episode_0174

“… Ian. Has it gotten bigger?”

I quickly came up with an excuse.

This phenomenon occurring in the morning is a very natural physiological reaction of men, and I have never had a morning without it, so it is not my fault, but in any case, I express regret that I had to sleep next to you and witness such an amazing phenomenon. No, but did I ask you to sleep? .

“I think I’m tall.”

At Vivian’s words, all the lengthy excuses I had come up with were scattered.

“The feeling of holding you is strangely different from before… .”

Lucia traced her upper body here and there with her hands.

I quickly raised my upper body and tried to get down before I touched anything under the blanket.

‘You’ve grown taller? I’m not sure… .’

Still small and short.

“Come and stand here.”

Vivian dragged my body up to stand.

It seems a little big when standing on the floor.

The height of the field of view has changed.

Vivian, who was looking around while touching my head, nodded.

“Yes. I’m definitely taller than yesterday.”

“It appears to be evidence of normal recovery. Because I said I would slowly return to my original body… .”

“No way-!”

Lucia hugged her waist.

“Cheeks are soft and chewy. Don’t go there! Stay with my sister just a little longer-!”

“Oh, I hate it! What are you doing?”

“Sister… ?”

Vivian muttered those words softly.

Unlike me, who was shocked, Lucia asked with a grin.

“Why, sister? Is there anything that comes to mind?”

“Hmm? No, um, what should I say… . There’s something I can’t seem to remember… I do not know… . Hehe.”

Vivian smiled sheepishly.

Looking at her, Lucia looked like a child about to have an accident, but she never revealed the incident.

Meanwhile, before I knew it, I was being lifted up in Vivian’s arms.

As if this was a good morning greeting, Vivian kissed my cheek like it was yesterday and asked.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Sister! Where can I find something like this?”

“Why? It’s morning now.”

“But that doesn’t mean they’re taking it away!”

Instead of answering, Vivian hugged me tighter, as if wondering what to do.

As Lucia and Vivian jumped up and started arguing, the other group members also woke up.

Kathi intervened in a fierce manner at the end, putting an end to the fight.

*

“It is true that your body has recovered.”

Iris, who came around lunchtime, said:

Including her, an elven apothecary, a high-ranking priest of the Seonghwa Church, and others were my doctors.

“It looks like you are recovering faster than expected, but you never know, so it is best to refrain from making excessive movements. Eat a lot and sleep early.”

Still, I’ve been taking care of myself since I became younger.

In particular, I am waking up early every morning and skipping exercise.

It’s frustrating sometimes, but there’s nothing I can do if I want to quickly return to my original body.

Kati stroked my head without saying a word.

Now I’m sitting on Kati’s lap.

“… Why.”

“It’s a shame.”

“Well, um. Wow!”

Lucia cleared her throat and asked.

“Even if it’s not an improved elixir, can’t you make something that can temporarily make you younger?”

“… Yes?”

Iris asked with a blank expression.

At first glance, there seemed to be a brief hint of contempt on his absurd expression.

“No, well, I’m just curious? Haha.”

“… … .”

Now his expression has become clearly disdainful.

Lucia smiled shyly and slowly stepped back.

For some reason, Vivian and Helena also looked away as if embarrassed.

***

While the younger Ian lived peacefully with his group while he was recuperating, there were others who did not.

To be more precise, because they worked out of sight, they were able to live in relative peace.

To ensure that Ian could rest safely, the first warrior party fought while reducing their sleeping time.

“Enter the village on the left of the support unit, the rest advance with me.”

Kylie commanded.

The warriors who followed her followed without a word.

“Silvia. Can you see this way?”

-It looks good. Just move forward.

“Got it.”

Iris and Scarlett further improved the imaging mirror for war.

It was extremely miniaturized and made into an ornament.

Although it has the disadvantage of being so small that the communication target cannot be seen, it has the advantage of being able to exchange conversations by wearing it on the body.

Because the price was so high, it was currently only given to the first four warrior party.

“Beatrice, what about you?”

-Suppression of the riot squad completed. Just move forward safely.

“Got it.”

-This is Aria. There are injuries so we will retreat. Wait in the rear temporary shelter.

In this way, the four communicated in real time and quickly organized the battlefield.

The warriors who came with us are only a precautionary measure.

The main battles were all fought by the first hero party, and they won every time, even in consecutive battles without rest.

The skills that had fallen have reached their peak, and the notoriety has been washed away.

It was still only a little, but it was much better than before.

hero.

They were belatedly recreating the name they had carried in the past.

A group of huge crocodiles walking on two feet appeared ahead.

It was the remnants of an infantry corps.

Kylie, who was running ahead, shouted loudly.

“Enter alone! Everyone stand still! Support only in case of emergency!”

The warriors stopped all at once.

And, Kylie slips through that gap like an arrow.

