Chapter 522

522 Love Confession (1)

Youre lying.

Freeing herself from Fionas embrace, Lily spoke as she slanted herself over the table.

Chrono, tell me youre lying

Her gaze fluttered wide, while her round, jade eyes swayed.

Im not lying. Its the truth.

Ive betrayed her.

When I saw her desperate, yet shocked expression, such was my thought.

Am I being conceited?

After all, my confession of sin proved that Id done more than just sparing my enemy. It was betrayal in the truest of sense.

Even so, Id been trying to look good in front of Lily. At the beginning, I merely didnt want to burden her. But soon, the thought of disappointing her began to feel unbearable.

It was to be expected, for Lily was the first friend Id ever made in this world. When I fell into the woods, she came to my aid. Afterwards, we didnt only live together, but she also took care of me. Later, we became comrades in arms. Without Lily, G.o.d knows whatd happen to me.

Hence why, I didnt want to disappoint herI want to look cool in front of her.

By that, I meant using common sense, being sensible, staying calm, and avoiding making mistakes in judgment. I thought I was good enough. At the very least, Lily shouldve believed in mein my justice. After all, wasnt that why she decided to stick with me?

But as of the present, I had no justice to speak of.

I wont ask for forgiveness. Curse me all you want. Im aware of what Ive done.

Youre lying, no way

I was speechless.

Lily gaped, letting out such meaningless mutterings. No words could describe how excruciating that sight was.

Its okay, Lily. You dont have to believe in me anymore. Condemn me. Say that everythings my fault. Insult me. Say that Im the worst.

Please, Lily.

Please, as long as you dont suffer like that.

Aah, why, why why are you still alive!?

At that moment, there was a flickering light

a flickering, red light.

Star Sword: Antares!

When my vision returned, Lily was already in front of me.

The young girl was clad in the brilliance of the Oracle Field. In her right hand, was the deadly photon sword that was Force Edge, which could easily cut through the strongest steel.

In an instant, shed transformed into her true form. The Star Sword, Antares, in her right hand told of her killing intent.

As she shone above the table, she swung her crimson light blade

However, it wasnt directed at me, but Sariel.

Stop it, Lily.

I stopped the crimson blade at the last minute. Using my bare hands, I managed to halt the swords descent to Sariels head. At that point, the two were only separated by a distance of several dozen centimeters.

With Over-Accel, the surprise attack of tremendous speed didnt go unnoticed by me. With Overgear, I was able to stop the scorching blade despite being unarmed. It was a powerful technique that made use of two blessings in succession.

Even so, it was a close call. If I was even a fraction of a second too late, Sariel would be split in half.

In spite of that, the target of the attackSarielsat unflinchingly. It was as if she knew I was going to protect her.

Why did you stop me, Chrono!?

Please, pull back your sword, Lily!

If I cant kill Chrono, Ill just kill this woman instead! If left alive, shell only make you suffer, Chrono!

No!

I wanted to keep Sariel alivesuch was my intention. In that hut, I didnt know how many times I denied her pleas to die.

Lily, youre mistaken.

The reason I was unable to end Sariel wasnt because I didnt want to dirty my hands.

Even if such was the case, as if Id let Lily take over the dirty role! I wouldnt be able to forgive myself!

Is it because I reflexively thought that?

Through telepathy, Lily mightve understood my feelings to some extent. Hence, she drew her sword.

But so why? Chrono, this is

As she stood still on the table, the crimson blade dissipated.

Has her murderous intent dissipated?

For the time being, none of that could be felt, but there was no guarantee it wouldnt happen again.

Even if I didnt have telepathy, it was apparent from her expression that Lily was distraught. I had never seen her like that beforeLilys expression wavered with tremendous anxiety.

There was no other way. At that time, Sariel was on the verge of death, but with the power of the apostles, shed recover overnight. Upon regaining s.h.i.+rasakis memory, I could no longer detect any hostility from Sariel. However, if shes still under the command of the White G.o.d, theres no saying she wouldnt attempt to kill me againeven if its against her will.

I couldve just glossed over it. How easy would that be? I felt like if it was the current Lily, even if it was a blatant lie, shed still believe me.

Im aware that I shouldve killed her. After all, the 7th Apostle, Sariel, was an enemy to us all. I knew that, but I still wanted her to live I desperately thought so

The reason why I was so honest Was it to make everything easier? Maybe, I just wanted to apologize.

