episode_0004

“Hmm… What should I do now?”

I was assigned a place to stay during the banquet by the maid.

As I unpacked and lay on the soft bed, I began to think about my future plans.

It was still early in the possession, and I hadn’t decided what to do yet.

“For now, I won’t fight for the party members.”

But one thing is certain: I may not know what I will do later, but I will never do anything that benefits the other party members.

I have no intention of forgiving the three girls who betrayed Ronan and used him.

Especially, I will never forgive that childhood friend, Pink Rag, no matter what.

“Well, there are plenty of options for now…”

Considering that and thinking about what to do next, I had quite a few choices I could make.

The boy named Ronan was actually extremely talented.

Although he initially appeared somewhat weak and frustrated, at this point in the story, Ronan was no longer weak.

In fact, he had become strong enough to defeat almost any enemies at this point in the mid-to-late stages of the story.

So, there would be plenty of choices available.

I could go back to my hometown and live a peaceful life farming, or I could become an academy professor.

I could continue being a hero, or if all else failed, I could join the Demon King’s army.

It all depended on my choice.

“I wonder how much time he has left?”

But before making such a decision, it was crucial to know more about Ronan’s condition.

At the moment, Ronan was severely injured from the battle with the Four Kings.

Not only was he injured, but he likely risked his life to save Amy.

It was truly frustrating not knowing how much time he had left.

Knowing his lifespan would be crucial in deciding what to do next…

It was a frustrating moment with no answers.

“Lord Ronan. The princess is calling for you.”

The maid’s voice came from outside the door.

Why is the princess calling me? I felt a moment of unease, but there was probably no need to worry.

It must be about the reward we discussed earlier.

“Shall we go for now?”

I got up from the bed and followed the maid waiting outside to meet the princess.

“Welcome, Hero. I have gathered the rewards to give you. You can choose one from among them. Please choose what you like.”

And I met the princess in a room full of treasures.

The princess introduced me to the treasures, smiling warmly, as if telling me to choose.

“Hmm… Not bad, huh?”

As I quickly looked around the treasures in the royal treasury, there were certainly valuable items everywhere.

Staff of the Spirit (S)

Flame Sword (S)

Magic Whetstone (S)

.

.

.

Items I had only heard of in the game, all of which were in the royal treasury… No wonder I couldn’t find them anywhere.

Ronan probably couldn’t see these rewards because they would all be devoured by the other party members and Jax.

“I’m really angry…”

Once again, I felt a surge of hatred towards the party members.

Even if I took just one of these items and exchanged it for money, I could surely receive a huge sum of money, but all those guys swallowed them up? It’s like the bear does the work and the person takes the money.

Arriving in the empire and confidently seeking out my rights was a moment I felt proud of.

“Hmm… What should I choose?”

Anyway, now I have to choose one from these treasures, right?

As I looked around the treasure chest, I couldn’t help but be engulfed in contemplation. It’s not that the treasures were bad.

But I received a sense of ambiguity about something.

It may be S-grade, but it’s not the ultimate weapon, right? Considering that such weapons are items that will be discarded once you obtain the ultimate weapon, it wasn’t particularly appealing to me.

Still, I had to choose one, and as I searched every nook and cranny, I came across a rather unique treasure.

“Oh? What’s this?”

What caught my eye was a mirror.

Just an ordinary mirror with some decorations.

“The Mirror of Life?”

But naturally, being in the imperial treasure chest, it wouldn’t be just an ordinary mirror.

I’ve heard the name of this mirror before. It was an item known as the Mirror of Life, which, when used, allows you to see the remaining lifespan of the person reflected in the mirror.

Well, it didn’t precisely predict when one would die based on all factors, but rather, under normal circumstances, it showed the natural lifespan. Still, it was a mirror that I found very necessary.

“I’ll take this one.”

I immediately picked up the mirror.

Indeed, I should choose this mirror as my reward.

“Are you really choosing just a mirror?”

“Yes. This is something I really need right now.”

“I see. I’m glad you like it.”

