episode_0037

Esther, president of the Alchemy Association.

She suddenly came to the mansion to meet me.

The purpose of the visit was to deliver to me a prototype of the elixir that had been manufactured.

Get “”

Esther carefully handed me a luxuriously packaged green box.

When I opened the box, a glass bottle containing a bright rainbow-colored liquid was revealed.

“I finished mixing according to the mixing ratio you instructed. Because the purity is so high, it took some time to fill the horsepower density, but you can look forward to the results.”

Certainly, as she said, the finished product exceeded expectations.

The criteria for determining completeness are simple.

That is the final amount of elixir completed.

As a result of visual inspection, it was around 30ml.

With this amount, it is safe to say that it was literally squeezed to the limit.

An exclamation escaped from between parted lips.

Esther looked at me with a triumphant expression.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Not much to say.”

Now, only one final step remains in elixir manufacturing.

That is none other than the Holy Solvent.

All you have to do is drop a certain percentage of the new solvent on the completed prototype and then heat it at extremely high temperature to remove the impurities.

Isabel Justia.

Although she is anxious, she is a woman with real abilities, so she will bring the solvent without any trouble.

Esther looked at me with an anxious face for a long time.

I asked her bluntly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“… … Is it still a secret what you’re making? I tend to have a heavier mouth than I thought.”

I remained silent with a smile on my face.

It meant that if you had no more business to do, you should leave.

Esther, realizing his intention, let out a deep sigh.

“Ha, it’s okay. Because I wasn’t expecting it anyway.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“Why is it difficult to say that… ”

Esther clicked her tongue and took out something, then handed me a well-wrapped letter.

“This is an invitation.”

“You mean the invitation letter?”

“Okay, I don’t know the details either. This item was delivered to the association while you were away.”

I stood in a daze and opened the letter I was handed.

The imperial seal was engraved on the outside of the invitation.

“Sender… Rudine Eckhart… ”

I slowly looked at the contents.

The content was clear.

Since the founding ceremony will be held in a few days, Kyle Winfred must attend and escort the princess.

Looking at the handwriting, it appears to be the princess’s handwriting.

“… … .”

It’s a founding system… .

I didn’t remember ever attending the previous session, so I completely forgot about it.

I slowly recalled my memories.

The National Foundation Day Festival, in fact, has a grandiose name, but in reality it is no different from a social banquet for nobles.

The difference from a typical banquet is that the person holding the banquet is none other than the imperial family.

The princess’s escort?

There is nothing particularly difficult.

However, if there is a problem…

‘Isn’t it the day of the first wave of Konkukjemyeon?’

Encroachment of black fog.

Commonly known as Monster Wave.

As I remember, on the day the founding period began, a full-scale disaster began to strike the empire.

The dormant black fog will begin to eat away at the continent in earnest, monsters will overflow, and all kinds of diseases will cover the continent.

Rudine probably knows this too.

You can’t not know.

Because she would have inherited the memories from the previous episode intact.

Even though you know that, you still want to participate in the nation-building festival?

In the Eastern Territory, which is not a safe place but the starting point of disaster?

‘Here we go again.’

Do I want to commit suicide?

If that’s the case, I’m welcome.

All I have to do is rob the relics without having to do anything.

“Do you participate in building a country?”

Diana, who had been watching quietly, opened her mouth.

I nodded slowly.

“Maybe.”

“Can I accompany you too?”

Diana asked me cautiously.

I slowly looked Diana up and down.

Her appearance now was very Diana itself.

I still don’t want to let Rudine know about Diana’s existence.

However, for this founding of the nation, as long as the variable known as the black fog exists, I need someone to protect me.

I slowly opened my mouth.

“It’s impossible with that appearance.”

Diana’s shoulders trembled.

And for some reason, he lowered his head with a slightly sullen expression.

Okay.

Because a solution exists.

“Merlin.”

“Why?”

The method is simple.

All you need to do is change Diana’s appearance.

“The camouflage artifact.”

“Why is that?”

Why?

I do it because I need it.

Is there “?”

At my question, a smile grew on Merlin’s lips.

“Of course.”

****

It was said that the imperial family would take care of the preparations for the founding ceremony, so I was enjoying my first leisurely time at the mansion.

One thing that has changed is that Merlin is staying at the mansion for the time being.

“What are you doing when you’re not at work?”

“It’s my heart.”

“Then, will you continue to stay here?”

“For the time being. Shouldn’t I keep an eye on you so that you don’t get into trouble?”

It was leisurely, but not particularly quiet.

Because there was never a quiet day inside the mansion.

There’s so much noise just because of the addition of Merlin.

It was truly amazing.

However, I didn’t hate the crowds.

No, I actually liked it.

Thanks to that, there was no time to be bored.

“Wow—”

Merlin vomited after eating Diana’s cooking.

