9. Silvia (6)
“Ian… .”
Sylvia called in a trembling voice.
Even though it was called precious, she couldn’t speak well.
“great? Like this, without me, it looks good… . yes… .”
It is a murmur mixed with love and hatred.
Ian listened to those words and looked at the sleeping party.
It seems to wake up, but there is no sign that it will wake up.
This is Arya’s protection.
I put a shield that blocks the presence of the whole tent.
“Tell me your business.”
“Is that important right now?!”
Sylvia jumped up.
Arya’s protection did not stop Kati.
Kati jumped up and returned to human form.
Ian’s arm stopped her from stepping out.
“it’s okay. Stay still.”
“… … .”
Kati slowly withdrew her hand from the sword.
Sylvia didn’t look that way at all and looked down at Ian.
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Just that gaze made Ian’s fingertips ache.
“I, I need to come to see you… ?”
What I was trying to say while coming.
And the purpose and reason for coming.
Sylvia forgot everything.
Ian scratched his forehead in annoyance.
“As I said, I don’t have much time either. Please tell me the main point.”
“… okay. I’ll tell you. That sorceress named Vivian you found, I’m here to kill you. How do you feel?”
Kati put her hand on the sword again.
At Sylvia’s provocation, Ian’s expression crumpled for a moment.
Before Sylvia had time to be happy about it, Ian regained his composure and said,
“Kill him.”
“… What?”
“If you came to do that, how can I stop you?”
It doesn’t feel sarcastic at all.
That was the truth.
If Sylvia would do it, Ian could not be stopped.
“instead.”
can’t stop it though
“Even if I die, I will take at least one arm.”
To that extent, it can be done.
“what… ?”
“It is literally. Compared to that side, one arm with us is insignificant. It’s not a very profitable exchange.”
Sylvia sat down in her seat as if to collapse.
Ian rips off his own arm.
I couldn’t believe he meant it.
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Just imagining it gave me nausea.
Ian trying to hurt himself… .
‘I, that, I, I just… . you me… .’
Aria spoke on behalf of the dazed Sylvia.
“Ian.”
Ian’s eyes looked at Arya.
It was dry.
“that is… .”
It didn’t come off easily.
Ian glanced at the hourglass.
“The first party has gotten a little weird. What should I do? I recently took on an A-rank dungeon… .”
Ian listened quietly.
It’s not because I want to hear Arya’s words.
I was only faithful to the 5 minutes that were set to share the business.
“… That’s why I came to Ian. Ian wanted to know the answer.”
“I understand the situation, but it’s not my job to solve.”
“… yes?”
“It is true that I was once your manager. But, isn’t there a manager named Penny now?”
“Penny said she didn’t know.”
“Then I don’t know.”
“Do you think that makes sense?”
Arya’s voice was irritated.
“As I said, I am your former manager. It’s been a long time since we’ve been together. Therefore, I do not know what your condition is now.”
“Can you tell me if you know that?”
“It is rude to the party manager to give advice to another party.”
“Then what!”
Arya exclaimed nervously.
It was a rebuke to humans who couldn’t properly perform their functions.
Ian let out a laugh.
“That is what I want to say. I really don’t know what you want me to do. More than anything.”
Ian shrugged.
“Now I have nothing to do with you.”
no need to help
“It was just a manager and a hero who would have been together for their mutual purposes. Not now.”
It’s an extremely businesslike, dry answer.
That method is Ian’s own training method that created the first party.
Telling them about it is the same as passing on your know-how to another party for free.
There is no such thing as an idiot among famous managers.
It wasn’t sarcastic or left behind.
It was just for practical reasons.
“Time is up. Please go.”
Eventually, the sand ran out.
Sylvia jumped up.
“Ian, I’m sorry… . i am really sorry huh? Please, please don’t look at me like that… . Please don’t call me Sylvia, yeah… ?”
Sylvia hurriedly got up and lay flat on the table as if pleading.
The glossy blue hair was disheveled, and the face famous for its cold beauty was pathetically contorted.
Ian didn’t see him because time was running out.
“Ian, I’m begging you, please, huh? I, you don’t have to love me, so… .”
A trembling hand slowly approached Ian.
Kati’s fingers twitched on the handle of the dagger.
Once restrained by Ian, she would remain still until ordered to move.
