episode_0063

‘Let’s tell it all…’ .’

Vivian made up her mind.

Let’s tell the truth about what we planned to do that day and apologize.

That’s the best for now.

Thinking about that morning when she was shaking with excitement and fear, Vivian opened her mouth.

“Actually… .”

The moment I said that.

‘… wait for a sec.’

I vividly remembered that time.

Yeah, that wasn’t the intention from the beginning.

It was really an impulse.

At first, I was purely curious about Ian sleeping.

I thought this as I looked at Marie’s sleeping face at MacDerlin Abbey.

What does Ian’s sleeping face look like?

‘If this is… .’

Vivian continued speaking naturally.

“I was curious about Ian’s sleeping face… .”

“… Yes?”

There is no time to think about what to add.

Just as it comes to mind, naturally, as if it had been like that from the beginning, and not as an excuse that comes to mind now.

“That’s right, right? I’ve never seen Ian sleeping. Even at MacDerlin Abbey, he always went to bed later than me and woke up earlier.”

“Uh… . That’s right.”

“Here, we use separate rooms to begin with. So I was curious for no reason. Will Ian sleep? How do I sleep?”

“Hmm… .”

“Well, you slept with Mari at that time. Marie and Ian look a bit alike, right?”

“… To be honest, it’s a bit like that.”

“But Marie’s sleeping appearance is very different from usual. Have you seen it?”

“No.”

“He’s really cute and calm. Is it like a baby angel? So, a thought suddenly occurred to me. What kind of face does Ian make when he sleeps? Will Ian’s impression change drastically like Marie’s?”

“Hmm… .”

Ian nodded as if he understood.

It’s a positive sign.

At the same time, my ears turned red little by little.

It was easy for Vivian to remember what he had imagined.

He continued talking while holding back the laughter that threatened to escape.

“So that morning, when I saw Ian, that’s exactly what came to mind. So, yes… . I was curious so I looked at it for a while and observed it, but I had no idea that he was awake.”

“So… .”

Ian pursed his lips tightly inward.

He looked like he was trembling with shame.

I was glad that it wasn’t something I had imagined.

Aside from that, the shame rose up to the point where I almost wanted to bite my tongue.

Looking at him with his ears turning red, Vivian wanted to play pranks.

‘cute… .’

At that moment, I remembered the conversation between Marie and Ian at MacDerlin Abbey.

Marie’s practical joke about Ian sleeping like everyone else came first.

At that time… .

Ian asked this question.

“What are you thinking?”

Vivian laughed mischievously as if she had never cried before.

Looking at her like that, Ian also chuckled.

“Tell me what you’re thinking?”

“… … .”

… Oops!

Ian was bullied by Marie back then too.

Now it was time for Vivian to feel embarrassed.

I thought I was reacting a bit cleverly, but I turned out to be a fool.

After seeing Vivian playing around, Ian felt a lot more at ease.

Anyway, the misunderstanding was resolved well.

“I guess I just misunderstood it.”

“Oh, no… . I also misunderstood on my own, so what… . Hehe.”

Vivian smiled awkwardly.

Ian sighed in relief.

Even though it was embarrassing, I had hoped that it wasn’t true, so I had no choice but to consider it fortunate.

‘thank god… .’

There was nothing more fortunate than this, as it ended up being an embarrassing misunderstanding.

*

“I came to see Felix.”

“What is your status?”

“This is Penny, the Master of the Manager Guild.”

The military police camp guard readily permitted entry after checking the credentials.

That was also strange.

Even in the military police station, which is full of all kinds of ghost stories, this prison camp is the scariest place.

In a place like that, you simply verify your identity once and are allowed entry?

This is ridiculous.

If someone comes looking for Felix, it is impossible without an order to let them in.

The hypothesis that Ian was Philip became increasingly clear.

In fact, Ian had requested that as much news from the outside world be delivered as easily as possible.

I hoped that Felix would slowly wither away and die inside, listening to the news from outside.

“This way.”

Penny walked down the dull hallway, following the guard’s guidance.

On one wall, wooden cell doors are arranged at a considerable distance apart, and guards stand spaced out on the opposite wall.

Each guard seems to be in charge of one door.

The number of gates was small and there were only solitary cells on one wall, so the number of guards was not many.

Penny briefly perceived the scene and stopped thinking.

That wasn’t an important moment right now.

Going to see Felix.

In other words, it meant going to check the connection between Ian and Philip.

My heart beats fast and my body gets hot.

To her, Philip is like a god.

