Hans sheathed the Divine Sword again. Helia still had her head bowed to Hans. A flood of thoughts rushed through his mind. There were so many things he wanted to say. Why did she do such a thing?
Was it that unbelievable to her? Three years ago, waking from hypnosis. The emotions he felt that day when he first learned this fact surged within him. But he put those feelings aside for just a moment.
Because there was something far more important than that now. Hans grabbed Helia’s shoulder as she kept her head down. In that moment when surprise colored her red eyes, Hans pulled her into an embrace.
His strong arms, reinforced by the Dragon Heart, wrapped around Helia’s body. Helia was momentarily startled by the sudden hug, but soon she too extended her arms to hold Hans.
“There’s so much I want to say. There are many things I need to say, but…”
“……”
“I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Just as Helia cherished Hans, he felt the same way. Though unexpressed, he had been biting down hard to survive alone in this world.
During that time, amidst the trials and adversities, the reason he could still stand as a person was because Helia trusted him until the very end. Yes, that was the sincerity of it.
Of course, he had no intention of covering up Helia’s actions. No matter the reason, it was clear that Helia had done wrong. But before all that, he wanted to express one thing. It was a relief she was safe.
“Teacher, I’m glad you’re alive too.”
“……Didn’t I say I believed you until the end?”
“This is a different matter…!!”
In the end, Helia couldn’t hold back and burst into tears. Yes, comforting oneself with strong faith was one thing. Having the reality appear in front of you was another. The heart reacts first.
Three years. For a human, that’s not a short period. During that time, she was separated from the person she had sworn to spend her life with. So, it was inevitable her emotions would run high. That was why she was crying.
Like a child throwing a tantrum, Helia was lightly punching Hans’ chest. On the surface, it looked like she was sulking, but surprisingly, it hurt a lot for Hans.
‘That hurts, damn.’
It wasn’t just a joke; it really hurt a lot. His body must be reinforced by the Dragon Heart. Was it because Helia’s physical abilities were enhanced by the powers gained from the ruins? He cleared his throat and said.
“Well, it looks like everyone has gathered here.”
At Hans’s words, Helia turned her gaze backward. There, familiar faces that had gathered and were looking this way. Helia chuckled softly and said.
“It’s been a long time, everyone?”
“What’s with that castle from earlier? What’s the principle behind it!”
“……? Why did your tone suddenly go old school?”
“Wake up.”
Pointing out her tone made Ruby glare, while everyone else laughed at that. Watching this scene made Hans feel like tears would come out without him realizing it.
“Then let’s set off right away.”
“Um?”
“Why do you ask?”
Helia tilted her head. But Hans couldn’t help but be surprised by her reaction. Wasn’t she the hero of the Human Kingdom? And suddenly she was saying they were leaving?
“Aren’t there problems to solve in the Human Kingdom?”
“Problems to solve?”
“At least you should tell the king you’re quitting.”
At the very least, they needed to find a successor, or pass things on. There were many tasks to be done. Procedures are like that. But at Hans’s question, Helia shook her head resolutely.
“That was the deal from the beginning.”
“A deal you say?”
“When you appeared, I promised to leave right away.”
“…….”
It didn’t seem to mean what she thought it did. The Human King would have accepted that condition. Because back then, he probably thought Hans was dead. In other words,
He believed such an event wouldn’t happen and accepted the condition. But unfortunately, Hans was still alive. Naturally, chaos would ensue in the Human Kingdom.
“I don’t have time for that now. I need to fill the void left by the three years.”
“Helia finally said something right. Let’s hurry!”
“Exactly! That’s how it should be!”
“Your tone doesn’t suit you at all.”
“Shut up.”
Clara and Ruby began to bicker again. Meanwhile, fragments of their fight splashed onto Helia. Helia, getting annoyed again, immediately joined in. In an instant, chaos erupted right before their eyes.
“Haha.”
Watching that, Hans wiped under his nose with a finger.
What a mess.
*
It started to rain. Hans recalled the saying that land hardens after rain. Just as that saying went, even if three years had passed, now that everyone had gathered, the atmosphere felt quite similar to the old days.
But they couldn’t keep getting soaked in the rain. Eventually, Hans and the party entered a shabby inn nearby. Then ominously, dark clouds filled the sky and poured rain.
As Hans looked at the rain pouring outside, he received a warm mug of drink. Personally, Hans preferred beer the most, but since the temperature had dropped with the rain, this would be fine too.
The party had already settled down, beginning their meals. The shabby inn was run by an elderly couple who had been operating it regardless of monsters coming or going.
“Isn’t it scary? You could die, you know?”
