Editor : Amethyst00



The group walked down the boulevard toward the Hergin family mansion.

"Wow. I didn't expect Hersia to be such a developed city. It's amazing."

Lyl, too, looked around the city in admiration.

"According to Professor Mel, it's advanced a lot."

"Miss Eliza must have become an excellent head of house."

At Chelsea's words, Lyl nodded.

She had already heard that this vision showed a world shaped by future possibilities.

Seeing the city that Eliza had developed to be comparable to Lumeria, Lyl couldn't help but admire her outstanding leadership.

"Well, Eliza always seemed more interested in studying estate management than her school subjects."

"She acts like a complete delinquent student, but I guess she takes that kind of thing seriously."

"Chelsea, don't call your friend a delinquent. That's not nice."

When Melina smiled as she said that, Chelsea pouted.

"She's not exactly a model student, right, Carl?"

"…"

"Carl?"

"Huh? What?"

Carl, who had been walking absentmindedly, snapped to attention when Chelsea called him.

"What were you thinking about that had you so spaced out?"

Chelsea asked curiously. Carl scratched his cheek in response.

"Well, I was just thinking the Hergin family is really impressive."

"They are."

Lyl nodded in agreement, and Chelsea chimed in.

"They're considered the best among the heroic human summoner families."

Although she had a rival-like relationship with Eliza, she had no intention of denying her skills or her family's influence.

Lewellin was the most renowned magic family in the western continent.

But if you looked at the entire continent, there were two or three other magic families on par with Lewellin's reputation.

The same went for the Zerdinger family.

But the Hergins were different.

There were fewer summoners compared to knights and mages.

So there were also fewer summoner families.

Excluding non-human families, the top human summoner family had always been — and still was — the Hergins.

Carl scratched his cheek again at Chelsea's comment.

Seeing that, Chelsea narrowed her eyes.

"Why?"

"You like Eliza, don't you?"

"Is that true, Carl?"

"Oh my."

Lyl looked surprised, and Melina gasped softly with her hand over her mouth.

"What are you talking about?"

Carl tried to brush it off with his usual cheeky tone, but Chelsea didn't miss the flicker of embarrassment on his face — like a predator spotting its prey.

"Huh? I was just teasing, but it's true, huh?"

"No, I mean…"

Carl started to make an excuse, then scratched his head roughly.

"Don't go around spreading it. Especially don't tell Eliana."

"Got it."

"Wow, Carl and Eliza. I think you two would make a great couple."

"Yeah. You really suit each other. I'll root for your relationship."

Lyl and Melina said cheerfully, and Carl laughed awkwardly as he scratched his cheek again.

'At least they didn't find out we're actually dating.'

From an outsider's perspective, it just looked like a one-sided crush, which was less impactful.

Then Chelsea tilted her head.

"But out of all the people, why Eliza?"

"What about Eliza?"

Carl looked puzzled, and Chelsea sighed softly.

"I know you two are close and that you're a good guy. Even your background is decent… Honestly, you could probably win over a royal if you wanted."

"You think I'm that impressive?"

"You're a hero."

As a member of a hero family, Chelsea felt the prestige of that title more keenly than Carl, a commoner.

"But the Hergin family might not be impressed even with a hero. Especially Eliza — she's the heiress, and she's so proud. Not to mention arrogant. With her personality, she'll be picky as hell."

Chelsea said seriously.

"Just leave it as a first love. That's the path that will hurt you less."

It was heartfelt advice, given as a friend.

Lyl was impressed.

"Chelsea, you sound like an adult."

"I am an adult."

"Oooh."

Carl laughed hollowly, watching Chelsea puff herself up.

"You've been emphasizing that you're an adult for a while now, but the more you say it, the more childish you seem."

Chelsea ignored the jab.

"Anyway, don't get too deep into it."

Carl nodded.

"Yeah, okay."

He turned back to gaze at the streets of Hersia.

All of this would someday belong to Eliza.

'I forgot because we wear the same school uniform… But yeah. She's the heiress to an incredible family.'

He thought he'd understood it, but seeing it in person made the gap in their worlds obvious.

'Maybe I got too full of myself after a little success?'

He had even confessed and they were dating now, weren't they?

'Eliza did say she just wanted to try dating.'

Among her classmates, he was probably the closest to Eliza.

'Maybe she just wanted to experience a relationship.'

He was serious about it, but he didn't expect her to reciprocate those feelings fully.

Eliza was haughty, but she secretly looked out for people — maybe she'd accepted his confession reluctantly.

'Well, we are pretty open with each other.'

Still, they weren't at a stage where they could envision a serious future together.

'At least I can brag later — that I dated the heir of this great family back in school.'

It'd be a fun story for the rest of his life.

Knowing both of their personalities, even if their romantic relationship ended, they'd probably still remain friends.

Just then, a carriage drawn by a griffon rolled up and stopped in front of them.

The window opened.

Carl stared blankly, his mouth falling open when he saw the woman's face appear.

"What are you doing out here on the street?"

Looking down with her characteristic proud expression was the beautiful Eliza Hergin.

"Wow! Miss Eliza, you look amazing!"

Lyl exclaimed purely.

"Thank you, sunbae."

Eliza greeted Lyl and glanced briefly at Carl.

Then, curling her lips into a smirk, she asked, "What are you staring at like that?"

"Uh… You're just really beautiful."

"Hmph."