I am now on my way to confirm the reality of God.

‘Ian… . ‘Is that you?’

Even though she hadn’t even met Felix yet, Penny felt like she had already gotten her answer.

In her mind, she was alone in her belief that Ian was Philip.

“Here.”

The guard in charge of guidance stopped in front of a door.

As I passed through the hallway, I could hear unpleasant murmurs and sobs coming from other cells.

Among them, this door is the noisiest right now.

Penny focused on the sounds coming from inside.

-Ah, Vivian. you’re right. This is the wizard I discovered. He is a great warrior who is truly talented, has a good temperament, and gets along well with his colleagues. Her skills… .

It was as if he was bragging to someone.

Penny, who had been excited just a moment ago, quickly cooled down.

‘… I think I’m crazy. I don’t know if we can have a conversation.’

-Thump thump!

“Felix! It’s a meeting!”

The guard knocked and then pushed aside the shutters at height.

Then I saw Felix with his wide eyes pressed against the bars.

“Ah… ! painting… penny! Penny! Aren’t you a master…? !”

The guard took a step to the side.

“Ah, Penny is the one who founded our Manager’s Guild. He is also one of the two people I respect.”

He was happy to see Penny, but suddenly he turned his head to the side unnaturally and muttered.

When Penny glanced at the guard, he shrugged.

“Who is the other person? of course… . Oh, that… . The name… .”

“Felix.”

“I remember well… .”

“Felix?”

“… yes? Oh, Penny! Are you here?”

“Yes. I just arrived. You now… Are you okay?”

“Don’t worry about me. There are kind people who listen to my story. Haha.”

Felix kept turning his head to the side and repeating the words to himself.

Even when looking at Penny, his eyes were out of focus.

Penny decided to get to the point quickly.

“Felix. Have you met Ian?”

“… … .”

“We met, right? What happened?”

“… … .”

“Philip… . Ian is Philip, right…? ?”

Penny asked with a trembling voice.

The guard tilted his head when Philip’s name came up, but Penny didn’t have time to pay attention to that.

“Ian… . Philip… . Ian? Philip… ?”

Felix muttered the two names alternately.

“Ian… . Ian, Vivian… . I, Vivian, I chose, ah, no… . He, he chose. I just… .”

“Felix, please… . Important issue… .”

“Haaa-! no no. ”

Felix suddenly screamed.

“Sorry! Sorry! I, I… !”

He hits the back of his head against the wall and screams.

Even its appearance was unnatural.

Because it looked like he was standing still and only moving his head back.

The guard quickly opened the door and pinned him down on the floor to prevent him from harming himself.

Penny’s gaze moved from Felix to the cell he was held in.

The space is so small that it would be full if one person entered and stood there.

It’s ridiculous to even call it a room.

It’s closer to a coffin.

When I opened the door, a foul odor wafted out, because the floor of the cell was full of sewage.

It was a place where even defecation could not be disposed of properly.

Felix’s skin was yellow.

It was so dry that the skinny bones stood out.

Penny looked at him and then saw the guard.

I was genuinely curious about what people did to become like this.

The guard noticed that gaze and laughed.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“… … .”

“Literally. Really, no action was taken.”

Minimal meals.

And the news from Vivian as instructed by Ian.

Other than that, nothing was offered to Felix.

A completely solitary cell with no windows and no lighting.

Only then did Penny realize why each cell was so far away on the way here.

Prisoners were kept apart from each other to prevent them from provoking each other.

Penny didn’t particularly sympathize with Felix.

I didn’t think it was unfair because I had been informed of many of the incidents committed by Felix.

Even with the exception of Vivian, he has already trampled on the lives of too many people.

He wasn’t that kind of personality to begin with.

Penny was just thrilled.

‘Ian’s way… .’

What happens if you touch your own person?

The method of processing that leaves you feeling cruel and yet painful.

Being able to move the military police to do that must mean that Philip has authority… .

‘iced coffee… . This is why there are so many rumors about it… .’

It is natural that few people know the true nature of this place.

There are many inconvenient things about going out and talking about the scenery seen here.

Let alone revealing the affairs of the military police.

It is impossible to convey the life here as it is through words.

It would just be a repetition of the description of people being locked up so that they cannot move and all freedom taken away.

Most people won’t understand how it’s scarier than execution.

‘Even though Felix is of bad quality, it is a place that is extravagantly harsh to imprison a guy like this… .’

In the end, the only conclusion left is that Philip is the Ian who can trap Felix here.

