Chapter 663 – Silence and Affirmation

000

Cleon explained all the details of what happened to Kanon, who screamed in shock at seeing his house in shambles.

And Pamela bowed the head of Berlin, who was sitting with an expression that did not know how to accept the current situation.

“This time, my younger brother caused a lot of trouble. Please, I will compensate you somehow… Now, Berlin also apologizes.”

＂… I’m sorry.＂

Surprisingly, Berlin obeys his sister’s words obediently and offers an apology.

Rather than feeling truly sorry, the bigger reason is that he has no strength left to rebel against himself.

＂Ugh…＂

However, even while listening to Berlin and Pamela’s apology, Kanon looks at the cracked screens and the machines containing his precious video records.

Naturally, seeing her light not coming on properly, the damage she had done to her mind seemed so great that it was difficult to imagine.

“I’m sorry too, Kanon. Probably because this guy caught me coming in and out of this place…”

＂Ababa…＂

No matter how many words of apology she expresses, Kanon just shows a meaningless reaction with a blank expression, as if she’s regressed from an infant.

While looking at the canon, Illenu secretly asks Cleon a question.

“Is there something wrong with that kid?”

“It’s not like that… So stay quiet.”

Cleon, who does not want to cause further damage to Kanon’s mind, tries to cover Ilenu’s mouth, but as if Kanon had already heard her voice, the spear of her words flew out and stuck in her body.

＂Ah, haha… That’s right… There’s no way there wouldn’t be a problem with someone staying in a place like this and spying on other people’s private lives… Since this ruin is ruined, I’ll be buried here as well…”

＂Well, that much…?＂

Illenu herself seemed to react in confusion, as if her guilt over what she had said was rising, as she reacted so glumly to her own words.

Then Cleon approached Kanon, who was so depressed and trying to dig her soil with her hands, and she put her hand on her shoulder and then spoke.

“Eh, either way. If the hole in the ceiling isn’t repaired, this place can’t be used. First, let’s go to Asteris together. If you sleep in a place without a ceiling, and it rains, it will flood, right?”

As if reacting to a single word from his words, Kanon slowly raises his head while shaking and shaking his shoulders.

＂… To Asteris…?＂

Come to think of it, yesterday I tried to press the button that would stop all these machines in order to go to Asteris.

On the way, a fog monster appeared, and we failed.

‘Ugh, no. To be precise, I always tried and failed… In the end, I am a weak-willed person who is afraid of making decisions on my own… So I always get caught up in situations and just wait for someone to help me…’

Haven’t you decided to change?

I will become a person who can confidently stand up in front of others.

Become a great writer worthy of the popularity of your writing.

I will make sure not to break the dreams of my readers.

＂Ugh…＂

Kanon clenched his fists with both hands touching the ground.

This might be the last chance given by heaven.

An opportunity to give yourself, who has not changed even after meeting others, an ‘opportunity’ to go outside, even if by force.

If you miss this opportunity, even if the day comes when the world is destroyed, you will not be able to escape this dark shelter.

‘But… I’m still scared…! There must be a lot of dangerous monsters like those fog monsters outside… This was the safest place where you wouldn’t be attacked by anyone as long as you weren’t caught…! I’m sure I’ll be ridiculed for not being like an elf…!

It pops into my head.

I heard all kinds of things from people I met before coming to this place.

＇It’s an elf, but it’s more ordinary and plain than you think.’

‘He’s an elf, but he’s not that tall.’

‘You’re an elf, and you like fatty meat food…’

＇You’re an elf, but you’re wearing strange, revealing clothes.’

It’s noisy~!! Don’t try to fit me into the image you created of an elf!!

If I had the courage, I could have shouted, but the canon that lacks even that is ‘I’m sorry… I’m an elf, but I’m not like an elf, so I’m sorry for disappointing you all…’ And apologizes and moves on to another place. I had no choice.

The long bangs that she wore to hide her not-so-pretty face like her older sister or family member were also a barrier that prevented her from having to make eye contact with those guys.

