episode_0066

What is the most difficult question to answer in the world?

While answers may vary for each individual, everyone would probably let out a sigh at this particular response.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

One can provide an answer, but it’s a question that leaves one utterly clueless about what to say.

Answering carelessly could lead to nothing but a load of shackles being put on oneself—a cursed question, to say the least.

If one were someone with no awkward corners, they could confidently reply, “There isn’t anything,” but unless that’s the case, or even if there’s no wrongdoing, it’s a question that requires serious contemplation.

If you’ve ever been asked this question even once, you’d likely shiver at the cruelty embedded within it.

…Why am I mentioning this now?

Well.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

That scoundrel threw that question at me.

Already feeling uncomfortable facing him, receiving a question that makes you not want to respond only intensified my aversion towards him.

It seemed like he had something to say about last night’s events, but I wasn’t keen on discussing it.

Pranks from the previous night should be left behind; why bring them up again?

I wanted to just move past it somehow, but unfortunately, a sharp solution to evade this awkward situation didn’t come to mind.

Trying to escape would only lead to being caught and bombarded with questions that are difficult to answer.

Yet, pretending ignorance wasn’t an option either, as the moment I avoided him, he would know everything about last night’s events.

In such a predicament where any move seemed troublesome, I struggled under his burdensome gaze until finally a somewhat viable solution came to mind.

…Though it’s pitiful and dirty, he wouldn’t have any other choice.

“Juice Victory!”

The one who juices first will surely win!

What will you do if I suddenly start juicing?! Only capable of consoling and comforting!

Dropping my head, I quietly began to sob.

“Sob…”

Recalling the most sorrowful memories, tears streamed down, causing the sharp gaze of that guy to immediately soften.

Flustered, bewildered, at a loss—his usual composure vanished as he hurriedly tried to comfort me, but receiving solace often amplifies emotions.

Initially fabricated emotions, but upon receiving his comfort, my feelings surged.

“Sob… Sniff… Waaaaah…”

I burst into genuine tears.

In retrospect, I was profoundly saddened.

Why should I have to endure this suffering? I just wanted to live a simple life!

I didn’t need things like possessions! I was content just lying in bed reading web novels!

Why bring a happy person and make them miserable? What did I do wrong?

“Waaaah…”

Perhaps I had bottled up more than I realized; once the tears started flowing, they showed no signs of stopping.

And here was Cal, experiencing an untimely upheaval.

Despite patting my back, he continued to express confusion.

“Oh, um… Was it so wrong to ask if you had something to say? I-I messed up, alright Beatrice! I messed up entirely, so please stop crying for a bit, okay?”

“Sob… You jerk… Always playing weird pranks… Uwaaah…”

“It was my way of showing affection… No, I was wrong. I really messed up, so please stop crying…”

Looking at his pleading face, I strangely felt good.

Why am I feeling good? Is it because I’m usually pushed around too much?

Maybe. I’ve always been the one suffering from his jokes.

…Should I take this opportunity to assert myself a bit? To prevent him from playing pranks recklessly?

A mischievous thought crossed my mind momentarily, but inwardly, I nodded to myself.

No, let’s be satisfied with Seunggi here. After all, one more word and he’s done, right?

I wiped away tears with my sleeve, asking him in a soft voice, “What did I do wrong?”

Seunggi’s face contorted beautifully.

Pathetic, but it was a perfect victory.

—–

Right after a fierce battle of nerves, I headed to the nearby park with Seunggi.

One was emotionally drained from pouring out too much, while the other had bared their soul over a single question.

To calm our minds, Seunggi and I sat on a bench, staring ahead blankly as we began to talk.

“…So, what else did I do wrong?”

“Can you stop talking about that? Why drag it out?”

“Then promise me not to mention last night anymore.”

“Hey, that’s a bit…”

“You said you touched my chest while I was asleep, didn’t you?”

“…I won’t say. I truly messed up.”

After finally securing a promise and sprawling on the bench, Seunggi looked down at me and asked, “So, when are you going to the Empire?”

“The Empire? Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

“I heard it from the Northern Inspiration. You’re leaving the North soon for the Empire. We need to know how much time is left to prepare properly, don’t we?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Aren’t you curious about where we’re going?

Even if moving to the West and North was unavoidable, what about heading to the Central region?

