Chapter 109: The Sound of Frustration

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Ian was born in the Holy City and grew up there as with her lineage this was a given. Even after becoming an adult, she continued to live in the Holy City.

She did become friends with a girl who could smell the scent of her boyfriend’s letters, but that was it, she had no other friends. Her status made it difficult for others to approach her. Sugar was an exception.

Still, it was fun just the two of them. They would go out into the city, train together, bathe together, and sleep together. Ian would watch as Sugar gazed at the sky, longing for someone.

It was all good.

But…

“Let’s go to their house and play today!”

“They have so many board games at their house.”

“You don’t have many friends, but you have a lot of board games.”

“Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden…”

Sometimes, while walking through the city with Sugar, Ian would overhear such conversations.

There were residents in the Holy City too. Families who had earned the right to live there and resided proudly in the residential areas.

The sight of those kids gathering and visiting each other’s homes. It felt so warm.

‘I want to be part of that too. I want to visit a friend’s house too.’

But young Ian knew her place all too well. She knew how much chaos her presence would bring to a peaceful household. She wasn’t even close to them, so she didn’t want to force her way in. It would be such a cheap abuse of power.

Her only friend was from an orphanage.

What does it matter if she has a home? This child has no family.

Ian would silently hug Sugar, leaving her puzzled and wondering, ‘Why are you suddenly like this? Did I do something wrong without realizing it?’

Anyway. Ian grew up experiencing such a childhood.

“Can I come along too?”

Now, despite knowing it might be rude, the words slipped out.

Why? Was it because Leon was the first friend she made outside the Holy City? She wanted to get closer, to know more about Leon. Human emotions are hard to define, even for oneself. She didn’t fully understand, but that’s how she felt.

Where did this friend grow up? What is his home like? His family?

It seemed like a question born out of her childhood desire to visit a friend’s house, mixed with her curiosity about Leon.

Can I dare to visit your home?

Feeling embarrassed by her own question, Ian slightly bowed her head.

Leon, on the other hand, looked like he had lost his soul.

Where?

Go where?

He leaned forward, gesturing for her to repeat herself, thinking he must have misheard.

Ian asked again.

“Can I come with you to your hometown during the break…?”

He didn’t mishear. He heard correctly. Leon restarted his frozen brain.

“So, you’re saying you want to come with me to my hometown during the break?”

“Yeah… If you don’t want me to, it’s okay. It was sudden and rude… I’m sorry.”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to, but why suddenly?”

‘Did I talk about my hometown before? It’s just a boring countryside. Why the sudden interest?’

It’s not that he didn’t want to. Close friends visit each other’s homes and go to each other’s hometowns. That’s normal.

But the moment he heard the question from the man in front of him, it felt like hitting a wall. A suffocating feeling.

“Well… I told you I’ve only lived in the Holy City, right? So I wanted to take this chance to see other places… I’ve never been to a friend’s house before…”

“Ah…”

Leon thought of Sugar and Riley, who could be considered Ian’s friends. He heard they were taken in by the Holy City due to an event involving Heretics. So, they wouldn’t have a ‘friend’s house’ to visit.

Right, it’s a simple matter. Leon understood.

‘Am I still feeling burdened by this person…’

No, no. This isn’t that kind of burden. It’s just, because he’s a member of the Saint’s lineage, a high-ranking person wanting to visit his hometown is burdensome.

It’s not because he feels burdened by bringing a person who smells nice and has delicate features back to his hometown.

Leon likes women. He’s a man who has confirmed his sexual orientation and cast aside his anguish. Yes, indeed.

“Alright. But my hometown isn’t that interesting. It’s a boring countryside. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“…I’ll tell you later. Anyway, you might find it boring. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

Despite the negative tone, Ian’s face was filled with excitement. After all, it was as if permission had been granted under the assumption that ‘if you’re okay with it.’

“That’s fine. I’m more worried if me tagging along would be a burden.”

“Hmm… I’m just concerned there’s nothing worthy to offer you.”

“Really, it’s fine. I’d rather not stand out.”

“Alright. Then let’s go together. I’ll guide you.”

Ian smiled brightly.

“Thank you!”

If he’s that happy, then it’s fine. The distance might be a bit strange, but his heart is kind. The village elders will be reassured too. ‘Leon brought a friend!’ It’s clear as day.

