68 – A Momentary Rest (11)
A peaceful day as usual.
Erina sang her song and straightened her reflection in the mirror.
She neatly combed her own hair, which was flowing white.
She checked meticulously to see if there was any dirt on her clothes.
Today is a date day with her owner.
Although the time given was only a day and a half, there was no time to regret it.
With all her might, she cast her gaze into the place where she had her own master.
A man was waiting for Erina under her window.
She had an impression and appearance that seemed ordinary to others.
But Erina was different. There was a man who was more handsome and beautiful than anyone else.
“Master… “
I resisted the urge to jump out of the window right away.
Today, I made up my mind to show only my calm side.
She even hooked her leg to her dagger, which she carried for self-defense one last time.
Finally, we are ready to go out.
As I was about to head for the door, I met someone’s gaze.
“…Please take good care of my lord.”
Deep, dark eyes. She had dark circles coming down thickly as if she hadn’t slept properly.
Kayla’s voice was full of regret and jealousy.
Even if she pretended to be indifferent, Erina could immediately notice.
Erina waved her hand with her sneer.
The rivalry that always bothered me couldn’t do anything today.
“Don’t worry. I’ll stick with my master all day today.”
“If something happens to my lord, I… “
“Isn’t that what you, a weakling, would say?”
She met her eyes with a sneer.
It wasn’t long before their eyes met, and Kayla lowered her head.
Now, Erina clearly had the upper hand.
Kayla couldn’t hide her melancholy, as if that fact made her angry.
“Have a good trip.”
After not saying goodbye, Erina went out the door.
She left the noisy inn behind and headed to the man waiting for her.
Under the morning sunlight, the figure of the person Erina loved so much was cast.
She held out her hand, calming her pounding heart.
“I’m sorry. I’m a little late.”
“It’s okay. After all, I have plenty of time.”
The two casually walked hand in hand on the street.
***
It’s been a while since I’ve been with Erina.
Since Kayla joined her co-worker, she has significantly less time alone with me and Erina.
The fact that she intentionally tried to distance herself from her also played a role.
There were many moments where he let Erina do her solo act or moved in with Kayla.
“Ehehehe… “
Is that why? Erina seemed to be in a particularly good mood.
If you think about it, Erina is quite beautiful.
I’ve always been with her, so I’ve become dull, but my first impression of her was different.
Erina boasted of her beautiful looks to the point that I was seduced.
In fact, when walking down her street, some people stopped to see her face.
Jealous glances flew at me.
It wasn’t a big deal because Erina, who noticed his gaze, chased it away first.
“So, where do you want to go?”
“Anywhere is fine. Still, it would be nice if there were no people.”
Erina usually hated crowded places.
But there were a lot of people wherever she went in the capital.
I passed by the fountain in the capital and walked for a long time.
She passed through a busy street and passed a deserted alleyway.
She never let go of her hand.
It’s been a while since Erina’s hand was still warm.
The same goes for the smile that looks at me.
The place I reached was a quiet empty lot.
This was the place where I signed a contract with Kayla before.
Still, the benches were left covered with dust.
It doesn’t look like anyone has gone in and out since we went.
I brushed off the dust on the bench.
Then Erina followed me to tidy up her bench.
“I will do it. Please sit down.”
“Yes. Let’s rest for a while.”
We went under a tree in the park.
I decided to sit down on a small bench and take a break.
Erina let out a sigh of relief as if she liked her too.
Since I came to this world, I have been moving non-stop.
Looking back, I was in a sense of urgency to somehow become stronger.
But things were different now.
My level went up a lot.
I had a reliable colleague by my side.
We raised enough funds.
I still have a lot of work to do, but things have improved so much that I can breathe.
When was the last time I felt comfortable with Erina like today?
Her head came up on her shoulder.
Even though they were already close, they were forced to stick together.
There was no awkwardness even at a distance that was burdensome.
“Seohyun.”
“Huh…?”
“Thank you. For always being by my side.”
Erina put her arms around me, holding her even closer.
Always unchanging behavior, looking back, Erina always wanted me to touch her.
If you can enjoy a normal life like this, can it be called a good life?
