Chapter 99
After exchanging greetings with Seere, Nahun did not head straight to hell. He instead made his way to the 70th floor, heading to the blacksmith’s forge responsible for the main business of the devata faction, which was the production of weapons.
“Nahun!”
As Nahun approached the forge, someone was already out to greet him. It was Doomgrik, the troll blacksmith, to whom Nahun had entrusted all management and responsibilities of the forge.
“Doomgrik, it’s been a while. Is work going smoothly?”
“Is there any doubt?”
“Let’s go inside. I have something to discuss.”
“Understood.”
Doomgrik led Nahun to the best office. He offered the superior seat to Nahun and sat down beside him, then asked, “What brings you here?”
“There is something I would like you to create personally, without informing the other blacksmiths.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s nothing dangerous. It’s just that I’m planning to give a gift.”
Saying this, Nahun took out a gem and placed it before Doomgrik. It was the ‘Mystery of the Moon,’ acquired from the Bismarck Empire’s royal palace.
Doomgrik felt something unusual as he looked at it.
“What is this, Nahun?”
“I cannot say.”
Nahun simply brushed aside his curiosity. Doomgrik’s innate curiosity as a blacksmith surged, but Nahun’s refusal to answer indicated there was a reason for it. Doomgrik nodded as if he understood, and Nahun smiled with satisfaction.
“I would like you to craft a brooch with this.”
“You mean to embed the gem into the brooch.”
“Correct.”
Doomgrik gazed at the gem, the Mystery of the Moon, with fascination. Seeing Doomgrik’s reaction, Nahun asked, “Doomgrik.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have any idea what this is?”
“Excuse me? No, I cannot tell what it is. It seems entirely beyond my understanding, so I was observing it closely.”
“I see.”
It seemed that game items were indeed something they couldn’t comprehend properly. They only sensed that it felt different in some way.
“Should the gem be embedded while maintaining its round shape?”
“Yes. Once it’s complete, don’t send it to me; send it directly to Seere.”
“To Her Majesty?”
“It’s a gift for Seere. If I say I sent it, she will accept it.”
Doomgrik nodded at Nahun’s words.
“It seems that you care deeply for Her Majesty.”
“Of course.”
Doomgrik was slightly surprised. It was the first time he had seen Nahun with such an expression. Unlike his usual cold and tough demeanor, he wore a kind smile.
“She is my only disciple; how could I not care?”
“What color would you prefer for the brooch?”
“Hmm…”
Nahun, contemplating a color that would suit Seere, simply replied, “White would be best.”
He thought of her snow-white hair.
#
Since Nahun left the human world, Dein had been continuously gathering information and returning to Eri. Eri seemed to have become accustomed to living with Dein.
She got along well with the neighboring ladies and appeared quite familiar with shopping and household chores. Dein felt a great sense of relief and could now focus solely on gathering information, leaving many tasks to Eri.
Of course, the fact that she had grown accustomed to living with him was merely a misconception on Dein’s part.
“Dein… I feel like I’ve become quite accustomed to things lately…”
After finishing the laundry, Eri sat alone at the dining table, resting her chin on one hand and pouting her lips. Recently, Dein’s demeanor toward her had become so natural during their couple’s act, whether it was hugging or anything else.
It seemed that the situation of pretending to be a couple had become familiar to Dein. Eri was unhappy about that. She still felt her heart race and a strange feeling every time they hugged or held hands.
“Why does he get to be so accustomed to it alone?”
During this time, she held a childish complaint against Dein, and while chatting with a neighbor, she heard a shocking piece of news.
“New bride, is your husband doing well?”
“Excuse me? Why would you ask about my husband?”
“Well, your husband is quite a catch, isn’t he? There are rumors about many women trying to lure away handsome young men these days.”
“Still, my husband is a married man.”
“That’s where the problem lies! They don’t care! Those shameless women are completely crazy. Anyway, be careful, new bride.”
Upon hearing such rumors from the neighbor, Eri didn’t fully believe it. As with any gossip, there might be some basis in truth, but much would be exaggerated. Thinking this, Eri blinked slightly.
“Could it be that Dein’s recent behavior toward me…”
Meeting another woman?
Once that thought crossed her mind, Eri’s head started to spin. It felt like it explained why Dein had suddenly started acting so casually with her.
Another question began to emerge in her mind. What if Dein was meeting another woman? Was that not acceptable?
The answer was no. Eri was merely pretending, and she and Dein were just friends. They had no grounds to interfere in each other’s romantic lives. Whether Dein dated another woman or not… that was not something Eri needed to worry about.
“But still, we have to pretend to be in a married relationship right now…?”