She adjusted her grip on the sword and stared straight ahead.

Still, Ian, who was lying helpless, glimmers before my eyes.

The image of waking up young remained in my heart, not my eyes.

They weren’t too cute to die for like the fruit warriors.

It was far from that feeling.

‘Ian’s younger self.’

The fact that he even had a childhood was shocking.

He once again reminded himself of the reality that he, too, is ultimately a human being.

He may have had pure intentions or feelings like that child inside him.

Just as young Kylie, who blindly believes in the golden rule of strength, is still in her heart.

My own actions in betraying him felt like I was tripping and trampling on that child.

They even tried to kill him at one point.

Although I twisted the sword just before that, that moment is still vivid.

After seeing the younger Ian, I sometimes think of the Ian I almost killed back then, replaced by the younger Ian, dead.

It was so unpleasant that I felt nauseous.

“Fuck… .”

He spits out his discomfort along with swear words.

Then, I feel like my stomach will feel refreshed.

That didn’t happen.

A group of crocodiles found themselves.

Kylie adjusted her sword, increased her speed, and jumped into the middle of it.

*

Beatrice watched Kylie from afar.

More precisely, he had a broad view of the entire field where she was fighting, and occasionally supported her.

It was far away, but for Beatrice, that distance was not a hindrance.

Since Ian woke up, Kylie’s battle has become more ferocious.

Unlike his personality, his movements were soft and fluid, but it has changed.

Training with Lucia is not without its influence.

In contrast to Kylie, Lucia’s movements are rough and aggressive.

However, even so, Kylie’s condition is severe.

It’s like someone who wants to fight and die here.

Beatrice seemed to know Kylie’s feelings as well.

Younger Ian, what did Kylie see there?

‘Ian is also human.’

It was a feeling that made me laugh out loud.

When I saw young Ian, I realized that he was also an ordinary person.

It was pathetic that I realized it now.

Looking back, he was always humane.

If there was a problem, he tried to solve it through conversation and did his best to accommodate it even if it meant losing money.

Why did I realize that only now?

Was it so transparent that I couldn’t see it?

Or maybe I just didn’t want to see it?

Now that I look back, I can’t understand it, and even if I do, it’s a meaningless regret.

For now, just help Ian recover safely.

Eliminate enemies in advance so that you can live in peace with the fruit warriors next to you.

That was all there was to do.

*

In a battlefield filled with casualties large and small, healers are inevitably welcomed.

Especially if the healer’s abilities are incomparably superior, he or she should be revered, not welcomed.

So, it is natural that Aria is welcomed next to Helena on the battlefield.

Aria sat in the middle of the casualty camp and recited the Lord’s Prayer.

A gentle light spread around her, quickly healing wounds large and small.

“Oooh… .”

Whenever Aria heals, onlookers flock to admire her.

Some people come to pray to that sacred scenery.

On the other hand, there is no special reason for Aria to recite the Lord’s Prayer or hymns.

Even if you don’t do that, miracles happen.

This is a habit that Ian created.

‘You have a particularly good voice. An attractive voice itself attracts people. Are you good at singing too?’

Ian instructed us to recite the Lord’s Prayer or sing a hymn every time we pray.

Like a lie, his advice was effective.

Every time, everyone praised her as if they had witnessed God.

That was advice strictly tailored to Aria.

In any case, Aria neither truly serves God nor has any desire to save people.

All she wants is to satisfy her thirst for material things.

To her, everything in the world is a means and a tool.

Therefore, he was instructed to use the Lord’s Prayer and hymns as tools.

This means thinking specifically about the benefit you will gain from that action.

Ian didn’t bother to change Aria’s thoughts.

Instead of accepting it for what it is, I just wanted to help kill the Demon King.

That was also Aria’s wish.

If you kill the Demon King, more material will follow.

‘But, I like Ian…’ .’

It was so pathetic that I felt dejected.

Why couldn’t I see his sincerity?

Why did she realize too late what she should have done for him?

material greed and fame.

Honor was always secondary to her.

Recognition from others wasn’t a bad thing, but in the end, it was just something that came with owning a lot of material things.

It was the opposite.

Because she was honorable, the world wanted to give her everything.

And it was Ian who gave him that honor, even if it was a lie.

‘Sisyphus… .’

I hoped to live because of myself.

Also, the person who was martyred because he was influenced by God and wished to die again.

Since seeing his death, Arya has redefined her life.

There is no need for material wealth, and there is no need for fame.

I will just live with the duties I can.

That heart became stronger after seeing Ian grow younger.

Every time I see Ian with chubby cheeks, I get strangely angry and feel the urge to smash something, but I wanted to protect him anyway.

That was sincere.

So, I will dedicate my life to atonement alone.

*

Sylvia looked down at Kylie fighting from afar.

Her job, along with Beatrice, is to support Kylie from afar.