‘Yeah… It’s impossible to go to Asteris… Rather, let’s find another ancient ruin and stay there. In about 1,000 years, a society will be created where I can be accepted by others. A world where it is not so strange to stay locked in a room…’

＂Um, of course I am Asteris-＂

“… The name ‘Canon’ you mentioned earlier… Is it the great writer of the century, ‘Kanon-sama’ himself?”

＂…＂

When Aine suddenly speaks to her, Kanon turns her head in that direction.

＂Ah, yes.＂

And, when she revealed her identity in a normal way, Dryne, who was standing next to her, also looked at her with a surprised face.

“Uh!? Really? I was just wondering, is it really that canon? There was a story about the Dark Dragon Company burying gold coins nearby…! Awesome…! Kanon is an elf! So, that’s why he was able to continue writing for such a long time! All three of my sisters are fans!”

When Dryne also spoke with sparkling eyes as if she was moved by meeting Kanon, only the words they had already spoken remained in Kanon’s head, echoing.

It is the part called ‘great writer of the century’ and ‘amazing’ and ‘fan’.

＂Wow, is it amazing? Ah,~ haha~ No~ It’s not that amazing~ But it’s because elves live long~ Uhihi~”

When she put her hand behind her head and smiled with a very proud expression, Illenu, on the other hand, made a cold expression as if she was dumbfounded.

“I felt like I was going to cry just now, but I immediately felt better…”

“Well… I feel like I’ve relaxed, so maybe that’s a good thing.”

As if Cleon had given up on criticizing her unusual personality, she was trying to end the situation amicably by saying that good things are good things.

＂If you are Kanon, many people will definitely welcome you in Asteris. The books Kanon publishes are really popular.”

“That’s right! In particular, my eldest sister is quite a reader, so she owns all of Kanon’s books!”

＂Is that so~? If I’m that popular~ If I have a lot of fans~ I guess I’ll have no choice but to stay at Asteris~”

In the end, Kanon said those words.

“Good idea, Kanon. Well then, shall we go to Asteris?”

When Cleon speaks to Kanon without missing her words, Kanon flinches and looks back at him with her shoulders shaking.

“Well, what I just said was just a fan service story…”

“What? But is the greatest writer of the century, an amazing person with countless fans, lying to his fans?”

“Ugh. Well, that’s not it. Great writers don’t lie.”

At those words, Cleon’s eyes lit up, and she lifted her body and carried it on her shoulder.

＂Ukkkk?!＂

Kanon emitting a strange scream from his mouth.

“I’m glad you said that, Kanon. Now, let’s go to Asteris.”

Cleon talks to Kanon with a smile, and she talks to Cleon in a panic.

＂Eh!? Oh, yes!? To Asteris!? In this condition!? Aren’t you too noticeable to people!?”

“If you can walk, I can drop you off. If not, it will continue like this.”

“Ah, okay! I’ll walk, so please get off!”

If you even say that you will ultimately go on your own feet, you will recall your words from earlier, ‘I don’t lie,’ and let out a sigh filled with regret, saying, ‘Ah.’

When Cleon puts her back on her land.

＂Cow, I was fooled.＂

“I didn’t cheat.”

I didn’t actually deceive, I did induce it.

Then, Kanon spoke to Cleon while making a crying sound.

“I think Mr. Cleon would be suited to the position of a vicious editor…”

“If I become your editor, I’m sure I’ll have a hard time…”

＂Ugh.＂

In the end, it took dozens more minutes to get her out of the ruins.

In order to cheer up Kanon, who was once again damaged by Cleon’s words, Aine and Dryene worked hard to encourage and praise her.

001

＂In the end, I will end up carrying it on my back.＂

As Cleon said that, he adjusted his position once again so that Kanon, who was riding on his back, would not fall.

“I’m sorry… It’s been so long since I went outside and walked…”

As she spoke with her pale face and her chin resting on Cleon’s shoulder, Baylin just looked at her with an expression of disbelief.

＂Does it makes sense that my stamina would be drained after just walking outside for 10 minutes…? “Is there such a human race?”

“Berlin. “Excuse me.”

Of course, Pamela is there to stop Berlin.

