episode_0020

Strong Attachment

Altheon is a city of trade. What’s famous in this city are, naturally, the imported goods from other countries. Things unseen elsewhere, magic stones from magical beasts, and even food. Materials from magical beasts can also be found in abundance here. While the goods are famous, there’s one more thing Altheon is known for. That is an event called the ‘Night Festival’. Altheon’s nights are bustling, and the reason is this festival, held to wish for the safe progress of the merchants’ trade on the following day. At night, all shops transform into food stalls, and merchants drink food and beverages to wish for tomorrow’s safety….

“…”

“Ah…! Zeke-nim saw me… Kyaa!”

Yes. I saw you. What’s wrong with her? As I was recovering my energy, I opened my book to catch up on delayed entries and scribbled with my pen. But I felt an intense gaze from behind me, so I paused my writing and looked at Aria, who was sitting on the bed behind me, staring intently. That’s why Aria is reacting like this, but…

‘What is this? Was Aria always like that?’

She’s completely different from her usual self. While I was writing, Aria had been preparing something for me. The small pouch on my greatsword is Aria’s work, and the reinforced magic stone on my greatsword is also Aria’s creation. So, this is the first time Aria has stared at me so intently while I was writing.

“Aria? Is something wrong?”

“Me? No? I just like Zeke-nim, so I’m just looking at Zeke-nim…!!”

“…R-Right.”

Something keeps bothering me. It seems Aria’s personality has changed somewhat since the Robdom incident. Still, she’s just staring at me, so maybe it’s fine… Let’s get back to writing. After all, there’s a lot to do.

…To wish for tomorrow’s safety. There aren’t any particularly famous foods or drinks in Altheon. Since merchants and trade artisans also visit, a variety of dishes have emerged, and there isn’t one specifically known as the most famous. It’s said that there are so many types of food, even dishes that combine foods from other places are sold, and drinks that blend the tipsy feeling of alcohol with grapes are available.

“….Hmm…”

To Aria, it must look like I’m contemplating what to write. But in reality, I was very conscious of Aria, who kept staring at me intently from behind. It’s certain. Since the Robdom incident, Aria has been staring at me longer than before. Is this going to be okay…? I feel like I’ll be very tired later…

“Haa…”

“Zeke-nim? Is something wrong?”

“No. By the way, what happened to Robdom after I collapsed?”

“Hmm… It was revealed the next day that Altheon’s mayor was involved with Robdom. The citizens of Altheon were greatly shocked by the uproar, realizing Robdom’s hideout was beneath their feet, and it was subsequently revealed that the mayor was connected to Robdom. So the current mayor was driven out by the citizens, and someone else took his place as mayor.”

I roughly understand why Robdom was underground in this city. Indeed… In this location, they could have managed smuggling well. But of all things, they were completely swallowed by Aria’s wrath. And thanks to you all, I’m now suffering from Aria’s even stronger attachment…!! But that was just a part of it.

“Ughh… Ugh…”

This gaze… Aria must have been watching me again in her sleep… Caught by the gaze in the middle of the night, I rubbed my eyes and sat up. But something felt strange. There was no sign of anyone… This time…

“Hahahaha…”

“Aria…?”

“Oh, Zeke-nim… You’re awake…? ”

“U-Uh…”

I was too surprised to speak. Aria’s red eyes, visible in the darkness, instilled in me an indescribable terror. It’s not just a sleeping habit…? Judging by her speaking, Aria seemed to have been fully awake and watching me sleep all this time. I wish this had only happened today…

“….Ugh… My head…?”

“Ah… Zeke-nim! Are you okay?! I… I’ll quickly get medicine…”

“No… It’s just from waking up suddenly…”

“B-But…”

“It’s fine…”

The next day, Aria acted that way again. When I said my head hurt, she didn’t listen to me and rushed to get medicine. That behavior continued until the next day. For three days, Aria kept watching me. When I was sleeping, when I was eating, and when I was writing. It’s clear that her attachment symptoms have worsened compared to before.

