Chapter 137: Connections Met in the Holy Empire
"Come on in."
"Excuse me, then."
Han Siu stepped into Ariel's room, glancing around the interior once.
Ariel Grande—the only SS-grade hero in the Holy Bishura Empire, and one of just four on the entire continent.
She was devout to the Lord God and fiercely committed to repelling the demonkin, but no fool would treat her status lightly. And the Papal Court and the Church of the Lord God weren't idiots either.
Naturally, she and a host of others under her command owned mansions and territories in the capital or across the empire's lands. Yet most of them, Ariel included, spent much of their time holed up in their personal quarters at the Papal Court.
That explained why her room brimmed with a cozy, lived-in feel.
"Have a seat right here."
Even as the man surveyed her space, Ariel showed no reaction whatsoever.
She's seriously that earnest, huh.
Han Siu thought as he watched the silver-haired hero set the table.
Before coming here, Saintess Kim Hansol had casually dropped a few hints.
This was the first time she'd ever invited a man into her room. Just the two of them, an adult man and woman alone.
Yet she acted utterly unfazed.
Her mind was entirely consumed by what Han Siu had said at the restaurant—and what conversation she should have with him. Ariel was utterly sincere when it came to ending the war and achieving peace.
Han Siu admired her for it, but at the same time, he felt a twinge of disappointment.
I'm a pretty decent guy myself, but she doesn't even blink. Well, maybe that's what makes her the one and only SS-grade hero.
He had no idea Ariel actually harbored feelings for him.
Settling into the chair across from her, Han Siu picked up his teacup.
"Thanks, I'll dig in."
"Hehe, go ahead."
Ariel sat down with a gentle smile, even offering cookies.
She wasn't one for sweets, so the tea and cookies were mildly flavored—but perfect for Han Siu's taste.
"Shall we chat, then? I have so much I want to discuss with you, Han Siu."
"I'm all for it."
They dove straight into the main topic, talking purely about the war.
The path ahead, the demonkin, the unidentified enemies.
Han Siu had been a little bummed by Ariel's matter-of-fact responses, but he soon matched her seriousness, engaging in a deep discussion about the continent and the world's future. He was only a month into his hero career, but drawing on his pre-regression knowledge, he held his own meaningfully.
Even without that, Ariel was satisfied with their exchange.
"You're the real deal, Han Siu."
"Pardon?"
"I can feel your sincerity. You truly want to end this war, to bring peace."
The silver-haired hero's face lit up with exaggerated emotion, drawing a chuckle from Han Siu.
"Isn't that just what any hero should aim for? We can't keep dragging out this standoff forever."
"Not every hero shares that 'obvious' goal."
Ariel gave a wry smile.
She believed all humans were fundamentally good at heart, but that didn't mean she ignored reality.
They deluded themselves into thinking that if they just opened their hearts sincerely, others would come around to the good side. Maybe for a few, but most? No chance. Still, Ariel stayed earnest.
"Can't argue with that."
Not just male heroes—female ones too.
Surprisingly, more female heroes hoped the war dragged on.
Male heroes, of course, didn't care if it ended; they could indulge in pleasure regardless. Being male meant they lived luxuriously almost anywhere, special cases aside.
"Still, plenty around you want peace too, right, Ariel?"
"True. But no one's as genuine about it as you, Han Siu."
"Haha. I can get behind that."
He wasn't joking.
Even with so much changed, no one yearned for the war's end like Han Siu, who had lived through the future via regression. For the world, and for himself and his women.
"What's the biggest reason you want peace, Han Siu? Oh, not in a weird way. I just thought it might help persuade others…."
"Not sure it'd help, but… I want my women and kids to live in a peaceful world."
"Ah…."
"After the war ends, I want us all to live comfortably together. With the cycles, we'll probably get dragged to the front lines two or three more times in our lifetimes, right?"
"…That's a good reason."
Ariel murmured in quiet admiration.
His expression and tone rang true with sincerity.
It showed how much he cherished his women.
For a fleeting moment, she felt envious.
I wish I… Huh? Wait… what?
"……!!"
Ariel's eyes widened as reality suddenly hit her.
I-I'm alone in my room… with a man?!
She'd invited him from the restaurant, and over an hour had passed in conversation.
Only now realizing it, she flinched—but Han Siu didn't notice her shift.
He'd tucked away his disappointment and focused on their talk, missing her furtive glances and the regretful pout.
Their timing was hilariously off.
"…So in that vein, at least ten years. The demonkin will launch another major offensive within that time, so we need to prepare until then… Ariel?"
"…Ah. Yes. I'm listening."
"……? Okay."
Han Siu wondered if she was tired.
Always on the move, even an SS-grade hero could feel fatigue.
