episode_0141

“Kylie… !”

While still being pierced, Kylie swung her sword and cut down the red slime.

It was shallow because of the injury.

Red Slime took a step back.

Aria quickly stood up, pushed past Kylie, and extended her hand.

A scorching light emitted.

-Cheek!

The red slime quickly rolled away, but its legs and arms melted one by one.

Kylie didn’t miss the opportunity and rushed in, hurting herself.

Aria shot light again at the separated red slime.

Only the red slime’s feet remained where the ray passed.

The top surface sizzled.

“Ha, ha… . Haaaa… .”

autumn.

The days are getting colder.

The eastern part of the empire is full of unexplored dungeons.

The rugged desert terrain was originally a difficult place for humans to live.

The sparsely populated place was easily taken over by dungeons and monsters.

A land where no one can live anymore.

The eastern trade route became a deserted land.

When the days get cold, monsters tend to flock to the relatively warm west.

The representative monster is red slime.

This is because it hardens when it is cold.

Fortunately, the first hero party has secured a lot of territory in the No Man’s Land, but it is still a dangerous human world.

“Big!”

Kylie collapsed, vomiting blood.

“Kylie! Wait, wait. I will heal… !”

“Plague… . It hurts badly… .”

Still, it was Aria whose power was preserved along with Sylvia.

Even though he couldn’t fight, his healing ability was outstanding.

The wound healed quickly, and Kylie’s complexion recovered.

As soon as Kylie recovered, she took out a bottle of alcohol.

“Drinking is not good… .”

“Just leave it. I can’t live without this.”

She drank from the bottle.

“… Wow. Phew. Beatrice, did that guy collapse again?”

“Yes… . It looks like it’s very difficult.”

“Phew. It’s terrible karma.”

The battle at the front was harsh.

The first party fought non-stop.

He had to be sent into the next battle even before his injuries healed.

My whole body is a mess.

Still, it moved.

This was something that had to be done.

Aria muttered as she healed.

“We… . Can I be forgiven… .”

“… … .”

“If I continue like this, will that day come… ?”

“… I don’t know.”

Kylie took a sip of her drink and looked at Sylvia in the distance.

On top of a high hill.

A stinging chill swirled around her.

Blizzard.

It is one of Sylvia’s wide range skills.

It was her magic that could even change the climate locally.

Even in the midst of the bitter cold, Sylvia remained upright.

“That guy said that. Atonement is something that should not be paid for.”

“It was like that… .”

“So, just do it… .”

“… … .”

“Plague. It is said that the imperial family has put in a request for prosthetic hands and legs at the Magic Tower, but when will that happen?”

Kylie grumbled as she put down her broken prosthetic hand.

“How is Ian doing?”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. … I need to get along well.”

“It seems like the heroes have been doing great lately. We used to… It was like that.”

“… … .”

It’s in the past.

To say that, it was a past that was too dazzling.

Realization resembles or is the same as regret.

That’s because it’s always late and it comes to you even if you don’t want to know.

What did Ian give them?

How far has Ian elevated them?

And, for that purpose, what did they pledge to carry on their shoulders?

It is only after losing everything that you realize its weight.

Sylvia looked down at the frozen slimes.

What seemed like ice sculptures soon cracked and collapsed.

Sylvia’s breath became a white mist and dispersed.

She turned her head and looked north.

devildom.

Contrary to its gloomy name and public perception, it is no different from a place where humans live.

There is ordinary dirt and rocks, grass and trees grow, and rivers and clouds flow.

The sky is blue too.

It is only called that because it is an area where the Demon King exerts influence.

Devil.

The name reminded Sylvia of the past.

-What is Ian’s dream?

-dream? suddenly?

-just. Kill the devil and bring world peace?”

-Well, if it’s a dream, it can be called a dream.”

-… okay? Then I will make it happen.

We once dreamed of such a future together.

It was natural.

Sylvia couldn’t do it without Ian.