“Ugh… Is it morning again today…?”

“Zeke-nim~ I’ve made stew while Zeke-nim was sleeping!”

“You… aren’t tired?”

“Hahahaha… I am a Saint! Fatigue doesn’t harm me at all… But if Zeke-nim gets harmed… that’s pain for me too.”

Damn it! That’s right, she was a Saint!! It seems Saints learn how to overcome even sleepiness. Right… I heard rumors. That Saints can bestow blessings upon themselves to walk all day long… I’m doomed. My future looks bleak, but…

“Here you go, Zeke-nim!”

“…I can eat it myself now. Let’s eat together.”

“Oh my… But I want to feed Zeke-nim…”

“Just the cooking is enough. Let’s eat, Aria. I’ll enjoy it.”

“….Yes.”

Still, it’s better than leaving Aria be. If I left her, Aria might harm herself again. Still, it’s a relief that Aria does these things because she truly loves me. The problem is that I’m someone who doesn’t understand love…

“Hmm? That sound… The Riera sisters are singing outside.”

“Don’t listen, Zeke-nim. I’ll make you like only my songs…!!”

Oh, how scary… The Riera sisters are said to be staying here until the next day. While the Riera sisters sang outside, Melian quietly waited for them in the room. Melian, whose will had originally departed, was in a state where she couldn’t do anything without the help of the Fairy sisters. And Tiara…

“I’m here, Melian! Big sis brought lots of yummy things!!”

“Tiara! Don’t bother Melian…!!”

Hearing that sound, it seems Tiara is bothering Melian again. And Riera is stopping Tiara. And Karina is still living with us. Just as the sound of footsteps on the stairs was heard…

“Zeke Hyung! I’m here!”

“Oh, right. Karina. Did you enjoy the Riera kids’ songs?”

“Yeah! They were truly beautiful….”

“Hahahaha… Please don’t disturb our time together, Karina…!!”

“…”

And Aria was still hostile towards Karina. It’s been three days, can’t she stop now? I need to resolve this atmosphere somehow quickly…. Since I’m planning to make my last entry today and leave Altheon anyway….

Robdom fell by the hand of the Black Saint, and Robdom’s leader, Artyun, died with its collapse. All illegally captured slaves were freed, Altheon’s mayor who was involved with Robdom was dismissed, and a new mayor began to govern Altheon.

“Alright… Altheon records complete! I’ve stayed here for a full 10 days….”

“So, are we finally heading to Kartun?!”

“That’s right. But Karina. Why do you still call me Hyung and Aria Noona? I told you it’s a misunderstanding, didn’t I?”

“….Well, I guess I got used to it since we’ve lived together so long. It’s not easy to fix.”

“Hahahaha… Then if you let me touch your head, I can fix it at once…”

“Hieeeeeeek?!”

It must be a joke, right? Even as a joke, it’s too terrifying… Still, it seems best to first prepare the supplies needed to go to Kartun. It’s a good thing the restaurant where Karina left my luggage when I was kidnapped was such an honest place… Fortunately, the items were still there. Still, since it’s a bit of a distance to Kartun, let’s buy some supplies.

“Kids. Let’s buy some supplies today and leave tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry, Zeke-nim. I’ll catch some magical beasts and cook for you again!”

“…T-That’s good too, but… we also need to get other ingredients. Like ink for my pen, and seasonings. We can get everything here, so let’s get everything we can.”

“…Yes…. And I’d like to quickly leave this brat in Kartun…!!”

Right… I knew it would be like that… Most likely, that’s her goal. Until now, Karina had been trembling in fear from Aria’s fierce gaze and fleeing to the Riera sisters’ room. Still, it was a relief that they could sleep together…

“Let’s get ready to go out, kids. Let’s buy everything we can.”

“Yes, Zeke-nim! Take my hand and quickly…!!”

