episode_0044

Beatrice, who occupied the large sofa by herself, smiled happily and waved her glass.

The flowing red wine, boasting a sweet aroma, poured into my mouth.

Around her, people bowed their heads and smiled with happiness.

Beatrice bobbed her head repeatedly in everyone’s envy.

It was thanks to the performance of musicians introduced by Baron Ludwig.

“Beatrice, isn’t it the miracle of the operation to recapture Jeriha?”

The empire where SS-class dungeons appeared is ‘Zeriha.’

Not only Beatrice but the four members of the first party were the miracle of the recapture operation.

If I were to be honest, it was Sylvia who showed the greatest performance at that time.

Beatrice knew this was flattery, but since it felt good, she decided to ignore it.

“Oh, that’s right, then. I was in a place worse than hell.”

Beatrice once again told a saga that she had repeated many times.

Some of these people have already heard of this.

Still, in order to please her, I reacted violently as if I was hearing it for the first time.

“Hey, Beatrice.”

When the conversation was over, a man approached cautiously.

‘The mayor is Baron Ludwig’s representative.’

I don’t remember the name.

This is because he is a person who does not need to be remembered.

“This is our dark beer that the Baron asked for… .”

Beatrice knows because she already heard about it from Penny.

“Ah, I know, I know. Bring it quickly. I’ll show you how great it is.”

“Haha! As expected, the archery is as cool as it is! I will colonize you right away!”

The man, who smiled slyly, immediately ordered his attendants to bring him beer.

Beatrice looked at him and gave him a trivial evaluation.

‘It looks like a rat with a beard.’

Soon a rough wooden cup was placed in front of me.

Between the bubbling white bubbles, black liquid was visible.

“It is a proud specialty that is aged for 2 months and has a deep and light taste. Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Beatrice drank and shook her glass.

The overflowing bubbles swayed delicately under her touch.

‘You mean you can make money by eating this and saying a few words?’

Her skills might not be enough to get her to a dungeon, but considering the money she could earn with just a few words, it was quite a high price.

‘Why on earth is Ian like this…? .’

Naturally, thoughts of him came to mind and I felt bad.

As soon as he was gone, the party started to decline.

Doesn’t it seem like he is the core of the first hero party?

‘… I admit I had his help. However, we got to this position because we were good at it.’

As if swallowing the discomfort caused by Ian, Beatrice took a gulp of dark beer.

Even though it was an insignificant action, onlookers praised it as if they had encountered the halo of a hero.

“Keuu-!”

Beatrice emptied her beer in one go.

‘It’s so tasteless. ‘Isn’t this spoiled?’

It was bitter, sticky, and uncomfortable to swallow.

I only felt the tingling sensation of alcohol.

A superhuman who has reached a certain level can control the intoxication he or she receives, but now Beatrice has loosened all of those restrictions.

It was natural that I felt dizzy from the intoxication as soon as I drank it.

I accept the cheers of people pouring in with mixed senses.

The beer tasted good.

Ian has been limiting the first party members’ intoxication in crowded places.

Now that he wasn’t there, I could get drunk with peace of mind.

“Off… . Well, it’s delicious, huh.”

He stumbled back to sit on the sofa and muttered.

“They say heroes and alcohol are inseparable! Could you please tell me a little more in detail?”

“What? Ugh, well… . It’s bitter, refreshing, and has a slightly savory aftertaste. Yes, it’s good to eat.”

The mayor wrote down Beatrice’s words with a happy face.

“Thank you so much… .”

-Quaagh!

An ear-piercing scream came from somewhere.

Beatrice quickly shook off her drunkenness and picked up a knife.

The scream came from the large door in front, the banquet room where Kylie was.

-go away! Everyone get out!

Immediately after Kylie’s shout was heard, people poured out of the banquet room.

“Kylie… ?”

One of the people pouring in was bleeding from his shoulder.

Beatrice carefully entered the banquet room.

At the head of the table at the end of the long table, Kylie was sprawled out on a chair as colorful as a throne, looking at the ceiling.

There was blood on the floor next to her, and a bloody knife was also lying there.

“Kylie? What did you do?”

“… ah. Beatrice.”

Kylie lifted her head, sobbing, took a swig of the dark beer in front of her, and then lay down again.

“… This beer was so damn tasty.”

“That seems like a good reason for you to stab someone.”

“Hehe, hehehe. Haha, right? Why do I only now know that people get paid to praise things like this? It’s such a sick world, isn’t it?”

“Ha… . I don’t know why you’re doing this, and I don’t want to know, but can you please be quiet?”

“… Beatrice.”

“Why.”

