The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness

Chapter 41: The Girl’s Little Worries

“Once I finish this task, I’ll confess to him.”

…

“Ailuka, what are you daydreaming about? Hurry and cast the healing spell; I can barely hold on!”

“Oh, oh!”

Ailuka snapped back to reality, waving her wand as a surge of magical energy flowed into it.

“[Heal]!”

A brilliant magic circle was instantly formed, and the life-giving power transformed into a green light, merging into the body of the man clad in tight armor.

“Ha!”

Rod, regaining his strength, let out a loud shout as the bloodied sword in his hand erupted with sharp sword energy, slashing fiercely at the tumultuous surface of the lake below.

The lake was violently torn apart, revealing the massive beast lurking in the deep waters.

It was a massive black fish, at least twenty meters long, its body covered in scales as cold and hard as iron, adorned with menacing bone spines. Its head was encased in a tough exoskeleton, a sharp horn pointing skyward, exuding a chilling yet captivating beauty.

This was the overlord-level magical beast, the master of Beipol Lake!

Even after three years as an adventurer, having encountered countless terrifying monsters, Eluka couldn’t help but feel her legs weaken at the sight of this fearsome creature.

“Have I really not adapted to the life of an adventurer?”

Taking advantage of a momentary pause in the magic release, Eluka twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her gaze complex as she looked at the man standing at the forefront, constantly clashing with the lake master.

Rod.

Known as the Iron-Blooded Knight.

He had become an adventurer three years ago and, like a soaring dragon, had risen to the rank of B-class genius adventurer in just three short years.

He was already somewhat famous in Berland.

And she, Eluka, was Rod’s childhood friend, currently caught in a one-sided crush on him.

“I chose to become an adventurer because I liked him, yet I still feel scared…”

“I’ve had a crush on him for eight years, but I don’t even have the courage to confess. Am I really that useless?”

“Being this useless, will Rod come to dislike me?”

“Will he think I don’t deserve to stand by his side?”

“What should I do…?”

Today, Eluka remained deeply entangled in the small troubles of a young girl.

However, her worries were far from over.

“Now’s the time!”

Rod, having forced the lake master to the surface, issued another command.

“Quick, use magic to attack!”

“Okay, okay!”

In an instant, her distractions were banished from her mind. The instincts she had developed over the past three years kicked in, and Eluka immediately brandished her wand, reciting her spell.

“O deity of ice and snow, please…”

“Explosive Magic!”

Someone was faster than her.

Beside Eluka, a strikingly beautiful sorceress with an impressive figure—especially her ample bosom—seemed to have been prepared all along. The moment Rod spoke, she unleashed a powerful spell, skipping the incantation entirely.

The blazing light dispelled the darkness brought by the clouds, and the terrifying heat instantly evaporated a large volume of lake water while piercing through the lake master’s tough scales.

“Well done, Tia!”

Seeing the lake master’s defenses pierced, Rod’s face lit up with joy as he praised her. Seizing this rare opportunity, he plunged his sword into the massive wound on the lake master, charred from the burns.

“Roar!”

The lake lord roared, struggling violently.

Lightning flashed, and heavy rain poured down.

But anyone could see that this fearsome, dominant magical beast was already at its last gasp, merely making a final desperate struggle.

Because Rod’s sword had accurately pierced the heart of the lake lord.

Perhaps starting tomorrow, after defeating the dominant magical beast, the reputation of the Iron-Blooded Knight Rod would soar even higher throughout Belrand.

Yet, Eluka was not particularly happy.

She cautiously glanced at the female mage named Tia and muttered:

“Thank her, but say nothing to me?”

How unfair.

Just because I am not good at attack magic, I can’t be of any help in this situation?

But am I not your childhood friend?

“I’ve clearly liked you for so long…”

Eluka took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing something surging deep within her heart.

“Die for me!”

Over here, Rod fiercely stirred his longsword, and the lake lord finally began to cease its struggles.

Rod withdrew the sword, allowing the lake lord to sink into the water, the bright red blood staining the lake, then revealing the white-bellied corpse of a large fish, floating up from the deep red.

“Finally resolved.”

Rod released the levitation spell, landing on the lake lord’s corpse, and while he breathed a sigh of relief, he couldn’t help but show a smile.

After dealing with this dominant magical beast, his merit points would be enough for him to advance to A rank!

Upon reaching A rank, both money and fame would see a tremendous boost!

It was worth the risk he took in accepting this mission.

“You two did well.”

Rod raised his head and laughed heartily at the two:

“The magic was executed perfectly, and it’s another day saved by you two.”

“Wh-what are you talking about…”

Eluka looked down at her toes, her face slightly flushed as she shyly replied:

“It’s you, Ad, who is amazing…”

—It seems he still cares about me.

A hint of sweetness flowed through Eluka’s heart.

“Ah, you’re bleeding.”

Before she could fully savor that touch of sweetness, Eluka heard Tia’s concerned voice beside her.

Tia flew to Rod’s side, looking at the wound on his arm with a worried expression.

That was from the recent battle, where he had accidentally been scratched by a bone spike.

“Haha, it’s just a little injury, it’s nothing.”

“It needs to be treated promptly, or what if it gets infected?”

Tia pouted, then took out a fragrant handkerchief, carefully wiping the blood and bandaging Rod.

“Even though you’re usually so carefree, you still need to take care of your body, or it’ll make those who care about you sad.”

Rod couldn’t help but show a touched expression: “Tia, you’re so gentle. It’s really nice to have a teammate like you…”

Tia’s cheeks turned slightly red: “Not at all, I’m just doing what I should. But having you around always makes people feel at ease.”

“…”

Watching the two of them so intimate, Eluka almost snapped the magic wand in her hand.

What are you two doing, deepening your bond right in front of me, a healing mage? Can’t you just let me treat your injuries? Wasn’t that something to think about during the battle?

And you, Tia, even if you’re bandaging him, your chest is clearly rubbing against Rod’s arm. Was that intentional? Are you showing off something? Huh?

“If only there was something that could punish this b*tch.”

Eluka couldn’t help but think resentfully in her heart.

From noble mtl dot com

But it was just a thought.

After all, her image in front of Rod had always been that of a soft, cute, kind girl.

A kind girl shouldn’t have evil thoughts.

Hmm, she shouldn’t have any.

…

Really? Shouldn’t she?

…

“Eh? It seems like there’s some strange sound?”

Rod, who was enjoying the service of a beautiful girl bandaging him, suddenly became serious and looked around.

However, the torrential rain combined with the steam from the recently exploded magic obstructed his view, and he couldn’t see anything.

“Hey, don’t move. I’m still bandaging you.”

Tia scolded:

“It must be your imagination, Rod. Didn’t the Lake Master already die? There shouldn’t be any strange sounds.

A lord-level beast can’t appear at the same time as another; otherwise, due to territorial instincts, they would start fighting each other before we even made a move.”