Chapter 131: Connections Forged in the Holy Empire
"It's magic. Due to the influence of holy power, everyone's hair color is uniform, so this is for individuality."
"Individuality…."
Han Siu made a baffled face, understanding the reason but finding it a bit ridiculous.
Was it because of his dumbfounded expression? Ariel gave a faint smile.
"For a woman, individuality is incredibly important. Ah, don't misunderstand. It's the same for men. But… in this world where gender roles and chastity are reversed. Women have to hone every weapon they have to win a man's love. How could we make something as precious as hair uniform?"
"……."
Han Siu was left stunned by Ariel's calm, composed explanation, delivered at length yet so matter-of-factly.
Ariel Grande, the hero among female heroes with her strikingly exotic and glamorous looks.
Her hair, not plain white but a luxurious silver sheen, cascaded down to her waist. Once you snapped out of it from the silver locks, her resolute yet refined features held your gaze captive. Her straight nose, thin red lips—nothing about her wasn't beautiful.
If not for the heavy plate armor she always wore, you could easily mistake her for a princess from some kingdom.
But Ariel's usual behavior and speech made you forget she was a woman. She was the epitome of a righteous hero, almost like she was born one—pure humanity itself.
'Ariel's a woman too, huh.'
The look in Han Siu's eyes as he gazed at her changed.
For the first time in years—counting even his memories from the first timeline—she started to look like a woman to him.
"……? Han Siu?"
She tilted her head when he stared at her without a word.
"Do you have something to say?"
"Ah, no. I just… thought Ariel, you're a normal woman too… ah."
He regretted it the moment the words left his mouth.
Maybe it was the alcohol buzzing in his head, but he'd blurted out exactly what he was thinking. He opened his mouth to make excuses, but the sight of the silver-haired hero's face froze his words.
"Ah…."
Her entire face flushed deep red—an unmistakably feminine expression. Her ears and nape burned so hot it made him wonder if her skin had always been this rosy; she was practically glowing.
'Why the hell is she so damn sexy….'
She hadn't even drunk much, and until moments ago, her skin had been snow-white.
No matter what anyone said, that flushed face and womanly expression were all because of Han Siu.
"……."
"……."
"…I-I've been a woman from the start. Just an utterly ordinary, common one."
"Yeah, that's right. No matter what anyone says, you're a woman, Ariel."
A brief silence fell between them.
Unaware of the oddly charged atmosphere between the two heroes, the three saintesses were chattering excitedly among themselves, clearly thrilled by how well the gathering was going. Even the usually reserved Cassandra had warmed up and was joining Elaine and Kim Hansol's conversation.
But a mere glance their way would reveal the unusual tension between Han Siu and Ariel.
"…People call you the innate hero, incarnation of goodness, goddess's sword, and such."
"Such embarrassing nicknames…."
"But today, I realized something."
"……?"
"You're just a normal girl too, Ariel."
Han Siu chuckled softly. All the discomfort he'd felt toward her until now was gone. She'd always seemed like some transcendent embodiment of goodness or justice, but not anymore.
"…Thank you."
"Huh? No need to thank me…."
"Still, being called a 'girl' is a bit embarrassing."
Ariel muttered about how she'd be in her thirties soon anyway, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
It was truly amazing. Just one casual remark had shifted his mindset, and suddenly she looked entirely different. Despite her nickname "goddess's sword" and constant heavy armor, a closer look revealed plenty of feminine charm.
"Is that a strap?"
"……!! Ah, you noticed."
Ariel replied in an excited tone.
What Han Siu had pointed out was a small cord-like accessory dangling from her waist.
He hadn't paid it much mind before, but up close, it seemed oddly out of place on her plate armor. And the other details that caught his eye all screamed femininity.
"I always keep these on for constant tension, but as a woman, I can't resist pretty, cute things. So I attach the ones I really want to wear like this."
"They suit you well."
"……!!"
"Really. It feels just like you, Ariel."
"R-Really?"
Her face, somewhat calmed from before, turned away again, still flushed. Han Siu figured he'd stared too intently and made her uncomfortable, so he apologized. Somehow, they seemed closer now than before.
"…It's fine. More than that, your compliment… m-makes me really happy."
"I just said what I felt. …Ah. Hold on a sec."
"……?"
Han Siu paused and reached into his pocket. He pulled something out.
"That's…."