Some may point out that this is possible because he is the former manager of the first party.

But Penny is confident.

This can happen because Ian is Philip.

A smile kept spreading across Penny’s face because she was the only one who knew about Philip’s side that others did not.

Instead, one question remains.

If Ian had done it, it would have been known to the public in some way.

However, it is not yet publicly known that Felix is here.

Penny knows this because she received reports as the master of the Manager’s Guild.

“Philip… . Oh, no, Ian… ! Sorry, I was wrong… . sorry… .”

“Felix. Is Ian Philip? Are you sure?”

Penny asked with a trembling voice.

Despite her confidence, she wanted to hear Felix’s answer.

“That black… . penny? Ah, when did you come… .”

Felix’s focus finally turned to Penny.

This was thanks to getting out of solitary confinement and lying down on the floor of a wide passage.

“Ian… .”

Felix thought over the name again and then laughed through tears.

“He is Philip… .”

Rattling.

Penny heard her heart drop.

“Ian, it was Philip… . Why you founded the Managers Guild. A person worthy of the envy of all managers. You came to save this world… .”

“Shin… .”

That was something Penny often used when talking about Philip.

A god who descended on this earth to save the world.

“That’s him… .”

“The basis is… . Is there any evidence?”

Penny’s voice trembled as if it were breaking up.

Felix’s blank gaze scanned the air.

“… … .”

Philip was recalling the three symbols that Ian had shown at the time.

But I couldn’t say it out loud.

Just thinking about that moment makes me feel short of breath again.

I didn’t hear any answer though.

In those eyes that seemed to be obsessively counting dust, Penny read the truth.

“Heo-eup… !”

Penny took a deep breath without realizing it.

I felt like I was going to faint.

What did Felix see?

What on earth proved the relationship between Philip and Ian?

Felix’s blurry voice was heard above the whirlwind of my own imagination.

He said with a crying and smiling face.

“Edict certifying qualifications equivalent to those of the royal family… . Gold coin of Seonghwagyo Apostle… . And, the magic seal certified by the emperor and the Holy Emperor… . Who on earth, what manager, would carry around three items like that… .”

Penny, who had been quietly listening to the story, was breathing heavily.

“Huh… . ha… .”

“Penny… . I heard you took over as the manager of the first party… .”

“… … .”

“What have you done…? .”

“… … .”

“If you hadn’t… . I am… . Ah, ah-ah! no! It’s because I’m not good at it, ah… !”

Penny stood up without answering.

“Are you finished?”

“… Yes.”

Penny answered briefly and turned around.

The guard left Felix in the hands of other personnel and caught up with her.

“Well, according to the rules, you are not allowed to ask questions about conversations between outsiders. Let’s ask just one question. Philip… Is this the Philip I know?”

“… What do you know about Philip?”

“That’s right… . Aren’t you the manager who made the first hero party what it is today?”

“… … .”

Penny stopped short and slowly turned her head.

Transparent tears flowed from his narrowly closed eyes.

“No.”

Penny laughed through her tears.

“He is God.”

Because of that fanatic remark, the guard could not question her any further.

*

Penny walked slowly down the street.

The destination was a training camp.

If there was a conflict with Felix, there is a high probability that Ian would be there.

There is nothing in sight.

No matter who passes by or what they say.

My five senses were so filled with vision that I couldn’t think of anything.

The secretary and coachman are waiting near the prison camp, but there is no time to pay attention.

It would take half a day to walk from here to the training center, but Penny did it.

Just walk faithfully.

Towards the place where he will be.

Penny left the detention center in the evening and entered the training center around noon the next day.

Until then, she didn’t stop even for a single step.

I had no idea.

My dazed consciousness was filled with only the presence of Ian and Philip.

As I stand at the entrance of the training center, the wide training grounds come into view.

“Ah… .”

Very slowly.

Penny’s eyes opened.

As if she was seeing the light and colors of the world for the first time, her red eyes greedily captured the visible scenery.

“Ahh… .”

Far at the end of the training ground.

Mercy and Katy are standing.

Two women with red and orange hair are also visible.

Meanwhile, there was Ian.

“Ahhhh… .”

Penny let out an ecstatic breath and fell to the floor.

Ian’s two warriors.

Vivian and Helena ran along the outskirts of the training ground.

Meanwhile, quite a few people were running like them.

The number of people trying to follow Ian’s training methods has increased significantly.

Everyone follows Ian.

Ian’s influence moves everyone.

“As expected… you are… .”

Penny didn’t even blink.

