episode_0498

Humans are social animals.

I really enjoy contributing to my group, and I sympathize with the people around me.

‘Especially when children are more sensitive.’

A child’s observation skills are emotionally sharper than those of an adult.

Just like ‘teen buzz’, there are emotions that only children can feel.

···The important thing is that Rohan is not an ordinary child.

“Let’s make lunch for mom today.”

“Lunch?”

“Yes. Mom will definitely like it if she says Rohan did it for her.”

Rohan is a gifted child who must be approached very cautiously.

That’s why you can’t approach them like you’re playing with a two-year-old child.

Physically, he is about five years old, and his mental age is five to six?

‘Is Edeline still promoting Rohan’s growth?’

···In a way, this could be a real first impression.

‘You have to treat it like a precision instrument.’

In the meantime, I dressed him in the baby protective gear that Edeline made.

“···Why do you have to do this?”

“Because the forest is dangerous.”

Saying that, I put Rohan on the horse and leisurely headed towards the forest.

Although this is not the South, venomous animals are as widespread across Pangea as they are in Australia.

‘Hunting with a two-year-old child.’

My father took me there when I was thirteen.

“Now, shall we go?”

···I remember when my father took me to the mountains.

When I thought back to that time, I burst out laughing.

‘I thought it was quite creative.’

In the end, I was doing what I was taught.

My father and grandfather must have lived that kind of life.

How far did we go by chatting?

We were soon able to reach the forest.

“Now, let’s dig up grass!”

“What grass?”

“Anything.”

I was the child of a hunter in the forest, and I know how to eat the herbs and weeds I used to eat back then.

So much so that he knows how to eat any southern weed.

Oh, it’s catnip.

“This is called catnip. Terup especially likes it. It’s not blooming now, but it will bloom in the seventh and eighth months───”

“I know. That’s a drug.”

“·····.”

I was embarrassed.

‘What kind of book did she spend her time reading?’

“It has to be processed to become a drug, but it is not a drug in itself.”

I walked along the mountain as if I was breathing the wind, following Rohan’s steps.

Picking mushrooms and picking fruits.

Rohan didn’t pick any weeds.

With sharp insight, we select only those that are definitely edible.

‘How is this possible?’

“That’s a poisonous plant, right?”

“Poison can be neutralized depending on how it is cooked. Then how delicious is it?”

This was my particular favorite vegetable.

As Rohan said, it is poisonous, so you have to blanch it in boiling water and soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes.

“Why do you have to eat that?”

“Because mom might like it.”

“Would you like it?”

“I’m going to find out about that with my dad starting today.”

He was happy, but even his joy was static.

Even his personality resembles a book.

“Are there no friends to play with in the castle or village?”

No answer comes back.

“Dad, what he’s saying is… aren’t you satisfied with kids your age?”

“Yes. They’re all young and can’t communicate. He’s selfish and even stupid.”

“And you?”

“I always hold back.”

“Why?”

“My mother said so.”

No matter how mature your child is, why are you already teaching him self-control?

Only then can one become a happy slave.

“There is no need to endure it.”

“···Yes?”

“When my dad was your age, he would cry and shit his pants… and scream when he got annoyed… and he was truly a devil-like child.”

“···Why did you do such a stupid thing?”

Byeok-an, who removed Edeline, looks up at me.

“Because I wanted to.”

“You can’t do that.”

“That’s okay. It’s strange not to do that.”

I secretly looked at Rohan.

It seems curiosity has piqued.

“Adults praise me. Because I’m right, right?”

Judging by the reaction, it seems my thoughts were right.

Rohan matured at a very young age.

“So, did you feel good when you were praised?”

“···No.”

People are inherently imperfect.

Therefore, it is inevitable to pursue more perfection.

‘But it shouldn’t be the state.’

“Everyone in the world was born to have fun. Same goes for dad, mom, and Rohan.”

The law of the world resides in happiness.

Therefore, if you are not happy, your logic is shaken.

“So don’t give in to your kids because they are stupid.”

I knelt down and got to eye level with Rohan.

“Now, there is a mountain chicken on that tree.”

“Yes? Chicken?”

“Hey, look where dad is pointing.”

He pointed at the bird on the tree and unfolded the hand crossbow he had captured from the revenge assassin.

