48 – Episode 48. Familiar Faces (1)
The command room of the Flame Dragon Knights, from which Robin and Orpheus had departed.
“Sigh…”
Leona sighed as she watched Agatha lying in bed, making sounds of illness.
“You came back all excited.”
“Excited?!”
Agatha jumped up and shouted.
Her flushed face looked like a red radish.
“I’m not excited! After dealing with hundreds of Brix soldiers, I fought with those guys on the way back!”
“You’re saying something different from earlier. Didn’t you say you cooperated with the Brix Queen because she was unusually strong?”
“The guy suddenly disappeared and left everything to me!”
“For the final blow, I suppose. It’s a very strategic decision. The runaway ninja seems smarter than the leader.”
“Nonsense!”
“Alright, calm down now. If you get too worked up, you’ll just hurt yourself.”
“Hmph. If it were a one-on-one, neither of us would be each other’s opponent.”
Agatha turned her head sharply, keeping her lips tightly shut.
Is this what stubbornness looks like when it takes on human form?
“And I’m not a child.”
Leona sighed at Agatha’s refusal to admit defeat.
The battle with the runaway ninja.
After defeating their common enemy, the queen, Agatha had clearly intended to take revenge on Irene single-handedly.
If the runaway ninja had been hostile towards her, it wouldn’t have ended with just injuries.
Leona felt a slight gratitude towards him.
“You’re always so eager to charge ahead alone, but think about the consequences of getting a big nose injury.”
“My nose isn’t big.”
“You seem young. Are you reflecting on your actions?”
“…Yes.”
“You’re not alone. If something were to happen to the leader’s safety, how do you think the knights would feel?”
“They would be very sad.”
“Who would be sad? They might worry about not getting their salary this month.”
…”
Agatha glared at Leona quietly.
Leona averted her gaze, pretending not to notice.
“If only I had stayed with the Gangsaengdae, I wouldn’t be lying here like this.”
“There might be someone trapped, so I’m trying to rescue them…”
“You should take care of yourself first. Isn’t the Chilgeomgyeong an immortal? Getting a sword through the head would still kill you.”
“…You just have to avoid it.”
“Did you personally make the hole in your shoulder out of boredom? You could have avoided it, so why did you get hit? Trying to show off?”
“That’s because the Queen is unbelievably strong…”
The voice that continued with feeble excuses grew quieter and quieter.
“No. I’m sorry.”
As she spoke, Agasa realized how strange it sounded and finally admitted the truth.
Leona, who had been waiting for a sharp word to wake her up, looked at her with a cold gaze.
“It’s fortunate that you’ve grown, even if it’s late. I’ll be going now. If you need anything, ring the bell to call for me.”
“Leona.”
Agasa’s words held onto Leona’s foot.
“Why did the fugitive save people? Is it true that Irene tried to kill Lady Bu? This thought keeps lingering in my mind.”
Agasa seemed very confused as she spoke.
“To protect innocent people. Was the message he left on the bell sincere? He disappeared without a trace, leaving only the uncertain words that he’s not a samurai, so I can’t ask him anymore.”
Agasa’s eyes, lowered in sadness, were filled with sorrow.
Seeing the fragile state of the Yugeomgyeong, who was nothing but a corpse without trust and passion, Leona’s heart grew heavy.
“…When I said I would admit Irene into the Hongyeomryong Knights, everyone, including you, opposed it.”
Agasa’s weak voice continued on.
“It may be too late, but I want to hear the reason in detail.”
“Well, if I tell the truth, will Agatha be able to face it? Leona was caught in a dilemma.
“If I were to describe Irene…”
No, I have to make her face it.
Even if it means that my dearest friend will suffer and endure pain.
“…Director, do you remember Michael, who used to run a flower shop in Silibun?”
“I personally saved him. It’s a long story. Every time I visited Silibun, he would give me a bouquet of flowers in my arms. I remember his wife and daughter too. They were really a harmonious family…”
“Do you remember the argument between Irene and Michael?”
“They had a small misunderstanding. It was resolved amicably, wasn’t it?”
A small misunderstanding. Leona’s brow furrowed at those words.
“After that incident, two months later, Michael and his family all passed away.”
“It was an unfortunate accident. A heart-wrenching incident.”
“Unfortunate accident, my ass. Michael’s family was murdered by Irene.”
“W-What did you say?”
“You didn’t suspect at all. Really.”
Leona clenched her fists tightly.
“Director, Irene is trash.”
It’s time to forcefully reveal the truth.
The time has come to expose all of Irene’s misdeeds.
Is this Neo-Solitron? It’s so different from the recorded Solitron.
