LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 203
Actually, there wasn’t much to explain.
The moment the eyes appeared, my Time stretched out bizarrely like the voice of a wound-up spring.
But, despite what I felt, it really didn’t take that long in reality.
So, explaining that day’s events didn’t take long either.
“Hmm.”
Once my story was over, Edel let out a short, thoughtful sound.
It wasn’t a huge reaction.
In fact, it was me who reacted more strongly than Edel.
“So that happened…”
Da-eun looked at me with a worried face.
No, maybe it’s because it’s Da-eun that she empathizes more.
Da-eun freezes up whenever she sees a monster.
“Yeah. Da-eun is a coward.”
“…What? Is that a taunt? If so, I’m ready to take it on.”
Unfortunately, Da-eun’s desires were never realized.
“You saw the thing beyond the wall?”
“If by ‘the thing beyond the wall’ you’re referring to what I saw, then yes.”
Da-eun, who had been wiggling her fingers with a sneaky smile, licked her lips at Edel’s words and backed off.
Even for Da-eun, who loves to joke around, it seems there’s a sense of common sense in such a grim atmosphere.
I figured she’d be poking fun at Edel no matter what she said.
Thank goodness.
“You started the taunting first!”
Da-eun whispered, unable to raise her voice.
Ignoring the hand that was nipping at her neck, I focused on Edel.
“There aren’t many beings capable of putting that level of pressure on you, so it seems likely this was indeed the work of those guys.”
Edel, with a displeased look, tapped the cube.
“When exactly did they leave this behind? Those cockroach-like creatures…”
Even gods dislike cockroaches.
Noted that little piece of new information.
Though it didn’t seem particularly useful.
“Do you know what kind of being it was?”
“Well, they look pretty carefree, so I can’t tell much from your description alone.”
“But I have one hunch. The being you saw was certainly not a normal one.”
“Wow, that’s some helpful information.”
Didn’t see that coming, did you?
“If it weren’t for Edel, I truly wouldn’t have known that.”
“You little tease.”
“It’s wrong to act like it’s great information when it’s something anyone could figure out.”
So, what I said was self-defense, okay?
Just as I spat out words that were quite mixed with sincerity as a joke, I suddenly sighed.
“…Are those monsters really swarming beyond the wall?”
“What? Are you shrinking back? That’s not like you.”
“…Not like me?”
“Yeah. You’re the kind of brat who’s annoyingly confident…”
“…”
Did even a hint of praise stick in my throat or something?
It really bugged me to have to correct myself after saying it so smoothly, but…
Noticing Da-eun was making a similar face to Edel’s when I looked up, I said nothing.
‘…So I shrank back.’
I just thought I was a bit surprised, but to those two, that’s how I appeared.
People really can’t look at themselves objectively, can they?
No matter how they try to define themselves, they often look entirely different to others.
So maybe, they were just seeing things accurately.
“Hmm…”
If those guys come stomping in, I’d obviously fight back.
There’s no choice involved.
If I don’t fight back, the entire World gets devoured, after all.
Of course, even if I did have a choice, I would choose to fight.
But still, looking back now, the thought of beating the guy I saw that day seems incredibly far-fetched.
If such thoughts unwittingly leaked out, I wouldn’t blame the looks from the two.
When I got lost in my thoughts, Edel spoke up.
“About that question you asked earlier…”
“The question? …Ah.”
I had inquired if there were many of those kinds beyond the wall.
“Well, they’re not an enemy.”
“I see.”
“But are you sure you’re not mistakenly thinking something?”
Edel straightened her body which had been lounging back on the chair.
“Why are you so brave with me, but scared of just one of those beings?”
“…? Are you saying you’re stronger than that thing?”
“Whether I’m strong or not, if I could lose to just one being, I would’ve been wiped out ages ago.”
“Ah…?”
“I’m not saying I look weaker than such a being. That’s pretty insulting.”
Edel not only spoke, but she actually seemed genuinely insulted, mumbling softly to herself.
How could anyone think of me as weaker than that creature? Are they just out of practice? And other such thoughts.
