episode_0035

Vivian took a break after finishing her morning training.

Ian and Mercy had prepared the meal so there was no need to worry.

Vivian looked at Kati, who was sitting at the end of the table in a baking position.

The eyes that stare blankly toward the river are like glass beads.

‘Hmm… .’

Not now, but today, Katy’s gaze was particularly stinging.

To be exact, it’s been like that since Mari was around.

Although she doesn’t know Katy’s intentions, Vivian was also worried about Katy.

‘Ian and I are so, um, how can I say it… .’

Ian, Kati and Mercy.

I vaguely noticed that these three had been together for quite some time.

But no matter what, Carty is too attached to Ian.

When he was a cat, Kati would not leave Ian’s arms and sometimes showed affection by licking his face or hands or rubbing his head.

When I was at the training center, I didn’t know that they were mostly in human form.

This is something I realized because I am often a cat these days.

‘It’s a bit like a cat, isn’t it… ?’

Ian’s reaction, accepting it as if he was used to it, was also surprising.

‘Is it okay…? ? The main body is a very pretty mine. hmm… .’

I know that I have no reason or right to interfere between them.

Still, I care.

“Um, Kati?”

Kati turns her head and looks up at Vivian.

Aside from being annoying, Kati’s cat’s condition is so cute.

It’s hard to imagine what he usually looks like with his slender body and cold expression.

This spiky bundle of fluff was so adorable that I wanted to kidnap it right away.

“Well, um… .”

Vivian hesitated.

I want to touch it.

I want to hug you.

But is it that close?

Wouldn’t Kati hate it?

We got closer as we spent time together, but I wasn’t sure.

I took a moment to think about it in front of Cartier, who was looking at me blankly with his head tilted.

I couldn’t stand it.

“Si, excuse me… !”

Vivian carefully picked up Kati and placed her on her lap.

Kati, who was confused, turned her head around and settled on her knees.

“ugh… ! Ears, cute… !”

Vivian gently stroked Katy, who was sitting steadily.

Still, Kati stayed still.

“Hehe, hehe… . oh… .”

It wasn’t long either.

Kati went down and climbed up a nearby tree.

“Keuuk… .”

The current Vivian would be able to climb a tree.

However, I decided to endure it.

‘I let him touch me for 3 seconds longer than last time… ! It will increase further in the future… !’

Vivian thought positively.

But, as expected, I am concerned about his behavior toward Ian.

Cute and annoying were two different things.

“Hmm… .”

Vivian became distraught again and sighed.

This time it’s not because of Kati.

This is because the memory of telling Ian that he was sad comes to mind.

I didn’t show it in front of Ian, but it bothered me ever since.

“Uuuuu-!”

I said without thinking that I was sad.

We dare not do that.

Considering what I had received from Ian so far, it was an extremely ungrateful act.

‘But, I was really disappointed… .’

Ian said as if he was pushing Vivian away.

He said he would send it as much as he wanted.

That calm declaration was hurtful.

‘I don’t want to do that… .’

It is true that children are precious, and it is a shame to lose them.

Still, Vivian wanted to live as a warrior.

Even though I feel sorry for the children, I have a greater desire to follow Ian.

I can’t just take care of my kids forever.

“Hmph… .”

As I thought about it, I felt sad again and pouted my lips.

‘No, you can’t do this.’

It was too childish for a 25-year-old to do.

To come to my senses, I lightly tapped my cheek with both hands.

Thanks to Ian’s diet and management, the healthy cheek fat became soft.

With her palm on her cheek, Vivian decided to think objectively and cool-headedly like a mature adult.

‘Why did Ian do that?’

When identifying friction or conflict, you must first put yourself in the other person’s position.

I also did the same when mediating fights between children.

You need to think about the other person’s position and your own position, organize them, and then have an honest conversation with each other.

Many misunderstandings and conflicts arise from not being honest.

Vivian believes that it can be resolved through conversation.

‘Was it me who provided the reason? ?’

Ian is a manager who has been with the first party for a long time.

Compared to the Sylvia we have seen so far, Vivian will fall far short.

