< Chapter 141: Development (1) >
After Yu Hwa left.
I was sitting blankly in the living room, lost in thought.
Yu Hwa’s words, saying she doesn’t care what my secret is, still remain in my heart like red lettering.
Even if she finds out about the countless lies I’ve told so far, wouldn’t her trust change?
I gave a bitter smile and shook my head.
There’s no way.
The greater the trust, the greater the betrayal that will return.
If I put myself in her shoes, I would feel betrayed too.
“…sigh.”
I really have a strong urge to let everything out refreshingly.
I recalled the old saying of the elderly, that one can’t live after committing a sin.
It’s absolutely true.
“Ah…”
Without realizing it, I sighed again.
“Why are you sighing?”
Rena tilted her head while looking at me, asking in Korean.
Perhaps because she is in the midst of learning Korean, she unusually speaks in Korean.
Maybe because she has been practicing a lot these days, her pronunciation has improved considerably.
“Just. I have some disturbing matters.”
“Disturbing…?”
She seems to not know the meaning of the word “disturbing.”
— It means “to be disturbed.”
I explained in the Beastmen language.
“Ah!”
Rena nodded her head.
“Why are you disturbed?”
Gently stroking the head of Rena, who was looking up at me from beside me, I responded.
“Hmm.”
At first, she hated it so much, but now she doesn’t show any signs of disliking it. She gets angry if someone other than me touches her head.
It probably means that she has opened her heart to me to a considerable extent.
“Why?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
The princess tilted her head again.
“Anyway, you must already know that the speech style isn’t a dignified speech style, but ordinary honorifics. Are you going to continue using it?”
Rena still sticks to the honorifics that I initially taught her as a joke.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Hmm….”
The princess pursed her lips and lost herself in thought. It was a face that didn’t know how to express her feelings in Korean.
—I heard that in this world, my appearance is the same as a 10-year-old child.
Eventually, she gave up speaking solely in Korean.
—So?
—They say it’s natural for a 10-year-old child to use this kind of speech.
—Hmm. That is true.
—And I heard that in this country, there are no royalty like me. The highest person, the… president? I heard that person also uses honorifics when speaking to the citizens.
—Not just honorifics, but they use extremely respectful language.
Honorable citizens.
The one that starts like that.
— I see such a phrase exists.
The princess cleared her throat grandiosely.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
While the unique unclear pronunciation of a foreigner remained, it was a firm diction.
— When you go to that country, follow the laws of that country. That’s why I decided to stick to using honorifics.
— Oh. Our princess. If you became a king, you would have been a great queen, wouldn’t you?
— Isn’t that a matter of course? Hmm hahaha!
Maybe being open-minded is something like that. I can’t help but feel proud.
— And most importantly, I heard that if the guardian makes a mistake, the person being protected will be the one to get scolded.
— …Hmm? What does that mean?
— That, when we go out together, don’t I look like your younger sister?
— True.
When we go out covering her ears with a hat, nine out of ten would see us as siblings.
— Then, if I speak rudely or act haughtily to others, won’t you be the one getting scolded?
— Ah~ Is that what you meant?
Indeed, if such a situation arises, I might also be pointed at.
Being told things like ‘Teach your family manners properly!’.
…Hmm. But if Rena does that with her appearance, people might just see it as cute banter. They might even like it more.
— Therefore, I resolved to learn honorifics first.
— Kue. Our princess is thinking about me. I’m touched.
I exaggeratedly pretended to wipe away tears. The princess smiled proudly.
—Hmm! I always think about you!
Her appearance was so cute and admirable that I stroked her head again.
— Thank you.
At my words of thanks, the princess laughed bashfully.
We remained like that for quite some time. How much time passed like that?
— Princess.
— Hmm?
Feeling my touch, the princess who was relaxing her body, perked up her ears and looked up at me.
— Don’t you care about my true identity?
— That’s a very sudden question.
The princess looked at me as if it was unexpected.
— To be honest, I’m verrrrrry curious!
