episode_0154

“Hey.”

Sylvia said.

The voice filled with hostility was clearly directed at Scarlett.

“Why do you call Ian your darling?”

Scarlett winced at the cold glare.

Not the reaction she expected.

At best, I expected them to giggle cutely like fruits.

“What are you?”

Sylvia’s attitude was not cute at all.

It felt like a sharp energy was piercing my skin.

“Well, we call ourselves our own, right? So then, what should we call ourselves?”

Scarlett stuttered, feeling a strong hostility that she had never felt before.

I even broke into a cold sweat.

This situation was very difficult for her, who had devoted her entire life to academic research.

Sylvia raised her eyes and glared at Scarlett.

Scarlett already had a cold expression, and opening her eyes like that made her feel really cold.

“… … .”

Sylvia, who had been glaring for a long time, just left the place.

Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Sylvia walking away.

‘Why are there such scary kids? .’

For her, who had been confined to the magic tower her entire life, this was her first experience.

I thought about the reactions of cute and innocent fruit warriors, but Sylvia was on a different level.

Iris urgently brightened the awkward situation where Sylvia left.

“It is unlikely to fall out, but even if it does, you can put it back on the joint right away… .”

*

Sylvia was more distressed than Scarlett.

“Why don’t you kill me?”

She was suppressing the urge to kill.

The ice man spoke from earlier, close to his ear.

“Why don’t you kill me? Why don’t you kill me? Why don’t you kill me? Why don’t you kill me? Why don’t you kill me?”

It was a murmur, but it was so close that my ears felt numb.

“Self? Our baby? To Ian? Are you going to leave that cheeky bitch snout like that? Look at that hair color, which is absolutely lascivious. Are you going to leave that alone?!”

“… … .”

“Ian is in danger! There are too many enemies! He has a knack for captivating people wherever he goes. No one can resist him without wanting him. So we have to protect it!”

Sylvia was accustomed to ignoring those words.

But there was a feeling of regret.

I wanted to shoot at least one word.

Still, I had to endure it.

In any case, he was a person who was helpful to them, and if he was a magic tower lord, he could be helpful to Ian as well.

It was not allowed to be touched carelessly.

“Phew.”

Sylvia came out and took a deep breath.

The air is cold.

The season has come when the wild grasses are slowly turning brown and the leaves are falling.

It hasn’t caught my breath yet, but it will be soon.

Sylvia’s eyes focused on the demon world visible in the distance on the other side of the castle wall.

War is not far away.

And, probably yourself.

*

-thud!

Ian fell.

This time Lucia passed him.

“I said it was right away, right?”

Ian said, putting his back on the floor.

Lucia threw him on her back, sat on top of him, and just stared down at him.

Without saying a word. noiselessly.

As they were within breath distance, Lucia’s disheveled hair tickled Ian’s face.

“… Why do you look at it like that?”

“Do you know that?”

“What?”

“It’s very strange to look down on someone you’ve always looked up to like this.”

“Hmm. I think I know. Looking up at Lucia who was looking down.”

“If you look up?”

“I feel proud knowing that I raised him well.”

“… what the. It’s different from that.”

Lucia held Ian’s hand and helped him up.

Vivian, Helena, and Katy’s eyes were sharp as they watched the scene, but Ian could not see them.

“Now you can use swordsmanship freely, right?”

“Yes. One step is easy, but even two steps are dangerous. The backlash is so strong that it’s hard on my body.”

“If you continue to adapt, you will get better.”

Ian was surprised by Lucia’s growth.

‘It seems like it was just a while ago. ‘I can’t believe I’ve already reached the level of using sword techniques.’

It’s not just Lucia.

Helena has now surpassed Ian with her strength alone, and Vivian’s magic has become beyond Ian’s ability to handle.

It’s a coincidence, but I confirmed it with the binding magic last time.

‘At this level, we won’t be helpless in the early stages of the war.’

***

I checked the documents in the office.

It was sent by Penny, Hans, and Marie from the Manager’s Guild.

Cross-checking the data sent by the three was not easy, but it had to be done.

‘hmm. The quality of the warriors has improved significantly compared to before. On the other hand, has that number decreased slightly?’

Although the number of warriors following the competitive system decreased, it was actually a good thing.

Such a warrior cannot survive the war.

In that case, it would be better to give up the warriors and remain as rear support troops.

‘There’s nothing strange. Penny, you listen better than you expect. ‘Do your job well.’

Penny’s report was the cleanest and most detailed.

It was even obsessive, as if he was trying to show that he had no malicious intent.

I put down my documents for a moment and looked out the window.

There was frost on the window.