….Why is she blushing so much just from holding hands? Aria’s attachment wasn’t just stronger in her gaze. It seemed she craved everything about me even more. I’m worried Aria’s thoughts might twist further at this rate. Oh, the pressure…

“Alright, I get it. Let’s go out quickly. Karina, are you ready?”

“Yep! I just came from listening to the Fairy Noonas’ songs, so I’m already in my going-out clothes!”

“Alright. Let’s go, Aria.”

“Yes…!!!”

When I took her hand, it was as if flames erupted from Aria’s head. Aria’s face grew redder than before, and she wore a dazed expression. Seeing that, Karina almost burst out laughing, and I let out a dry chuckle. As we went outside together, we could hear people murmuring around us.

“It’s her!! The Saint who caught the evil organization by herself!”

“Oh my… She’s as beautiful as the rumors say…!”

“She’s really wearing black clothes… What an unusual Saint-nim.”

Huh…? I leaned in to listen, and everyone was talking about Aria. When did Aria’s story spread? What on earth happened while I was collapsed…? The moment I was lost in thought, Aria walked further forward and completely blocked the stares of the people I was looking at.

“Zeke-nim. It seems the story about Zeke-nim from Robdom has spread. Don’t worry, I’ll block people’s gazes with my whole body…!!”

….It’s you, Aria. Everyone’s talking about you… Anyway, seeing that everyone around is mentioning Aria, it seems Tess and Rascal didn’t spread the story about me to the world… Ah, so that’s why people know Aria. By spreading the story about Aria instead of me…

“Zeke-nim can only look at me…. Others definitely won’t do…!”

I couldn’t mention my parents. Because this time, I couldn’t possibly predict how Aria would react. If I couldn’t even resist…. that truly might be genuine terror. As Rascal said, Aria’s nickname ‘Black Saint’ seemed to have several hidden meanings. One is a Saint dressed in black, the second is a cruel Saint. And finally… a Saint of unpredictable terror.

“Alright, Aria… But please let me look at the shops…”

“Ah, yes…. But please be careful of people’s gazes, Zeke-nim..!”

I’m telling you, they’re looking at you. Sigh… When will she stop with those delusions…? Under Aria’s unnecessary protection, I slowly began to browse the shops. Pen ink… seasonings… even fabric and cloth for any unforeseen repairs. Indeed, Altheon has everything. As I continued to buy things, the day gradually turned to dusk.

“Okay. I’ve bought everything. We need to leave in the morning, so let’s go back and sleep early.”

“Yes, Zeke-nim. By the way… do you know something?”

“Hm?”

“That it’s almost New Year’s.”

Already? Oh… right. This month is December, and 10 days have passed. New Year’s is in two days. But… why is Aria looking at me with that burdensome gaze again…? Hmm… More importantly…

“First, I should eat something. I’m hungry.”

“Yes, Zeke-nim! I’ll cook something delicious for you again!”

“Hmm… Your food is good too, but… since it’s our last day in Altheon, let’s enjoy the festival here, Aria.”

“Festival?! That’s great, Hyung! I saw it last time and really wanted to eat there!”

“….Do you not like the food I made?”

“Huh…?”

“You’re going to eat food made by someone else? No… Absolutely not…!!”

Trouble. It was clear that to the now even more strongly attached Aria, there was absolutely no one but me. When Aria’s dark, red gaze fell upon me, I instinctively made an excuse to Aria.

“B-But records are important too…. I need to know what delicious foods are here… I want to inform others through my records what the representative dishes are here, and that they’re delicious…”

“If that’s the case, Karina and I will eat. Karina and I can eat and tell Zeke-nim what’s delicious, right?”

“But Aria Noona. Then Zeke Hyung might not be able to resist the smell of the food. And wouldn’t it be better for all three of us to eat to decide what’s more delicious?”

“I agree with that idea, Aria. What do you say?”

Hearing my and Karina’s opinions, Aria fell into thought. Is that really such an important issue to be lost in thought over…? Sigh… I’ll have to wait a bit…

“Oh my? Zeke-nim! What a coincidence to see you here!”

