Many people misunderstand, and sometimes even the author themselves get confused, but…
In reality, a novelist is no different from a storyteller.
I’m not a writer; I’m someone who unravels characters and narratives.
Words are merely a medium for conveying my story. Fundamentally, they are no different from speech, song, or painting.
At least I think so.
As I reminisced about a conclusion I reached long ago, I gently brushed aside Benny’s purple hair lying on my thigh.
“I’ve heard Benny’s story, so would you like to hear mine next?”
“What, what are you doing?!”
Benny, struggling to get up. No matter how much of a mage she is, as a high-ranking adventurer who built her stats in the labyrinth, her muscle strength surpasses mine.
But when I firmly pressed her forehead down, she eventually turned red in the face and settled down.
“It’s okay. I won’t do anything weird.”
“Isn’t that something I should say…?”
“Then Benny just needs to not do anything weird.”
“Uh… right?”
“Yes. Even though we’re in no-panties attire, it’s fine as long as nothing happens.”
“What does that even mean… ugh!”
“Setting aside the underwear situation, Benny’s dress seems a bit too revealing, but it’s still okay!”
“Do you think I like wearing clothes like this?! Look at this pathetic figure! If I don’t dress like this, I’d look too much like a child! Who would see me as a woman!”
“Wow! What a figure!”
“Are you making fun of me?!”
“No, it’s just a remark. But I have something to correct. Look, Benny.”
“What? …Huh?”
Benny paused, tilting her head. I pressed her head down, making her rub her cheek against my thigh.
“How about it? Benny and I might look like we’re the same age, but… don’t I look like a man to you?”
“Th-that’s….”
“Aha? So this isn’t enough, huh? Then, would you like to come up a little higher?”
Above the thigh. We call that the groin or pubis.
“Ugh?!”
I don’t know what kind of imagination she had, but Benny flinched and squirmed. I calmly restrained her little limbs and whispered softly.
“Benny.”
“Uh-huh?”
“Benny’s body is more than sufficient to be considered sexy.”
“What, what are you saying?! A man shouldn’t say things like that!”
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t say it to just anyone.”
“…Really?”
“Yes! At most, just Ellie, Lydia, and Benny!”
“……”
Chuckling at Benny’s darkened expression, I continued.
“Then since Benny seems genuine, shall we get to the main point?”
“…The main point. What are you talking about?”
“Do you not remember? You asked to hear my story this time, didn’t you?”
“Ah.”
Benny clamped her mouth as if she had genuinely forgotten. Observing her straighten herself, she seemed to prepare to listen.
Since Benny seems inclined to hear me out, let’s begin.
With a beaming smile, I asked, “Have you heard the story of the human who fell in love with a vampire?”
“What?”
I continued to pet Benny’s head as she stared blankly.
Like reading a fairy tale to a child at bedtime. Or like a scene from my oldest memories.
I hoped Benny could feel the comfort I once felt as I opened my mouth.
“Once upon a time, a drifter with impressive words visited a small rural village.”
And so, I began the tale. A story not about me, but about someone else. A story of fiction.
In truth, it might not be the most realistic story. Not that there’s necessarily a major twist,
But what I wanted to convey most certainly is.
The tale of a braggart who gradually transforms his absurd rags into truth for the vampire sisters he fell for.
The story of a half-elf who, in an unknown game world, saves the world for a person who affirmed him.
The tale of a talentless fool who, after dying repeatedly for the lover he picked up by the river, ultimately cuts open the heavens and splits mountains.
A story depicting how a slave, who can’t trust anyone, becomes each other’s support with a person no one believes.
The narrative of someone who counts stars alone for a thousand years for those he loves and who love him in return.
The tale of a disciple who, after completing 300 years of revenge, ties a leash around his master’s neck just to hold onto him.
The account of a half-dwarf who, rejected by everyone, conjures a miracle for the one person who acknowledged him.
The story of a greedy dragon who obsessively hoarded treasures until, after countless losses, came to cherish the entire world as its treasure.
The tale of a saint praying to a god upon seeing collapsing walls, with a story answering her empty prayers instead.
A narrative of someone who, betrayed by everything, loathes the world until the end but ultimately holds love in their last breaths.
