Chapter 334 – Before the Storm
#334.
A few days later, on the weekend, Gaon and Hayeon came to the Republic of Elbrancia to meet her parents.
“Mom! Dad!”
“Ouch! Why is he so clumsy? Away. Stuffy!”
“I hate it!”
“Oh, really. Anyway, I’m not immature.”
Yoo Ji-ah grunted as if disapproving of Ha-yeon’s indiscriminate growth, but a small smile appeared on her lips.
Joo Bi-ho, who was standing next to her, also took a closer look at Ha-yeon’s condition and nodded her head in satisfaction.
“I’m glad you seem to be doing well. Nice to meet you too.”
“Yes. Long time no see. Father-in-law. Did you feel any discomfort?”
“Of course. It’s thanks to the care of the head of the house.”
“Fortunately, the. I should meet you and say hello.”
I didn’t want to ask for help even in trivial matters, so I didn’t say anything, but it seems that I figured out the situation well.
Since the full-scale invasion was about to begin, it was necessary to strengthen the alliance, but there was another reason to visit.
The party, who shared the joy of reunion, moved to their house according to Ju Bi-ho’s guidance.
Currently, Joo Bi-ho and Yoo Ji-ah are living in a room inside the World Tree.
It was all thanks to Ariel’s convenience.
After a while, they arrived home and sat in a circle around a wooden table.
On the table, Yujia’s tea and refreshments were placed beautifully.
“Okay. Has anything happened in the meantime?”
“It’s the same every day. Ah! Something interesting happened a few days ago.”
“What?”
“You know Isabella’s sister, right? The older sister suddenly vomits while eating breakfast. So everyone was surprised to learn that Master made her pregnant… Wow!”
“Ju Ha-yeon! Quiet!”
Surprised by Ha-yeon’s attitude of casually bringing up a sensitive story, Ga-on hurriedly shuts her mouth, but the important part has already leaked out for a long time.
As she slowly turned her head with a creaking movement, Yu Ji-ah, who was smiling, slowly reached out and grabbed Ha-yeon’s arm, which was covering her mouth.
And a voice heard.
“Why are you blocking it? Son-in-law. It’s fun.”
“… It was all lies anyway. If you have to listen to it and feel uncomfortable…”
“Son-in-law. I feel more uncomfortable now. I just want you to let me hear it.”
He has a very kind voice and a face full of smiles, but the unprecedented pressure transmitted from it made Gaon unable to resist.
He finally had no choice but to put his hands together and bow his head.
“Yes. Sorry.”
“Sorry. You don’t have to apologize. You didn’t really get pregnant, did you? Or not… Did you do anything to get pregnant?”
“…”
Yujia may have said it half-jokingly, but it was true that he actually had a relationship with Isabella, so he couldn’t deny it.
As his silence grew longer, doubt naturally began to form in Yoo Ji-ah’s eyes as well.
In the end, just when he couldn’t hold back and was about to ask a question, Ha-yeon intervened.
“Ah! Mom what are you doing! Why are you intimidating Master!? Only I can do that!”
“What is this gibae? With a joke Son-in-law, I’m sorry. Was I too harsh?”
“No. I am fine.”
“I will be careful next time. But what are you still a master? There are a lot of titles like honey and honey.”
“I love you! Mom, but what about my brother?”
Ha-yeon looked around her, probably thinking of Ha-joon.
“Are you asking me now? Of course Hajun is working. I’m with Miss Limien. Come to think of it, did you know? The two of you didn’t get along very well.”
“Oh, that? Of course you know. Li Mi En. Her sister seems to like Ha Joon oppa? But she seems to be opposed by her family.”
“Oh, so? Take a closer look then!”
Whether she was really distracted by Ha-joon’s story or she was trying to change the mood on purpose, Yoo Ji-ah put aside her doubts about Ga-on and continued the conversation with Ha-yeon.
Gaon let out a long sigh, relieved that the position he had so long ago had not collapsed.
‘As expected, this is normal.’
No matter how much I knew that he had many lovers, I couldn’t wish for more.
