Chapter 142: Small Change (4)

“When the revenge is over, what should we do next?”

Mobius’s question contorted Wolf’s face. The rumors that had slowly spread among the mansion’s residents had, before long, reached Mobius’s ears as well.

‘Fabian and Wolf argued loudly.’

Mobius didn’t need Wolf to explain to know what topic the two had fought about. That’s why he had set aside his research and come to the Hero’s residence, and now he could sit in a chair and look at Wolf with a calm posture.

Wolf said.

“When the revenge is over, we must strive to protect what remains. We have to try not to lose anything else.”

“Do you think fighting endlessly like that is the answer? Do you think there’s no other way?”

Wolf looked at Mobius. Mobius hadn’t come alone. In his hand, he held a leash, and tied to the leash was a person. He drooled, blinked his eyes, then opened his mouth wide and shouted.

“Bluebird!”

“Is that what you’re researching this time?”

At Wolf’s question, Mobius stroked the slave’s head. As Mobius stroked his head, the slave trembled and whimpered. Mobius looked down at him with emotionless eyes.

“It’s a failure. But it’s an important specimen that shows my research has yielded results. No. 8. How old are you?”

“I-I’m seven years old!”

No. 8 answered Mobius’s question, startled. His alert posture, like a child startled by lightning, surprised even Wolf. Mobius stroked the head of the man called No. 8 once more and said.

“I succeeded in turning back the memory of a 25-year-old slave to age seven. Now, with just a little more research, it might be possible to erase specific memories. Very positive news, isn’t it? You can forget painful memories and focus on new research.”

Mobius stroked the man’s head with a pleased look. No. 8, who had been treated like a beast since childhood, moved his head or cowered as Mobius moved his hand. Wolf frowned, feeling like he was watching an abused puppy.

Mobius said.

“Wolf. Since the revenge is over, it’s time to break free from hatred. Stop it. Clinging to the past corrodes a person. I’ve also heard talk that your family is consuming a massive budget. How far do you intend to push this under the guise of protecting your family?”

Wolf stared intently at Mobius. Fabian and Mobius, as if they had made a pact, were criticizing Wolf. They were telling Wolf to abandon his own family. It was incomprehensible to Wolf.

Why were the people who always supported him speaking like this? They were the ones who had sworn to take revenge together. They were people suffering from past memories just like him. If it were Fabian, maybe, but Mobius could never have spoken like this.

“The research you’re conducting isn’t just because of me, is it? You’re using a significant portion of the Magic Tower’s research budget too.”

Mobius couldn’t refute Wolf’s words. He too was merely a person who wanted to escape the past. Mobius looked again at his granddaughter’s necklace. His granddaughter, smiling brightly, was the child who often said she would become a great mage someday.

Wolf said.

“You can’t escape the past either. Why are you telling only me to break free?”

Mobius didn’t know how to refute those words. His life had been spent dreaming only of revenge since his granddaughter’s death. After finishing his revenge, painful memories continued to torment him. Mobius was someone who understood Wolf better than anyone.

“….Because you are young. Young, and you have the strength to lead the world.”

Mobius said so. Wolf didn’t understand Mobius’s words. Mobius continued speaking.

“Those who turned the world upside down have the responsibility to lead that world correctly. We possess immense power. I cannot overcome the past, but you must. It may sound unreasonable, but you must break free from revenge and hatred. Aren’t you the Hero?”

Wolf shook his head. He was always the Hero. Even when he received the revelation to capture the Demon King, the moment he defeated the Demon King, the moment he stood at the center of power. The moment Mobius brought up the topic of the Hero, Wolf threw out a question that flashed through his mind.

“Have you heard the rumors about the Hero riding a white horse?”

Wolf also knew the rumors that circulated frequently in the marketplace. A Hero riding a white horse with dozens of legs. Mobius nodded at Wolf’s question.

“Nonsense. A white horse with dozens of legs? It’s an absurd rumor. It means someone doesn’t like you being in that position as the Hero. The very fact that such rumors are spreading means you need to act more decisively as the Hero.”

The nagging continued once more. Wolf hated the phrase ‘qualifications of a Hero’. He also disliked the story that the least qualified person defeated the Demon King. Even though he brought the Demon King’s head, people gossiped until he began his reign of terror. Wolf knew that if they continued discussing this topic, he would end up fighting Mobius too.

“….Let’s talk later. My head hurts.”

