Elsword – Time Trouble
Chapter 31
0. Reversed Relationship
Add’s obsession with Eve turns him into D.
Add sighed from this hypothesis dwelling in his head then pushed away Eun’s hand that was tickling
his chin.
“That was a long sigh…. You don’t believe me?”
“So you’ve played all your cards now with this.”
“……”
Eun frowned then backed out when Add responded calmly.
Add suppressed his chaotic mind and dizzy head while repeatedly closing his hand into a fist then
opening it again to compose himself.
The reason Add becomes D… this was difficult to accept all at once but it was somewhat
understandable.
“So I guess it means if Eve was the start, then it ends with Eve as well. Kukukuk….”
“…..”
Eun slightly dropped her gaze when she saw Add laughing emptily. Add shrugged then asked with a
raspy voice.
“So? Is there anything else you wanted to say?”
“…..It seems you believe what I said but your reaction is bizarre.”
“What reaction did you expect? Denial that it cannot possibly be true? Or did you want me to burst
into tears in despair?”
Add smiled coldly as he gripped his fist so tightly to the point where his hand felt like shattering.
The pain revived his sense of judgement.
“I believe what you said. I’ll believe you. But what I must do doesn’t change. I’ll return and get rid
of D. Then…..”
“You’ll steal the girl’s core and go back to the past?”
Add shook his head from side to side. That was what he was planning originally but there was
another way now.
“I’ll steal the core of this universe’s Eve. I’ll apply its data to my tech to enhance my Dynamos and
defeat D….then I’ll return to the past. It’s perfect.”
“……”
Eun had a blank face as she listened to Add’s plan then she let out an empty laugh.
“Will that really go well as you think?”
“Is there any other reason why we came to this universe?”
There was another Eve in this universe and she also possessed the core. This couldn’t be a
coincidence.
But Eun only smiled coldly in response.
“Boy must have not understood what I told him. I said it’s boy’s obsession toward the girl that
brings him to ruin. So why isn’t he fixing his habit of always thinking with the girl as the center?”
“Because that’s the fastest way. Or is there any other way? If there was another way to defeat D,
then you either would have told me already or it was a failure.”
Add opened his arms widely.
“You and I have failed countless times. You could say that we exhausted pretty much every other
option. But this must be the first time that we used this method of escaping to another universe
right?”
“……”
“If D knew about this beforehand, he would have prepared a countermeasure already. The reason
I’m safe right now is because this move had never been done before and wasn’t something D had
expected.”
Add smiled gladly when Eun gave a silent nod.
“So this method is correct.”
“I cannot agree to it. I don’t understand why you’re concluding that there’s only one way.”
“Then what else is there?”
At those words, Eun pointed towards Add’s pocket. She was pointing towards Memory of Time and
s.p.a.ce inside.
But Add pointed out the flaw in her suggestion.
“Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce…. Yes, I’ll surely become stronger if I awaken to this. Others became
stronger too after all. But can you grantee that it will give me enough power to defeat D?”
“…….Boy being too smart is problematic.”
“Elsword, Ara…..and Eve all awakened their Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce but couldn’t defeat D. I
don’t think the result will change even if I awakened to it.”
Other El Search Party members that awakened their Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce couldn’t handle
D…..So will it make any difference even if Add joined in?
“Even if there was a difference, I have no idea how to awaken this. So we’re discarding this option.”
Eve, Ara and Elsword all awakened theirs but Add still couldn’t do it and there wasn’t any grantee
that he’ll be able to.
It was a lottery that he haven’t scratched to see the result yet….. But he had no idea how to scratch
it in the first place.
“We can’t rely on luck. We’ll target Eve’s core.”
“I clearly stated that the obsession boy has towards the girl is the source of all problems. I disagree
with this.”
There was no reason for Add to get dragged around by Eun now. Add purposely made a mocking
smile.
“Your agreeing or disagreeing isn’t important. I’m not interested in that. We’ll do things my way
from now on.”
“As I thought…. I immediately get treated coldly.”
Add stayed firm despite Eun’s bitter remark.
“There’s no more information I need to get out of you. Or is there any information you’re still
hiding from me?”
“……..”
The reason Eun could half control Add’s actions until now was because she was concealing
information.
It was only possible because she had hidden things like D’s ident.i.ty, that Add had failed countless
times and the reason Add turned into D.
But Add now obtained all the information he needed.
“Now we’ll do what we need to do. I also want to get rid of D after all.”
Add didn’t know why D wanted to become the king that ruled over time and s.p.a.ce but it didn’t
matter. D wasn’t someone that could be negotiated with so there was no other way but to get rid of
him.
“……What happens after he’s defeated is the bigger problem.”
“What more problems could there be? Are you thinking I’ll threaten Ara after D is defeated? I’ll
promise that I wont.”
Add made his final decision.
“Everything will be solved if D is defeated. Do you have any objections?”
“……That’s true at least on the surface.”
Eun’s words had a strange nuance but Add didn’t ask further.
He had finally turned the tides of his quarrel with Eun to determine who had the lead in their
relationship. All Eun could do now was a.s.sisting with time travel if needed.
It was a situation where he could get his revenge on her for deceiving and messing with him all this
time. Eun had to a.s.sist Add in order to defeat D anyways…..so she had no choice but to put up
with at least light payback from Add.
Wasn’t there a phrase ‘get rid of the dog after the hunt is over’? Wait, isn’t it ‘get rid of the fox after
the hunt is over’ now?
Add laughed with a low voice. Eun would have already seen ahead that Add would think this way.
That was why she had hidden various information until now.
“Don’t do anything useless to distract me anymore. I won’t take them lightly.”
“…..So you’re not going to bring up old grudges?”
Eun sharply raised her eyebrows as if she was puzzled.
“My course of action has already been decided, you messing about will just be a needless distraction.
Just watch from the sidelines quietly from now on.”
“I revealed this information while being prepared for boy’s vengeance. That he’ll let out all the
hatred he harbored against me all this time. Isn’t this a time to let all the pent up shady desires
explode?”
“…..Target who we’ll raise the affection points of will be Eve.”
“I’m at a position where I’ll have to bark or even strip if boy tells me to. But will he really let me go
with just a warning?”
When Eun shrugged, her disheveled clothing slid down slightly. Well, both sides ignoring each other
and saying only what they had to say couldn’t be called a conversation.
