episode_0171

I was knocked out for about 3 weeks.

A lot has changed in the meantime.

First of all, the simultaneous subjugation operation of the corps commander that took place on the day I fell was successfully successful.

Four members of the first hero party, who were the main players in the operation, were seriously injured, but have now fully recovered.

Kati even killed the Manticore that came looking for me, so all seven corps commanders were killed.

Aside from me almost dying, victory is almost certain.

However, this is not the time to be at ease.

The Four Gods guard the gates to the east, west, south, and north entering the Demon King’s Castle.

Unlike the corps commander, who I knew at least part of, I don’t even know anything about them.

And the inside of the Demon Castle is also unknown territory.

Moreover, this war is very different from the second war.

I shouldn’t expect them to act only on the information I know.

Still, it is true that there is hope.

‘It’s rewarding to work hard like a dog.’

The results of providing information to the imperial family and the Seonghwa Church and preparing for war early on were not bad.

In the second round, we didn’t even know that the Demon King’s army had invaded, so we just collapsed helplessly.

“Compared to the scale and number of battles fought so far, the number of deaths is extremely small. It’s okay to say it’s deformed.”

The Commander-in-Chief reported so.

“Also, after the massacre of the corps commander, we advanced aggressively and succeeded in pushing the front line significantly to the north. The current plan is this: We will secure the area near the activity area of the ‘Reaper’, a dangerous molecule secured in advance. Afterwards, we plan to maintain the front line and supply network safely and discuss how to enter the Demon King’s Castle.”

In other words, the immediate goal is to secure a safe area.

Afterwards, many numerical stories emerged, such as the supply of food and equipment, the ratio of warriors who can currently be deployed to the front line and those who cannot, etc.

Even if I knew about it, it was an area I couldn’t touch, so I leaned into Vivian’s warmth while keeping the conversation going in my head.

Warm, soft, fluffy, cozy… .

“Oh my.”

… Oh no! for a moment!

I hastily leaned forward.

‘Is this kid’s body really good? ‘Do I have to continue to live with this fluctuating mental state until I fully recover?’

It’s scary to think that way.

I swear I didn’t consciously lean into it.

If I had to be specific, it was like burying one’s body deeply in a chair when taking a step out of a discussion.

“You can lean more.”

Vivian’s voice tickles my ears like a warm wind.

It’s because everyone is in a meeting so they speak softly so only I can hear, but for me, it makes my ears feel hot.

Vivian’s arms around my waist pulled me deeper.

I couldn’t resist because of the difference in strength.

The meeting ended by the time Vivian’s body temperature felt warm.

While organizing things, Wolfgang looked at me and laughed.

“You really enjoyed it.”

“Noisy.”

Margrave Frederick was also present.

He looked at me and gave me a disdainful look, like I was looking at a bug.

“… What is it, old man? If you have anything to say, say it.”

“Ha… . I have a lot to say, but I’m at a loss when I’m looking at you. It seems like I’m saying something mean to a child… .”

“Who said I was a child… .”

“Tsut… .”

As I was glaring at him as he left, Vivian stroked my head.

“You don’t need to listen to what other people say.”

“I don’t really care, why are you petting me?”

“Just like that?”

-side.

Then he suddenly kissed my cheek lightly.

Before I had time to react, my moist lips touched and then fell.

“Well, well, this… ! There are people, what are you doing? !”

There were few people and everyone was leaving so no one saw it, but even so… !

I’m so embarrassed that I can’t even speak.

Vivian smiled and whispered at my reaction.

“Then should we do it somewhere without people?”

“That’s not what I meant… !”

“What do you think? I often did that when I was taking care of my kids.”

I was wondering why the timid Vivian was so confident, but was it because I was younger?

wait for a sec.

Isn’t it a bit strange to say to a younger partner, ‘Let’s do it without people around’?

Is it a mixture of the younger me and the original reaction I was going to give? .

“First of all, let’s go out… .”

“Ssotcha.”

Vivian woke up with me in her arms.

“Both my legs are fine.”

-side.

“Oh really!”

“Hee hee. Cute.”

“I said I’d see you later… .”

A cold voice intervened.

It was Lucia who lowered her head and glared.

‘okay… ! ‘Please stop Vivian!’

I tried appealing with my eyes like that.

“Why do you keep it all to yourself! I also held back on what I wanted to do!”

My expectations were completely wrong.

Lucia rushed forward and almost buried her face in the cheek opposite where Vivian had kissed her.

The soft lips stuck to the flesh of my cheek and sucked it all the way.

-Quap!

