The atmosphere changed in an instant. The soup that had been set out for breakfast was growing cold, and the bread was becoming hard.
But no one paid attention to the food. Everyone’s gaze was focused in one direction.
It was directed at me.
Seraphine was the first to stand up. No, should I say she floated up? Her toes barely lifted off the ground.
“Hero, please come this way.”
Her saintly robes fluttered as a pair of pure white wings spread out. The wings, which had been a single pair when we first met, had now grown into four pairs.
Amid the holy aura, the eight wings sparkled, reflecting the sunlight.
“You’re making a scene.”
Aris set down her teacup. It was a graceful gesture, but the moment the teacup touched the table, a sharp sound rang out.
“Haru’s mind has already been made up.”
Her golden eyes slit like a reptile’s. As she waved her hand, the space around her distorted, and magical tomes appeared. Grimoires, the Necronomicon, Erebus, the Book of Vilt…
All of these were things I had found from my knowledge of the original work and gifted her. Legendary magical books floated around Aris, glowing and rising into the air.
“I will tell you the first rule of the forest.”
Sylvia stood up. The trees outside the window shook, though there was no wind.
“The strong takes everything.”
With her gesture, spirits appeared. A lion made of flames roared, and a hawk made of lightning screeched. A massive snake, created from the power of the earth, coiled around the ground.
When Sylvia reached behind her, a bow that glowed green appeared. It was Yggdrasil, made from the branches of the World Tree. A sacred weapon we had earned together after going through trials.
“Haru is Nia’s master!”
Nia leapt onto the table. Her usual cute demeanor was nowhere to be found, and black aura emanated from her body. The reason she survived after stealing so many treasures, avoiding S-rank adventurers’ pursuit, was simply because she was strong.
“Now, choose, Haru.”
Seraphine’s wings shone brighter.
“You can no longer escape.”
The grimoires floating around Aris ominously glowed.
“Make your decision.”
The spirits around Sylvia howled.
“Haru, answer me!”
Nia’s claws glinted.
Four pairs of eyes were fixed on me.
My heart was pounding as if it might burst. They wanted my true feelings. But what they wanted from me…
Each of them was waiting for the answer they desired. And if it wasn’t the answer they were hoping for…
A chill ran down my spine. If I chose someone, the others wouldn’t remain silent. But if I didn’t choose anyone, they would split me into quarters right there.
Calm down. There’s still time.
“Hey, everyone.”
I forced a smile, trying to sound as calm as I could.
“We’re precious comrades, right? We’ve fought together for five years. Do we really have to do this?”
But my words only made things worse.
“Comrades? I want to be more than just a comrade to you, Hero.”
Seraphine’s wings fluttered anxiously.
“Remaining as mere comrades or friends is not something a dragon’s pride will allow.”
The grimoires around Aris glowed dangerously.
“The spirits are also dissatisfied. They want a deeper bond.”
Green light swirled around Sylvia.
“Nia will become Haru’s bride!”
Her black tail swung threateningly.
This is bad. The situation is getting worse.
I quickly ran calculations in my head. Is there a way to escape?
Maybe I could avoid their magic. But the spirits would follow me anywhere.
Seraphine’s holy power would have grown stronger with the number of her wings.
Nia’s claws were making the back of my neck tingle.
Should I confess my true feelings?
‘I have to return to the modern world.’
But those words would be like a death sentence.
Now… now…
Do I have to choose someone? Or should I not choose at all?
Amidst this tense atmosphere, my thoughts were spinning in confusion.
‘Let’s think this through coldly. What if I join hands with Aris?’
I glanced at her golden eyes. The grimoires floating around her were exuding a malevolent aura.
‘The Sage of the Dragon… truly lives up to the name.’
Aris, who wielded both magic and the power of dragons, had the greatest combat strength in the party.
More than anything, from her attitude… it felt like she would do anything for me. If she could set aside even the pride of a dragon, does that mean I’m truly someone special to her?
