Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Vivian and the Children (2)
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By the time I received the letter from the Emperor, dinner was winding down.
I temporarily borrowed Vivian from the kids.
With Mercy and Kati there too, I explained what was up.
"I've got somewhere to go for a bit."
"Where are you headed?"
Vivian asked.
Should I even tell her this...?
Even though I was the former manager of the 1st Party, saying the Emperor himself summoned me might come off weird.
It wouldn't matter if she knew I was Philip.
The issue was that it didn't bother me, but it might burden her.
Better not say anything for now.
"A lot of people are looking for me. I've got to visit a few places."
Vivian nodded, seeming to accept the vague explanation.
Mercy appeared to pick up on the situation right away.
"It'll take a day, maybe two. Keep an eye on the kids. The backyard here's plenty big for training. I'll come straight back once I'm done."
"Got it."
"Yeah, yeah."
Business announced. Now for the main point.
I pulled a ring from my sub-space pouch.
A unique design: two black snakes coiled around each other, each biting the other's tail.
"Kati, hand."
Kati obediently extended her left hand, and I slipped the ring onto her index finger.
"......"
Well, tried to.
Kati subtly shifted her hand, nudging the ring toward her ring finger.
When I tried the index again, she dodged to the ring finger once more.
"...You wanna get in trouble?"
Kati shook her head and meekly let me put it on her index finger.
"Oh, um, what was I just...?"
Vivian muttered to herself, her face flushing red all alone.
"I can guess what you're imagining, but it's not that."
I took another ring from the pouch.
Identical to the one Kati wore, but with white snakes.
This one's for me.
"If anything happens while I'm gone, or if you need to tell me something, just tell Kati."
Vivian tilted her head, not getting it.
"Anyone wearing these rings can communicate telepathically, no matter the distance."
It's an artifact called the "Ring of Subordination," infused with telepathy magic.
True to its name, the two rings recognize their first wearers as master and servant, binding them.
You can take them off and on freely, but they won't work for anyone else.
Only the original master-servant pair can activate them when worn properly.
As long as they're wearing them, unrestricted telepathy flows between them.
There's one other function, but hopefully, I'll never need it.
"Something like that works?"
"That's what artifacts do."
"An, an artifact?!"
Vivian was floored.
Hidden items with unknown powers scattered across the world.
Collectively called "hidden pieces," those with special magical functions are known as "artifacts."
The 1st Party members each have a few, but artifacts aren't exactly common.
"As expected of the 1st Hero Party Manager... I, I really feel like I'm with someone incredible now..."
Hmm.
I wondered what reaction she'd have if I handed her an artifact.
Not the right time yet, though.
Giving her one now would make her too reliant on gear. Better after her skills improve.
"Anyway, if you need to say something, go through Kati."
"Okay."
"Don't worry, just go."
"Oh, Mercy. There's jelly in the kitchen. Cut it up once it cools, roll it in sugar, and share. I'll leave the sugar behind."
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
Mercy briefly explained the jelly to a puzzled Vivian.
Finally, Kati said goodbye to me.
"...Have a safe trip."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After Ian left, Vivian finished her workout and spent time with the kids.
Mercy brought out small green cube-shaped jellies from the kitchen midway, and they all shared them.
Chewy and sweet—a dessert she'd never tasted before.
Ian had prepared it too, filling Vivian with incomparable gratitude.
Vivian and the kids munched on the jelly, chattering nonstop.
The kids did most of the talking.
After a month apart, they had so much to say, chirping away without pause.
Vivian didn't miss a word.
Part of it was regret that she'd see even less of them once she left for good.
But mostly joy at seeing them so healthy and excited.
"So then, the nun..."
The people at the abbey treated the kids well too.
The nuns' gentle smiles and relaxed movements exuded warm personalities.
That warmth deepened around the children.
A good place with good people looking after them.
They even gave the kids basic education.
Religion classes included, but she didn't mind.
Vivian wasn't devout, but she believed in the Holy Flame Church's god.
Ian, distrusting gods in this world, was the rare one.
The classes weren't mandatory anyway.
Just being safe, with good company, never hungry—that was plenty.
"Sis. Tell us about the exam."
Emma, on her lap, wheedled.
Emma had stopped clinging or whining like a kid at some point.
Since adolescence, when the village chief abused her under the guise of training.
It pained Vivian, but she was powerless to fix it.
Today, though, Emma had shyly asked to sit on her lap.
That sudden cuteness made Vivian hug her tight.
"Huh, come to think of it, I never told you about the exam?"
The kids' eyes locked onto Vivian.
She sometimes told them folktales or fairy tales.
