episode_0080

“And save your magic power. Why have you been using skills since a while ago?”

Rohan laughed as he said that, but Clara, who was hugging Zion, clearly felt his heartbeat start to pound as if it was going to explode.

You can tell because they’re so close together.

Zion did not use any magical power whatsoever.

‘S, really… Sister Zion…?’

Clara lifted her head from Zion’s embrace. She looked up, pushing away the breasts that were blocking her view.

When I saw Zion’s expression like that.

Clara knew immediately.

That’s not a skill or anything. It’s a face that’s clearly in love, enough to be used as a textbook.

It seemed like it could be used as is in comic books or animation.

‘···.’

Thanks to that, Clara’s thoughts stopped. Her mind went blank.

It is a happy and welcome thing that Zion is free from his depression and is experiencing pure freedom, but this situation itself is suffocating Clara.

I had expected it would happen someday… but has a powerful rival emerged that doesn’t even show a hint of victory?

And the girl recalls in her head.

A book I read while sitting in a flower pot bookstore.

‘What if that book is real…?’

The reason why the number of pure-blooded elves is so small compared to other races that they are on the verge of extinction is because of an absurd, superstitious condition that actually exists.

An elf lives only once.

This is because you will only love someone other than your family once. It is said that if you can’t find someone, you will not know love until you die.

It is a nature that pure-blooded elves have from birth.

Some have even written that it is a curse that the Creator gave along with beauty.

There you go.

One of the odd problems elves have is that they take a very long time to open up to others. It was written in bold letters in the book Clara had seen in the bookstore.

Even if you open it, it ends with just friends. Giving affection to the opposite sex is a very, very rare phenomenon.

As mentioned, elves mostly mate with other elves because it requires a long time, which only the longevity species is allowed to do.

but.

There are always exceptions in this world.

There was even a phrase that said that if an exceptional person with the ability to see through such a needle-hole appeared and made an elf fall in love, that feeling would never change for the rest of his life.

‘If it doesn’t continue, there are many cases where people suffer and eventually die…’

Clara shook her head as she recalled the ending of the book, which was so unsettling.

I saw Rohan standing right behind me.

When our eyes met, he smiled as usual. Then he reached out and carefully straightened his bangs.

“Clara is the same. Just think about living happily. Got it?”

“Oh, brother···.”

Now Clara didn’t even wonder why Rohan took such good care of her.

The girl was just busy savoring this sweet moment.

Isn’t his heart beating as if it’s going to burst like Zion’s?

Let’s put our heads back in their original position, with that shame.

Clara met Zion’s eyes.

““···.””

Zion saw the same emotions in Clara, who was stuck to him.

Thanks to that, I have a blank and bewildered face.

Could it be because they did not receive a normal life or education?

To Clara, it seemed as if Zion was not fully aware of his own feelings. His eyes were filled with doubt as to whether he even knew what this was.

Clara pursed her lips with complicated thoughts and hid her face so that it could not be seen.

He hid his head, hugging Zion tightly.

“···Rohan.”

“Huh?”

Zion gently stroked Clara’s hair in his arms and spoke.

She looked like an older sister lovingly caring for her younger sister.

“In the past, you said you would target monsters and criminals.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s what you’re preparing with Clara. Is that the condition you asked me to help you with even once when your promise with me is over?”

Rohan looked down at the girl in Zion’s arms.

I saw Rohan smiling happily as if he had seen a lovely creature when he saw Clara.

Zion felt strangely hot inside.

“That’s right. But if Zion has something he wants to do, he doesn’t have to be tied down. Don’t worry about it.”

“I thought you’d say that. Given Rohan’s personality, Clara would probably be there voluntarily too.”

That question was not something Rohan could argue about.

Clara’s quiet silence would have been the only answer.

“Rohan. Can I ask you one more question?”

“Say it.”

“Are those involved in this incident also included in the category of criminals being targeted?”

“Of course included.”

Zion then began to organize his thoughts so that his words would not get tangled.

Select a sentence, look down slightly, and mutter in a small voice.

“Rohan. You will definitely catch them. I have no doubt about it.”

