Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: 9. Sylvia (6)
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"Ian...."
Sylvia called out in a trembling voice.
Despite calling his name so preciously, she couldn't speak softly.
"Good? Living like this without me, you look good.... Yeah...."
A murmur laced with love and hate.
Ian checked on his sleeping companions while listening.
They should have woken by now, but there was no sign of it.
This was Aria's barrier.
A protective ward blocking all presence across the entire tent.
"Please state your business."
"Is that important right now?!"
Sylvia shot to her feet.
Aria's barrier couldn't keep Kati out.
The startled Kati reverted to her human form.
Ian's arm blocked her as she moved to step forward.
"It's fine. Stay put."
"......"
Kati slowly withdrew the hand she'd placed on her sword.
Sylvia ignored her completely, staring down at Ian.
That gaze alone made Ian's fingertips ache.
"Do I need a reason to come see you...?"
Words she'd rehearsed on the way here to argue with him.
And the purpose and reason for her visit.
Sylvia had forgotten it all.
Ian scratched his forehead in annoyance.
"As I said, I don't have much time. Get to the point."
"...Fine. I'll tell you. That mage Vivian you found? I came to kill her. How does that feel?"
Kati's hand went back to her sword.
At Sylvia's provocation, Ian's expression crumpled for a brief moment.
Before Sylvia could gloat, he regained his composure.
"Kill her."
"...What?"
"If that's why you came, how could I stop you?"
There was no hint of sarcasm.
It was simply the plain truth.
If Sylvia insisted, Ian had no way to interfere.
"But."
He couldn't stop her.
"If you do, I'll take at least one arm in exchange."
That much, he could manage.
"What did you say...?"
"Exactly what I said. One arm from our worthless side compared to yours. Not exactly an even trade."
Sylvia collapsed into her seat.
Ian, ripping off her arm.
She couldn't believe he meant it sincerely.
Just imagining it made nausea surge up.
Ian, trying to harm her...
'I, I just wanted you to...'
Aria spoke up in Sylvia's dazed silence.
"Ian."
Ian's gaze turned to Aria.
It was dry.
"That's..."
The words wouldn't come easily.
Ian glanced at the hourglass.
"The 1st Party... something's off. Hard to say exactly, but we took an A-rank dungeon recently..."
Ian listened quietly.
Not because he wanted to hear Aria out.
He was simply honoring the agreed five minutes.
"...That's why we came to you. Thought you might have answers."
"I understand the situation, but it's not for me to solve."
"...Pardon?"
"I was your manager once, yes. But Penny's in charge now, isn't she?"
"Penny said she doesn't know."
"Then neither do I."
"You think that makes sense?"
Irritation crept into Aria's voice.
"As I said, I'm your former manager. We spent a long time together. But I have no idea your current state."
"If you did, would you tell us?"
"Giving advice to another party without permission is disrespectful to their manager."
"Then what are we supposed to do!"
Aria snapped irritably.
It was a rebuke toward someone failing at their basic duties.
Ian let out a hollow laugh.
"That's exactly what I want to say. I have no idea what you're asking of me. And besides."
Ian shrugged.
"I'm not connected to you anymore."
There was no need to help.
"We were just a manager and heroes whose goals aligned temporarily. That's over now."
An utterly businesslike, dry response.
It was Ian's own training method—the one that had built the 1st Party.
Sharing it would be like handing his proprietary know-how to another party for free.
No manager of note would do something so foolish.
It wasn't sarcasm or lingering grudge.
Pure pragmatism.
"Time's up. Please leave."
The sand had run out.
Sylvia lurched to her feet.
"Ian, I'm sorry.... I, I'm really sorry. Please? Don't look at me like that.... Don't call me Sylvia, okay...?"
In desperation, Sylvia flattened herself pleadingly over the table.
Her glossy navy hair fell into disarray, and the face famous for its icy beauty twisted in pathos.
Ian didn't look—time was up.