She says, putting a strong accent on ‘ver’. It must mean she’s that curious.
— Your existence is a mystery itself. If you say you can answer all my questions, I could ask questions all day.
— …That much?
The princess nodded vigorously.
— But why don’t you ask?
— What do you mean?
— About the things you’re curious about.
— Haven’t I asked? During the last Lucifer incident. How did you knock it down? And you answered. You said you have a special power to use ancient relics. That unsealing me was also part of that power.
— Not that. Other things.
At my words, the princess glares at me with widened eyes.
— If I ask, will you answer?
— Hmm. Let me hear it first. If I can, then I will answer?
— See? This is why I can’t ask questions. The aura that you won’t answer emanates from your whole body.
The princess shook her head vehemently.
— And honestly, it doesn’t matter.
— It doesn’t matter?
— Yeah. My mom said so. Poking around and prying into others’ secrets isn’t something a mature woman does.
— …Didn’t the person who knows that chase me around for 3 days asking how I knocked down Lucifer?
The princess made an embarrassed expression.
— That, that was a too unique event, so I unconsciously…
— Just kidding, just kidding. I know the princess well.
Anyone who knows about Lucifer would have acted like the princess. It was that special of an event.
— So, what did that mature woman say?
I steered the topic back. I wonder what she was about to say.
— Uh…?
The princess was flustered.
She bites her nails with a serious expression.
Her rhythmically moving ears seemed to be claiming ‘I am flustered’.
— I forgot.
Startled.
The princess briefly trembled in her shoulders and ears. It seemed she was hit at the right point.
— It’s because you said something weird!
Her face is red.
She seems quite embarrassed.
— Ah, anyway. What I want to say is this.
With a face that had turned entirely red, she looked straight at me.
— I trust you.
At those words, my eyes widened as much as lamp globes. It was the same phrase I had heard a while ago from Yu Hwa.
— No matter what secrets you are hiding. The fact that you are a good person does not change.
The upright pupils stare straight into my eyes.
— The fact that you are the benefactor who saved me does not change.
A faint smile.
— The fact that you think of me does not change.
With a very bright smile, the princess said.
— So, even if you are harboring some secret, it doesn’t matter to me.
— …What if I turn out to be a bad guy?
— That won’t happen. My eyes are not so blind as to not be able to distinguish between good and bad people.
They were eyes filled with certainty.
— So don’t worry too much.
The princess grabbed both of my cheeks.
— There must be a reason why you can’t reveal your secret~
And then she smiles broadly.
— When that issue is resolved, later on, tell me.
It was a smile that warmed even my heart.
— I will be waiting for that time.
That phrase,
for some reason, resonated deep within me.
“…Thank you.”
To my words, the princess replied in Korean.
“No need to mention it!”
We both laughed for a good while after that.
* * *
That night.
After a quick shower.
I returned to my room after checking on Rena, White Tiger, and Goldie, who were sleeping in the next room one last time.
“I really want to express my gratitude to the princess’s mother.”
And I want to discuss all day how she raised such a wonderful princess.
“I want to apply it after I get married too.”
It’s not easy to have such deep thoughts at the age of 20.
That last remark was truly touching. I was almost moved to tears.
I have been worried about it these days,
especially the words “There must be a reason why you can’t reveal your secret~ ” resonated so well with my current situation that I felt even more emotional.
I realized how happy I am to have someone understand my feelings.
In the midst of being engrossed with the aftershocks of being moved and continually smiling.
“Oh, right.”
I noticed two carriers left beside the bed.
Two ancient relics that Yu Hwa gave and left. I opened the two carriers.
“Michael’s Holy Spear, and the Bloody Sword of Intra-Species Slaughter.”
An ancient relic of the celestial race.
[Michael’s Holy Spear/S-Rank (Ancient Relic)]
An ancient relic of the vampire race.
[Bloody Sword of Intra-Species Slaughter/A-Rank- (Ancient Relic)]
Looking at the two authentication certificates and the status window catalog attached next to the carrier, I smiled bitterly.