Add had no other choice so he replied.
“Stop saying nonsense and put your clothes on properly. And don’t cut me off when I’m trying to
say something. It’s a waste of time.”
“Isn’t this a time where you say I’ll give you h.e.l.l! Or how dare you hide this information from me all
this time! then make me suffer? I revealed this preparing to go through all kinds of insults and
humiliation. It’s time for all of boy’s suppressed desires to burst into a huge explosion!”
Well…. it was true that he had a lot of piled up negative emotions against Eun. But bringing up past
events just for just a petty vengeance wasn’t Add’s way of doing things. He would rather just destroy
or kill if necessary.
“What will I get out of doing such a thing? Venting my anger out on you will just waste my time and
buy your hate. It doesn’t help me in any way for what’s to come.”
“I’m prepared to willingly take any punishment boy gives me.”
“…….”
What is this? Does she want him to whip her or something? When Add stared in disbelief, Eun
wagged her tails.
Five tails that was less than the usual amount moved softly.
Should he tell her to stop moving her tail because it was annoying? Add was about to warn her when
Eun sighed sweetly.
“Haah….. Since boy is so rough and cruel, I who’s powerless have no choice but to do whatever he
says. Even if that may be some odd fantasies boy had been hiding deep inside his heart, I have no
choice but to follow what he says.”
“……”
The reason Add couldn’t answer was because he was too dumfounded. Who was it that threw Add
into the hot springs just before?
But if you only looked at the way Eun was sighing, she looked like a frail girl who got captured by a
terrifying monster and was worrying about horrible things that might be done to her.
Add was staring in bewilderment when Eun dropped on the bed as if she was pushed down by
something. Her belt must had been untied because her shoulders got revealed and front part of her
collar widened dangerously.
Then she stared at Add miserably with a teary gaze then lowered her eyes…. It objectively looked
like a frail and innocent girl being oppressed with sorrow. But looking at her subjectively, it made
Add so dumfounded that he was about to pa.s.s out.
“Hey……”
“Don’t do it too roughly. I understand boy’s heated heart, but this bed isn’t that st.u.r.dy.”
He wanted to punch her. He really wanted to…… but wasn’t Eun stronger?
Add did take the upper hand in their relationship…. But considering two of their raw strengths, Eun
was much more powerful so nothing had actually changed.
Add had no idea how to react because Eun became half naked like this.
He couldn’t hit her, she was getting on his nerves …. but she might strip even more if he was not
careful.
Add sighed from the bottom of his heart then shook his head from side to side. Closing his eyes or
turning his head away would have been better…..but showing such startled reaction will make him
get caught up in Eun’s pace.
“Stop saying nonsense and put your clothes on properly.”
“I’m serious right now.”
Seeing her dangerously lift the hem of her skirt and waving it made him really want to punch her.
But Add kept patient as he possibly could.
All the light-colored skin made his vision dizzy but complaining wasn’t going to solve anything.
“I said I wasn’t going to bring up what happened before. And I’m not going to do something so
……”
What should he call it? Add paused because he didn’t know how to say it when Eun smiled and told
him.
“Something so erotic.”
“…….”
“Doesn’t the word something so erotic make your heart beat loudly?”
His heart was beating so much from rage that he was going get a high blood pressure. No, he was
about to have a stroke already.
She shouldn’t have any information to control him anymore…. But she was trying to hara.s.s him and
keep him in control by creating a strange atmosphere like this.
There were previous cases of Eun temping and provoking Add like this and Add could have just
ignored or sternly scolded her each time. If those didn’t work, he could have always just attacked her.
But…..it was a bit different this time. When Add hesitated, Eun spoke to him in a seductive voice.
“If I’m going to be punished by the boy anyways, wouldn’t an erotic punishment be more fitting? I’d
also like to strengthen my partnership with the boy with this chance.”
“There’s no such partnership in the world.”
“Boy, you don’t understand how the world works at all. Relationships between man and a woman is
always like this. Isn’t it an eternal truth that no matter how angry a man gets, he becomes soft in
front of woman’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s?”
Eun smiled then spoke about something practical this time.
“Doing something erotic with me should also help you get a kiss from one of the girls in the El
Search Party later.”
“It hasn’t even been an hour since you confessed that you don’t know much about human
emotions.”
Add spoke sharply but Eun didn’t pretend to listen and was just stroking the wrinkles on the
bedsheet.
Light-skinned fingers moved about on the bed dizzily.
Should he just ignore her and leave the room? But Add forcefully ignored this choice. It felt so
awkward that he wanted to give up everything but nothing would be solved by running away from
here.
“Eun.”
“Call me more sweetly if possible.”
Eun’s was giving a bold request but this was the time for Add to speak honestly. He cleared his
throat and spoke to Eun seriously.
“I won’t say that I have a positive feeling towards you. I don’t like your way of doing things and
how you deceived me all this time makes me angry. But I don’t intend to nitpick or take revenge on
you because of that.”
“How come?”
Eun who lay sideways on the bed sunk her face halfway into the bedsheet and asked.
“Your help will also be definitely needed in defeating D. That’s why I won’t bring up past grudges
and I’ll pretend they never happened if we can get rid of D.”
“Burying the past wouldn’t be that easy.”
“It’s possible.”
If Add could just achieve his goal by defeating D, he had no intention of bringing up Eun’s past
misdeeds. But Eun who basically almost had her chest revealed shook her head from side to side
lightly.
She looked like a playful cat when she did that while her face was buried in the bedsheet.
“Maybe boy can move on like that but that’s not possible for me.”
“What?”
“Boy might be able to say it’s just something that happened in the past and forget but I can’t do that
very well. I’ve lived and fought for too long.”
Add who was a victim was saying he’s not going to make a big deal about what happened in the
past…… but Eun was saying that Add shouldn’t do that. Add was feeling confused when Eun
stopped rubbing her cheek on the bed then got up. Her clothes got dishevelled even more because
of that and her cleavage got revealed.
But Eun didn’t even bother fixing her clothes and stared at Add with a strange gaze.
“Boy might be able to ease his mind like that but I can’t do that. How much more embarra.s.sing
words is he going to make a girl say?”
“……”
Add thought for a moment at these unexpected words.