The cheek that was sucked is hot and a little stinging.

… This will leave a red mark.

“What are you doing!”

Mercy.

You have no expectations.

As expected, he tried to barge in and put his mouth on my cheek, but Vivian avoided it.

“This is unfair… !”

It was not easy for Helena, who is short, to participate in the competition because she had to raise her tiptoes to join.

– Jeopuk.

Amidst this confusion, Katy approached.

Just that step makes everyone stiffen and turn around.

‘Okay, if you are Katy… .’

Even though it was Kati who had me sit on her lap from day one, at least she wouldn’t do something like this.

Fortunately, it was Kati who was the most calm so far.

I believe it will stop you.

Kati’s expressionless face stared at me.

‘… ‘Why are you looking at me?’

It was a little strange, but I waited, and Kati came up to me, grabbed my face, and brought her face closer.

“Hey, hey… !”

The moment I was so shocked that I couldn’t avoid it and just held my breath.

Kati twisted her head and kissed her cheek, narrowly avoiding her lips.

A soft touch passed the corner of my mouth.

“At the very least, shouldn’t it be fair? Master.”

“What nonsense… . Ah.”

My mouth hurts even talking… .

*

I went down to the bottom of the gate because I had a customer, and I saw a familiar face.

They were Anton, a blacksmith, and Ruby, a seamstress.

“Ian!”

The two people who spotted me came running towards me.

“I’m glad you’re safe. How are you? It looks very good, right?”

Ruby said with a playful smile.

“Yes, well… .”

Yes, it would seem.

Because now Mercy is holding me.

“I heard that you visited me when I was down.”

“Yes, I was very surprised… . Ugh. I heard you woke up so I hurriedly came to check.”

“Ian, you… .”

Anton’s voice trembled.

I’m so touched… .

“I’m doing very well! I was worried for no reason!”

“… … .”

“Why are you so reckless, ruining people’s minds… . Ah, tsk. Ugly guy. Still, it seems like he’s up and doing well, so it’s okay… .”

Is it honest or not honest?

He’s such an ambiguous guy.

“If you were worried, say it honestly and say you were worried.”

“Don’t worry! Why should I worry about a strong guy like you? .”

Before speaking, Anton sighed deeply.

“Take care of yourself, boy. It was like that before too.”

“Well, you just have to be careful, right…? .”

Why are you crying? Oh my.

“Is it okay to move? It hasn’t been long since you woke up.”

Ruby asked worriedly.

“It’s not so bad that I can’t move. There is nothing uncomfortable about it other than being younger in the first place.”

“If that’s the case, I’m glad. Are your clothes comfortable? I left that behind.”

“Ah. Somehow, I happened to be wearing the right clothes. It fits well. It’s comfortable too.”

“Okay, who am I?”

… wait for a sec.

A frightening question came to mind.

Who changed these clothes?

From Mercy holding me, to the fruit warriors and Kati who are stalking me from behind… .

There are too many suspects.

I shouldn’t ask.

There are some things in life that you should not know.

“The clothes seem quite expensive… .”

Not only do the clothes fit well, but the material that touches the skin is soft and hugs the body stably.

A thick outerwear may seem heavy, but it is as light as a piece of cloth.

Although it is light, it is very warm in this winter cold.

“Hey, what’s going on between us? And, there is someone who paid for it.”

“You paid it instead?”

“Yes. People came and went to support Ian. Her name is Summer… Did you say that? Anyway, he was a customer with an unusual name.”

“Hmm. You are a grateful person.”

“But, the way he speaks is the same as Ian’s, but his voice has become younger, so it feels a bit strange to listen to it.”

“I can’t get used to it yet either.”

After Anton and Ruby returned, Galatea and Marlion came to visit.

There was also baby Zion, whom I named, and Charles.

After that, many prisoners were also there.

When I saw Rhamnus, I thought it was Resantimant, but seeing that there were some beastmen I had never seen before, it seemed like not all of them were Resantimants.

Galatea looked at me and smiled as if it was fun.

“We have a friend in Zion?”

Mercy answered happily.

“Yes, it’s good to make friends early on. Do you want to get along well in the future?”

“… … .”

“I’m glad you woke up… .”

Marlion bowed hesitantly.

It might be awkward.

When a human comes back from the dead, he becomes young and is held in the arms of an elf.

“The vassals and permanent residents are worried. The gifts and letters addressed to the Count alone are too much to handle.”

Charles reported with a faint smile.

“What a great lord… . You must be going through a lot of trouble because of me.”