"Ian, I'm begging you, please? You don't have to love me anymore, so... please...."
Her trembling hand inched slowly toward Ian.
Kati's fingers twitched on the dagger's hilt.
Since Ian had stopped her once, she'd hold until given the order.
"I, I really messed up.... Sorry, I'm sorry.... So please, sob.... Just once more... please...."
Aria was the one who blocked Sylvia.
"...Let's go."
"Aria...? Why? We haven't finished talking... "
"No. We're done."
Aria took Sylvia's hand and pulled her up.
"N-no, I can't.... Not yet...."
"Sylvia. It's over. Done."
"Over...?"
Ignoring the stunned Sylvia, Aria glared at Ian.
He tapped his quill against the paper, lost in thought.
Aria's gaze flicked to the tent at the back, then returned to Ian.
"We'll see how well you do."
Aria left those words and led Sylvia away.
"No, don't, Aria...!"
As she was dragged off, Sylvia alternated looks between Ian and Aria.
Ian never once glanced her way.
She needed to break free from Aria, but her body had no strength.
It had been like that for a while.
Just standing and breathing was all she could manage.
"Let go...! I can't leave yet...! Please, pleeease.... Ian, I'm sorry.... Sob.... Hic...."
A burst of sobs choked her throat, cutting off her words.
She truly couldn't leave yet—it was true.
They'd come seeking a solution to the 1st Party's subtle performance dip, but gotten nothing from Ian.
But convincing him now was impossible.
'I could force it...'
But only if she'd come alone.
Judging by Sylvia's state, if Aria showed killing intent, she'd rampage to protect Ian.
And afterward, try to slaughter everyone but him.
'Knew she was obsessed with Ian, but didn't expect her to crumble this easily...'
The 1st Party couldn't gauge the gaps in their strengths.
With Sylvia, Ian, and Kati joining in, even Aria would lose.
She'd planned to intimidate Ian alongside Sylvia if needed.
Didn't expect Sylvia to fold immediately.
Thought she'd lunge instead.
'Shouldn't have chased him off—should've destroyed him...'
Too precious to smash, so she'd distanced him instead. Now this absurd reality mocked her.
'What now...'
Nothing gained from Ian.
Was heading back empty-handed the right call?
If Ian had shown anger or sadness, she could've kept talking.
But facing his wall-like demeanor froze her thoughts.
She registered him as someone incapable of dialogue.
'A way to pry open Ian's mouth...'
She'd think on the way back.
Nothing doable with Sylvia in tow right now.
'Kaily's a maybe. Beatrice might cooperate.'
Penny'd been unreliable lately, but still an option.
'If Penny learns Ian has the answer, she'll take action.'
Aria had no attention for the sniffling Sylvia being dragged along.
Her mind brimmed with stray thoughts.
'Ian...'
She recalled their first meeting at Agnes Abbey—the moment distracted her as she tried to push it away.
'Right. You've fulfilled your function.'
No lingering interest in a machine that had served its purpose.
Discard it, abandon it, or smash it.
Was Ian exceptional?
True—he'd scouted and raised the 1st Party.
But even so, reassembling talents on their level was impossible.
Four historical rarities.
That was the 1st Hero Party.
'I know Ian's dream well...'
Defeating the Demon King.
But was blocking it meaningful?
What value in that revenge?
Subjugating the Demon King was everyone's aspiration to begin with.
Even Aria's own.
She'd grown greedy for what came after slaying him...
Killing Ian might make for better revenge.
But that'd be pointless murder too.
'...Tenacious bastard.'
Aria walked on, unable to decide.
"Ian...."
Sylvia sobbed and murmured his name the whole way.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Once Sylvia and Aria were gone, Kati hugged Ian from behind.
Sudden, but Ian wasn't startled.
"Master...."
"Yeah?"
"...Are you alright?"
"Me? Yeah, fine."
Even as he said it, Ian's fingertips trembled faintly.