"From the Cheonan Empire—well, the saint's dungeon. One of the things I found there."
"A locket."
It was a pendant-like locket for holding a photo or small item. Not flashy, but made of silver with a few embedded gems, and from where it was found, it was a pretty high-quality artifact.
"Take it if you want."
"…Pardon?"
"No set owner anyway. Figured I'd give it to someone, and your neck looked perfect for it."
"……."
"Most of the good stuff's already distributed, so no need to feel burdened. I'll explain the functions later. You won't regret having it. Ah, if you don't like necklaces, just keep it in your pocket…."
"No."
Ariel cut him off sharply.
"I'll… definitely wear it."
"Haha. Sure."
She clutched the locket tightly from him—so hard Han Siu worried she might crush it. But her expression showed she loved it.
'Did she flinch when our hands touched? Nah, must be my imagination.'
No way Ariel would flinch from mere contact with a person—or a man.
Even thinking it over made him chuckle at the absurdity.
"See! Han Siu! You think it's ridiculous too, right?!"
Perfect or terrible timing—whatever it was, Elaine shot up from her seat at his laugh, yelling. Startled by the pink saintess's shout, he turned to see her face beet-red.
"Elaine…?"
"Y-Yes, Han Siu♥ …Hic."
"You didn't dispel the alcohol?"
He'd assumed she'd use holy magic or power to flush it out. She definitely had, right up until she was next to him. But now her face matched her hair color.
"Alcohol…. Ah, you mean the buzz? I was gonna! But this naughty Kim Hansol…!"
Elaine huffed, whipping her head to glare at the saintess beside her.
Kim Hansol cackled, bursting into laughter.
"You fell for a few teases? Our Elaine's so easy to provoke!"
"Eek! That's because you said all that unnecessary stuff…!"
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down, calm down."
"Waaah!! Han Siu, this mean saintess is bullying me…."
To soothe Elaine as she toddled into his arms, Han Siu gave a wry smile, standing to hug her. From her expression to her actions, she was clearly drunk.
'This side of her's pretty cute too.'
As he patted the back of the fake-crying Elaine in his embrace, Kim Hansol grinned and said,
"First time seeing her like this, huh? All thanks to me."
"Haha…."
Not wrong, but hard to fully agree. He could've gotten her drunk anytime if he wanted—just hadn't seen the need until now.
Suddenly recalling Ariel's magic dye comment, Han Siu stared hard at Kim Hansol.
"Huh? What? Why stare like that?"
"Hansol, your hair's pink too?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah. Originally black, like this. Pink felt too much, so I went back to black. Elaine loves pink, and Sandy was probably that color naturally too."
"Hehe. Y-Yes, that's right…."
Cassandra, slurring despite not drinking.
Her natural light pink hair was surprisingly intriguing.
"The mood's nice and everyone's had plenty—how about we call it a night?"
Ariel stood and suggested.
"What? Already?"
"Don't you have work tomorrow morning, Hansol? No holy power anyway, so let's rest early."
"Mm. No point drinking if I'm flushing it with holy power. Sigh, shame, but oh well."
Kim Hansol walked over to Han Siu, grinning as she lightly punched his arm.
"We'll handle cleanup, so take Elaine and go. She's wasted. Oh, take Sandy too while you're at it. If you don't know her room, just crash her in Elaine's?"
"Yeah, got it. Thanks."
"No need. Hey, we're from the same region and same age—drop the formalities. Status matches now too, right? Whaddya say, Han Siu?"
"…Sure, Kim Hansol."
"Hahaha!"
Kim Hansol laughed heartily at whatever amused her, starting to tidy up. Han Siu pondered asking about her "same region" comment but decided later was better, hoisting the whining Elaine onto his back.
He took Cassandra's hand, since she could barely walk alone.
"Get home safe, Han Siu."
"You too, Ariel. Rest well."
He greeted Ariel and turned to leave.
But somehow, she subtly blocked his path.
"Ariel?"
"No, it's just…."
She seemed to have a lot to say but hemmed and hawed, lips sealed. Han Siu didn't rush her.
But after two minutes of fidgeting, at Kim Hansol's call, the silver-haired hero sighed softly and let him go. Her eyes lingered reluctantly, but unable to speak, Han Siu could only wonder.
"…Get home safe."
"……? Yeah. Sorry, but thanks for the trouble."
'What was that about?'
He'd learn what Ariel wanted to say days later.