Editor : Amethyst00



An inn room in Godthrone.

Leo silently gazed at the scenery outside the window.

The streets were full of drunken people.

"Drink up, eat, throw up. What a mess."

Leo shook his head.

The whole city was half in chaos.

But there hadn't been any real problems.

As if they couldn't control their emotions without drinking.

Hope was blooming within joy.

It felt as though the shining future itself was blessing the people of Godthrone.

"This must've been the kind of scene he hoped for."

It was a view Leo had never seen before.

They hadn't been able to fully enjoy the joy of the world's salvation.

"Ugh…"

Carl, who had been lying on the bed, groaned groggily as he sat up and spotted Leo by the window.

"What, didn't sleep?"

Carl let out a long yawn, scratched his belly, and walked over to the window.

Looking outside, he clicked his tongue.

"This is crazy. They don't look like they'll stop anytime soon."

As Carl watched the people of various races enjoying the festival without rest, he nodded as if understanding.

"Well, I guess I get it. But hey, Leo."

"What?"

"Did you really not know that Lord Aaron and that Lady Lisa were lovers?"

"I didn't."

"Huh? But wasn't there that subtle vibe between them?"

Carl tilted his head.

"What about the other Great Heroes?"

"They probably didn't know either. If they had, they would've meddled while teasing him about it."

Especially Luna—she would have made a big fuss cheering for Aaron.

Hearing this, Carl clasped his hands behind his head and nodded.

"Lady Lysinas and Lord Dweno seemed really perceptive, though… Lord Aaron must've hidden it well."

When Carl expressed his admiration, Leo said,

"Well, aside from Lysinas and Luna, he acted the same way around any woman."

"How was he?"

"Super shy."

"Huh, I can totally imagine that."

Carl nodded.

Then he gave a bitter smile.

"That Lisa lady must've been really heartbroken."

In the end, Aaron never returned.

"But the fact that it's not recorded in history at all… that's such a shame. Or maybe it was known and forgotten over time?"

"Lisa probably kept the fact that she was Aaron's lover buried in her heart for life."

Even Sylord hadn't known about Aaron and Lisa's relationship—nor had Velkia or Bihar.

Only the two of them and a very few others had known. It had remained a secret forever.

Leo could understand Lisa's feelings.

They probably only spoke about it now, carried away by the emotions of a world saved…

"Because it was Aaron's own words—he said he'd tell everyone himself."

Knowing Aaron's personality, that would've taken immense courage.

Lisa had remained silent out of respect for that.

At Leo's words, Carl scratched his head.

"Are there many former Arhi members here?"

"Some."

"Don't you want to meet them?"

"…"

Leo remained silent for a moment at Carl's cautious question.

Then he spoke.

"It's okay. I wasn't particularly close to the Arhi members outside of the Great Heroes."

"Why?"

Given Leo's current sense of responsibility toward his companions, it didn't make much sense.

"There was a superstition."

"Superstition?"

Carl tilted his head.

Leo gave a dry chuckle.

"Yeah. That anyone who partied with me would die."

"What?"

"That's why they called me the 'Surviving Hero.'"

Carl fell silent at Leo's words, then said,

"You must've had a hard time."

"I did."

Leo gave a wry smile.

His casual demeanor was for Carl's sake.

Knowing that, Carl cheerfully changed the topic.

"By the way, how come this tavern has no customers? The outside's in a festival mood."

Carl looked puzzled.

"Even the elf owner here isn't serving anyone, just polishing cups."

Despite the crowds outside, no one came into this tavern.

"It's not like they don't have alcohol."

Considering the outside was full of people complaining about the lack of booze, it was strange.

At Carl's comment, Leo said calmly,

"Probably no one will drink here."

"Why?"

"This was our regular place."

"Huh?"

"Every time the Great Heroes returned, we held a party here. So the people of Godthrone won't come here until they return."

"…"

Carl looked sheepish at Leo's words.

'Man, feels like I'm stepping on landmines today.'

"Suddenly, I feel like drinking."

Carl came down from the window.

"Let's have a drink."

"Huh?"

Carl looked surprised.

"Really?"

"Why so shocked?"

"It's just—you've never invited me for a drink before."

"Because you're still a kid."

Leo chuckled.

"But right now I'm in an adult's body, you know?"

Carl scratched his head at Leo's reply.

"And you're the kid. But, will the owner even sell us drinks in the Great Heroes' regular tavern?"

"Probably."

Leo smiled and opened the inn door.

Carl followed him out.

As they reached the stairs to the first floor, the door to Chelsea and Chen Xia's room opened.

"Where are you two going?"

