Velosian healed Idria and immediately stood up, as if in a hurry like he had somewhere important to be.
But Idria still had a mountain of things she needed to ask him, so she spoke up.
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere else. Not here.”
“I wasn’t asking for an answer that obvious. Sit down.”
“You speak to your father with such poor manners.”
Despite his words, Velosian smiled gently.
It was the kind of gaze one might give a mischievous daughter, and it stirred something in Idria’s chest.
But he was a miraculous being who had restored her completely with just a wave of his hand.
So she kept her patience and said,“I have a lot of questions.”
“I don’t have anything I can answer.”
“Why not?”
“I understand that I may seem like a great being to you. But there are countless laws in this world, even I cannot go against.”
“Laws?”
“Don’t overthink things. Just keep doing what you were doing, turning Kaeld into a hero and perfecting the true lie.”
Velosian smiled even more deeply as he looked at her.
“Don’t make that face.”
Idria touched her face and retorted.
“What kind of face am I making?”
“You look disappointed.”
“Hah.”
“You may love your underlings, but in the end, they are just pawns you command. They won’t truly understand your heart.”
Velosian gestured with his chin toward Kaeld, still passed out on the floor.
“Not that worm, of course. And even Bion Kunze, who is probably the most similar to you, just seethes with killing intent.”
“…”
“But I understand you. Truly. We didn’t exchange many words, but you felt it too, didn’t you? That’s why you are feeling regret at our parting.”
Idria didn’t respond right away.
But afraid that her silence might be taken as agreement, she quickly opened her mouth.
“Get lost.”
“I’m going.”
Velosian shrugged and walked out of the cave.
Before stepping outside, he left one last remark.
“It’s not like we will never meet again. If things get really hard, you can call for me.”
“…”
“Actually, if you look like you’re struggling, I might just come find you. That’s what a father does, isn’t it?”
Idria couldn’t hold herself back any longer and swiped her hand at him.
But before her power could activate, Velosian had already vanished.
Idria sighed and turned her head.
Fortunately, there was someone nearby to take out her anger on.
Thud.
She kicked Kaeld.
“How long are you going to lie there like that, you lazy worm.”
“Guh… huh? Idria?”
“I hear you made a fool of yourself at the Gabriel territory. Thanks to you, my most elaborate lie fell apart.”
The fake hero, Padania Brook.
The fake Demon King, the Demon King of Desolation.
The lie she had crafted over two hundred years ago had been shattered at Gabriel territory.
“Of course, the people of the continent won’t believe it all at once. For humanity, a hero is almost as absolute as a celestial god.”
“…”
“But there’s no denying I have strayed farther from my goal.”
“Don’t blame me. It was that dumb first finger of yo…. gah!”
Kaeld suddenly began thrashing wildly on the ground.
Idria had activated the insect she had planted in his body, sending searing pain through his nerves.
“Don’t insult my child.”
“Ughhh… please, stop…”
“Sobius and Sabach will begin treatment now. I will assign you a new Finger for support. I don’t expect anything great from you this time, just try not to mess it up.”
Click.
The pain stopped.
Kaeld, still drooling, asked,
“‘This time’? You mean there’s still another operation left at this point?”
“There is. I encountered some strange being and regained my power. Actually, it’s beyond just recovery.”
“…”
“I don’t remember ever being this strong. At this point, I could probably even pull off ‘that.’”
“That?”
“The plan I originally wanted to carry out but couldn’t due to lack of strength.”
Kaeld looked at her, eyes silently asking what kind of plan it was.
Idria responded with a cold smile.
“Speed attack.”
We decided to postpone speculating about whoever was involved in the Append View incident.
There was no way we would figure it out right now anyway, and we were all exhausted from everything that had happened.
That night, we chose to stay one more day at Gabriel Territory.
The lord even offered us his home for the night.
“Please feel free to use anything here at your convenience, Hero.”
“You didn’t have to go this far…”
“Not at all. I’m ashamed I can only offer you this much. Honestly, I feel worse now that you have even turned down my servants.”
“We are more comfortable this way.”
And truthfully, no matter how amazing the chefs here were, their food still wouldn’t taste as good as Lisel’s snacks made just for fun.
Once the lord left, we gathered in one spot.
Lisel spoke up.
“There is a lot to talk about, but for today, let’s just eat and drink. I will put in some real effort.”
“Ooh, I’m looking forward to it.”
We all sat huddled together in the cabin, quietly hoping she would pull through.
And then…
Bang.
The door burst open roughly, and Neril stepped in with bloodshot eyes.
To our astonishment, she spoke in a slightly trembling voice like she was about to cry.
“Sorry, but I need everyone to leave.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Like soldiers responding to a general’s command, the party members stood up in perfect sync.
I started to follow them out too, but Neril called out.
“Mide, stay a bit. You too, Adwin.”
Adwin practically hiccupped in shock.
“M-Me?”
“Why is your voice like that all of a sudden?”
“You are acting different from usual…”
“Adwin. Summon May for me.”
At those words, I froze.
