episode_0110

“I told you, right? You will get what you want.”

I asked, just in case.

“No way to me… .”

“Shh.”

However, Grace blocked my mouth with her index finger.

“Wouldn’t it be fun if you already knew?”

Her smile was playful yet serious.

‘… If it’s true, can I accept it? ‘It’s 7,000 gold?’

I have no idea how big the amount is.

Vivian and Lucia seemed to have the same doubts as me, and leaned towards me.

“Ian, could you… .”

“The princess… .”

“It’s not certain yet, so let’s wait and see.”

If you make a mistake and find out later that you are wrong, you will be embarrassed.

I had to think that it wasn’t right now.

… That thought was bound to fade as the auction progressed.

Since that was the only artifact, there was nothing I wanted among the remaining items.

Among the many expensive valuables coming out, Vivian and Lucia’s eyes lit up when they saw some trinkets.

Each time, Grace bid the highest price last and won.

Then, he looked in my direction, smiled leisurely, and even winked.

I even got that feeling, the smile of a winner.

Vivian and Lucia didn’t seem to know whether to be happy or sad.

It was the same for me too.

Finally, the auction ended and the winning item was delivered to each participant.

Grace opened the jewelry box in front of her and checked the ring inside.

This is the artifact I was aiming for.

After looking at the ring with satisfaction, she turned her head to look at me and smiled.

“Oh my. Are you looking forward to it?”

“… Please excuse me first. The princess. It was an honor to meet you… .”

“Aaaah!”

When I tried to get up, Grace started screaming.

“Tch. It’s not easy after all.”

Grace pouted her lips and handed over the jewelry box.

“It’s a gift from the imperial family.”

“In the imperial family?”

“Yes. It turns out that Ian is Philip.”

The hero system played a large role in the empire’s prosperity as it is now.

And, it was known to the public that it was Philip who proposed the warrior system.

Therefore, the empire owes a great deal to Philip.

Does this mean that you want to show the relationship between Philip and the imperial family?

Grace smiled brightly at my gaze.

There seemed to be no such political intention.

Even if you don’t have to, the power of Philip’s name is enormous.

Even now, aren’t there people hanging around the princess and me who can’t easily approach us?

‘So, I’m just giving this to Grace because she wants to give it to me… .’

I was hesitant to accept it.

It was what she wanted, but Grace paid too much for it.

“… I hope you don’t feel pressured.”

Grace, who was looking up at me, added softly.

It was a lonely voice.

In the end, the reason I added political intent was to ease my burden.

It was Grace who seemed like an immature child… .

“I will acknowledge it as an honor and receive it with gratitude, my beloved princess.”

When I accepted it with an exaggerated greeting, Grace blushed and covered her cheek with her hand.

“Ugh, hmmm… ! hmm! Yes, that’s right!”

I tried to look arrogant and crossed my arms, but it didn’t go with the lines at all.

Grace gave the other two items she had won to Vivian and Lucia.

“First of all, just take two. I will give gifts to the rest of the group next time.”

“Uh… .”

Vivian and Lucia received the trinket box with puzzled expressions.

Grace proudly raised her chin at the two and declared.

“So, please know that Ian is mine!”

“… I don’t belong to anyone.”

I asked why he had a winner’s smile.

Was it because of this?

Because you think you used your financial power to suppress the other party?

No, why on earth are my warriors… .

– Tup.

Vivian opened the box, closed the lid, and handed it back to Grace.

“If that’s the case, I won’t accept it.”

“… Yes?”

Grace, embarrassed, asked a question in a low tone.

“Me too.”

Lucia held out the same thing.

“Ian said that. Do not respond to financial transactions or support with compensation as collateral without your permission or sufficient consultation.”

hmm. I did say something like that.

“Uh, ah… .”

Grace became tearful when she saw the two boxes held out in front of her.

After looking at Vivian and Lucia, she looks up at me and speaks in a quiet voice.

“Can’t you just accept it…? . I don’t want anything… . I just think they are Ian’s warriors… .”

Vivian and Lucia seemed to have calmed down a bit at that intimidating reaction and showed sad expressions.

I had no choice but to step forward.

“Well, it may be difficult to grant that request, but if it is something the princess gives you, you should definitely accept it.”

After hinting permission, Lucia and Vivian withdrew their hands again.