Surely, the guilt of lying, concealing the crime, and deceiving Lily from now on would prove to be unbearable for me.

But this woman is no longer the s.h.i.+rasaki Yuriko that Chrono knew! Her current personality is the result of Angel Ring! Shes a different person entirely! Despite being a human, she cant relate to the feelings of others! Shes just a puppet, and yet

I know, I know that much

Then why!? Why are the memories you have with this now-puppet more important than myself!?

Oh, I see.

Is that so?

Despite being aware that s.h.i.+rasaki lost her ego a long time ago, I still helped Sariel. Was it to simply cling to the memories of the past?

Im truly sorry, Lily Apparently, I wasnt strong enough to discard all of my past

No, no, you arent in the wrong, Chrono, you arent

Lily was downcast. At the corners of her eyes, large droplet of tears trickled.

Its alright, Lily. Im to blame.

No, its fine, it isnt Chronos fault

Lily took a step forward on the table.

Like I said, it was all a lie, right?

Two steps, three stepsit wasnt a very wide table. Then, her path ended.

Even so, Lily still took the fourth step without any hesitation, and naturally fell towards me. It was as if she fully believed that Iwho was in front of herwould catch her.

It wasnt.

In fact, when Lily leaped into my chest, I held her in my arms. As usual, her angelic body felt peculiar in a sense that the weight didnt match its appearance.

Pet.i.te, delicate, and soft.

At the same time, I felt a certain presence in my arms.

It was! It was all a lie! For Chrono is kind Youre just trying to shoulder the blame for Sariel!

Lily looked up at me with tearful eyes. The girl who flinched in my chest desperately reached for me.

Her warm, bloodied, yet pure white palm wrapped around my cheek.

No, its the truth. Im not lying. Everythings my fault.

Its okay, you dont have to lie to me. After all, Im a fairy, so I know the truth, I can simply gaze into your heart

Lilys face was approaching as if we were about to kiss.

But our lips never collided.

Instead, she pressed her forehead against mine. The distance made it easier to do telepathy.

At such a close proximity, itd be easy for someone with telepathic ability like Lily to read mind. Hidden in my heartthe most recent memory information.

Therefore, even if I tried to conceal it, I couldnt.

The 24th of the Dark Moon, the Holy Night. Inside Lilys hut, driven by insanity and pleasure, I embraced the b.l.o.o.d.y Sariel.

No

Thats the only thing you shouldnt

You shouldnt see it.

Even if I was able to confess my sins, to let her watch as it unfolded

At this moment, my heart was filled with an overwhelming sense of reluctance.

Of course, because that night, Id activated the Fourth BlessingOver-ecstasy, and ravaged the limbless Sariel akin to an enraged beast. For Lily to witness it, itd be akin to standing there as it progressedthat was what it meant to be able to read my memory

Stop it!!

Even if it was for a fleeting moment, shed definitely seen it.

As if I had gone crazy, I screamed at the top of my lungs, but that wasnt the end of it.

Ah

I heard Lilys somewhat forlorn and hollow voice.

That was when I realized itI had pushed Lily away.

Even if I regretted it, the die had been cast. As if shed forgotten how to fly, she fell on her back. A dull sound resounded.

Li-Lily

She didnt even try to cancel her fall. Instead, she fell flat on her back, hitting her head hard. She didnt budgeas if shed pa.s.sed out.

What have I done?

I extended my hand towards Lily.

Certainly, she was protected by the Oracle Field, making her impervious to physical shocks such as falling, but that didnt make the problem disappear. The act of pus.h.i.+ng Lily away in and on itself was a sin.

Like ink dissolving into water, a sense of guilt engulfed my heart. Without even thinking, I blurted an apology.

However, my mouth wouldnt budge.

Im sorry, forgive me

I should extend a sincere apology. Furthermore, I should also ask, Are you alright? Are you okay? I should take care of her fallen body and help her stand. But when I tried to reach for her, to lift her upI found myself unable to do that.

I couldnt touch Lily.

I had to keep her away.

Thus, I realized itI was pus.h.i.+ng her away. I couldnt help but do so, since she could read my mind.

I couldnt bear the thought of her seeing the memories of that time.

At the very least, Lily alone mustnt see it

Chrono.

Lily uttered my name.

I wondered what shed think of me, who heartlessly shoved her away. Not only that, I didnt even try to help her up, opting to just stand there in silence.