As Offense led the hesitant party members out, only Adwin, Neril, and I remained.
Overwhelmed by Neril’s presence, Adwin didn’t ask any questions and immediately began chanting the spell.
While he worked, Neril turned to me.
“I need to see May. It’s the only way to get that inspiration back.”
“Are you sure you can handle it?”
“No.”
She clenched her fists. They were trembling.
“Not on my own.”
“Neril.”
“Just… stay with me for a bit, okay?”
I nodded without hesitation.
A moment later.
“Neril.”
A woman’s voice flowed from Adwin’s mouth.
May Erenica.
The one Neril had committed her greatest sin against.
At the sound of that voice, Neril burst into tears.
“M-May…”
What did they talk about?
I deliberately tried not to hear. I didn’t want to remember.
Because even listening to their conversation felt like a sin.
I just stayed quietly by Neril’s side.
How much time passed?
“Are you okay now? Did you get a hint?”
Neril, her face swollen like a fish, nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Heh. You look awful.”
“May… do you really not resent me?”
“You read my journal, didn’t you? Then you probably know how I felt about you right to the end.”
Neril wiped her eyes with the back of her arm.
“But that journal was from before I killed you.”
“Even after that, I felt the same. From beginning to end… even after death, I still think of you as my one and only friend.”
“May… sniff…”
“And besides, if I were going to hold a grudge, there’s a ton of people down here in the underworld to take it out on.”
May continued with a playfully exaggerated expression.
“The underworld is a strange place. You meet everyone you were ever connected to in life. And every single sin you committed gets exposed for all to see.”
“Really?”
Uh… that’s kind of terrifying.
How many people will curse me when I die?
“So, Neril, you need to live kindly too.”
“I’m already beyond saving.”
“Maybe. But…”
Then, for the first time, May looked at me.
“Still, I think there’s someone who will look out for you even in the underworld.”
“What do you…”
“Heh. Anyway, I’m off. And call me sometimes, will you? There’s still so much I want to talk to you about.”
Neril gave a small nod.
And just like that, her soul returned to the underworld.
Thump.
Neril leaned her head against my shoulder.
“Thanks, Mide.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You stayed with me. That’s everything to me.”
“…”
“Thanks to May, the inspiration came back. I’m sure I can use that magic again.”
I was glad, but honestly, I was more worried.
Neril didn’t look tired right now, but she had clearly exhausted herself emotionally in such a short time.
Maybe that’s why…
I found myself instinctively wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“M-Mide?”
“Ah, sorry. I did it without thinking.”
“…No, it’s fine.”
Instead, she leaned in even closer.
“You are so warm… your embrace.”
“Is that so.”
“Can I borrow it again sometimes?”
“As much as you want.”
“For how long?”
“For as long as you need.”
At that, Neril lifted her head.
Her lips were very close.
I leaned in without thinking.
But just then.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Neril suddenly said,
“Hey… do you hear breathing?”
“Three breaths.”
We turned to Adwin.
He was covering his eyes with both hands.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry I’m here.”
“…”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me this would happen?! Seriously!”
“Adwin.”
“Mr. Offense… I think I have grown up now.”
We couldn’t help but laugh.
I snapped back to the present and looked at Neril.
Just like two days ago, her face was very close.
“Were you thinking about that time?”
“You really notice everything, huh.”
“If it’s about you.”
“Ahem.”
“You were a little disappointed back then, right? Because Adwin was there?”
“Absolutely.”
Neril gave a soft smile and closed her eyes.
I slowly leaned in and kissed her lips.
Smooch.
A soft kiss.
So incredibly sweet.
All the joy and bliss I had ever felt in life didn’t compare to that one fleeting moment.
Luckily, this time, there was no Adwin or anyone else to interrupt us.
It wasn’t until ten minutes later that the others returned.
[Finally back. That took a while.]
‘Trail? You were here?’
[Wouldn’t it be worse if I wasn’t? Anyway, congrats on no longer being single.]
‘Ahem. Did… did you see?’
[I turned away. You’re welcome.]
I let out a sigh of relief.
‘We really need to separate you from me soon.’
[Didn’t you say I was an irreplaceable comrade?]
‘Next time, go hang out with Adwin instead.’
[Next time? So there will be a next time?]
At that moment, Adwin spoke with a strangely proud voice.
“Dinner’s ready, you two.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“I didn’t interrupt this time, right?”
Behind him, the rest of the party walked in, smiling like they were watching their grown-up kids.
Adwin turned to Offense.
“Mister. As you can see, I have grown up.”
“Yeah. Good job.”
“I bet that’s how my mom and dad had me too, huh?”
Offense paused, thought for a moment, and replied,
“You’re still a kid.”
TL: So, there is a rule in the underworld that’s similar to Mide’s power. And what do you think May meant when she said Mide looking out for Neril in the underworld. Also, isn’t Trail supposed to be in the underworld so why is he bound to Mide? Even the Celestial God was confused by that. And Impelium said it was a good thing Kaeld’s soul didn’t cross the Redby River. What do you guys think?