"No Marriage, Please! vs. Marry Me or Die: The Ultimate Love Showdown" - Episode 41

It was raining today. The roads were slippery as I made my way to Alice’s lab. Her research was nearing completion, which meant our time together was also coming to an end. We’d probably spend the Seisui

Festival together one last time—and that would be it. From there, I’d move on.

Lost in thought, I soon found myself standing in front of the lab.

Oddly enough, a thick stack of papers had been left outside.

Yuri: “Huh? The door’s locked. Alice? You there?”

From inside, I heard her voice.

Alice: “…You see that stack of papers by the door?”

Yuri: “Hm? Yeah, I got it.”

Alice: “That’s the completed magic formula you asked for.”

Yuri: “Whoa! Thanks, Alice! But why aren’t you letting me in today?”

I asked, puzzled—and received a completely unexpected reply.

Alice: “You were lying to me, weren’t you…?”

Yuri: “Huh?”

Alice: “Don’t play dumb!!”

And from there, Alice unleashed her fury on me. I had no idea what she was talking about. None. But it was clear she wasn’t in a state to listen. No matter what I said, it wouldn’t reach her now.

“Don’t ever show your face again.” That’s what she said.

So, I responded with a final message.

Yuri: “Got it, Alice. Thanks… for everything.”

Alice: “…”

Yuri: “Good luck with your research. I truly mean that.”

Alice: “Shut up…! Don’t speak like you know anything…!”

Yuri: “You’re right. Sorry for acting like I understood. Take care, then—”

Alice: “…”

I turned and left, the report she’d completed clutched in my hand.

Why had Alice suddenly come to distrust me like this?

I had no clue, but… it felt deliberate. As if someone had manipulated things behind the scenes.

As I made my way off campus, I crossed paths with someone.

Prof. Nox: “Oh? It’s you.”

Yuri: “Hello.”

I gave a small bow. It was Professor Nox, standing there with a thin smile.

Prof. Nox: “How did the research with Alice go?”

Yuri: “It’s finished.”

Prof. Nox: “Ah, is that so? Then you won’t be coming to this university anymore. A bit lonely, don’t you think?”

Yuri: “…If you say so.”

Of course he didn’t mean that. But I didn’t know the man well enough to gauge his true intent.

Prof. Nox: “I’m sure it was a meaningful experience for Alice, too. Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

Yuri: “Yes. Excuse me…”

With elegant posture and deliberate grace, Nox walked off. I watched his back for a moment—unable to shake a vague unease.

†

Back at the inn, I decided to talk to Ria and Eve. They were probably at the Adventurers’ Guild right now, so maybe I’d wait till evening.

But to my surprise, they were already in the kitchen.

Ria: “Oh? Yuri, you’re back early today.”

Eve: “Welcome home, Brother.”

The two of them were cooking together. Seemed like Ria was teaching Eve how to cook.

Ria: “I wanted to surprise you… but I guess you came back too soon.”

Yuri: “Sorry about that.”

Ria: “It’s fine. I’m just happy we get to spend more time together.”

We sat down to eat the omelet Eve had made. It was delicious and well-presented. She’s got talent—once she gets the hang of cooking, she’ll be great at it.

Ria: “So, something happened?”

Eve: “Are you troubled, Brother?”

As expected, they noticed right away.

Yuri: “Well, actually—”

I told them everything that had happened earlier.

They listened closely, fingers thoughtfully resting on their chins.

Ria: “Hm… Something’s off about this.”

Eve: “Yes. It feels engineered. I don’t believe Alice would suddenly distrust you without reason. You treated her kindly.”

Yuri: “Hmm…?”

Eve sounded as though she had watched our interactions firsthand.

Ria: “Well, unless you did something shady, which I doubt—right?”

Yuri: “I swear I didn’t.”

Ria: “Then something else is going on. I’m sure of it.”

Yuri: “I guess so… But… should I even try to see Alice again?”

I lowered my gaze, uncertainty creeping into my voice.

In the original story, Alice was one of the heroines who joined Theo’s party near the end. Her research was complete. Even if my relationship with her fell apart, she could still get along with Theo. That’s what I told myself.

