episode_0040

Ian, who was hesitant, was about to say something when he burst out laughing.

“How old are you?”

“… huh? 18 years old?”

“He’s not even an adult yet, why don’t he just go sleep and grow taller.”

“Huh?”

As Ian said that, he pressed down on Sylvie’s hat-covered head.

“Oh, no! wait for a sec! After all, we are only 4 years older than each other… !”

“When I first saw him, I called him uncle.”

“… Have you ever paid attention to that?”

“No?”

Sylvie had no sense of reality.

What is this?

Are you really serious, but you expressed your feelings with great difficulty?

“Wait a minute! I’m really serious… ! And who gets married right away? Well, that’s good, but there are stages…”

To be honest, the sight of him daydreaming and making fun of himself was a bit cute, so Ian ended up laughing.

“Why are you smiling…! I heard you’re serious!”

Sylvie hated that her confession was thought of as a childhood promise she couldn’t even remember.

Ian also stopped laughing and asked back with a serious expression.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Sylvie nodded without hesitation.

When Ian saw her like that, he frowned and scratched his forehead.

“… Why why? You hate me?”

“It’s not that kind of problem.”

“Then?”

“Ha… .”

Ian sighed deeply and stroked his bangs.

What does that reaction mean?

Is he also distraught because he loves himself?

Sylvie hoped that he would accept her, even if reluctantly.

“Actual cost.”

“Yes.”

“Think about it. Really, if I accept you, what will happen to the party members?”

“What do they have to do with it? Could it be that you like someone other than me?”

“No, this is not that kind of problem.”

“Then what is it!”

It was difficult for her to understand that the only person she had a deep relationship with was Ian, and even her deepest feelings were directed only towards Ian.

“There are cases where a manager and a warrior develop a relationship like that. But I haven’t seen anything good.”

“Why?”

“Why? The manager is responsible for treating the warriors who have to fight fairly, training them, and sending them out to the battlefield.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“All that aside, you are precious to me.”

“… Huh?”

“Not only you, but other members as well.”

“… … .”

“But, if you become more precious here, I can’t send you to a dangerous place.”

I was happy to hear that it was precious.

I was disappointed to hear that I was equal to others.

It seemed like there was another possibility for it to become more precious, so I was happy again.

Sylvie hated her heart that rose and fell at will.

In the end, his words were a clear rejection, but Sylvie did not want to give up.

It’s the first feeling I’ve ever had in my life.

It was my first time sitting there, and I was coveting it.

“… All I have to do is become stronger.”

“Huh?”

“I just need to become stronger so that Ian doesn’t have to worry. And it only takes two years. Right?”

I answered in a joking manner on purpose, but age is actually not a big issue.

Although he was aiming for the death of the Demon King, he died without even seeing the Demon King in person.

I don’t know how strong the Demon King is.

“Okay. I will become stronger.”

“That’s the only problem… .”

“Stop. Please don’t say more.”

His voice was firm, but his expression was not.

I felt like I would cry right away if I said anything.

“Instead, tell me one thing… .”

“… What is it?”

“Among the four of us, who is the most precious?”

Ian said that everything is precious.

But the reason I ask that is because I just want to hear something, rather than Ian’s sincerity.

It wasn’t a question, it was a complaint.

“Ha… .”

Ian sighed again and scratched his forehead.

Sylvie was scared and closed her eyes tightly.

‘It’s okay if you don’t mean it, so please… .’

“Listen to your ears.”

Sylvie tilted her face nervously.

Ian, who hesitated, did not open his mouth.

– Perfect!

“Aya!”

“It’s all the same. I’m asking something strange. Get out man. It’s time for the baby to sleep.”

I didn’t have the confidence to convince him that his situation was not strange even if he died at any time.

“See… .”

Sylvie was so angry that she had the urge to hug Ian’s neck and kiss him.

It is possible with the current cost.

His strength has already surpassed Ian’s.

Or, you can bind it with binding magic and covet it.

‘… No, let’s hold on.’

Let’s save it for someday, even in the very distant future, when Ian and I connect.

For a sweeter harvest day.

How many times had he held back from attacking Ian, who was already sleeping?

In fact, I was kicked out after being caught by Ian, who was as bright as a ghost in his sleep.

From that day on, Sylvie tempered herself with her venom.