A life of earning money as an adventurer and maintaining peace in the capital.
No one will refuse.
“Erina.”
“Yes?”
“What do you want to do after killing the demon king?”
This is a question I have not been able to ask because I have been busy surviving.
Erina returned her words with her strange smile.
“I want to be with you.”
An innocent child’s answer.
But that wasn’t the answer I was looking for.
How long will you try to deceive me?
After the death of the demon king, what will the goddess do?
If you lived with me, where would you live?
Of course, Erina didn’t answer.
“I don’t ask for much. I just want to live in a peaceful world with you.”
If the demon king dies, will a peaceful world come?
After seeing the ending, the game ended with only a brief after story.
I did not know the world after the ending.
If I was with Erina, would I be able to live a happy life?
“Because I love you.”
Unlike me, she was envisioning a happy future.
Her heart fluttered as she saw it.
‘If I gave up everything…’
Even if the world perishes and the devil devours the world.
Even if the goddess is neglected and stays in this watch forever.
If Erina is by my side, can I be happy?
Not at all. I wanted to return to the original world.
Two months have passed since I fell into this world.
I still missed my hometown and my parents.
I wanted to hang out with friends and drink.
I don’t mean that Erina and Kayla aren’t precious.
However, even if it meant leaving the two of them, I wanted to return to the original world.
I knew it was selfish, but I couldn’t bend my will.
But will Erina and Kayla be able to let me go?
“Seriously… “
“Yes?”
“Are you serious?”
Always handed it over without thinking.
I already knew that Erina loved me.
But for the first time, I had my doubts.
Is she really in love with me?
“Am I not trustworthy?”
“That’s not it.”
“Why don’t you trust me? Am I so lacking?”
Erina was still smiling.
At first glance, it seemed childish.
But the horse had thorns on it.
“I love you. I love you with all my heart.”
“…”
There was no hesitation even at the embarrassing words.
I just had to believe. But I wasn’t sure.
‘You don’t seem to have any intention of hurting me.’
It seems he has no intention of leaving me alone.
What on earth does she hope for in the future?
It was not yet time to reveal Erina’s true intentions.
In the end, I decided to postpone the decision again this time.
“I’m going to start the quest tomorrow.”
“I know.”
“Helen Village. Have you ever been there?”
Immediately, Erina shook her head. It’s a blatant lie.
She had already been to Helen Village.
But she decided to pretend that she was duped this time too.
“I heard that it is a developed town, so I don’t think it will suffer like the last time.”
“Still, you have to be careful. You never know what will happen.”
She was right a hundred times.
She had to be fully prepared, as nothing had ever gone the way she expected.
Especially, the expedition to the snowy mountains was no different from the worst.
I did not want to do the cold weather and the arduous mountain climbing again.
I almost lost my life to the snow woman.
There was no guarantee that variables would not appear in this expedition either.
“But don’t worry too much. I will protect you.”
And Kyla was by my side.
I didn’t bother to mention it.
I wasn’t stupid enough to mention Kayla’s name while alone with Erina.
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I didn’t want to accept Erina’s complaints today.
I hoped the day would pass peacefully with my mouth shut quietly.
***
“My lord. The preparations are over.”
After checking her backpack for a while, Kayla finally nodded her head.
She was fully prepared for the whole day, as if she had felt something from the last expedition.
Thanks to that, I was able to prepare comfortably because I prepared what Erina and I had to do.
“Thank you. Kayla.”
“No. It is something I must do. May your lord rest in peace.”
Kayla still revealed the title of lord in front of me.
It wasn’t a mistake. It was obviously intentional.
It was like something he was doing to show off his relationship with Erina.
The other day, I promised to use the title of lord only when the two of us were alone.
But now it has lost its meaning.
“I’m done too.”
Erina was displeased with that fact and maintained an uncomfortable attitude throughout her life.
She raised her pockets with a voice full of displeasure.
Even before she arrived in Helen, she didn’t want to start a fight.
She put her backpack on her back and grabbed her sword and shield, ignoring it.
“Let’s all start.”
Now it’s time to head to a new expedition.