“Ian. Why didn’t you go see it?”

“Huh.”

Beatrice was dumbfounded.

“Why do you even want to see me?”

“You sound disgusting.”

“Is this what Kylie, who used to carry Ian on her back every time she got drunk and drunk, would do that?”

“… … .”

Kylie, who was half lying down, lowered her eyes and glared at Beatrice.

“Kylie, please. Stop thinking about useless things. Are you trying to make it as lame as Sylvia? We all agreed to kick out Ian who was no longer needed, so why are they doing this now? I really don’t understand.”

“It’s a long story.”

“… What?”

“Whenever you want to hide something, you tend to talk longer.”

“… … .”

“Ha, that’s it. I’m tired. You too, go out.”

“Kylie, stop thinking nonsense now. The reason Sylvia went to look for Ian was because she wanted to understand the weakening of the military.”

“I know.”

Beatrice left nervously, and Kylie, who was left alone, drank more.

Drinking to get rid of Ian’s memories was contradictory.

For her, alcohol was a medium that reminded her of Ian.

“Hehehe… .”

He stabbed a person, even an ordinary person.

I did it on impulse.

The guy who flattered me to talk about dark beer suddenly mentioned Ian’s name.

There were some who tried to gain favor with the first party by gossiping about Ian, who had been kicked out.

Until a few days ago, the operation was effective.

However, when they returned from the A-class dungeon feeling uncomfortable, Ian should not have been mentioned.

Kylie got angry and stabbed the man with a knife, then quickly pulled it out.

‘… ‘It’s too weak.’

The man’s body was strangely weak.

It gets pricked so easily, like stabbing water with a knife.

That weakness reminded me of Ian.

‘Why are you so weak…? . If only you weren’t so disgustingly weak… .’

Since I stabbed him in the shoulder, he wouldn’t have died.

Since it was pulled out immediately after digging into the flesh, it will recover with simple healing.

Since she is the knight king of the first hero party, Kylie, she will not be punished for this.

So all those issues were secondary.

It just reminded me of Ian and made me feel uncomfortable.

I found it funny that I was surprised that I had stabbed someone.

‘After killing so many people, being surprised that someone stabbed me in the shoulder now… . It’s all because of you.’

Kylie slowly closed her eyes, feeling dizzy.

I kept thinking of Ian in my head and wanted to spit out my entire brain, but I couldn’t.

‘When will these dirty memories be erased? .’

As time passes steadily, the scenery beyond closed eyes melts, and consciousness sinks into the past.

Memories of the day Kylie vowed to no longer be with Ian.

It was the day Ian almost died.

‘It would have been better if you had died then… .’

Perhaps it’s true that I don’t want to think about it anymore, but the scene at that moment when even I was at a loss made me feel intoxicated and my head whipped around.

***

The murderous awkwardness created by Helena and Rachel did not last forever.

A moderately friendly atmosphere was formed during the trip to Superbia.

After arriving in Spevia, the two girls did not exchange pleasantries as they did when leaving MacDerlin Abbey.

If that were the case, it would be so awkward that someone would fall over.

Because the road to the training center is the same.

“Wow… .”

“This is the capital of the empire… .”

Helena and Rachel could not keep their mouths shut when they saw the capital city walls for the first time.

The two’s admiration for Supevia did not end even after they got off the car.

All the way to the training center, the two were close together, looking around like meerkats and talking.

“Too many buildings!”

“People are not easy… .”

“This is my first time seeing a road this straight!”

“It is very well organized.”

Ah, this is called “city”.

It’s a bit like that.

What I learned while walking with Marie is that this human network is extensive.

“Marie! Did you go to the public exam?”

“Ugh, I’ll tell you later.”

“Oh, Marie. It’s been a while since I last saw you, but you’re still as tall as ever.”

“Turn off before grinding the top of your head.”

There were quite a few people who recognized me first and said hello.

“You have a lot of connections.”

“I’m a bit attractive, right?”

“… … .”

“?”

“I want to follow your example by always saying the right thing.”

And one more thing I learned is that Vivian has become more famous.

I don’t know the reason for this.

Even though I was away for a few days and didn’t do anything, I found out more than before.

It was Helena who reacted to that.

“Vivian! You are a very famous wizard!”

“It’s not that bad… .”

“But many people recognize me!”

“It’s strange… .”

Even though I deny it, my shoulders keep rising.

“The wizard chosen by the former manager of the first party is different, but what’s the difference?”

If you do that, your shoulder will reach your ear.

“What is the first party?”

Rachel asked.

“Huh?”

Vivian was surprised by that question.

Rachel was a person who was not very interested in warrior parties.