I understand.

The food Diana makes has a wonderful taste in many ways.

“It’s amazing. Have you been calling this cooking? Isn’t this alchemy, not cooking? How does the soup get this weird taste?”

Puzzle—

The fork in Diana’s hand couldn’t withstand the pressure and bent in half.

“It’s because your sense of taste is paralyzed.”

“What does this mean? Even if you just boil the meat in plain water, it would be better than this.”

“It’s an illusion.”

Have fun, have fun.

All you have to do is just eat roughly and fill your stomach.

Merlin, who was thought to be a bit gloomy, had a talkative personality to the point where he would argue with Diana whenever he got the chance.

Even if you think he just has a dirty personality, seeing that he reluctantly takes care of you when you need him means that he usually doesn’t seem to have an unusual personality.

And so, the hectic days continued.

Then one evening.

Merlin came into the room and asked if I would like to talk to her for a moment.

Merlin began by saying that he had found the whereabouts of Luna Winfred.

The carriage Luna was riding was found near the Vatican.

The reason she suddenly headed there was most likely because of Isabelle.

Are you going to cause another accident?

Merlin chuckled as he looked at my rotting expression.

“Every day must be terrible. It feels unfair to be thrown into an unfamiliar world, but the women around me are all mentally ill.”

“It’s okay. If I just hold on a little longer, I can go back.”

“Okay, we’re almost there.”

Merlin muttered in a subdued voice.

After a while, she asked me cautiously.

He looked like he couldn’t understand me.

“I was suddenly curious.”

“What?”

“How do you trust me?”

That’s right, the tendency of ‘Merlin Trivia’ as written in the official setting book was clearly ‘good’.

Above all, there is no limit to the number of people at the dimensional gate, so why would a good character betray me?

“It’s strange. To put it bluntly, isn’t it possible for me to leave this world alone, leaving you alone? What if I had planned to deceive you? Aren’t you so defenseless?”

I slowly chose an answer.

So as not to be suspicious, and to give you as much trust as possible.

“Why? Fool me?”

“It could be so.”

“How are you going to adapt to moving on alone? I’m sorry, but the world I lived in wouldn’t be as easy as this one. Without my help, you will immediately become an illegal immigrant and be chased for the rest of your life?”

“Illegal… what? What is that again?”

“There is such a thing.”

I chuckled.

And added:

“Is that all? What about the language, and how do I adapt? Shouldn’t you have at least one companion you can rely on?”

“… … Does it sound like you are going to personally help me adapt?”

“You heard correctly. I’m also sure about after-sales service.”

Is it because I was impressed?

A look of confusion was clearly visible on Merlin’s face.

She remained silent, as if speechless.

Merlin slowly raised his head.

And then he continued speaking.

“I’m really touched.”

“Then I’m glad.”

“Tsk, why were you dragged into this world…? Well, am I lucky? Because you were dragged into this world, there is at least a glimmer of hope.”

“If you know, you can do well. Don’t even think about stabbing me in the back.”

Merlin chuckled—laughter.

Her smile, which I had never seen even in a game, was quite innocent, contrary to expectations.

“No need to worry. Unless your soul directly passes through the dimensional gate, I cannot pass over to your world no matter what I do. Even if I left your soul behind and went over alone, I would have been trapped in the dimension and become a lost child.”

This is a known fact.

This is because the dimensional door is literally just a passage connecting dimensions, and passing through the passage does not mean you will fall into my world.

The only thing that can go to my world is my soul.

Therefore, no one will ever be able to go to the world I lived in without my companion.

Above all, if that were possible, Merlin would have left this world a long time ago.

You don’t even need to get my help.

“You.”

“Tell me. Because I’m listening.”

Dark green eyes pierce me.

However, I wasn’t particularly nervous.

At least in front of Merlin, I don’t have to hide myself behind a mask to play Kyle.

“What is your name?”

“Kyle Winfred.”

When I answered roughly, Merlin narrowed her eyes.

And I asked back.

“That’s not your name.”

“… ?”

“Your original name. Your real name that you have been called your whole life, not the fake name you have been forced to wear.”

Real name.

It’s not a fake name that was forced on you…

My real name, the name I’ve been called my whole life.

I was speechless.

Because I never once thought that in this world, someone would ask for my real name.

“… … Seungjun Lee.”

“Seungjun Lee?”

“Yes, that’s my name.”

Seungjun Lee, Seungjun Lee, Seungjun Lee… …

Merlin repeated my name several times.

“That’s a good name.”

“… Really?”

“Yeah, the sound is good, right?”

Merlin burst out laughing.

As I pursed my lips, she stood up.

And he asked me to shake his hand.

“Then please take good care of me in the future, Seungjun Lee.”

I slowly got up from my seat.

And I held the hand held out to me.

“I am.”