But then, a chill ran down my spine. Yes, that’s the problem.
The moment I joined hands with her, everything would be over. She called it ‘the Dragon’s treasure.’ No matter how hard I struggled, I’d never escape the dragon’s nest. The obsession of a dragon that has lived for thousands of years…
I turned my gaze to Sylvia. Her cold green eyes were locked on me.
‘Sylvia… might be a little different.’
Sylvia… doesn’t seem as dangerous as Aris. She’s cold and rational. Maybe if I speak to her carefully, I can get through to her.
But then I shook my head.
The problem is, she doesn’t even care about demons. She’d probably ask me to return to the forest and live there forever. And if we go back to the forest, there’s no way I could escape the spirits’ surveillance. I might even be imprisoned by the World Tree.
So, what about Seraphine?
The first comrade I met, the saintess who had stayed by my side with a pure heart. And she has a large chest.
In battle, the synergy between the saintess, the hero, the holy sword, and blessings was more overwhelming than any other combination.
If I had known she was this strong, I should’ve just gone on an adventure with the saintess alone from the start.
Maybe we wouldn’t have needed the other party members. But thinking about it now, it’s already too late.
However, I still couldn’t choose her… The memory of her tearful voice from yesterday surfaced.
“I… I’ll die as an old maid in the monastery for the rest of my life!”
The image of her white wings trembling, the tears in her violet eyes.
The saintess is also dangerous. In fact, she might be even more dangerous.
Seraphine wraps everything in holiness. She’ll probably ignore my will, claiming it’s the “goddess’s will.” Honestly, there may not be much room for negotiation with her.
Finally, I looked at Nia. Her black tail was standing on end, tense.
“…She’s a cat.”
After a brief moment of hesitation, I shook my head.
“Pass.”
Without thinking further, I excluded her from the options.
“LF?”
Noticing something, Nia’s ears perked up.
No. I can’t ally with anyone. They’re all embodiments of obsession.
Even if I defeat the Demon Lord later, in the end, wherever I’m dragged off to, I won’t have any freedom left.
I cautiously glanced around.
In this situation, I can’t form an alliance with anyone. I have to create chaos and disappear in the confusion. Otherwise, my life will be over.
The conclusion was clear.
“I need to run.”
Cold sweat trickled down my back. Everyone was waiting for my answer.
I couldn’t join hands with anyone. This was a choice for survival.
I exhaled deeply, forcing a smile and opening my mouth.
“We all value each other, right? There’s no need to make this so hostile…”
This won’t work. I need to buy as much time as possible.
“So… let’s all calm down…”
I need to escape. But how?
Everyone is waiting for the answer they want.
But if I give them the answer they want…
Suddenly, I found myself missing the modern world. I had been caught in a divine vortex on my way from the convenience store, and that’s how I ended up in this other world.
“Pepsi Zero…”
The taste of the soda I couldn’t drink back then always lingered as I adventured.
Wait, this might not be a crisis; it might be an opportunity.
The fact that they’re all glaring at each other…
That’s right. They’re all suspicious of each other.
I took a deep breath and spoke.
First, Seraphine.
“Actually, you see, I…”
Her violet eyes gleamed.
“Since the moment we first met, I’ve liked you, Saintess. Your pure soul and warm heart. Above all, being blessed by the goddess felt like destiny.”
Seraphine’s wings trembled with joy. Her white cheeks flushed red.
“But…”
“But what…?”
“I’m scared of Aris and don’t want to be with her. She’s a dragon who can burn down an entire city…”
“What? You’re scared of a dragon? Heh… What are you saying right now…”
Aris’s golden eyes gleamed sharply.
“No, I mean… I really like Aris too. She’s a sage with the pride of the dragon race. Elegant, intellectual, and…”
This time, a smile spread across Aris’s lips.
“Heh… It’s an honor that you think that way.”
“But…”
“But what…?”
She won’t just sit still. She’s the queen chosen by the World Tree, after all. If she sets her mind to it and commands the spirits, the world would…
What will happen…
“Me?”