After awakening as a superman, I went with the flow and ended up going to MacDerlin Monastery.

The fact that I came in second place there wasn’t because I had a lot of enthusiasm.

You’re quite talented, aren’t you?

“So, the first warrior party is… !”

Helena began to explain passionately.

Helena explained all the adjectives such as the light of humanity, hope, the vanguard of the Pride Empire, and loud adjectives.

And the end of the conversation comes down to me.

“The one who managed them was me, Ian!”

“Oh oh oh oh.”

… I’m so embarrassed.

Mercy from next to me also helped out for no reason.

“As expected, it’s amazing!”

“Be quiet.”

I don’t know why, but Vivian’s shoulders were higher than before.

I quickly learned why Vivian became more famous.

As I looked closely at some people’s newspapers, I saw the story of Vivian and Felix written on them.

It was the second edition of the article written by Amos last time.

Perhaps the response to the first edition was good, and the content was deepened and refined to produce a second edition.

After saying our final goodbyes at the entrance to the training center, Marie and my group split up.

Helena and Rachel did not show a strong friendship like last time.

Honestly, I had some expectations.

I went straight up to the 3rd floor of the accommodation.

Throughout the climb, Helena talked to herself about how excited she was for the new environment.

“This is the manager guild that creates and manages heroes… ! Vivian, did you stay here too?”

“Yes… .”

“Then you must have taken the temporary hero promotion test! How was it?”

“Ugh, King Slime… .”

“What is that again! This is my first time hearing about King Slime!”

Although Vivian was embarrassed, she explained in detail what happened during the exam, and Helena was busy praising her with admiration.

Vivian is shy and Helena is shy.

It’s a fantastic combination.

Helena wasn’t like that from the beginning.

It was quite awkward when we were talking loudly in the carriage, but we became quite friendly during the ride.

Vivian is still shy, so she doesn’t talk much.

Considering Helena’s circumstances, I think that she may not be her true self either.

When he first saw me, he covered his face with his helmet.

You must be trying.

“No. 302. From now on, the two of you can use this route.”

“It’s a 4-person room! Are you using Ian too?”

“The room next door. This is room 303.”

“Aha! In the monastery, I slept on the floor, but what a bed!”

Even though I didn’t do anything for him, I feel proud to see him getting excited and liking it.

“Um, Helena?”

“Yes!”

But, the moment has come to calm down the mood.

Perhaps the most important thing about being with Helena… .

“I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, I’m listening!”

“… Kati.”

Kati got down on the floor.

“Mean cat!”

Cat cat… .

That’s Katy’s nickname given by Helena in the carriage.

The entire time I was there, I held my cat, Katy, and made a fuss by rubbing, licking, and sucking her.

Considering the future, I thought it would be better to let the two become friends, so I asked Katy to make a sacrifice… .

Honestly, I don’t know… .

As if she had expected what was going to happen, Vivian rolled her eyes with a troubled look on her face.

I even break into a cold sweat.

Mercy was also nervous this time.

Since the Seonghwa Church educates demons as ‘heathens’, I am also cautious.

However, I think it is better to disclose it in advance rather than hiding it and talking about it later.

“Do you know anything about Mine?”

“You mean mine?”

Helena thought for a moment and answered honestly.

“The cause of the outbreak has not yet been clearly identified, and I understand that it is a human being transformed into a demon!”

I know just enough to know.

“That’s right. that… .”

Even if I’m a little worried, there’s no good in dragging it on.

“Kathi, show me.”

Soon, the white kitten transformed into the appearance of a maid with long silver hair.

“… Ah?”

Katy quietly removed the blindfold and showed the cat’s eyes.

“Nyannyang… . Ah.”

“… … .”

A murderous silence fell, similar to the one experienced in the carriage.

Helena looked at Kati with blank eyes.

“Mine… . That, cat, no, cat… .”

He mumbles like a broken machine, then closes his mouth.

“… … .”

The good news is that they are not hostile or angry about the fact that they are demons.

He seemed more surprised that the kitten that had been rubbing and fussing all the way was not actually a real cat.

“Ah… . Well, I said sorry on the way… .”

Helena spoke to Kati in an ecstatic voice.

On the outside, Katy was as expressionless as usual, but she looked a little uncomfortable.

“Well, that’s right. If you don’t like it because it’s mine, please tell me.”

I won’t send it to you, though.

“No… . Rather than that, just for a moment… .”

Helena sat on the bed and stared into space.

Slowly her face turned red.

I guess it reminds me of what I did to Catie (Kathi).

For a moment, we all decided to give the blushing orange some time to be alone.