episode_0088

Seolho Daeje’s question about how Noah is doing in Academy City.

Zion thought back to the time they had met. He answered honestly that he just looked healthy and happy.

From the parents’ point of view, that answer was the best, so Seolho Daeje had a satisfied look on his face.

It gave direct answers to some of the questions Zion had been wondering about.

“I’ve put your contact information in, so your status will be restored within 30 minutes.”

“Thank you.”

Zion was guided by Yuho to the place where Testarossa’s legacy was.

We walked through corridors built deep underground, passing through hundreds of doors.

Yuho, who was guiding Zion, stopped in front of a door that was no different from the surroundings.

“Here it is.”

“···.”

The doors that lined the hallway had no numbers or anything different.

How did he find it? Does Yuho have this entire space memorized?

While Zion was pondering such questions, Yuho tapped the entrance with his fan.

The door that had been tightly shut opened with a squeak as if it had been oiled.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

Zion followed Yuho as he confidently went inside.

I encountered a space filled with an enormous amount of wealth and items.

Yuho wagged his tail and told us about the things that were still amazing even when he saw them again.

“With this much wealth, you won’t even notice any of your frivolous actions. You can live off of it for the rest of your life without saving anything? That’s the dream of most people.”

Yuho said it was a dream for most people, but it was a future that Zion felt no attraction to.

There is even a fear that if they remain still, Rohan and Clara will become so distant that they cannot be held in hand.

“But I don’t think I’ll be able to stay still because I still have things I want to do. I feel like I lack a lot of experience···.”

“Indeed! That’s desirable. Then you can think of it as a privilege that can overcome a few failures.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Yuho liked Zion.

It may be because I have a good impression of the Testarossa I encountered in the past.

“If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, please let me know at any time.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as Zion finished speaking, he took a step forward and looked around.

There were things that caught my eye first, beyond the dazzling array of jewels and trinkets displayed in the antique box.

“···.”

A portrait of my parents hanging on the wall.

This is a painting that Zion saw when he was young. It is certain that it once hung in Testarossa’s palace.

The moment we met, emotions overflowed and tears welled up in my eyes.

Even the books that are neatly placed and managed underneath.

A photo album containing Zion’s childhood and a diary written by his mother. Originally, it was something that would have been filled without leaving any empty space.

Although his emotions were surging and his nose was tingling, Zion took a deep breath to calm his mind.

I didn’t intend to turn this place into a sea of tears.

‘I shed as many tears as I could.’

The treasures recovered in the name of heritage are enough to serve as a driving force for growth and a pillar of the spirit that enables one to endure hard work.

Zion, who had been looking at the photo for a long time and suppressing his emotions, raised his head.

Yuho politely informed Zion that he was maintaining his status as Tigrova’s honored guest.

“You don’t have to force yourself to take all your stuff. You can keep this room as is. If you tell me where you are staying, I can move it for you.”

There is no need to sort out the things to be disposed of today.

Yuho told him that there was no need to rush into judgment, but Zion was not in a position to be relaxed.

“Still··· I want to save up some living expenses. I received so much help from people around me.”

Zion is currently so penniless that he needs Rohan’s help just to get to Tigrova.

When I returned, I had to find a place to stay in Academy City and prepare supplies to prepare for any situation.

Zion, who had been informed of the situation, continued to ponder while looking at the jewels and ornaments that he had absolutely no knowledge of.

Yooho looked at the girl and drew a pitiful smile on his face.

‘What a precious jewel that is… I think I’d sell it even if I got it for cheap.’

She was a worrisome girl in a different sense from Noah Frozenheart, the youngest daughter of King Seolho.

The treasures here are all items with a long history and rarity.

Are these wonderful objects being devalued by snake-tongued merchants? This is a painting that collector Yu-ho hates so much that he cannot help but feel murderous.

‘I guess the Great Emperor put me on trial for that reason.’

It is the law that a subject must follow the king’s will.

Yuho took out the smartphone that was in his loose sleeve and approached Zion.

“Then, can I recommend some items that Yoo-ho can dispose of here?”

*****

Could it be because Zion and Clara slept together?

A bed that has been emitting an excessively sweet fragrance lately.

Rohan is lying there, talking to Zion on speakerphone.

─ Anyway, the missing person report was lifted like that. It felt strange to have come back from the dead··· but for now, the status was resolved.

“Thank goodness.”

─ Separately… I want to show the minimum courtesy to Yuho, who helped me for a long time. It seems really wrong to refuse the meal offer that Yuho offered me first.