“I will accept it gratefully.”

“Me too, princess. Although I can’t agree with owning Ian… . Ah, anyway. thank you… !”

Only then did Grace laugh.

I thought he was a bit more mature, but he was still too young.

“Then slowly… .”

Now it’s really time to break up.

[master.]

Suddenly, a telepathic message came from Kati.

‘huh?’

[We have detected the presence of many beasts nearby.]

*

I only told the fact to Leon, the leader of Aegis who came to escort Grace, and quickly left the banquet hall.

[Judging from the movement and momentum, it seems like they are aiming somewhere.]

Sure enough, when I came out, I felt a familiar presence.

I followed it through the alleys and reached a certain place.

I was able to encounter a familiar bear man.

“Ah, Ian. Is that right?”

It was Rhamnus, the captain leading Lescentimants.

“Rhamnus.”

And there were many unconscious prisoners around him.

“Hmm. They say that after they became independent and wanted to rebel against you humans, they received information that nobles were gathering here and tried to attack them.”

After meeting me, there seemed to be mixed opinions even within Le Sentimants.

Among them, the pro-human faction, including Rhamnus, remained, while the anti-human faction broke away.

“I tried to stop it before it caused a commotion. Is it a little late?”

“No. I found out thanks to Kati. It hasn’t been officially announced yet.”

“I see. Thank goodness.”

When Rhamnus gave an order with a glance, the hidden beastmen came out and carried the fallen beastmen.

The alley soon became deserted and only me and Ramnus remained.

“They told me not to get into an accident, so I’m trying my best.”

Of course, I said that last time.

Don’t crash and just wait.

Rhamnus faithfully kept his word at that time.

“… Yes, I’m working harder too, so just wait a little longer.”

“I hope we can meet again on something good next time.”

“Well, today’s work isn’t that bad from my perspective.”

Rhamnus laughed and lightly waved his hand.

“Going.”

His figure receded through the darkness of the alley.

I had no idea that the prisoners of Le Sentimant, whom I had become friends with by chance, would help me in this way.

‘They seem pretty enthusiastic, so I guess I should push for it more actively.’

… That was my decision, but there was nothing I could do right away.

Giving land is ultimately the power of the imperial family.

I can’t interfere there.

‘A place where beastmen and humans live together… . I’m not sure if it will work out though.’

Still, I have to try it.

At first it was because of Katy, but also because of Galatea and Marlion.

Now even Lescentimants are firmly riding on my shoulders.

That’s not all.

The allyization of beastmen leads to long-term power improvement.

So, it has to be done.

***

Sylvia saw Ian talking to Mine.

I was devastated.

I wanted to be active.

I wanted to help him, but Ian didn’t need her.

‘Have I become friends with Mine? .’

As she was hiding in the alley, she was startled.

Ian suddenly started walking in his direction.

‘uh? what? Huh? Have I found myself? Did you notice… ?’

I swear it was a coincidence that I found Ian here.

But if it’s hidden, it’s suspicious.

Sylvia decided to just step forward.

I carefully adjusted my voice and even touched my clothes for no reason.

“Ian… . Oh, hello… . See you here again… .”

Sylvia greeted awkwardly.

The distance from Ian is about ten steps.

It’s pretty far.

Sylvia hastily explained the situation.

“Ah, that! I happened to find Mine hiding in an alley and was chasing him. It was a coincidence that we ran into each other like this. really… .”

Ian thought briefly and understood.

There was no reason why Sylvia was following him or why he was here for any purpose.

“I also found out about other mines… ?”

In order for Ian to quickly leave the alley, he had to go in her direction.

“Yes.”

Ian answered briefly.

There was no reason to explain Lescentimants.

As he walked towards Sylvia, she was visibly embarrassed.

“Uh, uh… ?”

Soon Sylvia realized that Ian’s destination was behind her.

There are about five steps left.

“Now, now, wait a minute… !”

Sylvia hurriedly rummaged through her bag.

It looked like he was trying to take something out.

“This… . Ah!”

In her haste to take it out, Sylvia lost sight of it.

It rolled around on the dirty alley floor and landed in front of Ian.

Ian quietly looked down at it.

It was a small notebook that was easy to carry around.

“Ah, ah, that’s… .”