Even though the wind blew and my eyes felt like they were dry, I didn’t close them.

Meanwhile, a piece of paper flew in front of her.

[Supevia Manager Monthly Magazine]

Penny, who was trying to ignore it, saw the name ‘Ian’ written in the article and immediately read it.

[Ian, former manager of the 1st Hero Party. Returning to Superbia and forming a new party? The relationship with the first warrior party has not been revealed yet… .]

[The first warrior, wizard Vivian. A wizard who was the protagonist of the subjugation of King Slime a few months ago and was abused by a manager named Felix… .]

[Second warrior. Helena was ranked 30th in the MacDerlin Abbey public exam. He recognized its value early on and contacted us. After meeting Ian, Helena achieved a miracle of climbing from 30th place to 1st place and completing the exam… .]

[Artifacts and relics were acquired during the party’s first official dungeon raid.]

[The wizard who became a hot topic, Felix, the former manager who abused Vivian. It has been confirmed that he is being held in a military police detention center… .]

“… … .”

[Everyone’s attention is focused on whether Ian will become the next Philip… .]

Penny squeezed the article so hard it tore.

“Ah, ah, ahhh… !”

Penny hugged her face and sobbed.

Right in front of you.

On this land.

To the paradise of ugly, imperfect humans.

Far away.

God appeared.

“Ahaaa… .”

Penny, witnessing the sacredness, bowed her head.

It’s so perfect that I want to touch it and can’t help but love it.

so that.

‘I wanted to break it… .’

There was a being so perfect in his field of vision that he wanted to draw a line because there was not a single speck of dust in it.

‘How could you… . So dazzling… .’

Penny looked at Ian again, no, at Philip.

His story seems to have created the language of perfection as a human being, reminiscent of a pearl in the form of the most beautiful and perfect sphere.

‘ah… .’

Just looking at it makes me holy.

Just imagining his destruction is overwhelming.

Penny shed tears endlessly.

I imagine something that was done only in my imagination being translated into reality.

In the end, everything is imagination.

At one time, I admired him, and because I admired him, I wanted to destroy him, but I realized it too late.

That you are something you can never reach.

‘What have I done so far…’ .’

The answer I gave to the guard echoes in my head.

God.

The person who built the current hero system.

If he is not the one who personally led the epic story of mankind’s elite heroes called the First Hero Party, then who on earth is God?

And she was desperately realizing the arrogance of daring to reach God.

Even after being kicked out by the heroes he raised, he still remains stubborn.

Penny, who took over, achieved nothing.

It was impossible to even maintain it.

There was also a sense of boredom as the tracking of God became unclear.

That was impossible for her.

You cannot replace him or destroy him.

What was done remains a trivial mistake.

I remember the first party that stumbled.

It was a force majeure, as Ian, their only glue, was gone.

‘What have I done… .’

perhaps.

Really maybe.

If it weren’t for him, Ian might have stayed the same.

At the same time, I feel like Ian can shine even brighter like he is now because of his confidence.

A strange feeling of regret and joy swirls around me.

“Ahhh… .”

In the blurry vision, Philip’s figure becomes increasingly blurred.

Despite this, Penny was able to pinpoint where Philip was in her field of vision right now.

‘Just the thought of reaching you makes me… .’

Just to see Philip.

To break Philip.

I have been living from that day a year ago until now to trample on the perfection that Philip had built up.

What kind of expression will he show when he, who deserves praise from everyone and shines alone, falls?

Just imagining it makes my head dizzy.

That desire drove Penny.

‘Illusion… .’

I realize that it was all just a vain illusion.

It was just a foolish attempt to disturb Ian.

Penny’s memory went back about a year.

I was rescued by the first party.

To the starting point of following Philip’s footsteps.

*

“Ugh… !”

A man wearing expensive armor falls down, vomiting blood.

His face, filled with astonishment, slowly turns back.

There, there was a fellow wizard with short blond hair and narrowed eyes.

“pe, penny… ? What now… . gasp-!”

Once again, the stomach pain that tore apart my intestines hit me.

The man, who was bleeding profusely, collapsed and died, unable to continue speaking.

Penny looked down at him with closed eyes and exhaled lightly.

“Hmm. It’s boring. How can humans be so imperfect and stupid?”

She despised human imperfection.

Therefore, I had no choice but to long for perfection.

‘When will I be able to find it? .’

And that day, I had to face it.

A person who I thought might be a fragment of perfection.

“What, I’m in the dungeon again?”

The first time I met was Beatrice.