“I, I was really wrong… . sorry, sorry… . So, please, sigh… . only once… .”
It was Arya who stopped Sylvia.
“… Go.”
“aria… ? Why, why? Still talking… .”
“No, it’s over.”
Arya took Sylvia’s hand and raised her up.
“Oh, no, no… . i still… .”
“Sylvia. It’s done. all.”
“it’s over… ?”
Ignoring the dazed Sylvia, Arya glared at Ian.
He tapped the paper with his quill and thought about something.
Arya’s gaze moved to the tent behind them, then back to Ian.
“We’ll see how well it does.”
Aria left only those words and led Sylvia away.
“Oh no, Arya… !”
Sylvia looked back and forth between Ian and Arya as she was being dragged away.
Ian didn’t even look at her until the end.
I have to get away from Arya, but my body is not strong enough.
It was like that from before.
All I could do was stand still and breathe.
“Leave this… ! I can’t go yet… ! Please, Jebaal… . Ian, I, I’m sorry… . Kkeuk… . ugh… .”
The sobs that erupted choked my throat, and I couldn’t speak any more.
It was true that he should not go yet.
I came to solve the 1st party’s subtle deterioration, but I didn’t hear any answer from Ian.
However, it is impossible to convince Ian now.
‘I can press it with force, but… .’
That’s only possible when Arya came alone.
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Judging from Sylvia’s condition, if Aria shows murderous intent, she will run amok, covering Ian.
After the rampage, he will try to kill everyone except Ian.
‘I knew it was going to be Ian, but I never thought it would collapse this easily… .’
The first party cannot tell the difference between who is stronger than who.
Add Sylvia to Ian and Kati and Arya will lose.
I was planning to scare Ian with Sylvia if I had to.
I didn’t expect Sylvia to give in right away.
I thought it would run, but I was wrong.
‘I shouldn’t have kicked it out, I should have destroyed it… .’
It was too precious to break, so I kept it far away, but the reality of facing it like this was funny.
‘Now, what should I do… .’
You can’t get anything out of Ian.
So, is it right to go back without any income?
If Ian was angry or even sad, the conversation would have continued.
However, when I face Ian who is like a wall, my thoughts stop.
Recognize that you are not someone you can talk to.
‘How to get Ian to open his mouth… .’
Let’s go back and think.
There was nothing I could do with Sylvia now.
‘Kylie… I don’t know. If it’s Beatrice, maybe she’ll cooperate.’
Not trustworthy these days, but Penny is there too.
‘If Penny knew Ian had a solution, she’d do anything.’
Arya couldn’t care less about Sylvia, who was being dragged along sobbing.
My mind was full of thoughts.
‘Ian… .’
I remembered the moment I first met him when I came to Agnes Monastery, and I was busy ignoring the scene.
‘okay. You’ve done your part.’
I have no interest in a machine that has done its job.
Remove, neglect, or break.
Is Ian good?
It is true that he is a person who was raised by selecting the first party.
However, no matter how hard it is, it is impossible to bring together the talents of the 1st party again.
Only 4 talented people in history.
What they gathered is the 1st Hero Party.
‘I know Ian’s dream well… .’
defeating the demon king.
But, does it make sense to block it?
What is the meaning of that revenge?
In the first place, isn’t subjugating the demon lord everyone’s wish?
Even Arya herself.
After killing the demon king, I became greedy for what I could have… .
Killing Ian would be a better revenge.
It was also a worthless murder.
‘… It’s tough. you.’
Arya couldn’t give an answer easily, so she just walked.
“Ian… .”
Sylvia muttered the name and sobbed all the way through.
*
As Sylvia and Aria drifted apart, Kati hugged Ian from behind.
It was sudden, but Ian wasn’t surprised.
“master… .”
“yes?”
“… Are you okay?”
“What am I? Are you fine.”
Ian’s fingertips were trembling as he said that.
Kati rarely wrinkled her brow while watching that scene.
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Just in front of the huge presence of the 1st party, it is a person who has no choice but to be weighed down by instinctive fear.
He felt sorry for his situation and weakness that he had to suffer like that from the people he raised.
“I… It’s not okay… .”
If Kati sacrifices her life, she’s good enough to fight one of the first parties on equal footing.
But, that’s all there is to it.