It’s winter.

Otherwise, I can easily tell that winter is here.

– Rumble.

The office door opened, and Lucia stuck her head out.

Fruits, Mercy, and Kati sometimes come to my office to hang out.

No, quite often.

“Are you busy?”

“No. It’s okay.”

Lucia came in laughing.

When she came in, she saw Katy curled up on the desk and tilted her head.

“Has Katy gained weight? Why is it so plentiful?”

“To be exact, the hair is steamed.”

“Is your hair getting thicker?”

“When it gets cold, their fur gets fluffy like this. Some people call it gaining hair.”

“Ah… . I see Animals do that in winter.”

Lucia, who was looking down at Katy, grinned.

“So cute!”

Lucia hugged Katy and rubbed her face.

“Why is he so cute when he’s a cat when he’s not like that at all normally?”

“Nyaaaang-!”

Katy, struggling, escaped and came into my arms.

“Hmm.”

Lucia looked at it, crossed her arms, and began to think seriously.

“Why are you doing that?”

“It’s a foul.”

“… What is it?”

“If you are hugged as a cat, you can’t refuse it, right? Do you feel like something is natural and justified?”

“Yes?”

“Please hug me too.”

“… It’s hard to follow the conversation.”

“Oh, that’s great.”

Fortunately, the chaotic conversation was interrupted by Mercy coming in.

“Oh, Ian! There you are! Look at this!”

What Mercy held out as if showing off was a bird.

It was a hummingbird, as small as the width of a finger.

I’ve heard the name, but this is my first time seeing it in person.

“Wow! So cute!”

“Hmm!”

Mercy shrugged her shoulders.

“But why the hummingbird?”

“This is the child I tamed!”

“Tame?”

“Yes! Didn’t our scouting team tame flying insects and use them last time? There’s no reason why I can’t do that!”

You were paying attention to that.

What a wonderful guy.

“In addition to hummingbirds, they are also taming dragonflies, hawks, flies, ladybugs, earthworms, moles, and more!”

… Is that a bit much?

“Can you tame that many people?”

“Okay then! Because I’m a princess! I can help now, right? Hmph.”

“It’s already helping enough. ”

Lucia also added from the side.

“That’s right! How delicious is Mercy’s cooking? The chef’s food here is also delicious. And give a good massage.”

“What is that… . Actually, isn’t this something Ian can do? Massage was originally Ian’s job… .”

“… Yes?!”

Lucia was startled.

“Ah, massage, Ian did that?! when?! Since when! Vivian and Helena?!”

“Well, that was a long time ago.”

“… Ah.”

An old story.

It was a sufficient explanation for Lucia to understand.

Lucia, who suddenly became depressed, apologized.

“Sorry… .”

“It’s okay.”

“Mmm. I said something pointless.”

Mercy scratched her head as if embarrassed.

Just then, Helena came in, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

“Oh! Everyone is here except me! That’s too much! What is that cute bird!”

If “ speaks as a hummingbird… !”

Mercy’s explanation continued, and Katy chattered while looking at the hummingbirds flying around.

It wags its tail and twitches its buttocks as if it is about to hunt.

“Oh, no! You barbaric cat!”

Mercy was scared and hid the hummingbird in her arms.

… By the way, can’t you see Vivian?

***

“Today is the last class.”

Sylvia said.

“Haha, haha, hyaaa .”

On the other hand, Vivian, who collapsed from exhaustion, did not have the energy to answer.

The last class was magic sparring.

We didn’t aim at each other to avoid getting hurt.

I just collided the magic in the air.

For him, we went out to a field much further away from the castle than usual.

When the magic of the two collide, there is a big commotion.

“Hehe, hehe… . Let me ask you one question… .”

Vivian asked, panting.

On the other hand, Sylvia was calm.

“Yes.”

“How much did you look after? ?”

“Not much.”

Sylvia added, looking down at her hands.

“About half.”

“… … .”

half.

Is there still half of it left?

It wasn’t something worth frustrating.

It means that I have caught up to half of the wizard I admired.

“… I will also ask you one last question.”

“Yes.”

“Ian, how are you?”

“… … .”

Is the last question being asked that question again?

Since the last time she accidentally asked, Sylvia has never asked how Ian is doing again.

‘Is that something I’m really curious about…? .’

And the last question I ask is about Ian’s well-being.

Vivian sometimes felt sorry for Sylvia.

“Yes. I’m doing well.”

“… okay. thank god. It must be thanks to you guys.”

“… … .”

“I’ll go. See you at the front.”

The moment Sylvia adjusts her hat and turns around.

“Hey, Sylvia.”

