episode_0065

Kylie spoke briefly to Gustav, who came to see her.

“Turn off.”

“… Yes?”

“Don’t bother me and get out of there. If you make me say it again, I will turn it off myself.”

“Oh, no… ! That was rude!”

Gustav ran away in a huff.

“Tsk.”

Kylie, who was looking down at the invitation, leaned back in her chair.

Naturally, a deep sigh escaped me.

I was uncertain as to whether the future might be better.

I hate to admit it, but I had no choice but to admit it.

The first party fell apart after Ian left.

It will change greatly depending on the information Penny brings and her future actions, but for some reason, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

‘What should I do… .’

Sylvia joined us and the four of us went together, so no one else got hurt.

But since the last fight, they have been in a cold war.

Aria’s condition is particularly bad.

He is anxious at every moment for fear of getting hurt again, and even though his wounds are fully healed, he keeps casting healing miracles on himself.

In severe cases, people say they have wounds that don’t exist and look for potions.

Currently, I am in the early stages of potion dependence.

“… Tsk tsk. Who cares about whom?”

Kylie smiled weakly and reached for the wine bottle in front of her.

It is a luxury product that is too expensive to drink simply to get drunk.

Anyway, Kylie popped the cork with her hand and took a swig.

There was no process of savoring the taste or aroma.

Accept the intoxication without intentionally suppressing it.

Heat quickly spreads through my body, and my face becomes flushed.

In a dazed state of consciousness, Kylie put down the bottle and leaned back into her chair.

“Hmm… .”

Ian comes to mind, following the sweet scent of wine spreading from my mouth.

After getting so drunk that she couldn’t control herself, Kylie always relied on Ian.

‘Carry it on your back.’

Ian burst into laughter every time he heard those command-like words.

‘You speak well with your twisted tongue.’

‘Noisy.’

‘Aww, why would you treat me like this if someone takes me away?’

‘Then I will kill you.’

‘It’s scary.’

While riding on Ian’s back, Kylie kept muttering to herself.

‘It is a great honor for a weak person like you to be able to carry a strong person like me.’

‘Yes, I am very grateful.’

‘At the same time, it is absurd. ‘Because it can’t happen.’

‘I asked Ji to carry me.’

‘It is the role of the strong to take responsibility for the weak… . Because only when I am like this can you fulfill your mediocre role and duties… . I’m giving you a chance.’

‘I knew that, but I think you’re really crazy.’

‘Why are you so weak? . Why does someone like you lead me… .’

‘How does it feel to have grown thanks to that weak guy?’

‘Because of you, I… . You should have killed me the first time you saw me… .’

‘You’re talking nonsense again. ‘Go to sleep.’

Survival of the fittest.

A diet of the fittest.

For Kylie, who lives by the golden rule of the logic of power, Ian’s existence was a contradiction that shook the foundation of her life.

“… Fuck.”

A daily routine where you get drunk and think about old times, then feel disgusted and get out of it.

It was a very unpleasant day for her, who was able to consciously get rid of her drunkenness.

I was sober and then drunk again and again.

This is the current location of the first warrior party, the vanguard of the empire.

It’s not just Kylie.

After Aria got hurt, everyone started to fall apart in different ways.

Sylvia doesn’t know what she’s thinking about all day, but she doesn’t say anything or just writes things down in her notebook.

Aria is in a daze and then convulsively looks for a potion or looks for other members and complains of pain.

Beatrice, who managed to maintain her senses, seemed busy in a different way than Sylvia.

Is it sending a message somewhere or what is it doing… .

‘… ‘It’s over.’

Kylie admitted that the first warrior party was almost over.

Others think similarly, although they do not express it.

But no one could say it out loud.

As much as we hate each other, we know each other’s strengths.

No matter how hard you search the continent, it is impossible to find four people like this together.

‘What should I do…? .’

Wouldn’t it be better if we split up and go each to subdue the demon lord?

