The Sun and the Moon

As befitting a family that had long held the title of General, Haimon City, having generously opened its granaries, was hosting a festival with a brighter atmosphere than the previous day.

Citizens scattered flowers and confetti, painting the sky with vibrant colors, and boisterous laughter and joyful shouts echoed from every corner of the streets.

The events of dawn seemed like a dream to everyone, as citizens ate, drank, and reveled, washing away the terrible memories.

The capital incident, reported by the Imperial Newspaper and other media outlets, didn’t resonate with the citizens of Haimon in its printed form. It was just like hearing about a dragon appearing in a faraway land or a treasure being discovered—nothing more than distant rumors.

However, the threat posed by the true form of the giant Samigina, resembling an old woman, awakened the survival instincts dormant within them.

The violent magic was terrifying enough to bring tears to the citizens’ eyes, and everyone watched with wide eyes as countless massive spells flew through the air, not just one or two.

Faced with such immense violence, incomparable to the magic of human mages seen in skirmishes, battles, or wars, soldiers, mercenaries, and knights alike wet themselves.

Yet, they didn’t flee because everyone realized in the face of such overwhelming terror:

We’re going to die like this.

Humans standing before insurmountable fear are, paradoxically, serene.

And so, as everyone awaited death,

a Lion sent by the gods,

the two Hero sisters fearlessly defeated the giant demon and became the city’s heroes and the empire’s treasures.

Only then did the citizens come to understand what had happened in the capital.

Having witnessed the Heroes’ journey to prevent the end of the world, they couldn’t help but offer testimonies and praises to the gods.

“Behold! The hope of the empire!”

“Surely, our city has been chosen by the gods!”

“Oh, Lord! Thank you! Cheers! Let’s drink and die!”

“Io has been chosen by the Heroes! Now—”

“You crazy bastard! The Heroes are women! What nonsense are you spouting!”

“But the one who came first was a man, wasn’t he?”

“You idiot! Can’t you tell by the fact that the monster died as soon as the Heroes arrived?”

“I guess so…”

Tragedy was never far away.

But in the face of such a threat, the gods sent us Heroes.

“Oh, Flare of the Sun and Luna of the Moon!”

“Truly, their majesty befits the names of the twin goddesses of day and night!”

Adding emphasis to these reactions from the citizens was a part of Lord Haimon’s keynote address.

“…Flare and Luna established their power in the capital, but they completed their truth in our Haimon! I, Krintos Haimon, will never forget this grace! The Haimon family will forever stand behind the Heroes! Drink! Release all the food and alcohol in the castle!”

Waaaaahhh—!! Luna! Luna! Luna! Luna!

Flare! Flare! Flare! Flare!

The citizens instantly transformed into cheerful drunks, and despair and fear quickly turned into excitement, relief, and comfort.

The Heroes have saved our territory! Hooray!

Drink! It’s a festival! The lord has opened the granaries!

From noon, the citizens became completely intoxicated, decorating the cobblestone streets.

Where am I? Is this heaven?

Idiot! This is Haimon City! But why is the world sideways? Is this also the will of God?

Even the monks, firmly armed with faith, gave thanks for the guidance of the great God, throwing open the usually tightly closed monastery doors and releasing beer and wine.

Light has come to Haimon! Our Haimon is a blessed land forevermore! Didn’t we clearly stop the threat of the demons before our very eyes! Drink! Drink! Drink! It’s free!

While everyone was enjoying the festival filled with excitement, the Haimon family’s mansion, located a bit away from the city, was filled with a bit less excitement and a bit more dignity and grace. However, everyone’s faces were as bright as could be, and the procession of guests never ceased.

Io, along with Scarl and the Heroes, sat at the head table, greeting people non-stop.

“Oh! My niece Io! You’re safe. I’m so glad!”

A middle-aged man with the same hair color as Io teared up and shook his head, overcome with emotion.

“Dear Uncle! These are the ones!”

“Thank you! Thank you! Baron Scarl! Thank you, Hero Luna, Hero Flare!”

He shook hands with Scarl, and knelt before Luna and Flare, prompting them to quickly help him up.

“We only did what was natural as Heroes.”

“What my sister said.”

“You are truly amazing! I have a grown son…”

Io interjected at the right moment, steering the conversation away so that the two wouldn’t get tired.

The actions, repeated countless times already, were as natural as flowing water.

“Now, now, Uncle. Go see Father quickly.”

“Yes! Where is Krintos, Brother?!”

“He’s temporarily away, as he has many things to take care of. You can see him if you go to his office.”

“I understand! I’ll be right back!”