The two were walking under Pamela, blocking the sunlight with the huge parasol she was holding in her hand.

Of course, that parasol was no ordinary parasol, and thanks to the magic it had, it had the effect of preventing sunlight from reaching the person underneath it, so it was perfect for walking around during the day.

However, since she was originally a single person, in order to receive the effect, Beirlin had to walk side by side with her, holding her hand tightly.

“It’s not bad. It looks like Beirlin, the big girl, is walking around holding her older sister’s hand.”

＂Kuh… It’s humiliating…”

“When the clan was still intact, there were many times when we held hands and walked around the garden like this, right?”

“Well, that was when I was really young. While Pamela was asleep… I ate for another 50 years.”

When Berlin says that, Aine points it out from behind.

“20 to be exact, since I’ve been dead for 30 years.”

＂Is there a need to calculate that part?＂

When Pamela retaliates by pinching Berlin’s cheek when he gets angry at a kind criticism, Cleon talks in the meantime.

“… Anyway, I’m glad. Because I can find Pamela before things get worse. A delegation from the kingdom arrives in Asteris this evening. I needed to finish the work before that.”

＂…＂

Baylin immediately shuts her mouth at Cleon’s words.

Then, Illenu grins and speaks as if they themselves have figured out Berlin’s intentions.

“Well, it seems like that’s what the villain over there was aiming for.”

“It is not my plan to cause division between the Eastern countries and the kingdom.”

“I guess so. Because your purpose was not there. After all, it is a plan made by the staff – Otis.”

When Berlin doesn’t respond as if Cleon’s words were true, Cleon glances back at him, then looks forward again and heads toward Asteris’s direction.

“The black giant has been revived. As a special homunculus. Among them, Otis appeared in the last victory march. Poltuk succeeded in stopping what I and his colleagues were doing in the East. This time you… The last one left is ‘Hutina’.”

“There is no Hyutina. Like us, she couldn’t be resurrected.”

＂…＂

Then, Berlin finally spoke as if answering Cleon’s words.

“So the black giant was revived incompletely?”

When Aine asked him a question as if he was concerned about Berlin’s words, Berlin answered.

“No. There are still four black giants.”

＂What does that mean? The Black Giant is an organization made up of four imperial executives: you, ‘Otis’, ‘Poltuk’, and ‘Hyutina’. If there isn’t one of them, shouldn’t there be ‘three’?”

Dreine also continued to question Berlin as if he did not understand what he was saying, but Berlin did not respond at all this time.

Instead, Cleon thought he knew what he meant and put his own guess in his mouth.

“Indeed. There are four Black Giants, but there is no Hyutina… It means that someone else is taking Hyutina’s place.”

This time too, Berlin did not respond to Cleon’s words, but-

According to the rule from earlier, he only opened his mouth to point out what Cleon said when he was wrong.

So, I was able to understand that what he said this time was ‘affirmative’ through his attitude.

“… Let’s slowly find out who that is…”

However, for Cleon, rather than finding out who the new ‘Dark Giant’ is, there was something that bothered him about what he said, so he decided to turn the topic to that.

“I said, ‘There are still four black giants.’ Then it’s strange. Poltuk is dead, and you have practically left the Black Star. How can there be four black giants?”

＂Well, wasn’t that just saying that Black Giant is a 4-person organization…＂

When Canon pointed out that to Cleon, Cleon shook his head.

“I heard the story about how you guys were resurrected from Lilim… Actually, I kept thinking about it. Maybe- you guys…”

After talking up to that point, Cleon took a moment to catch his breath.

“You guys. In fact, as long as the ingredients are ready, it can be made by any number of people.”

＂!＂

At Cleon’s words, Aine and Draene had no choice but to stop without realizing it, as if they were surprised.

Even against one Poltuk, I was able to win only after burning a huge area of ​​the brothel to prevent him from escaping.

Berlin was also such a superman that, in terms of individual strength, it would be difficult to think that even in the Eastern countries it would be difficult to compete with him unless he was someone as strong as Miyeomgong.

Those dark giants… Can you create as many people as you want?