I cocked my head and asked Seunggi, “Aren’t you curious why we’re going to the Central region? You don’t really know the reason behind it.”

“Well, we’re probably just going to solve another disaster like always. Just like we did in the West and North.”

“Oh? You knew?”

“Did you think I didn’t know? Think about it logically, Witch. Does it make sense to face rare disasters one after another in a lifetime?”

“Uh…”

I was surprised by Seunggi’s unexpectedly sharp words.

He actually had thoughts! I thought he only cared about wicked thoughts and training, but he had an interest in something else!

As I widened my eyes in admiration, Seunggi opened his mouth with a sullen expression.

“What exactly do you think of me normally?”

“Someone who’s just pondering how to seduce me, you pervert?”

“…I can’t argue with that, darn.”

He sighed heavily, tapping his forehead, as if saying, ‘You know me so well, why aren’t you falling for me?’ Then he slowly shook his head.

…If someone hears this, they might think I’m a criminal.

In the first place, we were too busy to develop romantic feelings, weren’t we?

We were constantly on the run, and whenever we tried to rest, some incident would occur. How could I fall for you in such circumstances, huh?

Falling for you… Well, I can’t definitively say I won’t now.

At least for now, I won’t fall for you, right? Can’t fall for you.

Let’s think about love… after we’ve wrapped up all these disasters.

Ignoring his muttering, I started discussing our plans.

“I plan to stay in the North for a while. We need to prepare to face the impending disaster in the Empire.”

“…There aren’t many beings in the Empire that would be considered a ‘disaster’ by their standards. What exactly is coming our way?”

“Well, would it make sense if I said the Gwanghai is coming?”

“That doesn’t sound like the Gwanghai I know.”

“You’re probably thinking of that Gwanghai, right?”

The world was so insane that everything seemed like Gwanghis to an ordinary person like me.

Regardless of how things turned out, there was only one being officially recognized as ‘Gwanghai’ in the original work.

Gwanghai – Ferodori.

From the name alone, you can tell that Ferodori is a dragon who goes crazy over anything sour.

A top-tier villain in a world where even a slight hint of fermentation leads to merciless killings.

The disaster one must face in the central region was precisely that.

“Just thinking about it makes me dizzy, seriously.”

Wasn’t it said that a madman with convictions is the most terrifying being in the world? Ferodori was the perfect embodiment of that statement.

Men are killed, and women watch.

Lolis are spared, and mamangs are slain.

You might wonder what happens with a Loli Mamang.

In response to this question, Ferodori left behind a memorable line:

“Listen well, Pasiblga’s swordsmen. Lolis and mamangs possess mutually exclusive attributes.”

“Lolis have fresh spirits but fermented bodies, whereas mamangs are beings weathered by the passage of time.”

“How can these two opposing traits coexist? No matter how early steel is forged, a loli remains just a loli.”

“…What, busty loli? Are you out of your mind right now?”

“Hah!!! What do you mean by attaching disgusting fat blobs to a fermented body! You are disgustingly unmatched! I will never forgive you, Sword Pasibl!!!”

After several days of intense battles, they eventually succumbed to the protagonist’s combined attack and were turned into dragon meat skewers by Kotas.

If things progress as per the original storyline, there should be no cause for concern. However, has the story ever flowed according to the original script until now?

They will undoubtedly appear with a terrifying level of difficulty. Empowered by evil, Poneria, or enhancing their strength through their own means.

“To win, I must use every method at my disposal.”

Karl, fueled by desire, is a pass; Alain, not appearing in the original, lacks awakening conditions, so he’s a pass too.

Draconian Louis and Hellion Elf Veldem, getting stronger through endless training rather than specific events, also get a pass.

As long as Kotas is okay as long as his appetite is stimulated…

“The only one capable of enhancement is the dwarf inspiration.”

Stroheim, a firepower enthusiast dwarf who fights battles with weapon firepower rather than personal strength.

While staying in the north, one must strengthen this inspirational tank as much as possible, and in a very innovative way.

“I should visit the inspiration’s tribe soon.”

Although welcoming back the exile might be a bit rough, it’s something that must be endured to defeat the mad dragon.

Organizing my thoughts, I slowly rose from my seat.

“Let’s go back, Karl.”

There’s a mountain of work to be done.