“Whoa! It’s Johann! Johann~!”
“Don’t just jump into someone’s arms recklessly.”
Millia, who jumped into my arms, nuzzled her face against my chest like a puppy.
I mean, it’s not that soft like a girl, so what’s the big deal? I was absentmindedly playing with Millia’s bright red hair when I noticed Elisa coming in.
“Johann-nim…!”
“Elisa. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Yeeees…!”
You got a back, huh.
With both Elisa and Millia hugging me, I secretly thought it was a relief that Elisa was behind me as I enjoyed the long-awaited reunion.
Karina looked on indulgently, clearly pleased with our embrace.
Well, say what you will, but she really looks the part of the mansion owner.
“How was the elf village, Johann?”
“It was amazing!”
“Hmm? Johann… who’s that?”
“That’s the one you really wanted to go for a walk with.”
“Hmm?”
Millia widened her eyes and stared at Rue, who looked a bit nervous and peeked out from behind Karina.
Looks like Millia’s daily walks are coming back to her mind.
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“How?”
“Since you’re here, what’s the problem?”
“True!”
Millia instantly accepted it.
After all, there’s no more mysterious creature than Millia, so the fact that she suddenly showed up in human form is no big deal at all.
Those who knew Millia understood everything I said.
But those who didn’t looked confused, tilting their heads. Since they didn’t ask anything, maybe they assumed it was a secret.
…A secret that has to be revealed eventually, though.
It’s better to reveal a secret when we can control the situation than to have it exposed in the worst-case scenario.
Still, right now…
“Rue! Can I touch your tentacles?”
“No, don’t! They’re sensitive!”
“Eh? Just once~ I just want to feel them once!”
“No way!”
“But we’re friends!”
“Didn’t you always try to put a leash on me at any chance you got!”
Are you kids or something?
I stared blankly at Millia and Rue, who started playing tag with Karina in between us, and then quietly moved away to stroke Elisa’s head, who had come back to my side.
“I’ve missed you…”
“Did you do well on the exam?”
“Yeeees…”
Why are you rubbing your face against my chest so much?
Elisa, acting all affectionate like a cat, slowly lifted her head to look up at me, and then leaned back slightly, her moist eyes locking onto mine. It was clear she wanted something.
And it wasn’t like I didn’t know what Elisa’s signal meant.
I bent down and closed the distance with her.
Elisa quietly closed her eyes and accepted my lips. It looked a bit criminal due to my size, but if the party involved is happy, who cares?
After a brief, sweet kiss, I pulled away and shrugged.
“You’re starting to resemble Millia.”
“But… I really love you.”
“Hoho, it’s natural for a girl to want to act spoiled toward someone she likes.”
Is that so?
I wouldn’t know anything about that girl’s heart, so I could only nod blankly. After such a long time, we shared some catching up, and one by one, we occupied spaces in the lounge.
Karina, Millia, Elisa, and Renny. Once Shuri, Lewis, and Viola arrive, the usual suspects will be all here.
Ah, and Sif was also here.
Since Sif left the room before Millia came in to see her younger siblings, she must be caught up with them by now. I thought about calling her, but it might be burdensome, so I decided to hold off.
The younger ones would be all over her since it’s been a while—it’s best to let her have her time with them.
As I spent time between Elisa and Karina, people gradually began to gather in the lounge.
“It’s been a while!”
“Long time no see, Johann-nim.”
“Lewis, Shuri. How have you been?”
“Uncle, long time no see. But what’s wrong with your right hand? Is it hurt?”
“Got my contractor’s arm cut off! It’s a new one!”
Hey.
I was intentionally hiding it with long sleeves.
Why you gotta spill the beans?
I pressed my forehead as I looked at Rue, who made that bombshell remark.
I wanted to brush it off casually, but look at that atmosphere suddenly going cold. I got startled and opened my mouth to calm Karina, who rushed over to me, rolling up my sleeves.
“Don’t worry, I’m all better now.”
“Really, really?!”
“Did Johann get hurt a lot?!”
“Well, I’d rather not say, but I’m healed enough to regrow a limb. So, don’t worry too much. If I hadn’t cut it off, I would’ve died right there.”
“What does that mean…”
I could feel everyone’s eyes boring into me, wanting to know why exactly I had to cut off my arm.
