Chapter 791 – A Sip of Tragedy

000

After the long story told from Emma’s own mouth, she spoke about what happened in Helix, this time from Cleon’s side.

So, thinking that what had happened over the past three days had been shared with each other over a fairly long period of time, Emma answered Cleon with a smile.

“You’re still caught up in incidents here and there.”

＂It just so happened.＂

After Cleon himself responded as if he was having trouble, Emma slowly raised her head, looked back at the clock hanging in her mansion, and spoke.

“Okay… Then, I’ll go soon.”

＂Going… To where?＂

Emma and Illenudo, it must have been this mansion where she was currently staying with her luggage.

When she said that as she got up from her seat, Cleon asked as if he didn’t know where she was going.

“To the room at the inn where I was staying with Illenu. You stayed here because you couldn’t leave me alone as a child, right? Ilenu is there now too.”

“Even if the curse is lifted and things return to normal, you plan to stay in Asteris for a few more days, right? In that case, even if you don’t leave the mansion…”

“No, Cleon. Sure, we are really dear friends, but Cleon’s travel companions are the girls here, right? It’s not a good thing for other people to see a grown woman and man staying under the same roof for no particular reason.”

When she said something related to ethics or social image, Cleon could not refute anything, thinking that she was doing as she said.

＂You look like an adult, Emma.＂

＂Yes, he is older.＂

He smiled at Cleon and walked up to Cleon, who answered that way, patted his head, and then bowed his head to the other party members.

＂I have been indebted to you all this time. I will definitely receive this grace someday.”

“Oh, no! Grace… I haven’t done such a great thing!”

For some reason, Kuon, attracted by Cleon’s response, responds respectfully.

“I was relieved because all of Cleon’s colleagues seemed to be good people. It must have been a wonderful adventure, right?”

＂Ah, ahaha…＂

How will she react if she finds out that she was once in the worst relationship with Lyla and Kuon?

As soon as Sasha felt her stomach ache, she saw Lila smiling shyly and avoiding her gaze.

“I decided to help out at the tavern with Illenu until I leave Asteris. If you have any business, please come there. Oh, of course, even if you don’t have any business, it’s okay to come and see me on a regular basis. I’m sure Illenu will be happy too.”

“… I’ll go check on Illenu’s condition as well. First, he was hit with a magic tool… I think that’s good for him too.”

After Cleon answered, he sent Emma off to the outside of the main gate of the Dark Dragon Company.

As she walked away with light steps, it seemed like she was telling someone somewhere that this was the appropriate level for their relationship.

Maybe – she is being considerate of Cleon’s other companions.

Either way, she probably wants to show off her good side to Cleon as her older brother.

Cleon also respected her will.

001

Afterward, in order to take care of business while they were away, Cleon had to go around and give thanks with Helix’s special elemental spirit-themed snacks.

First, to Diora and Selena, who helped solve the Initrad Dan incident.

Selena must have consumed so much of her magic during that incident that she woke up after a full day’s sleep, and met Cleon while dozing off with her blonde hair floating almost like a lion’s mane.

＂Helping others… As the kingdom’s court wizard and the duke’s daughter… I’m proud of it…”

“Okay, let’s sleep some more…!”

After Cleon forced Diora to lie down on her bed, she tried to leave.

I received a scary reply from Diora, saying, ‘I’ll charge you properly later, so stay tuned’, but since it was her request, it would probably be a story about girls anyway…

No, if that’s the scariest thing, it’s a scary story.

Next, go to Pamela’s place, Pamela, Berlin, and Kanan.

Baylin was still grumpy and answered, ‘I didn’t do it specifically for you,’ but Kanan replied that this was nothing compared to the grace she received from Cleon, and she told him to let her know at any time if she needed any other help.

“Once the Five Elements Festival begins, something bigger than this incident could happen…”

“I know. Let’s work together to stop the Exile Church’s guys…!”

Kanan’s motivation burned, but Baylin was talking while looking at Cleon.

“Aerial fortress… Is there really a way to stop something like that?”

“Lila has her plan figured out. All that’s left is the effort to make it happen.”

“Oh, now that I think about it, Kanon seems to be busy preparing something for the Five Elements Festival.”

