episode_0043

“Ian… .”

Sylvia called in a trembling voice.

Even though it was a precious song, she couldn’t speak softly.

“Good? You seem to be doing well without me like this… . huh… .”

It is a murmur mixed with love and hate.

Ian listened to those words and looked at the sleeping group.

It looks like it might break, but there is no sign of it happening.

This is Aria’s protection.

A guard was put up to block the presence of any presence throughout the tent.

“Tell me your business.”

“Is that important now?!”

Sylvia jumped up.

Aria’s protection did not stop Kati.

Kati suddenly woke up and returned to her human form.

Ian’s arm stopped her from stepping forward.

“It’s okay. Stay still.”

“… … .”

Kati slowly lifted her hand from the sword.

Sylvia looked down at Ian without looking at him at all.

Ian’s fingertips tingled with just that gaze.

“I have to have business to come see you… ?”

What I was trying to argue about on the way there.

And the purpose and reason for coming.

Sylvia forgot everything.

Ian scratched his forehead in annoyance.

“As I said, I don’t have much time either. Please tell me the main point.”

“… okay. Let me tell you. I’m here to kill that wizard you found named Vivian. How do you feel?”

Kati placed her hand on her sword again.

At Sylvia’s provocation, Ian’s expression crumpled for a moment.

Even before Sylvia could be happy about that, Ian regained his composure and spoke.

“Kill me.”

“… What?”

“If you came to do that, how can I stop you?”

I don’t sense any sarcasm at all.

That was the facts as they are.

If Sylvia wants to do that, Ian can’t stop it.

Instead of “.”

I can’t stop it though.

“Even if I die, I will take at least one arm.”

To that extent, I can do it.

“What… ?”

“It’s literally like that. Compared to that, we are insignificant and have only one arm. It’s not a very profitable exchange.”

Sylvia sat down in her seat.

Ian tears off his own arm.

I couldn’t believe he meant it.

Just imagining it made me feel nauseous.

Ian trying to hurt himself… .

‘I, that, I, I just…’ . you me… .’

Aria spoke on behalf of the dazed Sylvia.

“Ian.”

Ian’s eyes looked at Aria.

It was dry.

“That… .”

My mouth didn’t fall off easily.

Ian glanced at the hourglass.

“The first party got a little strange. What should I say? Recently, I was in charge of a grade A dungeon… .”

Ian listened quietly.

It’s not because I want to listen to Aria’s words.

I just stuck to the five minutes that were allotted to do business.

“… That’s why I came to see Ian. I wonder if Ian would know the answer.”

“I understand the situation, but it’s not up to me to solve it.”

“… Yes?”

“It is true that I was once your manager. But, don’t you have a manager named Penny now?”

“Penny said she didn’t know.”

“Then I don’t know either.”

“Do you think that makes sense?”

Aria’s voice was filled with irritation.

“As I said, I am your former manager. It’s been a long time since we’ve been together. Therefore, we do not know what your condition is right now.”

“If you know, can you tell me?”

“Giving careless advice to another party is disrespectful to the party manager.”

“Then what?”

Aria shouted nervously.

It was a reprimand for humans who cannot properly perform their functions.

Ian burst into laughter.

“That’s what I want to say. I really don’t know what you’re asking me to do. Above all.”

Ian shrugged.

“I have no relationship with you anymore.”

No need to help.

“They were just a manager and a warrior who worked together because their goals were aligned. Not now.”

This is an extremely businesslike and dry answer.

That method is Ian’s own training method that created the first party.

Telling them that is the same as passing on your know-how to another party for free.

Among well-known managers, there is no idiot who would do something like that.

It wasn’t sarcasm or an afterthought.

It was just a practical reason.

“Time is up. Please leave now.”

Before we knew it, the sand had run out.

Sylvia jumped up.

“Ian, I’m sorry… . I, I’m really sorry. huh? Please, please don’t look at me like that… . Please don’t call me Sylvia, okay… ?”

Sylvia quickly got up and fell flat on the table as if pleading.

Her shiny navy blue hair was disheveled, and her face, known for its cold beauty, was pathetically distorted.

Ian didn’t look at it because time was running out.

“Ian, let me ask you this, please, okay? You don’t have to love me, so… .”

A trembling hand slowly approached Ian.

Kati’s fingers twitched on the dagger handle.

Since Ian had once restrained her, she would remain still until given the command to move.