Add had been cooperating with Eun so far but wasn’t too fond of her. Her various hara.s.sments
were annoying….and it was obvious to be suspicious of someone who orders you around while not
sharing much information.
There was no way you’d be fond of someone who orders you around while sitting on top of your
head.
But…. Add had never thought about how Eun felt about herself in those situations. Add not being
fond of Eun was obvious, but what did Eun think about her own situation?
They had conversed many times but she had almost never revealed her inner thoughts.
“If you….”
Have a sense of guilt or a guilty conscience? Add was about to instinctively say this but closed his
mouth. Eun’s gaze right now, this wasn’t an hara.s.sment that she had done up till now.
She was serious.
“…..If you think you’ve wronged me in the past then repay me by cooperating with me from now
on. That should be fine.”
“Like I said, that kind of conclusion is only considering boy’s perspective.”
One who should be giving the punishment, one who should be taking revenge was saying he was
just going to let things slide but the perpetrator was demanding that she couldn’t accept this.
“What I mean is, there needs to be something to tie things up for us to shake off all the negative
feelings and fight together.”
“…...”
This stupid seduction was for that sake? She wasn’t provoking him?
When Add stared dumbfounded, Eun flapped her collar.
But Add didn’t turn away his gaze this time. He clicked his tongue instead and spoke as if telling
Eun to listen up.
“What a stupid fox……”
“I may not look it but I’m….”
“That wasn’t even a seduction. How useless.”
Eun frowned when Add spoke sharply. But Add’s words were faster than Eun’s response.
“I can’t trust you in the first place so doing something like this will just make me think you have
something else up your sleeves. Do you think I’m an idiot?”
“It’s normal for men to just jump in when they see women’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s.”
“That’s something only mindless beasts do.”
Well Add didn’t know what other men were like and he wasn’t interested anyways. What was
important right now was his method.
“Stop trying to gloss this over with something stupid like this. It’s not like I’m going to trust you
even if you do this, and what you’ve done won’t be erased. I said I won’t make an issue of it, I didn’t
say I’ll forget about everything.”
“That’s why…..”
“So if you have any sense of guilt or aching conscience……”
He had never thought Eun had such emotions but if it was true, then there needed to be something
to tie this all up.
“So cooperate properly with me until the end.”
“That’s why….”
“I have the upper hand now so why are you keep doing something that I didn’t even ask of you?
Not only that but you even threw an injured person into the hot springs, you’re keep making me say
tiresome things.”
Talking with her won’t get anywhere. Add boldly approached the bed and sat.
Eun seemed slightly surprised but Add didn’t pay attention to her and lay down putting his head on
her tail.
“At least your tail is useful. I’ll use it as a pillow from time to time.”
“What?”
“This is my first demand. I’m tired so I’m going to sleep for a bit.”
Add said this and closed his eyes.
Well, if Eun really had a guilty conscience from what she did to Add then there needed to be a
gesture of reconciliation. Add could also accept if it was just borrowing her tail.
Also, it was comfortable when he slept on it before.
“Sigh……”
Add could hear Eun’s sigh but he ignored by pretending he was asleep. Then other tails moved to
cover Add’s body.
“Boy is also too soft-hearted.”
Add wanted to refute her but he was asleep right now, let’s ignore her. When he didn’t answer, Eun
didn’t say anything more.
Add who was covered by tails sighed in relief internally then started to make plans for his future
actions.
Problem with Eun was roughly resolved. Only Eve’s core and getting a kiss from the El Search
Party remained. He should also defeat Scar while at it.
There were various issues but he just had to solve them one by one. Add was coming up with an
order to solve these issues but then got startled when he actually started to get sleepy. But he gave
up resisting.
He wasn’t fully healed yet…..and the real fight started tomorrow when the other members arrived. It
was a reasonable choice to sleep in order to prepare for tomorrow.
Also
Her tails were warm.
1. From kiss
El Search Party group that headed to the Temple of Fire arrived at Hot Springs. Add heard that
members who just arrived went to bathe to relieve their fatigue so he made up his mind and also
headed to the men’s bath.
He didn’t like bathing with other people but he needed information.
When Add arrived, Raven, Elsword, Ciel and Chung were already inside the water enjoying their
bath. Elsword waved his hand to greet Add.
“Big Brother Add, was everything fine on this side?”
“…….”
‘Lu and Rena had a big fight and Elesis and I got captured’ was too long of an explanation.
“Listen to what happened on our side from the others. How did things go on your side?”
“Didn’t Ms.Ignia come before us?”
“…..I haven’t talked properly to that priestess.”
Add couldn’t make the time to talk with Ignia because the information Eun revealed was too
shocking. Raven explained simply.
“There were demons lying in ambush. It took some time to defeat them.”
“Didn’t Lu cause trouble?”
Add shrugged when Ciel asked amiably. The reason Add came to the men’s bath wasn’t to give
trifling explanations.
“Things seems to be complicated amongst girls. It’s difficult for me to explain.”
“…….It must be.”
Raven must have guessed what might have happened because he sighed. He must also understand
Rena’s feelings.
Anyways, the main topic starts from here. Add nervously looked at the other guys then carefully
brought up the topic.
“I have something I want to ask. But I first want a promise from all of you that you’ll keep this a
secret from the girls.”
“What?”
“Secret?”
Chung asked confusedly and Ciel stared at Add with a strange gaze for a bit then made a
mischievous smile.
“Interesting. I’ll keep it a secret.”
“Is it something you can’t tell them? What is it?
“If it’s just consulting……”
Elsword and Raven seem to have accepted as well. Add gulped then…..warned again.
“I’ll say it again, if you don’t keep this a secret…..”
“There must be a girl that’s on your mind, who is it?”
Add shut his mouth when Ciel asked while smiling. He wanted to deny Ciel’s words so strongly but
he didn’t know if denying right now would help with the conversation that will follow.
“Let me first say that this doesn’t concern this universe.”
“Alright, so?”
Add got wary when Ciel unexpectedly showed strong interest in this topic.
Come to think of it, Add didn’t have any information about Ciel unlike the other search party
members. You could conclude others were just generally naive despite this being a different universe,
but there was no precedent information about Lu and Ciel.
But to catch a tiger, you must go into the tiger’s den.
“…….I’ll be straightforward. Have any of you ever kissed a girl?”