As Cleon listens to Pamela talking like that, he glances back at the stairs leading up to the second floor of the mansion where Kanon is located.

“These days, he hasn’t come out of his room for several days and has been staying inside… Although we do have meals brought to his room.”

＂Seeing her younger sister whose eating habits have worsened over the past 1000 years… Her heart becomes complicated.＂

Kanan said that and said that everything was because of her own shortcomings, and she clenched her fists as if she was angry.

“No, no. Because that doesn’t happen. Well… Please tell Kanon that I wish him well.”

Cleon calmed Kanan down, and after saying that, she left the mansion.

And after a while – wudangtang! As a sound is heard, Kanon comes running down the stairs, looking scruffy as she hasn’t washed in days.

＂Okay, Mr. Cleon. Oh, did you come!? “

＂I just left… Wow, the smell…! ＂

When Baylin frowned and covered her nose with her hands, Kanan approached Kanon and grabbed both of her shoulders.

“Kanon… I won’t question you for not leaving your room for a few days… But let’s at least maintain the minimum manners as a human being…!”

＂S-sorry…! Well, more than that, there was something I prepared to help Mr. Cleon…!”

＂You’re one step too late. What if I wash up now and go to the mansion and tell you?”

When Kanan said that, Kanon hesitated for a moment, then looked out the window and answered.

“Well, I’m scared to go outside… I’m scared of people’s eyes…”

＂Haa…＂

It still seemed like it would be a while before she would be able to adapt to her society.

In any case, the next place Cleon, who didn’t know the circumstances of the canon, went all the way around Asteris to where Artis was.

Attis, of course, was staying with Fleur in the lodgings prepared for her, but her assistants all succeeded in escaping safely, and she is now discussing with the officials of her royal palace what to do with the ruins of the Holy Kingdom of Kabalon. It was a story.

＂The Knight Commander and Queen of the Holy Kingdom of Kabalon – Even so, the Knights were annihilated except for Vedica. It is said that the Queen is not in very good shape, so it would not be surprising if she passed away at any time. Vedica said that she would stay by the queen’s side until the end, and even though she returned to the ruins with no one around, she said.”

Cleon recalled the circumstances of Vedica, which he had heard of in Emma’s story, and nodded, thinking of her as feeling her helpless despair.

＂… It must be a time when you need to clear your mind. At least, it would be a little better if the queen’s body could be healed.”

In response to Cleon’s response, Attis shrugged her shoulders.

“It seems like the palace is trying to take some action on that issue now. First, it’s a fallen country – but the royal family is royal. I think they plan to treat him accordingly. … If she had had Grandma Quartz at a time like this, she could have done something.”

In response to Artis’ complaint, Cleon nodded his head in agreement.

Right now, that Quartz has infiltrated the Exile Church’s fortress, and will only be able to return after the Five Elements Festival is over.

“Initrad, which lost its leader, would have disintegrated… Or become a branch organization and scattered here and there, so it will not be that much of a threat in the future. Surely, the bounty on Ijeal’s head was enough money to buy a mansion…? Ilenu must be rich now.”

When Attis says that in her half-joking way, Cleon answers her.

＂… Actually, Al is a vampire now, so even if he dies, there will be no evidence left. ＂

“That’s not necessarily true. Although the one who defeated and sucked the blood was Illenu. The evidence that can be said is the talisman that the leader of Initrad has.”

As Attis said this, he took out a talisman in the shape of an intricate cross from his pocket.

＂… Wait, you have it?＂

“Well, the only person I could care about at that moment was me. Don’t worry. I have no intention of taking this somewhere and saying, ‘Athis, the archaeologist of the century, has defeated Ijeal, the Queen of the Night, the leader of the Initrad Troupe!’…

She then handed it to Cleon.

＂Tell this to Illenu. I could tell it to her… But what she wants to see most right now is Cleon’s face.”

＂Ah… Yes.＂

＂What is that unexpected expression?＂

When Cleon didn’t respond well, Artis spoke while pressing her hand against Cleon’s face with her pen.

“No… I thought Artis would say he wanted to buy new excavation equipment with that money.”