“It’s not a coincidence that both weapons have excellent effects in the ‘evil’ attribute.”
Would it have been better to get such weapons before meeting Lucifer?
Thinking so, I shoved the two relics into the ‘Artisan’s Portable Forge’.
I will have to use them wisely later.
“Come to think of it.”
It seems like it’s about time for the Artisan’s Portable Forge to be fully integrated. I used it quite often.
“Lately, it seems like the internal space expansion has stopped….”
The fact that it’s not getting bigger means that the growth has stopped. Does it mean it’s getting closer to full integration?
I casually took off the tracksuit I was wearing and checked the dwarf race’s tattoo.
“…..Huh?”
Then I was surprised.
“….It’s gone?”
The dwarf tattoo had completely disappeared.
It was definitely there when I showered.
“…. Did it integrate when I put these two in?”
This is quite the timing.
* * *
The full assimilation effect of the dwarf race was quickly apparent.
Perhaps it’s because dwarves are known as the best artisans, the effect of full assimilation was related to craftsmanship.
“Increase in dexterity and sensory abilities.”
Dexterity not only influences the skill of creating something but also the skill of handling it well.
Naturally, this gives an advantage when handling weapons.
Next is sensory abilities.
Also referred to as sense, it not only amplifies the five senses but also enhances the aesthetic sense essential for artisans.
The amplification of the five senses can also be used in battle.
That’s why it is classified as a combat attribute.
“… Ah, it’s meaningless.”
Of course, it doesn’t hold much significance.
What would it help to handle a sword better with increased dexterity?
“I have the master of weapons, after all.”
What use would it be to better grasp the surroundings with enhanced senses?
“I have the path of the wind, elf eyes, danger sense, and dragon eyes, anyway.”
These two attributes are nothing more than a trifle in battle.
While they would certainly help if available, they are attributes that aren’t felt much.
“Should I try crafting equipment?”
Being a talent of a dwarf, I could possibly create something tremendous.
“I should visit Mr. Jung Il-yong at some point.”
… After safely getting through this coming Saturday.
Ah, just thinking about the upcoming Saturday gives me a headache already.
“Ah, geez.”
Today is already Thursday, and there are only two days left until I meet and talk with Maiden, Yu Hwa, Jia, and Si-yeon on Saturday.
“… I’m nervous.”
I plan to bow my head and apologize to the four of them that day.
I am really sorry, but I cannot reveal my secret.
I have reasons for not being able to reveal it.
So please understand.
Trust me.
I am going to use such a brazen method.
A method derived from hints in the words of Yu Hwa and Rena.
“This is the best I can do.”
I do not hold a vague expectation that everything will go well.
Depending on the person who accepts my words, the feeling can vary.
I think it might become an awkward relationship with someone. It might get a little distorted too.
However, this is the best I can do.
I am certain of that.
“Rather than shamefully lying, this is better.”
The sincere words of Yu Hwa and Rena gave me confidence.
“Sigh.”
Of course, being nervous is inevitable, so my heart is restless.
I wish it would be Saturday sooner.
I was sitting blankly at that moment.
Uuuung-
My phone rang.
[Yu Hwa]
It was a message from Yu Hwa.
What could it be at this hour?
I immediately checked the message.
No, I tried to check it.
Uuuuung-
I would have checked it right away if I hadn’t received a call from Yu Hwa.
… How urgent must it be to call immediately after sending a message?
“Hello?”
– Seo-yul! big problem!
The voice sounded very serious.
I became serious in tandem.
“… What happened?”
– At the Gangwon-do field, a strange magical power has been detected!
“Gangwon-do… field?”
Could it be…
– Yes. Although it was momentary, it’s a dead ringer for that dark magical power detected at the end of April!
Dark magical power.
That must undoubtedly refer to Mephisto.
– Could this be… a sign of the reappearance of the demon that appeared at that time?
Listening to Yu Hwa’s urgent words, I gripped my throbbing head.
… What is happening this time?
The stimulus of new changes brought about by change continued to accelerate.