Ian couldn’t do it without Sylvia.

It was those kind of times.

For Sylvia, there was no future without Ian.

And there were times like that.

The day Ian revealed his curse and asked to wait until he caught the devil.

Sylvia jumped on his lap, hugged him, and whispered sincerely.

-Because I will kill the devil. Ian is the one to wait.

What happened next?

Ian looks at Sylvia, who is staring at his lips.

-You don’t do that.

He warned.

As for Sylvia.

-It’s cruel.

He pouted his lips.

It was like that for a while.

Sylvia just loved being close to Ian.

It was sweet to even imagine the future we would have together someday.

So, I hugged Ian dearly and said.

-love you.

“… … .”

Tears flowed.

The tears, blown by the bitter cold wind, froze in the air.

Sylvia collapsed on the floor helplessly.

Tears welled up constantly.

It freezes on the face, crunches, shatters, and scatters into the air again.

Snow and ice crystals rise.

It suddenly takes shape.

It’s a person.

Is it Ian?

Is it yourself?

I don’t know.

A person made of ice speaks to me.

“Hello.”

Sylvia didn’t answer.

“What are you doing?”

I just looked at the north blankly and shed tears.

The ice man sat down next to her.

“I miss Ian. Right?”

“Shall we go find it?”

“You know where it is.”

… … .

“I love you.”

“You and Ian did the same.”

“But, why didn’t their words reach each other?”

… … .

“It’s because of you. You know?”

“You shouldn’t have been so selfish.”

“Ian said it. Please wait. Even after that, he opened his heart to you little by little. But what is this?”

… … .

“What is this? What is this?”

“What are you going to do! What are you going to do! Why did you do that, why on earth! Why did you do that?”

“I love you! love you! love you! I love you too! Even if I just said that! If only I had given that answer back! If only you hadn’t believed Aria’s ridiculous joke! If only I had listened to Ian more and believed-!”

The ice man’s face distorted viciously.

The teeth are made of ice and are sharp.

He pounded Sylvia’s entire body as if he was going to kill her.

It was familiar violence.

From the perspective of the perpetrator, not the victim.

The ice man beat Sylvia, just like when Sylvia beat Ian for loving him.

So hard that the bones break.

But Sylvia was fine.

A strong body is unlikely to get hurt.

Are ice men real?

Maybe it’s okay because it’s not real.

The ice man who was beating her so hard even strangled Sylvia.

Still, Sylvia did not react.

I looked blankly towards the north.

Even if my neck is strangled and shaken.

Even though it hurts to breathe.

Just, just, stay still.

“No. no. It’s all because of me. It’s not because of you. It’s because of me. You shouldn’t blame others. Then you’re a bad kid. Ian won’t like a bad boy… .”

The ice man let go of his head and cried.

I hugged Sylvia and sobbed.

cold.

Sylvia too. Ice man too.

Sylvia drew a character who was her longing itself.

Ian.

And those around them.

Kati, Mercy, Vivian, Helena, Lucia.

How are you doing?

What will happen to his heart that I ripped out?

Could new flesh grow in that place?

Any one of them is good.

I wanted to help Ian.

Even on behalf of yourself.

Even if it goes beyond yourself.

Even if it means killing yourself.

If Ian can live with that.

The ice man’s tears could not even flow.

Sylvia sat there until it disappeared.

What can I give Ian?

There was a lot I wanted to give, but there was little I could give.

*

“You’re here.”

Scarlett said.

Vivian sighed as she looked at the drowsy yet mischievous woman.

“Did you wear a necklace?”

“Yes. I did it.”

She is an ugly woman.

If you’re talking about committing a major sin, that’s not the case.

It’s too much for Ian… .

“How are you doing?”

“Who is you?”

“Can you tell me specifically who it is?”

Scarlett exhaled cigarette smoke and laughed.

“Please don’t talk nonsense, just educate me.”

