Chapter 259: Going Home… (1)
Chapter 259: Going Home… (1)
I wanted to express my joy at Un-ho’s resurrection, but the only thing I had really done for him was ensure he wasn't squeezed dry.
Un-ho didn't even seem to realize he had died.
From just a brief conversation, it was easy to tell that he harbored no ill will toward the Guardian Corps or Par. Since he knew he had blocked an attack, he simply understood it as having sustained a major injury that had since been healed.
I felt like I should point out the error in his logic.
But the way The Queen had been snickering earlier left a bad taste in my mouth.
Besides, there didn't seem to be any real need to tell him. I decided to keep that truth buried in my heart.
“By the way, I couldn't ask earlier because I was busy eating, but who ended up winning the battle?”
Our reunion over, Un-ho asked me this as we headed toward the accommodations provided by the Guardian Corps.
“…Who knows?”
Who did win, really?
Had that battle even been valid in the first place?
Actually, it didn't seem to matter.
What meaning was there in a fight where even the judge was cheating? It was a field I no longer cared about. I had completely forgotten to even ask anyone—whether The Queen or the Guardian Corps—about the outcome.
“Uuuu… then what if I get elected? We don't know when the next election will be, and I can't stay here forever.”
Un-ho seemed genuinely worried about it, circling around my shoulders and tickling my neck.
As if.
Whether it was the Guardian Corps, the Election Committee, or that twisted Queen of the Nether.
If any of them had a sane bone in their body, they would never let you take the position.
There’s a limit to how much things can spiral out of control; that would be a mess beyond salvaging.
“The last person standing is the winner, so at least it’s not us.”
Un-ho had died.
I had been dragged away by The Queen, leaving the battlefield.
I didn't know what happened to Al’shel, but I doubted he went around beating the kids up in that chaos.
He had no reason to.
“Uuuu. I guess so? They wouldn't force someone who doesn't want to do it, right?”
Sure. Right. Of course.
With those words, I entered the hotel the Guardian Corps had mentioned.
The hotel was quite luxurious.
To be specific, a bellboy greeted us the moment we stepped inside.
The stone floors were polished to such a high gloss they reflected the light.
Next to the lobby was a bar ready to serve welcome drinks garnished with fruit. It was that kind of high-end hotel.
Crossing that grand space, I spoke to the staff member sitting behind the lobby desk.
“A room. I believe one was reserved.”
“Yes, may I have your name?”
At my words, the desk clerk moved with perfect etiquette, bringing up a transparent display in the air.
“It should be under Lee Ha-ram or Un-ho.”
I replied with equal politeness.
I hadn't heard whose name the reservation was under.
It had to be one of the two.
“Yes, Ms. Lee Ha-ram. Confirmed. You are in Room 1301, and your companion has already taken The Key.”
Companion? Was it Al’shel?
“By any chance, did that companion have a bunch of tentacles on his face?”
“Yes, that was his appearance.”
That’s him.
Confirmation complete, I stepped away from the desk and moved toward the cylindrical Teleportation Device—something I had seen several times since coming to this world.
“I hope you have a pleasant rest.”
The desk clerk offered a parting greeting.
I didn't respond.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
Only Un-ho, perched on my shoulder, turned around to wave.
Then, a fairy staff member flew over and handed me a Welcome Drink.
I took it, gave a slight nod of thanks, and continued walking toward the Teleportation Device.
Perhaps my behavior seemed strange.
“Ha-ram. Why are you being so stiff?”
Having finished the fruit and shoved the straw into his mouth, Un-ho questioned me.
“…What do you mean, stiff?”
I knew exactly what he meant, but the words slipped out naturally because I wanted to deny my current state.
“Well, you’re all tense, like you’ve just gone through something huge…”
“I’m the same as always.”
To prove it, I widened my stride, which even I realized had become a bit narrow.
“Hmm… I don't think so.”
Un-ho whispered skeptically against my neck.
I shut my mouth, not wanting to give him any more room to talk.
To be honest.
It was true that I was tense.
It was true that my behavior was strange.
And I knew exactly why.
To summarize:
‘How the hell am I supposed to act in a place like this?’
That was the thought.
I understood that the Guardian Corps and The Queen were high-ranking figures.
But still.
Couldn't they have picked a slightly more normal place out of consideration for their guest?
Somewhere just moderately high-end.
Should I have tipped the desk clerk or the fairy who brought the drink?
The bellboy had rushed out even though I had no luggage. Should I have said something beforehand to stop him?
Does this world even have a tipping culture?
When I was doing spy work, I was trained that leaving a one or five-dollar bill was the best way to avoid notice, but…
High society is just… I don't know.
It was like this at the restaurant, and now even the hotel is screwing with me.
Maybe this is another one of The Queen’s traps to make a fool out of me.
Meaningless thoughts like these swirled in my head.
But I didn't want Un-ho to catch on.
I quickened my pace.
* * *
“Hmph. You’ve returned safely, I see.”
When I knocked on the hotel room door, those were the first words out of the octopus’s mouth as he opened it.
“Honestly, I wouldn't say ‘safely’… but well, I managed to bring my body back in one piece.”
“We’re back safe and sound!”
I didn't die, so that counts.
Ah… well, Un-ho did die.
But he’s resurrected now, so let’s call it even.
