I Got Reincarnated Into a Game I Was a Top-Ranker in and I Became the Leader of a Villain Group That Will Destroy This Shitty Country - 80

Chapter 80: Chloe’s Determination

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“…Pardon the intrusion~”

I said before entering the room, knowing full well the owner of the room was still sleeping. I was in one of the bedrooms in Rielle’s mansion. Chloe was soundly asleep in the soft, fluffy bed by the window. 

“…”

After leaving the imperial palace, Nia and I received permission from the members of Resistance to make our way to the church. We moved at lightning speed and we were able to meet with Alwyn. Alwyn was shocked to see Chloe’s condition, but she immediately cast high-rank holy magic to remove the curse. As expected of a priest who was meant to be the next pope, the purification was done swiftly. 

“I’ve removed all remnants of black magic from her body, but… Judging from the wounds on her shoulder, I believe Chloe should rest for about three days.”

Just like Alywn’s suggestion, we decided to return to Rielle’s mansion and took a break for the time being. I looked down at Chloe’s face and licked my lips. 

The shoulder wound was caused by Goering while she was protecting Nia. Chloe’s shoulder was properly bandaged by Alwyn while Chloe was still asleep. I clenched my fist tightly and sat down in the chair next to the bed. 

“…I’m sorry, Chloe.”

If only I had been more cautious. If only I hadn’t let my guard down after defeating Kaltz. If only I hadn’t been so complacent, thinking Nia’s magic could easily blow everything away… 

Then… None of this would have happened. This was the first time I ever saw my comrade getting gravely wounded like this. Maybe that was why the image of Chloe, limp and aghast, still clearly etched in my mind. 

“…”

I gripped Chloe’s hand tightly, hoping I could imprint her presence in my weary heart. I didn’t want to go through something like that ever again. When Chloe was struck by the curse, all the blood in my body suddenly turned cold. Shortly after that, I lost all sense of reason. I was angry at both myself and the enemy. Hence why… I needed to do my best to avoid making the same mistake. 

“Good night, Chloe.”

I decided I should return to my room so I could gather my thoughts. Standing up, I was about to leave when a clear voice stopped me dead in my tracks. 

“Are you leaving?”

“…Huh?”

“You’re really going to leave? Even after you barged into someone’s room while they were still sleeping?”

Startled, my eyes opened wide. Chloe was awake. She let out a soft chuckle upon seeing me. I could only gape in surprise and by the time I realized it, my mouth had moved to ask her a question.

“Huh?! You were awake?!”

“Of course I was. You know I’m extremely sensitive to people’s presence.”

“Ah, right… You’re an assassin after all.”

“So? Are you really leaving?”

Propping herself up, Chloe continued on. Her cheeks were adorned in slight blush. 

“…I thought you’re here to do something lewd to me or something…”

“Wha-?! Huh?! Wha-What?!”

“Ssssh! You’re being too loud. Do you want Nia and Rielle to hear?”

“B-But! You’re the one who said weird things!”

“Really? I didn’t say anything weird though~”

Despite her injuries, Chloe was in a surprisingly good mood. She playfully tapped the edge of the bed with her hand. She was clearly motioning for me to sit down there. I gingerly sat down next to Chloe.

“Are you feeling okay? Do you still feel the remnant of the curse?”

“You’re such a worrywart… I’m fine. Alwyn already checked my conditions several times this evening alone, remember?”

“…Well, you’re right about that.”

“Pfft~ You… Just how much do you… Li-Like me anyway.”

“…What?”

“…”

“Uhh… I-I…”

Even though I knew I should give her a quick response, but I found myself at a loss for words. I understand that Chloe only said that in a jest. Her voice was trembling a bit at the end, but I should’ve just brushed it off like I usually did. And yet… For some reason, the words refused to escape from my throat. I was getting flustered and for some reason, I felt a bit ticklish in my stomach. Chloe’s flirtatious remark actually threw me off balance.

“…Give me a second.”

And it seemed Chloe was feeling the same way. Her face was even redder than before as she stared intently at me. 

“I-I was just kidding, okay? I only said that out of joke, okay? So…”

“…Ye-Yeah. Of course. I know…”

“…You don’t know anything at all. You idiot…”

“Huh? What did you just—” 

“Ah~~ I didn’t say anything~ I didn’t say anything~~ Now then, if you’re done here… Get out now! Hurry up! You idiot…”

Hm…? Why was she getting so angry at me all of a sudden? I wasn’t the perpetrator that made the mood all weird like this. Chloe was the one that made things awkward.

“…Hey, Chloe.”