“Yes. The first thing to do is to put natural mana into the gem. Although the role of mediator is essential, it is difficult to use natural mana right from the beginning.”

“I understand.”

“Still, it would be more convenient than not having the necklace. Come here.”

Scarlett put down the pipe and led the way into the room.

Vivian followed her.

Compared to his annoying behavior, he looks mesmerizing and smells good.

Peach scent.

Vivian carefully lifted her arm and sniffed.

What does your usual self smell like?

These days, I’ve been paying more attention to the smell of sweat when I exercise, so I’ve become more interested in smell.

Make Ian smell his sweat… .

“Here… . What’s wrong with your face?”

“Ne, neeh?”

“Where does it hurt? Is it too red?”

Vivian cupped her cheek with both hands.

Hot like a freshly steamed potato.

“Well, it’s not like that… .”

“Have you ever thought of something cool?”

“Huh?!”

“Well, what is it… . Really? It’s difficult. I’m not that one.”

“What do you mean-!”

“Isn’t it because of this?”

Scarlett tapped something.

It was a bed.

Come to think of it, Scarlett had instructed Vivian to lie down on the bed.

This time it was Vivian’s turn to cover her breasts.

“Seo, no way… !”

“Even if it’s not true. Unless I lie down with Ian, I refuse.”

“… joy. Why is Ian with you, really… .”

Vivian was upset and lay down on the bed roughly.

I did that for no reason.

My heart is pounding and it hurts a little.

“What is it now?”

“I’m going to close my eyes and breathe.”

“… Is that the end?”

“Yes. If you don’t understand, let me explain. Magic and miracles are different. Right?”

“What, right?”

Scarlett smiled and stretched out her hand to the wall.

pop.

A small fireball flew out and exploded.

“Fire Ball. And this.”

Scarlett stretched out her hand again.

A thin light spread out.

“… A scorching miracle?”

“That’s right.”

“Uh, how? How is this possible?”

“They both have the same root.”

“Yes… ?”

“It’s too long to talk about right now, so I’ll just tell you the main points. Magic is understanding the outside world. The miracle is understanding the inner world. So, if you fully understand the outside world, you’ll be more capable of mastering magic, right?

“Yes… .”

“But the funny thing is, to fully understand the outside, you must first know the inside. I mean ‘me’.”

“Ugh… What are you saying… .”

“Even if I hear it now, I don’t know. Now follow along.”

“Grunt… .”

I didn’t understand a thing.

Still, somehow I can trust my abilities.

“Close your eyes. Breathe.”

Vivian obeyed meekly.

“Slowly. Inhale, exhale. Don’t think anything. Concentrate on your breathing. Relax your body. Every time your breath comes in and out, the tension is released from your head one by one. From the head to the neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Torso, waist, pelvis, legs, calves, and toes. Focus on your breathing. Where does the breath come in and where does it go out? Where does that breath come from and where does it go again?”

Scarlett’s voice is languid and slightly tickling.

Because of that, I felt a little sleepy.

Even though I thought I shouldn’t sleep, I kept falling asleep.

Warm room, cozy lighting.

Pleasant peach scent.

Unlucky, but with a unique, languid tone and voice.

Several times, Scarlett’s instructions seemed to move away and then get closer, like an auditory hallucination.

“… End.”

“… … .”

“Sleep, wake up.”

“Okay!”

Vivian woke up drooling.

“Huh… . Uh, uh… . I fell asleep… .”

“At first, yes. Today is the end.”

“Yes… ? Is this really effective?”

“Then, of course. I’m helping Ian, but do you think I’ll lie about it?”

“Ugh… .”

It was annoying, but I had no choice but to admit it.

Even in Vivian’s eyes, Scarlett was always sincere.

Even though it’s playful, it’s never been sincere.

Why is that possible?

I haven’t seen Ian for a long time.

I found out later than I did… .

“… joy. I understand first.”

Scarlett could only chuckle as she looked at Vivian, who looked so innocent.