Kylie had suggested it a few times when Ian was around.

Why wait for war to come?

Shouldn’t we just attack first?

However, Ian explained it in detail as if he had personally seen the Demon King’s army.

Let alone the first hero party, the current empire’s troops are not enough.

Those words meant that Kylie was weak, so Kylie didn’t listen properly.

I didn’t even ask how he knew so much.

‘We can’t ignore the possibility that he was intimidated because he was a coward and a weakling.’

However, there are too many things that are annoying to ignore Ian’s insight.

“Damn… .”

I was in a situation where I couldn’t do anything.

In the end, we have no choice but to wait for Penny to arrive.

‘If she doesn’t get any information… .’

I promised myself once again that I would make them pay dearly.

And then, it will all really be over.

‘… In the end, I have no choice but to do it alone.’

*

The day before leaving for the County of Fiorene in the eastern part of the continent.

After completing a simple morning training, Helena was receiving a massage from Mercy.

Vivian, who finished the massage first, was sitting at the desk reading a magic book.

[Introduction to magic in one volume (including geometry and natural science basics)]

I haven’t even understood chapter 10 of this book, whose title alone is scary.

In the room where Vivian is competing with a book and Helena is still receiving a massage.

-Are you there?

Someone came knocking on the door.

It was Iris’ voice.

The four people inside exchanged glances, unable to figure out why she would come here.

“It’s open.”

Since there was no reason for everyone to refuse, Mercy answered.

Iris came in cautiously.

Iris spoke almost exclusively with Ian, and in fact, most of her business was with him.

Therefore, there was a very awkward atmosphere in this room right now.

Mercy spoke first to break the mood.

“I thought you said you were leaving this evening. Are you preparing well? Isn’t it too late?”

“Ah, yes. Because I don’t have a lot of luggage. It’s okay to start late.”

“Yes, yes. Are you going to report on this achievement? Are you going away and coming back to us?”

“I think so if nothing special happens.”

Mercy treats most people strangely poorly.

Yet no one points it out or feels uncomfortable.

Elves are creatures that are not rare but at the same time little known, so there is something to be said about them.

This is because the character Mercy itself gives off an atmosphere that puts people at ease.

“I heard that you are leaving soon. When will you be back?”

“Umm… . You’ll have to ask Ian to find out. Would you like to go ask together?”

“Oh, no. it’s okay. I, um, that’s… .”

It seemed like there was more to say.

To Vivian, to be exact.

Iris, who was casting an awkward glance, recognized the book Vivian was reading.

“Uh!”

She came closer and looked through the book with happy eyes.

“Wow, it’s been a long time. You have an eye for good books.”

“ne… ?”

“If you were to select a must-read book for the Imperial Wizards, this would be the first one mentioned.”

“Ah… . Well, since Ian chose it, I… .”

“Aha. You are definitely unusual. Do you have any views on magic? .”

Iris looked at the unfolded part carefully.

And I quickly realized.

Vivian hasn’t read this book very long.

When I catch a glimpse of Vivian, I feel embarrassed for some reason.

Maybe it’s because this book is difficult to understand.

‘This is it…’ !’

Iris came to Vivian because she wanted to further stimulate her talent, but she didn’t know what to do.

However, a field in which he can help has just emerged.

“Hmm. The book is a bit difficult, isn’t it?”

“Yes… .”

“I can help you. What is difficult for you?”

“Really?! Oh, that’s… .”

Vivian shyly returned to the first page.

Regardless, Iris explained the contents of the book and figured out Vivian’s academic level.

As a result.

‘… ‘I don’t know anything at all.’

That was surprising.

How could a wizard with no knowledge of magic calculate so quickly?

‘influence. You are a person with great intuition… .’

As someone who didn’t know about no casting, I had no choice but to think that way.

‘What happens if you have theoretical knowledge?’

Rather than jealousy as a fellow wizard, my curiosity as a scholar boiled over.

