episode_0173

Ian came to the front line with his companions.

Although he had nothing special to do, he needed to know as much information about the front as possible.

A lot has changed from before.

So, it is difficult to predict how the remaining Demon Lord Army will turn out.

In particular, given that he did not know the details of the remaining enemies, information was even more desperate.

It was Vivian who hugged him today.

Just like yesterday, we decided to turn around and play rock, paper, scissors.

“Mercy. Is there anything particularly strange?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right. There are some demon lords who went out to scout… . You said he was a reaper, right? First of all, there was a dragonfly that approached the one closest to them. hmm… .”

Ian was surprised again by Mercy who spoke calmly.

I never thought it would be that useful.

Well, even if it were the Shinigami, it wouldn’t attack insects passing by.

“What can I say. He’s covered in a black robe from head to toe, and he’s just crouching on the floor. So it’s hard to figure out what this is for… .”

Ian, who was listening to the information, tilted his head.

Wearing a robe and crouching?

I don’t know much about the Reaper, but that was a little different from the information Ian knew.

‘person… form?’

“How big is it?”

“Ordinary person… degree? It seems a little smaller than me? Maybe.”

The suspicion grew even stronger.

As Ian knows, the Reaper is not a small object.

‘Do you have the ability to grow when you fight? Since we don’t know anything, it’s all speculation… .’

Aside from his serious concerns, Ian, who kept tilting his head, was so cute that Vivian gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Heehee.”

“… … .”

Kati glared at that figure.

Ian asked Mercy with resignation.

“By any chance, can you spy on the inside of the Demon King’s Castle?”

“Unfortunately, that didn’t work. If you try to enter the castle, the creatures will either reject you or try to kill you… .”

As Mercy spoke apologetically, Ian hurriedly waved his hand.

“There’s nothing you can do about it.”

It was Lucia who would show off her skills today.

She was warming up in front of everyone else.

Helena, who was fiddling with Ian’s small hand, left today to take care of the injured person.

Mercy completely transformed into a fairy and clung to Ian, and since the first warrior party was not visible today, Katy also stuck close to Ian.

“Then I’ll come back!”

Lucia went quite far.

Ian couldn’t follow, but he could see.

This is because there was a large video mirror at the front line.

Through it, Lucia’s appearance was broadcast live.

Those guarding the front lines gathered together to look at Lucia.

“Oh, I ran into you!”

On the screen, Lucia encountered the remnants of goblins belonging to a heterogeneous army.

She immediately summoned 4 swords and 2 spears and ran away.

‘… I think they said there were 5 sacks, but then there was another 1 sack increase?’

When Ian used Mugu’s Tomb, up to three machines could be operated simultaneously.

However, Lucia now had 6 sacks available.

‘It’s amazing… . I don’t think I can do 4 hits because my head hurts.’

The number of goblins is approximately twenty.

Lucia made her way through the gap and killed the enemy with fluid movements.

She could instantly kill an enemy with a single shot of sword energy.

However, I was deliberately saving my strength to show it to Ian.

It has a half-beat fast movement that cuts off the enemy’s attack and a natural, flowing connection, while still retaining its unique rough feel.

‘Is it an effect of training with Kylie?’

While dealing with enemies with the sword and shield in hand, he did not forget to control the floating weapon.

There were no blind spots for her.

It could attack anywhere, and it could defend against attacks coming from anywhere.

‘There are not only weapons in the tomb of Mugu. There are several pieces of armor with special abilities. If we can handle all of that at the right time… .’

You can grow further here.

I saw that possibility.

*

Lucia returned quickly.

Considering that goblins are difficult enemies because they are creatures with intelligence equal to that of humans, they were surprisingly fast.

“Did you enjoy my sister?”

“No. I did something else.”

“Lie! Sister, are you hurt?”

The compliment that was about to come out just fell into place.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

Lucia placed her cold hand on Ian’s face.

“It’s nice to get warm after eating Vivian’s warmth.”

Ian said, his cheeks growing cold.

“… Well, you did a good job. More than I expected. But didn’t you say you could use 5 sacks?”

