The Reader and Protagonist Definitely Have to Be in True Love

However, there is a big difference between the rival and cannon fodder. One is a durable item while the other is disposable – the cannon fodder only appears once, but the rival will dedicate his whole life to follow the protagonist from start to finish. His time on stage is even longer than that of the harem members. Therefore, there is a popular saying among the harem novel writers: “Choose a good rival for your hero. It’s a lifetime thing.”

Yi Ye Zhi Qiu chose a good match (?) for his family’s protagonist. First of all, the rival has excellent talent (Human) similar to the main character. His affinity for the light element is SS level which is enough to suppress the protagonist. Secondly, the rival’s background was particularly glorious and domineering: he is the Son of the Lord of the Temple of Light. His social status is very noble and lofty,4 not to mention that his relationship with Saint Vivian is also ambiguous. Taking all this into account, the protagonist has every reason to want to choke him to death.

(TN: Eric is called 圣子 which literally means the “Son of God” but also means the son of the saint, the son of the holy king, etc.)

When the hero first met his rival, the son of the Lord was concealing his identity while he traveled around the Chaos Continent. At that time, none of the readers thought of it as a fateful encounter. The readers were still naive and looked forward to how the too awesome5 protagonist would lead the mercenary team into the Gnome Ruins. The mercenary leader looked very good, the protagonist checked over his little brother (possible future ally) ~

Later, the readers learned that Enoch was a direct descendant of Jack, the king of thieves.

Later, the readers learned that Honey was “Mage God” Antonio’s6 granddaughter.

Later, the readers learned that Eric was the son of the Lord of the Temple of Light.

Later… there was no later.

Eric never forgot his elf friend, and when the two of them learned of each other’s identities later, they began their mutual lifelong rivalry.

Chapter 34.2 – Author: Choose a good rival, this is a lifetime thing.

Du Ze’s feelings for the rival are complicated. Yi Ye Zhi Qiu described Eric this way: Blond hair like sunshine, handsome, promising, possessing all the virtues – it’s deja vu! Ah! The description is exactly how the protagonist was like before he blackened. Author, you are deliberately provoking the readers! Do you want this reader to cry? This young man will really cry!

Every time he saw the rival in “Mixed Blood,” Du Ze always thought: If I had not gone to the comment section to get attention from the author, would the protagonist be the same as the rival? And the f**king author was simply inhuman: in “Mixed Blood,” the protagonist is trying to destroy the world while his rival is trying to stop him.

The readers were in a muddle.

F**k, which one is the lead, which one is the villain?!

The ones who were the most excited about the similarities and differences between the protagonist and his rival was a group of ladies and sisters. Du Ze’s line of sight began to slide away. Although the character inside the doujinshi and the real person weren’t the same, the thought of the scene inside the doujinshi where the rival cried “pull it out ~”,1 some silly, cute person couldn’t look directly at the rival.

The last one to walk into sight was an elf with a bow and arrow. Du Ze looked at the elf, who was as beautiful as the rumors had said, and thought that the plot god was truly hardworking and dedicated: since the protagonist had not joined the mercenary team, it found an elf to fill the missing slot so that the mercenary team will have five members, just like in “Mixed Blood.”

Honey, who was sitting on Bart’s shoulder, saw the flaxen-haired Xiu behind Du Ze.

“There’s a kid ~” The little girl waved excitedly: “Look, look!”

Eric looked where Honey indicated, and when he saw Du Ze, his eyes flashed and a very sunny smile appeared.

“We are the Gold mercenary team, I am captain Eric.” Eric sheathed his sword as if to say that he had no evil intentions: “You are?”

Old John did not speak, he was waiting for Xiu’s instructions; Xiu did not speak, he was lying silently on the back of Du Ze; Du Ze did not speak, some silly Moe person cannot overcome his social barrier.

In the face of the Silent Regiment, Eric was a bit surprised but not discouraged. He took a step towards Du Ze and insisted: “Can you tell me your name?”