10. Dulljae and Genius (3)
Arya didn’t actively try to get Ian.
It was the first time I became greedy for people, but it wasn’t enough to ruin my relationship with Sylvia.
Comparing Ian and Sylvia, of course Sylvia’s function was more valuable.
By the way, Sylvia is a member of the 1st hero’s party.
I did not achieve this position where I can hold everything alone.
The biggest contribution would have been the three monster-like warriors, including himself.
So, I hoped to maintain a relationship with them.
Ian’s weight may not be missing, but I judged that it was not as high as them.
So I hoped that Sylvia wouldn’t find out… .
“… aria?”
Than when I went under Jerry.
Than when I entered the depths of the Demon Realm.
Even more, I was afraid of now.
Arya shook her head, pretending not to panic.
don’t give clues
“… It must be for the same reasons as Sylvia.”
Sylvia pondered for a long time after hearing that answer.
Then I laughed helplessly.
“… Yes. Right. It’s not just me who was saved by Ian… .”
Fortunately, Sylvia had no time to doubt Arya.
“I’m not the only one who can love Ian, and Ian doesn’t have to receive only my love… . Still, I’m the first, the most… . I… . sigh… !”
Sylvia, who had been muttering, eventually burst into tears.
Arya calmed down and continued walking.
“Even if I hadn’t… . all because of me… . I, I ruined everything… . I can’t blame anyone… .”
That was only half true.
It is true that Sylvia’s runaway greatly disturbed the atmosphere of the first party.
However, there was a fact that Sylvia, who was busy focusing on Ian, did not know.
The other three were already thinking about kicking Ian out at that time.
At the time, regardless of what Penny said, Arya was feeling bored, doubting how much Ian’s functional value remained.
Even if war came, I wondered if Ian would no longer be needed.
There was also the discomfort of not wanting to keep close to something I couldn’t have.
Kylie was on the verge of killing Ian, but also on the verge of going mad because she couldn’t.
Ian said Arya’s thoughts were the best, but Arya couldn’t admit it.
No one has a more bizarre mindset than Kylie.
In fact, Ian thinks Kylie is the best.
I just said that because Aria’s confession was so unpleasant.
Finally, Beatrice is the only person who believed that Penny’s words were reasonable from the beginning.
“We shouldn’t have done that to Ian… . To say Ian is no longer needed, to not know what Ian is doing… . That sounds really funny… . Whose fault is it that we became like this? . Ian didn’t tell me so I don’t even need the disgusting excuse that I didn’t know. At least, for us, at least for me, we shouldn’t have turned our backs on it… .”
Sylvia was almost furious.
He was more angry with himself than anyone else.
“If only I had trusted Ian a little more and was honest… .”
Among many, many memories, there is one scene that messes up Sylvia’s brain the most.
‘I don’t love you anymore.’
The day I did something that killed the heart of a precious person out of a ridiculous desire for revenge.
‘Sorry.’
It might be too late.
Even then, if it hadn’t been.
Would Ian and himself be different?
Ever since I met Ian again, only that thought hangs in my head like a dark cloud and sprinkles rain.
in a different way than back then.
To those who can’t hear it anymore.
to him who wouldn’t listen.
Sorry for the belated apology.
“I’m sorry, Ian… . Sorry… .”
I try to pick up the heart that I overturned because I couldn’t trust him belatedly.
***
In the evening, when the sun was setting, it was time to watch Vivian’s magic.
Last time at McDerlin’s Abbey, I was told to separate the rock shot and the fireball that were precariously put together, and Vivian did a great job.
“Actually, you told me then and I did it the very next day, but you seemed a bit busy.”
“ah… . I was a bit busy then.”
But did you do it in one day?
Well, I used to use it often, so it’s not impossible… .
Right now, a shallow crater has been created by Vivian’s rock shot in front of her, and a fireball fired on top of it explodes a rock, causing debris to spread around.
Of course, I couldn’t help but focus on this incredible magic demonstration.
Since it was already famous, more and more people recognized it.
“Did I do well?”
Regardless of what others saw, Vivian asked with a smile on her face.
“Hmm… .”
As I deliberately hesitated to answer, my smile hardened with tension.
“I don’t know how well I should praise you… .”
“Oh what is it really!”
He stomps his feet and shouts, but he smiles as if he’s still in a good mood.
It feels good to hit like this, but is there anything special… .
“It is clear that I have become more skilled than before. The size is reduced, but it is felt that the density has been maintained. The body’s mana flow has also stabilized quite a bit… . If you continue to do what you do now, there will be nothing more you want, right?”