I believed that if I became stronger than now, I would be able to stand by his side.

Then one day.

The first SS-class dungeon appeared.

It was something that swallowed up not just a city, but an entire kingdom, and it couldn’t be put into the category of a dungeon.

Demonic scriptures, hell realized in reality.

A flood of monsters has taken over the country.

Because Ian had given word to the emperor in advance, and the emperor had conveyed it to the feudal lords, the casualties were minimal.

However, the infrastructure of that princely country, the trade routes through it, the food and supplies that were not yet taken, etc.

Everything collapsed.

Ian couldn’t get his party moving right away.

Because I wasn’t sure I would win.

“Are you looking down on us now?”

Kylie protested, but Ian shook his head firmly.

“I’m not looking down on you. All you have to do is perceive reality clearly.”

In the end, I couldn’t break Ian’s opinion.

A whopping 6 months.

Ignoring the emperor’s urging, Ian focused only on training the four for six months.

By sweeping the surrounding dungeons, I also replenished artifacts and relics.

In the meantime, numerous parties were deployed to clear SS-class dungeons, and all of them failed.

The only way to survive was to place manpower in the border area.

And finally, 6 months later.

Ian’s party members were deployed to the north, south, east, and west of the princely state.

A week later, the territory of the princely state was recaptured.

Another week later, the SS-class dungeon disappeared.

Only four people wrote the myth, and from then on they were called by their unique name, ‘The First Hero Party’.

It was definitely Silvi who made a huge contribution to conquering that dungeon.

“Ian-!”

Sylvie confirmed the disappearance of the dungeon and returned to Ian as soon as her injuries were treated.

It didn’t matter that I had achieved an achievement that would leave my name in history.

I wanted to quickly let Ian know that I had become stronger.

As they crossed the line, not only Silbi but also the other members grew further.

“Ian! I did it! Did you hear? Huh?”

Sylvie rushed over and jumped into Ian’s arms.

Ian was too hasty to hug her.

Sylvie felt that hesitation and hugged Ian even stronger.

In the end, Ian hugged her too.

“… okay. Of course I heard it all. Well done.”

“I have become much stronger than before. really. You don’t have to worry anymore. He’ll be an adult next year, so Ian… .”

Sylvie raised her head with excitement.

I certainly believed that he would accept me now.

At least it’s a promise.

However, Ian just smiled awkwardly.

“There’s still nothing I can’t do that’s so small.”

Sylvie was in no mood to play around.

Not just today.

After confessing, Sylvie tried to secretly approach Ian and show her feelings several times, but each time, Ian dismissed her, treating it as a childish complaint.

Just for today, I didn’t want to do that.

“Ian… . I really… .”

“Actual cost. Don’t say it.”

“… Huh?”

“You know it won’t work.”

“No. I do not know. I don’t know anything.”

“How can I… .”

“Don’t lie!”

The grip that held Ian tightened.

His leather armor was torn by the force of his grip.

“Ian knows it too. How hard I tried… . Do you know how strong I am now? Huh?”

“Yes, I have become stronger. But it’s still not enough to kill the demon lord… .”

“You don’t like me? huh? If that’s the case, then just say so.”

Please don’t say no.

“I don’t hate you.”

“Then?”

“That… .”

“I love you.”

“Actual cost… .”

“I, I really… . I love you so much. I don’t know why I’m like this, my feelings are so big it’s scary, but you know what, I love you so much more than anyone else in this world… .”

Ian looked down at Sylvie with a guilty face.

It has come to a point where I can no longer take it lightly.

Sylvie didn’t want to see that expression.

‘If you’re going to be so sorry, just tell me you love me. Then everything becomes perfect… .’

Ian took a deep breath and looked like he was going to say something.

love you.

My mouth and tongue were moving as if I was about to pronounce it.

Sylvie closely observed the changes in the lips, tongue, and breath.

but.

“… I’m sorry.”

The answer she hoped for did not come.

It was so painful that the echo of ‘I love you’ was ‘I’m sorry’.

“Silbi, I… .”

“Aaaagh-!”

Sylvie sat down and screamed, sobbing.

In those sobs, Ian swallowed the truth he was trying to tell.

Hail swirled from the sky.

As if showing the chill in her heart, cold ice cubes swept across the world.

After crying for a while, Sylvie stared at Ian with unfocused eyes and returned to her tent.