“You seem to trust me more than I trust myself. Thank you.”

At the mere word of thanks, Zion almost lowered his goggles and covered his eyes.

The heartbeat was so loud I was afraid it might be heard outside.

“···But even though I know this, I can’t lie down and wait.”

“Huh?”

Rohan showed an attitude of listening.

Zion stuck his tongue out slightly, moistening his dry lips from tension.

“If it’s okay, I, I··· want to move together.”

I was prepared to say it right away when the situation arose. Why is it so difficult to say it now?

Zion rarely stammered in order to convey his message.

Rohan blinked in surprise and then smiled brightly.

“I welcome valuable personnel who are compatible with me. How about Clara?”

The girl in his arms shrugged her shoulders and showed her face.

A look of confusion pervades the place.

“Oh, isn’t your brother the boss···?”

“Still, I need to hear your opinion.”

Clara looked at Zion, who was holding her and not letting her go.

A gentle gaze that seems to be looking at family and a mouth shape that asks them to speak freely about their inner feelings.

A very brief moment.

Dozens of different thoughts passed through Clara’s head.

I came up with the ideal answer.

“I like Sister Zion···.”

It’s true that I like Zion. If I were to compare it to my desire to continue hanging out with Rohan, it would be so evenly matched that it wouldn’t be easy to decide.

But Clara knows.

If you truly care about Rohan, regardless of your personal greed, then this is the right path.

“Thank you. I like Clara too.”

Zion hugged Clara’s slender body tighter.

The moment he had dreamed of was now within arm’s reach. Zion smiled brightly as he realized that fact.

··

··

[Quest completed.]

[Receive rewards.]

Rohan cleared the notification window and hurried to get ready.

Because I have to move quickly to get back to Academy City on time.

Rohan brought the car he had hidden at the entrance to the ruins and opened the trunk.

Criminals scattered large quantities of incendiary bombs, explosives, flammable liquids, guns, ammunition, etc. stolen from the gun shop throughout the building.

Finally, upon checking, there was nothing that Zion and Clara felt like taking.

“Zion. Did you pack all the important stuff? Just in case, check again.”

“Okay.”

Zion headed to his room without saying a word to Rohan’s words.

After taking in the room where there was nothing to pack, I checked the small items in the vest pocket.

When we returned to our seats, Rohan continued his explanation.

“There will be a lot of valuable items inside. The robes the elder was wearing are no longer usable, but things like staffs are all made of jewels.”

“Are you going to take them all?”

Rohan shook his head at Zion’s question. The silver shield of Judah that the elder had was enough for him.

I’m really tempted to buy it. If I sell it, I’ll have enough money to live comfortably.

But it is an act blinded by greed.

It is uncertain how much interest the Countercurrent Praise Society will have in Zion once this place is destroyed.

It is possible that they will ignore it and focus on other vessels, calling it a failure just like Abyss City.

I didn’t want to leave any traces.

‘Reverse tracing of sold items is as easy as eating cold porridge, even if it’s not a reflux praise meeting.’

After saying those words, Rohan went outside.

He led the two, carrying a cluster grenade in the shape of a stick.

Zion and Clara walked away from the building.

Rohan nodded as if it was okay and checked the time.

“It’s dawn··· Well, I can go exercise right away when I get back. You two are sleeping in my dorm.”

At the same time, he throws a cluster grenade with a powerful shoulder strike!

Watching grenades flying around in circles into a building filled with explosives.

Rohan leisurely recited the plan.

“To celebrate Zion joining, I’ll buy you something delicious for dinner. Let’s all go eat together.”

Before the two girls could answer yes, the grenade landed on its target.

A loud noise erupted, shaking the atmosphere.

Kookung──!!! Kwaaang──!!!

The shabby building shook from the explosion and collapsed.

A huge flame raged, covering the pile of stones.

Rohan, satisfied with his firepower, turned around without any hesitation and walked ahead.

“Let’s go back. It’s dusty.”

“Sister···! Let’s go quickly!”

Zion looks at the two people waiting for him.

I couldn’t hide my smile.