“I, I was really wrong… . Sorry, sorry… . So, please, sob… . only once… .”

It was Aria who stopped Sylvia.

“… Let’s go.”

“Aria… ? Why, why? Still talking… .”

“No, it’s over.”

Aria held Sylvia’s hand and lifted her up.

“Oh, no, you can’t… . I still… .”

“Silvia. It’s done. C.”

“It’s over… ?”

Ignoring the dazed Sylvia, Aria glared at Ian.

He was thinking about something as he tapped the paper with his quill.

Aria’s gaze turned to the tent behind her, then back to Ian.

“We’ll see how well he does.”

Aria left those words and walked away, leading Sylvia.

“Oh, no, Aria… !”

As Sylvia was being dragged away, she looked at Ian and Aria alternately.

Ian didn’t pay attention to her until the end.

I need to get away from Aria, but I can’t find the strength in my body.

It’s been like that since before.

All I could do was stand and breathe.

“Let go of this… ! You shouldn’t go yet… ! Please, please… . Ian, I, I’m sorry… . Ugh… . Hmm… .”

I couldn’t speak any more because my throat was so full of tears that I burst out crying.

It was true that I shouldn’t go yet.

I came here to resolve the slight decline in the first party’s abilities, but did not hear any answer from Ian.

However, it is impossible to persuade Ian now.

‘You can press it with force, but… .’

That’s only possible when Aria comes alone.

Looking at Sylvia’s condition, if Aria shows murderous intent, she will go berserk and protect Ian.

After going on a rampage, he will try to kill everyone except Ian.

‘I knew it was an iron baragi, but I never thought it would collapse so easily… .’

The first party cannot tell the difference as to who is stronger than whom.

If Sylvia, Ian, and Katy join in, Aria will lose.

If anything, I was planning to scare Ian with Sylvia.

I didn’t expect Sylvia to give in right away.

I thought he was going to rush at me, but I was wrong.

‘Instead of kicking them out, I should have destroyed them… .’

It was too precious to destroy, so I kept it far away, but it was funny that I had to face it like this.

‘Now, what should I do…? .’

I can’t get anything from Ian.

So, is it right to go back without any income?

If Ian looked angry or sad, the conversation would have continued.

But when I face Ian’s wall-like appearance, my thoughts stop.

They recognize that they are not someone they can talk to.

‘How to get Ian to open his mouth… .’

Let’s go back and think.

There is nothing we can do with Sylvia right now.

‘Kylie… I don’t know. Beatrice might cooperate.’

It’s a little unreliable these days, but there’s also Penny.

‘If Penny knew that Ian had a solution, she would do anything.’

Aria couldn’t pay attention to Sylvia, who was dragged away sobbing.

My mind was full of idle thoughts.

‘Ian… .’

I remembered the moment I first met him when he came to Agnes Monastery, and I was busy ignoring that scene.

‘okay. You have fulfilled your function.’

There is no interest in giving a machine that has fulfilled its function.

Get rid of it, neglect it, or destroy it.

Is Ian handsome?

This is correct as he was a person who was selected and raised from the first party.

However, no matter how much he does, it is impossible to bring back as many talents as the first party.

Only 4 talented individuals in history.

What they gathered together is the first warrior party.

‘I know Ian’s dream well… .’

Defeating the devil.

But, is there any point in preventing it?

What meaning does that revenge have?

In the first place, isn’t it everyone’s wish to subdue the demon lord?

Even Arya herself.

After killing the Demon King, I became greedy for what I could have… .

A better revenge would be to kill Ian.

That too was a worthless murder.

‘… It’s tough. you.’

Aria couldn’t give an easy answer, so she just walked.

“Ian… .”

Sylvia sobbed and mumbled that name the whole time she was dragged away.

*

As Sylvia and Aria walked away, Katy hugged Ian from behind.

Although it was sudden, Ian was not surprised.

“Master… .”

“Huh?”

“… Are you okay?”

“What am I? It’s okay.”

As Ian said that, his fingertips were trembling.

Kati rarely furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at that scene.

This is a person who cannot help but be overcome by instinctive fear just by being in front of the huge presence of the first party.

I felt sorry for his situation and weakness in having to suffer such a situation from the people he raised.

“I… It’s not okay… .”

Kati is willing to fight with one of the first party members if she sacrifices her life.

But, that’s it.