Silvia was surrounded by frozen new monsters.

The leader of the underwater corps, Boubri’s subordinate.

They attempted to block humanity’s advance by digging into the ground and creating waterways.

Now that it has been stopped by Sylvia, it has become a meaningless operation.

Anyway, her mind was in disarray.

The ice man next to him actively represented his thoughts.

“I miss you! I miss you Ian! Ian has become younger! Ian got smaller! so cute! Argh! What should I do-!”

“… … .”

For the first time, I wanted to agree with the ice man.

After seeing Ian when he was younger, I tried to pretend that nothing had happened, but it was difficult.

I want to hug you at least once.

It’s really nice just once, that small, soft and warm-looking Ian… .

Although she has become younger, her still harsh look contrasts with her cuteness.

Cheeks that make your body melt just by looking at them, short hands… .

That cuteness is even immoral.

Sylvia clenched her fists.

Guilty delusions keep coming.

“Let’s kidnap him. Now is the right time. Kidnap me. It’s as if the object exists for you to kidnap. You have to kidnap him, lock him up, and live with him for the rest of his life! That’s how it should be! Can you tolerate this? Hold on? Hold on? Huh?”

“Noisy… .”

The ice man didn’t open his mouth for a while after seeing Ian fall.

However, when Ian woke up as a child, it was more noisy than ever.

“How can I tolerate this! Argh! Argh! Let’s just hug each other just once! only once! Just once!”

Sylvia desperately tried to think of other things.

Yes, it was Ian’s idea.

Last time, Ian said this to the first warrior party, including himself.

‘I heard that you looked after our warriors while they were down. ‘You must have had a hard time.’

They acknowledged themselves.

What does it mean?

The interpretation continues to expand.

‘… Probably not. It was probably just pure gratitude.’

Thanks for taking care of his warriors while he was unconscious.

It’s nothing special.

Anyone other than Ian would have acknowledged it if he had done something like that.

So the reason the other three, including Sylvia, give meaning to those words is simply because Ian is special to them.

*

Next, Vivian won as the best person along with Ian.

“Come here.”

Vivian, who lay down first, motioned towards Ian.

After losing three times in a row, Carty couldn’t hold back his anger and went outside.

Mercy, who was eliminated early, lay down with a blanket covering her head and didn’t even make a sound.

In the midst of it all, Ian was stranded.

“If you keep showing me such a provocative side.”

Vivian suddenly approached, grabbed Ian’s hand and gently pulled him.

“It’s getting harder to bear.”

“… What on earth did I do? ”

“Or is it better to be dragged in?”

Vivian put her arm around Ian, gently covered him with a blanket, and hugged him.

“It’s neither.”

Even though she answered bluntly, Vivian smiled.

“Still, please understand. That’s because everyone was so surprised… .”

Vivian hugged Ian deeply to her heart.

“Still, my heart breaks when I think of that moment… .”

“… … .”

It was clearly Ian’s fault that he left the room on his own and got seriously injured.

At this point, he also had nothing to say.

And although he answered bluntly, he now had expectations of his own.

Sleeping deeply while being held was incomparably more comfortable and comfortable than when I slept with my brain half awake.

Unless you go crazy, you won’t show it outwardly.

Vivian gently stroked the back of Ian’s head as he buried his head in her chest.

It was clear that he was alive.

The rough breathing caused by the slightly stuffy breathing made me feel that life more clearly.

Although he is small, he is definitely alive.

That alone made me grateful for this moment.

Around that time, Katy, who had gone out, came in.

She frowned when she saw Ian, who was almost being eaten.

Vivian couldn’t bear to look at Katy’s face, so she looked away.

At the same time, as if to protect Ian, he hugged him more tightly and pressed his body closer.

“… I’ll turn off the fire.”

Vivian turned off all the lights in the room without even touching it.

Ever since I became able to freely manipulate natural mana, I have always put out fire in this way.

“It was frustrating, I’m sorry.”

Vivian whispered, slightly pulling away from Ian.

“… You know.”

“It’s because I like Ian so much and care about him, so please understand. If you think about it, it’s all because of Ian?”

“… … .”

In the past, I would have asked myself why it was my fault, but I couldn’t do that anymore.

I’ve slowly reached the stage where I admit that it’s all my fault that I’ve gotten to this point.

However, I was curious about one thing.

“… Why are you so active these days?”

Maybe it’s because she’s younger, but Vivian has been overly aggressive lately.

It’s hard to find the timid and shy side of you you used to be.

Vivian answered, gently stroking Ian’s head.

“… You know, when Ian collapsed. That’s what I thought. If you die, everything is useless. In the end, when you die, there’s nothing left.”

“… … .”

“So. I just decided not to hold back. If you hide it and then let it go without being able to show it, it would be so sad. This is, um… . I’m waiting closer than before.”