The most frequent was "The Beggar Girl Sylvia and Philip."
As usual, Vivian shifted into storyteller mode, voice full of excitement.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When the tale finally ended, the kids were moved and thrilled.
Vivian felt embarrassed turning her story into a heroic epic, but held back for their smiles.
"Cooler than Sylvia's story!"
The others chimed in.
"Yeah, totally!"
Only then did Vivian compare her tale to Sylvia's.
After a hard fight, facing a giant slime.
Sylvia took down a Big Slime with one Ice Spear.
Vivian burst a massive slime—unfamiliarly huge—with a giant Ice Spear.
Comparing them, a smug thought flashed: she might be better than Sylvia.
Her face heated recalling when she'd yelled Sylvia was a total hack.
'N-no...! Not that bad... It was just a penalty...'
Surprised, but not unhappy.
Really weird.
Felix's words had made her admit she wasn't Sylvia, unworthy even of Hero candidacy.
But now, with Ian.
For a moment, she dared think she might surpass Sylvia.
'...Amazing.'
Just one person changed.
And everything felt okay different.
Hard to believe such luck hit her.
"Vivian sis is awesome!"
"Big sis rocks!"
Vivian swallowed her surging emotions and smiled brightly.
"Thanks."
Her gaze shifted to Mercy amid the kids, listening along.
The elf who teased, comforted, and cheered her in this unfamiliar place.
And far off, Kati blankly staring at her ring.
No chats, but Vivian felt Kati's support and acceptance.
If only a little.
Mercy, Kati, this Agnes Abbey.
Ian at the center.
'So many good people around Ian.'
And surely, Ian at the center had to be good too.
People are unknowable even after years, but this much? Safe to trust.
That led to another question.
'Why'd the 1st Party kick him out?'
Hard to grasp.
How could such a good guy get booted?
Ian had said he was "kicked out," not that he left.
'...No idea.'
He probably wasn't at peace about it.
So she had to work harder, follow diligently.
If that's what he wanted, she'd do it gladly.
'No matter what, I won't kick Ian out.'
A bit silly vow.
She'd already received so much from him she could never repay.
If he banished her later, fine—but her banishing him? Absurd.
'Still, gotta keep the gratitude fresh. Hearts change who knows.'
So even without him here, Vivian etched all his gifts deep in her heart.
Money for food, shelter, clothes.
Time and knowledge for training.
Passing the Temporary Hero exam.
Safe haven for the kids.
Never forget.
'Maybe, just maybe...'
This luck might lead to happiness.
That hope sprouted too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Emperor of the Pride Empire.
Julianus Apostata Humil.
Known as "Emperor Julianus," he sat on his throne, gazing down at the kneeling man.
"Your Imperial Majesty."
Formal and polite, but no respect.
He was always like that.
He knew manners, showed respect, but never true reverence.
Their first meeting was deeply unpleasant.
Though the Emperor's power was then a shadow of its name.
Still, he ruled the Empire.
Yet this man showed no glory or deference.
Not that he belittled anyone.
Even now, with the Empire's might restored, he remained unchanged.
Just an impassive man, face matching his demeanor.
Treating all equally.
At first, using knowledge of imperial secrets as pretext, the Emperor tried to kill him.
But the assassins were all slain by him in turn; only one returned with a message.
"You can decide my fate after hearing me out."
Couldn't ignore—the secrets he knew were all true.
He introduced himself as a prophet to the Emperor, saying:
"The one betrothed to the Crown Prince is a key figure in half the rebel forces. Infiltrating the imperial house to build treason's foundation..."
Verified: true.
"The Princess's fiancé is an assassin from the recently collapsed rebel faction."
Second warning: also true.
With demons and dungeons threatening, the Empire sought marriage alliances with powerful royals for support—but all missteps.
Without those warnings, the Empire's fate unknown.
(Post-broken engagement, the Princess fell hard for him—now the Emperor's and his new headache.)
Anyway.
With two prophecies hit, he earned the Emperor's trust and pursued his goals.
He continued advising on futures, averting disasters each time.
Deservedly received an edict granting near-royal treatment.
Later, with the Pope's agreement, a magically sealed stamp affirming his status and authority from both groups.
The man who created the current "Hero" system and "1st Hero Party."
Imperial family calls him "prophet" for foresight.
That man stood before the Emperor now.
The one kicked from humanity's hope, the Empire's vanguard: the 1st Party.
The true name of the rumored "Philip."
Hiding complex feelings, the Emperor called sternly.
"Ian."
"...Yes."
Ian slowly raised his head, meeting the Emperor's eyes.