“If you want to have a busy and capable owner, you have to do that. However, there are a few issues that require the Count’s approval. This isn’t something I would say to someone who just woke up… .”

“It’s okay. When did you understand personal circumstances when it comes to work? Send us the documents and we will check and process them as quickly as possible.”

“I am very sorry.”

Rhamnus looked at me intently and sighed.

“Are you really that reckless?”

“Of course. Otherwise, would you have threatened to take prisoners on my land?”

“Huh, huh… . Hahaha!”

Rhamnus, who was laughing hard, soon burst into laughter.

“I like the answer. Still, be careful. Because you have a lot on your shoulders.”

“Keep in mind.”

“These prisoners here are all people who came into the world thanks to you. Even though I couldn’t say thank you, I wanted to at least see his face, so I brought him here.”

I heard that prisoners are an important human resource that maintains the supply network.

Basically, they have greater physical capabilities than ordinary people, so they can carry a lot of luggage at once and are strong.

Thanks to this, they are said to be active as volunteers throughout the battlefield, even though they were initially ignored.

“Ugh… . Is it over now?”

I thought the group of beastmen was the last… .

In the distance, there was a person who was both familiar and unfamiliar.

Short blonde hair, prosthetic hands on both arms. And narrow eyes.

“… Penny?”

At a distance that was neither too far nor too close, she hesitated.

“If you have something to say, come and say it.”

When I shouted, only then did he cautiously approach me.

The group watched her with obsessive eyes, as if watching her.

It was mild enough.

The first hero party that had been following from a couple of steps away was ready to kill with just their eyes.

Sylvia’s twitching of her hands makes it look like she’s about to cast a spell.

“I, Ian… . I’m glad you’re safe.”

“I’m dissatisfied with waking up in a younger body, but just waking up is a blessing in disguise.”

“Yes, yes… . I’m so glad… .”

“End?”

“… yes. Oh, no. Actually, I have something to tell you.”

What Penny handed over was a bundle of documents.

“This is a regular report. Since the reporting date coincides with the period during which you fainted, I came to personally deliver it to you and check if you are okay.”

“Yes. Please check and contact me if anything goes wrong.”

“Yes, yes… . Please stay healthy… .”

Penny muttered the end of her sentence and then ran away at a brisk pace, as if running away.

Despite his behavior, he is doing a good job managing the guild.

After gathering the documents, I was thinking that this was the end, so I decided to take a look at the wires… .

“Iaaan-!”

Marie came running crying.

“… not… ?”

He looked up at me being held by Mercy and slowly stopped walking.

“… Ian?”

“Yes, it is me.”

“Phew! iced coffee! Ah ha ha! Heeheeheehee!”

You don’t even think about holding back your laughter.

“Really Ian? Ah, it looks similar, uh… . Hahaha!”

“… … .”

“Ah, it’s so fucking cute? Can I hug you just once?”

“It doesn’t work. I barely even held it!”

Mercy said, leaning back.

“Holy shit… ! An expensive man has already become more expensive! What can I do so I can hug him too?”

“… I don’t know either.”

“See… . Are you somehow angry?”

“Hehe, you can’t hug me easily? Are you jealous?”

Mercy said that and kissed my cheek.

I don’t know anymore, me too.

“Mr. . I’m really jealous… ?”

“Why are you so sincerely jealous?”

“I like cute things too!”

“Who on earth… !”

I was about to speak but stopped.

If you hear it, you’ll probably answer that it’s me.

I didn’t want to force that answer out of my mouth, so I kept my mouth shut.

“Still, I’m glad I woke up. Our kids were also surprised. Me too. When I saw him actually lying down… Ugh.”

Marie shuddered as if she was disgusted.

She didn’t have any work to do either, so she left right away.

“It’s so popular.”

“That’s right. I wonder if I should secretly keep him somewhere and raise him.”

Lucia hinted.

“… Well, what are you doing?”

“Are you curious? Would you like me to tell you in detail?”

“No. Do not. First of all, I want to look at the wires, so let’s go there.”

“No.”

Katy suddenly intervened.

“Dangerous.”

“Safety has been secured.”

“Still, the master may be in danger.”

“… Hey, how many heroes are here now.”

Also, recently, there are fruit heroes who are evaluated as equal to or better than the first hero party.

With these people, if it’s dangerous on the front line where safety is guaranteed, it’s just dangerous no matter where you are.

“If you’re that worried, you should be by my side.”

… There is definitely something wrong with this body.

Words that you wouldn’t normally say come out without your will.

Kati’s eyes slowly widened when she heard what I said.

Before I knew it, Katy was right in front of me.