“Hmm?”
“K, kiss?”
Elsword and Chung’s eyes widened and Raven and Ciel had no responses.
Att.i.tudes of two men keeping their silence strangely contrasted each other. Raven had an expression
as if he was reluctant about this topic while Ciel looked like he was trying to prevent himself from
laughing.
It will look lame if Add withdrew the topic now that he started it.
“There’s someone I have to kiss. But I don’t know how I should do that. If any of you have
experience with it, I’d like to hear about your experience or any other information regarding it….”
“……..”
Add trailed his words because he got troubled from the stares of the guys.
“…..I know it’s strange to ask something like this.”
“N, no. I, it’s not strange at….all.”
Ciel was covering his mouth with his hands and shivering. Add became annoyed when they made
eye contact because Ciel was looking at him with a strangely warm gaze.
Add ignored Ciel then looked around at the other three.
“……What does that mean?”
“Hmm……”
Elsword was making a face as if he was bewildered and Chung was embarra.s.sed with his face all red.
Two of them didn’t seem like they’d be much of a help.
Raven had his head turned away with his mouth shut. It seemed like he was going to spare his words
much as possible……and Add didn’t have intentions to pressure him to talk.
“Pfft, pfft.”
The problem was…. only one remaining after the elimination rule was Ciel who was currently
struggling not to laugh.
When Add looked back at Ciel with a reluctant gaze, Ciel covered his mouth with his hands then
turned away.
“Don’t laugh at me……”
“I, I’m not…… ah.”
Ciel was shaking trying not to laugh. Add felt like hitting his bare exposed back.
The reason for Add’s face becoming red probably wasn’t only because heat from the hot spring.
“…..I’m asking seriously.”
“Hmm…..”
Elsword must have realized this wasn’t a joke and groaned troublesomely then spoke.
“Want me to ask Big Sis about it for you?”
“……..Don’t do it ever. I already said this is a secret from the girls. I won’t forgive you if you do.”
Elsword scratched his head troublesomely when Add glared at him.
“But isn’t that something guy and girl does together? Wouldn’t it be better to ask what girls think
about it?”
That was a rather mature(?) opinion coming from Elsword but Add shook his head. Add said this
was about his universe but that was just an excuse. This was something that had to be done in this
universe in order for him to go back to the original universe.
It was an information that shouldn’t be revealed to the girls of the Search Party. He wanted to keep
it a secret much as possible.
“I’m sorry Mr.Add. I don’t think I’ll be much help.”
“I didn’t expect much from you…..”
Chung made a complicated expression at Add’s sharp response. Raven was still keeping silent and
Ciel was struggling to hold in his laugh.
“……”
Add antic.i.p.ated only ones amongst the El Search Party that likely had this kind of experience was
Raven and Ciel who were older.
But Raven’s atmosphere was as if he didn’t want to talk and Ciel was…..
“Pfft, hahahaha…..”
Going to die from laughing too much. Add internally wished he really did drop dead right now.
“I was skeptic but you guys can’t help me after all. Let’s stop talking about this. Remember,
don’t…..”
“Ah, wait Add. Pfft, hahaha…..”
Ciel waved his hands to stop Add. It was annoying how he burst out into laughter in middle of his
words but Add decided to listen to what he had to say for now.
“Alright, so do you mean there’s a girl who’s on your mind in your universe? Who is it?”
“Do I have to reveal that?”
“I can’t give any advices if I don’t know who.”
Add didn’t answer right away to Ciel who finally stopped laughing, no, who was still laughing but
stopped laughing out loud.
Who will he kiss?
“…….”
Although Add bought time by keeping silent, he couldn’t get a quick answer to this question. Add
had asked the guys because it might be a good reference if he heard about the guys’ experience.
This had been originally for gathering information. But Add couldn’t ignore Ciel’s suggestion.
“I see, so it changes depending on who.”
Eun did also say something similar while mentioning about affection points. Add delved into his
thoughts while stroking his chin. So far, he had blindly thought that he was going to raise the
affection point of someone…. But that was too vague.
It needed to be more thorough.
“I see, that’s right.”
Ciel was watching with an excited gaze as Add delved into his thoughts. Although Ciel was being
annoying, he was the only consultant right now.
“You said Lu and I weren’t there so that leaves the girls except Lu….. Is it one of Aisha, Rena, Eve,
Elesis or Ara?”
Chung stared straightly at Add when names of the girls were mentioned. Elsword stared piercingly at
Add when Elesis was mentioned.
And Raven was just staring quietly.
Add’s expression became nervous when gazes of three naked(because this was a bath) guys focused
on him. Three of them didn’t say anything…..but were giving off a strange pressure.
The atmosphere was as if there might be trouble if Add said something wrong.
“Big Brother, you can’t possibly be……”
Elsword stopped in middle of his words and scratched his head. Elsword was groaning as if he
couldn’t organize his thoughts then glared at Add.
“Thinking about Big Sis right?”
“……You think I’m that suicidal?”
He’d be glad if he didn’t lose a limb or two after kissing her. Add wasn’t putting Elesis in the list of
candidates in the first place.
Just dealing with her was bothersome enough, so affection points? Ridiculous.
Add answered with detest at the idea but Elsword didn’t seem like he was listening.
“I don’t want to meddle…..but you have to beat me first if you want to do it with Big Sis.”
“……..”
Elsword was acting like he would have pulled out his sword if this wasn’t a bath. Add was so
bewildered that he retorted.
“Do you think I’m crazy? Why would I make approaches to that girl? Stop speaking nonsense…..”
What do you call these kinds of guys again? Sister complex? But Elsword calmly expressed his
opinion despite Add’s annoyed response.
“I won’t accept anyone who’s weaker than Big Sis. Fight me first.”
“…..”
Is he saying if anyone wants to kiss Elesis, they must beat him first? How does that process come
about? If you want to kiss the older sister, you must fight and beat her younger brother? What
universe is that culture from?
“Drop it. Didn’t I say clearly that it wasn’t Elesis?”
“Then who is it, Mr.Add?”
Add closed his mouth at Chung’s question. This situation felt like he fastened the first b.u.t.ton of a
coat wrong. Add hasn’t been wary of the other members because he was focusing only on his own
tasks, but…..
‘Wait…. So guys here are mindful about girl members as well?’