“Of course I’m scared. But this place is where I’ve been with my partner through thick and thin.”
“…….”
“And now that we have entered the twilight of our lives, we just want to live here together, and if we can die here, we’d be satisfied.”
At the old man’s words, Hans quietly took a sip of his drink. Now that he had decided to face everything, he naturally began to ponder what he could do.
“…….”
“…….”
Suddenly, Hans realized Helia was looking at him. But as he shifted his gaze to her, Helia immediately turned her gaze away. Hans tilted his head.
It felt unnatural to say she was shy, as if she was being cautious. Rather than being embarrassed, it looked like she was afraid of Hans.
But it didn’t take long for Hans to realize the reason. Helia was the one who had put him under hypnosis. It was time for a deep conversation on that matter. Hans got up from his seat.
“Helia, come with me for a moment.”
“Yes?”
“I have something to discuss with you.”
“J-Just the two of us?”
“Yeah.”
Helia cautiously nodded and stood up. However, what Hans didn’t expect was that the party members, who had been eating and drinking, fell silent all at once.
Wondering what was up, when Hans shifted his gaze, they all quickly looked away. What the heck? His mind was filled with question marks, but Hans cleared his throat and turned his back.
Everyone must be thinking differently. Hans organized what he wanted to say and what he needed to say. Helia also calmly gathered her thoughts. So, the two of them reached a room.
“You know what wrong you did, right?”
Once they arrived at the room, Hans turned to look at Helia. Helia quietly nodded her head. At that time, she didn’t think it was wrong. She just thought desperately.
“Yes, Teacher. I’m truly sorry.”
“Why did you do such a thing?”
“I thought you were going to leave us.”
“That doesn’t mean you can manipulate someone’s mind at will.”
“……I feel it deeply.”
An apology is not just about admitting wrongs. You must express what you will do moving forward and show sincerity that matches it. Then, the remaining burden falls on the victim.
“Imposing your intent recklessly. And manipulating someone’s mind— I will never do that again.”
“Alright, if that’s the case… wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
Hans was closing his eyes and crossing his arms, sorting out his thoughts and feelings in his mind. Until he met Helia, his negative emotions were quite strong. However, they were gradually melting away.
At least until he saw Helia’s outfit. Before he knew it, Helia was only wearing underwear; the bra covering her breasts looked like it was half the size needed, and her bosom seemed like it would overflow.
Her panties only wrapped around her waist, with black stockings attached via garter belt underneath. When did she start wearing such clothes? Hans was flustered.
“Where did you get that outfit?”
“Oh, this is the ceremonial outfit of apology passed down through the Human Kingdom.”
“The ceremonial outfit of apology?”
“Yes, according to an old legend…”
Once, the god who created the Human Kingdom became enraged after being betrayed by humans. The most beautiful maiden wore this outfit and danced to calm his anger and became the god’s wife, living happily ever after.
“So since then, if a woman commits a serious crime, she’s expected to wear this outfit to make amends.”
“……”
So, to put it simply. What is that? Not a shameful dance, but rather when sitting, spreading her legs apart, arms behind her head, and shaking her voluptuous bosom with her waist…
But that wasn’t the biggest issue. The problem was that Helia’s appearance struck Hans’s preferences perfectly. Long red hair and a voluptuous figure. Plus, those enticing black undergarments.
“No, stop. That’s enough. That much is sufficient.”
“Teacher?”
“Come on, get out of here. Out.”
It was a sudden change, but Helia didn’t seem flustered. Rather, like a skilled huntress, she illuminated her eyes and watched Hans’s reaction. This was the first time she’d seen such a reaction from him.
But it didn’t seem like a negative response. Quite the opposite, it seemed very positive. Judging that, Helia slowly rose from her seat and began to walk toward Hans.
Hans was flustered. He never thought Helia wouldn’t leave. Soon they were close enough that their breaths met. Aside from the thin cloth, her breasts were pressed right against him.
“Stop! I shouldn’t touch you!”
“Why not?”
“I’m your teacher and you’re my student!!”
She was a child he had raised since she was young. How could he do such things with someone so precious? Of course, she was an adult now! They weren’t related by blood or anything!
“Aha.”
But despite Hans’s desperate rejection, Helia didn’t seem hurt. Rather, she smiled faintly, glanced at Hans, and then suddenly pressed her lips against his.
The primitive roots covering their lips indulged in each other. After just a moment, a light moisture was left on Helia’s lips, now separated from Hans. Helia’s eyes were filled with longing.
“Then it’s okay if I touch you, right?”
“What…?!”
“After all, doing it forcibly is a bad thing, isn’t it?”
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