Kati said, taking my hand and putting it to her lips.

“Yes. I will definitely be by your side. Always, forever… .”

Kati was smiling brightly.

“Wow, wait a minute. What is this? Why don’t you tell me that?”

Lucia intervened.

“Me, me too! I want to hear it too… ! I can protect Ian now!”

“Well, me too-!”

Mercy whispered softly in my ear.

“Sinful guy.”

… Yes, I admit it.

This time, my snout is guilty.

It’s obvious.

There is no room for defense.

“ Well, you too, stay by my side and protect me… .”

Is it a scream or a cheer?

Several people rushed towards me with a sound that hurt my ears, and Mercy ran away holding me.

It didn’t last long.

Mercy is an ordinary elf, so she can’t run away from them.

… While being dragged around like that, I was barely able to get to the front line.

*

Since there was a warp portal between the gateway and the front line, we arrived quickly.

To the north, I could see the Demon World covered with low hills.

Although you can’t see it from here, there must be a Demon Castle somewhere in the distance.

It won’t be long now.

Front lines are formed by connecting villages with simple walls.

This is also one of the villages organized on the front lines.

There had been a battle quite recently, and there were many wounded soldiers.

Aria ran there without even looking back.

Helena flinched as she looked at me.

“If you want to help, you can go. It’s not something you should look at.”

“Well, you don’t know… . I’m afraid something dangerous will happen… .”

“Then I will scream for help, so run then.”

“… yes! Please shout out!”

Why are you focusing on that expression?

“I won’t go far!”

Helena left to heal the wounded soldier.

Vivian muttered as she looked beyond the hills.

“Something is coming?”

Are you “enemy?”

“Yes. It’s not much, is it reconnaissance? It looks like a battle was fought relatively recently, so he might be coming to check on the progress… .”

You’ve become a new expert I’ve never seen before.

“It worked out well! I’ll show it to Ian. My new magic.”

“Yes? Ah yes… .”

Now that I think about it, I’ve only seen pine cones explode, but I’m also curious about what it would be like in real life.

Since she was standing on the floor, Vivian bent down to be at eye level with me.

I tried desperately not to lower my gaze.

“I’m watching closely. Because I will come back.”

“… Yes.”

Vivian moved at a fast pace as she paved the ice road.

This is a technique that Sylvia uses, but have you mastered it?

… But, there is a problem.

Because of my lowered height and the rugged hills, Vivian is hard to see.

The one next to me is Lucia.

Kati is one step away, quietly keeping the first party in check, following them like a shadow.

I cautiously looked up at Lucia.

“Huh? Why?”

“… No.”

“No way. Are you trying to tell me to upload it because I can’t see it clearly right now? yes? I quickly say yes. Quickly!”

“Mr. . you’re right… .”

“Aaaagh-!”

Lucia suddenly hugged me and kissed my cheek.

My cheeks are so moist and warm that they’re on the verge of getting hot.

“Cute! So cute-!”

“There’s spit on it!”

“I feel like I want to get it all over my body!”

“What… !”

“Oh my, Kati is glaring at me. I have to stop.”

Lucia, who walked away with a smile, picked me up and lifted me up.

Although the field of view is lower than before, I can now clearly see Vivian moving in front of me.

“Our Ian, that’s it now, right?”

“… … .”

“If you don’t answer, I’ll kiss you.”

“It is done. It looks very good.”

“You’re nice.”

My stomach is boiling… .

By the way, I can’t see it with my naked eyes, so what did Vivian sense when she moved forward?

How much have you grown? .

“Hmm.”

More than that, I don’t want to worry about it from earlier.

“there.”

I said while looking at the first hero party.

“If you have something to say, say it. Don’t keep following me.”

“Huh? Uh, ah, that, uh… .”

While the group was hesitating, Kylie came first.

“That. It’s nothing special… . I’m glad you woke up, I just… . That’s it.”

Beatrice quietly joined in from the side.

“I know it’s shameless, but um. We also worry a lot… I did it. Oh, that’s not what I’m asking you to know. It’s just that. I keep getting worried, and then… .”

Beatrice, who hesitated, added with difficulty.

“… I’m sorry.”

“… … .”

As if she felt the same way, Kylie lowered her gaze.

Sylvia, who still couldn’t come closer, walked away and looked down at the floor.

“Hmm… . I heard that you looked after our warriors while they were down.”

“Huh? Ah, it’s a bit hard to say that I paid attention, but it’s not a big deal… .”

