Chapter 573 – [Side Story] The One Who Holds the Heart of Fire

A soft scent that stimulates Theodore’s sensitive sense of smell.

Theodore, tracing the smell of bread wafting through the alley, pushed his finger against the wooden door that seemed ready to break at the slightest effort.

“Is there a kid?”

“It’s been a while since I greeted you! Welcome.”

“Oh, welcome!”

When our eyes met, the couple with clean hands in their aprons politely greeted me.

Kitty peeked her head out of the kitchen at the slight commotion, smiled brightly, and waved his hand.

“Ah! It’s my brother with horns! Hello!”

“We’re leaving. Get ready.”

Theodore, Roman’s close friend, knows Kitty’s parents.

But Theodor Spenta, the absolute ruler of the Federal State, does not know.

Even for my fellow countrymen who had no experience holding a weapon in his hands, it was definitely a reputation worth hearing at least once.

After waking up at dawn to bake and sell bread, all he could do was take care of his daughter, eat dinner, and then go to sleep.

Just keeping an eye on the changes in the prices of the materials being used right now would have been devastating, so there was no way I could afford to look the other way.

I have never received any proper education, and my life is busy just struggling to survive.

There are no special holidays or hobbies, but there is no need to worry about starving to death.

This is an undeniable upper-middle rank among the commoners of the Harun Empire.

The first time such a couple encountered the dragon people was Alice, who came with Rike.

It was Roman’s wedding hall that was the first time I actually saw a pure-blooded dragon.

Since the couple and Kitty were not allowed the opportunity or knowledge to discriminate between races from the beginning, there was a strong impression that Theodore was just Roman’s friend.

“Speaking of going out, I wonder if my child was being unreasonable…”

Theodore shook his head at the couple’s worried voices.

“It doesn’t matter whether the conversation we had back then was filled with personal stubbornness. I made a promise, so I’ll keep it.”

Hehe! Did you see that? I didn’t force it!”

Kitty, who stood next to Theodore, let out a very weak breath, proving her innocence.

In the eyes of parents, that appearance is full of worry.

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In fact, the couple did not want to let Kitty go.

Of course, it is not discrimination against race.

It was just a world that stimulated uneasy imaginations, no matter how close Roman’s friend was to his precious daughter going on an outing with a man she had only met once.

Because she thought it was ridiculous for a commoner’s daughter, who had no good intentions whatsoever, to steal the time of Theodore, who was supposedly a noble person.

Nevertheless, Kitty was allowed to go out with Theodore.

It’s not about using force or force.

Just.

Theodore flew into the magnificent imperial palace and used the emperor sitting on the throne as a witness and proof of his trust.

An unexpected action that occurred because there were no reins called Vulcan and no Varian to come up with an alternative solution.

The result of this adventure was good.

Because Emperor Falcose Lancaster was familiar with Theodor Spenta’s character, he did not take issue with his behavior of crossing the etiquette or border without saying a word and pushing his way into the imperial palace.

I was so startled that I tried to suppress my heart that was pounding as if it was going to explode and responded as gently as possible.

If only Roman had seen the emperor’s judgment that day, he would have applauded and praised him for not being in good shape for the years he has lived.

Thanks to this, a girl named Kitty and her parents suddenly had an audience with the emperor.

I experienced a strange day getting my face stamped.

And now.

Kitty is flying in the sky with Theodore.

Woooooung──!!!

The forest you face when you go all the way north from the imperial capital.

It is a place that can be reached in an instant with Theodore’s wings, but if adventurers reach out at a request, it will take at least two days for a round trip.

“Hmm?”

Theodore, who was moving through the wind, stopped.

A height where all things look like ants. Theodore looked down and raised the corners of his mouth.

“Is that person in that cave the owner of the forest?”

“Huh? I can’t see anything… What do I see?”

Kitty, who was carrying Theodore’s side like a piece of luggage, rolled her eyes here and there.

All the girl can see are dense trees.

An innocent voice that does not feel any fear.

Theodore let out a laugh.

‘Your heart is quite strong.’

Returning this little boy safely was also a promise made to the couple.

Therefore, Theodore surrounded Kitty’s body with mana for protection.

Since the existence of the safety device was not mentioned out loud, the person receiving the protection would not know.

However, even though this girl flies fast, she doesn’t scream, she just laughs with joy, and she doesn’t even get scared when it’s high.

Does he have his own boldness and strong heart?

“Going down.”

“Yes~!”

A smooth descent, unlike the usual landing, which is no different from a plunge.

