| ARC III | Chapter 7: The Ilis Family

Looking out the window and watching the beautiful night sky, the city lights vibrant, and the streets still busy, Ethym heard giggles coming from the room beside him.

 'Haaa…'

 His wife and daughters have gathered and are having a sleepover at the hotel they are staying in, and he feels awkward being the only man.

 His daughter Amethely has a one-month anniversary with her lover. And since it was almost time, Amethely came to her mother half in tears and distress, thus leading to this consultation.

 'Haa…'

 With yet another sigh, he looked up at the sky, wondering what his son-in-law was doing.

 …

  …..

 …

 In the pitch-black night filled with dreadful screams, blue light flashed, melting scales and flesh apart. Moans of dying Orinilos echoed as they fell one by one. Its head resembled that of an orca, its fangs were sharp and long, while its body resembled that of a snake.

 The one slaying these beasts one by one was a young man with golden eyes. Alum examined the monsters as they fell, extracting scales and fur from them. Their teeth were hard as steel, and the beautiful white fur around their neck showed their adaptability to the cold Zeederes mountains.

 (Never seen these creatures before.) Hilos commented.

 While skinning the beasts and removing the valuables, Alum glanced at their dead corpses.

 (This is my first time seeing real ones… I suppose they didn't exist in your time?)

 (These are new, alright… besides, I don't even know how much time has passed since my era, and all I know is that the celestial construct is further away.)

 Storing the things in the storage bag, he pondered over Hilos's statements.

 (...Are you referring to the horizon star?)

 (I guess.) Hilos replied flatly.

 (…..)

 Alum knew Hilos didn't want to talk about the celestials too much. But… didn't he want to find Milena?

 (Are you worried about uniting me with Milena?)

 (Well…)

 (You should do your thing. I will tell you if I find any clues.) Hilos scoffed.

 Alum sighed and stopped sharing his thoughts.

 (He's so stubborn…) Alum thought.

 But… it seemed like Hilos wasn't done talking.

 (You know… You shouldn't sneak out at night like this, especially after what happened in the ruins.)

 (Well…)

 Alum tried to come up with an excuse, but….

 (Yeah… blah blah blah… short on money this short on money that. I still can't believe they let you take a C-ranked quest, you bad lad.)

 (…Am I getting scolded…? Nonetheless, they let me because I can get here pretty fast, besides that…. These creatures do not belong in the forest as they are invasive and disturb the habitat.)

 (…..)

 Hilos didn't say anything more. He knew that Alum was overqualified for his rank, and it appears that the guild thinks so, too, hence this solo quest….

 (…Boy, behind you.)

 Heeding his warning, Alum burst his mana and deflected the incoming projectile. Shortly after that, a tail came slamming against him.

 Stepping to the side and dodging it as shockwave sent him flying, the Orinilos bent the earth and tried to crush Alum between two walls while he was airborne.

 Though… it wasn't much of a threat as he melted the rocks with his infused blade. Angered by this, the Orinilos became more fierce and aggressive as the temperature dropped while launching icicles at him at high speeds. Not struggling in the slightest, Alum sensed the projectiles with [Static Field] while deflecting the attacks.

 (Stop messing around! Just kill it already!) Hilos shouted while making a fuss.

 Alum dashed toward the beast, and it tried to stop him. However… all its attacks melted. Even the metal walls it put up, the spikes and the cold storms did not slow him down.

 Panicking and trying to run away as Alum approached, its head was cleanly cut off as the heavy, lifeless body thudded down on the ground.

 (I didn't play around…) Alum sulked.

 (You wanted to see what it was capable of since it was the last one, right? That's the same thing! Don't tell me you let it escape on purpose?!)

 Hearing Hilos's lectures in his head gave him a slight migraine. Although Hilos and Alum got along well, in certain scenarios, however, Hilos would complain about Alum's actions.

 (I've only read about them, so… it doesn't hurt to study them a little more…)

 (Ahhh, you brat…)

 After this, Hilos went quiet and didn't say anything more. After all, Alum's arrogance reminded him of himself.

 …

  …..

 …

 Later, when he extracted all the materials and put them into different storage bags, he headed to his new plot of land.

 It wasn't that far away, and since he finished the job earlier than expected, he decided to check it out.

 (Looking at the map… oh… this sensation of mana…. Is this it?)

 Alum approached the source of mana, and it felt slightly unpleasant. Though it wasn't anything he couldn't handle, he just had to get used to the mana.

 (Ugh… what disgusting mana.) Hilos commented.

 (Sure… it's unpleasant, but what makes you call it disgusting?)

 Alum curiously asked since this was Hilos. And he never really complained about something unless he really didn't like it.

 (It's probably one of those Ex-Machina magic plants that are leaking.)

 Alum stopped walking to think, and as he searched through his memories, the only mention of Ex-Machina was that from his old world. And it was a movie Noel made him go to….

 (I have never read about them since I came here…. Did they live in your time?)

 (Well… this means we won't have to deal with those scrap pieces.) Hilos said, sounding slightly resentful.

 (…..)

 Judging by his slightly angry voice, Alum figured that Hilos probably didn't have a pleasant experience with them.