After a brief silence, Mobius nodded and disappeared. The slave was dragged away by Mobius, and Wolf stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Lately, the title ‘Hero’ prefixed to his name had become particularly irritating. Wasn’t he a Hero for defeating the Demon King? Why did people keep repeating the phrase ‘qualifications of a Hero’ to him? Are they saying I should do Hero-like things? Are they saying I should live a new life? He was the Hero. He was the true Hero, acknowledged even by the Demon King.

[Yes! You truly are the Hero! Hahahaha! Hero! Yes! Take my head!]

But why the Demon King’s dying words echoed unpleasantly in his head, he couldn’t understand.

******

In front of the mansion’s gate, we met each other’s eyes and swallowed. It was because the reality of having returned home finally sank in. We had been told it would take a long time in the North, but it had taken even longer than we expected. Isabel must be worried, and I couldn’t figure out what kind of face to put on when I went inside.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just act like nothing happened? Maybe she wasn’t that worried after all.”

At my suggestion, Alice shook her head vigorously and glared at me.

“My mom worries so much. She’d be upset if you, Dad, just acted like nothing happened, you know? A woman’s heart is delicate. As soon as you go in, say passionately that you missed her, then stick your tongue in and kiss her.”

Lorena, hearing Alice’s remark, was startled and blushed. I liked Alice’s provocative suggestion. Didn’t they say love is better the more you express it? There was nothing better than expressing my passionate love physically.

“Perfect. If I drag her to the master bedroom right then and there and have sex, all her worries will melt away.”

“And, she’ll like it if you give her these flowers and perfume too.”

The flowers Lorena held out were bought from a flower shop in the town square. The perfume was a high-end item carefully selected and purchased in a large city along the way. I nodded confidently, and Alice and Lorena clenched their fists, giving me encouragement.

“Ah, this is kinda scary…”

I joked as I gripped the doorknob. Alice and Lorena took a step back, as if not wanting to interfere with the reunion between me and Isabel. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Who…! Oh my.”

Isabel was there, just in time. She was dressed formally, and her eyes widened in surprise as I entered. Her hands slowly moved to her mouth, and her chest heaved. I placed the bouquet and perfume into her arms, wrapping my hand around her back. Before her surprised mouth could close, I kissed her, pushing my tongue in, and with my other hand, I squeezed her butt.

“Hnggg…! Nnng…! Hhck…!”

Despite the sudden kiss, Isabel held me tightly, letting out a sultry moan. How many minutes had we kissed? Her scent lingered within me, and my hand tried to lift her skirt.

“Ah, no…! Evan…! I’m glad you’re back after so long…! But not now…!”

Isabel shook her head and gently pushed my hand away. Her flushed face and excited breaths showed she wanted me, but she was pushing me away with superhuman restraint. I asked her, slightly flustered.

“What’s wrong? Huh?”

Isabel pointed to the side and said.

“……A, a newspaper interview.”

At those words, I turned my head. A reporter holding a large camera greeted me with an awkward smile.

“Ah, you’re quite passionate. Hohoho…!”

Why the hell didn’t I see that huge camera?

*****

“Ah, so you’ve come to interview Isabel, the owner, because our vineyard was selected as the Farm of the Month.”

I had to sit next to Isabel, still in my going-out clothes. Elena had brought a chair for me without me noticing, and Sophia expertly tidied my hair and clothes like a professional. The reporter explained to me in a calm tone, as if completely forgetting the incident that had just occurred.

“Yes. We visit various farms to conduct interviews and take photos. So, we’ve come to interview Madam Isabel Flancia, the businesswoman who took over the farms around this town and revitalized them into the Flancia Farm.”

“Ah, I see.”

The purpose of the interview was good. Since we had taken over and were operating all the farms in a short period, it was bound to be a hot topic in the industry. The reporter showed the camera and continued explaining.

“So, the interview just finished, and we were about to take photos of Madam Isabel, but since your husband is here, would you like to take one together? As a commemorative photo.”

Isabel hugged my arm tightly, her eyes sparkling. Come to think of it, there weren’t any photos of just her and me together. I looked at her, smiled, and then asked the reporter.

“Where is this newspaper distributed?”

“It’s a newspaper distributed throughout the Eastern region. Ah, would you like your face concealed perhaps?”

“No. Since our Isabel wants to take it like this, we’ll just take it.”

Saying that, I posed with Isabel.

What could possibly go wrong?

Just from taking one picture.