A story of someone snatching happiness despite being unprepared for trials by sacrificing themselves.
These are the stories I had written before entering this world.
There are different stories, and some that are similar, but the message contained within them is one.
We can become happy.
Even if the heavy reality weighs on our shoulders and I seem insignificant like an ant under its burden, and the trials ahead loom like mountains.
One day, we can be happy.
If it is humanity that brings one down, then it must be humanity that lifts one up.
Even if you are a broken person, no matter how hopeless your situation may seem, it’s okay.
I am your salvation, and you are mine.
This is always what I wanted to convey:
“I love tales of salvation.”
“Benny called Shadow her shackle. A shackle binding her to nightmares of the past indefinitely, preventing her from leading to the future.
But I have a different opinion.
Shadow was Benny’s salvation. Thanks to Shadow, she was able to escape the lab, take revenge on the zealots, and regain her shaky mind to act as an adventurer.
Probably the opposite is also true. Shadow, who was born with nothing, must have been guided in life by Benny.
Without anyone’s intervention, Benny and Shadow saved each other.
Nonetheless, if Benny still thinks poorly of the present, then… I may be able to help her a little.
“I’m not trying to say anything negative about Benny. It’s understandable to feel that way. After all, the heart doesn’t flow as we think.”
“I-I…”
I lightly pinched Benny’s blushing cheek. The squishy cheek flesh was quite soft.
“Benny. You want to grow up, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“Then would you like to become an adult with me?”
“…Huh?”
Benny opened her heart-shaped eyes wide, wondering what she had just heard.
I leaned closer, bringing my face near to Benny’s.
Our eyes drew closer, almost touching foreheads.
“It might be a bit unfair to Ellie, but no one will know what happens in here.”
“Eeehh? Huh?”
Benny, losing her human speech. After observing her stuttering for a while, I pulled back.
“Ta-da! Just kidding~”
“…Ugh! What kind of joke is this?!”
“Well, you keep looking like someone who got scolded, so I figured, why not? I understand the desire to push Shadow away since it pains you.”
“You previously chided me for hating Shadow when he saved me.”
“So the story I mentioned earlier didn’t mean that at all?”
I shook my head while continuing.
“You said magic is a miracle. And indeed, you have already created a miracle. No matter how much Shadow assisted, how could a little kid who hasn’t learned basic magic possibly defeat a high-ranking member of the One Who Devours the Twilight?”
“…The succubus’s magical talent was inherited, after all.”
“You know very well that unrefined talent is of little significance, right?”
“….”
Benny, with a sulky expression, closed her mouth. I gently rubbed the corners of her mouth to loosen her tension.
“Once you’ve managed it once, can’t you do it again?”
“So far, I haven’t succeeded.”
“And what if that’s the case? In that case, I could just make Benny into an adult.”
“What?”
I grinned at Benny, who widened her eyes.
“I mean it. I’m not sure how Ellie will react, though.”
“……!”
Benny’s complexion turned pale.
Of course, given Ellie’s recent NTR interests, I don’t think she would react extremely, but… Benny doesn’t know this.
“Benny. Salvation finds everyone. Perhaps I might be your salvation.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not the case! Help! I don’t want to be beaten to death by Ellie!”
“Ahaha. While you say that, your body seems to be entirely honest. You’ve been subtly rubbing against my thigh since earlier.”
“Did, did you catch me?”
“Yup. I caught on much earlier.”
I chuckled and continued.
“Do you think the now-weakened Benny can resist my temptations? Oh, by the way, I have a dagger made from a unicorn horn, so I can always check your arousal status with it.”
“Why do you even have such a weapon…!”
Even while gnashing her teeth, Benny continued to breathe in the scent from just above my thigh… in a spot I definitively shouldn’t be doing this.
“Alright! Make your choice! You can team up with Shadow and give it another go like before, or you can accept the salvation I’m offering as a potential saint! Which would you prefer?”
“Why do the options look like that?!”
Benny, pouting, stomped her feet and shouted.
“Fine! Once we get out of here, I’ll try really talking to Shadow just like before! I won’t shy away anymore and will face him properly!”
Hmm, a commendable attitude.