The mountain chicken was looking down at us from a tree tens of meters away.

“Now, you try to catch it. Dad will help you maintain your posture.”

“Me? Why me? I won’t guess!”

“I can guess.”

I put the crossbow in Rohan’s hand and adjusted his posture very leisurely.

Even though Rohan was squirming, he didn’t reject my hand.

After aiming like that, all you have to do is pull the trigger.

Rohan began to shiver as if he had been thrown bare-body into the bitter cold.

It looks like Buck Fever has arrived.

“First, take a deep breath.”

“Haaaab…!”

“Now pull the trigger very leisurely.”

Lohan couldn’t pull the trigger.

That’s what Buck Fever was.

─Excitement to the point of not being able to pull the trigger.

The thrill of extreme excitement is palpable, something that an ordinary person might experience only once in his or her life.

Some people feel afraid of themselves.

Anyone who has ever hunted will never forget that feeling.

‘I was like this too.’

“Wild chicken is delicious. Mom will definitely like it too.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Have you ever met someone who doesn’t like chicken?”

“No…!”

Rohan was laughing, even though his teeth were chattering and he was shaking.

“Now, try pulling.”

Because Rohan’s strength was weak, he held his trembling hand and pulled the trigger very gently.

How much did you pull the trigger like that?

Pop!

“──────?!”

Rohan, startled by the fired crossbow, was scared and fell down.

Food duck!

The mountain chicken also flew into the sky.

“You got it right!”

“You got it right?!”

A mountain chicken that enjoyed its last flight falls helplessly.

“Look at that. Is it falling?”

Now all you have to do is pick up the fallen guy and you’re done.

‘···Is it okay to show a child a dying animal?’

My father just told me to just bring it.

I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to teach the weight of life.

“Rohan, can you bring me that guy?”

* * * * * *

I washed the blood off my hands in the river.

“Now, shall we go back and cook?”

“Yes.”

I hugged Rohan like I did when I came and headed toward the castle.

It was because Rohan’s legs gave out due to the intense excitement.

So much so that it is difficult to ride a wooden horse.

“···Isn’t it inconvenient to stay in the castle?”

“I feel uncomfortable without my dad. Because people look at me strangely.”

“I’m sorry. Dad is working with moms to protect this world.”

“Other kids think of me as a sasaeng.”

I was out of breath.

‘Whether here or there, kids these days are all the same.’

However, parents cannot intervene in their children’s fights.

Of course, I had no intention of standing by.

‘In that case, we should make it a parents’ fight.’

“The next time someone says something like that, beat them up.”

“Adults don’t like it.”

“In that case, tell Dad that it’s okay.”

“And I hate my mom too.”

“Dad will tell you. Tell them that you were teased because you were an illegitimate child by mothers other than your mother.”

“···Why can’t I be a mother?”

“Mom… is such a kind person.”

It’s not the child’s fault, so don’t make it the child’s fault.

If you grow up like that, your judgment is bound to be distorted.

“I promise. When my dad finishes all the work within 5 years, I will return home.”

Rohan’s expression softened a little.

Just a little bit, but definitely.

“···5 years is too long.”

“In the meantime, I will look around the world and buy a lot of toys that you will like. Mom will become very famous too.”

“···I don’t want my mom to become famous.”

“Why?”

“Because everyone criticizes mom.”

It looks like he read ‘that book’.

‘Then he must have known my identity.’

Rohan’s walleye looks straight up at me.

His eyes were blunt.

“I want to be normal.”

I patted Rohan’s back.

“Everyone must be mistaken. You know that mom is a good person, right?”

“It didn’t say that in the book.”

“Because it wasn’t a book written by Mom and Dad. It’s all lies.”

“Then why does mom have to apologize?”

“I promise. I will make sure that no one in the world can curse my mom.”

Edeline is called a ‘witch’ in the world.

This child had already figured out all the reasons.

In other words, I was the only one who could protect Rohan.

‘So you said you wanted to see me.’

The reason I was speechless was simply because Buck Fever’s excitement acted as a confession.

‘···How old is this child’s mental age?’

At least not at the level of infants or children.

“Dad knows your concerns. Because my dad was young too.”

