episode_0108

Three days had passed since I stayed in Guguk.

It was a fleeting moment, yet much had occurred in that short time.

The first was Lorien’s escape from prison.

Coincidentally, suspicion fell on me due to her disappearance after my visit, but the old High Priest confirmed the matter once again, and since I was innocent, it passed without major issues.

The young High Priest and the inquisitor who had been eyeing me suspiciously since our first meeting tried to fabricate a crime somehow, but when asked, “Would you save someone who was about to rape you?” they immediately shut their mouths.

The second was Alain shedding her role as a defector and becoming a candidate for Saint.

During the battle for Guguk’s fate, a scandal erupted when it was revealed that defectors had taken part in the battle.

Upon further investigation, it was uncovered that the Paladins who accompanied Alain to Daelim were falsely accused, allowing her to regain her status as a Saint candidate.

Her sudden rise in status overnight should have been cause for celebration, but Alain did not seem particularly pleased.

Could it be because she anticipated a future filled with boredom and annoyance?

Nevertheless, as it was a deserving occasion for congratulations, I raised a final toast with her, expressing gratitude alongside words of hardship.

With tears welling up at the end, she thanked me for everything, leaving me feeling somewhat sentimental.

The third was the farewells from my comrades as they began to depart one by one.

Perhaps deeming that there would be no more excitement ahead, they left Guguk, leaving behind cheeky requests to be invited to weddings and revealing only their destinations.

If they claimed they didn’t want to be held back, it would likely be a lie.

After all, wasn’t our party formed with individual goals in mind?

I had no right to stop their departure towards achieving their respective objectives.

Thus, I bid them farewell with a smile until the moment of parting, hiding my tears and thinking that we might meet again someday.

And so, everyone departed, leaving only one person by my side, Karl.

Now more than just a comrade, he had become my lover, preparing to leave Guguk with me.

“Viche? Have you packed everything?”

“Yes, this is the last time checking. Just a moment… Before we go, let’s double-check. We have provisions, money…”

“…This is the fifth time already, Viche. Isn’t it okay to stop checking soon?”

“Well… I’m a bit anxious, but alright, I got it. Seems like we’ve prepared everything, so let’s go meet the Saint candidate now.”

After sheathed his dagger, Karl checked his belt and headed to the temporary lodging where Alain was staying.

Along the way to the lodging, remnants of the fierce battle were visible.

Contemplating what might have happened if they had lost, we soon reached the temporary lodging.

After leaving a message with the Paladin guarding the door, Alain rushed towards us moments later.

“Huff… Huff… Are you leaving now?”

“My business here is done, and there are things to do back in the Empire.”

“Sob… Please stay a little longer. It’s lonely being alone!”

“You said it’s more comfortable when I’m not around, remember?”

Teasingly, I joked with a mischievous expression, and Alain laughed heartily in response.

“That’s then, this is now! Ahh…! I really want to come along!”

“Then why don’t you?”

“Alright, I’ll stay here to keep things lively so you two can enjoy your married life. Sound good?”

“Married life… What nonsense…! I’m not thinking about that yet!”

“It sure looks like it’s coming soon, though? Haha, I’ll specially officiate the ceremony. It’s not common for a Saint to officiate, you know?”

“You, you’re really… Oh…”

After exchanging light-hearted farewells, I embarked on the journey to the Empire with Karl by my side.

On the way there were seven, but on the way back, only two.

I was happy at the thought of spending time alone with my beloved lover.

Yet, on the other hand,

I couldn’t shake off the feeling of emptiness.

—–

The journey back to the Empire was peaceful.

Sometimes monsters or bandits would appear and bother us.

But after a few were cut down as an example or we openly showed our prowess, everyone scattered in disarray.

Perhaps due to becoming accustomed to the madness during the past half-year, the lethargic peace on the return journey felt somewhat dull.

Would I reminisce about the journey so far with the sword-wielding lad?

A short yet long time.

Recalling the memories shared with comrades, I felt embarrassed yet joyful.

I had strived like a man possessed to survive in this insane world.

And I am truly a fortunate person.

If I hadn’t met the sword party in Dae Soo Rim, what kind of life would I be living now?

