Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 121: The Capital Of The Empire (5).

Aaaahh.

Due to witnessing something too shocking, Aloa sent Allen away under the excuse of not feeling well—no, in reality, she was bedridden from the shock.

Suddenly, seeing something like that… From Big Sis Yupi’s disciple’s man…!

It was so shocking that she almost forgot everything she had seen earlier. In her mind, only the scenes of living happily and sweetly with that man kept replaying.

…I am not ready for this!

Out of curiosity, she had sneakily taken a look, wondering what kind of man could make Big Sis Yupi so excited, but who would have thought she would see her own married life? Of course, that was just one of the many fleeting scenes she saw, but she distinctly remembered it… However, that was still a story of the distant future.

Of course, she had no idea when the relationship between the two would transform into such an intimate one, but it was certain they would become a couple. It was an unerring prophecy.

No way, could something like that really happen to me…!

Aloa writhed in strange feelings… Maybe that was why the gods prevent prophets from seeing their own prophecies. Just a single scene glimpsed from someone else’s life was enough to drive her crazy.

Anyway.

Aloa, bedridden with a mild fever, spent a day in bed. Though she recovered the next day, seeing her fate caused a burst of wild imaginations, making her stay in bed for another day.

And around that time, a big shot arrived.

“Sir Group Leader has come.”

There was only one person referred to as Sir Group Leader here.

A middle-aged man with a body that seemed to scream, ‘I’m a warrior’, came to visit Aloa’s room.

Sword Emperor Magnus.

However, the gentleman who should have been wielding a sword was holding a basket of flowers instead. It felt quite unbalanced.

“Uncle!”

“I heard you were sick.”

“It happens sometimes. I’m fine now.”

“That’s a relief… Oh, do you like flowers by any chance?”

“Why flowers all of a sudden?”

“I received a flower gift recently, and it wasn’t bad. So, I bought one… How is it? Do you like it?”

“Of course, I do. Thank you. Just put it there.”

The Sword Emperor gently placed the flower basket next to the vase and brought a chair closer to the bed where she was lying slightly tilted.

“Haven’t you been busy these days? Something about the Top 10…?”

“Even though I’m busy, it’s not like I can’t make time at all.”

“But you came here recently just to see Big Sis Yupi for a bit… So, I guess you didn’t come just for me?”

The Sword Emperor, awkward with lies, smiled uncomfortably.

“Actually, I was wondering if you could look at someone.”

“Why so suddenly, Uncle? You don’t usually do this kind of thing.”

“It’s someone important… I’m asking for a favor.”

Aloa then casually waved her hand, saying it was no big deal.

“Between you and me, there’s no need for favors. If you ask me to look, I’ll look.”

“Thank you.”

“But who is this person?”

The Prophetess was very curious. What kind of person could it be that the Sword Emperor would go so far as to ask for a favor?

Magnus smiled contentedly.

“A junior with a bright future… Maybe someone who could succeed me.”

“Wow. You must have found an incredible talent. I’m really curious now… Alright. Tell them to come anytime. By the way, who is it?”

“A woman named Natasha, from the Allen-Mercenary Group.”

The moment the name Allen-Mercenary Group was mentioned, Aloa was so surprised that she started coughing.

“…Are you okay? Are you still not feeling well?”

“I-I’m fine. It’s just a sudden cough.”

“I see.”

…Whether it’s coincidence or fate, once again, it’s something involving that man.

“Anyway… can I entrust you with the favor?”

“Of course.”

“Ah, she might not come. It’s her choice whether to come or not. I don’t intend to force her.”

“Understood.”

The Sword Emperor lightly exhaled and gently tapped the headboard of the bed with his palm.

“How have you been lately? Do you go out for walks these days?”

“Just to look around the garden.”

“Is the destined one still far away?”

It was well known to those who knew, that the Prophetess Aloa was waiting for her fated partner.

Sword Emperor Magnus asked in a friendly, joking manner, but Aloa, who had actually met that partner a few days ago, felt her heart drop.

