Chapter 38 – Can I Be a Little Late?

“Huh? What’s wrong, Allen? Staring at me like that.”
“Huh? No… Nothing.”

The stretch was short-lived, and soon Aricia’s top covered her navel again.

But Allen saw clearly. Below her belly button.

At that place… There was nothing.

The strange patterns seen in the video didn’t exist after all.

‘… Thank god.’

Allen was relieved inwardly.

‘Okay. There’s no way Seonwoo hyung would do something like that.’

On the contrary, Allen felt guilty for doubting Lee Seon-woo inside. Why did she have such doubts? He is a lifesaver Even if I’m thankful, it’s not enough…

‘I’m sorry, Seonwoo hyung. Doubt…’

Allen vowed that she would no longer doubt Lee Seon-woo.

But… Apart from that, curiosity was still there.

Unless it’s Aricia… Who the hell is that woman?

Allen thought of a few blonde elves she knew, but none she deserved.

In the first place, she said that apart from her family and Aricia, she had no one to be especially close with. By the time she grew up, she was sickly from a curse and had to stay in her house, so she had no time to make friends with others.

The only thing that comes to mind is Aricia’s mother, Yuliana… And though she is Aricia’s twin sister, Erpina.

‘Because of the difference in breast size… Neither of them.’

Yuliana’s breasts were much larger than that woman’s, and Erpina’s, on the contrary, was small. In the first place, Erpina’s figure itself is on the small side… More than anything she is not in town right now.

No matter how much she thought about it, no one came to mind.

Looking at her appearance alone, I honestly think that Aricia is closest to her, but…

‘No. You decided not to doubt it now.’

Allen shook her head, clearing her thoughts.

“Should we go down soon? Her aunt will be waiting for us.”
“Huh.”

Eventually, Allen gave up her reasoning.

The two of them basked in the midday sun and slowly descended the hill.

***

Rosamia told me everything I knew about Irumina. Isn’t it said that the landlord is in a state of disrepair? Obtaining information about the opponent to attack from now on was the basic of the basics.

Sure enough, there was useful information. Perhaps because she had even heard of removing it, Rosa Mia told a story she hadn’t told before.

“This is a fact that only I know… But in fact, I love Allen as she is of the opposite sex.”
“Huh? That’s a pretty interesting story.”

I pressed Rosamia to tell the story in more detail.

“Literally, Irumina is in love with Allen. However, Allen and Aricia have been in love since childhood, so there was no room for Irumina to intervene. In addition, although they are not related by blood, the two are siblings… There is a possibility that their love will bear fruit. Didn’t exist from the beginning. In the end, Irumina left the house on purpose to close her mind. She thought that if she distanced herself, she would be able to fold her mind.”
“…It’s a heartbreaking story. But then it’s even stranger. Why is she threatening me when she loves Allen so much?”
“I don’t know that much. I thought it was strange too, so I went to visit him… But he didn’t give me any answers.”
“Hmm…”

I have doubts.

A woman who knows for sure that Allen’s life won’t last if she threatens me, why would she act like that?

Let’s change our position and think about it.

What does she gain by acting like that?

She guards me She had a visceral hunch that I was a danger, and she wasn’t wrong.

But that’s all. There is nothing she can do.

There is an absolute hierarchical relationship between me and the elves.

The hierarchical relationship never breaks down unless Allen becomes a body capable of sustaining her life without resorting to her medication.

Since I am the only one who can freely cross dimensions and procure medicines, they cannot intimidate me with force.

Nevertheless, Irumina is hostile to me.

The front and back don’t match.

Ultimately, there are two possibilities.

Either she’s a madwoman who really wants doom, or…

‘They’re bluffing.’

Okay. I found the answer.

She is bluffing

In a situation where nothing can be done, the only thing she can do is a final struggle.

However, I am not Sima Yi who was caught by Zhuge Liang.

Unlike Sima Yi, I have information.

Irumina is in love with Allen.

Knowing that, the only conclusion was this.

She loves Allen, and she cannot wish for his death.

‘I mean…’

After she knew the truth, she felt sorry for Irumina, who had been so frightened.

She was desperately bluffing at me.

But that can’t last long.

Looking back at her comment about not crossing her line, her words are vague, and in fact, I have not been stopped by her.

Of course. ‘Cause she can’t stop me

And in the end, I was able to see through to my heart like this.

Game over.

Now that we know the truth, there is only one thing left to do.

In fact, it’s not even about using the expression attack. As long as her true identity is exposed, she is not a difficult opponent at all.

“Thank you, Rosamia-san. Thanks to you, I think I can become friends with Irumina-san.”
“Did you… Figure out something?”
“It’s nothing special. We just misunderstood each other a little bit. So now we want to clear up that misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding?”
“Yes. Then I will explain the strategy from now on, so please follow along.”
“Ah yes.”

I started explaining to Rosamia. She tilted her head at the very simple content.

“Is that really enough?”
“Yes. I don’t need anything else. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Originally, I tried to use a method that required more preparation, but now that I know her true identity, it is not necessary.

Things seem to work out easier than I thought.

I put a smile on my lips.

***

“Are you here, Allen?”
“Ah, Seonwoo hyung…!”

After filming with Aricia and parting ways, Allen returned home. Seonwoo Lee, who was loafing around Rosamia’s house, greeted him.

“Come to think of it, did you say there was a blockage before? Hurry up and have a meal.
“Okay, brother.”

