episode_0114

In a dim alleyway.

A man with lifeless eyes stared at a woman.

Golden hair and blue eyes.

Yet he was a man who had barely survived the aftermath of battle.

His once-radiant blond hair had lost its luster. It was now dry and brittle. Even his eyes, which had once seemed clear, had dulled.

With those hollow eyes, he gazed at the woman.

His love. His everything.

Chloé.

And the man carrying Chloé like a burden—

Han Yuseong.

A figure impossible to ignore if you lived in this cradle.

No, rumors about him had already spread like wildfire across the empire.

The fact that most matters were being pushed aside because of Chloé only proved how abnormal his rise had been.

Some even whispered that he had received the Demon King’s power.

And it made sense.

After all, it wasn’t just anyone— He had drawn the attention of Vulcan and the Black Nether Lord.

Lector stared at Chloé with darkened eyes.

The woman he would have given everything for.

But it seemed Chloé felt differently.

‘No… Chloé wouldn’t do this.’

With obsessive delusion, Lector’s bloodshot eyes turned to Han Yuseong.

‘My Chloé would never be interested in trash like you.’

That thought soon led to another.

The man who had carried Chloé away like baggage and disappeared—

Han Yuseong.

Yes. Everything was that man’s fault.

Lector’s gaze burned with fury.

Jealousy. The emotion consumed him whole.

‘If only you were gone—’

If that man just disappeared, everything between him and Chloé (not that there was anything) would return to normal.

—

“Achoo!”

‘Is someone bad-mouthing me?’

My nose itched for no reason.

“Did you catch a cold?” “No, not really.”

I answered awkwardly.

Yesterday, I had gone out with Chloé to save the citizens.

It had drained some of my energy, but not enough to make me sick.

“Then why are you here?” “I was worried, so I came.” “I see.”

I glanced to the side.

Angela and Teresa were seated at a table, playing chess. Risiel quietly polished her sword. Viola sprawled on the sofa, getting a massage from Cheongsu. Beside them, Rosante sipped alcohol.

“Huu~ This elven-brewed liquor… is divine.”

Rosante’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me.

[Affirmative. The value of ten gold coins is justified.] “At this quality, even ten gold coins would have buyers lining up~ gulp.” “……”

I’d noticed Cheongju making something strange lately, but I hadn’t expected it to be alcohol.

‘Alcohol, huh…’

Not a bad idea. Maybe I should try brewing some too.

—That guy’s something else. Using that skill to make booze? ‘Even you think it’s a bit much?’ —What a brilliant method! Hurry, bring me some too!! ‘……’

‘Even if I had alcohol, could you even drink it?’

The Holy Sword fell silent, as if dead. Seemed like it really had once had a physical form.

I sighed deeply and turned to So Yeonhwa.

“Aren’t you going home?” “I’m going with the Black Nether Lord.” “When?” “Dunno. He said he still has unfinished business. At least three weeks here, then he’ll take the Hero Trials in the Eastern Continent before heading to the empire.” “……”

So he planned to stay here for a whole month. Not that I couldn’t understand why.

“What about the others?” “Hans and Finn? Finn wanted to leave, but Hans dragged him off to train…” “They’ve switched roles, huh?” “It’s good for our party. After confirming his scouting abilities in the labyrinth, he’s focusing on offense now. If things go well, he might even get a related Gift when he levels up.”

Ermé stretched lazily as she spoke, then looked at Cheongju with shining eyes.

“But that robot… is it really all-purpose?”

Her eyes sparkled. The kind of look that said she’d love to have one at home too.

She was staring at me.

“It is. While I was in the labyrinth or sleeping, it made potions for me.” “It seems like it can cook too.” “It even brews alcohol.” “Want to start a business with it? If we just knew how it’s made…” “……” “Hey, don’t stare at me like that.”

Ermé blushed and glared at me. What? People can stare if they want.

‘Chloé does it too…’

Why do I keep getting this reaction?

I had a few friends back in the day.

Not the one who recommended games to me, but another friend who had a friendly face.

The kind girls would bluntly call ugly.

When that friend stared at a girl, she’d make the same expression.

‘…I’m definitely good-looking, right?’

I customized my own face, so I know. I’m handsome.

So why do I get the same reaction as that friend?

“So, how do you want to run the business?” “Did you try the antidote yesterday when the Demon King’s forces attacked?” “Yeah?”

Those bastards wielded a strange power of decay, so I used healing potions liberally to save the citizens. I’d already billed the guild for the antidotes and potions I used.

“The guild should cover it. They’re struggling with the labyrinth blocked, but they’re still the guild. But how should we price it?” “Price? Just don’t overcharge.” “No, we should price it high. Nobles would go crazy for this.” “Hmm.”

I pondered for a moment. Would it be okay to sell it at a high price?