Hypothesis that Add hadn’t even thought about pa.s.sed through his mind.
Elsword cares about Elesis. Although Elsword’s reaction was over the top, this was understandable
since they were siblings….. But others too?
“……”
It felt like he carelessly touched upon complicatedly tangled feelings and relationships of the Search
Party. When Add wasn’t saying anything, Raven who had been keeping silent all this time opened his
mouth.
“It’s about something from that universe, so it’s not something we should meddle in.”
“……I know. But you can’t with Big Sis. I won’t accept anyone who’s weaker than Big Sis.”
Just by what authority did he have the right to say something like that…….? Also, saying that he
won’t accept any man who was weaker than Elesis was not too different from saying he was going
let his sister be single forever.
“I also think that’s a bit…..”
“So, Add. Who’s the girl you’re concerned about?”
Ciel, the culprit who inflated this issue asked again without hiding how much he was enjoying this.
Add who was feeling like he was cornered rolled his eyes for a while looking for a way to answer
then stood up quickly.
This calls for a tactical retreat.
“I wasn’t thinking right. This conversation doesn’t seem too useful so let’s stop here.”
Gazes of the guys followed him but Add ignored and quickly escaped from the bath. This was
running away even thinking subjectively, but he had no choice but to escape in this situation.
Hot springs lounge, it was a place located between men and women’s bath.
Add sat down on a chair in the empty lounge then sighed in relief. It felt like he was freed from a
pressure.
“Phew, this is giving me a headache. Seriously……”
Add, with his face red from getting out of the hot springs organized his thoughts while drinking a
bottle of water. He was retracing the events just now to figure out how this error, this awkward
atmosphere came about…..
“So the El Search Party that I was in was just Eve, Elsword, me, Rena and Ara…..”
Chung did join later too. Anyways, the other El Search Party’s relationships had been rather
straightforward.
For an easy comparison, you could say Rena was the eldest sister who embraced everyone, the
youngest kid was Elsword, Eve was the brainy second sister, Ara was the clumsy third sister, and
Add himself…..was the rebellious eldest brother who didn’t like how things were going in the
household.
“……..”
Eldest brother? It was funny even though Add was the one who thought it. Add pressed on his
forehead then sighed.
Anyways, although this kind of relationship existed….. Add had never thought about love
relationship amongst the old group. Making Eve turn to look at him was…..how should he describe
it? It was because a cat that he was fond of was not even giving him a single glance and was always
playing with some strange red haired kid.
“So that means….”
But circ.u.mstances must be different in this universe in this El Search Party. First of all, 9 of them
had gathered and even Lu and Ciel joined so their relationships must be a bit different.
No, he won’t be able to arrive at the core detail if he merely said relationships.
Let’s say male-female relationships.
“……”
Although the word felt a bit reluctant, Add couldn’t deny that it was a correct expression. People
with different circ.u.mstances and personalities have gathered so it would be stranger if things had
progressed per Add’s previous knowledge.
Add had to think of this El Search Party as a similar but different group than the El Search Party he
had known…..
“No……”
Add might have been just unaware and maybe there had been a strange atmosphere between males
and females in 5-member El Search Party too. Add shook his head from side to side when things
became even more complicated the more he thought.
“This is driving me crazy…..”
He had planned to ask the guys first to obtain knowledge and information but it felt like he ended
up unnecessarily touching upon something he shouldn’t have.
“Not only that, but I have to do it with someone from this universe to go back……”
If Add tried to kiss this universe’s Elesis, Elsword will come to attack him with his sword drawn.
Not only that but similar problem could happen with the other girls as well.
“What should I do?”
Figuring out a way to defeat D and stealing Eve’s core was already a handful, but did he really have
to worry about male-female relationships that he had never been interested in all his life?
Add was letting out heavy sighs when he heard a voice from behind him.
“Mr.Add?”
A familiar voice, Add looked back to see Ara with her eyes wide open.
“Do you have something you’re worried about?”
“Mind your own business.”
Ara didn’t mind Add’s cold reply and sat beside him. Wondering why Ara was acting like this, Add
took a brief glance at her but she just had her mouth shut and was looking forward.
She must have been in the hot springs just now because her skin was dyed red.
“Umm…. Would you mind if I asked one question?”
“Don’t ask.”
Ara was hesitant but nodded. She was looking at her own feet with a gloomy air about her…..but it
didn’t seem like she was going to get up and leave.
Add frowned then changed his words.
“Just say it if you’re going to act depressed beside me. Although I won’t promise that I’ll answer.”
Ara’s expression turned bright at the approval then she asked.
“Me in your universe…… Was I successful in turning Elder Brother Aren back into human?”
“……Ran huh.”
Add’s universe and this universe were different yet similar.
It seems the fact that Ara’s older brother became a demon, and that Ara was fighting to turn Ran
back into human was the same.
“Why do you want to know that? Whether you turned Ran back or not in my universe doesn’t have
anything to do with you.”
“……That’s true.”
Ara acknowledged quietly then sighed. Her appearance was that of a beauty drenched in sorrow
when she was keeping quiet.
Add who was staring at Ara’s face realized he was making observations he hadn’t done before in his
life so he turned his gaze away while making fake coughs.
“I said this already but my universe is currently being ruled by D. Ran also works under D so he’s
enemy of the El Search Party. If I find a way to defeat D and go back…..then maybe a way to turn
my universe’s Ran back into human might open.”
“Really? I’m very glad!”
Ara’s expression turned bright suddenly as she clapped. How her expression changed drastically
from a depressed sigh to a smile was reminiscent of a flower blooming. When Add stared at her, Ara
got surprised from Add’s gaze and covered her mouth.
After a while, Ara slowly confessed her thoughts.
“Just like Mr.Add said, even if Elder Brother Aren returned to normal in that universe….it doesn’t
have anything to do with me. But I’ll still be happy if that happened.”
“Why?”
“Because it means that there’s a possibility that I can turn Elder Brother back to normal.”
Ara spoke while staring at her feet.
“Ms.Aisha explained it to me. Parallel universes are worlds of possibilities, that they are places with
all possible events that could happen. If Elder Brother Aren returned to normal in Mr.Add’s
universe, wouldn’t that mean that there’s a possibility that it could happen in this universe as well?”
“You’re speaking nonsense…….”