“Do that. It’s a good opportunity.”

Rohan also knows who Yuho is.

Because I briefly appeared in the Abyss City worldview video.

Since Tigrova is a famous person, if you search on your phone, a lot of information will come up.

“Then you’re coming back one more day?”

─ No, I’ll go back as soon as the meal is over. The day won’t change.

“I guess it’s a few hours difference. If the time is right, I’ll go to the station with Clara.”

─ If you have time, I won’t refuse to pick you up.

Rohan smiled naturally.

It was nice to see Zion being more talkative than usual, perhaps because things were going well in Tigrova.

It was clear that he had been working hard to see Zion in this way.

Then came an uncomfortable silence.

There was a brief silence in the call.

Zion let out a faint laugh.

─ Hehehe···.

“Any other good things happening?”

─ I’ll show you this when I get back. You can look forward to it.

There is an excited emotion in Zion’s voice.

There’s something.

After that, there was a brief chat.

Rohan realized that he had some news he hadn’t told Clara. He had just finished preparing, so he was going to tell her tomorrow at the bookstore.

“Oh, and just in case, I made as many side dishes as possible?”

─ Hmm?

“The academy practical exam schedule has changed. I will be on a deserted island from Monday to Friday.”

─ ···.

Before he could even say that Clara and I should eat well, as there would be plenty of food, Zion declared in a deep, calm voice.

─ I’ll go back to Academy City right away.

“···?”

─ If something comes up that you’re busy, I’m sure Yuho will understand.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

A serious voice, not a joke.

Rohan jerked his upper body up from the bed.

“It’s not like I’m leaving without seeing your face. It’s not like I’m coming back after a few years”

─ That’s true, but···!

“Do what you have to do properly. It’s also necessary to greet people properly, right?”

─ ···Okay, I understand.

If you tell him to do something, he’ll do it well. But he’ll also give you answers and a voice that seems secretly upset.

Rohan had a hard time holding back laughter.

“Zion.”

─ Yeah···.

“I’ll show you something when I get back, so look forward to it.”

─ !

Rohan’s gaze turned to the shopping bag on the table.

Inside are two dolls purchased with the advice and recommendation of Ichinose, a water drop friends expert.

A pink dragon that whimpers and a shark that looks a bit weird.

These are classic version dolls of the characters Woolwooli and Bluebee.

Rohan obviously knows that Zion has a secret interest in those characters. It was obvious from the note he left when they first met.

And separate.

Instead of a doll, I prepared a hairpin as a gift for Clara.

Originally, I was thinking of giving her clothes or shoes as a surprise gift. But the biggest problem was that I didn’t know the size.

Enclosing a receipt so that the size can be changed would be a solution, but wouldn’t that be difficult for Clara?

‘It’s not like I bought it just for fun.’

The price of the hairpin was more expensive than that of the doll, perhaps because it had gold dust sprinkled inside.

But is it possible to save money in this area?

My hand naturally reached for the hairpin because I thought the black sheen would blend in well with Clara’s purple hair.

‘This is truly rational consumption.’

The answer comes when you think back to Abyss City, which didn’t release character skins.

This was an irresistible desire for Rohan.

─···I’ll look forward to it.

“Please don’t expect too much, just have moderate expectations.”

It seems like the slight swelling that had been there has evaporated.

The small talk continued smoothly and the topics of conversation changed quickly.

─ Rohan. I have a question.

“What is it?”

─ Tell me the name of the perfume you use.

“Perfume? What perfume?”

─ I’m talking about the things you usually carry around.

“I don’t wear perfume?”

I’ve worked so hard to save money until now, so why would I spend on a luxury like perfume?

Even if you actually have some financial leeway, this is an area you may not pay much attention to.

Because I think that each person’s own unique body odor is the best.

─ You don’t wear perfume?

“Oh. I’ve never used it. I don’t have any.”

─ ···There’s no way that’s possible?

There was a rustling sound on the other end of the phone.

Rohan raised his voice, feeling that Zion’s nerves had drifted away from the phone, even though he didn’t know what was going on.

“Zion.”

─ Ah!

“Call Clara and let her know what’s going on. She’ll be waiting.”

─ Uh, yeah··· I understand.

Zion hung up the phone, stuttering in confusion.

Rohan scratched his head at the incomprehensible reaction and began to prepare for tomorrow.

Now, life on a deserted island is just around the corner.