Even suggesting a doctor’s visit seriously.
“…Okay, okay. I was wrong. So please stop rambling.”
Unable to take it any longer, I surrendered with a shiver.
“But I never felt that way about you.”
So it’s not unreasonable for me to think that, right?
When I said that, Edel gave me a look that somehow felt pathetic.
“Well, that’s because I don’t need to show off my strength in everyday life. Isn’t it silly to be walking around flaunting your power? You’re doing the same right now.”
“…Hmm.”
I didn’t want to admit it, but she was right, so I couldn’t bring myself to argue.
It’s not like I’m intentionally trying to give off a superior aura either; there’s no real reason to be on alert.
In my immature days, it was due to not being able to control my strength, but above a certain level, it’s more practical to hold back.
“And, you know, the reason the being you saw exuded such a presence likely has to do with not being able to control its strength.”
“What do you mean? A being with that much power can’t control it?”
“Yeah. At least, that’s what I saw.”
Seeing my perplexed face, Edel chuckled and looked at me.
“Why do you think they invade other Dimensions to gain energy? If they had a home base, it’d be easier to sustain themselves there.”
“…Maybe because invading is more efficient than self-sustaining?”
“Isn’t it more likely there’s a situation where self-sustaining isn’t possible?”
Da-eun and I each offered a conjecture, and Edel nodded.
“It’s not exactly accurate, but that’s our guess.”
It seems they can’t supply the energy they need or, even if they can, the amount is drastically insufficient.
“If it weren’t like that, there would be no reason to invade other Dimensions for hundreds or thousands of years. The damage would be catastrophic. Isn’t that true for humans too? The poorer the land, the more likely they are to invade neighboring countries.”
“…That makes sense.”
“So what does that have to do with what you said earlier?”
“In short, they’re not true beings. They’re in a position where they risk death to invade other Dimensions just to gather energy.”
“Are you feeling sorry for them?”
“…Are you out of your mind?”
“Take it or leave it.”
If she had said they were pitiable, I’d think she really had lost it.
Luckily, Edel was sane.
“Given the nature of such beings, it really isn’t odd that they can’t control their strength and are just spilling it out.”
“Yeah, I get what you mean.”
“So don’t be too scared. While there are many strong Dimensional Beings, they aren’t as formidable as you think. I can’t believe I’m actually trying to comfort you…”
…Did she just call that comforting?
Normally, isn’t comfort delivered in a warmer tone or with gentler words?
In contrast, Edel’s words felt quite rough.
More like she was standing at a podium giving a history lesson.
But I felt more at ease than before, so maybe Edel had a point.
“Is that all you’re curious about?”
“For now.”
She said she’d let me know as soon as she figured out the identity of the cube.
Asking about the sequence of events would definitely yield the same answer.
Thus, my business with Demoninus was done.
As I told Da-eun, it really wrapped up quickly.
“Then hurry back. I have to wrestle with this now.”
“I was going without being told.”
“Ah, goodbye…”
Edel waved her hand in farewell as she executed a summoning spell.
As I stepped out of the office and got on the elevator, Da-eun grabbed my hand while I was staring at the rapidly changing numbers on the display.
“…?”
“Hehe.”
Turning to see what was up, I found Da-eun beaming at me.
“We’ve got plenty of time left. Want to go shopping on the way back?”
“…Do as you wish.”
“That’s a promise?”
“Is this a situation where we make promises?”
“I think Kana would take off saying she doesn’t want to go. Shopping isn’t her thing, right?”
“True, she doesn’t like it.”
It might be fine if there were fewer people, but it’s packed here.
“Let’s go somewhere other than the department store this time. How about the market? There are snacks you can only get at the market. I’m sure Kana will love them!”
“Do you think everyone likes snacks?”
“So you don’t?”
“…”
Dodging her gaze, I turned my head slightly.
Then I hesitated.
“…What snacks can you only get at the market?”
“Ha ha! See, you like them!”
…I didn’t agree to this just for a snack.
Thinking that, I still felt her fingers ruffling my hair.
It wasn’t that I was embarrassed or anything.