Iris explained in a very easy and step-by-step manner to Vivian’s level.

As a result, Vivian surprisingly began to ‘understand’.

Although I was studying by asking questions from Ian, Iris’s teachings were different.

It was only natural that he was a person who was more skilled in magic than Ian.

“Ah, ah… ! That’s it! Yes, I understand!”

At the same time as Vivian realized this, she was also impressed by Iris’s abilities.

Knowing what you know well and teaching what you know to others are completely different areas.

However, Iris was excellent in both areas.

Iris’s shoulders continued to rise in response to Vivian’s admiration and praise.

Even after Iris left in the evening, Vivian did not stop studying.

Ian asked Mercy as he saw her burning with enthusiasm.

“… Did something happen?”

“Yes, yes. Iris came by for a moment and informed me. Even though I heard it, I still don’t know.”

“Hmm. Really?”

Ian expressed his gratitude to Iris, who was not here.

No matter how effective it may be, Vivian’s magic will definitely have become stronger.

“I’m leaving tomorrow, and I have to say something a bit sorry.”

Ian said when everyone was gathered together.

“As I mentioned last time, the place we are going this time is the County of Fiorene in the eastern part of the continent. It takes some time… I plan to tackle a couple of E-rank dungeons on the way.”

It was a waste of time to just move around.

Since there were some days left until the duel competition, Ian planned for the two to gain practical experience in the meantime.

That meant I would get less rest than planned.

“I have a generous schedule, so I won’t be tired, but… Still, I apologize for not being able to rest as planned.”

In response to Ian’s apology, Vivian and Helena just looked at him blankly.

He seemed to have difficulty understanding why he was apologizing.

“Uh, um… . I don’t care. It’s not that hard anyway… . If that’s the case with Ian, then what.”

“That’s right! No need to apologize at all! And didn’t you say that you would rest for a few days when you arrived!”

“That’s right. I heard there will be a small festival along with the duel competition?”

Vivian and Helena responded that they were looking forward to seeing the festival and competition.

Ian was a little dazed as he looked at the two seemingly infinitely kind people.

*

Penny quickly returned to Superbia.

There was a lot to think about, and a lot to go back and do.

First of all, the condition of the first party had to be improved again.

‘But how…’ .’

When Ian left, he burned all his documents.

Therefore, no training methods or schedules were left as data.

I was able to think of a solution quickly.

‘cog… .’

There will be a record of the ledger analysis used to persuade the first party.

Because that’s what Penny wrote.

If nothing else, the flow of money doesn’t lie.

Penny re-analyzed the ledger all the way back.

This time, not to kick out Ian, but to imitate Philip.

‘There must be a reason why we spent this much money on food… . I can cover this with my own expenses.’

Money wasn’t important.

‘There was a time when the cost was divided and consumed by each person. ‘You were doing personal activities.’

Penny recalled what Ian had said several times.

It means that we must be strong when we are individuals and even stronger when we work together.

‘It may be that we become more complacent because we are stuck together in a crisis situation. I’ll have to drop it for the time being and focus on improving my personal skills.’

Penny, with minimal rest, returned to the first party faster than when she started.

“What happened?”

Penny, who returned to camp, stopped a passerby and asked:

This was because the atmosphere of the entire camp was extremely tense.

“That… .”

The captured person carefully reported what had happened a few days ago.

Penny sighed after hearing the whole story.

‘It would be right to stay separate for a while. Even if our relationship is a little tight, our skills are clear, so if we don’t have each other, we’ll feel the emptiness even bigger.’

Eventually, Penny gathered the four people who were resting together.

When I looked at the complexion, there was no one who was fine.

Sylvia’s eyes were sharp and sharp, and Aria just looked at the potion in her hand with blank eyes.

Kylie glared at Penny with challenging eyes for some reason, and Beatrice crossed her arms and glared at Kylie and Penny alternately.

Penny didn’t care about the harsh atmosphere.