“Silbi, wait… .”

-widely!

Sylvie violently shook off the hand that was trying to grab her and glared at Ian.

“Don’t talk to me.”

Words that are sharp and different from your true intentions come out.

Talk to me.

hold on to me

It’s okay now, so hug me again.

tell me you love me

Until Sylvia finally returned, Ian was unable to catch her.

“Ha… .”

Ian sighed as he adjusted his broken wrist.

Ian’s wrist was broken with just a light throw of his hand.

He was used to pain, so he didn’t show it, so Sylvia didn’t even know he was broken.

“… Well, shouldn’t you have accepted it?”

Mercy, who was far away, approached and spoke.

“Don’t you know that child’s heart?”

“… I know.”

“Even though I know that your feelings are not different.”

“… … .”

“I don’t know what I’m so afraid of, but a relationship that is so precious that it only hurts each other… It’s heartbreaking to see. But why are your wrists like that? Did you get hurt?”

“No, just.”

I didn’t reject Ian because I wanted to reject him.

Why wouldn’t you love her?

Sylvie, who had learned nothing but begging and looting, stayed closer to Ian longer than anyone else.

The language, writing, habits, culture, common sense, magic, combat skills, social skills, everything she learned.

It started with Ian.

He vaguely knew that her feelings for him were special and affectionate.

She was very disappointed with Ian, who became neglectful every time he brought in a new colleague.

At first, I thought it was just Sylvia’s immature desire to monopolize as she lived in poverty.

However, Sylvie’s eyes when she looked at Ian changed little by little.

Ian pretended not to know that.

I hoped that feeling would not materialize.

Because feelings that are not brought out can be ignored even if their existence is clear.

Sylvia couldn’t bear the exclusive desire that developed into affection and confessed it, and Ian couldn’t accept it.

Ian is potentially terminal.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to kill the Demon Lord by the point where he died in the second episode.

There is no guarantee that the time limit for this third round will be the same as the second round.

‘It might have been shorter… .’

Sylvie has become stronger, and so have the other three.

However, it is still weaker than what Ian saw in the second episode.

Sylvie’s weakness isn’t the only problem.

Ian is weaker than him, and he might die at any time.

He died after confirming the limits of his growth in the second episode and has never been nervous.

I stayed up all night often.

It’s just that you gradually get used to it and don’t show it.

Even reaching the Demon King’s Castle in the second round was possible because he avoided the fight and took a detour.

His body was so weak that he had to be a coward.

Since he died at the entrance to the Demon King’s Castle at that time, it is impossible to estimate how strong the first party would have to be to defeat the Demon King.

In the end, you have to borrow someone else’s help to solve your own problems.

Even the goal given to him to kill the Demon King was given to him by someone unknown.

I couldn’t help but feel anxious because the power over my life and death was held solely by others.

This is why Ian tries to accommodate and help the warriors as much as possible.

The feeling of helplessness that one must sacrifice others for something one cannot do.

A sense of responsibility close to guilt that comes from that.

Just as it was the 2nd time, the 3rd time was also the same.

His survival was even a possibility only through the sacrifices of others.

There is also a reason for this to provide motivation, a driving force for the warriors to grow and act until they kill the Demon King.

Rather, the feeling of responsibility and helplessness was greater.

‘I don’t want to give Sylvie a planned breakup. That kind of experience in the second round is enough for that guy…’

Ian really cherishes Sylvie.

Therefore, I couldn’t accept it any further.

After waiting until night, Ian went to see Sylvie.

“… Why did you come?”

Although Sylvie spoke bluntly, she did not kick Ian out.

“That… Sylvie. You may not believe it, but I am terminally ill. I don’t know exactly when and how I will die.”

“… Just say you don’t like me.”

“I’m serious, me too.”

“Superman is terminally ill? Are you asking me to believe that now? They say all superhumans are immune to disease.”

“Not all superhumans are like that, and it’s not a disease either… .”

“Then what is it? Who placed a curse?”

Ian hesitated for a moment.

If it’s a curse, it could be said to be a curse… .

“Is it really a curse? who? I’ll research it and try to figure it out. Tell me.”

“It’s not a curse. No, I can’t say anything… .”

The longer Ian worried, the deeper Sylvie’s suspicions deepened.

“I don’t know what this is either. But I’m sure I might die.”