It is impossible to win.
Even the opponents were two.
In the current state, if you polish the instincts of demons, you won’t know again.
If he did, he was afraid that he would not recognize Ian.
I feel sorry for Ian’s weakness.
His own weakness was terrible.
“So, a little more… , I will do this… .”
Carty hugged her from behind and buried her face in Ian’s shoulder.
“… okay.”
Being a demon and even weaker than them, she could not replace Silvia or the vacant seat in the first party.
Even if it’s a replacement, if it can fill Ian’s heart, I’ll be satisfied with it.
Kati felt that the world was too savage and Sylvia hated her.
No matter how hard you try, you already have something you can’t have.
With a little effort, I can get closer to Ian.
After ripping off Ian’s love, chewing it carefully and spitting it out.
Sylvia, who had hurt me like that and then came back to open up the wound, was disgusting enough to want to kill me.
If he had been in Sylvia’s position, he would never have done that to Ian.
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Just imagining Ian getting hurt makes my heart stop, and I’d rather be hurt myself instead.
Even after biting by adjusting the force, he carefully examines his eyes.
But, how dare Sylvia do that… .
“sorry… .”
“Why are you sorry?”
Ian laughed bitterly and took out a sugar cane with trembling hands and asked.
He has always been that kind of person.
not strong
It’s not that there are no emotions.
I’m just used to not showing it and hiding it.
A person who is infinitely weak and cannot reveal himself.
Even if my teeth tremble at the feeling of betrayal.
Even if your heart boils over threatening your co-workers.
A precarious person who has to pretend to be strong because he knows that if he reveals his agitation, the opponent will bite him.
That’s why he’s more precious, and he wants to protect him, but he can’t do that on his own.
“I’m sorry… .”
Carty hugged Ian tighter.
“… thank you.”
Ian smiled lightly.
Light raindrops fell little by little.
Carty didn’t let go of Ian for a long time.
***
“What happened last night?”
Vivian asked in the morning.
“… no?”
“Um, is that so? I think someone came to me in my sleep.”
“It must be because I don’t sleep until late. I’m sorry if I bothered you.”
“no. What are you sorry for? It could have been the sound of rain.”
Fortunately, Vivian didn’t notice.
Mercy was different.
“Are you okay?”
she whispered carefully.
“You know me too well.”
“Hehe, thank you. It’s all because I’m thinking of you.”
Mercy quickly laughed mischievously.
“Come on, it’s good to hug you at times like this. Hurry up and lean into the bosom of this body.”
“Uh, Vivian, I’m going to clean that up, so leave it.”
“Don’t ignore me!”
“Is it so?”
“huh. The next time I ask for a hug, he won’t give me a hug.”
“Nothing like that.”
I knew it was on purpose for me, so I was just grateful.
Mari, who had become sporadic, scratched her head and stood up.
“… oh You are finally going.”
as she said
The day has come to leave Magdalen Abbey.
The rain that fell during the night stopped in the morning.
“Ian! good morning!”
I met Helena at the entrance of the monastery.
Rachel also hid behind him.
“Rachel said she wants to come with me, is that okay?!”
“Do you think it will be okay?”
“As expected!”
… oh I want to hit a honey chestnut.
Rachel, hiding behind Helena, bowed her head in regret.
I don’t know what the relationship between the two is, but that Rachel also wants to become a warrior like Helena.
Anything doesn’t matter, but that doesn’t mean I can’t care about either of them.
However, Rachel is also Helena’s only friend, and she is also talented enough to rank second in the monastery.
For the war in the distant future, it would be nice to have many on my side, and it would be nice to be close for Helena’s sake… .
“Uh hmm, big hmm. Hmm, hmm, hmm!”
Marie made a strange noise next to her.
Ah, come to think of it, Marie coveted Rachel.
Rachel looked at Mary and tilted her head a few times.
“uh… . Oh, Marie? Is that right?”
Marie had previously met Rachel, so it was unknown.
“The one who stood up for Salome the other day… .”
“That’s right, I am that Marie. He is also the manager of the Managers Guild who came here to find a priest, and he is also a best friend of Ian, the party manager of Helena.”
“… … .”
“what?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Rachel asked with her eyes shining.
“Then, by any chance, how about me?”
“This is really, if you want it that much, I have no choice but to take it with gratitude.”