Add cut her off abruptly.
“The theory that parallel universes are portions of possibilities is correct but it encompa.s.ses an
immensely large range. It’s actually just a wordplay. Even universe where Elsword is a girl or
universe where Rena is a man can theoretically exist. According to probabilities anyways.”
“Really? Mr.Elsword is a girl?”
“……”
When Ara opened her eyes widely in surprise, Add kept quiet from being awestruck. But Ara must
have interpreted the silence in a positive way because she made a very curious expression.
“Mr.Elsword would be very cute if he was a girl. How is she like? I want to see her too. Of course,
he’s cute right now too.”
“Don’t change the topic in a weird direction. It’s annoying.”
“Ah, sorry. Did I act too excited?”
At Add’s words, Ara meekly lowered her gaze and apologized. It felt like looking at a puppy that had
been energetically moving around its owner then become saddened after being scolded.
It was difficult to ignore.
“I don’t know in detail about relationship between you and Ran in here…..but I can only say
something irresponsible like try your best. It might work out if you try. I’m also willing to help you
long as it doesn’t get in the way of my objectives. “
“Thank you! But Elder Brother Aren is…..”
“I’m not saying this emptily. You did…..”
Recalling past events, Ara did help Add out in various ways. In their first battle with Elesis, Ara
believed in Add’s plan and bravely threw herself into the danger zone.
Come to think of it now, Ara who was in charge of the front line was Add’s most trustworthy chess
piece. Precious chess piece that followed his order without a question no matter how strange the
order was.
He had never thanked her…..but come to think of it now, she was a very important individual.
“You did help me out in various ways after all.”
“I did?”
Ara obviously couldn’t comprehend but Add didn’t explain further. Add was confident that he knew
better than anyone about feeling of wanting to get back the person precious to you.
Just like he helped Elsword who was trying to get Elesis back, there was no reason he couldn’t help
Ara who was trying to get Aren back.
“I have to return soon as possible but tell me if you need help with anything during that time. You
don’t even have the brains to think after all.”
Add’s tone ended up becoming like how he treated Ara that he knew. But Ara nodded innocently
without complaints.
“Yes, I’ll ask right away if I have anything I’m curious about.”
“……..”
So this Ara was also naive in the end. Her actions were sharper and she had a strangely darker air
about her but how she was a well-mannered and innocent girl was still the same.
If you were to compare her to an animal, she’d be more like a dog or something else in the dog
family. She trusts people easily and it feels like she’d readily follow you while wagging her tail if you
just said couple nice things to her.
“Well, fox is also in the dog family…..”
“What do you mean?”
When Ara tilted her head at what Add said to himself, Add just waved his hand up and down in
response. Then Ara’s gaze followed the hand’s movement and she nodded quietly. This was rather
cute so Add unknowingly waved his hand repeatedly then Ara’s gaze kept following his hand
without saying a word.
“……”
He had never thought about this before…but isn’t Ara way too easy to handle? Add who was
staring at Ara with his hand on his cheek tried applying this thought while still half in doubt.
“Hand.”
“?”
“Hand.”
When Add spoke two times in a row, Ara tilted her head while politely holding out both of her
hands forwards. She looked like a kid getting her hands examined.
…..She really held them out? Add was bewildered but still moved on to the next experiment.
“Try doing a backflip.”
“Okay.”
Without asking why, Ara stood up to kick the ground lightly then spun around in midair once then
landed. After performing a magnificent backflip, Ara stared at Add without saying a word.
Like a puppy waiting for her next order.
“…….”
Add wanted to deny the comparison that he made in his head but he was already making the
conclusion. ……Ara was way too nice of a person. No, saying that she was a nice person was a bit
different than this.
“What should I do next Mr.Add?”
“Sit.”
Ara immediately sat beside Add again. Add chuckled at Ara’s att.i.tude that looked like she was
waiting for his next words.
Ara was dog-type. She obediently carries out orders she’s given and leaves question about the order
for later. Add did know she had this kind of tendency before but…..
Add was thinking when Ara suddenly pushed her face closer to him. Add got surprised from the
sudden lack of distance that he lost his balance while trying to back up.
Add was about to fall when Ara hastily grabbed his arm.
“Watch out Mr.Add.”
“…..T, Thanks.”
Add was in an awkward position where he was half fallen on the ground. But Ara didn’t let Add up
right away and asked carefully.
“Mr.Add, do you have something you’re worried about after all?”
“What?”
“Didn’t Mr.Add say you’ll help me? I also want to help Mr.Add.”
“First…..”
Add was about to say let go of his arm first but froze from the thought that came up in his mind.
Ara’s determined gaze, her exquisite facial features.
And her red lips.
“……”
Dog-type, she holds out her hands if you ask for them. She doesn’t demand an explanation for
orders she’s given. Not only that, but according to Eun, she’s the easiest candidate to raise the
affection points of.
What will happen if he asked her for a kiss?
Add felt a strange reluctance at his own thought but his brain was running logically.
Biologically speaking, something like a kiss was just a simple membrane contact. Others seems to be
all worked up over something this insignificant and applying various emotions to the act….. But
Add who was an engineer could coldly conclude that it was just a simple membrane contact.
I need a kiss in order to go back, please do it with me. How would Ara react if he said this? She’ll
obviously be embarra.s.sed….but wouldn’t she agree if he spoke his words right?
“……Mr.Add?”
Add who was deep in thought while looking at Ara’s pretty lips came to his senses when Ara called
him. But he still didn’t know what to say. Should he ask her to let go of his arm? Or……
Add was thinking while staring straightly at Ara but then turned around from feeling a strange
presence.
Cold gaze, Eve had appeared before anyone had realized and was staring coldly at Add and Ara who
was holding onto his arm.
Add really didn’t know what to say.
Eve approached slowly as Add stayed frozen. Let’s hope that her gaze being frostier than usual is
just an imagination.
“Don’t do something weird in a public lounge, useless person.”
“That’s not it Ms.Eve. Mr.Add was about to fall so I caught him.”
Eve tried to push Add down after hearing Ara’s explanation. Add staggered but barely managed to
not fall and stood up right after.
“You could have just fell down, useless.”
When Add didn’t answer and fixed his crumpled clothes, Eve’s gaze became even colder.
“You could have just stayed rolling on the floor, useless.”