Sylvia couldn’t approach or run away, stamping her feet restlessly.

Ian picked it up.

Sylvia’s breathing became increasingly difficult.

I was afraid he would open it and check it.

I was excited because I wanted you to confirm.

However, Ian had no reason to do that.

Ian slowly walked over and casually handed over the notebook.

The action was simply to return the items that had fallen.

Compared to him, who was indifferent, Sylvia’s heart was pounding and she felt like she was going crazy.

I didn’t know how long it had been since I had been this close to him.

A vicious voice raged in my head like a storm.

Less than one step away.

His embrace, which I had longed for, is right in front of my eyes.

The wide and strong chest makes it safe to throw yourself into bed.

‘Hold on, hold on… .’

Sylvia suppressed her impulse and spoke in a trembling voice.

“Thank you, thank you… .”

“Unless there is important business.”

However, Ian interrupted the voice.

“Can I just leave? I have a group waiting for me.”

“… Ah.”

party.

Ian thought of Vivian, the redhead who was hugging Ian earlier.

I don’t know if it was the music that was playing at that moment, but the two were holding each other so affectionately.

Sylvia knows too.

That it’s just part of the dance.

I know.

I definitely know.

At that moment, the power that went into Vivian’s hand as she held Ian tightly.

The clear excitement and happy shame that appeared on Vivian’s face as she turned her head so that tall Ian couldn’t see it.

It makes it impossible to think that it is simply part of a dance.

And the way Lucia looked at Ian.

The gesture of placing a hand on Ian’s shoulder while he was sitting.

Vivian’s actions of naturally embracing Ian and wrapping her arms around him as if protecting him.

Also, the scene where Ian’s pulled elbow touched another woman’s breasts as if they were about to be sucked in.

It’s all painfully flashing in my vision.

It’s so horrible that I want to cut out my eyes.

‘Let’s calm down…’ .’

Suppress your heart.

Get your emotions together.

I asked if there was any important business.

there is.

Just seeing you.

To me, that is more important than anything else in the world.

But, maybe not for him.

‘calm down… .’

The more you control your impulses, the more your auditory hallucinations bloom in opposition to them.

‘That’s not my place…’ .’

Maybe not now.

But like the world is, everything can be taken away.

Just like you did in the past.

‘You can’t bother Ian any more… .’

It’s not too late now.

Take Ian and run away.

There are no eyes to see here.

You can do it, right?

It’s as simple as knocking him out and kidnapping him.

‘Ian doesn’t need me… .’

Even if someone comes after him, what?

Who knows if we run away across the western ocean?

Or what if you cross the eastern no-man’s land and hide on the other side of the empire?

‘Please shut up…’ .’

For a brief moment, Sylvia suppressed her feelings.

She said, smiling weakly.

I couldn’t help but feel the corner of my mouth trembling pitifully.

“Yes… . Go, go. I’ll be waiting… .”

After the answer came, he passed by Sylvia without notice.

He passes by.

Whenever I stood next to the tall man, I always found myself resting my head on his shoulder.

The feeling was very unfamiliar yet familiar.

Memories of leaning on him fade away as he passes by.

The scattered memories became a scent and permeated my nose.

Subtle perfume smell.

Mixed with that was Ian’s unique body odor that always kept me up at night.

The moment I took charge of it, the broken memories were put back together at will.

‘Don’t hold back.’

Who was that just now?

Whose voice was it?

I can not know.

Just when I came to my senses.

Sylvia was in front of Ian.

Because he was cornered by her, Ian stood against the wall.

“Ha, ha… .”

Sylvia’s breathing is trembling.

My face is hot and my lower abdomen is throbbing.

The shaking eyes look straight at Ian, but his face is not clear.

Am I crying?

Why do I cry?

He’s in front of me now.

We’re on the verge of reaching him, shouldn’t we be happy?

He pushed Ian, who was much taller than him, against the wall and trapped him.

What should I do now?

What should I do?

As his body odor became thicker, Sylvia regained her dizzy consciousness.

Vision returns.

His chin, his lips.

After tracing her lips with her tongue, Sylvia looked up into Ian’s eyes.

“… Ah.”

When I made eye contact with him, I became conscious as if a knife had entered my body.

Ian didn’t really resist.