Chelsea peeked out and Carl mimed drinking with his hand.

"Leo said let's have a drink."

"What? I'm in! I'll get ready quick—go down ahead!"

Chelsea's eyes widened as she closed the door.

"Drinks?"

At that, Mel's door opened, as did the one where Lyl and Eliza were staying.

"Anyone who's interested, come down."

Leo said that and went downstairs.

Despite the late hour, the elf tavern owner was quietly wiping cups with a cloth.

"What's going on?"

The elf owner asked blankly, and Leo shrugged.

"Thought we'd have a drink."

The elf owner gestured at a table.

At her consistent manner, Leo burst out laughing and sat down instinctively at the same table.

The elf paused slightly at the sight.

Carl, sitting across from Leo, said in awe,

"Wow, I thought maybe she wouldn't sell to us. Saying the booze was reserved for the Great Heroes or something."

"She's probably pissed about it. That's why she has no customers."

"You know your stuff."

The elf chuckled and set down a light snack on the table.

"The surviving hero and the fool—those plague-ridden bastards came in and out of my place so much, my regulars stopped showing up. Even on a day like this, I can't sell a damn drink."

As the owner grumbled, Leo said,

"Seven glasses."

The owner went to get the drinks.

"Whoa… this is…"

Carl gaped at the table.

It was covered in carved graffiti.

"There's a ton of insults aimed at you."

Carl whispered, and Leo chuckled.

"Luna wrote those."

"Ah."

Carl nodded.

"Still… why do you think we traveled from the future to the past?"

Leo responded calmly to Carl's suspicious look.

"This might be Sylord's illusion."

"What?"

Carl looked shocked.

"Didn't Velkia and Bihar say they were looking for Sylord?"

Leo sighed, recalling his disciples.

"There's no reason for Sylord to hide after the Age of Calamity ended."

"Which means…"

"This isn't the Sylord of this era."

"But still, is it possible for a caster to be caught in their own spell?"

"Sylord cast the spell, but the magic itself is running wild. Erebos is interfering with it."

"So…"

"We have to find Sylord within this illusion."

"Got any idea where to start?"

"…Not really."

Just then, Leo closed his eyes.

"We're here!"

"Already got a table?"

The rest of the group clattered down from the second floor.

Everyone showed up and gathered around the table.

"Whoa, look at this."

"So many insults about Lord Kyle. Who wrote this?"

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Carl puffed up with pride.

"Luna wrote them."

"What? How do you know that?"

"This is the Great Heroes' regular tavern, apparently. That's why it's empty."

"Really? Whoa, wow!"

Chelsea looked around, stunned.

Watching the rowdy group, Leo rested his chin on his hand.

Then the owner brought out seven mugs and set them on the table.

Thud—!

"This isn't just the drunks' regular hangout."

Handing out the large mugs, the elf owner smiled slightly.

"This is also where Lysinas and Kyle founded the Arhi Party."

"What?"

"Wow… it's a historic place?"

"You lot must be outsiders. Didn't know something everyone else does."

As the owner looked amazed, everyone looked awkward.

"We were often away on outside missions."

"Huh… must've been tough."

The elf smiled appreciatively.

"Then this one's on the house."

"Free?"

Leo looked suspicious.

"Did you poison it or something?"

The owner replied while looking at Leo.

"Since earlier, I couldn't help but feel—you're uncomfortably like that damn Kyle."

Grumbling, she placed a mug in front of Leo.

Leo frowned.

"What's this?"

"Milk. What kind of kid thinks they're drinking alcohol?"

With that, the owner returned to the kitchen to prepare food.

"Pwahahahahahaha!"

Carl doubled over laughing.

Eliza crossed her legs and rested her chin on her hand, her signature scornful look in place.

"You are a kid right now, after all."

Chelsea, Chen Xia, Lyl, and Melina reacted similarly.

"No one's on my side, huh."

"You should've behaved better. You always treat us like children."

At Eliza's remark, Leo sighed.

"Fine, fine. This is my karma."

Saying that, Leo snatched Carl's mug and drank.

"Ah! Hyung-nim! You can't drink alcohol in a child's body!"

Lyl flailed, but Leo ignored him and drank.

'…Tastes like nostalgia.'

As Leo savored the beer the owner brewed herself—

Clink—SPLASH—!

A mug fell, spilling its contents.

"…"

Leo silently looked down at his now tiny hand.

The others stared at Leo with open mouths.

"Murh-tuh."

From Leo's lips came the inaccurate pronunciation typical of a newborn.

The elf, returning with snacks, said with a serious face,

"Just to be clear… I didn't poison the drink. I swear."