“Look, you can’t pretend not to know when you’ve seen it all! It’s so cute, I want to put it in my pocket and carry it around… .”

“No!”

Vivian turned and pulled Ian away.

“Ah, sister! My hands are cold!”

“I’ll make a bonfire for you.”

“Chesh… . Magic is against the rules… .”

“And what if Ian catches a cold!”

“Hmm, that’s true too… . It’s a shame.”

In the end, Lucia sat by the bonfire and warmed her hands.

Ian looked at her quietly and spoke as if he had no choice.

“There are many useful pieces of armor, so it is good to use them.”

“Oh really? I’ll keep this in mind. I haven’t checked everything yet.”

“Take out the things I’m talking about one by one.”

Ian knows what’s in Mugu’s tomb and what special functions each one has.

A sword that fragments and targets the enemy, a sword that stretches like a chain, armor that disintegrates and can only increase the defense of a specific area, a spear that forms a gravitational field, etc.

I told everything to Lucia.

Among them were the weapons and gray armor he frequently used during the second round.

“And among the weapons there will be a black sword, but don’t use it. It is a magic sword that gnaws at your body just by holding it in your hand. There are many good things that don’t necessarily have to be that way.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll be careful.”

Lucia took out various weapons and compared them with the written information.

Ian turned his head towards the far north.

Although you can’t see it, even today, humanity is steadily advancing the front lines by securing the next safe zone.

If you do this, you will reach a distance where the Demon King Castle can be seen with the naked eye.

‘… ‘It won’t be long.’

It slowly dawned on me that the end was approaching.

In the cold wind of midwinter, Ian drew the end of the war.

… While being held preciously in Vivian’s arms.

*

Lucia won that night.

“Haha!”

“Irritated. it’s annoying. it’s annoying. it’s annoying… .”

“Sister, this is true. What should I do because I’m sorry? Don’t be too resentful? As for Mercy and Katy, well, it’s something that can’t be helped. Mmmmm.”

For your information, Helena wasn’t even a competition because she was hugged yesterday.

Lucia laughed and lay down on the bed first.

“Now, Ian. Please come in here.”

“… … .”

Ian suppressed a rising sigh.

No matter how much I got used to this life, I didn’t want to go there on my own.

That feeling brought to mind a strange question.

Does not wanting to go in on your own mean that you want to be dragged by force?

‘… No! ‘What really happened to your hair?’

I just don’t want to go in, this.

“Ah, sister, it’s cold. Come quickly and hug me.”

“Since when were you my older sister?”

“I’m your older sister now.”

“This is absurd… . My head is still 24 years old?”

“The mind of a 24-year-old and the body of a 7-year-old… . Is it illegal or not… .”

“… What did you mutter?”

“Yes? What is it?”

Lucia smiled as if nothing had happened.

It was close, but Ian, whose physical abilities had declined, could not hear properly.

That was quite frustrating.

More than anything, I really want to know what Lucia said because her expression was unusual.

But even if you ask, they won’t tell you… .

“Master. If you don’t like it, go to my bed… .”

Swish! Lucia jumped up and pulled Ian towards her.

‘This is what happens in the end… .’

Ian was already resigned.

Holding him in her arms, Lucia glared at Kati.

“Today is my turn.”

Kati did not avoid eye contact.

The opponent is Ian’s precious hero.

It cannot be taken away by force.

Above all, Ian’s strength was weakened because he was so helpless while he was unconscious.

Although I’ve been making time to train with Galatea again recently, I’m feeling uneasy.

‘But I’m more anxious about falling from my master’s side… .’

While Kati was worrying, Lucia shared a blanket with Ian.

I feel uncomfortable every time I see it.

Even though I know that I am not the type of person who can monopolize.

Even though I know that people are not objects that can be possessed.

Katy clenched her teeth and went back to her bed.

Lucia, who was gently stroking the back of Ian’s head, looked at Katy’s back and sighed softly.

I myself was not happy with this situation.

It couldn’t be fun to fight and compete with a precious colleague.

Sometimes I suffer from feelings of guilt or self-destruction alone at night.