*

Helena had been feeling a change recently.

I’m not sure what the change is.

Since receiving the ring, I have prayed more sincerely, more often, and with all my heart than before.

The frequency of visiting Ian also increased.

Then one day a change came.

But there was no visible change.

What is it?

Just take a moment to be mesmerized by that subtle sense of incongruity.

“Helena! Be careful!”

“… Yes?!”

During cooperative training, Helena left the protective gear on and ended up getting bruised.

Vivian’s ice spear flew in from behind.

Although the size has steadily decreased recently, we cannot be at ease.

The density has increased accordingly.

‘Collision… !’

It was too late to turn off the protection or take refuge.

The moment Helena closes her eyes.

… bang!

Far away from Helena, an explosion was heard.

When I turned my head, there was an ice spear stuck in front of me.

It passed through Helena’s protection.

“… ?”

Ian, who saw this, immediately proceeded with the test.

As a result.

“Protection has become a one-way channel. Objects flying from the inside pass by, and objects approaching from the outside are blocked.”

“… … .”

So far, I have adjusted the size of the protection by working with Vivian.

But now there is no need for that.

An environment was created where Vivian could just fire her magic with protection surrounding her.

“Is this possible? ? Helena, what have you been doing recently?”

“Yes?! What, what, what do you mean?!”

“No, well, just anything. Anything that might be helpful for training.”

“Ah, that’s it!”

“… ? What else did you do?”

“No! Well, anyway! I didn’t do anything in particular. Instead, I have been feeling out of place with this ring recently.”

“Hmm.”

The effect of the ring has appeared.

Ian decided that way and it was correct.

Protection that only allows access from one side and blocks access from the other side.

One-way.

Helena recalled what she heard from Esther not long ago.

‘Faith is one-sided and selfish… .’

It applied to protection.

Helena looked at Ian blankly, but when their eyes met, she quickly turned her head.

It’s hard to make eye contact with him these days.

*

Vivian has yet to see any real results from Scarlett’s education.

After Helena realized that protection is a one-way street.

Sometime in late fall.

“Now only the final dungeon of the territory remains.”

Charles said.

In their seats are Ian, all the Fruit Heroes, Kati, and Mercy.

And just in case, there were guard squad leader Ramnus and guard leader Bernard Bearman.

“This dungeon is a B-class dungeon, and because it is far from the center, actual damage to residents was minimal. However, this dungeon is blocking one of the entrance roads to our territory. Even though portals have been created, it does not mean that land routes have been eliminated. This is still an important place.”

What followed was Ian’s briefing.

Dungeon structure and haunting monsters.

Other things to be aware of.

It was the first B-level dungeon for the Fruit Warriors.

Still, compared to formal exams, it is a stable environment.

There is information, and Ian and Kati are also there.

In front of the dungeon after the briefing.

Nearby, permanent residents were bustling around.

We’ve only heard about Ian and his warriors, but not many people have actually seen them.

At this time, Ian wanted to show the permanent residents the power of the warriors.

There is nothing bad about a hero becoming famous.

In addition, these activities are helpful for the vitality of permanent residents.

Because a warrior’s fight is a fun thing to see.

“Oh, there it is.”

In front of the crowd of people was a large video mirror.

I bought it with great enthusiasm to show off my fruit warriors.

The price is a secret.

“Are you all ready?”

“Yes!”

The fruit warriors answered simultaneously.

“Let’s go.”

“King Slime Slayer Vivian! Cute Vivian!”

Onlookers are not only permanent residents.

People came from other regions as well.

Perhaps there are people who watched the formal exam.

“Small but strong Helena! I believe it again today-!”

“Uncle Lucia! Please take a look here! Sister-!”

“Ahaha. Thank you for coming.”

Lucia smiled and greeted naturally, Vivian looked embarrassed, and Helena stiffened.

I went down to the dungeon, receiving cheers from people.