Townsperson A Becomes Cupid (Part 2)

“Hmm. Allen-kun, this isn’t going well at all, is it?”

“God, please don’t look at me,” I sighed. “I didn't think it would be quite this disastrous.”

Over in the corner, Jerome was curled into a ball, moping. If you have enough time to wallow, you have enough time to try harder, I thought.

“Well then, Allen-kun. Do you have any other plans?”

“Hmm. If we’re going with the orthodox approach, I suppose the next step would be to dress him up properly and have him try talking to her again.”

“A-A-About th-th-that... P-P-Proper... d-dress...?” Jerome stammered.

“How should I know? I know what that means for a human, but I haven't a clue for a Wyvern. Though, for a human, the first step is usually to put on a tie.”

“A tie?”

“Well, let’s just give it a shot.”

I reached out and touched Jerome’s hide, activating my Alchemy skill to create a large white necktie. I scratched a magic circle into the dirt, specifying the exact dimensions and properties of the final product. As long as I had a clear mental image of the outcome, the skill handled the finer details for me.

Finally, I placed a Horn Rabbit Magic Stone in the center of the circle.

“Transmutation!”

As I channeled my mana through the stone, I felt a sudden, massive drain on my energy. The magic circle flared with light, and a large, pristine white tie appeared, wrapped securely around Jerome’s neck.

I was gasping for air, my shoulders heaving from the sheer exhaustion, before I finally collapsed onto my rear.

“W-Well... how’s that look?”

“T-T-T-Thank you!”

Overjoyed, Jerome tried to reach out and shake my hand, but I scrambled backward in a panic.

“You idiot! If you touch me like that, you’ll crush me!”

“O-Oh, s-sorry...”

“It’s fine. Look, you actually look pretty sharp now, so—”

“Kyaaaa!”

Melissa’s scream echoed from the distance. Jerome didn't hesitate; he took off toward the source of the cry instantly. Still reeling from the mana drain, I let God carry me as we slowly followed after him.

In the sky ahead, we found Melissa surrounded by a swarm of roughly thirty Wyverns.

“W-What do you want?! Get away from me!”

“Grrrrr...”

The surrounding Wyverns merely growled, offering no verbal reply.

“The Wyverns in this pack are still young, so it seems they haven’t learned to speak yet,” God explained, anticipating my question. “It looks like they’re trying to find an outlet for their youthful male libido.”

They’re no better than beasts. Ganging up on a girl like that!

“Get away from Melissa-san!” Jerome roared.

He slammed his massive body into the Wyverns swarming her, knocking them out of the sky one after another. Despite the desperate numerical disadvantage—one against thirty—Jerome fought with the ferocity of a lion.

“I won't forgive anyone who lays a claw on Melissa-san!”

Jerome continued to fight, acting as a shield for Melissa even as he began to bleed from the bites of the younger males. Melissa didn't look away for a second; she watched his every move with wide eyes.

Eventually, the last of the pack was driven off. Jerome, having exhausted every ounce of his strength, began to plummet toward the earth. He hit the ground with a massive thud, sending a thick cloud of dust billowing into the air.

“God!”

“Quite right. Let us go.”

God transported us to the impact site.

“Jerome!” I called out.

The dust gradually settled, revealing Melissa huddled beneath Jerome, supporting his massive weight with her own body.

“Ugh... huh? Where am I?” Jerome groaned.

“Jerome!”

“A-A-Allen-san? A-A-A-And M-M-M-Melissa-san?!”

Realizing he was practically on top of her, Jerome turned bright red and tried to scramble away. However, Melissa used her tail to expertly snag him, refusing to let him go.

“Jerome, was it? Thank you for saving me. You looked really cool up there.”

As she spoke, Melissa tilted her head and planted a gentle kiss on Jerome’s cheek.

It looked like I’d managed to complete God’s request after all. Even if I didn’t actually do anything in the end!

“Very well. As promised, I shall grant you my Divine Protection,” God said, placing a hand on my head. I felt a strange sensation, as if something was flowing into my core.

“There, all finished. As for Jerome and Melissa, I’ll grant them a blessing of my own when the time is right, after they’ve married. Until then, farewell.”

With those parting words, God vanished into a pillar of light. The Book of the Wind God was nowhere to be seen.

“A-A-Ah, um. A-A-Allen-san. Thank you so much!”

“No, don’t thank me. I didn't do a thing. It was all your hard work, Jerome.”

“B-But, because you helped me...! I-I have to give you a reward...”

“It’s fine, really. Oh, actually... how about this? In the summer four years from now, I want you two to stay away from this area. Just for that season. Some... dangerous intruders might show up around here.”

“Eh? B-But that’s not much of a reward...”

“Hehe. Your name is Allen, right?” Melissa interjected. “I’ll give you my thanks as well. Thank you. Besides, this cloth decoration on Jerry actually suits him. He looks handsome.”

“Well, glad you like it.”

I guess she’s already moved on to nicknames, I noted. Jerry, huh?

“Listen,” Melissa continued. “If you ever absolutely need our help, we’ll come running for you once. No matter what it is, we’ll have your back. How does that sound?”

“Hmm. Yeah, that works for me. Let’s go with that.”

“Honestly, I think that’s a pretty incredible offer, but fine. Thanks again!”

“Yeah. Jerome, you better treat Melissa right!”

“A-A-Um...”

“Honestly, pull yourself together!” Melissa chided, swatting Jerome on the head with her tail. She probably thought she was being playful, but the heavy thud it made sent a shiver down my spine.

“I-I know! A-Allen-kun, thank you! S-See you again!”

“Yeah, see ya!”

And so, after that bizarre experience, I began the long walk back toward the village of Frissen.

As a side note, I made sure to collect the Magic Stones and materials from the Wyvern corpses Jerome had left behind. Consider it a perk of the job.