Eliza snorted at Carl's words.

It was a typical reaction for her, but to Carl, she seemed slightly bashful.

"By the way…"

Eliza spotted Leo.

"Who's that kid who looks exactly like Leo Plov? Is he Leo's son?"

"What?"

Chen Xia, who was inside the carriage, shoved Eliza aside and stuck her head out.

When she saw Leo, her eyes widened and she quickly stepped out.

"You've grown into such a beautiful lady, Miss Xia."

"Thank you, sunbae."

Chen Xia greeted politely, then suddenly slipped her arms under Leo's armpits and lifted him up.

With sparkling eyes, she said, "He's not Leo's son — he is Leo!"

"What?!"

Eliza furrowed her brow.

"See? That signature expression."

"…You're right."

When Chen Xia smiled sweetly, Eliza accepted it.

"Put me down."

"Can't I hold you a little longer?"

"No."

"So stingy."

Chen Xia pouted and set Leo down.

Watching the scene, Carl commented,

"You didn't complain when Chelsea and Lyl held you."

"They got permission."

Hearing that, Chen Xia made a dissatisfied face and asked,

"Master Leo, can I hug you once?"

"No."

Ignoring his refusal, Chen Xia hugged Leo like a doll, then set him down and stood quietly behind him, as usual.

Melina clapped her hands to gather attention.

"Since everyone's here, shall we head to the Hergin family mansion?"

"Wait."

Eliza interjected urgently.

"There's an annex of our house not far from here. Let's go there and talk."

"Does the location matter?"

"It's just closer."

As Melina and the others nodded at Eliza's words—

"Eliza, are you hiding something at home? You don't want to show us?"

Carl joked with a laugh.

At that moment, Eliza looked at him and smiled — but in that smile was a hint of menace that made him shut up.

"Pfft!"

Chen Xia burst out laughing at their interaction.

"What? What's so funny?"

Chelsea asked, puzzled. Chen Xia just grinned brightly.

"Young Chelsea doesn't need to know yet~"

Chelsea frowned.

And so, the group headed to the Hergin family annex.

bl

Once there, Melina explained the current situation.

She spoke of Sylord sealing a fragment of Erebos.

And that Sylord's life was nearing its end.

As a result, the fragment was beginning to awaken, and demon generals were showing up to seize it.

Lyl looked grave.

"The situation's more serious than what Kiya told me."

["Kiya? Why bring that girl up?"]

Kiran appeared and asked. Lyl responded,

"We formed our party after hearing what Kiya said."

["That fatty went all the way to Lumene? Did she roll there?"]

Kiran made a face, sticking out his tongue.

Lyl asked, watching him,

"The Fairy King said he doesn't have much time left… but you seem surprisingly calm, Kiran."

["Well, I'm not sure. Considering how old Father is… it wouldn't be strange if he'd already vanished."]

For once, Kiran's expression turned somber.

["He was always so strict… Honestly, I don't have many fond memories of him."]

"That's because you were a brat."

Leo pointed out, and Kiran looked away.

Clap!

Melina brought everyone's attention back.

"So we plan to head to the old Fairyland. There's a high chance we'll find the key to breaking this illusion there. Originally, we'd have split into teams, but…"

"Because of the invading demons, that won't work."

"Correct, Miss Xia."

Everyone nodded at Melina's words.

If demon generals were involved, splitting their forces would be too risky — even if they were stronger thanks to this future vision.

"Let's prepare thoroughly and leave tomorrow."

The sun was setting.

"Get a good rest tonight. Miss Eliza, we'll be in your care."

"This is nothing at all."

"I want to sleep in the main Hergin house though?"

Eliza subtly stepped on Chen Xia's foot for teasing.

Still smiling, Chen Xia called out to Leo, who was heading out.

"Leo-doryeong, where are you going?"

"For a walk."

"I'll come too."

"Xia. You and I need to talk."

Eliza dragged Chen Xia away.

Leo went into the garden of the annex alone.

Sitting on a well-kept bench, he looked up at the sky.

'…Sylord.'

As Leo thought about his friend, two figures approached.

He turned his head and saw a boy and girl staring at him.

"Who are you?"

"I should be asking that. This is the Hergin family annex."

"Brother, maybe he's the guest Mother mentioned?"

"Oh! Maybe?"

The siblings looked at Leo curiously.

Leo's expression subtly shifted — they looked like someone he knew.

"Who are you?"

"My name's Elim Hergin!"

"And I'm Elly Hergin!"

The two introduced themselves proudly, puffing out their chests.

"We're direct descendants of the Hergin family! Eliza Hergin is our mother!"

Impressive, right? Elim's words practically implied it.

Leo asked with a strange expression, "And your father?"

"Our father is…"

"See, Carl? Just give up on Eliza."

"I said I get it."

Before Elim could answer, Chelsea and Carl's voices rang out.

The two children whipped their heads around at the sound.

And beamed brightly.

"Daddy!"

"When did you get here?!"

"Huh?"

Carl looked completely bewildered as the children ran toward him.

Chelsea, too, was stunned.

As the laughing kids clung to Carl's arms, Leo rested his chin on his hand and commented,

"Chelsea, I think you were wrong. I've gained new respect for Carl."

"What?"

Leo smiled at dumbfounded Carl.

"Those two are Carl and Eliza's kids."

"What?!"

Chelsea looked utterly shocked.

Carl, too stunned to speak, just gaped.