episode_0136

It was late at night, and if it were a normal city, everyone would have already fallen asleep.

Galway was quietly excited.

There were still shops here and there, but there weren’t many customers.

The few remaining lights softly illuminated the city.

It seemed like everyone was slowly going back to sleep.

Vivian and Ian walked side by side as if they were the only two people passing by.

He waited until she opened her mouth.

How long did you walk?

“You know.”

Vivian finally spoke.

“It happened not long after I became a superhuman.”

She began speaking somewhat ramblingly.

“When I became a superhuman, I was working as a maid in a house here.”

This is something Vivian had already said once before coming here.

Still, Ian continued to listen.

The next thing Vivian said was something Ian had heard for the first time.

“Then one day, you know. I saw the first warrior party touring the main cities of the continent.”

Ian knows when it is.

After the operation to recapture Zeriha.

After conquering the first SS-class dungeon, it was given a unique name, ‘The 1st Hero Party’.

“At that time, I wasn’t really interested in being a hero. The maids I worked with were making a fuss, so I went out. And there, I saw Sylvia.”

Vivian originally called Sylvia ‘Nim’.

When did that honorific title start to be removed?

“Silvia was so dazzling as she climbed to the top of the gorgeous and magnificent ceremonial carriage, waving her hand and smiling at the people. And the cheers and praise pouring in not only towards Sylvia but also towards those four people. I got goosebumps for no reason.”

“I don’t know what they do, but I thought they were amazing. Something that makes so many people cheer so much has to be amazing.”

“Also, there were some people who cried. They say humanity has finally found hope. They said they would find peace. There were also people who were thankful that they were able to survive thanks to those people.”

“That… It was cool. I ended up admiring it without realizing it. Just four people can make the world this bright. You can sow hope. Can I do that too? That’s what I thought. So I decided to head to Superbia and become a warrior.”

Ian realized right away.

This was the moment when Vivian decided to become a warrior.

“By the way, were you still working as a maid even after you became a superhuman?”

“Yes… . Even though I became a superhuman, I didn’t know what had changed or how much better it was.”

It was a passage that showed how difficult Vivian had been living.

“Do you have any family… .”

Vivian answered lightly to the cautious question.

“I don’t remember. Hehe.”

“That’s possible. I’m like that too.”

That was true.

Ian had vague memories of before coming here.

Vivian glanced up at Ian.

Ian also noticed that gaze and turned his head to look down.

Grassland-like light green eyes shone brightly.

“I guess Ian was there at that time, right?”

“In Galway?”

“Yes.”

“Not close, but I was watching from afar. Because I belonged there at the time.”

“As expected… .”

Vivian paused for a moment and smiled warmly.

“It’s fascinating. Ian and I, we were in the same place looking at the same scenery.”

“… That’s right.”

“I always started with Ian.”

The day I saw Sylvia and decided to become a warrior.

And, the day I decided to challenge myself as a hero again in Arche Village.

On both days, it was as if Ian was by Vivian’s side.

To those peaceful yet heart-piercing words, Ian was unable to respond for a moment.

Vivian remained silent for a moment, then pursed her red lips as if hesitating.

“… thank you. Ian. I wanted to tell you this. It’s the same today too.”

The wind blew and blew her hair.

Vivian held on to his messy hair with both arms, then made eye contact with Ian and smiled lightly.

Ian looked at her for a moment and thought.

During the second round, this city disappeared without a trace.

If Vivian was here… .

“Even though I wasn’t born here, I consider this my hometown. If it weren’t for Ian, my hometown would have disappeared.”

“I didn’t even fight directly. In fact, Vivian was more active than me. The decisive role was played by the first party.”

“Ugh, no.”

Vivian shook her head.

“If it weren’t for Ian, there wouldn’t have been a first warrior party. So, I would like to thank Ian.”

“I’m getting praised even though I haven’t even surpassed the feat. Thank you very much.”

Vivian smiled and walked again.

She, who was walking next to Ian, narrowed the distance little by little.

The distance between shoulders.

The sound of my pounding heart gets louder.

I’m almost worried that Ian won’t hear.

Then, I soon erased the noise around me.

I felt like we were the only two left in the world.

I wiped my cold sweaty palms on my dress.

Vivian grabbed Ian’s hand.

Ian was a little taken aback by the sudden action.

“Oh, can’t you… ?”

Vivian asked cautiously.

Before Ian could answer anything.

“Please don’t say no… .”

Vivian lowered her gaze and spoke timidly but firmly.

The light green eyes wavered uneasily.

Ian had no way of knowing whether her face was too red because of the lighting or because of her habitual blushing.

When Ian was quiet, Vivian said nothing more.

The tightly held hand did not loosen.

Holding it so preciously, the two walked with Vivian slightly ahead.

Please don’t say no.

Ian lost time to react as he was trying to interpret what those words meant.

*

Vivian returned to her lodgings.

My heart still throbbed and my hands were warm.