It was hard to believe, but Ian’s expression was so serious.

Sylvie also decided to believe it.

“Then… Is that why you can’t accept me?”

“That is the biggest.”

After thinking about the answer for a while, Sylvie had tears in her eyes.

“Don’t die… . You can’t die without me… .”

“Who is dying now? therefore… .”

Ian took a moment to catch his breath.

Every time I think of the devil and the time limit that I try not to pay attention to, the past of living as if I was being chased comes to mind.

“Just wait until I kill the demon lord.”

“… Why is it being said like that? Is it even a curse from the devil?”

If we have to be honest, that isn’t wrong.

However, to affirm that, Ian does not know the identity of the quest.

“You could say they are similar.”

“They say I can kill the devil… . Then isn’t it okay?”

“Not sure yet. Because I don’t know how strong the Demon King is. Even if there are four of you, it’s not certain.”

Sylvie stroked her bangs, sighed deeply, and then answered.

“Okay.”

“Okay… ”

“Instead, hug me. No.”

Without even waiting for an answer, Sylvie rushed to Ian, who was sitting, and hugged him.

Sylvie, who was sitting on her lap, hugged Ian and smiled.

“I’m going to kill the devil, so Ian is the one to wait.”

Ian couldn’t answer because his complicated feelings were blocking his throat.

Sylvie lifted her head and looked down at Ian’s lips.

“Don’t do that.”

“Deadly.”

Sylvie said as she held Ian in her arms again.

“I love you.”

Unable to return those words, Ian just hugged Sylvie tighter.

With that, Sylvie was satisfied.

Then one day.

“What did you do at the Aria Tent last night?”

“Oh, they said the mana circuit was unstable and asked me to come over for a moment…”

“Lie. I heard it all. What Aria says to you.”

“I overheard that… Anyway, you came out right after hearing that. Actually, nothing happened, and I didn’t respond at all.”

“Still! It’s annoying to hear you say things like that! Stay with me more during that time!”

“It’s not like that… No, I’m sorry.”

“I’m annoyed… .”

Sylvie turned around and tried to leave without saying anything, but Ian grabbed her shoulder.

Sylvie, who was beside herself with anxiety that Ian might be taken away, slapped her hand away with all her might.

-widely!

“Do not touch it. I really… .”

At that moment, Ian slightly furrowed his brows and let out a low breath.

I was half-complaining just now, but that reaction made me really angry.

“Are you sighing at me now?”

“It’s not that…”

“That’s it. do it yourself. Don’t really grab it this time.”

Sylvie went out, hoping to be caught again, and this time Ian didn’t catch her.

Ian felt his wrist, then sat down in his chair and called out to Katy with the ring of subordination.

Katy soon came back with a bottle of potion.

“Master···.”

Seeing her frowning, Ian waved his hand.

“It’s no big deal.”

The bone in my wrist wasn’t just broken, it was completely broken.

Since I was a superhuman and had advanced potions, it would take a few days, but it wasn’t a pain that could not be noticed at all.

I ended up frowning in front of Sylvie.

At the time, Ian had only himself to blame.

I don’t know why Aria said that to herself.

But Sylvie heard it.

Sylvie’s anxiety grew more and more delusional day by day.

Aria said she wanted Ian.

Ian might be taken away.

‘I met him first, and we’ve been together for a long time… .’

Sylvie had to stimulate Ian and bring out comfort in order to kill that disturbing delusion.

At the same time, he had to stimulate and unsettle Ian so that he would only look at himself.

So that no one else can see it.

I can’t have it.

You must focus on yourself and subordinate yourself.

“I don’t want to do it.”

“Huh?”

“No hero. I don’t know why I should do it. The devil either dies or not.”

“Actual cost. Why suddenly…”

Ian’s goal is to kill the Demon King.

But he can’t do anything alone.

Even if the first party gathers, they might be able to kill the Demon Lord.

Conversely, Ian doesn’t want even one member of the first party to be left out.

‘Ian needs me.’

So, even if Sylvie is harsh, he cannot be cruel to Sylvie.

Rather, it should be comforted.

Ever since I realized that.

“I don’t know, I just don’t want to do it. I’d rather just die. Anyway, it doesn’t matter because there’s Aria and other members besides me.”

Sylvie’s emotional abuse of power began.