“What’s wrong Ms.Eve?”
Ara asked carefully because the air felt was like Eve was scolding Add.
“I’ll explain it to you later so return to your room. I have something to talk about with this man who
should have been better off rolling on the floor.”
“…….Can I?”
Ara asked carefully after looking at Add. It seemed Ara could at least read that this situation was
serious. Add nodded silently.
“Then…. two of you have a nice talk.”
Ara reluctantly left the lounge. Soon as Ara left, Eve glared at Add while expulsing an icy aura. She
seemed more even more offended compared to when Add had first arrived in Lanox.
“I won’t forgive you do something indecent to Ara.”
“What?”
Eve spoke sharply with an icy voice.
“Ara opens her heart to anyone and treats them kindly. I won’t forgive anyone who disrespects her
good will.”
“…..”
Were those words something that Eve should say? When Add was taken aback and stared back
crookedly, Eve stretched her arm out as if there was no point in talking anymore. Then Oberon and
Ophelia were summoned immediately.
Add laughed emptily at this gesture of resorting to display of force.
“You must be like this because you saw what I did just now. That was just a light experiment. Why
are you so upset?”
“My comrade was insulted. I can’t let this slide.”
Well, Eve that Add knew could have acted like this as well. Eves were alike in this and other
universes so her showing this kind of reaction was understandable.
“Comrades….? Since when were you so close with Ara?”
“Don’t judge me by your standards.”
Eve was treating Add with a tone as if she was disgusted with just having to talk to Add. It seemed
Eve became very upset after seeing Add train(?) Ara.
Was the observation that Eve’s reaction was like ‘how dare you try to mess with our puppy!’ a bit
twisted?
“Kukukuk, so…. Seeing me play with Ara a bit upset you that much?”
Add asked while sneering because Eve’s words were unexpected for him. Eve sighed then folded
her arms. Then Oberon and Ophelia disappeared through the dimension gate.
She must have realized she got too riled up.
“Ara tends to be fooled easily by others. I especially don’t want her to be involved with a useless
person like you that only tries to comes up with petty schemes. If you want to speak with Ara from
now on, then you’ll have to speak through me.”
“……”
Why was she being so overprotective? This was a bit surprising but Add continued the conversation
to get some more information out of this.
“Are you saying I should speak everything through you if I want to talk with Ara? Isn’t that a bit
over the top?”
“This rule will stand until I determine that you won’t insult Ara anymore.”
“…….”
That’s right. Come to think of it, Eve was the second sister and Ara was the youngest sister.
So should he think of this as the second sister being protective of her naïve younger sister and trying
to keep an eye on anyone that might harm her?
Add went over the relationship chart in his head then acknowledged Eve’s actions. But he still asked
with a thought of what else he could find out.
“Why? What did I do? I just lightly consulted with her. I did play a little joke at the end but this
shouldn’t be anything you should get so worked up over.”
Eve must have not expected this question because she hesitated for a bit then spoke slowly.
“…..I felt something very indecent from how you treated Ara. Although I’m not exactly sure what it
was.”
“……..”
She was right on the mark. To think Nasods could be this sharp.
Add was in shock and admiration at Eve’s superior senses but Eve must have interpreted that as
Add being suspicious. Eve made an unpleasant expression.
“Anyways, it will be like I said for a while. I’ll also tell Ara to not talk with you alone. If you do not
comply with this, I’ll speak about this to Elesis.”
“……”
Totally forceful and even with an added threat. But her instinct was right on the mark.
Add was taken aback at this turn of events but was keeping quiet for now. Eve was very furious
right now so saying something to retort back will only fuel her anger.
Of course, Eve will never admit that she was being angry right now.
When Add kept silent, Eve must have determined that Add understood and turned around to leave.
That was the moment Add was aiming for.
Time to go on the offensive during the moment when she thinks everything is finished.
“Eve.”
Eve who was about to walk away glanced back. Add issued a challenge while Eve still had a
confused and loosened expression.
“What do you think a kiss is?”
“…….”
Eve thought for a moment then answered confidently.
“Isn’t that just a membrane contact? Why do you ask?”
“……Kukukuk, never mind. It’s fine.”
Add shrugged as if it was nothing then Eve walked away. Add withdrew his smile after Eve
disappeared from his view.
“To think our point of views would align in this…..”
Well, Add was a Nasod engineer and Eve was a Nasod. Two of their thoughts and point of views
were similar. Of course, Eve had the tendency to distance herself from Add…. But you couldn’t
deny that two of them had similar point of views.
“I’ll first organize all the information.”
Let’s head back.
Add saw someone unfamiliar as he was returning to his lodge. Red hair, but it didn’t belong to
Elsword or Elesis.
The one who was holding a spear and looking far out towards the volcano was Ignia.
“If I’m correct she was… priestess of fire.”
Add never heard about Ignia in his universe so he had no information on her. But he did know
from experience that Ignia was very powerful. Ignia must have sensed someone was nearby so she
turned around. Then she waved her hand towards Add.
“Ooh. Nice to see you!”
Ignia gave a weird greeting then approached quickly and cut to the chase.
“You, is it true that you came over from a different universe? Elesis said so.”
“What do you want?”
Elesis must have determined that this wasn’t an information that had to be hidden. Well, a lax group
like the El Search party couldn’t possibly understand the concept of controlling and hiding
information.
Although Eun was a very special case.
“Ah, not much…. I’m Priestess of Fire, Ignia. Did I have to explain that? I have something I want
to ask you…. you saw me in your universe too right?”
“No, this is my first time seeing you.”
Ignia asked brightly but her expression turned stiff when she heard the answer. She asked again
reluctantly.
“Could it be….. that I died on that side?”
That was a miss. Add spoke while frowning.
“This is the first time I heard about a priestess. I’ve never heard about a priestess or have been to a
village called Lanox where I came from.”
“So I wasn’t even there?”
“It’s not like all conditions are same between parallel universes. It’s not a big deal if you didn’t exist
on our side.”
At Add’s answer, Ignia let out a huge sigh then crouched down then sighed again. She looked totally
let down so Add just pa.s.sed by her.
……But he couldn’t walk forward. Ignia who was crouching down had grabbed Add’s sleeve.
“Wait, here I am being really depressed and you’re going to ignore me and go on your way?”