Soon after, the two of them finished their meals and gathered in Allen’s room.

“Okay, what are you curious about?”
“Yes. Actually, I’m stuck at this part…”

Allen showed Lee Seon-woo the place he checked while watching the video editing lecture. Lee Seon-wu kindly taught it step by step.

About an hour later, Seonwoo Lee’s fast-paced lecture was over.

“Are you curious about anything more?”
“Yes. Thanks, bro. I don’t do anything, but I always get help.”
“What are you talking about. How well you are helping me. Are you working so hard on filming and editing?”
“This is what I have to do in order to live. I know that much, brother.”
“Guy…”

Seonwoo Lee patted Allen’s head as if he was admirable.

“Well, if you say that… Actually, there are things I want to ask for help from you.”
“Really? Tell me! I’ll do anything I can to help!”
“Hmm…That’s the truth.”

Lee Seon-woo reluctantly brings up the story.

Soon Allen’s expression turned serious.

“Irumina noona… Seems to hate Seonwoo hyung?”
“That’s… Actually, I made a mistake when we first met and there was a misunderstanding. It’s all my fault. Even humans have cultural differences, but what about between elves and humans? I was lacking in consideration.”
“That…”

Allen shook her head in concern.

“But is it really? That… Greetings…”
“Of course. I can’t lie like that. Are you doubting me?”
“Ah, no…! It’s not like that… I thought it was a pretty bold way of greeting by the standards of elves…”
“Well, it deserves it. Would you like to see it?”

Seonwoo Lee found a video on Niteube and showed it to Allen. It was a scene from an overseas movie, and at the door a woman lightly hugged a man and kissed her on both cheeks.

“Wow, that’s true…”
“Yes. So, I just wanted to say hello, but Mr. Irumina misunderstood. It’s going to be difficult to see her face from now on. I want to get to know her.”
“Then how can I help you?”
“Um… Irumina said she was Allen’s older sister, right? She said that she originally lived in this house.”
“Yes. That’s right. The room that Seonwoo hyung is using was originally Lee Rumina noona’s room.”
“Then, why don’t you invite Irumina to this house tomorrow evening? Now that Allen is well, her whole family can get together and have a meal.”
“Wow… That sounds like a really good idea. But what about helping her brother…?”
“Therefore…”

Seonwoo Lee whispered into Allen’s ear.

Soon, Allen laughed and said.

“Haha, that sounds like a lot of fun? I’ll definitely do it!”
“Okay, then I’ll be sure to ask you something. The only thing I can trust is you, Allen!”
“Yes. Leave it to me, brother!”

Seeing Allen clenching her fists, Lee Seon-wu laughed inwardly.

***

Noon the next day. After Arlen and Aricia parted ways after filming, she headed straight to the main gate of the town. There, as always, Irumina stood guard at her entrance like her jangseung.

“…So, you want to have dinner together tonight?”
“Yeah. I thought it would be nice to have a meal together as a family for the first time in a while… Can’t we?”
“…No.”
“Uh, why?”
“Because there’s no reason for that.”

At that cold reply, Allen sulked. However, Irumina was just looking outside her entrance with a blunt expression.

Just then, a brown-haired elf approached her from the guard post. It was Leticia, Irumina’s senior.

“Oh, isn’t that Allen?”
“Ah, Leticia. Hello!”
“Yes, nice to meet you. It’s great to see you walking around like this. But what’s going on here?”
“That’s… I came because I had a request from Irumina noona…”

After hearing her story, Leticia glared at Irumina and said,

“Irumina. It’s okay to have dinner with her family, right? Don’t be mean and do as Allen says.”
“…It has nothing to do with Leticia.”
“Don’t you feel sorry for Allen? She’s doing it because she wants to eat with her family after she’s been healthy for a long time… She’s really heartless.”
“I… It’s okay, Leticia-san. I think I asked for too much… I’ll just go…!”
“Ah, Allen!”

Allen spurred her away with her weeping expression on her face. Leticia sighed as she looked at her back.

“Irumina… Isn’t it too cold for her one and only brother?”
“…”
“Now they even ignore me… Yes, do as you please.”

Leticia shook her head as if she was fed up and left for the guard post again.

At that time, Irumina called her.

“Miss Leticia.”
“…What?”
“Tonight’s shift time… Would it be okay if I was a little late?”
“…Foot.”

Leticia waved her hand behind her. It meant permission.

“…Thank you.”

Irumina bowed her head toward her back and returned to her alert posture.

“…Allen.”

Inadvertently putting Allen’s name in her mouth.

Although they are family, they are not related by blood.

However, her romance will never come true.

Because Allen loves someone else.

An unrequited love that will never come true.

Once, she really wanted ruin.

The day Allen died, she decided that she would die too.

If she died and was embraced by the spirit beast, she might be able to become one with Allen.

But Allen is now healthy.

As long as Lee Seon-woo is by his side, there is nothing short-lived.

“Lee Seon-woo…”

Needless to say, the man is evil. Her intuition was telling her so.

That man is definitely the one who will destroy this village.

But… Allen cannot live without him.

A dilemma with no exit.

Irumina still couldn’t find an answer.

Today, the inside of the forest beyond the village entrance looked exceptionally dark.

Like the entrance to a labyrinth… I felt like I was waiting for her.

Irumina gripped the handle of her longsword tightly around her waist.