And yet, I didn’t move away from Chloe. I looked at her again, this time straight in the eyes. Maybe because my voice sounded more serious, Chloe looked back at me. She seemed a bit startled. I knew this might not be the best time to say this, but still… I decided to speak up now.

“You’re still going to join the next fight, right?”

“Yeah, of course. Why are you asking me—”

Perceptive as always, Chloe quickly understood what I was trying to say just from my expression alone. Frowning, her face immediately turned serious as she leaned closer to me. 

“Kai… Don’t tell me you’re…”

“…Honestly?”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“…I really hope you won’t join our fight anymore—”

“I told you I don’t want to hear it!!”

Seemingly losing her patience, Chloe shouted loudly and gripped my shoulder tightly. As I looked at her angry face, a thought went across my mind. 

I wish Chloe would stay here forever. I don’t want her to enter the battlefield anymore. I don’t want her to face any danger. I just want her to live peacefully in Rielle’s mansion. 

I wanted to say that, but even I knew that was the last thing Chloe wanted to hear.

“Why?! Why?! Is it because I got hurt?! Is it because I’m not as strong as you two?! Just because of that… You want to leave me be?! I… I won’t accept it!”

“…”

“Why would you say something like that?! Why?!”

Her voice, tinged more with sadness than anger, urged me to lift my face to look at her. I gasped. Chloe looked like she was ready to burst into tears at any moment.

“I know.. I know I’m not as strong as you two! I know I was useless! I know I was just being a hindrance to you two, but… But still…”

“…”

“For you to suddenly tell me you want to leave me be… You’re just too cruel, Kai.”

It was then that I finally realized just how much my thoughtless remark had hurt Chloe. How insensitive and coercive I was. I had never seen Chloe crying like this before. She was weeping. Her shoulders were trembling. She looked genuinely sad and heart-broken. Looking up, Chloe glared at me. Her eyes were full of resentment.

“…I-I’m sorry.”

“…Enough. I hate you, Kai…”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I crossed the line. I’m really, really sorry, Chloe. But you know… I never once thought of you as weak or useless.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. I’m speaking from the bottom of my heart. I never once thought of you like that, but… But…”

…These were pretty embarrassing to say out loud, but I knew I had to say it to reassure Chloe. And so, I looked down and muttered the words out.

“…You’re too important to me.”

“…”

“No matter what happens to me, I really don’t want to lose you. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, but I don’t want to see you get hurt or worse, unconscious again. Never again.”

“…Kai.”

“My emotions got the best of me and I ended up saying something stupid that hurt you. I’m sorry, Chloe. I promise, I will do better.”

For me, who had very few good friends, Chloe was an irreplaceable existence to me. No words could express just how precious she was to me. She was as important as Nia to me. She was a friend I wanted to protect with all of my might. However, friendship meant we should be equal. I knew I was at fault for completely disregarding Chloe’s feelings.

“…Kai, lift your face.”

“…”

“…”

Seemingly understood my feelings a bit, Chloe gently cupped my face with both of her hands. She slowly raised my face and our eyes met. We stared at each other in silence for a while. 

“…Am I really that important to you?”

“…I said it just now.”

“It’s not enough. Say it again. Am I important to you?”

“…Well, of course. You are important to me.”

“You know, I…”

Pausing, Chloe took a deep breath before she continued on. 

“I care about you many times more than you care about me.”

“…Huh?”

“That’s why, I will fight. Even if you were to leave me behind, I will follow after you and fight alongside you. That’s why, don’t ever say that foolish stuff again.”

“Ah, yeah. Sure…”

“…”

Another awkward silence ensued between us and I found myself at a loss for words again. The warmth of Chloe’s hands on my cheeks was even more palpable now. Although Chloe was merely warning me, but her words resonated deep within my heart. She told me she cared about me many times more than I cared about her. It was as…

“…What is it?”

“…No-No. It’s nothing.”

…Almost like a confession.

“…”

“Umm… Chloe? Shouldn’t you put your hands down now…?”

“…”

“If you don’t let me go, I won’t be able to return to my room…”

“…You’ve lost your right to say anything after what you said earlier. Just sit still and remain silent.”

“…U-Umm..?”

Chloe showed no sign of letting my cheeks go. The mood between us was getting more awkward and awkward, almost unbearable. I was thinking I should pry her hands away from me in order to escape from this awkward situation. Otherwise, I felt like the mood between us would transform from awkward to weird.

“You can just sleep here with me.”

“Huh?”

I was about to reach her hands, but Chloe tightened her grip on my cheeks. Then, she leaned in closer. Her cheeks were adorned in red blush. 

“If you can’t go back to your room, then… Why-Why don’t you just sleep here together with me?”

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