"Ariel."
"Y-Yes? What is it?"
"Don't try to shoulder everything alone."
"Pardon?"
"If you're tired or worn out, take a break. Lean on others sometimes."
"……."
"I know it might not hit home coming from a one-month rookie like me, but you need to trust those around you more, Ariel. People are basically good—and your comrades are even better."
The words were familiar, though the phrasing varied slightly.
For years, she'd raced through good deeds and missions.
Her comrades and followers had offered such advice countless times.
She'd always brushed it off with "I'm fine," and now fewer people even tried. She should have been numb to it, yet Ariel welcomed Han Siu's words more gladly than any other's.
"…Thank you, Han Siu."
"No need."
A sweet, subtle atmosphere hung between them.
Meanwhile, outside the door stood a intrigued saintess and a pacing hero.
"Haa."
The saintess scowled at the man's sigh—she'd heard it dozens of times already.
"Quit sighing so loud. It's annoying."
"How can I? Ariel's alone in her room with a guy."
"Bullshit. Has she never been alone with a man before? You've done it plenty."
"Ugh. But back then it was always… A-And this time's different!"
"What's so special about her room? You know nothing about Ariel, Belatant."
"……."
Belatant, the hero smitten with Ariel Grande, clamped his mouth shut at Saintess Kim Hansol's sharp words.
She wasn't wrong.
Even he, who prided himself on knowing her best among men, knew her room or not didn't matter much. Ariel had never shown interest in romance.
R-Right. No way she'd fall for a punk like that. I've been by her side for years—after just four or five meetings!
Hansol stifled a giggle at his obvious thoughts.
Idiot. He knows her the least, really. I'd help if he manned up and confessed, but no chance.
The saintess didn't like Belatant much.
So she felt no pity.
If anything, after years with Ariel, he was the fool for not truly understanding her. A guy who couldn't read the woman he liked was pathetic.
"…So why'd you come, Saintess Hansol? If you're not worried."
"To stop you from doing something stupid?"
"Pardon? What do you—"
Belatant's baffled look froze as the door opened.
Han Siu emerged, greeted by the room's owner, and paused at the sight of the saintess and hero lurking outside.
It wasn't coincidence—their expressions were off, and they clearly knew about his visit.
Worried about her?
"Something wrong?"
Ariel stepped out half a pace ahead of him, addressing them.
"Uh, n-no! We were just… passing by!"
Belatant bolted in a panic.
The remaining trio watched the fleeing male hero's back with bemusement before shrugging it off. No point chasing someone who'd run, and Han Siu had a packed schedule anyway.
"Well, I'll head out then."
"Ah, sure. Take care."
"No telling when we'll meet next, but stay well."
"…Yeah."
Their exchange seemed ordinary, but sharp-eyed Hansol caught the subtle vibe. Her instinct as Ariel's closest friend.
Han Siu departed down the opposite hall. The silver-haired hero and black-haired saintess entered the room together. Before Ariel could ask why she'd come, Hansol struck first.
"What happened?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Looked like something went down in there."
"I-I have no idea what you're talking about."
Ariel stammered.
Hansol's eyes sparkled.
"There was. You two were in there, what, 40? 50 minutes? Hehe, plenty of time for something."
"…R-Really, nothing happened. Just continuing our earlier talk…"
"For real?"
"……."
Ariel unwittingly averted her gaze.
She was terrible at lying—especially to her best friend. Unable to flat-out deny it, she mumbled her lips before spilling what happened moments ago.
Shocking her friend.
"…What? A k-kiss?!"
"N-No! It was an accident—we bumped…"
"That doesn't even make sense!"
Hansol yelled.
She'd slipped while standing, pitched forward, and their lips collided?
Even cartoons from her past life didn't pull that. A guy accidentally groping a girl's chest at a street corner felt more plausible.
"H-How do you even do that?!"
Ariel felt wronged.
She'd firmly believed it was just that.
The thought that Han Siu might have orchestrated it never crossed her mind.
And there was something she couldn't tell Hansol.
Ugh, I let my guard down… How could I call Han Siu 'Daddy' just because I felt comfortable…
Was it her own room? Or because she relaxed around him? She'd slipped up verbally. His expression at that moment had been too tangled with emotions to read. It only muddled her mind more.
A kiss… If it wasn't an accident…
Her friend wore the face of a woman, not a hero.
Hansol felt jealous, like her bestie was being stolen.
"Dares to kiss my Ariel? An 'accident'? Pisses me off. Just try it again."
"…Probably won't see him for a while."
"Huh? Why?"
"He's heading back soon. And we have missions."
"Ah…."
Hero Ariel and Saintess Kim Hansol felt regret for different reasons.
Their next meeting felt distant.