Seeing this, Kati rarely furrowed her brow.
Facing the immense presence of the 1st Party alone crushed him with instinctive dread.
His position—enduring that from the very ones he'd raised—his fragility was heartbreaking.
"I... I'm not alright...."
Kati could hold her own against one from the 1st Party if she staked her life.
But that was the limit.
Victory impossible.
Especially against two.
If she honed her demonkin instincts fully now, maybe.
But she feared losing recognition of Ian in the process.
Ian's weakness was pitiable.
Hers was horrifying.
"So... just a bit longer..., like this...."
Still hugging from behind, Kati buried her face in Ian's shoulder.
"...Yeah."
As a demonkin—and weaker than them—she couldn't fill Sylvia's void or the 1st Party's absence.
Even as a substitute, if she could mend Ian's heart, that'd suffice.
Yet Kati resented the world's cruelty, and loathed Sylvia.
Sylvia already clutched what Kati could never attain, no matter her efforts.
She could've drawn close to Ian with minimal try.
Then tore his love out, chewed it to bits, and spat it back.
After inflicting such wounds, she poked at them now—revolting enough to kill for.
If Kati were in Sylvia's place, she'd never hurt Ian like that.
Just imagining him in pain stopped her heart—she'd rather suffer it herself.
She bit with careful control, always gauging his reaction.
How could Sylvia dare do otherwise...?
"I'm sorry...."
"Why are you sorry?"
Ian smiled bitterly and pulled out a sugar stick with his trembling hand, dissolving it in water.
He was always like this.
Not unbreakable.
Not emotionless.
Simply accustomed to hiding, never showing.
Infinitely fragile, unable to bare himself.
Even trembling with betrayal.
Even stomach churning at threats to his comrades.
Knowing any hint of turmoil would invite attack, he feigned strength—a precarious act.
Thus all the more precious, worth protecting—yet beyond her power alone.
"I'm... sorry...."
Kati hugged him tighter.
"...Thanks."
Ian smiled faintly.
Thin raindrops began to fall one by one.
Kati held on for a long time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Something happen last night?"
Vivian asked in the morning.
"...No?"
"Hmm, really? Felt like someone came while I was dozing."
"Probably me staying up late. Sorry if it bothered you."
"No need. What for? Could've been the rain."
Fortunately, Vivian hadn't noticed.
Mercy had.
"You okay?"
She whispered cautiously.
"You know me too well."
"Hehe, be grateful. All for your sake."
Mercy grinned playfully right away.
"Come on, perfect time for cuddles. Lean into this bosom."
"Uh, Vivian, I'll handle that cleanup, leave it."
"Don't ignore me!"
"Did I?"
"Hmph. Won't hug you next time even if you beg."
"Won't happen."
She'd done it deliberately for me—pure gratitude.
Bedhead Marie scratched her hair as she woke.
"...Ah. Finally leaving, huh."
As she said.
The day to depart MacDullin Abbey had arrived.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The rain from last night had stopped by morning.
"Ian! Good morning!"
I met Helena at the abbey entrance.
Rachel hid behind her.
"Rachel wants to come too—is that okay?!"
"Think it'll be?"
"Knew it!"
...Ah. Just want to bonk her head once.
Rachel peeked regretfully from behind Helena, bowing her head.
I didn't know their exact relationship, but Rachel aspired to heroism following Helena.
I didn't mind, but couldn't handle two on my own.
Still, Rachel was Helena's sole friend and the abbey's number two in skill.
For future wars, more allies were better—and for Helena's sake, keeping her close seemed good...
"Ahem, khm. Hmchah!"
Marie made bizarre noises beside me.
Ah, right—Marie had her eye on Rachel.
Rachel tilted her head at Marie a few times.
"Uh.... Ah, Marie? That you?"
Marie had met Rachel before during interviews.
"The one who vouched for Salome last time..."
"Yep, that's me—Marie. Managers' Guild manager here scouting priests, best friend to Ian who's Helena's party manager."