Shouldn’t such a relationship not be established even for the sake of the act? Overwhelmed with thoughts, Eri could not focus on her household chores. In the end, she did not finish anything while waiting for Dein to return after a long time.
No, after starting to worry, she couldn’t even touch her chores. The thought of Dein dating someone else sent her mind into turmoil.
Wasn’t she worrying too much? Eri shivered slightly to herself and suddenly stood up and shouted.
“Ahhh! Nooo!!”
“What do you mean no??”
“Ahhh!?”
Eri was startled and turned around to find Dein entering through the front door, not sure when he had arrived.
“Oh, when did you come in!?”
“Just a moment ago…”
“Oh, at least make some noise when you come!”
“I did greet you. But you were so lost in thought that you didn’t react.”
Upon hearing Dein’s words, Eri just rolled her eyes. Dein looked at her as if he found her behavior strange.
“What’s wrong? Are you hiding something?”
“Uh, um!?”
“What’s with that reaction?”
Dein narrowed his eyes and looked at Eri. His expression seemed to say he was genuinely wondering if she were hiding something. When he looked at her like that, Eri felt a surge of rebellion. As if he was the one hiding something…
“It’s not me hiding something; it’s you, Dein!”
“What?”
“Y-Your feelings.”
“……Huh?”
Dein was taken aback. Seeing his reaction, Eri suddenly felt assured.
‘Ah.’
Dein must have someone he likes. Even that cool Dein shows such concern for someone.
Eri, sharp as she was, quickly realized this fact. Her feelings became apparent, reflecting in her face. Dein, seeing her change in expression, looked slightly flustered.
However, it was precisely Dein’s response that reassured Eri. He was acting as if he had been caught cheating.
“……Sorry, I’m going to bed a bit early tonight.”
“Wait, Eri.”
“I’ll eat dinner alone.”
“No, wait. It seems like you’re misunderstanding something.”
“Misunderstanding?”
Eri, who was about to enter the room, cast her eyes downward slightly.
“No, I didn’t misunderstand anything.”
“…Just looking at your expression says it all, Eri. I’ve known you for years.”
“…Ugh.”
It seemed she had been found out. Feeling shy about having her emotions exposed, Eri lowered her head a bit more. Then Dein spoke up.
“Um….”
“…….”
“…Since when did you notice?”
At Dein’s question, Eri’s mouth fell open. She looked at him with an incredulous expression.
‘Was he trying to confirm it right now?’
Eri laughed in disbelief. However, Dein looked at her with an expression that didn’t seem to mind at all. He seemed to expect something.
Eri couldn’t understand his reaction. She pondered what he was expecting from her.
“I heard it while chatting with the ladies today.”
“What?”
“There are crazy women who try to go after married men! Dein, the reason you’re getting used to touching me lately is that you have a girlfriend, right? It’s practice!”
Eri spoke with conviction. There was even an air of confidence in her voice. But hearing those words, Dein…
“What??”
He looked utterly dumbfounded. For a moment, Eri flinched at his reaction. Did she not express it properly? That thought crossed her mind for a second.
Eri’s understanding was correct. Dein was irritated by her strange misunderstanding.
“No, what do you mean I have a girlfriend? Why would I bother with something so complicated? We’re spies! What am I supposed to do when I leave?”
Thinking back on it, indeed, it was true. Eri and Dein were now in a position to hide within the human world as spies. Creating another romantic relationship in the human world would only complicate matters.
But if that was the case, then why had Dein exhibited such casualness with physical affections lately? The question lingered in Eri’s mind, and she tilted her head in confusion.
“Huh?… Is that why you’re getting so used to physical affection?”
“Ha, what are you talking about? The reason I’m doing it naturally is that you’re sincerely trying to act your part…!”
“W-What do you mean?”
“What? Since you’ve been telling me to hug you without worrying about others for a while, weren’t you being sincere for Nahun’s sake?”
At Dein’s words, Eri fell silent. A moment of silence fell between the two.
Eri was sharp. And that was equally true for Dein. Both had keen senses, quickly read the atmosphere, and had quick thinking.
Even after observing Eri’s misunderstanding and reaction, Dein was not dull enough to miss something. His eyes widened, and Eri noticed the change, her face turning bright red.
“…Eri?”
“N-Noo!! Not at all!!!”
Eri burst into her room and slammed the door shut. The sound of her locking the door echoed.
Dein stared blankly at the empty space where she had been.
“…Huh.”
Initially, a chuckle escaped him. The laugh that began as amusement soon spilled forth as uncontainable joy.
“Ah… Haha, haha….”
Dein’s expression shifted slightly.
“I didn’t need to hide it after all.”
And with that realization, Dein understood.