Vivian called her out.

Sylvia turned around without answering, and her expression was empty.

Much more than last time.

When Ian just said that he was doing well, he didn’t smile as brightly as he did last time.

What on earth does that mean?

Sylvia looks cold, lonely, and lonely.

It’s like ice, but at the same time, it’s like ash.

It’s all burned down, there’s nothing left.

Ashes that will soon be swept away by the wind that will blow.

“… Sylvia, I hope you are doing well.”

“… … .”

At that greeting, Sylvia’s eyes slowly widened.

I never thought I would hear something like that.

How to yourself.

Is it possible to tell someone who did something like that to take care of themselves?

Even though I know everything. While listening.

I am relieved again.

Because someone other than himself remained by Ian’s side.

Sylvia bit her lip and answered with difficulty.

“Vivian is doing well too. Hello.”

Before walking away, Sylvia spoke as always.

“… Please take care of Ian.”

Vivian just watched her walking away.

The small back looked cold.

*

Late at night before going to sleep.

Ian’s video mirror rang.

‘Who is it at this hour?’

When I received the call, I saw a woman with pink hair and blue eyes.

A grinning smile can even be considered a sneer.

“… Scarlett?”

– Hello honey? long time no see.

“How did you know my frequency?”

-There is a way to know everything. Is this an ability unique to the magic tower lord?

“Ah, yes… .”

Ian answered and looked around Scarlett.

I don’t think there’s any problem.

-Oh my, where are you looking at me like that? Are you that curious about my room?

“… If there is nothing special, I will hang up.”

-Wait a minute! Why are people so heartless?

Ian did not want to have a deep relationship with Scarlett.

To him, she is the second round of guilt itself.

It’s a relationship where nothing good comes from getting closer.

It’s best to just keep a reasonable distance and remain in a relationship where all you need to do is keep each other safe until the war ends.

“I’m not being cruel, no, isn’t it time to sleep in the first place?”

-I tend to think of the person I want to see more at that time.

“I can’t understand… .”

-It just takes a little bit… . Just listen to me.

The composure disappeared from Scarlett’s tone.

Even though his face was smiling, it was awkward.

Ian knows when she makes this kind of expression.

The words that will come later.

-You can treat me like I don’t exist.

Yes, this is it.

Even in the second episode, this is what she said with a bitter smile to Ian, who was openly trying to take advantage of her.

“… How can you treat it like it’s not there when it’s right in front of you?”

She is a poor woman.

She is also an insane woman.

Without knowing his birth, he just happened to become a magician and became the lord of the magic tower.

All she knows in the world is magic.

Neither the occasional client nor the magician she occasionally discussed were of interest to her.

She is someone who only learned about relationships and society through delusions.

To her, Ian’s existence was like a group of humans who had jumped out of her delusion.

When Ian first heard that, he was dumbfounded.

I wondered if he was making fun of me, or if he was trying to take advantage of me.

However, Scarlett was always sincere towards Ian.

Ian had long ago given up on understanding her.

Her way of thinking, which was beyond extraordinary and even bizarre, was not something I could understand.

All that remains is the past of ignoring her death even though he knew she was sincere.

-I heard you are secretly kind. know?

Ian laughed bitterly.

If I knew my past self, I wouldn’t be able to say that.

It was truly pathetic self-deprecation.

Isn’t it just his own memory, and isn’t it something people here don’t know about?

“I don’t know.”

-That’s what attracts people. You better be careful.

“I should write it down somewhere.”

Phew, Scarlett burst out laughing and said anything.

There was no rambling in her words.

Even though he was a magician, stories without logic sometimes popped out.

-So you can say that the frog’s tongue resembles the tail of a firefly.

In conversations without clear business or purpose, Scarlett was always like that.

Ian was familiar with her speaking style.

I knew how to react casually.

Scarlett, who had been spouting like that, suddenly stopped talking and looked at Ian.

-… Honey, you’re amazing.

“Do you want to do it just for yourself?”

-This is the first time someone listens to me like this.

“… … .”

Ian felt déjà vu again.

This is also what I heard from the woman I met in the second episode.

It was a time when I coveted power.

People were also treated as tools.

Scarlett was one of those targets.

I thought that a magic tower lord would remind me of my lack of talent for magic.

It was a vain expectation.

Scarlett had done her best, but her heart was unstoppable.

That’s how I lived back then.

In the name of survival, ignoring sin.

So, one day, in a different way… .

-self.

“Who is he?”

-Who else is there besides you? … Anyway, I’m sorry. I had a bit of a difficult time personally today. I’m not sure, but it reminded me of myself. It’s my first time doing something like this, so it’s difficult and awkward… .