“Well, I didn’t do anything in particular. Although he sometimes became my training partner… .”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Regardless of the fact that they are personally undesirable, it is probably true that they helped the fruit warriors grow.

At least they are confident in their skills.

“… … .”

The two of them couldn’t say anything in response to my brief words.

I also had nothing more to say.

I also didn’t know what to say.

It’s just that it’s such an awkward relationship.

“Let’s sleep, our Ian. Now I have to see Vivian.”

“… … .”

Just then, Lucia hugged me and climbed up a high hill.

“But I wish people would only look at me instead of looking at you.”

“Don’t say anything strange.”

“Couldn’t you just treat it like a mite once?”

“I’m going crazy, really.”

“Just once! I told you! In the past!”

“Oh, who threatened you to do this?! I did it alone!”

“Oh… ! That’s right!”

Katy next to me looked at me with strange eyes.

It was a gaze that seemed to wish for something.

“… Why.”

“No.”

I think I know why he did that, but I didn’t ask any more because I didn’t want to know.

Finally, the time has come for Vivian and the demon group to meet in the middle.

Once she stopped, she waved her hand in this direction.

Does this mean you want to take a good look at it?

‘The enemy is just around the corner, but I feel relaxed…’ . This is not arrogance, this is confidence.’

How much has changed?

I could soon see the results.

***

Vivian mastered mana.

It was quite an arrogant statement, but she really felt that way.

It was worth saying that it was possible to understand, grasp, and control the flow of life.

Adjusting something that is not your own mana to your will.

Although this is not possible for everyone.

This was only possible after weakening S-class or higher, and the same was true for monsters with magic resistance.

Still, it didn’t matter.

Her firepower was now capable of easily defeating S-class monsters.

The ability to control mana.

It’s not magic or anything, but Vivian gave the ability a name.

The law of mana and life.

That is the foundation of the world.

Also, his foundation is Ian.

Therefore, it was named after the village where Ian first met.

The fundamental principles and principles themselves.

‘Arche.’

Vivian looked ahead.

Dozens of monsters rush towards you with force.

‘The remnants of the cavalry corps and infantry corps and their elites. ‘Each enemy is equivalent to the S-class and SS-class.’

Vivian extended her wand forward.

Along with the flashing magic circle, waves of ice rose sharply towards the running enemy.

‘Ice Wave.’

It was a magic created by Vivian that immediately froze waves as they formed roughly.

The monsters were helplessly swept away by the sharp waves that rose as high as their height.

Vivian didn’t need to use any more magic.

Rather, the magic was lifted.

The monsters caught in the waves fell helplessly.

Vivian used the ice road to navigate between them.

He captured the mana flowing inside the monster’s body with just his senses.

The weakened mana in my body was light and weak, like a leaf that would shake when I blow.

Vivian manipulated the mana as if it were twisting and exploding.

Every time she passed by, the monster lowered its head helplessly.

It was instant death.

From afar, it seemed to Ian that he had killed his opponent just by looking at him.

The sight of Vivian instantly killing an enemy without even lifting a finger was jaw-dropping.

“… Huh.”

I even laughed out loud.

Surely, Ian didn’t even know that it was possible to reach this level.

***

I decided to see the changes in Lucia and Helena next time.

Because it was time to sleep.

I thought I could finally rest comfortably alone… .

“What are you.”

When I came out after washing up, Kati was already lying on the bed waiting for me.

Instead of answering, Kati half-lifted the blanket she was covering.

As if to tell Ian to come here.

“What are you talking about, man?”

Ian asked without approaching.

“We need to sleep together.”

“So why.”

“It may be dangerous.”

“What on earth.”

“Whatever it is. And didn’t you tell me to stay by your side earlier?”

“… … .”

Is it self-defeating again?

But, not like this time.

“Hey, no matter what, this is… .”

-thud!

While speaking, the door burst open.

“Katy!”

The Fruit Warriors and Mercy suddenly came in.

“I was wondering where you went! I knew you would be here!”

Lucia said in a questioning tone.

“It’s not too much! Alone!”

“… … .”

“Exclusivity is not right!”

“Yes! That’s true!”

Vivian, who was seriously contemplating, spoke in a low voice as if she had a very great opinion.

“… First, why don’t we move Ian to our room?”

“What kind of furniture am I?”

My rebuttal had no strength.

I was forcibly moved to the room they shared.

Because it was a room at the gateway, it was not particularly decorated.

However, the room was strangely humid and had a faint soapy scent.

That’s because it’s a room with a bathroom.

“Then now… .”

“Who will sleep in my arms… .”

“It’s time to decide… .”

Against my will, a competition began again.