“I don’t know the information you want.”
Despite being a girl with the power to incinerate hundreds of demons…..tone of her voice was light.
So she wasn’t asking how herself from another universe was doing out of curiosity like Ara?
At Add’s answer, Ignia made a very displeased face then forcefully dragged Add down.
She was unexpectedly strong so Add ended up being dragged down and hitting his bottom on the
floor. Add got annoyed at how he was sitting on the floor…..but Ignia protested as she glared at
Add.
“If someone is having a hard time like this then it’s a common courtesy to stay beside and protect
their side! How dare you try to ignore me.”
“…..”
It seemed she was talking about something but Add couldn’t understand. Add even forgot being
angry and made a blank expression from the words that he was trying to translate in his head.
But Ignia restlessly spewed out words at Add.
“Do you even know how much I looked forward to meeting you ever since I heard you came from a
different universe? Do you think I arrived a day earlier for no reason? It was to meet you! But I got
scared to confirm things from you so it took an entire day until I settled my mind. So how dare you
try to end this with just couple words? Also, didn’t I appear and help you guys? Of course, I would
have eradicated all the demons anyways but I think I’m in a position where I deserve some thanks
from you. So me, who helped you is really depressed right now but rather than worry about me and
asking what’s wrong, you try to ignore me instead? Just what’s wrong with you? You’re not popular,
right? Do you not know about a girl’s heart?”
“…….”
I can’t understand what you’re saying in the first place. While thinking this, Add listened to the rain
of complaints coming at him with a blank expression then barely managed to catch some words that
he could understand.
“…..Yes, you appearing and cleaning up all the demons was very good. Thanks.”
“Are you trying to end this by just saying that? Then what about my heart that was beating so much
before I met you? Do you think you can get away by just saying you don’t know anything?”
Add got startled unlike himself when Ignia glared at him with sizzling gaze.
“……I, I’m sorry.”
“Do you think it will all end with just an apology? Maybe they let you get away with that in your
universe but it’s different here.”
Just what do you want from me then? Add couldn’t understand why Ignia was so angry at him so he
just kept his mouth shut. It didn’t look like this girl will let him go….and he didn’t have enough
strength to escape from her grasp so having her let all her emotions out felt like the correct response.
When Add kept silent, Ignia who was fuming with anger looked like she calmed down and steadied
her breath.
Ignia got up by stabbing her spear on the ground and leaning on it. She sighed as she brushed her
bang to the side then held out her hand towards Add.
“Sorry, I said too much because I got too worked up.”
“……”
It might not be over. When Add silently grabbed her hand and stood up, Ignia leered at him.
“But you’re also at fault. Do you realize how shocked I was when I heard that I don’t exist in your
universe? Shouldn’t you say something like that more carefully?”
“Is that really something you should be so shocked about?”
“What?”
Ignia stared at Add in disbelief as if trying to say ‘how can such a person exist? Is he even a human?’.
She looked quite appalled so Add traced back on what he said to check if he really did say something
wrong.
Ignia withdrew her appalled gaze then spoke. Her tone was calm unlike before.
“…..Ah, yes. If you came here from the other side, then you wouldn’t know how things are going in
here. Thing aren’t going too well in this universe.”
“I heard about it roughly. Elves are about to go extinct, there’s dragon as our enemy and Velder
Kingdom was destroyed.”
“Yes….but it seems you didn’t hear that all other priestesses except me are dead.”
The word priestesses felt fresh for Add. No, it seems he did hear it somewhere….. Add was
rummaging over his memories when Ignia spoke depressingly.
“All other priestesses were killed by the demons. Even those two kids that I promised to protect…..”
Ignia’s eyes were filled to the brim with tears as she spoke. She wiped her eyes then bit her lower lips
as she tried to collect her emotion.
“I know that those kids won’t come back. But I had a thought that if an alternate universe existed,
maybe they might be living happily in there…..I thought that would be really nice…..”
“……They must have been important to you.”
Ignia gave a small nod.
“Of course, I know that confirming something like this doesn’t have any meaning. I couldn’t protect
them in the end. Still…. I ended up thinking how nice it would be if there was a universe where
those kids were safe.”
“……..”
Add also knew what she meant. That’s right, Add jumped over time for the possibility of protecting
someone precious to him, possibility of getting back someone precious to him.
But time travel wasn’t something that others could use.
You can’t ever meet people that have been lost or dead again. That’s the cruel rule of the world.
Add didn’t say anything as he looked at Ignia sorrowfully lower her gaze.
Add chose the path of jumping over time but telling others to do the same was impossible. If there
was still a possibility of protecting the ones important to them, and possibility that it could be
achieved, then Add can encourage them and even lend his help.
He could help Ara with turning Ran back.
But Ignia had already lost people that were important to her. What words from him could possibly
hold any meaning for her?
As Add was thinking, a single line of thought flashed by in his head. His mouth spoke faster than his
head could organize this thought.
“Legend of the water priestess.”
“……What?”
“Legend of the water priestess, story….about a priestess who fell in love with a demon.”
Add became shocked at this information that he just remembered. This was a story he heard from
Chung back in Hamel. Add hadn’t been interested in it back then but its significance changes now
that he’s face to face with Ignia, the priestess of fire.
“It’s a legend that has been pa.s.sed down in my universe. I thought that it was just a simple
legend……”
“There’s a priestess?”
Ignia’s mood changed then she asked while pushing her face closer to Add almost as if she was
going to grab him by the collar. But Add responded level-headedly.
“It’s a legend from hundreds of years ago. But from your reaction, priestess of water did seem to
exist.”
“……Yes, Hamel’s Sasha.”
There was no proof that the water priestess from the legend and this universe’s water priestess were
same individuals. But there was a high chance that they were.
“I didn’t mention in detail about what’s happening in my universe to others. Keep what I’m about to
say from now on only a secret between us.”
“……..”
Ignia looked at Add with eyes filled with antic.i.p.ation as she nodded. Well, she didn’t look that
trustworthy to keep a secret but it wouldn’t be a big deal for Add if this detail was leaked.
“I think the time has been distorted in my universe.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know in detail either. But there’s someone called D trying to rule over time and s.p.a.ce and
time is being distorted in that process. Things that shouldn’t be happening are happening.”
Add from present and future existing at the s