The princess seemed surprised by my choice of the Mirror of Life as a reward for merely defeating the Four Kings, but compared to such mediocre treasures, this was more valuable.

Satisfied, I picked it up, and the princess said it didn’t matter.

“Where… Should I try using it right away?”

I had no intention of delaying or anything like that.

I immediately used the mirror.

—

“Mmm… Tastes amazing?”

A man with rough skin and golden hair was gulping down wine at the banquet hall.

Despite his somewhat conspicuous manner of speech and attire, no one seemed to mind him.

Because this warrior was none other than Jax, the most prominent among the three warriors currently protecting the continent.

“Do you girls taste good too? Quite delicious, huh?”

Jax left his food and approached the women standing behind him.

Three women boasting quite attractive looks…

Anyone who had attended Ronan’s Warrior Party and banquet would recognize these women.

Amy, Charlotte, Trisella. They were party members who had been with Ronan until recently.

Of course, now they were just party members who had joined Jax’s party…

Jax approached the party members, offering them drinks and meat to share.

“I’m fine.”

“Me too.”

“Clerics shouldn’t drink alcohol.”

“Really? Well, then there’s nothing we can do.”

The party members looked uncomfortable.

They weren’t in the mood for drinking and eating right now.

They felt uneasy about being with Jax instead of Ronan, whom they had been with until recently.

They were eager to leave this party venue as soon as possible.

*Gulp, gulp.*

Well, Jax had no intention of doing so at all.

After downing the wine in one shot, he let out a sly laugh, surveying the surroundings.

Voices murmured around him.

“Looks like Jax is switching women again.”

“These were the party members who were with Sir Ronan, right?”

“Wow… how could those women be with a man like him…”

“On the other hand, he’s quite impressive.”

In the eyes filled with envy and admiration, he felt the greatest thrill that a male could feel.

Such a gaze was the reason why Jax would steal and flaunt another man’s woman.

“But even if it’s true for Trisella and Charlotte, don’t you think Amy needs to be spared a bit?”

“We should enjoy it fiercely today too.”

“… Please don’t say that.”

If you were to choose the most appealing woman among them, it would undoubtedly be Amy.

She was a woman whose rumors of dating Loran had spread. Moreover, it was certain that Loran also liked Amy quite a lot.

There is nothing as delicious as taking away a loved one.

The pleasure in their already intertwined relationship was beyond words.

Jax threw lewd jokes while persistently offering meat and alcohol to Amy.

“Are you being more evasive today?”

However, Jax noticed that Amy was oddly more evasive today and began to think about the reason behind it.

And he could easily come up with the answer.

It was probably because of Loran at the party.

“Do you still have lingering feelings?”

“… ”

Seeing Amy’s silent response, Jax smirked.

“Should I pay him a visit now?”

“What… What are you talking about?”

“You know it too. Tell Loran.”

“Please… Don’t do that. Please. It will hurt Loran.”

“I won’t say anything, so don’t worry.”

“Ugh…”

This seems interesting, doesn’t it?

Although Amy told Jax not to do it, he was not someone who would listen to her.

The ultimate fun awaited, how could he resist it?

Jax immediately approached Loran.

“Damn it…! Because of those damn bitches.”

He then saw Loran sitting alone in a corner of the party, drinking heavily.

Seeing Loran drinking with a somewhat sad expression, Jax believed without a doubt that the best entertainment was about to begin.

“Feeling down?”

“What’s your deal?”

“Oh. Why so serious? Just friends.”

“I’ve never had a friend like you before.”

“If our hearts connect, aren’t we all friends?”

“So what do you want to say then?”

“It’s nothing, just wanted to share my thoughts.”

Approaching Loran naturally while offering him companionship.

“Friend, your girl is damn tasty, isn’t she?”

And with a mischievous expression, he stuck out his tongue.

Crash!!!

At that moment, Jax’s face slammed into the table.

“Just when I’m feeling like crap, who’s my girl? Do you really want to die?”

Bang! Splitting the table in two, Jax looked up at Loran, covered in food, in a confrontational manner.