“Hm? Aren’t those Riera and Tiara?”

The moment Aria closed her eyes, deep in thought, Riera and Tiara walked towards us from behind me, holding something. Are those skewers in their hands? There’s something strange.

“What’s that?”

“This is an octopus skewer, Oppa. It’s delicious! They’re selling it over there.”

“Alright, I’ll try it later. Ah, Riera. Thanks for looking after Karina while I was collapsed.”

“It’s nothing~ But what is the Saint-nim contemplating?”

“Ah… That is…”

“Alright, Zeke-nim! Just this once, exceptionally…. What are these stray cats doing here…!!”

Aria, who had been pondering for a long time, made her decision and opened her eyes, glaring at Riera and Tiara next to me. At that, Riera and Tiara flinched in fright, and Karina sighed. So she’s gone through a lot like that while I was collapsed…

“L-Let’s all go together! But Aria, you have to stay next to me…”

“Ah… Z-Zeke-nim, really… This is cheating, acting like this….”

“Ahem…. By the way, Riera. Where did Eli go?”

“She said she’d protect Melian. I’m going to go and swap with Eli later. Anyway, Zeke-nim and the Saint-nim are also going to enjoy the festival, right? We went out a lot at night to buy food, so we know where the delicious places are. Octopus skewers, Elegon grilled fish… Pavla salad…”

“Those are all new foods I’ve never heard of. Perfect for recording. Let’s go quickly, Aria.”

“Yes….!!”

To also lift Aria’s spirits, I took Aria’s hand and walked in the direction Riera pointed. Aria then wore an enraptured expression and clung tightly to my side. Good, mission to cheer Aria up succeeded..!! And Eli, who was watching this scene through the inn’s second-story window, spoke to Melian next to her.

“Look~ There. Big sis and Tiara met the Mister and the Saint, Melian.”

“…”

“You’re still like a doll…. Big sis was worried about your condition, you know?”

“…”

Melian, who was merely staring blankly outside, showed no reaction to Eli’s words. Eli then chuckled, clung tightly to Melian’s side, and said while touching Melian’s hair:

“You know what? I actually have a secret. Want to hear it?”

“…”

“I’ll take that as a yes, Melian. Actually… I have someone I like. Not a fairy I like. I like a human.”

“…”

“It’s the Mister.”

“…”

“Zeke Mister is truly kind…. No human, no fairy, ever thought of us. But… the Mister was different. We did terrible things to him, yet he forgave us, didn’t he? Isn’t he truly kind and wonderful…?”

“…”

“So, you know… sometimes I understand the Saint’s actions.”

Suddenly, Eli looked at Zeke, who was with Riera visible through the window, and her expression became as enraptured as Aria’s. Unaware of this, Aria was feeding Zeke various foods, and Zeke, though burdened, still smiled, seemingly not disliking it. And Eli, who saw that smile from afar, murmured to Melian:

“I like the Mister…. I love him so much…. I want to keep seeing the Mister… I want to monopolize everything about the Mister…. I want to make the Mister mine even if I have to tie him up and hide him in a secret room…. If Riera Unnie hadn’t suggested becoming wandering bards, I would have used a Siren’s song to manipulate Riera Unnie’s mind and forcefully made her a wandering bard…!! Or even by myself…. Because that way, I could see the Mister again….”

Eli’s expression gradually began to twist into madness. But Melian showed no reaction to such an Eli. Next to Melian, who remained like a doll, Eli looked at Zeke again and murmured:

“But that Saint is in the way. She’s in the way… Too much in the way. I wanted to accompany him too, but that Saint stopped me. It seems the Mister also dislikes that. It seems he doesn’t like that Saint very much. Only that Saint shows attachment to the Mister. That’s not enough. I have to completely change the Mister’s affection. For now, I’ll entrust the Mister to you, Saint. But… later, I’ll definitely make the Mister love me… Hehehe…”

In the dark room, only Eli’s mad laughter, filled with strong attachment for Zeke, could be heard.