Sylvia’s ears perked up.
“The queen is truly charming. With a cold yet warm personality, and the dignity of an elven queen…”
Sylvia’s face turned red. The spirits around her sparkled as if excited.
“But the Church won’t allow it. The hero marrying a non-human? They’ll definitely oppose it…”
Now, it’s Nia’s turn.
“Nia is…”
“Nyaa?”
Her black ears perked up.
“Umm… a cat…”
“Is that all?!”
“No, I mean… she’s cute…”
“Is that all, nya?!”
Nia’s claws flashed.
It’s going well.
I kept my face as serious as possible.
Four pairs of eyes sharply crossed each other.
“Heh… I fully understand now.”
Aris laughed coldly. The true nature of the dragon was beginning to show.
“Truly, you’re too kind. You could have just said it plainly. In the end, what you’re saying is that others are getting in the way of our love, right?”
“Who exactly is in the way?”
“How dare you defy the bond the goddess has set for us…!”
“Haru-nyang is Nia’s butler, nya!”
In that moment, the air froze.
It’s finally starting.
Seraphine moved first. Her eight wings spread threateningly, and a holy light filled the surrounding area.
In response, the magical books floating around Aris began to radiate magic. The books seemed alive, flipping pages on their own as they searched for the most deadly spells.
“I’ll tear off your wings and collect them. They’d make a perfect decoration for our honeymoon house.”
Seraphine’s wings instantly spread like a shield, blocking the flames with holy light. The clash of white feathers and dragon’s magic caused flames to scatter in all directions.
“My fate with the hero is determined by the goddess. Everyone else should step aside.”
At that moment, Sylvia’s spirits moved. The fire lion roared at Nia, and the lightning hawk struck down from the sky.
“Can you really stop Nia with this, nya?”
Nia’s claws flashed as she cut through the spirits. The spirits, caught in the black aura, scattered but quickly regrouped.
“Judgment of the forest!”
Sylvia raised the World Tree’s bow. Green arrows sliced through the air, flying toward Nia.
Nia barely twisted her body to avoid them, but a few strands of black fur flew off.
“Kyah! How dare you touch Nia’s fur…!”
In an instant, chaos broke out. Golden magic clashed with holy light, and the roars of spirits met with sharp black claws.
The four party members glared at each other, continuing their attacks. No one seemed willing to back down.
“Haru and I have the perfect synergy… The combination of the hero and saint is already proven by history, right?”
“Heh… Is that so? Have you heard of the Dragon Knight? A legendary knight who rides dragons and rules the skies… I could do that with you, Haru.”
“Haru has a special ability to resonate with spirits. The forest spirits also acknowledged him. With the two of us, we’re enough.”
“The frontline duo is Nia and Haru-nyang, the strongest! From now on, it’ll be just us two adventuring together, nya! We don’t need any other females!”
At that moment, Aris’s magical books all opened at once.
“How dare you covet the dragon’s treasure!”
“I’ll purify you in the name of the goddess!”
“Forest law number two: the weak shall be eliminated.”
“I’ll tear them apart, nya!”
Holy power, magic, spirits’ strength, and auras all collided at one point.
The moment the four forces collided, a blinding light exploded.
Amidst the thick smoke, I was already leaving the village.
“The hero has disappeared!”
“Where did they go…?”
“Spirits! Find them quickly!”
“Haru-nyang, where are you?!”
The voices behind me were growing fainter.
Sorry. But this is the best I can do.
I quickened my steps. The path to the Empire.
“What’s more terrifying than the Demon Lord… is the party I’ve raised.”
I could still hear the explosions fading behind me. It seemed the attacks toward each other were continuing.
Soon, they’d realize I was gone, and then they would scatter for a bit. Watching each other warily.
Now I’m a fugitive, huh.
But they won’t give up. They’ll use their own methods to claim me.
First, I’ll head to the Empire. I need to make my next plan there.