Widely! Theodore, whose feet touched the ground, lowered Kitty, who was hanging on his side, to the floor.

“Wow, there’s a real cave! How did you know there was a cave here?”

“It’s a feeling.”

“Lies…! Tell me more details!”

Bread and milk were brought as picnic snacks in the arms of a chattering girl.

Theodore answered briefly and then walked toward the cave.

‘It looks like the bards don’t make a living by lying.’

A unique smell that furry animals give off while living in the wild.

And the unnatural coolness and mana mixed in the air.

Given the circumstances, it might be a wolf spewing frost.

What the bard said Kitty heard on the street didn’t seem to be a lie.

Inside that cave, there is an owner who occupies a chunk of the dense forest.

“Come out.”

Let Theodore’s voice fly like an arrow filled with pressure.

In the cave, a pure white wolf pouring out pure white crystals with every step showed its head.

– Crrrr!

It is a variant of the shadow wolf.

It is one of the peculiarities of the ecosystem, like the Orc variant that put the religious nun Shuel in danger and caused Alice hardship in the past.

“Hi! There really is a wolf! A wolf…!”

“It’s noisy. Be quiet.”

Kitty moved and hid behind Theodore.

Theodore looked ahead without paying attention and rubbed his chin to erase his regret.

‘It’s a weak animal. I can’t enjoy it.’

It’s certainly an interesting variant, but it’s not strong from Theodore’s perspective.

If you hit even a honey chestnut, your skull will be shattered, and you will die instantly.

‘The leather looks pretty good… I guess I should take it off and decorate it.’

The feeble liberation of mana that had been suppressed along with a fierce determination.

At the same time, the white wolf slapped its belly against the ground.

– Kik, kik…!

Theodore was not the only one whose foundation of competency ended.

Wild beasts and monsters are creatures that are more sensitive to power than anyone else.

The moment you get even a glimpse of the power that is holding you back, the situation is over.

– Kiing! Kiing!

The white wolf slowly crawls towards you with its belly pressed to the ground, then turns around and flips over.

Posture showing the stomach.

Kitty peeked her head out and showed curiosity.

“What’s going on…? Is it attacking?”

“An attitude of acknowledging weakness. It is a sign asking to be saved, not killed.”

“Well, then I can touch it!?”

“···.”

Do you usually ask that in this situation?

The king of the Yongin tribe lowers his gaze.

I look down at the girl who is asking an unusual question.

And gives an answer.

“···Do whatever you want.”

It was said that he wanted to kill the leather because he liked it.

Theodore gave the wolf a deadly warning with his gaze.

I sat down on one of the rocks rising next to the cave.

“Wow! Even though you have hair, your whole body is cold! You’re amazing!”

– Kyai-ing! Wow! Cough!

The size of the mutant wolf is not small.

It has a mouth that can swallow an adult male in one bite, and front paws and claws that can crush a large tree.

A real kitty wouldn’t even be a snack.

But what about the picture now?

No matter how much the wolf surrendered, isn’t it funny how a girl without any mana would pet her like that without any fear?

That is not the owner of the forest, but rather a puppy wandering the streets.

‘This is absurd.’

Theodore doesn’t know if Kitty is fearless or if she is good at reading opportunities.

“Whew! My hands are cold.”

– Fuck!

Kitty, who had been petting the wolf’s belly for a while, approached Theodore, warming his cold hand with her cheek.

The wolf watched Theodore’s eyes and quietly returned to the cave.

“It was cute! I wish I could take it home and raise it, but my mom said no…”

“It’s not that big of a problem. I just feel like it’s too big to fit into a bakery.”

“If you keep it outside on a leash, it has nothing to do with it inside!”

“Hmm, grow it.”

Could it be a bakery? Theodore thought the other way.

I thought it would be a good picture to grow in the Vulcan building in the Federal Bureau.

No leash is needed.

Because what is needed to dominate the beast is not physical restraint.

I’m still thinking about it.

Kitty rustled her bag, took out her bread, and stuffed it into Theodore’s mouth.

“Since we are going out, let’s eat bread now. Bread!”

“When I’m crazy… I don’t eat bread.”

“I also have milk that mom brought me. I’ll get it for you.”

“Are you listening to me?”

Is it because I’m not big enough yet?

This little boy changed topics too quickly and his mind was disorganized.

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The taste of the bread that was forced upon Kitty was no different from the meat.

Honestly, I was surprised.

The bread I ate decades ago was so hard as a rock that I doubted it was a blunt object, and the inside was so soft that it was like a thief stealing moisture from my mouth, but this bread was different.