‘I don’t live up to Ian’s expectations either…’ . Or did my expression look too sad?’

That’s a possibility.

It bothered me that I was leaving my children behind.

‘But, I really like Ian better… . No, the good thing is that he follows Ian and becomes a hero… .’

Vivian, who was wandering around in unadulterated thoughts, remembered a new fact.

‘Ian was kicked out of the first party… .’

“I see… .”

Vivian muttered as if she realized.

I don’t know if this realization is true or not.

But at least, what Vivian wanted to say to Ian was decided.

*

“Well, there’s no way anyone would take me like that! This is a conspiracy ah-!”

Helena burst into tears and ran away.

When I first heard that someone was looking for me, I had no idea.

It’s just that someone is looking for me.

There was only objective recognition.

I know that colleagues with high mid-level evaluation rankings have received good offers from outside.

But I never thought it could be me.

And even Ian, the manager of the first hero party that our esteemed Aria belongs to!

In fact, Ian only hinted at the possibility that it may or may not be the case.

At the mere mention of that possibility, Helena becomes a warrior herself, grows into a person superior to Arya, saves the world by killing the Demon King, and is recognized as a hero of the empire and a saint of the Holy Church. In the distant future, she is martyred and given a grand funeral, causing everyone to weep. I even imagined being buried below and being known to future generations as a great person in history.

That’s something that can’t happen.

It’s not worth it to yourself.

Helena’s current situation, being ignored by everyone, suits her best.

She knew painfully well which position suited her.

Even if it is only a possibility.

Even that possibility was something Helena could not allow.

-thud!

Helena, who was running recklessly, bumped into someone.

“Ah, fuck… .”

The harsh tone muffled the swear words.

When I raised my head, I saw a frowning nun through the cracks of her iron helmet.

1st place in intermediate evaluation.

Among the 30 trainee nuns, Salome was considered the most dominant.

The other two people next to Salome also had similar expressions.

“Ah, hell… . What are you doing, you tin bastard?”

Hell, mentioned in the Bible, where the harsh cold of death rages.

That was Helena’s derogatory name.

“I’m sorry… . Because I can’t see straight ahead.”

Helena smiled awkwardly and stood up.

“So don’t fucking use that can indoors, okay? How many more times do I have to say for you to understand?”

“I’m sorry! Well, I was cleaning the bathroom. It’s a bit difficult because of the smell. haha… .”

“It’s not something you do for a day or two… . Oh, really, how did someone like you become a nun? Fire is a thought… .”

Salome, who had been chanting profane words, kept her mouth shut.

This is because a lay nun was coming from behind Helena.

“Let’s do well. huh? Helena? Got it?”

Salome spoke very kindly and tapped Helena’s helmet as if slapping her cheek.

“Yes! I’ll work hard!”

Salome’s group retreated.

I see Rachel gazing at this place in the distance.

He seemed to make eye contact with Helena, but quickly turned his head and disappeared.

“Rachel… .”

Without a moment to think, a lay nun suddenly approached me.

“Helena?”

“Ugh! Ah, Sister Agatha.”

“What are you doing with your guests?”

“You must have come to the wrong place! Isn’t that right?!”

“Ha… . Helena.”

“Yes… ?”

“Go back. Right now.”

“Yes… !”

***

“You know, Mercy.”

“Yes.”

“It’s an intuition that comes from my experience. Normally, if you compete in a closed place like this, it gets really dirty, right?”

“How much?”

“Hmm. As much as the pile of harpy shit you often mention?”

“In human society, that’s how clean it is.”

“… Anyway, there may have been one or two things like bullying among peers or sadistic teaching methods from leaders… . Like the Manager’s Guild. Is this why I’m neurotic?”

“Well… . Because none of what you’ve said so far has been wrong.”

That’s because I’m talking about a future that we barely know about.

Just like the discomfort I felt for the first time, this time it was purely intuition.

I don’t know anything about MacDerlin Abbey, and this is the third time this is a public exam.

I haven’t met many people yet.

This uneasy intuition was firmly embedded in my mind.

