I Was Deemed a Worthless Saint Without a Level-Up Blessing and Was Sent Off to Marry a Neighboring Country, but It Turns Out My Blessing Was Actually Level Cap Removal - Episode 45

Alvent is bowing so deeply that it seems like he might hit his forehead on the bed.

“Your smile is so adorable that I can’t hold back my feelings, and I just…! No, I know this isn’t something that can be resolved with an apology! No matter how much I’m insulted, it’s not enough! If anything, you could even punch me…!”

“Ah, Lord Alvent!? P-Please calm down…!”

Suddenly, as if influenced by Alvent’s panicked and flustered state, Ferulina also starts to speak in a flustered manner.

Frustrated by Alvent’s refusal to lift his face, Ferulina gently stroked Alvent’s hair right beside him.

Alvent’s large body jolted slightly. However, his face still remained downcast.

“If it makes you feel better, you can pull out as much of my hair as you want…!”

“W-What are you saying!? I would never do such a thing!”

With a startled voice, she quickly pulled her hand away, but since Alvent remained looking down, she began to stroke his hair again, as if to prove her words.

The sensation of the short hair was ticklish, and a smile naturally appeared. Before I knew it, the tears had stopped.

“Why would Lord Alvent need to apologize? Because… didn’t you just say earlier, Lord Alvent? That I am your bride. Then, um… isn’t a, a kiss a natural thing…?”

Just thinking about kissing Alvent makes my face feel like it’s on fire.

Overcoming my embarrassment, I told him, and Alvent let out a muffled groan, “Fuguh…!”

“Lord Alvent?”

“W-wait…! If you say something so cute, the reason I’ve barely been able to restrain myself will completely break down…!”

“Um, um…?”

“Should I have laid her down in Ferulina’s tent as Robes said…!? No, but leaving it to someone else…!”

Seeing Alvent, clenching his fist and muttering something under his breath, made me unconsciously smile.

It’s completely natural to believe that Alvent cares deeply for Ferulina.

――I don’t want to lose this person.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish for that.
For that purpose.

“Lord Alvent… I can’t determine whether it’s true or not. However, I absolutely must convey something to you, Lord Alvent.”

Stopping the hand that was stroking the head, I quietly say.

Ferulina’s voice had an unusual hardness to it, which Alvent must have sensed. He slowly lifted his body from where he had been lying face down.

“Ah, tell me.”

Alvent, having adjusted his seat, straightened his back and tightened his expression.

Ferulina took a deep breath, calmed her feelings, and began to explain in the calmest voice possible.

“In the ancient manuscript I was unraveling to break the dragon’s curse… there was one legend that caught my attention. I was half in doubt whether it was just a mere legend… No, at this point, I even think it would be better if it were just a fairy tale full of lies…”

“What on earth was written in the ancient document?”

At Alvent’s question, Ferulina involuntarily clutched the blanket.

However, it’s unthinkable to stop talking here and not finish the rest.

“There was a description about a type of dragon called the ‘Cursed Dragon.’ The Cursed Dragon, with its black-purple scales, is said to curse those it deeply resents… Those who are cursed eventually become the Cursed Dragon’s minions, and by consuming these minions who are imbued with the concentrated curse, the Cursed Dragon gains even more power…”

“!?!”

The moment he announced it, Alvent sharply gasped.

“In other words… the curse on me is from the Cursed Dragon…?”

The voice that asked was terribly hoarse.

Ferulina hurriedly continues speaking.

“Well, but, we don’t really know if the contents of the ancient document are true! There might be some mistakes in the transmission somewhere…!”

Unintentionally, I touched Alvent’s clenched fist and was taken aback.

Alvent’s hand, which is always supposed to be warm, is terribly cold.

“However, the fact that scales have grown on my back means that I am surely becoming something other than human, right…?”

Alvent’s voice was dark and low, as if echoing from the depths of the earth.

When I think that it’s because of me that Alvent is making such a sound, I can’t stand still.

“If it really is the Curse Dragon’s curse, we still have time!”

Desperately trying to lift Alvent’s spirits even a little, I muster all my strength to speak.

“Has it really only been three years since the dragon’s curse…!? The scales on my back are still not even the size of a fist! If it’s spreading this slowly in three years, there’s still plenty of time! If Lord Alvent and all the knight’s level up by then, surely even the dragon will…!”

“How can you be so sure that the curse progresses at the same speed?”

At Alvent’s quiet remark, Ferulina bit her lip.

Alvent furrowed his brow in concern at Ferulina’s condition.