"......"
"What?"
"Didn't say a word."
Rachel's eyes sparkled as she asked.
"So, what about me?"
"Well, if you want it that bad, guess I gratefully accept."
"Yay...! Oh yeah, thanks for last time."
Rachel beamed; Marie nodded smugly.
Now Rachel would follow Marie, Helena me—off to Superbia separately.
Before boarding the carriage, Helena and Rachel hugged amid tears.
Like they'd never meet again, they bid a fervent farewell.
Meanwhile, Marie and I chatted briefly.
"Gonna be busy back home."
"Ugh, yeah. Rachel's a temp hero, but the others are far off. You staying at the training camp, Ian?"
"For now. Best spot in Superbia for group living."
"True. Guild's a pain, but lodgings are decent. Can I visit?"
"Sure. C Block 302, 303."
"I'm A-104. My kids in 202."
"No 104, head to 202 then."
"Nah? Sneak in sometimes to help the kids without me knowing."
We both chuckled at the silly joke.
"Gotta be sneaky not to get caught."
"Ian?"
Mercy called out abruptly.
"Yeah?"
"Bandits to the northwest..."
Mercy heard the forest's voice.
More precisely, she could communicate with beasts and insects in the woods.
She'd probably sensed last night's intrusion thanks to that too.
"...Bandits?"
Memory Correction held such a scene.
Helena fighting bandit scum.
"Why here?"
"Um. Says they're here to ambush public exam spectators."
Ah.
I'd pulled it forward, but the public exam was originally today.
Bandits lying in wait to hit the guests—that their plan.
Memory Correction's matched the context.
"How many?"
"15. Arms are... crude."
Back then it was a public fundraiser—more loot, bigger gang.
15 was doable with the abbey's forces alone.
I relayed Mercy's intel to the holy knights.
They'd handle it.
Helena and Rachel's farewell reached its end.
"Rachel.... Stay healthy, you have to...!"
"Yeah, Helen too...! Let's meet sometimes in Superbia...!"
"Of course...!"
...Same destination anyway—no need for all that.
Still, after their passionate display of friendship, the two girls finally parted.
Marie and I headed our separate ways.
Till the end, Helena and Rachel turned back repeatedly to reaffirm their bond.
Spring's close, two girls welcoming summer—grandly vowing futures...
"Hm...."
Or so.
Helena and Rachel sat side-by-side in the carriage seats, heads turned toward each other.
I sat opposite with Vivian.
Mercy in fairy form and Kati as a cat stayed with me.
"......"
Last night's rain had wrecked Marie's carriage.
So we all piled into mine.
"......"
The two girls who'd bid such a hot farewell now sat shoulder-to-shoulder.
They'd started facing each other but switched—either way, same issue.
"......"
A murderous awkwardness filled the carriage.
Even brazen Marie was speechless in this.
(She sat on Rachel's lap, for the record.)
"......"
...Wanted to pass out.
Wake up arrived.
Perfect.
"Ah, um. Weather's nice and warm, huh? Summer already? Ha, haha...!"
Vivian desperately tried breaking the ice.
"The forest is so green! R-right, Ian?"
Predictably, no dice.
"W-wow! The branches are brown!"
Please, just... quiet...
"...Sorry."
"......"
Strawberry-red Vivian squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head.
Everyone in the carriage shared her shame.
"......"
Only the carriage rumble echoed in the silence.
Suffocating...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Guhk-!"
In a lavish banquet hall.
A man slumped after a dinner knife plunged into his shoulder.
"Kyaaak-!"
Onlookers screamed.
The culprit.
Drunken Kaily stared down at him in panic.
She hadn't restrained her booze-fueled excitement and stabbed a civilian.
'I...'
All faces turned to her in horror.
Yet none dared rebuke her.
She was, after all, of the 1st Hero Party.
In that contradictory air, Kaily snapped irritably.
"...All of you, get out."