Without striving and risking my life to resolve the events unfolding on the continent, how would things have turned out?

Such questions briefly crossed my mind, but I shook my head to dispel negative thoughts.

Regardless of the process, the outcome is good, isn’t it?

With a saint as my backing, I no longer need to be wary of the Empire’s eyes.

Threatening entities on the continent have been eliminated or neutralized.

Although Lorian’s disappearance bothers me a bit, knowing that the sword lad will handle it even if they return puts me at ease.

Now, all that’s left is to enjoy a lethargic life in a peaceful place, yes.

The desire to return to where I originally belonged was no longer present.

Of course, it was regrettable not being able to utilize modern conveniences.

What would I gain by going back?

Monthly rent to pay, and a busy life awaiting me.

I didn’t want to suffer anymore.

I saved a world at the cost of my life, didn’t I?

From abundant wealth to a beloved partner and a stable life.

Having achieved everything, should I leave it all behind and go back?

If there was someone worried about my disappearance, I might have reconsidered, but sadly, there was no such person.

Growing up as an only child, both my parents had passed away around the time I entered high school, and since I enjoyed being alone, I had no friends.

In a world where no one waits for you, could there really be something like affection?

After organizing my thoughts in this manner, my love for the sword lad deepened a bit more.

If I had to live here forever, would it be okay to marry that lad and live peacefully?

Unlike before, I didn’t feel any resistance.

After intertwining our bodies, wouldn’t it be strange to suddenly feel resistance now?

A mindset completely transformed from the past.

If the me from when I first possessed this body saw me now, what expression would they wear?

I don’t know, but probably quite a complex one.

Just imagining it made me chuckle, and as I chuckled, the lad tilted his head and asked me:

“What amusing thoughts are making you laugh like that?”

“Um, just thinking about you makes me keep laughing. Seems like I’ve fallen hard.”

“…If you tempt me like that, I won’t be able to resist.”

“Haha, hold on a bit. We’re almost there, right?”

When we arrive, I’ll let you do as you please.

With a twinkle in my eye, I whispered, and the lad nudged me playfully.

He seemed quite eager.

His demeanor was so endearing that I burst into laughter, and as he grinned mischievously, he suddenly swept me up in a princess-like embrace.

“K-Karl?”

Calling out to him in surprise, I gasped and swallowed hard.

Any woman would have reacted similarly.

The lad, whose mind was clearly clouded by desire and affection.

His appearance wouldn’t have been out of place in a highlight scene of a horror movie.

“Hold on tight, Viche. We’re going to fly through the sky from now on.”

“That, that’s some doggone nonsense… Aaaaaaahhh!!!”

That day, I made a resolution.

From now on, never again.

I will not be tempted without thinking.

—–

Due to a verbal slip-up, we arrived at the mansion earlier than planned, but despite Karl’s sweaty efforts, we did not establish a relationship right away.

“Oh, you’ve arrived, Lady Beatrice! The guest is waiting for you.”

“…Guest? Who is it?”

“Well, they’re from Donghyang, that’s all I was told to say…”

Because an unidentified guest had arrived.

Karl, upon hearing the news, let out a groan about rushing over for nothing, but I earnestly asked for his understanding.

Didn’t they say it was someone from Donghyang?

That could mean another transmigrator like me had come.

With a mix of anticipation and worry, I followed the maid’s guidance to the reception room.

There, I encountered someone who looked like a gang leader.

“Hello – ”

Black hair, black eyes.

Familiar language with yellowish skin.

Although he seemed a bit rough around the edges, anyone could tell he was a native Korean.

Upon noticing me, he tried to greet me warmly but quickly contorted his face.

…Is there a problem?

Why make such a face?

As I tilted my head, the man took out a document from his pocket and muttered.

“Lee Jooyoung, 24 years old, male…?”

“…?”

“What the heck, where did the guy go? Damn it, there can’t be a mistake in the documents…?”

Looking puzzled, the man alternated between the document and me.

Soon, realization dawned on him, and he slapped his forehead.

“Oh, this is bad. I’m going to get an earful from the wife again.”

…What kind of person is he, really?