“Please tell us. What happened in the elf city?”
“Well…”
I began to slowly recount the events that took place at Yggdrasil.
—————–
“One incident after another that an ordinary person could never experience. As expected of Johann-nim.”
Lewis looked up at me with admiration in his eyes. I ignored that heavy gaze and observed the group’s reactions. They mostly looked like they were thinking I went through a tough time.
“Johann… you’ve had it hard. Make sure to rest for a while.”
“Well, someone has to take care of the security.”
“Nope, I’ll do it, you just relax.”
“You really don’t need to worry. I’ve rested plenty while driving the carriage—”
“Nope! Rest! You can’t overdo it!”
With Millia stepping in, I had no choice but to nod.
Since arguing against their kindness would seem rude, I couldn’t turn down their offer.
“Okay, I’ll follow your lead.”
“Good decision.”
“That’s right!”
“Then, contractor! Let’s go have some fun! Show me the Academy!”
“You should come with me!”
“No way!”
I took a moment to breathe as I watched Millia and Rue bicker.
At least it seemed like things were going well enough. If I came back as a one-armed man, it would’ve been complete chaos.
“Johann. Can I touch your new hand…?”
“If you want to.”
Karina’s hand began to examine my right hand. With a serious expression, she seemed to be checking if something was wrong.
After a while, she finally spoke in a soft voice.
“Johann used to have such white skin.”
“…Honestly, I can’t remember when I had that. It feels like it was ages ago.”
That was a long time ago—11 years, to be precise—so I honestly can’t recall how I looked right after being reincarnated. What I can be sure of is that I didn’t have such a grim expression. I was probably just a diligent young man who was a bit bigger.
“Hmm, I can’t picture it…”
“Ah, yeah, I feel the same. I can’t picture Uncle being all white and cute…”
“Me too!”
“That time, I didn’t have any scars, and my hair was a different color.”
I barely remember what color it was, but it definitely wasn’t the same as now.
“Now I’m even more intrigued. To think that there was a time when someone had that cute soldier-like face after all those hardships.”
Renny teased me playfully. But that’s how people usually become hardened after hardship. I chuckled and replied.
“You must have been cute too back then.”
“Come to think of it, Renny looked quite young when we first met… her face was much rounder than now… it feels like ages ago.”
“W-Well, I was just a kid…”
“Renny is still cute even now.”
“Uh, th-thank you, Karina-nim…”
She is cute indeed.
I felt a sense of joy watching Renny flustered by Karina’s compliment.
This sort of unilateral praise only happened when Karina was teasing her.
With everyone else, she could get back at them, but she couldn’t retaliate against Karina.
“Is there no screenshot of Renny when she was younger? I’m curious!”
“Sadly, no.”
Millia piped in just in time with her playful jab. Renny’s face turned bright red, and she seemed too flustered to say anything.
“This was during the time when Karina-nim was only taking care of Sif’s siblings, right? If we’re talking cuteness, Karina-nim was even cuter!”
Oh, a counterattack. Renny’s unexpected comeback widened Karina’s eyes, and everyone turned to look at her.
Come to think of it, Renny’s words made sense.
Even now, Karina possesses a beauty that stands tall among high elves, so she must have been stunning as a child too.
“Well… I was just an ordinary girl back then…”
“I’d like to see a picture of Karina when she was a child.”
“That’s right!”
“Maybe there’s one in the Grand Temple?”
“Really?”
“I want to go to the Grand Temple!”
“Renny!”
“Having Uncle here makes it lively.”
“Exactly! It’s clear Johann-nim is essential here…”
Is that so?
I took a glance around the now more vibrant lounge.
With Millia rambling, Rue wanting to go to the Grand Temple, and Karina blushing, the chaotic atmosphere felt warm rather than unpleasant.
Yeah, this is peace.
Not the battlefield where death and decay mingle but a lively chaos settled with peace.
As I absentmindedly fiddled with Elisa’s purple hair, I was drawn into that atmosphere.
Moments like this, I wouldn’t be able to relish such peaceful vibes again.
As I enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere, when the sun was almost completely set, I quietly spoke up.
“Hold on for a second. I have something to say.”
Having enjoyed enough sweet respite, it’s time to get to work.
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