“Wow… ! Oh right, thank you for stepping out last time.”
Rachel was delighted, and Marie nodded proudly.
Now, Rachel will follow Marie, and Helena will follow me to Superbia.
Before getting into the carriage, Helena and Rachel hugged each other in tears.
The two greeted each other warmly as if they would never see each other again.
In the meantime, I also had a brief conversation with Marie.
“You’ll be busy when you get back.”
“Uh, that’s right, what. Rachel is a temporary warrior, but the other children are still far away. Is Ian also staying at the training center?”
“For the time being, it will be. I think it would be the best place to stay with a group of people in Superbia.”
“It is. Even though the guild is a bit shit, the living space is still okay. Can I go play sometime?”
“Well, you see. These are rooms 302 and 303 in Building C.”
“Formerly Building A, Room 104. Our children are in room 202.”
“If it’s not in room 104, it means come to room 202.”
“no? Sometimes I secretly come and help the kids.”
Both of them laughed at the silly joke.
“If you’re going secretly, you’ll have to be careful not to get caught.”
“Ian?”
Mercy suddenly called me.
“yes?”
“Here in the northwest… Are there thieves?”
Mercy hears the voice of the forest.
To be precise, it is the ability to communicate with beasts and insects in the forest.
In fact, it must have been thanks to that ability that he noticed what happened last night.
“… thief?”
There was a scene like that in memory correction.
Helena fighting off bandits.
“Why did you come here?”
“Yes. They say you’ve come to ambush the people attending the public exam.”
Something like that.
It’s because I brought it forward, the public exam is originally today.
Is it the thieves’ plan to ambush and ambush the guests?
Then memory correction would be in a similar context.
“How many?”
“15 people. What is armed… It’s crude.”
It was a public fundraiser back then, so there would have been more to loot, and it would have been bigger.
About 15 people would be able to handle it with only the power here.
I told the monastery paladin what I heard from Mercy.
now you’ll figure it out
Helena and Rachel’s greetings came to an end.
“Rachel… . Stay healthy! Must have… !”
“Yeah, Helen too… ! See you sometime in Superbia… !”
“Sure… !”
… I’m going to the same place anyway, but I wonder if there’s even a need for that.
Anyway, the two girls who shared a hot friendship fell apart with difficulty.
Marie and I went our separate ways.
Until the end, Helena and Rachel looked back at each other and confirmed their friendship.
The end of spring, the two girls welcome summer and promise the next time… .
“Well… .”
I was trying to promise.
Helena and Rachel sat side by side in the carriage seats with their heads turned to each other.
I sat across from him with Vivian.
Mercy and Kati are with me as fairies and cats, respectively.
“… … .”
Marie’s carriage was damaged in the rain last night.
So we had to ride together in my wagon.
“… … .”
After a hot goodbye, the two girls sat shoulder to shoulder.
At first, we sat facing each other and then changed to the current seat, but to be honest, it was there.
“… … .”
A murderous awkwardness runs through the carriage.
Even that confident Marie could not open her mouth in this situation.
By the way, she sat on Rachel’s lap.
“… … .”
… I want to pass out.
You arrive when you wake up.
Then it would be perfect.
“Oh, well. The weather is really warm, isn’t it? I guess it’s summer now? ha ha ha… !”
Vivian tried to break the awkwardness.
“The forest is so green! Is that right, Ian?”
Of course it had no effect.
“Whoa, whoa! The branches are brown!”
please, please be quiet… .
“… I’m sorry.”
“… … .”
Vivian, red as a strawberry, closed her eyes tightly and lowered her head.
Everyone in the carriage feels the same shame as her.
“… … .”
Only the sound of rolling wagons echoes silently.
I’m out of breath… .
***
“Keuk-!”
A luxurious banquet room.
A man was stabbed in the shoulder with a dining knife and sat down.
“Kyaaak-!”
People who saw it screamed.
who stabbed the man.
Kylie, drunk, looked down at him with a bewildered face.
Unable to contain his excitement in the heat of intoxication, he stabbed a normal person.
‘I… .’
Everyone stares at her with shocked faces.
But no one blamed her.
No matter what anyone says, she was a member of the 1st Hero Party.
In that contradictory atmosphere, Kylie said nervously.
“… Shut it all off.”