Isn’t this the place to confirm Philip’s existence and carry out his will?

There was absolutely no reason to feel bad.

Penny spoke.

“I met Ian.”

“So, did you open your mouth?”

“No.”

Annoyance immediately appeared on Kylie’s face.

“But. There is a way. First of all, we will keep your food costs the same as before. Rest assured, this part will be covered by my own expenses.”

These words were considerate of Aria and Beatrice, who were the most materially greedy.

While Beatrice was relieved, Aria couldn’t tell whether she was listening or not.

Penny ignored him and continued talking.

“I am also aware that your skills have suffered recently. So, we are planning to take various measures for him… . For a few days starting today, you will be moving separately.”

“Separately?”

“Yes. If we stay together in a weakened situation, we can only rely on each other. So, our goal is to move separately, recover our individual skills, and then come back together.”

Unlike the three who were convinced, Aria’s gaze was hanging somewhere in the air.

Even when Beatrice looks at her, there is no reaction.

“… Aria?”

“… Yes.”

“Are you listening?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to go alone from now on. Is that okay?”

“… … .”

Penny looked at Aria’s injured arm.

Even though she couldn’t see it because it was covered by clothes, it was hard for her to believe it.

She saw the full power of the first party right in front of her eyes and climbed up to the level of an A-class hero.

So, I knew very well how ridiculous it was for the first hero party to get hurt in a class A dungeon, but… .

“Aria. You’ll do better when you’re alone. Right?”

Penny had no intention of changing her plans.

“… Yes.”

Aria nodded blankly.

I wasn’t confident, but I couldn’t say it.

It’s not because I was concerned about Penny.

He didn’t want his other first party colleagues to know that he had completely lost some of his functional value.

A possessive desire that I had never known existed again.

Possessive desire for current position and position.

It’s not like I wanted to have Ian.

I didn’t want to let go of what I was holding.

“I guess so.”

“Schedule from now on… .”

“Wait.”

Just as Penny was about to explain, Kylie cut her off.

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t meet Ian?”

“… Yes.”

“Then whose solution is this now?”

“Phil… Wasn’t there something like that in what Ian said? We must be strong when we are individuals, and we must be stronger when we are united. I like that way… .”

“This bastard-!”

Kylie rushed over and grabbed Penny by the collar.

“Then there is nothing different from before! What the fuck is this?! If it’s going to be like this, why did you make Ian kick out!”

Penny said nothing.

Aside from being embarrassed by the sudden action, Penny wasn’t the only one who expelled Ian.

This was possible because all four members of the first party agreed.

Penny read the aimless anger in Kylie’s eyes.

‘Is it an escape…? .’

Beatrice quickly got up.

“Why are you doing this?!”

“Why are you doing this?! Look at us now and tell us! Nothing will happen if you kick Ian out! And look at this bitch who says she’s going to meet Ian and then says strange things without even being able to meet him!”

Penny was still silent, but she wasn’t scared or intimidated.

But I couldn’t help but tremble instinctively.

Even though I was only grabbed by the collar, I felt frustrated and suffocated as if my whole body was being restrained.

Regardless, Kylie couldn’t bear this situation any longer.

“Kylie?!”

Kylie has already made up her mind.

“This shit is over now.”

Kylie announced the end of the first party.

Beatrice, Sylvia, Aria.

What all three of them vaguely intuited became reality in Kylie’s words.

While each person is lost in their own shock.

Kylie stretched the hand that wasn’t holding Penny into the air.

Then, blue mana stirred and a long sword was caught in her hand.

It was an artifact given by Ian, one of the weapons of spiritualization.

Looking at Kylie’s eyes filled with sincerity, Penny realized it too late.

It was impossible to control them at all if it weren’t for Ian from the beginning.

‘What have I done… .’

The obvious words spoken by people who were on the verge of death came out reflexively.

“Now, wait a minute… . Big… !”

Kylie tightened her grip on her collar and strangled her.

“You die here.”