Chapter 213: Rest
“Then let’s wrap things up for today.”
Fortunately, I had gained some insights from checking the Snowflake Vision.
I had managed to discern some of the High Priest’s weaknesses.
“And Miss Weiss…”
I glanced at Miss Weiss, who was wearing a ring, and hesitated for a moment.
‘Should I involve Miss Weiss in this?’
Currently, Miss Weiss was just an ordinary person, not a Demon King.
She was happily living in the inn with the common sense of an ordinary person.
Dragging her into my fight didn’t sit well with me.
However, given my current situation, I couldn’t afford to be picky…
“Allen, you’re in a tough spot right now, aren’t you?”
She seemed to have grasped my situation from the recent conversation and the Snowflake Vision.
“Yes, but it’s not something you should be concerned about, Miss Weiss.”
With that, Miss Weiss’s expression darkened slightly.
“No, what I meant was…”
“I know. It’s not a field where I can offer you any help.”
“Well…”
Miss Weiss forced a smile and said,
“Actually, I have something I want to know too. Why did the Ice Valley get destroyed? I’ve heard it was the Demon Kings, but now the High Priest seems quite suspicious…”
“Miss Weiss…”
Just then,
“Allen, you know you can’t take someone with no combat experience, no matter how many wings they have, right?”
Luel seemed puzzled by my dilemma.
But at the same time, she understood I wouldn’t be pondering without reason.
“Or is there something I don’t know?”
I nodded at her question.
Miss Weiss was actually the true form of the 71st Demon King.
So she had potential.
But I couldn’t just say that in front of her.
“…If you really think so, how about I take some days to check her abilities?”
Luel asked Miss Weiss for her opinion.
“What do you think? Didn’t you want to help Allen?”
Miss Weiss nodded.
“Well, sort of. But I’m not very confident.”
If that’s how she felt, there was no arguing.
“Then Luel, please check Miss Weiss’s magical talent. I’ll ask Gwen to look at her swordsmanship.”
I was too irregular to properly assess her sword skills myself.
“Understood.”
As our conversation shifted towards confirming her potential, Miss Weiss also said with a serious expression,
“Yes, I’ll count on you.”
*
While I was away for a moment, dinner was wrapping up.
When asked where the three of them had gone, I said I’d explain before the expedition.
I wanted to keep the minimum number of people checking the Snowflake Vision so the others could relax a little more.
Yeah, everyone resting should take priority.
“Ugh, feeling full makes me sleepy.”
Maybe it was the lively atmosphere, but I had half-forgotten it, and now it was nighttime.
Though I had rested during the day, the accumulated fatigue must have made everyone tired.
“Well, goodnight then.”
“Yeah, sleep well.”
To prove that, even Elsie was heading straight to her cabin.
Honestly, I was a bit prepared for this.
It had been a long time since I’d last seen her.
Thinking back to her, it wouldn’t have been strange to rush to her.
But she didn’t.
‘What a relief.’
I was feeling a bit tired too.
So I should sleep…
Just as I lay down to rest…
Knock, knock.
I heard a knock on the door.
‘Who could it be?’
The only person I could guess was Elsie.
‘That Elsie couldn’t hold back after all…’
I steeled my will to decline as I opened the door.
“Els…huh?”
It wasn’t Elsie standing outside.
With red hair.
“Gwen?”
She was kneeling at my door, looking serious.
“Allen, I’m sorry.”
She blurted out an apology right away.
“Gwen, what’s going on…”
Flustered, I tried to help her up.
But Gwen stubbornly resisted and said,
“I’m really sorry. I know this is a bad time, especially when we need rest before heading out. But… I can’t seem to control myself.”
“Just tell me what that request is. I can likely take care of it.”
That was my sincere intention.
If it was something she needed to find a little happiness in her remaining life, I was ready to do anything.
“Really?”
In that moment, she lifted her head.
For a brief moment, joy lit up her expression.
But soon, with a painful look, that joy disappeared.
“No, no. Allen, you must refuse my request.”
I had no idea what she was talking about.
In the end, I held her cheeks, which were shaking her head.
“Gwen, please calm down.”
Something wasn’t right with her.
Her face was flushed, and her breathing was heavy.
‘Wait a minute, this…’
It was a symptom I had seen before from her.
“Gwen, is that request…”
“I got permission from Elsie. So I can have a chance to have a child with you before the expedition.”
No, that’s strange.
It wasn’t that her asking for permission from Elsie was odd.