“I see. That is a relief. I did everything I could before handing things over to Captain Af, but to be honest, I wasn't certain things would work out.”
As he spoke, Al’shel realized he was blocking the doorway and stepped aside to let us in.
I walked into the room as if in a trance.
The hotel room was the epitome of modern luxury.
If the luxury shown in The Queen’s castle was medieval and artistic, the luxury of this hotel was—I’m not sure if this is the right word—modern.
A simple elegance created by the harmony of neutral colors and straight lines.
And there, as the centerpiece, was a beige bed.
The moment I saw it, the tension that had been holding me together snapped, and fatigue began to pour over me like a tidal wave.
A lot had happened.
The Queen’s castle was enemy territory, so I couldn't let my guard down.
Even while joking.
Even while eating.
I had constantly watched every move of the Guardian Corps and The Queen.
It was the same while walking to the hotel.
From the moment I realized that a few minor things had created such a massive plan since I arrived in this world, I had no choice but to be wary of everything.
Having reached the soft-looking bed with my nerves frayed, I let go of my tension as if possessed.
“Poyo?”
I set Un-ho down on the side table.
Then, I dove straight onto the bed.
It wasn't so soft that I sank completely, but it was a good bed that supported my entire body evenly with varying degrees of recoil.
Cradled by it, I looked back on everything that had happened after the battle.
Un-ho’s death.
The Limiter Release that surpassed even the Guardian Corps, sacrificing my very essence.
The meeting with the true End afterward.
The shocking exchange of information.
And the identity of those within me.
It was a shame I didn't find out the cause.
But I suppose I can be satisfied with this much.
With that thought, I wrapped the blanket around myself.
I felt the plushness of the bed.
Of course, I knew I shouldn't let my guard down completely.
This was still the Magic Kingdom.
Their world.
However, Un-ho was here, and so was Al’shel.
This was the one place in this world where my only two allies were gathered.
If I were being generous, I could count Af as an ally, but that person was just a principle-driven efficiency expert. Calling her an ally felt a bit off.
Just as I was about to fall into a deep sleep.
I remembered something that should take priority over everything else.
Face buried in the pillow, I opened my mouth.
“Hey, Al’shel.”
“What is it?”
“Uh. You know. Thanks.”
I knew it wasn't like me, but I expressed it with a hint of sincerity.
“Pardon? What kind of scheme are you cooking up this time?”
Of course, our resident octopus, as always, couldn't just accept my sincerity and spat out a wary response.
But given my usual behavior, I took it as a given and continued.
“No, really, thank you. If it wasn't for your assist, everything would have gone to hell by now.”
I might have gotten what I wanted.
But I would have had to cut something away again.
It wasn't a perfect result, but the fact that I got what I wanted without having to sacrifice anything was entirely thanks to Al’shel’s assist.
That was why.
For once, I didn't get angry at Al’shel’s accusatory attitude.
I offered him my heartfelt gratitude.
Receiving it, Al’shel looked uncomfortable, scratching the back of his head as he gulped down some water.
He moistened his throat, stared into space for a moment, and then spoke.
“No. It was largely my fault that the situation escalated so much. I have always called myself an expert in planning and magic, but in reality, I have done nothing but be played with since coming to this Magic Kingdom. I failed to notice that I was caught in such manipulation. If I had only realized it sooner, that situation would never have occurred.”
Sure, sure.
Everything is your fault.
Al’shel was blaming himself.
But this situation was everyone’s fault.
“In a war… getting caught in unexpected situations is common. What you do in that moment has nothing to do with whose fault it is…”
Even if someone makes a mistake.
It’s only natural.
Humans make mistakes, and that’s why they form teams and groups—to cover for those mistakes.
We all made mistakes.
In a situation where the team almost collapsed, everyone did their best.
And Al’shel fulfilled his role.
That alone was more than enough reason to be thankful.
“So, I’ll say it again. Thanks, Al’shel.”
After saying that with all my heart.
Without even waiting for Al’shel’s answer.
I drifted off toward the far reaches of consciousness.
Letting go of all wariness.
Into a happy sleep.
…Or so I wished.
Knock, knock.
Hearing the sound of knocking.
I immediately threw off my drowsiness and sprang from the bed.
“…Who is it?”
“Who is it? Poyo.”
Two contrasting reactions to the knock.
Al’shel, who still viewed this place as enemy territory, and Un-ho, who was still relaxed despite having died once.
Amidst those two questions.
“Is Ms. Lee Ha-ram there? It’s me. Ronia. I’ve come to have a brief chat.”
Ronia?
At that answer, I immediately approached the door and looked through the small peephole.
I saw something completely different from the Ronia I knew.
A fairy with white wings.
In other words, one fairy presumed to be Ronia.
And sitting on top of its head.
A White Pig with white wings.
The Ronia I knew.
After confirming that.
I immediately stepped away from the door, pressed my back against the hallway wall next to it.
I spoke quietly toward the interior of the room.
“Al’shel, anything suspicious nearby?”
Understanding my intent, Al’shel quietly generated a Magic Circle and deployed a spell, returning an answer shortly after.
“No unusual entities observed other than Ronia in front of the door.”
“Then keep checking. I’m going to open the door.”
“Understood.”
Nothing suspicious, then.
Well. Let’s see what kind of nerve brought them all the way here.
With that thought, I opened the door to greet Ronia.