 (Anyways… you can come here later if you stay. There is a chance you won't be leaving for a while, and you don't want that, do you?)

 (…I suppose.) Alum replied.

 Taking his warning to heart, Alum jumped into the air, created plates made of ice, and used them to propel himself while electrically enhanced. And so… his quest came to an end.

 …

  …..

 …

 At the same time, Amethely was being teased by her mother and sister.

 "Sooo~ when are the grandchildren coming?" Emerine asked playfully.

 "...Ame bold," Chely commented.

 Chely blushed as she covered her face but curiously glanced through her fingers, waiting for a reply.

 "M-Mother, elder sister! That's too soon!" Amethely retorted back, stammering and blushing.

 Emerine's words weren't that strange, and she felt old watching her children grow so fast. That's why she wants to see the faces of her grandchildren soon!

 "Aww~ although I don't know Al as well as you, he seems like a nice young man. Not only is he handsome and skilled, but he's also very dedicated to only you!"

 Amethely felt shy but smiled as she was happy to hear her mother compliment the man she chose.

 "Ethym~ dear~! You like Al as well, right?"

 Ethym was looking out the window as he awkwardly positioned himself in a corner to not be noticed as much as possible. Why was he here in the first place?

 Well… his wife called him and said, "We want a man's perspective as well!" And here he is…. Awkwardly in the corner, not participating since his daughters and wife seemed to forget why he was called in the first place.

 "...Yes, Father approves!" he excitedly replied and went quiet again.

 "...."

 Hearing her parent's approval and due to her inability to take it anymore, she fanned her flushed face.

 "Ahh….Awawaa, I-I'll take some fresh air!" Amethely said that as she ran out of the room.

—Amethely has escaped!

 "...."

 Watching her escape made Chely giggle a little. But… Emerine was also giggling, thus making Chely slightly nervous since it wasn't directed at Amethely but at her.

 "...Elly~ I saw you with a handsome gentleman not too long ago~ ♥️."

 "....I also need some fresh air," Chely replied.

 However… Emerine grabbed her hand and pulled her into an embrace.

 "Soo~ who is he?"

 Emerine had the biggest grin Chely had seen. Her father Ethym, however, had a drop of tear in his eyes….

 Chely played it cool and seemed calm, at least on the surface. Despite that, she couldn't fool her mother as Emerine noticed Chely's blushed face. Even her ears were slightly red despite her calm look.

 "...He's a friend called Noel… and is my student…."

 "...Ooh my ooh my! A teacher and a student! How aggressive~!"

 Hearing this comment made it feel like she was stabbed in the chest.

 "Urk… Mom… it's not like that…."

 "Aww, don't say that~! You're all red and fidgety~! So there is no way it isn't like that~!"

 Chely stayed quiet and wouldn't reply any further, and seeing this, Emerine poked her cheeks.

 Seeing her all quiet, Ethym sat down beside her and placed his hand on her head, patting it.

 A surprised Chely looked at him with slight tears in her eyes as if she was about to cry. And seeing this, Emerine pouted a little.

 "Aww, always been a daddy's girl… I'm jealous…."

 "...Rine…." Ethym said in surprise.

 But he then shook his head and turned to Chely.

 "Chely… what do you want to do?" Ethym gently asked.

 ".....I…."

 She quivered and finally let her tears run as she buried her head in her father's chest.

 Welcoming her, Ethym hugged her firmly as he stroked her hair.

 "I… I want to be with him too! I want to be an ordinary girl! But… I can't. I'm The Hero! The empire's most prominent sword! That's why…! That's why I can't…."

 "....."

 …Chely wasn't a hero by choice, unlike Amethely, who willingly became a saint.

 As a child, Chely held an immense talent for swords and magic. Growing up and realising her potential, the sages took her in. She studied magic with the sages and became a disciple of a blademaster that lives in the great forest. Because… it was the most optimal path for her.

 Being talented and realising that talent is great, but it's not always what the individual wants.

 Chely didn't dislike the idea of becoming a hero, but it wasn't something she personally pursued. It just happens that she was the best candidate. She has the wits, the combat capability, and the desire to protect the people. She willingly gave up her own happiness. And she thought that it was enough to see the people happy.

 But day by day, as she grew up, her inner desire to be ordinary would slowly consume her. She started to become envious of those around her and felt disgusted by her own feelings.

 The feeling only grew as Noel kept treating her casually, as he would any other.

 But… The Hero is the symbol of might and discipline. And that's why… she cannot let herself get swayed by emotions.

 Knowing this, Ethym reassured her it wasn't anything to worry about.

 "Chely, as a father, I tell you to follow your heart. To those who disapprove, I shall stand my ground and be your shield. After all… I'm your father."

 "...!"

 Hearing his comforting words, Chely cried even more as all the tears over the years of conflicted feelings spilt out.

 …

  …..

 …

 Leaning on the other side of the door, Amethely smiled, relieved that her sister finally let her true feelings show. She knew that Chely put up a strong front for her.

 That is why she couldn't confront her about it.

 (I'm glad, sis…) Amethely thought.

 Entering the room with a cheerful smile, she hugged her mother, father, and sister. She's happy that they're all together again. And hopefully, for a bit longer this time.