If she finds out that they had an affair with another woman on a trip together, she will decide that she cannot entrust her daughter.
Of course, she had no intention of breaking up with Ha-yeon because Yoo Ji-ah objected, but she still wanted Ha-yeon to not go through conflicts between her parents and her lover.
So, at least for now, keep it a secret.
‘Let’s reveal everything later.’
In such a decision, time passed helplessly, and in the end, after lunch, the two were able to get out of the Ju Bi-ho couple’s house.
Ha-yeon asked anxiously.
“Master, are you okay? Her mom did too. Ask something like that.”
“Are you okay. Of course what And what are you going to say? Why don’t you talk about it first?”
“Hi-Hi…”
“Eh… Done. I have to meet Ariel sooner than that.”
“Yes! Song!”
Since the inside of the World Tree is Ariel’s territory anyway, there was a high possibility that he already knew that they had visited.
As expected, the person she sent was waiting in front of the leaves on her top floor.
“Let’s get on. Lord Taesang is waiting for you.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
As they expressed their gratitude, they climbed onto the leaves, and fresh green magic rose up, leading Gaon and Hayeon to the top floor in an instant.
The scenery outside turns into a point in an instant, and the field of view extends beyond the horizon.
But soon, the leaves stopped moving and they finally faced Ariel.
The entire wall was transparent, and in the center of the interior, where the warm sun was shining down, our eyes met with a blond, green-eyed elf with the scenery of the republic behind.
She shyly greeted her with a reddened face and a friendly smile.
“Long time no see. Gaon.”
“Yes. Nice to meet you. You are still beautiful.”
“Thank you. Temperature… It’s awesome.”
Ariel suppressed her pounding heart.
She usually says that when her body is far away, her mind is also far away, but her love for Gaon only deepens.
Her first time was so special to her, who considered her feelings of love her luxury due to the contamination of her World Tree.
Whether he knew her feelings or not, Gaon answered casually.
“I am really grateful. She said that Ariel cared a lot for Ha-yeon on her way back from meeting her parents just a while ago. He must be busy, but I’m afraid he didn’t bother you.”
“Oh no! Is it something I did because I wanted to? You don’t have to stress too much. Anyway, I kept hearing the news. She has only been in touch with Mana for 5 years, and she has reached the level of 10 stars. It’s amazing.”
Ariel’s warm green eyes twinkled as if she were sincere.
In fact, even if she praised her as being great at the level of 11 stars, it would be considered a deception on her part, but Gaon knew that her Ariel was not the kind of person to be, so there was no misunderstanding.
She did, but she didn’t even accept it as it was.
“Even so, it is still not enough. Ariel, how has she been?”
“Jeon… It’s always the same. Supplement the Republic’s policies and examine the family. She just stayed that way.”
“Isn’t there any trouble? I saw her on the way, and she seemed to have a bit of a mess.”
“Ah… Did that show? In fact, she heard that these days her eldest son and second son are fighting over the headship of the Sabrina family.”
“You mean the eldest son and the second son?”
It’s a bit of an odd story.
In a situation where the absolute existence of Ariel Sabrina was holding on, it was natural that her eldest son would inherit the family, unless it was a dizzying situation.
The reason why there have been no problems so far is probably because the eldest son is so good that there is no shortage in the position of head of the household.
But now that there is a quarrel, there is a high probability that the second son is greedy for the main house.
When she asked about it, Ariel nodded her head in agreement and explained.
“The second son, Ricardo Sabrina, was originally the owner of a soft and calm disposition. But a few months ago, things changed drastically.”
“That is a big deal.”
“You don’t have to worry too much, though. Anyway… Ricardo’s power won’t overturn anything.”
There was confidence in Ariel’s voice.
It’s easy to forget because he’s so kind to him, but Ariel is one of the few transcendentalists in the entire Union.
Of course, if you have to make a decision, you have the ability to break it off at any time.
Gaon laughed lightly.
“Then it’s safe. But if there’s anything I can help with, I’ll help. Anything. Not only public things, but also private things.”
“Yes, private ones?”