Although the accuracy is high, it is difficult to believe because there is no evidence.

“Wouldn’t it be okay to ask directly?”

“Usually, even if you ask questions like this, they don’t answer… .”

-It rattled.

The nun who returned slightly bowed her head and apologized.

Helena, who followed in, bowed low.

“Sorry! Mr. Jan!”

… What, didn’t you say you knew me?

“… This is Ian.”

“Gasp! sorry! Ian!”

“Please sit down first.”

“Yes!”

“Why did you run away?”

“I couldn’t understand with common sense that the former manager of the first party was interested in me, who was ranked 30th!”

“Does this mean I don’t have common sense?”

“… Subpolar. Oh, no!”

I guess that’s right?

“It’s not like I’m going to take you away right away. I’m just doing this to find out. It’s only been a day since I came.”

“Yes! I understand!”

“But that pitch… Is there any reason why I shouldn’t take it off?”

“None… Is it true?”

“It means it exists, it means it doesn’t.”

“Not there?”

“Helena.”

The nun, who couldn’t hear, called out to her softly.

Helena trembled, then took a deep breath as if she had made a decision.

“Whoo, whoo… . Then friend… Do I have to take it off?”

driving me crazy.

“I think face-to-face conversation is basic.”

“Ma, that’s right!”

The helmet was slowly lifted.

The tip of her braided orange hair was visible first past the wet nape of her neck, probably from sweating.

Next, the face of a young girl appeared, frowning as she took off her helmet.

My bangs were also wet with sweat and stuck to my forehead.

Bright orange hair was clearly visible.

Although he had a nervous expression, his overall appearance was round and mischievous.

“This is Helena… !”

Helena opened her eyes and looked above my head.

I looked up to see if there was anything, but there was nothing.

Are you afraid to make eye contact? ?

Helena looked anxious and fiddled with her helmet at her side.

Despite these symptoms, his face is trying to smile.

His eyes were the same orange color as his head.

She wore a necklace with a light green stone shining softly.

The color combination looks exactly like orange.

I don’t know about her abilities, but I think she would look good next to Vivian.

Strawberries and oranges.

“Me, Lee, Ian? Why is it so obvious… .”

“Ah, yes. Sorry.”

There was another reason that made me close my mouth for a moment.

The area around the eyes is red and moist.

That’s not because of sweat.

No matter how I look at it, it looks like I cried… .

It would be rude to ask that.

“I’ll start with the main point.”

“Yes!”

“We are looking for someone who specializes in protection miracles.”

-thud!

The helmet fell.

“Sorry!”

Helena hurriedly picked up the helmet.

He erases his embarrassed expression and smiles again.

“The protection system miracle is, why, no, um… . That’s right!”

Same as Rachel.

hide something

What is it?

There is something hidden in this monastery.

“But you cannot divulge information about other motives!”

“That’s right. I know. I’m curious about Helena.”

“Um, do you mean me?”

“Yes. I’m also curious about Helena, who is ranked 30th.”

“… … .”

An earthquake occurred in his orange eyes.

I still can’t make eye contact, but I can roughly read their emotions just by looking at them.

“Well, I’m in 30th place!”

“What is the miracle of the protection system?”

“… It sucks?”

“Doubt?”

“It sucks! I’m sure!”

I really want to take out the gold coins and throw them in, but I’ll have to hold back.

If you put pressure on him like that, you can’t accept him as a good colleague.

Above all, there is no guarantee that Helena is the person I am looking for.

“Hmm… . Well, that can happen. But, I have one question.”

“Yes!”

“As the former manager of the first party, I think the trainee nuns here are somehow… . I thought it wasn’t showing the miracles of the protection system properly. What do you think?”

Rachel was nervous and embarrassed by this question.

What about Helena?

Considering the awkward appearance he showed just now, he might give away a big clue.

“Yes?”

Helena asked again.

He tilted his head as if he was genuinely curious.

“Is that so?”

“I am an outsider, so it may not be true.”

“I see. hmm… . I don’t know why you felt that way. sorry! I always thought that my classmates always did their best!”