It’s impossible to win.

There were even two opponents.

In my current state, if I hone my demonic instincts, I’ll never know.

I was afraid that if I did that, I wouldn’t be able to recognize Ian.

Ian’s weakness is pitiful.

My own weakness was terrible.

“So, just a little more… , I will do this… .”

Catie hugged Ian from behind and buried her face in Ian’s shoulder.

“… Yes.”

As she was a demon and weaker than them, she could not replace Sylvia or the vacancy in the first party.

Even if it was a replacement, I would be satisfied if I could fill Ian’s heart.

For Kati, the world was too cruel, and Sylvia was abominable.

No matter how hard you try, you already have something you can’t have.

With just a little effort, you can get closer to Ian.

After taking Ian’s love, chewing it up and spitting it out.

Sylvia, who hurt me like that and then came back and picked on those wounds, was so disgusting that I wanted to kill her.

If she were in Sylvia’s position, she would never have done something like that to Ian.

Just imagining Ian getting hurt makes my heart stop, and it makes me want to hurt myself instead.

Even after adjusting the force and biting, I carefully watch the bite.

But how dare Sylvia do that… .

“Sorry… .”

“Why are you sorry?”

Ian smiled bitterly, took out a sugar bar with trembling hands, and asked.

He has always been that kind of person.

It’s not that I’m strong.

It’s not that there are no emotions.

I’m just used to hiding it without showing it.

He is a person who is infinitely weak and cannot reveal himself.

Even if my teeth tremble at the feeling of betrayal.

Even if I feel sick at having threatened my colleague.

A dangerous person who has to pretend to be strong because he knows that if he reveals his agitation, the other person will bite him.

That’s why I value them more, and I want to protect them, but I can never do that on my own.

“I’m sorry… .”

Kati hugged Ian tighter.

“… Thank you.”

Ian smiled slightly.

Thin raindrops fell little by little.

Carty didn’t let go of Ian for a long time.

***

“What happened last night?”

Vivian asked in the morning.

“… No?”

“Hmm, I guess so. I feel like someone came to me while I was sleeping.”

“It’s probably because I don’t stay up late. I’m sorry if I made you worry.”

“No. What is there to be sorry for? It could have been the sound of rain.”

Fortunately, Vivian didn’t notice.

Mercy was different.

“Are you okay?”

She whispered carefully.

“You know me too well.”

“Heung, thank you. I’m doing this because I’m thinking of you.”

Mercy immediately laughed mischievously.

“Now, it’s okay to hug at times like this. Hurry and lean into the embrace of this body.”

“Uh, Vivian, I’ll sort it out, so leave it alone.”

“Don’t ignore it!”

“Was it so?”

“Hmph. Next time, even if you ask me to hug you, I won’t hug you.”

“That won’t happen.”

I knew that it was done on purpose for me, so I was just grateful.

Mari woke up scratching her head.

“… ah. It’s finally time to go.”

It’s just as she said.

The day came to leave MacDerlin Abbey.

The rain that fell at night stopped in the morning.

“Ian! Good morning!”

I met Helena at the entrance to the monastery.

Rachel was also hiding behind it.

“Rachel also wants to go with me. Is that okay?!”

“Do you think it will be okay?”

“Of course!”

… ah. I want to try just one honey chestnut.

Rachel, hiding behind Helena, lowered her head as if regretful.

I don’t know what their relationship is, but does Rachel want to follow Helena and become a warrior?

It doesn’t matter what it is, but I can’t care about either of them.

However, Rachel is Helena’s only friend, and she is also skilled enough to be ranked second in the monastery.

For a war in the distant future, it would be good to have many people on my side, and for Helena’s sake, it would be good to be close… .

“Uhm, euhum. Hmm keutcha hmmm!”

Marie next to me made a strange sound.

Oh, now that I think about it, Marie coveted Rachel.

Rachel looked at Marie and tilted her head a few times.

“Uh… . Oh, Marie? Is that correct?”

Marie had previously interviewed Rachel, so it was an old story.

“The person who came forward to Salome last time… .”

“That’s right, I am that Marie. He is a manager from the Manager’s Guild who came here to look for a priest, and is also a close friend of Ian, the party manager to whom Helena belongs.”

“… … .”

“What?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Rachel asked, her eyes shining.

“Then, how about me?”

“If you really want this so much, I have no choice but to take you with gratitude.”

