Gwen

“So how much is it in total, for all of this?”

“…It comes to 829 gold in total.”

“Here you go. It’s a bit too much to carry back, so you can deliver it, right?”

“Of course. We’ll send it to your residence promptly.”

Greg had learned various academic subjects and common knowledge from Teacher Yuria during class time.

Therefore, she already knew that the price of an ordinary slave, considered quite expensive in Serdin, was 500 gold.

Yet the clothes alone cost 829 gold, more expensive than a slave.

From what she heard in between, they were treating Ethan as a VVIP and giving a huge discount, so the actual price would be over a thousand gold.

When that thought occurred to her:

“E-Ethan-nim, this is too much!”

“Hm? This is barely anything though?”

Even after buying enough clothes to easily wear for a year with one outfit per day,

Ethan still had an expression that it was far from enough.

Greg felt not just gratitude, but a sense of burden.

Then:

“Aw~ It’s fine, it’s fine. I feel good when you wear nice clothes too.”

“B-But still…”

“And I haven’t properly taken care of our Greg until now.”

Haven’t properly taken care of her!

“That’s not true!”

It was only a few years ago that Greg had been wandering the wilderness struggling to survive as a beggar.

Ethan had provided her with a luxurious lifestyle in a mansion no less grand than most royal palaces, along with good food, clothes, and introductions to friends and teachers.

Though she didn’t know for sure, it was probably Ethan who enabled her master to have a change of heart as well.

“I’ve already received more than enough kindness! So this excessive- mmph?!”

“Alright, alright, just eat this.”

Something entered Greg’s mouth.

She was startled and almost spit it out, but.

Soon, the sweet yet savory taste of the seasoning spread on her tongue, and she found herself chewing unconsciously.

“Mmm mmmm mmm mmm?”

“What is it, you ask? Chicken skewer.”

Greg ate deliciously, just as Ethan had expected.

‘I’ve never seen kids who don’t like this.’

“Is it good?”

“It’s extremely delicious!”

“Want more?”

Nod nod.

The two of them wandered around Serdin Free Market, tasting various foods and having fun.

The lively atmosphere of the market street.

Friendly merchants and delicious foods.

Greg lost track of time, laughing and chatting with Ethan.

They stopped by the Free Market Guild to watch someone causing a commotion.

She also awkwardly conversed with children who looked about her age.

Ethan watched all these scenes with a warm smile.

“Did you have fun?”

“Yes! It was really great.”

However, there was a hint of loneliness in Greg’s eyes as she said this.

The enjoyable moment is ending, and they’re returning to ordinary daily life.

It must be a bittersweet and somewhat wistful feeling.

‘That’s how kids are supposed to be.’

So Ethan took Greg’s hand and said:

“Shall we come again next time?”

“Next time… you say?”

“Of course! Just tell me anytime. I’ll be free for a while.”

Her face immediately brightened up at that.

Julius had agreed to check the children’s levels, teach them sufficiently, and then head to the republic.

-I’ll need about a month, I think.

-You can take as much time as you need, but.

-A month is already being generous.

-???

Ethan wondered if just a month would be enough to teach swordsmanship and self-defense tailored to each child, but.

In the main story, ‘Republic Grand Marshal Greg’ reached the level of Sword Master after receiving Julius’ teachings.

Coming from someone who could produce such results,

He had no choice but to believe it.

‘Hmm, so the future Grand Marshal likes chicken skewers.’

She liked them so much that he had a few packaged to take home.

She was already taking them out and chewing on them.

“Shall we head back now?”

“Yes!”

Greg held Ethan’s hand tightly even on the way back.

When they were almost home,

‘Come to think of it, Greg doesn’t really suit a girl’s name, does it?’

Since Julius had deliberately raised her as a boy,

He must have changed her name to appear male as well.

Curious, Ethan asked:

“Hey Greg, is that your real name?”

If so, her parents must have been quite careless in naming her.

“No, it’s not.”

Ethan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s the name my master gave me.”

“Is it okay to keep using it?”

“Huh? No, I hadn’t really thought about it. Why do you ask?”

“Well… I just thought it doesn’t suit you very well. I don’t mean to offend…”

‘Crap, how should I phrase this?’

Children are sensitive.

Especially girls.

Ethan was cautious, thinking that even a single word or phrase could hurt her feelings.

“I never thought a name was that important, so I didn’t realize, but now that you mention it, it does seem a bit strange.”

“R-Right?”

Greg blushed slightly and carefully spoke up.

“Yes, so would you give me a new name, Ethan-nim?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes.”

‘But I’m terrible at naming things.’

Once, he had finished customizing a character and uploaded a screenshot to an online community.

It was probably when he had just started playing <Isilium Legend Maker>.

So around the time he had cleared it about 10 times.

[Title: How’s my char customization?]

(A grotesque muscular mage with rabbit princess looks)

-Wow, this guy’s nickname is legendary;

ㄴ For real, it’s awful

ㄴ OP) ?? Why?

ㄴ Are you seriously asking? Everything from the customization to the nickname is trash

ㄴ If you’d made a vulgar nickname at least I’d be impressed lol. This has no humor or impact…

-If I were your character, I’d want to kill myself ㅇㅅaㅇ

ㄴ For real lol

ㄴ Damn ㅋㅋㅋ

ㄴ What happens when parents name their child carelessly.txt

‘No, honestly, was it that bad?’