“Didn’t Mom have a childhood too?”

“Mom is over 300 years old. I guess my childhood will be long gone?”

A child should never grow up like this.

This is how values become distorted.

“Dad will tell mom. But I can’t be by your side right now.”

“······.”

Rohan is visibly disappointed.

But I couldn’t do it.

‘Let’s get everything done as quickly as possible.’

“Won’t you wait for Dad just until your seventh birthday?”

“······.”

“Whenever I have time, I will stop by and play with you.”

“···I’ll wait.”

“Thank you.”

I held Rohan’s small legs and slowly walked towards the castle.

* * * * * *

I’m not good at cooking, but I’m not bad either.

After I finished cooking by borrowing Rohan’s bracken hand.

With a flushed expression, Rohan headed to the room where Edeline was staying with me.

─Please come in.

My body stopped at the answer I heard before I even knocked on the door.

But Rohan seemed familiar, so he went ahead and opened the door.

“Huh?! Are you here!?”

Edeline and Heinrich were in the room together.

Heinrich, who decided to remain a visitor, was designing a train with Edeline.

“Rohan, did you have fun playing with your dad?”

“Yes! My dad and I made lunch with canned food!”

“Lunch?”

Edeline looks at me.

“You haven’t had lunch already, right?”

“Yes. That’s true, but──”

“Thank goodness.”

It seemed like he had a lot of things he wanted to ask me.

But I had no intention of answering in front of Rohan.

“This is a chicken that Rohan caught in the mountains. Try it.”

“Rohan caught it himself?”

“We caught it together.”

Edeline examines Rohan.

“Are you okay? Were there any injuries?”

“No. It was a lot of fun.”

“···I’m so fortunate.”

I know what Edeline is worried about.

Byeok-an slowly turned to the fried chicken.

Those eyes turned to me again.

“···Kwanso grass is a poisonous plant.”

“I deciphered it. It’s okay to eat it.”

“Ah, fried chicken. It’s the best food.”

“Would you like to eat together?”

“Then it’s good for me!”

Heinrich sat down on a chair and placed his hand on the fried chicken.

Edeline also picks up the fried chicken and shoves it into her mouth.

Rohan looked up at Edeline with an expectant look.

“Huh…! This is it…!”

“How are you, Mom? Is it delicious?”

“It’s delicious. It’s almost a shame to eat it alone.”

Soon a smile appears on Rohan’s face.

I was somehow able to calm my drowsy mind.

“Rohan, eat it too. Please also eat Sihyeon.”

I have no intention of declining.

I also sat down at the table and reached for the fried chicken.

“Rohan, do you know who this person is?”

“I don’t know.”

“Uncle Heinrich. He’s a craftsman who can’t make anything.”

“Is there anything you can’t make?”

Heinrich laughs and picks up a chicken leg and tears it off.

“Um—! This is it!”

I looked at Edeline, who was using magic to debone a chicken.

Fried chicken with bones quickly turned into boneless fried chicken.

“Are there any disruptions to the plan?”

“It’s smooth. We are purchasing iron from the north and building tracks.”

“Did the negotiations with the Niflheim Republic go well?”

“It’s not that good.”

Heinrich’s loud voice steals attention.

“Since it is from the north to the south, won’t the transportation cost be high?”

“That’s right. Moreover, it is adjacent to the Hibi Desert.”

“But you are offering the market price! I thought it was strange so I asked. Then, is there anything left?”

It was definitely difficult to understand the price presented.

Transportation costs here are more expensive than the goods depending on the situation, and iron ingots are very heavy trade goods.

“I was surprised to hear the situation from that man. Who would have thought that the empires were hurting the price of iron like that!”

“You eat hatcheo?”

“The northern part is so remote that there are no trees to plant and transportation conditions are bad. Instead of providing wood, they made a profit by purchasing iron ingots from the North for only 30%!”

“Not iron ore, but iron ingots?”

“Iron ingots!”

It seems that while I was away, Alfred made an official visit to Habstenburg and accepted Isabelle’s confession.

Afterwards, Isabel’s sins were forgiven.

‘It would have been nice if I could have seen your face after such a long time.’

Because I only received help from that person.

In any case, the most important iron was somehow obtained.