Vivian laid Ian down on his back while holding his arm pillow.

He was troubled and had no answer.

She didn’t bother to press or wait for an answer.

I just placed my hand on his chest and patted it slowly and gently.

“Sleep well.”

-side.

Even after kissing the cheek, the patting was still there.

Ian slowly fell into sleep, as if being dragged by the beat.

That night, Ian dreamed of sleeping while hugging a large, warm bun.

And when I opened my eyes in the morning… .

‘crazy… .’

I saw with my own eyes that it wasn’t just a dream.

I swallow my saliva and my lost eyes shake mercilessly.

‘Did Vivian notice? If you’re sleeping, you might not know… ? No, there’s no way you wouldn’t know if I touched you so openly… .’

Just in case, I carefully raised my head.

I hope she’s still sleeping.

However, what he encountered was Vivian’s happy smile.

It was clear that it had happened before that.

“Did you like it that much?”

“Sorry, sorry. This, I didn’t do it on purpose, it was in a dream… .”

“What did you dream about?”

“… … .”

The problem always starts in the mouth.

Ian decided to keep quiet.

I want to die of shame.

I want to hide somewhere, but there is no place to hide.

Vivian grinned and kissed his cheek like she did in the morning.

“I feel like I’m sleeping well today even if you don’t ask me.”

“… … .”

The more shameful Ian’s face became, the more delighted Vivian became.

However, Ian also had one thing he wanted to ask.

“Why are you looking at me every morning?”

Ian asked with his red face slightly lowered.

“Oh, that’s it. Part of it is because I like making sure Ian is alive, but… . I did it because I was imagining Ian’s child.”

“What… . Ah.”

I asked for no reason.

Ian felt like passing out.

*

Although still small, Ian was considerably larger than when he first woke up.

So, I’m about 13 years old now.

After waking up with Vivian, he was called to an emergency meeting.

“The Reaper was found.”

The commander-in-chief spoke solemnly.

“They are located quite far from the north, south, east, and west gates leading to the Demon King Castle. It appears to be guarding the road. The action radius is not wide. I also figured out that it won’t attack unless you approach it first. However, fortunately and strangely, the upper part of the castle wall is not equipped with water defense methods such as archers or cannons. Therefore, humanity has the right to preemptive strike.”

Because it was an important event, all the important figures of humanity were gathered there.

Ian was curious about two things.

First, when I went near the Demon King’s Castle in the past, water-based means were definitely in place.

Why isn’t there this time?

And the second.

You are not the only one invited to the meeting.

The three fruit party members, Kati, and even four members of the first warrior party have officially attended this meeting.

“The number of demon lords has greatly decreased. But we must not let down our guard. The size of the Demon King’s internal army was unknown. And, the Demon Lord’s army and demons are spread throughout the Demon World, including the northern part of the Demon King’s Castle.”

To the north, deeper than the Demon King’s Castle, lies a snowy field where no life can survive.

The middle area to the point where the Demon World and its snowy fields meet.

There are monsters there.

“The purpose of the Human Unity is simple. We will surround the Demon King’s Castle and launch an all-out offensive.”

“To that end, envoys first stationed themselves in the east, west, south, and north. These four must be eliminated, and likewise, the remaining monsters near the Demon King’s Castle must be cleared out. Don’t leave the enemy behind for an all-out attack.”

“However, there is one risk. First off, I don’t fully understand how strong the Reaper is. Second, there is no guarantee that the Shinigami will always remain within its action radius. The same goes for internal forces.”

The Reaper may act while you are clearing out the monsters scattered around you.

Conversely, internal forces may appear while dealing with the Reaper.

You have to keep in mind that the Reaper is so strong that your plan may go awry.

“The current plan is as follows. Humanity’s elite are biding their time against the Reaper. In the meantime, lead the remaining troops to take out all the monsters outside the Demon King’s Castle. The search is carried out by an elf scout assigned to each unit.”

Elites attract attention.

At that point, Ian realized why the two parties currently considered the strongest were here.

“The important thing is the 4 elites who will deal with the Shinigami. Unlike the simultaneous subjugation of the last corps commander, the goal is to hold out until reinforcements arrive. However, since we do not know the Shinigami’s power, we cannot guarantee anything. In other words.”

The commander-in-chief looked at the fruit party here and the first warrior party in turn and said.

“This is an operation that could kill you.”

In times of war, warriors follow orders from military headquarters.

It is not something that can be refused.

“Also, the two parties must act separately in order to quickly clear out the remaining monsters.”

This means that a bait role is needed.

Vivian, Helena, Lucia.

And now, including Katy, who is a prisoner and has been recognized as Ian’s hero, there are four.

Silvia, Aria, Beatrice, and Kylie stood across from them.

The moment the two parties made eye contact, one of the two forces declared first.

“I will take on the role of bait.”

The first warrior party came out.