Ethan decided to think positively.

And just as he turned on <Thought Acceleration> for the first time in a while to fully engage his brain,

[The World Tree’s root urgently shouts to discard all the name candidates you’re thinking of right now!]

[‘Destruction’ rages, asking if you really want to see it go crazy!]

‘Hey hey, calm down. Is it that bad?’

The roots started to have a fit.

Still, just in case, he tried thinking of a few other options, but.

[The World Tree’s root keeps repeating why why why why why…]

[‘Destruction’ wails that while it likes destruction, this isn’t the kind of destruction it wanted.]

‘Umm…’

They’ve broken down.

[‘Maintenance’ conveys its opinion that it thinks they’re fine, but everyone else is being too sensitive.]

‘…If you think it’s okay, that probably means it’s bad.’

[Dejected.]

The bright green eyes sparkling with anticipation seemed to say, “I wonder what wonderful name you’ll give me?”

‘Let’s think simply. Simply. Since her name is Greg…’

Here, Ethan thought of a few names suitable for a girl and carefully opened his mouth.

“Um… how about Gwen?”

A tense moment.

Greg answered with a bright smile, as if moved:

“I like it.”

‘Phew~’

He had almost ruined the well-built relationship in one go.

As Ethan was inwardly sighing with relief and self-congratulation,

‘As expected, you knew everything.’

The girl now called Gwen instead of Greg,

Vaguely recalled the past.

-Right, let’s change your name.

-My name?

-The republican army doesn’t accept women. That Whatshisname III did something crazy. What would be good… Since you’re Gwen… how about Greg?

-I understand.

After going round and round, she had regained the precious name her parents gave her.

That made her happy.

And when the two returned to the mansion,

“Stop sprawling and get up! And why has a full-grown adult collapsed before the children!”

“B-But, instructor. This doesn’t make sense…”

“Shut up! You pathetic fool! Are all the men of the Lakan family as weak as you?!”

“I’m actually the strongest among my siblings… Argh!”

“Who told you to talk back! Use your body to get up instead of your tongue!!”

Sir Rashid was being beaten in real-time, and

The children were sprawled out here and there.

And,

“E-Ethan-nim…”

Only Elyssia, spotless among them all, welcomed the two.

“I think I may have discovered an unexpected talent.”

“Talent?”

“Yes, it turns out I’m stronger than I thought!”

“???”

It was a mess.

Elyssia, the Pure White Saint.

Her ability to handle holy power not only easily surpasses the Holy Spirit Realm’s Pope and Cardinals, but her righteous and pure nature also makes her popular among people.

On top of that, thanks to her beautiful white hair, clear blue eyes, and exquisite beauty, countless young men from across the continent even came to propose to her.

Although the church in <Isilium Legend Maker> does not impose celibacy on priests, allowing them to marry freely,

-I cannot live privately before laying down my position as a saint.

-I’m sorry. I cannot accept anyone until the world is set right and God’s will is widely spread.

Elyssia rejected all suitors.

And when the entire continent was engulfed in the flames of war, the Pure White Saint did not hesitate to head to the front lines.

However, Elyssia’s image was closer to that of a frail beauty rather than the epitome of a saint (physical) like Joan of Arc.

‘I remember she wasn’t a character with outstanding physical abilities.’

Even when subduing the Black Baroness Hwaryon, she didn’t take direct action but stayed in the rear, casting buffs and dispelling curses.

But now,

“Hueeng.”

Hwaryon is losing at arm wrestling.

Ponya is also quietly backing away.

And Kenny, whose basic physical abilities are quite good, couldn’t even last 10 seconds.

As for Borka… there was no need to even try.

“Hwa!”

He thought maybe they were all acting like this to boost Elyssia’s confidence, but.

While he wasn’t sure about the others, it didn’t seem likely that Hwaryon, who was always complaining about Elyssia clinging to her, would be so considerate.

‘Then does that mean it’s real…?’

Saint – physical?

Now this is romantic.

Ethan’s interest was piqued.

“Gwen.”

“Yes?”

“Want to give it a try?”

“…Alright!”

Still, he needed to verify first.

You never know.

The children might be acting like that because they’re exhausted from the harsh training.

So he deployed the fresh Gwen.

Gwen rolled up her sleeve and approached the table.

And then,

“Hiyah!”

“Huh?”

Crash!

She lost in an instant.

“A-Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Ethan-nim.”

She said she was fine, but her trembling pupils suggested she hadn’t expected this at all.

Meanwhile, Elyssia, who had become elated, trotted over and asked:

“How was that? Do you think I can be useful now?”

A scene flashed through Ethan’s mind.

A female paladin at the vanguard, wearing full plate armor with a large rectangular shield engraved with a cross and a mace, casting endless holy power-based heals and buffs.

‘Hehehe.’

Ethan, overcome by the romantic notion,

Took Elyssia’s hand and said:

“Of course!”

‘How can I resist this?’

Southeast of Etrion.

Near the border of Ligrion.

A man was sprinting with all his might across a gravel road.

There were no pursuers or monsters chasing him.

The man ran as if his life depended on it.

“Hu-Hurry!”

He had been delayed because of meddlers.

If he wasn’t careful, a great calamity could occur.

“Must… hurry!”

His destination was Serdin.

The man clutched his cross necklace and prayed to God.

Please, don’t let him collapse from exhaustion.