“Are you saying that as if it’s true? ‘Neo’ in front means it’s f*cking different.”
I lightly kicked Tribore’s butt as he spouted nonsense as soon as we arrived.
Tree-Wiki Map, not updated for hundreds of years. It’s just garbage.
“I’m so excited! Neo-Solitron is so big, beautiful, and lively! It reminds me of a song!”
“You must be really happy. Our journey together ends here. Let’s not meet again, since it was tough to be together.”
“The pain of parting~! Instead of turning away, let’s welcome it happily~! Goodbye, Miss Grumpy Robin~!”
“…”
From Noble mtl dot com
Muka, the true meaning of a perpetrator of assault, I feel like I’ll become a yakuza if I deal with him any longer.
I held Orphe’s hand, who was exploring the city with Diana, and brought her in front of Muka.
“You deal with him.”
“Muka, thank you for your hard work. We should probably part ways soon. Can I receive the commission fee?”
Orphe handled it skillfully.
Rich bosses don’t just have secretaries for no reason.
“Take it here! Orphe, thank you for your hard work too! Goodbye to Tribore and Diana too! See you next time!”
“Say goodbye to your sister too!”
Muka smiled at Diana once before leaving.
It’s clear that monsters have a way to communicate with each other.
“Well, let’s try to find a place to stay.”
Was it the right choice to unleash the Gol-Don’s sonic weapon on Neo-Solitron?
I can’t tell.
Just keep moving forward.
Treebo, who had lowered his head, lifted the burden. He seemed to have good strength, effortlessly carrying it.
I thought it would break with one hit and be weak, but his strength was definitely more than an average person.
“I want to go out! I want to eat delicious things and see toys!”
Diana, who seemed unusually lively today, bounced around.
Did she come to the big city from the countryside and get excited?
It wouldn’t be bad to have a day of fun.
I nodded to Treebo, who was waiting for my command.
[After you leave the baggage, go sightseeing. Orpheus, can you give more money?]
Orpheus, who manages ‘my’ property, handed Treebo a few gold coins.
Why am I asking Orpheus about my own property? I was going to argue, but I gave up because it was too troublesome.
It’s not good to show off with money.
“I’ve given you plenty. Let Diana do whatever she wants. As for the place… let’s meet again right here.”
[Understood. Then, I’ll take my leave.]
Diana and Treebo left their seats.
A robot and a child. It’s a strangely charming combination.
It feels like a Hollywood blockbuster family movie.
“Shall we go too?”
“Great.”
Orphe and I walked along the Neo-Solitron road, which was unusually wide.
“Huh?!”
Suddenly, something important came to mind.
How can I buy a house in this world?
I’ve never even tried to buy a house on Earth.
“How do you get a house?”
I immediately asked Orphe.
There was a way to leave everything to her, but since it was my first time buying a house, I wanted to know the process.
Could I just buy it like buying snacks at a mart?
“Huh? You didn’t know?”
“I didn’t.”
“I thought you were walking because you were looking for a house…”
“I just followed you because you were walking.”
“…”
Sigh.
Orphe couldn’t hide her surprise and came to a stop.
A perfect state of stillness.
“It’s scary when it suddenly gets quiet. Give me some ‘reaction’.”
“Reaction?”
“It means the attitude the listener should take to accommodate the speaker’s mood.”
“…Alright. Reaction. I’ll remember.”
Orpheus, who had been frozen in time, nodded slightly as he was released. It was now time for an explanation.
“How do you find a house?”
“First, we need to find the houses available, and then locate the landowners…”
“That’s enough.”
My head is already starting to ache. I asked another question.
“How long does it take to find a house?”
“Even if we look as quickly as possible… Since it’s lunchtime now, maybe until evening? Adding the time it takes to sign the contract…”
I couldn’t hear her words anymore.
Does it really take that long?
“I’ll leave it all to you, so find me a nice house. I’ll go for a walk and come back.”
I really hate complicated things.
“I have to do it alone?”
“Of course.”
A hint of resentment flickered in her blue eyes, directed at me.
But a true man doesn’t easily feel guilt.
I looked up at the sky. This too shall pass.
“…Alright. Any specific requirements?”
“Big, with a room for storing weapons, fancy, and big? I’m not sure.”
“Weapons storage room? Can’t we just use the attic?”
“Yeah. Anyway, find one on those conditions.”
“I’ll do my best.”
With those words, Orpheus abruptly left.
His attitude seemed a bit colder.
There was nothing I could do about it.
I didn’t want to waste precious time on complicated matters.
“Sigh.”
Did I upset him? I can’t help but keep thinking about it.
I should cheer Orpheus up when I have time.
Should I buy him a gift?