“Why is that a request you shouldn’t be making?”
“Well, if I get pregnant… I might not be able to help you.”
She looked pained saying that.
But I just couldn’t understand it.
“Gwen, you don’t have to help me.”
“No, that’s impossible. I’ve already been saved by you.”
“You’re wrong. I was the one who got saved by you first. Five years ago, here. Do you think I would be who I am now if you hadn’t stepped into that inn?”
Without a doubt, I wouldn’t be.
Of course, even without her, I might have gained strength similar to this through other routes.
But one thing was certain; I wouldn’t have become the ‘me’ I am now.
Thanks to her, I learned to see the inhabitants of this world as real people.
I wanted to protect them, and that’s why I became a hero.
As a result, I was able to save many people.
This town.
The Leim Kingdom.
The Central Sea System.
And her as well.
“The reason I could save you is all thanks to you. From the moment I received your help… I always wished for your happiness. And that feeling hasn’t changed.”
Surely, if it were delayed a few months here, she would reach an age where it’d be hard for her to give birth.
So if she wanted to have a child, she had to do it now.
Of course, meeting the Demon Kings or trials could delay the date of the decisive battle, and she might not be able to participate in the fight… but that paled in comparison to her having a child.
“Gwen, I actually think it’s not you to try to offload the decision onto me like this.”
“That’s… I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. But you need to decide. Helping me or having a child. Which one is truly what you want.”
At that, Gwen lowered her head.
“I…”
Yeah, it would surely be a dilemma.
She had spent her whole life focused on gaining power and finding the Rose Sword rather than her own happiness.
“I…”
But if I knew her, the decision she would make was clear.
“I want to have a child.”
In the last remnants of her once childish life.
Though she might not have had a child, she had turned down increasing her swordsmanship and chosen a normal life.
She, who had suppressed it all this time, had a desire for a normal life that was quite remarkable.
“Allen, I really want a child. I’m sorry.”
“I understand. And I’ve told you, there’s no need to apologize.”
I finally helped her to her feet.
Then I could definitely tell she had grown taller.
‘Is the height difference with me not that significant anymore?’
She was much taller than Elsie and was similar or taller than Yusera.
At this point, her growth must have reached a normal peak.
In short, it meant this was her prime time.
“I’m fine, so let’s give it a try just this once.”
“Allen…”
Gwen seemed touched by my words, her eyes wavering, as if she had made a decision and came into the room.
Then she locked the door behind her.
“Let’s hurry and prepare. We don’t have much time, do we?”
She was right.
But… I soon found myself in a state of panic.
‘W-wait a minute…!’
Gwen hastily began to undo her clothes.
As her form gradually revealed itself… it was devastating.
Remembering Gwen, who just months ago had a child-like body, was simply overwhelming.
This was violence.
Moonlight softly shining through the curtains.
Her body, illuminated by the moonlight, was nothing short of violent.
Until now, I had thought there was a good balance, admiring Elsie’s modest figure and Yusera’s slightly abundant curves.
But faced with overwhelming size, those thoughts swept away in an instant.
‘What the heck…’
I couldn’t take my eyes off her enormous mounds swaying in real-time.
As I lost concentration, Gwen asked,
“Allen, are you okay?”
Finally regaining a bit of my senses, I replied,
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Or is it that you don’t like how my body has changed…”
“No, that’s not it. On the contrary, Miss Gwen, your body is so beautiful… I momentarily lost my mind.”
In response, Gwen’s face flushed bright red.
“Allen…”
For some reason, she looked angry.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
No matter how much I thought back, I couldn’t find a reason for her to be angry.
But just then,
Thud.
Gwen approached me, grabbed my shoulder, and pushed me down onto the bed.
“Gwen?”
“You’re being too much.”
Before I knew it, she was on top of me.
“Please, stop making me anxious.”
Her heated breaths were even more erratic and rough than before.
It seemed I had unintentionally made her anxious.
“I’m so sorry.”
Yet…
“How about we try a different position this time?”
I held her waist and turned our bodies.
Right then, I laid her back gently onto the bed, climbing on top of her.
“I apologize for last time. I made you do most of the work.”
I had been in a tough spot then.
But things were different today.
“While a child is important, I want you to be happy, Gwen.”
That moment.
Something sparkled under her eyes.
Tears.
“Gwen? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a little happy. So please don’t keep me waiting.”
The way she spoke had… a hint of happiness.
“…Understood.”
As I kissed her, I pressed our bodies together.