But—

Ria: “Yuri, you need to face her properly. You haven’t heard how she really feels yet, have you?”

Eve: “I agree. You should talk to her again. Clear the air.”

Their words jolted me back to my senses.

They were right. After hearing Alice’s anguished cries, how could I turn my back now?

The Seisui Festival would run for two days starting tomorrow. I’d go to her lab tomorrow night. I didn’t know if she’d talk to me—but I wouldn’t know unless I tried.

Yuri: “Yeah… I’ll go see her tomorrow night. Until then, let’s enjoy the festival together.”

Ria: “Alright. If that’s what you want.”

Eve: “Yes. As you wish, Brother.”

†

The next day.

The festival had begun. Even early in the morning, the streets were already packed with people.

Along the winding stone-paved streets, crystal lanterns shimmered in soft pastel hues, each flickering in seven radiant colors. Sheer fabric rippled like waves from the rooftops, scattering stardust with every breeze.

In the central plaza, a grand fountain brimming with clear water stood tall, filled with the festival’s symbol—Starwater. At night, this Starwater would glow with a silvery light and gently ascend into the sky like a river of stars.

Ria: “Wow… Even during the day, it’s so beautiful.”

Eve: “Yes. It’ll be even more breathtaking at night.”

The crowd was thick. Ria and Eve each clung tightly to my arms, likely to avoid getting separated—but… well, I couldn’t really blame them, given how crowded it was.

The air was filled with the scent of sweet candies and sizzling grilled treats, carried by the wind. The soft melodies of flutes and string instruments filled the streets with harmony.

Eve: “Mmm…! That smells amazing!”

Ria: “Eve, you really love sweets, huh?”

Eve: “Yes. I will never give up dessert… ever!”

Drawn by the scent, Eve wandered off to a food stall. We followed and ended up buying cotton candy—a rare import from the East.

To me, it was familiar. It was just like the cotton candy back in Japan from my previous life.

Eve: “Mmm…! The sweetness lingers, yet it melts in the mouth. A completely new kind of treat…!”

Ria: “It really is.”

Yuri: “Yeah. It’s good.”

We wandered the stalls, listened to music, and immersed ourselves in the festivities.

By nightfall, the festival reached its peak.

That’s when I decided—it was time to go see Alice.

Ria: “Can we come with you? We promise not to interfere.”

Eve: “Yes. We’ll stay in the background.”

Yuri: “Yeah, that’s fine.”

I had bought some food from the stalls as a gift for Alice. A delicious aroma drifted from the paper bag. We were just about to head toward her lab when—

BOOM!

A deafening blast rang out.

At first, I thought it was part of the festivities—but then I heard a woman scream.

Panic erupted. The festive atmosphere shattered, replaced by chaos.

“What the…?”

In the center of the chaos stood a strange figure cloaked in tattered robes, its body gaunt, all bones and skin. It had no eyes—just dark, hollow sockets that flickered with a faint glow.

Yuri: “A lich…”

Ria: “A lich? That’s an S-rank monster, isn’t it?”

Yuri: “Yes. The remnant of a sorcerer, consumed by obsession and lingering in the world as a ghost. But why here, of all places…?”

Until now, the Empire had never made bold moves. I thought they were operating covertly… but for them to strike this publicly?

This wasn’t in the original story. I had no idea this would happen. But the timing—so soon after my fight with Alice—felt too convenient.

Could this attack have been meant to drive us apart?

Ria: “Yuri. Leave this to us.”

Eve: “Yes. Go to Miss Alice.”

Even without me saying it, they understood.

Something might have happened to Alice. That alone was reason enough to run to her.

Yuri: “Got it. Ria, Eve—take care of things here!”

Ria: “Will do! Be careful, Yuri!”

Eve: “Good luck, Brother!”

I activated body enhancement magic and dashed forward.

The moonlight bathed the path in silver, and a strong wind sliced through the darkness.

Eyes fixed ahead, I ran—toward Alice.

To carve a path through fate, I ran without looking back.