There is no tension or doubt whatsoever.

what… . Did I guess wrong?

“Of course, I’m still not good at it!”

We cannot completely rule out the possibility that we made a mistake.

It would be meaningless to ask anything more now.

Since a lay nun is supervising the conversation, I can’t ask too much.

“Well, I understand. Thank you for talking.”

“No! It was an honor to meet you!”

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“Yes!”

“Are you interested in a warrior party?”

“Yes! But my ranking is low… .”

“Regardless of ranking.”

“I am 30… .”

“Even if you are ranked 30th.”

“… … .”

Helena thought for a while.

I was shaking my body occasionally, as if I wanted to run away.

Like before, I was so embarrassed that I was completely out of my mind.

Otherwise, I thought a completely innocent answer would come out.

however.

Helena’s voice, which she answered after thinking deeply, was so serious and calm that it was easy to mistake it for someone else.

“I… .”

*

I don’t know… .

If you don’t like it, you don’t like it, and if you like it, it’s good.

What does it feel like to not know?

Only vague clues were gathered.

Nothing is certain, but I have the power to make these things certain.

“Mercy.”

“Huh?”

“Write just one letter.”

“Yes, yes. Where will you send it?”

“Holy Knights under the direct control of Seonghwangcheong, in front of the leader. Tell them to come to MacDerlin Abbey as quickly as possible.”

***

Abbot Miriam’s heart was heavy even though nothing much happened.

There is an apostle in this monastery.

That alone made me feel like I was being watched by someone.

‘Whoa…’ . What is the problem with trainee nuns? The supervisor, Sister Lydia, said there was no problem with the nuns… .’

– Rumble.

Someone opened the door and came in without knocking.

I wanted to scold him for his rudeness, but when I saw the person in question, I mentally scolded myself for trying to scold him.

“Sir, Apostle… .”

“Miriam.”

The second apostle, Ian, came in without any hesitation.

Now I don’t even hide the apostle’s gold coins.

“I command you as an apostle.”

“Yes… ?”

“From now on, anyone inside this monastery involved in the public examination will not be able to leave here.”

Ian had no hesitation in declaring a lockdown.

“And, bring all the test officials in front of me.”

Among the people involved in this monastery, Helena is the only one who knows Ian.

So, if you use Miriam, there is less worry about your identity being discovered.

“Yes… ?”

“This is not a request, but an order.”

Miriam thought about the schedule for this test, the time of the people involved, and everything she had prepared so far.

Procedures and Rules.

All of that was ignored.

And, the man in front of me was someone who could ignore that.

If they had been going to follow the procedures in the first place, they wouldn’t have come here like this.

“Okay.”

“… Ah, I just thought of it.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s take the test today.”

“Yes… ?”

“I’m planning to take one of those 30 people today, but wouldn’t it be difficult for the monastery if one person leaves before the exam?”

“Yes… .”

“So, let’s just hold the public exam today. How many days are left until the test date?”

“Well, for two days… .”

“It’s okay. There is no way the nuns’ rankings could change drastically in just two days. Let’s inform all test takers as well.”

“… … .”

Ian felt proud inside.

I felt uncomfortable because it felt like they were trying too recklessly.

However, isn’t this also consideration for MacDerlin Abbey’s schedule?

“Okay… .”

Either way.

Miriam did not have the right to decide anyway.

*

“MacDerlin Abbey?”

Silvia and Aria arrived in Spevia and visited Agnes Monastery.

Since it was a place I had a connection with because of Aria, I thought Ian would have stopped by here.

Although Abbot Petra was reluctant, he had no choice but to answer.

Arya’s status within the Seonghwa Church was not something that could be ignored.

“… That’s right. Aria.”

The word ‘sister’ was not added.

If Ian is the guardian who took Aria and made her successful.

Petra was close to a real parent who cared for young Arya.

A wall has been erected between the two that cannot be overcome.

Since hearing that Ian had been kicked out, that wall has become stronger.

Arya didn’t care about that.

“Let’s go, Sylvia.”

“Yes.”

Sylvia and Aria.

Two members of the first party headed to MacDerlin Abbey.