“I didn’t know that exports would happen right away even though it is a republic.”

“Is there any country in Drekkar that likes the Empire?”

It seems that Niflheim was also overcome by evil.

Looking back, Romaria was a country that was talked about a lot.

Starting with the Laobian Empire, there is a lot of karma.

‘Was the man named James by any chance British?’

If you were British, you would understand.

“Ah, the queen was looking for you.”

“They will give you at least some time to eat.”

“I guess so.”

The meal ended quickly.

No matter how meaty the bird was, it wasn’t enough for four people to eat.

“If you feel sleepy, sleep in bed.”

“Yes…”

Rohan, exhausted, quickly fell asleep.

Heinrich set off to improve himself and compete with the prince.

So we were left alone for the first time in a long time.

“Edeline, can you give me a moment?”

“Yes.”

“Outside.”

Edeline stands up quietly.

I found an empty room and went in, and Edeline immediately followed me into the room.

“Do you have anything to do?”

“About Rohan.”

Since I did not participate in childcare, I have no right to tell people to do this or that.

But he was my child, and he was having a hard time.

“Rohan is only two years old, right?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, Rohan should be able to enjoy everything he can enjoy.”

“Are you saying that I have to grow up slowly like other children?”

“Yes. I think so.”

Time to be loved by your parents as a child.

Time to play with toys and read storybooks.

Rohan didn’t have any.

Emotional deficiencies are more extreme than nutrient deficiencies.

If it grew like that, it might become crooked.

“I think that’s how you have a healthy mind.”

“···Rohan lives a finite life.”

“Yes?”

Edeline seemed to be pleading for understanding.

“Dragonia must be fair and fair.”

“That’s why Dragonia’s children always pass away before their parents.”

It was something I hadn’t even thought about.

“What does that mean?”

” For Dragonia to enjoy the joy of birth, it also means that she must prepare for the sadness of separation. ”

It was like that.

Edeline is popular, but she is over 300 years old.

“The lifespan that a Dragonia can give its children is twice the average lifespan of its race. ”

“This is the law established by the dragon.”

“The average human lifespan is 60 years, so Rohan will only live about 120 years.”

“Time is too short to spend as a child.”

It is said that Edeline is already considering breaking up after seeing her two-year-old child.

‘···I don’t know.’

In general, it is reasonable for parents to die before their children.

I don’t know anything about general parenting, so these transcendent parenting methods and perspectives were very difficult for me.

Of course, I thought I would die sooner than Rohan and the kids.

But that can’t be true.

Exactly, it won’t be like that.

Because Shir won’t let that happen.

“I hope Rohan lives a more valuable and enjoyable life.”

“There is Precious Blood.”

“Don’t you know the final fate of Amor, who passed away in our arms? We must never repeat that tragedy.”

It was like that.

Amor could not accept his children and wife leaving first.

No matter how many times I committed suicide and was reborn, I could not get past that point and reached destruction.

‘How can we accept that?’

Are you ready to break up with your child?

Secretly, I couldn’t accept that fact.

I couldn’t even imagine it.

However, it was a reality that touched Edeline, who had lived for hundreds of years and witnessed that scene.

‘That’s why I was preparing.’

“I’m sorry. I never thought about it that way.”

“Sihyeon is not blaming herself. Dragonia defied the laws of nature.”

“······.”

“I am controlling brain formation. What is important for Rohan to grow up is the minimal surrounding environment and human relationships.”

I don’t carelessly open my mouth about things I don’t know.

That’s why I couldn’t say a single word.

“···So, can’t you trust and love me and Rohan?”

You just interpret what the other person says as you hear it.

In the end, there was only one problem for Edeline from the beginning.

Will I be able to bond with and love Rohan, who will defy the laws of nature?

Some people won’t accept it.

But at least I had to accept it.

Because I also have a history of going against the laws of nature and causing trouble to my parents.

“I told you this before, right? I’m worried. I wonder if something goes wrong…”

“What Sihyeon thinks will not happen.”

“I heard that it is very difficult without me. Rohan is having a hard time too.”

The answer to this problem ultimately lies with me.

For me to be by Rohan’s side.

“···I’m sorry for not being able to be by your side.”

All I could do for Edeline was to hug her.