“Ha… I’m not saying I’m that much of a conscienceless person. This will give the assistants who worked hard during this incident a bit of rest… Of course, I’d like to have some new equipment. After the Five Elements Festival is over. “You know, right?”

When Artis said this while smiling meaningfully, Cleon also nodded his head.

I didn’t forget.

Excavation of a giant weapon from the primordial world buried in the Four Dragon Mountains.

This is something her father tried to do but failed, and for Cleon, he may become a huge force to fight against Adam.

“So, until then, don’t hurt yourself. If you, my partner, get hurt, our plans will be greatly disrupted.”

Artis holds out her fist while saying so.

Cleon smiled cautiously at Attis’ words and brought his fists together.

002

“… Okay, then. Next…”

As the sun began to slowly set, Cleon came out of the lodgings where Attis was.

After that, I said hello to Fleur and Kshat, and it took some time to tell them about what happened in Helix, but if I don’t meet everyone I need to meet within today.

Thinking like that, Cleon touched the egg talisman he had in his pocket, decided on a destination, and started walking.

And the place he arrived at was a now familiar old teahouse – now that it was evening, if the sign outside was turned over, it would become a proper bar.

Even though it is not yet time for customers to use the bar as a bar, the inside of the store is bustling.

Cleon thinks it’s a little surprising, and when he opens the door to go inside the store, he hears a familiar ‘cling tinkling’ sound above his head –

＂Welcome!＂

And I could hear Illenu’s voice greeting me in a healthy voice.

“… What! “It’s Cleon, right?”

But soon, when she realized that the customer was Cleon and responded by slightly changing her attitude, Cleon awkwardly greeted her and entered her shop.

And when I turned my head, I could see that the regulars I had already seen before were sitting around the table and drinking even though it had only recently been converted into a bar.

“Oh. You came too.”

Also, another voice greeting Cleon.

Lionel, the store manager he hasn’t seen in a long time and Cleon’s great adventurer, also welcomes Cleon.

“I heard you went somewhere a little far away. Did you go on an adventure too?”

“At first, my goal was to visit my colleague’s hometown. Somehow things got bigger…”

“What. There are guys like that everywhere you go. Getting caught up in a big incident in a place you didn’t even think about. I’ll give you something. Don’t worry, I’m giving you a treat today.”

Looking at Lionel, who seemed to be in a very good mood, Cleon thought something was strange.

Anyway, when I look back at Illenu while sitting on the chair in front of the counter, I see that she is approaching Cleon.

“I heard it from Emma. She had a lot of trouble.”

“Well, that’s right. Cleon, I guess you picked up on the tendency to get caught up in various things on adventures because we stayed together.”

When she shrugged her shoulders in response, Cleon realized that she had been hit by Emma and unconsciously placed her hand on her shoulder.

“Now, wait a minute… In a place like this…”

Ilenu seemed surprised by Cleon’s actions – but her face blushed as if she couldn’t help it.

＂… Wound, are you okay?＂

＂Eh?＂

And when Cleon asked her next question, she realized that she was mistaken and her face blushed even more.

Hehe… I hope you don’t underestimate Dhampir’s regenerative power…! Are you okay? There are still some scars left, but these will heal quickly.”

“Okay. That’s a good thing. Emma’s curse was safely lifted…”

Cleon was glad that Illenu seemed to be healthy, and she took out her talisman from her pocket and handed it to Illenu.

“This is Ijeal’s talisman!?”

“Artis said he recovered it.”

“Suddenly… But why are you doing this to me?”

If Ilenu speaks as if she doesn’t know, Cleon answers her.

“Now there’s a bounty on the egg. Artis said it would be good for you to receive it.”

“… Now that I think about it, there was something like that. I completely forgot. I usually ignore things like bounties on vampires.”

When Ilenu said that, Cleon responded in disbelief.

“If you’re a vampire, the bounty goes up from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of gold coins… But you’re ignoring that?”

“It doesn’t matter as long as I can earn the necessary expenses for the adventure. You see, my goal is not to make a lot of money, but to subdue vampires and help those who are harmed by them.”

Ilenu replied that it was nothing strange, but Cleon, who knew well that not everyone hunts vampires for such noble purposes, nodded his head with renewed admiration.

