familiar face.
"Ah, President Hugh?"
"I hope you're having a good day Lady Lucy. I have something important to talk to you about. Would it be alright if you accompanied me to the student council office?"
"O-okay, just give me a moment."
"Hm."
I quickly get ready and then close the door behind me, quietly following Hugh.
"Um, I thought the student council wasn't on for today…"
"This isn't about the student council."
I try to break the somewhat awkward silence and try to ask about the details, but if it isn't about the council, then-
"Ah, then is it about Alice? Is something wrong?"
"It is connected to her, but don't worry. She has recovered really well and without any complications thanks to you. And my offer still stands, whenever you need any help I will do everything within my power to help you."
"N-no, it's okay. I'm just happy Alice is okay."
If something went wrong with her curse because I cured it too early then I wouldn't be able to forgive myself for it. But thankfully that doesn't seem to be the case.
Soon we arrive at the student council office and Hugh leads me inside.
"Ah, Lady Lucy. It's nice to see you again."
"...! Alice? What are you doing at the academy?"
Entering the room, my eyes immediately land on the little girl sitting at the desk of the president with her legs lightly swinging. Then upon noticing us enter she jumps off her chair and quickly does a little curtsy, her movements a little stiff, but still really cute. Though there is one part that bothers me…
"She insisted on coming here herself to thank you in person. The doctors have already given her permission for this visit, they said it's enough if I just keep an eye on her."
"Really? She's already recovered this much? That's really good to hear."
"Big Brother… you can go away now."
"Ugh!"
After explaining the situation, Hugh gets hit with a huge mental blow, making him clutch his chest in pain as he stumbles back a few steps. It's probably the most emotion I've ever seen on his face so far.
"Ah! I-I mean, I want to talk to Lady Lucy alone for a little bit so… could you leave for a while?"
"If that's what Alice wants… then I'll do it."
Even Alice seems flustered by his reaction and tries to reword her previous sentence, but Hugh still seems affected by the blow and he stumbles out of the room.
If I didn't know what his personality was like from the game, I'd probably be really shocked to see him like this. But already knowing that he's… a little sister-centric, makes it a bit easier to accept. Though some of the whiplash is still there.
"Ahem. I apologize that you had to see a display like that, Lady Lucy."
"Ugh, there it is again…"
"Wh-what, what is it, Lady Lucy?"
Well, I thought Hugh's reactions were a bit weird, but I feel like I can probably relate to him right now…
"Um, what happened to 'Big Sister Lucy'...?"
"Huh? Wouldn't it be too disrespectful to address my saviour like that?"
Alice cutely tilts her head, thankfully she just wanted to be polite and she didn't suddenly come to hate me.
"Of course not! Otherwise you sound so distant…"
"Well… if that's what you want Lady- Big Sister Lucy."
"Hm, that sounds better. So, what did you want to talk about?"
"Ah, right."
Alice gets back into character and bows deeply in front of me, taking me by surprise as she says:
"Big Sister Lucy, thank you very much for curing me. To be honest, even I was kind of losing hope in ever returning to normal… But then you showed up and I felt the warmth of your light magic fill my body, bringing me relief and comfort that I haven't felt for a long time. Wiping away the curse like it was never even there. Words can't express how grateful I am for you and I apologize that I couldn't thank you right away, I woke up too late and you were already gone by then."
"...! Y-you're welcome, but there's no need for that."
Alice's heartfelt words tug on my heart, but I quickly reach out and pull her up. I didn't help her expecting anything in exchange. But meeting her clear eyes filled with determination makes my following words catch in my throat.
"And I'm not just grateful for what you did for me, but also for my family. I know how much they care about me and how much they sacrificed while searching for a cure for me. My dad, my mom and even my big brother… So now that I'm alright, I want to take whatever is left of that burden and try to repay it myself. So whatever payment you ask for my treatment, please let me be the one to take care of it. I… I know there isn't much that I can do, but I swear I will dedicate my life to achieving it. Even if it takes longer, I will make sure to get it done. So please tell me your wishes, Big Sister Lucy."
"...It's okay, I don't really need anything…"
"No! That wouldn't be fair to you. I know just how difficult it must have been for you to break the curse, so I can't just accept such a big favour without giving anything in return."
"..."
Um… what exactly is going on right now?
I feel like her clear bright eyes stare right through me, so I can't help but avert my gaze slightly as I try to gather my thoughts.
Needless to say, a scene like this never happened in the game. But since a lot of things changed about how the story progressed so far, I wasn't surprised that Alice would want to see me. However, seeing her so ready to accept whatever request I make her, I feel like a moment like this would have been part of the game too.
Hm, well it is true that Alice should have been cured much later on Hugh's route and by that point Alice sees Lucy as something like an unofficial sister-in-law. So since Lucy was already part of her family, she probably accepted her kindness more easily. As for me, well I'm still pretty much just a stranger to her and I haven't interacted much with her brother either.
But if that's the reason, maybe there's an easy solution to this.
"T-then there might be one thing…"
"What is it?"
Alice eagerly takes my hands, waiting for my next line with great anticipation.
"Would you be my friend?"
"...Huh? That's it?"
"Well, actually it's not really a request either, you can refuse if you want. But if I'm also being honest, that's partially the reason why I decided to help you. It wasn't really a selfless act on my part, I just hoped that we could become friends."
"You… want to be friends with me?"
She looks at me blankly, like my reasoning makes no sense at all.
"That's right."
"B-but why? I mean, I'm not interesting at all. I haven't really done anything other than reading some books for so long. It wouldn't be fun to be friends with me at all."
"That's not true at all. I think Alice is really interesting! Like, it must have taken so much courage to stand in front of me and ask me what payment I want, right? And from the way you talked about your family with so much affection, I can also tell that you're really kind. So actually I would be the lucky one to have a friend like you."
"I… uuuu."
Hearing her put herself down like that, I can't help but express my true thoughts, which seemingly makes her really confused.
Well, it's also true that I would have helped Alice even if I never got to meet her again, but I liked her a lot in the game so getting to spend time with her would be nice too.
And if this helps ease her sense of responsibility then it's a win-win, isn't it?
"If that's really what you want, then okay. From now on, we are best friends! So if you have any worries or want to talk to someone, you can always come to me!"
"Really? Thank you."
Though… maybe she seems a little too enthusiastic about it already…? Well, if she's happy, then I'm happy.