“Wow… ! Oh right, thank you for coming out last time.”

Rachel was happy, and Marie nodded proudly.

Now, Rachel will follow Marie and Helena will follow me to Spevia.

Before getting on the carriage, Helena and Rachel hugged each other in tears.

The two exchanged warm greetings as if they would never see each other again.

In the meantime, I also had a short conversation with Marie.

“I’ll be busy when I get back.”

“Ugh, right. Rachel is a temporary warrior, but the others still have a long way to go. Is Ian also staying at the training center?”

“It will be like that for a while. I think that would be the best place in Supervia for a group of people to stay.”

“That’s right. Even though the guild is a bit shitty, the living space is okay. Can I go out to play sometimes?”

“Well, that’s right. Rooms 302 and 303 in Building C.”

“Former Building A, Room 104. Our kids are in room 202.”

“If it’s not in room 104, it means go to room 202.”

“No? Sometimes, I ask you to come secretly and help the kids.”

They both laughed at the nonsense joke.

“If you want to go secretly, you have to be careful not to get caught.”

“Ian?”

Mercy suddenly called me.

“Huh?”

“To the northwest of here… There are thieves?”

Mercy hears the voice of the forest.

To be exact, it is the ability to communicate with animals or insects in the forest.

In fact, it may have been thanks to that ability that he realized what happened last night.

“… A thief?”

There was a scene like that in memory correction.

Helena fights against a band of thieves.

“Why did you come here?”

“Ugh. They say they came to surprise the people attending the public exam.”

Something like that.

Because I brought it up earlier, the public exam was originally scheduled for today.

Is the thieves’ plan to ambush the guests?

Then memory correction would be in a similar vein.

“How many people?”

“15 people. What is your armed status? It’s sloppy.”

Since it was a public fundraising event back then, there would have been more to loot and the scale would have been bigger.

About 15 people will be able to handle this with just the power of this place.

I relayed what I heard from Mercy to the monastery paladin.

You’ll figure it out now.

Helena and Rachel’s greetings have come to an end.

“Rachel… . Stay healthy! Absolutely… !”

“Yes, Helen too… ! See you sometime in Superbia… !”

“Of course… !”

… I wonder if there is even a need to do that since we are going to the same place anyway.

Anyway, the two girls who shared a passionate friendship ended up falling apart.

Marie and I also went our separate ways.

Until the end, Helena and Rachel looked back at each other and confirmed their friendship.

At the end of spring, the two girls promise a wonderful next summer… .

“Hmm… .”

I was going to make a promise.

Helena and Rachel were sitting side by side in the carriage, their heads turned to each other.

I sat down with Vivian across from him.

Mercy and Katy are to me as a fairy and a cat respectively.

“… … .”

Marie’s carriage was damaged by the rain last night.

So you had to ride with me in my carriage.

“… … .”

After saying goodbye warmly, the two girls sat with their shoulders pressed together.

At first, we sat facing each other, but then we changed to our current seats, but honestly, that’s where it ended.

“… … .”

A murderous awkwardness flows through the carriage.

Even the proud Marie couldn’t open her mouth in this situation.

For reference, she sat on Rachel’s lap.

“… … .”

… I want to pass out.

When you wake up, you’ve arrived.

That would be perfect.

“Ah, um. The weather is really warm, right? I guess it’s summer now? ha ha ha… !”

Vivian tried to break the awkwardness.

“The forest is so green! Well, right, Ian?”

Of course it had no effect.

“Wow, wow! The branches are brown!”

Please, please be quiet… .

“… I’m sorry.”

“… … .”

Vivian, who was as red as a strawberry, closed her eyes tightly and lowered her head.

Everyone in the carriage feels the same shame as her.

“… … .”

Only the sound of the carriage rolling is heard quietly.

I can’t breathe… .

***

“Queu-!”

A luxurious banquet room.

A man fell to the ground after being stabbed in the shoulder with a dining knife.

“Kyaaaak-!”

People who saw it screamed.

The person who stabbed the man.

Kylie, who was drunk, looked down at him with a puzzled face.

Unable to suppress his excitement due to his high intoxication, he stabbed an ordinary person.

‘I… .’

Everyone looks at her with shocked faces.

But no one could blame her.

No matter what anyone says, she was a member of the first warrior party.

In that contradictory atmosphere, Kylie spoke nervously.

“… Everyone go out.”