“Perhaps, instead of the Poltuk we defeated, he created another Poltuk. Yes? And when they find out you failed your mission. I will create another alternative you.”

＂…＂

And, this time too, Berlin was silent.

Now, everyone other than Cleon understood the meaning of Berlin’s silence, so they were all at a loss for words.

＂Uh, what should I do…＂

Except for Pamela.

“If there are more people in Berlin, how many siblings should we have…”

“No, were you planning on making them all your younger brothers?”

When Illenu speaks as if Pamela’s remarks are astounding, she is talking to Illenu.

“Yeah, but. He is my younger brother from the beginning…”

＂That… Maybe…＂

“Don’t worry. We are homunculi, no different from living humans… We are special beings. Making it requires a certain amount of cost and time. Actually, the new Poltuk hasn’t been built yet. Although preparations are in progress.”

“I guess so. If we could create a black star like stamping it with a stamp, we would have started an uprising a long time ago.”

Aine and Dryne sigh as if relieved by Cleon’s words.

The two also seemed to be concerned about what would happen if the black giant star was mass-produced.

‘But, probably by the time I return to the royal capital… Poltuk and Berlin. The probability that a new object is ready…’

While thinking like that, I suddenly look ahead – the walls of Asteris come into view in the distance.

＂Ugh…＂

And, naturally, a disapproving voice came out of Kanon’s mouth after seeing it together.

“Okay, we’re almost there. But if you walk around like this, you’ll be noticed by people, right?”

“Please get off in front of the castle gate… Then, I’ll walk.”

＂Okay, okay…＂

Kanon, who was talking like that while riding on Cleon’s back, suddenly spoke with her face buried in Cleon’s shoulder.

“… Sorry. For being annoying. Mr. Cleon is thinking of me… I know very well, but…”

＂Me. Long ago – when I was living in my hometown, I was a kid who didn’t have any friends and stayed alone, avoiding people’s eyes.”

When Cleon said that, Kanon raised his head and looked at Cleon.

Of course, since I was being carried on my back, all I could see was my back.

＂Unlikely for a clan of dark demons, my strength and magic power were not that strong when I was young. I spent my time cooped up and sculpting.”

＂…＂

Not only did I focus on hobbies that didn’t suit me, but I also avoided people’s eyes.

Kanon didn’t seem to have thought that Cleon was similar to himself.

“Something like this happened… In the end, I had to come out in front of people. ─In the end, I learned that spending time with someone is also fun. Now I can have such precious colleagues.”

“Well, I… I don’t know. Not yet… But. When Mr. Cleon or Mr. Lila came to visit… I definitely think it was fun.”

“It would be nice if you said that.”

Cleon smiles bitterly at Kanon’s words.

“It’s natural that there are people who are bad at walking and people who are bad at speaking. However, you don’t have to force yourself to walk alone… You can get help from someone if you need it. The important thing is. It’s about what you want to be. In the process, don’t forget what you can’t lose.”

＂… Yes!＂

At Cleon’s words, it seemed as if the scenery beyond her eyes, which were covered by her bangs, changed into something a little dazzling.

It may be a little scary and difficult now.

If the day comes when she can move towards that place on her own feet ─

“Oh, and would Pamela’s mansion be okay as a temporary place to stay? Our accommodation is also reaching its limits…”

＂I’m okay! Because the mansion is large, there are a lot of empty rooms!”

Pamela nods her head willingly at Cleon’s words.

Then, Kanon returns from her time of appreciation and nods her head.

＂Oh, yes, yes…! Hey, is there anyone who works at Pamela’s mansion…”

“No! Dry’s and I were sharing the responsibility for the lyrics, but if Kanon would help us—”

As if to interrupt Pamela’s words, Kanon was clinging to Cleon’s neck and making a crying sound.

＂Wow, Mr. Cleon~!＂

“Sorry. Please work hard on that part.”

＂It’s impossible~!!＂

When the cries of the elves echo outside the walls of Asteris Castle.

Beyond the horizon, the sun is setting.

Far away, a little further away.

A delegation from the kingdom, moving a chariot and raising dust, was approaching the heart of the Eastern Kingdom.