It was clear that he had caught it, but the trustworthiness of that large hand remained as if it had been caught.

Vivian glanced around and smelled the hand she held with Ian.

Sniff.

Surprisingly, there was no smell.

I think I was able to handle Katy… .

As she was going up to the second floor where women lived, she stopped when she saw Kati standing in front of the door.

“… … .”

Katy, standing with her back against the wall, did not look at Vivian right away.

Vivian looked at her and thought of Ian.

‘… ‘They look alike.’

It is a different kind of resemblance to Sylvia.

The indifferent posture of leaning against the wall with your arms crossed, and the way you speak when threatening others.

Even the smallest details are similar.

Kati slowly turned her head.

Since declaring herself a prisoner, she has not worn an eye patch.

Golden cat eyes looked into Vivian.

Vivian would normally have asked why she was like that.

But, I didn’t want to do that.

I felt an unknown desire to win.

At the same time, I felt sorry and self-destructive.

Kati is a colleague.

He is a person who has become important not only to Ian, but also to himself.

Is this okay?… .

It was Kati who spoke first.

“What did you talk about with the owner? May I ask you a question?”

Katy was as calm as usual.

There was no pitch in the voice.

But those eyes were clearly trembling.

I was anxious and anxious.

Vivian seemed to know that feeling.

This is what Vivian felt every time she saw Katy and Ian.

The two have been together for a very long time and have a bond that is difficult to fathom.

Even though we don’t know Ian’s feelings for Katy, the role was very obvious.

I hated that sometimes.

Ian sharing something he didn’t know with someone.

I was uncomfortable with the feeling of being left out and being left behind.

So, I wanted to make one for Vivian too.

A story that only Ian and himself know.

It’s okay even if it only shows half of your heart.

If only we could create something just for the two of us that no one would know about.

“This is something I can only tell Ian.”

“… Is that so?”

Katy didn’t fuss any more.

She knew it too.

No matter what Vivian said to Ian, he had no right to intervene.

It was arrogant selfishness and dirty possessiveness.

How different are you from Sylvia?

Today, the moment when I let out the words I had been holding back to Sylvia passed by.

“… Sorry.”

So, Carty apologized.

I knew it was rude.

I already knew.

So, didn’t you resist trying to secretly follow him?

It was difficult for Vivian to give an answer.

What would Vivian have done if the positions were opposite?

I might not have been able to ask like Katy.

I wonder if she felt the same way.

“… no. I’m sorry, Kati.”

Vivian shook her head and said as she passed by Katy.

“But, I don’t want to back down either.”

“… … .”

Kati didn’t respond.

Vivian hesitated to leave her and enter the room for a moment.

What if I get hurt?

Were his words too harsh?

However, it was ridiculous to worry about it and apologize now.

She had no choice but to pass by Kati.

“Vivian!”

As soon as the door opened, Mercy shouted.

“Sister!”

“Vivian!”

Lucia and Helena.

The three rushed out at the same time.

“What happened outside! What were you talking about with Ian? Hurry up and report this truth!”

“That’s right! You two are secretly enjoying a night of festivities! It’s too much!”

“Where can you suddenly become so monopolistic?”

“Ehehe… .”

Despite the three’s persistent interrogations, Vivian just smiled.

There was no answer.

That was something that only Ian and himself knew.

That night.

Kati didn’t come back to the room.

And the next morning.

Vivian saw Katy in a cat state, being held by Ian.

“He suddenly became irritable… .”

Kati’s distant gaze was infinitely pure.

Vivian seriously wondered if there was a magic that could transform her into a cat.

***

After completing the battle to subdue the sea dragon, I returned to the castle.

As expected, it was a mess.

It was understandable since it was revealed in Galway that Kati was Mine and that Mine was actually a prisoner.

At Seonghwa Church, the parish priest Esther even came to visit.

In addition, many believers and residents were clamoring to hear my answer in person.

so.

“Nice to meet you.”

He came directly to the square.

“This is Ian. Because you seem to have doubts. I’ll show you it easily.”

I brought the prepared character onto the stage.

There was a woman and a man wearing large turbans with their faces covered.

The man was holding a swaddle as if he was holding a baby in his arms.

Safety measures are sufficient.

Behind the stage, warriors are waiting, and Katy is there too.

Favorable public opinion toward the prisoner, centered around Les Sentimants, also spread sufficiently implicitly.

“These are the two people who proved that beastmen are no different from humans.”

Eventually, the woman took off her turban and untied the cloth.

A sheep’s horn swirling like a whirlpool.

Pupils drawn horizontally.

And, a right arm that looks like a wolf’s paw.

It was Galatea.

As agreed in advance, Galatea lifted the baby from Mallion, who was standing with her, and showed it to the crowd.

Like her, he is a mixed-race beastman with horizontal pupils and cute, protruding horns as long as his fingers.

It was Zion.

“… … .”

Seeing the heavy silence of the crowd, Shion just closed his large eyes in confusion.