Her long, disheveled platinum hair scattered beautifully and tragically across the floor. With her eyes wide open, her jade eyes wavered as she showed a stunned expression. Even though her Chrono usually wouldnt do such a terrible thing

What would she think of me?

When she fell, even though she was physically unharmed, what of her heart? What of her sanity?

She caught a glimpse of the memories from that night, and was pushed away. The [Chrono] she believed in had pushed her away

Chrono, it hurts, a-aah

Undoubtedly, Lily had arrived at the truth. I wasnt a n.o.ble character that fairies would like. Even among the l.u.s.tful humans, I was by far the most wretched.

Aah, uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!

Lily cried.

It was the second time Ive made her cry. She cried so sharply, to the point she couldnt even form any words.

L-Lily!?

Softly, as if shed suddenly regained her ability to fly, Lily floated up. Before I could comprehend what was happening, Lily bolted out of the room. She covered her face as she cried.

She no longer ran towards me. Instead, she went in the opposite direction. Lily had chosen to escape from this place on her own.

Before I could say anything to stop her, Lily fled the scene. Looking at her momentum, she mightve already jumped out of the front door and disappeared into the darkness of the night.

I had to look for her.

But when I thought so

Please wait, Chrono.

Dont stop me, Fiona! Lily is

Once you managed to catch up to her, what then?

Her ruthless, heartless words didnt leave any room for objection.

If I managed to catch up with Lily, what then? Whatd I say to her?

There was nothing I could say to her.

Ugh

Fiona quietly stood up from her seat and proceeded to approach the listless me.

Its alright. Despite her appearance, Lily is capable enough to fend for herself.

Thats not the problem! We cant possibly leave her like this!?

Neither Chrono nor Inor anyone elsehave the correct thing to say to Lily right now. Whether or not to forgive you Its something that she has to decide for herself.

Fiona certainly had a point.

However, when I saw Lily acting like that, how could I possibly leave her be? Despite the feeling of rejection, I was still genuinely worried towards her.

Still, Id like to

Then, Im sorry to say this. Chrono, you dont have the right to console Lily.

I know that. I know that everythings my fault.

No, youre mistaken.

What, is there more?

Before I knew it, Fiona had arrived in front of me. At the sight of her, my breath was caught at my throat.

Its because Chrono doesnt understand Lilys feelings at all.

What, are you talking about?

Did you not realize it? Apparently, Lily is good at concealing her feelings. Even so, thats dense of you, Chrono.

What on earth is she on about?

Even if I was like this, I still cared about Lily. After all, she was the partner Ive known the longest in this world. We even did a fusion, where our minds and bodies became one.

Therefore, what could I possibly not understand about her?

Lily loves Chrono.

I wasnt so dense as to not understand her words. Still, both my understanding and focus failed me at that moment.

What, did you say?

Of course, she loves you as a member of the opposite s.e.x. Its neither affection nor friends.h.i.+p, but a romantic feeling, absolutely.

Does Lily love me?

I thought she cherished me, and I never doubted for even a moment that I reciprocated it.

Hence why I said youre so dense, Chrono.

Fiona spoke as if shed seen through my heart.

If you think about it, it shouldnt be that difficult? Think of what happens when men and women are in the same party.

An adventurer party consisting of men and women. More often than not, itd lead to a romantic relations.h.i.+p. Because of that, the risk of falling out was extremely high, so the guild didnt recommend it.

Id never applied such common sense to myself.

Why?

Lily and I

I was confident that such a thing wouldnt happen. No, I didnt see myself as some sort of a saint. Instead, I mustve placed a blind faith in Lily.

Only now did I realize how irresponsible that was.

Is that how she saw me all this time?

Thats right. Probably from the time before you even met me.

Why, how?

Was I dense for failing to comprehend that? And here I thought Sariel was the one who couldnt understand peoples feelings.

Lily and I had been together ever since we came across each other in Fairy Garden. Our days in the Irz Village were both peaceful and uneventful. Lily was inherently strong, and despite her childish appearance, she was independent.

As a result, she ended up taking care of me. As for me, I hadnt been able to show my cool side to her.

A life of a rank 1 adventurer that was both peaceful and carefree

I wonder if thats the reason?

Could people fall in love just by being together without doing anything special?

While Chrono seems to think that hes betrayed her trust as a companion, but youre completely mistaken. What youve betrayed is Lilys love.