Inha was blankly taking care of Eluke’s kids.
“I’m tired.”
Becoming a babysitter unexpectedly turned out to be harder than anticipated. The kids’ unique iron stamina was tough to handle even for Inha, who had been consistently training physically.
Moreover, they kept coming up with their own imaginative play, which was a hassle.
The strange games had rules that changed every ten seconds. To keep up with them required impeccable improvisation skills.
“…Their creativity is impressive.”
The twins were actually quite clever. According to Eluke, they took after her.
Which made it even harder to take care of them.
Erina, who asked for several things while smiling like her mother. Ibailla, who maintained her manners but spoke her mind just like her mother.
They had each inherited a trait from Eluke. They were still young but rather picky.
Fortunately, they were easier to handle than the strict Pope. TV was helping with the babysitting.
“Wow! Ibailla, look at that!”
“…It’s pretty.”
Erina and Ibailla were sitting side by side in front of the TV.
They had been completely absorbed in some girly animation for a while. They were so entertained that they didn’t budge until the commercials came on.
Thanks to that, babysitting became much easier.
Also, there was the added bonus of being able to watch the Tribe live broadcast while they were watching the animation.
So Inha focused only on Rohan while watching the stream of the “Pope,” before Eluke left to spar with Quick Eagle.
‘…I want to watch too.’
Honestly, he really wanted to go along.
As an agent of the National Intelligence Service, he had to keep an eye on the Returnee. For proper management in the future, it was necessary to observe their fighting.
But there was also a bigger reason than that: enjoyment. Watching the spar between Returnees was not something you could see every day, which naturally piqued his interest.
However, Eluke had said that the spar wouldn’t be streamed through Tribe.
So it was disappointing. He felt lingering regrets about it.
“Can we have a snack, sister?”
At that moment, Erina trotted over to ask. Inha immediately smiled brightly and stood up.
“I’ll get it for you.”
As he approached the refrigerator to grab the snacks, Inha chortled.
‘Guess I really am a babysitter now…’
It wasn’t that he disliked it, but it felt strange. Somehow, he thought he might continue being put to work.
*
I was above the Pacific Ocean.
Naturally, Liam was flying me around in the sky using magic. It was regrettable that I couldn’t fly using Sacred Spells.
“Isn’t the view nice?”
Quick Eagle said to me while slowly flapping its gigantic wings as it looked around.
From this perspective, it looked more like a huge monster than an eagle. For someone faint of heart, just being nearby would make them feel intimidated by its wing flaps.
However, despite its appearance, it had a thoughtful inner nature.
“If we fight here, no one unlucky enough to get caught in the battle will emerge. We don’t have to worry about property damage either.”
The reason for choosing the Pacific sky as the battlefield was Quick Eagle’s suggestion.
Even though I said I’d create a safe space for our spar, Quick Eagle refused to back down. It was for preparing for any unforeseen incidents.
Since it was a valid point, I decided to comply.
‘It’s no wonder they’re so popular.’
To be honest, I first thought Quick Eagle was a funny character. Its name and hero antics felt like mere antics.
But the more I got to know them, the more I found them genuinely decent. Their personality, values, and purpose had no rough edges.
Of course, I still felt a bit uncomfortable about them laying eggs. How on earth did they reproduce? I was curious but didn’t want to know.
“Hey, pink friend, are you ready?”
At that moment, Quick Eagle asked softly, now with a serious look on its face.
I quietly nodded my head.
“I’ve been prepared since before we started.”
“Really? I’m looking forward to it.”
“Rather than looking forward, you should be worried.”
“I never worried before fighting an Evil Dragon.”
Quick Eagle smiled leisurely, showing no sign of tension. It was just like before it started streaming.
A personality devoid of worry. It was the demeanor of a battle-hardened veteran who had rolled around in the thick of it for ten years.
They probably hadn’t always been this way. That kind of presence only comes from long-term combat experience.
Having gone through tough times myself, I understood it well.
‘They must have lost many companions.’
Suddenly, a sense of sorrow surged up again. Even if they hadn’t reincarnated at fourteen, they must have been dragged to a dangerous world at a quite young age.
It must have been mentally tough. Yet, now they were smiling brightly. For some reason, I felt a bit moved by it.
‘…What a sentimental fool I am.’
As emotions welled up, I suddenly chuckled.
Quick Eagle didn’t share their past, yet here I was feeling sorry for them. Even I thought it was kind of an auntie thing to do.
“Hey, friend? What are you doing?”
I had been lost in thought for too long.
I shook my head and gathered my thoughts. Now wasn’t the time for sympathy.
“I won’t help you.”
No matter what they had gone through in the past, for now, I wouldn’t let myself be bothered. I couldn’t feel sorry for the enemy.
“Then I’ll prepare the battlefield. Please wait a moment.”