At first, when they complimented me, I lifted my chin and liked it, but since I didn’t know how it would end, I lowered my head and felt ashamed.
I tend to think that it’s better to be clear when giving compliments.
Apart from that, the feeling of hitting is so excellent that I have to add more praise.
“At this rate, the rumors of the second Sylvia will all disappear later, and the first Vivian… .”
“Oh, no… . You can stop… .”
I thought Vivian would melt, so I did that.
“Anyway, you did well. You can challenge the next dungeon right away, but please wait a little longer as we need to make Helena catch up.”
“Yes, yes. Absolutely. You are a colleague.”
… something is strange
Have I become unfamiliar with such a normal and gentle reaction?
“Because I need to train more in the meantime.”
I don’t think it’s a big deal, but thank you for nothing.
“Thank you for your understanding. Then let’s go in I’ll tell you the next basic projection magic after dinner… .”
“Wait a minute!”
“yes?”
“I have something to say to Ian… .”
Vivian wiggles her fingers and averts her gaze.
It doesn’t seem like a simple thing.
Are you paying attention because there are a lot of eyes here?
“Shall we change seats?”
“yes… !”
*
There was nothing wrong with moving it.
Instead of each going to their own rooms, they went to Vivian and mine.
I deliberately climbed the stairs slowly.
I think it’s a pretty serious story, it’s to give you time to think deeply.
I passed the room where Kati and Helena were resting awkwardly.
Mercy is preparing dinner, so she’ll be somewhere else.
Even after entering my room, I didn’t notice Vivian.
I just opened the window and ventilated the room and waited.
Vivian, who had been silent, called out to me with a slightly serious voice.
“Ian.”
“yes.”
“It was there last time. I said I was saddened by Ian, do you remember?”
“… I remember.”
“I, then… .”
Vivian was silent for quite some time.
I finally swallowed and carefully opened my mouth.
“I was really sad.”
“Um… .”
“I am very grateful to Ian. The fact that I dreamed of becoming a warrior again and the fact that the children live in a safe place are all thanks to Ian. Felix too… . Without Ian, I would have been helplessly frustrated. Even knowing what Humphrey had been through, he wouldn’t know what to do. Or, maybe I was about to do something terrible… .”
“Anyway, Ian gave me everything and this life right now. So I want to do better, I want to work hard, and I want to repay you. I want to get closer… . But at that time, those words felt like they were pushing me away, and I thought they might kick me out later… , It was sad.”
Sadness beyond disappointment.
At that time, I pushed Vivian away without realizing it.
At that time, Vivian complained of sadness in a watery voice.
“But I think about it by myself. I felt like I knew Ian’s heart.”
“… my heart?”
“yes. Ian, were you scared?”
“… … .”
“I know that Ian has been with the 1st party for as long as Philip. I don’t know what the reason is, but it must be very difficult and hurtful to be exiled after living together for such a long time. Especially when he said he was kicked out, Ian looked lonely, as if he had been thrown out without a chance to defend himself or talk. So, I think I was afraid that I would change later on.”
mouth does not fall
This situation is so unfamiliar.
It’s the first time someone has come across his inner self so honestly.
Apart from that unfamiliarity, Vivian’s voice pierces your heart, not your ears.
I thought I should listen to my concerns, but on the contrary, my concerns were stabbed and revealed.
Usually in this case, I was just a listener.
“I’m sure I won’t be as great a wizard as Sylvia-sama. still… . I’m not Sylvia… . You can be Ian’s Vivian. I will never betray or kick Ian out. I promise. So, I, that’s… .”
As she spoke resolutely, she rolled her eyes and rolled her eyes.
His face, which had been flushed from before, had turned redder.
I just waited blankly for her next words.
I didn’t know what to say, my tongue didn’t move.
“that… !”
Vivian grabbed my hand.
Both hands clenched tightly were drenched in sweat and very hot.
The trembling of her hands told me how tense she was now.
“You can trust me… do you have?”
As well as trembling hands, his eyes trembled anxiously.
If you touch it, it seems like tears will fall.
she knows too
How difficult it is for a person to trust a person.
“I told you at first. I’ll believe it… . I, now, trust Ian.”
Persuaded by my words, Vivian said so.
‘I’ll believe you… .’
Those words came to us now and were completed with ‘I believe’.
I carefully watched Vivian’s expression as I chose my answer.
Fearful eyes tremble, afraid that I might refuse.
Still, he doesn’t avert his gaze.
I don’t force an answer, but the tightly gripped hand pulls me harder and harder.
Even though he was so frightened and nervous, he is a person who is waiting for my answer straight ahead.