“…I guess not yet. Haha…”

If Yupi were here, she would have joked about whether her destined partner would never be born.

“Got it… Then I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Take care of yourself. Let’s have a meal together sometime. It’s been a while.”

“Yes. Goodbye.”

The Sword Emperor showed a warm smile and carefully left her room… And a long sigh escaped from her.

Haaaaaah…

Allen. Allen-Mercenary Group. That man. Fate’s counterpart. Sons and daughters. Husband. Put the kids to bed. Honey. Love.

Aloa felt as if her mind was swirling with all sorts of words, like a prophecy, making her feel dizzy.

Am I really screwed?

Allen couldn’t easily shake off the shock of being driven away by Prophetess Aloa, who went berserk the moment they shook hands. Just how terrifying must the future she glimpsed be for her to react that way?

…Certainly, even thinking about it, my future seems pretty screwed.

In the first place, the resolve to become one of the Top 10 foretold a series of arduous missions and fierce, muddy competition with formidable mercenary groups. So, of course, the future couldn’t be anything but screwed.

Is it over when you become one of the Top 10? No, that’s not the case. Even among the Top 10, competition is fierce, and you have to keep an eye on those trying to climb up from below. It’s like always being ready to defend your title, even after becoming a champion… Just look at Dagon’s case. Of course, that bastard deserved to be expelled for real.

Anyway, after being kicked out as soon as he arrived, Allen decided not to go back there. Since he already knew the scenario, like the back of his hand, he knew the future better than a prophet… Rather than going back and hearing unpleasant things again, it was better not to go at all.

Returning alone to the quarters after all the members had left, he was sipping tea while enjoying the peaceful garden when Group Leader Viola came to see him, having heard that he was back.

“Oh, Group Leader.”

“It seems your business concluded quickly.”

“…Ah, yes, well, that’s right.”

Allen didn’t bother to mention that the Prophetess had sent him away right after the handshake.

Group Leader Viola, sitting across from him, elegantly sipped her tea from the cup she had been served.

“…Group Leader Allen.”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you curious about the conversation between me and Vice Group Leader Elizabeth?”

“Of course, I’m curious. But sometimes ignorance is bliss, isn’t it?”

“Do you have any guesses?”

Allen gazed steadily at Group Leader Viola before speaking.

“I suppose a deal was made… though I don’t know the specifics.”

“That’s correct. A deal was made.”

“I see.”

Of course, Allen didn’t go out of his way to ask what the deal was. Whether to speak or not was up to the other person.

However, Group Leader Viola accepted it without hesitation.

“There’s a candidate that she would like for me to support for the Top 10 position. Considering our past relationship, I agreed.”

“…Do you think there will be a fierce battle?”

“There always has been. Sometimes candidates even die.”

Group Leader Viola let out a light sigh and gazed far into the sky.

“…Is it tough?”

“If I said it isn’t, it would be a lie. Honestly, there are times when I want to let it all go.”

“I understand… Even leading this small mercenary group is overwhelming for me. I can only imagine how it is for you, Group Leader.”

She smiled faintly and said nothing. He just silently looked at her profile.

A long and heavy silence ensued. It was Group Leader Viola who broke it.

“Coming to a place like this and just complaining. I really… I’m sorry for being so thoughtless.”

“Thoughtless? Not at all.”

And that was the end of the personal conversation. She brought up the official matter.

“There will be a meeting in two days. The time will be in the evening after sunset… Group Leader Allen, you will accompany me to the meeting place. Remember that.”

“I understand.”

“Before the meeting, let’s have dinner together. We can discuss various things.”

“I’m available anytime.”

“How about tonight, then? Is it too sudden?”

Allen, pausing for just a moment so briefly that the other party wouldn’t notice, agreed.

“…No, it’s not. Then, see you tonight.”

“Let’s do that… The conversation was enjoyable. Rest well.”

“Yes, Group Leader.”

After exchanging a friendly farewell, Viola soon left Allen’s lodging.

In the place where she had left, he, too, leaned back deeply into the chair, lost in deep thought.