Scarlett, who was talking to someone for the first time, was excited and apologetic at the same time.

“It is done. What a difficult task.”

-Look. Are you saying you’re friendly?

“I will now hang up coldly.”

-what the. I tried to do that too. It’s time to sleep.

Scarlett smiled brightly at the disgruntled Ian.

-There will be war soon. be careful. Contact me if you need help.

“I think it would be better for both of us if there was no contact.”

-Is that a bit disappointing?

Ian asked Scarlett, who smiled brightly, one thing.

It was hard for him to know why he was suddenly curious about this.

“Scarlet. How would you feel if I used you like a tool?”

-What is happening all of a sudden? Do you want to use me?

“No?”

-Hmm. well. That’s strange. For some reason, I feel like he will be treated that way if he has to.

Blind faith without reason or foundation resembles madness.

Ian was sure he would never understand Scarlett.

Regardless, the guilt still remains.

Scarlett in this episode is the same as in episode 2.

“You just said something so trivial, so I also said something trivial.”

-What is that.

“I’ll just hang up. I’m tired.”

-Okay, sleep well, baby.

“… That’s not you.”

Ian left the connection without saying anything.

Lying in bed, I think back to the question I just asked.

Why did I bother to ask that again?

Did he think that if she was different from last time, the guilt of using her and running away would be lessened?

‘… ‘I’m tired.’

Ian stopped thinking and closed his eyes.

War is not far away.

Just thinking about that, there was no room for anything else to enter his mind.

*

Gate 8 of the Northern Front.

Countless people gathered.

There are quite a few hundred.

People were lined up densely like a wall.

Their attire was varied, arranged in a manner that may or may not have been ordered.

Knight, wizard, archer, priest.

Numerous warriors gathered.

It’s not just the warriors.

Military police, Aegis, Holy Knights of the Church of Seonghwa.

In addition, the Pride Empire Army and soldiers sent from vassal states.

Not only combat soldiers, but even supply managers and healing priests gathered in one place.

It’s literally crowded.

There may be a lot of people at other gates, but not as many as at Gate 8, which would be the center of the front line.

In front of them, a middle-aged man stood firmly on a white horse.

Wearing a red fur cape, a golden crown, and golden armor, his eyes were straight as if he was looking down at a warrior.

Emperor of the Pride Empire.

The pillar and roof of humanity.

It was Julian Apostata Humil.

The situation is just before the emperor’s declaration begins.

A heavy silence pressed down on the warriors.

Early winter with a chill.

Thousands of breaths rise and disperse like fog.

But no one here felt the cold.

Vivian, Helena, and Lucia, who were in the front row, were also very nervous.

Only Ian and Kati, standing next to him, were calm.

Mercy, who was hiding in Ian’s pocket, was also so nervous that she had trouble swallowing even a single spittle.

‘It’s a start.’

Around the time Ian thought so.

Julianus raised his sword high and shouted.

A large drum rang in accordance with his shouts.

“Fight!”

-ridge!

“Win!”

-ridge!

“Achieve-!”

-ridge!

He is the founder of the current empire and the ancestor of the Humil family who first conquered the Humility continent.

These were famous words from Caesar Maximus Humil’s declaration of war.

As soon as his shouting ended, beyond the other side of the gateway, to the north.

In a place commonly called the Demon World, something like a dark cloud began to rush towards me.

The ground shakes and the air trembles.

-Room, boom, boom, boom!

The sound of the drums pounding gradually becomes faster.

In response, my heart beats rapidly.

The warriors’ breathing became so heavy that it seemed like it would stop.

Dozens of types of demons and thousands of enemies coming over the hills.

When the image became clear.

“The only option is victory or death-!”

Julianus shouted.

“Waaagh-!”

The warriors ran out, screaming as if they would explode into the sky.

They rushed out like a tank and immediately collided with the demon army and became entangled.

The war has begun.

***

Before people ran out, intoxicated by the heat of war.

I grabbed my companions and said,

“Don’t get excited.”

Excitement is a double-edged sword.

It makes you forget the pain and increases your fighting spirit, while at the same time clouding reason and rational judgment.

I know it’s a plan to gain momentum at the beginning of the war, but at least my group shouldn’t get hurt in the process.

The three fruits nodded solemnly, and the advance began.

Non-combatants, including myself, were busy moving about on the contrary.

I have to climb up the wall, look down at the battle situation, constantly compare the information I know, and advise each commander.

I’m heading back with Katy and Mercy.

[Journal of the Lost Timeline 2.]

‘… what?’