Even though it was a heartwarming situation, my head cynically calculated her relationship with me like an instinct.
It would be to my advantage to say that I believe in Vivian regardless of my true intentions.
If she refuses, she’ll pretend not to, but she’ll be hurt, and in the long run, it’s likely to lead to poor growth.
Worst case scenario, you may leave.
However, isn’t it a bit humanly wrong to say that you believe when you’re not sure?
I wonder if I can really trust her… .
After continuing my pessimistic thoughts, the absurdity disappeared, and I smiled unconsciously.
Her words, which had pierced my heart earlier, echoed through my body once again.
‘Ian, was he scared?’
… yes, that’s scary It’s a perfect song.
Vivian’s gaze rolls anxiously, perhaps not understanding the meaning of my laughter.
I put away all the calculations I had thought of earlier.
“He’s the one I brought, of course I believe him.”
If Vivian says she will work hard for me, then it would be right for me to try accordingly.
Upon hearing the answer, Vivian sniffed and smiled brightly like an idiot.
“Hehe, sniff, hehe… .”
I can’t really say that I don’t believe it here.
“Hehehe… .”
Seeing that innocent smile made me laugh out loud.
… Then, a terribly awkward time came.
We were frozen in place for several minutes, unable to let go of our hands.
What do we do?
Who should put this first?
If someone doesn’t ask me to let go now, I think I’ll be like this forever… ?
“I now… .”
“Ian? dinner soon… .”
Of course, Mercy saw it.
“… Oops. You forgot to turn off the lights. What I need to pay attention to… . Hehehe… .”
… … .
“It’s not like that!”
“It’s not like that!”
I had to spend a long time chasing Mercy and explaining.
And after dinner, for some reason, Kati bit my hand in a mess and kicked my back leg.
“Why man?”
“Nyaang!”
I don’t know why, but it’s not like this once or twice, so I just thought it would be like that.
***
Penny was sitting at her desk in the office.
Only two words came to my mind.
Ian and Philip.
The truth will come soon.
In order to go to see him, I paid all the expenses I had to deal with with my own money.
Money wasn’t the most important thing right now.
– Clap.
The door opened roughly, and Aria, who had left to meet Ian, entered.
“penny.”
Penny looked up at Arya.
“As you’ve heard, everyone in the first party has been feeling a slight decline in their skills lately.”
“… Yes.”
“I came to see Ian for that, but he won’t open his mouth.”
“I see.”
“It’s not a matter of being on the sidelines like that. Isn’t it your job to manage the party’s condition?”
“… Yes. Okay. It should be. But, let me ask you one thing.”
“Something.”
“Is it true that Ian raised you from the beginning?”
This has already been confirmed by Kylie and Beatrice.
Sylvia knows because she heard her answer to herself in the past.
“Right.”
“… All right.”
Penny rose from her seat as if she had made up her mind.
“A lot of requests have come in for nearby A-class dungeons. The coordination of the schedule has been left to the scouts, so you can move along.”
“Do you have any information this time around?”
“… We provide only basic information.”
“really… . That doesn’t help… .”
Penny ignored the taunt.
“I will come and see Ian in person.”
“What do you think that would be? Even me and Sylvia didn’t work?”
“… … .”
Penny left without answering.
Arya, who was left alone, was dumbfounded and burst out laughing.
‘It’s difficult… .’
To Arya’s mind, Ian’s presence was poison.
Stimulate Sylvia’s lack of affection.
Awakening Arya’s possessive desire.
A deadly poison that touches Kylie’s twisted convictions.
At the same time, the 1st warrior party has grown to the point where Ian’s help is not needed.
At least they believed it.
It was an exile where reason and sensibility came together.
Sylvia’s muttering, which I had heard so much that it hurt my ears the whole time, shook my consciousness.
‘It’s all thanks to who we became like this…’ .’
I had to admit that it was getting hard to ignore those words.
“Whoa… .”
Even Ian alone is a headache, but now Arya’s mind is on top of Sylvia.
‘I hope you heard that… .’
You must never let Sylvia know that you said you loved Ian when you didn’t love her.
That was more important than Ian.
On the desk in Penny’s office, the distribution map of Class A dungeons is scattered.
Arya looked down at it impassively.
If you can have it, you can have it anytime, the value is low.
‘Ian… .’
However, what I could never have even if I wanted it, it had a value that was difficult to calculate.
I couldn’t have it, so I chased it away.
I didn’t need it, so I didn’t keep it by my side.
His traces remained in Arya’s now, like a specter.
‘… It’s funny.’
What information will Penny bring?
I don’t know until the results come out, but Arya wasn’t expecting much.