Leon exhaled deeply but then slightly stiffened his expression.

‘If I take him home, naturally, the topic of my mother will come up.’

“Where is it? Where is your hometown?”

“Ah… It’s a small village in the Altair Kingdom.”

“Altair? That’s in the south, right? So you’re from that kingdom.”

“Yes. It’s on the outskirts, so it’s not deep in the south. We can get there quickly by train.”

“Wow…”

For Ian, not only the train but all forms of transportation were a first-time experience. A spontaneous exclamation of excitement escaped her. Even Steele was reached instantly by magic.

A new land, a friend’s home for the first time, a new mode of transportation. Her purple eyes sparkled with anticipation.

.

.

.

“-So, we decided to go to Leon’s house. I should tell the Holy City soon!”

Elemental research time was over.

As Ian recounted the story among the four who had gathered again, Riley quietly brushed Sugar’s hair. As he gently brushed and touched her scalp, Sugar closed her eyes, seeming pleased.

Her messy hair became smooth and flowing again. A headband finished the look.

“What’s around there?”

“It’s just the countryside. Quiet and the air is good.”

When Sugar asked, Leon answered instead. Sugar nodded, saying “Hmm.”

Leon’s house. He’s from the Altair, right? If we go, will we learn about his family situation?

Unlike in the original, this friend has low self-esteem. He’s even turned his eyes away from the Saint’s Staff. He doesn’t get involved in surrounding issues and quietly studies.

That’s why, even though it’s May, there’s no significant event. Originally, Leon started standing out, and various incidents occurred. Of course, Riley not joining hands with the cult also played a big part.

Sugar looked down at Riley, who was sitting on the bench. This time, Sugar stood behind Riley, playing with his golden hair.

“Riley, should we go too?”

“Eck.”

Leon made a startled sound. Sugar sharply opened her eyes.

“What? You don’t want us to come? Ian can, but we can’t?”

“Ah, no. I was just surprised. It’s not that I don’t want you to.”

“Wow…! Really… It would be great if we all went…”

Ian’s eyes sparkled beside them. It seemed like they were going to have a pajama party.

“Riley, what do you think?”

In contrast, Riley didn’t seem too pleased. He couldn’t understand why they would spend their golden break at that guy’s house.

“Making memories with friends. I want to do that. Let’s do it. Okay? We don’t really have a hometown to go to.”

“…Do as you please.”

He usually goes along with Sugar. Knowing this, Sugar whispered a sweet ‘Thank you’ in his ear. Then, she playfully bit his earlobe, breathing heavily.

“Want me to rub your stomach?”

“Nooo-! Let me do it too for once. You do it all the time…”

Riley said that, but he had no intention of actually punishing her. He just sat quietly on the bench. He had been letting her do as she pleased lately. She should get to vent her desires too.

Realizing this, Sugar played around without worry. She kissed and bit him a lot. She was the original when it came to playing with ears. Compared to Riley, her actions were lighter and more coquettish.

“Feeling better now?”

“Hmm… I’m disappointed there’s no reaction…”

When they were younger, even a slight touch would make him flip out.

Now, only the touched ear turned slightly red, with no big reaction. He had become too strong compared to Sugar.

Instead, Leon, who was beside them, jumped up.

“Please, do that when you’re alone! Please! It’s really embarrassing…”

Surprisingly, Ian was quiet. With red cheeks, she was intently scribbling something in her notebook. Sugar glanced at her and then turned to Leon.

“Don’t get too mad. It just means we’re comfortable with you and Ian. If you do that in front of me later, I won’t say anything.”

“Am I crazy? Why would I do such a thing in front of people? Honestly, your condescending tone is annoying.”

“Why? You might have a precious friend too. You’ll understand when you have one. It’s hard to resist.”

What? Hard to resist? Leon was exasperated. Even after all this, she’s still going on about friends.

Leon found it hard to deal with Sugar. It was draining. He had never thought about having a lover, and the idea of being so infatuated with someone was beyond his understanding.

It’s truly an absurd story.

“Ah… Thinking about it, it’s a no. Sorry. Please don’t do it in front of me.”

But suddenly, Sugar changed her tone. Leon could guess why, which made him even more frustrated.

Still, he hoped the answer he expected wouldn’t come.

“Seeing two guys do that is a bit… a lot…”

Bang!

The sound of Leon’s frustration exploding.