“… Anyway. I’m glad you’re healthy. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you this time.”

“Ha…? Are you really saying that?”

Illenu placed her finger on Cleon’s forehead and struck him with the same blow.

After intense pain spreads across Cleon’s forehead, she speaks with her hands on her waist.

“I got to know all the people who helped me this time through my relationship with Cleon.”

“… If I were to look into the cause, I think Initrad Dan was probably targeting me.”

“Anyway! It was thanks to the blood you left behind that Emma was able to return to her original form!”

While saying that, Illenu took the plate and glass that Lionel gently handed her and placed them in front of Cleon.

“You’ve been through hardships in other places too, right? Then drink and rest today! Because it’s going to be hard again starting tomorrow.”

＂Oh, oh…＂

Ilenu smiled kindly at Cleon’s answer.

Cleon smiled along with her, and then suddenly opened his mouth as if he was worried about her.

“… Now that I think about it, Lionel seems to be in a pretty good mood.”

“Ah. That? That’s right…”

＂Miss Emma~! Here are two more bottles!”

At the voice coming from her audience, Emma, ​​dressed in her uniform, answered ‘Yes~’ and rushed out from her kitchen carrying a tray full of alcohol.

As the guests expressed their admiration after seeing Emma like that, Irene let out a sigh.

＂Because they responded better than I did. ＂

＂Ah…＂

There were two young female clerks in a store where only grandmothers and grandfathers visited.

It was natural that the guests were a success, and Lionel must have been in a good mood thanks to that.

Since she is a maid, she is used to working as a waiter, so she is somewhat familiar with serving, and is busy going back and forth between the kitchen and the hall.

“Emma. Cleon is here.”

After finishing responding to the Order, Emma nodded her head at the sound of Illenu calling and approached Cleon.

“You came right away? How is it? Does it suit you well?”

And Emma spins around, showing off her uniform.

＂It suits you well…＂

“Wait a minute, Illenu? It was just time for Cleon to answer… Wait, why are you crying?!”

When Ilenuga, who seemed to be thrilled that her mother, M. Mak, had returned to her original form, reacted in such a way, Cleon smiled bitterly and responded this time.

“Yes, it suits you well.”

“Lol. Thank you. But the size is a little small… So it’s a little hot.”

She fluttered her chest as she spoke, giving a glimpse of her inner underwear, but then she caught Cleon’s eyes, blushed, and cupped herself with her hands. Fan your face

＂S-sorry! I did something strange.”

“Oh, no… That could be true.”

Even though she couldn’t hide her agitation, she quickly reached out for the glass next to her.

“Is this Cleon’s barley tea? Can I have a little drink?”

“Uh? No, that’s—”

Before Cleon could stop her, she hurriedly held the liquid in her mouth.

When I take a gulp and pass the liquid in her glass down her throat-

“Wait, Emma!? Even though it is barley, it contains alcohol!”

Illenu’s cry was too late.

＂Ugh…＂

Seeing Emma fall down behind her with a thud, Cleon gets up from her seat in embarrassment, and Illenu speaks with her hand on her face, saying, “Oops.”

“… Emma. I can’t drink…”

＂Getting drunk from just one sip of beer… Is it true…＂

Cleon also looked at Emma, ​​whose face was red, and raised her body as if she was dumbfounded.

“I’m sorry, manager. Emma, ​​if this happens, I probably won’t be able to wake up until morning.”

“If that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do. There are some things we didn’t pay proper attention to… Well, we worked hard even though it was only the first day. For today, send them back to their lodgings. It’s okay to keep your uniform on.”

Since Lionel was also watching the scene next to her, she could not say anything and left her to Illenu and Cleon.

“… I’ll help out at the store some more. Cleon, do you remember the room we went into together before?”

“Ah. Of course…”

“Because I could rent that room again. Emma is staying there too. Can you take me there?”

While saying that, Illenu handed over her key to Cleon.

＂… Haa…＂

Cleon walks out of her tavern with Emma on his back and gives him a brief bruise.

Emma’s slightly heavy, but soft touch from behind reminds me that this is reality.

And I had no choice – I took Emma with me and headed to their dorm.