“It tastes good.”

Kitty smiled with satisfaction as she watched Theodore crunching through the bread.

He waved his short legs that did not touch the ground and continued to talk to Theodore without any hesitation.

“We’re friends, why are you trying to beat her brother?”

As I was answering the question, here it is.

Theodore answered with a laugh, wondering how the conversation had come to this point.

I felt a sense of despair as to what I was doing to the little boy, but this answer was closer to a lament.

“That is the gift and repayment I can give. I must become a flame worthy of burning and consuming Roman.”

A face that Kitty did not understand.

Tilt your head.

“Are you a wizard who controls fire?”

“···Think like that.”

How can I explain it one by one?

Theodore half gave up and gave a concise answer.

“Roman is also a wizard who controls fire, right?”

“No. Roman is a born warrior. It has nothing to do with the heat.”

“Isn’t Roman hotter to say that?”

“Roman is hot…? What makes you say that?”

“Eyes!”

“What do you mean?”

Kitty stuck out her lips and bounced on her feet.

And she looked up into Theodore’s eyes.

“When you left today, did you miss the wolf in the cave over there?”

“Of course.”

“Did you expect it? Why?”

“It’s natural. Finding a strong enemy is always exciting.”

Kitty closed her mouth for a moment.

Wanting to say something, but unable to say it.

“Mom told me not to say rude things…”

“Tell me. I will forgive you even if you curse, so tell me. But I will not forgive you if you do not say what is on your mind.”

Theodore, who heard the girl’s mumbling, gave permission.

Only then did Kitty open her mouth.

“Roman felt that the way she looked at her wives during the wedding was very passionate with emotions such as happiness and love.”

“···What do you want to say?”

“On the other hand, my brother’s view of the world was somewhat lukewarm, even when he met the wolf he was looking forward to. Ah, he was a little better when he was eating bread!”

“!”

In the heart of the fire, we pile firewood called emotions to increase the heat.

This is common sense for the Yongin people who are born with the blessing of fire.

But.

‘Is it a narrow-minded view that anger and anger generate the most heat…?’

A sense of cracking in the common sense passed down from generation to generation among the pure-blooded dragon people, who mostly have a warlike and rough personality.

Something tickled me.

Theodore fluttered his wings in ecstasy at what he glimpsed beyond the wall.

And calm down.

‘It is still difficult to define what it is… It is a taboo to be immersed in a fleeting sensation.’

Theodore, who controlled his mind, observed Kitty.

There is not even a trace of training, let alone mana.

Nevertheless, Kitty is one of the people who give Theodor Spenta a special impression.

He was similar to Roman and Vulcan in that he treated them without regard for others, but his methods were different.

It is sometimes embarrassing to make a gesture that is so innocent and ignorant.

The majority of people around Theodor Spenta worship him and follow him blindly, but there are people like Vulcan and Varian who speak the truth.

However, it largely reminds us of the parts of ourselves that we do not want to do and are ignoring.

It is far from the stimulation that touches parts of the body that we were not even conscious of like now.

So Theodor Spenta ordered Kitty.

“From now on, tell me everything that comes to mind when you look at me, just like today. There is no need for politeness. Please write down anything that comes to mind during your daily life.”

What Theodore needs now is not advice or advice.

What is needed for growth is a completely separate perspective.

“No notes!”

Kitty quickly responded to the extremely serious voice.

Theodore’s expression, which he thought was an opportunity, became serious.

“Why? They will compensate you sufficiently. Did you make a contract with someone?”

“I don’t know how to write!”

“···.”

Theodore felt all the strength drain from his body as the answer was far beyond his expectations.

It’s something that can’t be helped.

Commoners cannot even imagine entering an educational institution like Lofty Academy in the first place.

A class is held once a month by priests and nuns in the denomination who also serve as volunteers.

Sending them there is the best thing a couple who runs a bakery can do for their children.

“···I guess I should call Varian and teach him how to read first.”

A relationship between the two that no one can imagine.

If the continent had rolled in the way the goddess had imagined, the meeting between Theodor Spenta and Kitty would not have existed in the cycle of history.

The reason for this absurd combination is a piece of coincidence that occurred when Roman’s existence and influence escaped the goddess’s grasp.

This meeting would not have taken place in the first place if Theodor Spenta had not followed Roman’s advice and tried to quell the heat radiating from the body.

This relationship would never have continued if Theodore, who was defeated by Roman, had not devised a plan to increase his strength.