He wouldn’t be seen again.

There were too many people who wanted to see the Heroes, and the uncle’s status was not high enough to push past them all.

It was safe to say that all the prominent figures around Haimon had gathered here.

From Haimon’s perspective, strengthening ties with various nobles and connecting with major merchants and local leaders was welcome, but Scarl and his party gained nothing from it, so Io was just watching carefully.

Luna and Flare, wearing smiles for show, complained to Io with tired faces.

“Lady Io, we…”

No sooner had Luna started speaking than her younger sister, Flare, blurted out in a bored voice.

“We’ll head back to the lodgings now. Lady Io. Professor, let’s go too.”

But Io’s gaze was not on the two of them but on Scarl, who was sitting next to them.

“What are you talking about! It’s not over yet! Don’t think that this is all of Haimon’s connections, Mr. Scarl? There are people you should at least greet!”

“Hmm.”

Although he was tired, what she said was also true.

Just because he had defeated the demon like in a game didn’t mean that his favorability would automatically increase and he would become close to them.

Scarl, who had been thinking for a moment with his arms crossed, made a decision.

“You two go in first.”

What on earth is he planning to do if we leave the two of them alone?

Flare quickly stopped Luna, who was about to object to Scarl’s words.

“Sister. You’re tired in many ways, right?”

Luna gritted her teeth, but she couldn’t overcome Scarl’s command.

“Ugh— I understand. I’m sure Scarl will take care of it.”

It was a small act of defiance, said loud enough for everyone to hear, but Io was smiling, and Scarl was just staring at her.

“…”

‘If you restrain your noble husband too much, he’ll just run away outside.’

High-level information that Luna had heard from noble wives in her first playthrough.

It’s impossible to completely prevent the affairs of men who are determined to have them, using foreign trips as an excuse or because of their noble status. Rather, showing a magnanimous attitude and the dignity of a legal wife is the virtue that a noble wife should have, they said.

Her head knew it, but her heart was different.

‘Especially that…’

Luna’s gaze naturally went to Io’s chest.

‘Although those stupidly large lumps are a hindrance.’

She trusts Scarl.

Luna herself knew best that that trust was the reason why Scarl and the people around him treated her with respect.

Scarl’s gaze, which met Luna’s gaze containing unspoken meaning, was confident.

“…I’ll go rest first. Mr. Scarl.”

“Professor. I’ll go first.”

In Luna’s eyes, there was no lust in Scarl’s eyes.

“Okay.”

As soon as permission was granted, Luna stood up.

“I’ll be going first. Lady Io. Master Scarl.”

“Ah! Sister, wait for me! Professor! My sister is sulking! Come find us later!”

Io clicked her tongue at the sight of the two leaving through the small door.

“Tch, really! Anyone would think I was going to do something!”

Scarl didn’t feel the need to answer.

As soon as the two left, the procession of guests miraculously dwindled.

“They all came to see your disciples, it seems. But the real main character is you. Kukukut.”

“Shh.”

“Shall we go down now? My back is stiff from sitting for so long, isn’t yours?”

“Let’s do that.”

Io, without being too burdensome, clung to Scarl and offered him the champagne that the servant had brought.

“Here.”

“Thank you.”

Io, brushing her hair behind her ear and sipping champagne, looked good in her evening dress.

The dignity and elegance of a high-ranking young lady, and what was revealed from her unhideable upper chest, was the greatest weapon a woman had. The slender waistline revealed along the dress line and the sharply divided hips were so beautiful that the men participating in the party lost face and stared just by watching her walk.

But Io’s eyes were only on Scarl, and Scarl didn’t pay attention to the gazes around him either.

Among the people who were considerate of the two, who were seated in a suitably secluded place, Io, slightly tipsy from the low-alcohol champagne, couldn’t calm her still excited heart and began to cling to Scarl.

Io stood on tiptoe and whispered softly in Scarl’s ear.

“Did you hear? Everyone saw it. You defeating the giant Samigina.”

The surrounding servants quickly shielded the two from view.

The atmosphere of the party was instantly enveloped in silence, and everyone paid attention to this side.

Scarl felt that whether Io had intended it or not, he would be scolded by Luna later.

“Lady Io. You’re drunk.”

One of Haimon’s servants quickly advised her to leave the seat.

“Lady Io. I’ll prepare a place for you.”

Io looked at Scarl until the end.

“…Follow me.”

As Scarl began to move first, Io followed behind.

“If that’s what you want.”

The head table where the two sat again was curtained off so that it couldn’t be seen from below.

Only the two of them were left in the narrow space.