[Affirmative. My labor costs are factored in. A premium price is justified.] “……”

Labor costs? Since when do robots say things like that?

[Calling me a robot while forcing me to work 15 hours out of 24—no wonder you think that way.] “……”

Honestly, I’d never worked it that hard. Just eight hours of assigned tasks, plus the 15 hours it worked on its own out of boredom while I slept.

‘It doesn’t even need sleep anyway.’

—Quite peculiar.

Even the Holy Sword agreed.

—

I stepped outside.

The city was still in chaos. The Demon King’s forces had invaded.

Buildings were being rebuilt, and the streets were bustling with activity.

‘Still, it doesn’t look as bad as I thought.’

Orcs carried materials. Dwarves used them to construct houses. Even some elves were helping out.

‘Elves…’

The first elf that came to mind was Risiel. But aside from first impressions, she didn’t act like one at all.

That’s why the clan members had accepted her.

‘I heard they only give birth to females, so they kidnap men from other races for reproduction.’

And their primary targets were orcs. Their robust physiques made them ideal breeding stock.

But even orcs supposedly couldn’t last more than a few months before dying.

As I mused, a familiar figure caught my eye.

“Ah, hello!”

Before I could turn and flee, Chloé rushed toward me at terrifying speed.

“Long time no see!”

She beamed at me.

We’d just met yesterday. Why was she acting like it had been ages?

“Are you alone today?” “Yeah. You too?” “Yes, yes… Ah, I’m alone now.”

She answered dreamily before her expression dimmed slightly.

I glanced around and spotted a familiar face.

Lector, was it? But…

—What a pitiful sight.

His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, dark circles heavy beneath them. And those bloodshot eyes were fixed on me.

‘…Murderous intent?’

Maybe because I’d trained in killing aura, I was quite sensitive to it.

—What will you do? ‘If he’s coming at me like this, I won’t feel guilty.’

Recalling the items I’d smuggled from the labyrinth, I met his gaze.

“Lector, was it? On a date?” “No, no, no! We’re not like that at all!”

Chloé’s voice trembled as if on the verge of tears.

Wow…

I was genuinely impressed.

At her words, Lector staggered, his eyes filled with betrayal as he stared at her.

“We’re really not like that.” “You seem like you are.”

A languid voice chuckled beside me.

Lucia had appeared at my side.

“First, you seduce someone else’s fiancé, then dump him. Now you’re after our Yuseong? Quite the audacity.” “Oh my, long time no see.”

Chloé smiled faintly at Lucia’s provocation.

“I was actually worried at first. Lector suddenly brought up breaking off the engagement… And I’m sorry. Calling you a villainess when we’d just met.” “…?”

—Wow.

The Holy Sword murmured in awe.

“I shouldn’t have said that when we first met. But Lector kept egging me on, and I ended up forming prejudices.” “Easily influenced, I see.” “Hehe, sorry. There were just so many rumors—the Executioner Princess title, bathing in blood…” “……”

Lucia’s gaze turned icy, while Chloé’s complexion brightened.

“Even within the family, there were so many rumors. I must’ve let them cloud my judgment. Lector even said he practiced all sorts of things to make it work… I’m really sorry it came to this.” “……”

Lucia paused briefly, glanced at me, then smiled at Chloé.

“It’s fine now. That position was forced on me by the family anyway. The elders probably lost all respect seeing him chase after other women.” “That’s a relief. But it’s so strange. We were never even close.” “Really? If you weren’t, he wouldn’t act like you were his woman.” “We absolutely weren’t like that. We never even held hands—how could we be? At most, we were friends. Honestly, I never wanted more.” “Is there someone else you do want more with?” “Hehe, that’s a secret.”

The two smiled brightly at each other.

“Still, I’m glad we could talk so easily. The rumors made it sound like you’d flip a person’s insides out if annoyed… Ah, sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” “Well… they’re not entirely exaggerated.” “But seeing you like this, you seem easy to talk to. I’m glad.” “Oh? Then you can drop the formalities next time.” “No way! You’re at least five years my senior.”

Chloé giggled.

‘Did your personalities just completely flip?’

Still, it was good they were getting along.

—Are your eyes dead or something? ‘…You liked it before.’ —Sigh…

The Holy Sword exhaled deeply.

I shook my head internally.

I didn’t need to befriend the protagonist, but as long as we weren’t enemies, I was fine with this.

“Ah, this really isn’t my style.”

Lucia smiled dangerously.

“You called me a villainess, right? Then let me show you what a real one looks like.”

Her lips twisted as she spoke.

I replied with complete sincerity.

“You really don’t have to.” “Be quiet.” “……”

Though her tone was playful, her eyes were freezing cold.

How could someone smile while glaring like that?

‘Is she Japanese?’

Oh right. This was a Japanese game.

I nodded silently.