After finishing my sentence, I immediately clasped my hands together, as if catching falling raindrops, neatly.
Then I slowly drew in the Sacred Power within me.
With a low humming sound, a pink aura began to fill the container formed by my hands.
“Oh….”
As Quick Eagle exclaimed, the Sacred Power completely enveloped us, taking on a spacious rectangular shape like a gymnasium.
“It’s done.”
Sacred Spell, the glorious battlefield.
This was a space solely for combat. It was my original Sacred Spell, based on an idea that the Goddess herself provided.
“In here, allies receive healing and enemies suffer. Naturally, I’ve recognized you as my ally, Quick Eagle. That way you won’t get hurt.”
“Thank you, friend.”
Quick Eagle smiled, showing its teeth as it curiously looked around.
“Shall we get started?”
“Let’s do it.”
I descended to the ground and slowly loosened my body. Then, I spoke to Liam, who was standing at a distance.
“Make sure to film it well. It needs to go on iTube.”
This spar was slated to go up on my iTube channel. Seo-yoon, who was watching the broadcast, had advised me to do so through a K-Talk message.
If I won, I would upload the full video under the bland title “Pope VS Hero.” That would sound cooler.
On the other hand, if I lost, it would be uploaded as an edited video. I intended to present it as “I lost but fought well.”
However, the chance of that loss actually occurring was nearly zero.
“Quick Eagle, even if you cry after losing, I will post it on iTube precisely as it is.”
Because surely, I would win.
“…Do as you wish.”
Quick Eagle seemed to find it hard to ignore my provocation and slightly frowned. Then, it lightly grasped the air.
Suddenly, deep-colored arrows appeared in its tightly clenched fist. It seemed like they had been there from the start, seamlessly.
‘Is that an artifact?’
That appeared to be one of the weapons crafted before the Evil Dragon’s corruption. I could tell just by looking at it, it carried a significant energy.
“Friend, I’m going to go all out from the start, so brace yourself.”
Quick Eagle glared at me with a sober look. That wasn’t just a taunt; it was sincere.
“Then I’ll also go all out from the beginning.”
I had no intention of playing around.
If by any chance I did lose, I needed to prove the power of the Sacred Spell. That would make people believe in the Goddess.
This spar was not merely a battle to determine whether the Demon King or Evil Dragon was stronger.
It was my reason for inviting Quick Eagle to a personal broadcast and my goal. To expand our influence.
“Oh, noble Sun, may your will settle on this land.”
Speaking softly, I once again spread the Sacred Power around us, this time in a thicker density.
Finally, a hemispherical, translucent shield enveloped me.
Feeling the sacred energy coming from all directions with my whole body, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Go ahead and attack.”
Sacred Spell, Sun Barrier.
Standing in the center of the area encircled by the dome, I waved my hand at Quick Eagle.
“Here I come!”
Quick Eagle threw the arrow it was holding without hesitation.
Attacking without using a bow seemed unthreatening at first. Just as I thought that, the arrow split in the air.
From one into thousands.
“…Holy crap.”
It wasn’t an illusion; they were all real. Every arrow was a genuine attack with physical force.
It was like a rain of black arrows pouring down. They flew so fast that they began to pound mercilessly against the shield.
Thud, thud, it sounded like bullets were hitting.
Cracks began to appear on the shield. Its power was incredible. Attacks that could be threatening in one shot were raining down by the thousands.
So, I smiled lightly.
“Do not fear. The sunlight evaporates the torrential rain that threatens the new sprouts; rise boldly without fear.”
Just as I recited a passage from the scripture I had written myself.
The ‘Sun Barrier’ that was taking the arrow bombardment started to glow red. Soon flames erupted and soared from its surface.
It was time for counterattack. Countless fireballs generated by the shield rushed toward Quick Eagle all at once.
As if pummeling him with thousands.
“Insane…!”
Quick Eagle cursed briefly as it spread its large wings to defend against the fireballs. A loud explosion echoed repeatedly, shaking the realm of Sacred Power.
If a companion were fighting alongside, I would have had them throw in some additional attacks. However, since I was alone, I calmly waited inside the shield.
“…That hurts a little.”
After a while, Quick Eagle spread its previously folded wings and revealed itself. At first glance, it seemed fine.
Though it seemed to be gripping its abdomen, it looked like it could still endure.
Well, the ‘Sun Barrier’ had both offense and defense, but its attack power wasn’t that high. Being a Returnee, it was odd for them to fall with just that.
“Are you just going to stay there?”
Quick Eagle, now with another arrow in hand, asked quietly. I joined my hands in front and smiled.
“Why would I move? I can’t be hit while I’m in here. Go ahead, try to break through.”
The so-called “You come at me” strategy. It was a combat technique inspired by fighting games.
“…….”
Quick Eagle stared at me for a while before spitting out.
“You fight like a jerk.”
That was the highest praise a rival could receive.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