But, even more than that, my feelings for Ian… .

“Why are you doing that?”

Ian asked as Lucia sighed.

“Huh? Oh, no. just… .”

Lucia looked down at Ian in her arms.

It’s still strange to hold the huge Ian like a doll and look down at him.

Little Ian’s face is half curious and half worried.

When he was an adult, he was the kind of person who always pretended to be indifferent and took care of everything.

Are you more expressive when you’re younger?

I do not know.

I don’t know.

Because this person in my arms is so lovely.

The guilt and self-destruction I was feeling until now was so good that it was almost okay.

I decided to just purely enjoy this moment.

-side!

“I’m having a hard time holding back from wanting to kiss you.”

Lucia, who kissed her cheek, smiled brightly.

“It was my fault for asking.”

Ian wrinkled his nose and grumbled.

Even that was cute.

That was my original feeling toward Ian.

No matter how blunt, grumpy, or slyly teasing he was sometimes, I couldn’t hate him.

How can that be?

He is the person who supports his life.

However, what I feel now is a little different from that… .

‘If Ian has a child… .’

I wondered if this was what it would look like, but shook my head.

What are you doing with your child now?

Even though he is a strong 24-year-old man on the inside, only the outside has inevitably changed… .

Even though I know everything, it seems like a terrible idea.

so.

-side!

I just put that thought to rest with a cute kiss on Ian’s cheek.

“Bull… I’ll turn it off… .”

Vivian, who missed winning two days in a row, even looked gaunt.

The lights went out, and a noisy silence that Ian was not aware of began again.

-side!

The room was quite noisy due to Lucia’s baptism of kisses.

“So cute.”

Lucia whispered softly.

“Do you know how much I wanted to hug you yesterday?”

“… I don’t know.”

“Then feel it today.”

As if he had no intention of sleeping, Lucia kissed Ian with spit all over his face.

Then, Vivian’s low voice was heard.

“… Lucia.”

“… Yes, sister.”

“It’s time to sleep.”

“Ah, yes… . I’m sorry.”

But Lucia didn’t stop.

Not only did he not make a sound, but he left marks all over Ian’s face, except for his lips.

What was so good about it was that it made me hum and snort every time it bumped into me.

“Ian.”

Lucia asked in a whisper, and Ian, who was tired, also answered softly.

“Why… .”

“I’m sorry. I liked it so much that I didn’t even realize it. Are you sleepy?”

“After everything is done, what… . No, it’s done. If you’re done, sleep now.”

Ian was tired.

Maybe it’s because I have a child’s body, but I feel tired more easily than before.

Or maybe it’s because I’m still recovering.

“Does my body smell too?”

“It doesn’t work.”

“Soap smell?”

“… Yes.”

“Is it the same as what was healed by Helena?”

“… … .”

For a moment, a shiver ran down my spine.

Were you listening to that?

If you think about it, you might be able to hear it since it’s the same room, but for some reason, asking that… It was enough to make me feel scared.

“Answer me.”

“… It’s all different.”

“How?”

“That’s difficult to say… .”

“Ha… . It’s cute to be embarrassed, so what should I do?”

“… … .”

“Ian.”

Lucia lifted Ian’s chin so that he was looking directly at her.

His face, which was young but still looked dirty, was tense.

“I had something to say. I’ll do it later.”

“Why did you even warn me?”

“Warning. Just so you know.”

He lowered his chin again and gently held Ian in his arms.

“Now it’s really time to sleep. Sleep well.”

“… Lucia too.”

Just like yesterday, Ian fell into a deep and comfortable sleep in Lucia’s warm arms.

*

The next morning.

Ian felt a sense of déjà vu.

Just like the day he slept in Helena’s arms, Vivian was looking at him.

The difference is that this time it is in a lying down position.

Also, Vivian’s expression is a bit strange.

She looked around at herself as if observing a strange and unfamiliar phenomenon.

‘Why are you doing that?’

For a moment, Ian felt doubtful.

Lucia, who was sleeping holding him tightly, wriggled and asked.

“… Ian. Has it gotten bigger?”

Ian’s eyes opened quickly.