Because I can’t defeat Sylvia even with my strength.

That detachment was eerie.

It was he who brought him to that point.

That fact was so disgusting that I was sick of myself.

Ian looked down at Sylvia with the eyes of an inanimate object.

That gaze was like a knife.

Stabbed myself.

And, forged by himself.

“I, my, I… . What did you do… .”

Sylvia hesitated and took a step back.

“Mi, I’m sorry. Ian, I’m sorry… .”

“If the business is finished.”

Ian said as he straightened up the clothes that were wrinkled because of Sylvia.

“I’ll just go.”

He seemed indifferent as if nothing had happened just a moment ago.

His attitude was that he didn’t know why Sylvia did that to him, but he didn’t want to know either.

“… … .”

Sylvia couldn’t say anything.

I had no right to speak.

Ian looked down at her disapprovingly and then left the alley.

“Mi… not… . Sorry… . I, I… .”

It wasn’t until Ian was far away that Sylvia remembered those words.

Of course he couldn’t hear.

Sylvia picked up the incorrect answer note that had fallen.

It fell when I was pushing Ian.

The sign was dirty because it had been rolled around on the alley floor.

“Sorry… . Sorry… .”

Sylvia mumbled.

Something warm kept popping up under my throat, and I couldn’t speak properly.

“I’m sorry… . I’m sorry… . Sorry, really… . I’m so sorry… .”

Sylvia carefully wiped away the stains on her notebook.

He probably didn’t have any intentions.

Still, it is something that came from his hands.

In just a short time, right in front of your eyes.

“Thank you… . Black-! Ugh… !”

It was difficult to bear my body falling apart.

Sylvia eventually collapsed in her seat and sobbed as she hugged the incorrect answer note that had no warmth left on it.

“Huhhh… ! Wow! Haaa! Ugh! Okay… ! Sorry… ! I, I… . It’s my fault… .”

Since Ian had already left the alley, the apple was out of reach.

She knows too.

I was afraid that he would hear me, so I endured it again and again until he was far away.

Even if just by chance, you hear me crying and come to me, I can’t guarantee what I will do to you then.

I hope for that too.

I hope not.

‘I’d rather you didn’t know.’

So, Sylvia cried alone.

“I’m sorry… . Ian, I’m so sorry… . Okay… .”

I had to cry alone.

This is a relationship where even asking for forgiveness is impossible.

Ian doesn’t hate her or resent her.

That’s why apologizing is meaningless.

Could it be that the time he spent with her was completely cut out?

His emotionless eyes come to mind.

Even expressing that there were no emotions was not enough.

Like cutting off a rotten part, he separated the time from himself and burned it.

‘Is it possible to get rid of emotions?’

He seemed to be broken somewhere.

I can’t erase that feeling.

It is impossible for a person to be so emotionless.

Sylvia even did something very rude.

Yet Ian did not show even the slightest human emotion.

Ian loved Sylvia.

Sylvia knows that too.

And then, Ian took Sylvia away from him.

Sylvia loves Ian.

So, Sylvia imagined taking Ian away from her.

It is a terribly scary thing.

It would be less painful to tear open my chest and rip out my beating heart.

Ian did that.

It would have to be done.

So, maybe he lost his emotions.

Because of Sylvia himself, he may never even feel similar feelings to her in the future.

‘because of me… . It happened because of me… .’

“What should I do… . What should I really do… .”

There is no way to do anything, and it is something that cannot be done.

Sylvia felt helpless.

What if I really can’t love again?

He will be the only one who remains first and last.

Should we be happy about that?

Should I be sad?

Although it was only for a moment, I felt so disgusted that I even had to worry about that.

“Ugh, huh… !”

Sylvia, who was sobbing, suddenly gasped.

My airway was so tight that it was difficult to breathe.

“Kuhuhuh… ! Ugh… !”

The breath I barely regained turned into crying again.

Sylvia waited, anticipated, and prepared for this day.

I even decorated it nicely for him.

It was meaningless.

The person who was sitting down in the dirty alley was not pretty at all.

Her own actions in forcing him to go back were ugly.

It was a sin.

“Ugh, ugh… ! Ah, ahhh-!”

My heart hurt so much that my injured side didn’t even hurt anymore.

Hurting her heart meant that her heart was still alive.

It was abominable.