“Yes. Instead, I only do what I can.”
Ariel went into serious trouble.
She has no intention of missing out on this opportunity as she is now. She had to somehow make it a corrections department to advance Sai.
Of course, you shouldn’t throw too much, so you have to ask for an appropriate level.
Ariel let her first thought come to her mouth through her contemplation.
“Then can you guide me when I go to the Pentra Empire? I have never been to a human country.”
“Of course. But is it true that you have never been?”
“Yes. High elves are very valuable, so going out is restricted. Of course, I’m particularly serious. Will you do me a favor anyway?”
“Sure. I will.”
“Thank you. I will only trust Gaon.”
Ariel looked at Gaon with so much affection that even the most ignorant person could not help but notice her.
Even Ha-yeon, who had been silent until then, couldn’t stand her idly by anymore.
Hayeon clung to Gaon’s side.
“Aren’t you two very close? I am jealous.”
“Yes? Oh no! It can’t be!”
Ariel was exaggeratedly startled, and she whipped her hand around so fast that it left an afterimage.
Even after watching all of Gaon’s actions, he pressed Hayeon’s head firmly without much agitation.
“What are you talking about? Why are you jealous?”
“Chit! I’m not talking.”
“Sure. Rather, did you hear about Ariel? A huge rift opened in the Empire a few months ago.”
“Yes? Ah yes! I also heard from my mother that the dimensional barrier has weakened. Maybe that’s why.”
There is only one being that Ariel calls mother.
The world tree, which is also called the window that connects the laws of the universe, seems to have been able to grasp the state of the dimension as much as it has the power of a demigod.
Realizing that there was no need for complicated explanations, Gaon nodded vigorously.
“The world capital also felt that. You’re right. Perhaps it won’t be long before the dimensional barrier will completely collapse and a full-scale invasion of the other world will begin. For that time, everyone must work together. What does Ariel think?”
“My thoughts are the same. Each country needs to stop petty quarrels and forge alliances. But is that really possible… I do not know.”
Human beings are originally like that.
If it is not a crisis right in front of your eyes, it is your instinct to put it off somehow and seek immediate benefits.
That’s probably a big reason why they don’t dare to go out in the open in Halo, where they can foresee the future, and prepare for destruction by themselves.
At least, even if there is clear evidence that destruction is coming in the future, it is possible to propose an alliance.
“It is also difficult. This is top secret, but in fact, demons have been coming in from all over the empire for a while now. Maybe we can get meaningful information through them.”
“A demon? Could it be a double agent or an operative?”
“I don’t know. However, as far as I know, I heard that the demons are in the midst of a fight against the Dimension Eaters, who are currently invading. If so, there must be a way.”
Only a handful of people know about the existence of Dimension Eaters.
But if it’s Ariel, she must have heard about it through the World Tree. As expected, she figured out its identity in an instant.
“Dimension Eater… It’s an evil god that devours dimensions. First of all, I knew Gaon’s words well. I’ll share my opinion with everyone in the council and tell you.”
“That’s enough. Then I’ll just go. It has been too long.”
“No. You can stay longer if you want.”
“It’s okay. I will come again next time.”
“Yes. Then later…”
She was the Ariel she wanted to be with for days, but I couldn’t recommend Gaon’s softer yet firmer decision and she let him go.
Gaon and Hayeon climbed the leaf again, glanced at Ariel, who looked sad, and sent a telephony.
– Master, do you know? That woman likes Master. Why is she so refusing?
Even though Gaon is a bit ignorant, there’s no way he wouldn’t notice his outspoken attitude like that.
He answered Hayeon’s question.
-… Because you don’t have to. The current relationship is enough. Getting closer will only make matters more complicated. More than anything, the time we spent together was so short that I didn’t have a strong crush on him.
-I see…
The time Gaon and Ariel spent together was less than 5 hours in pure terms.
Since Ariel was saved by him, she can have any kind of emotion, but on the contrary, Gaon has nothing.
Ha-yeon, who realized this through a short conversation, felt sorry for Ariel.
‘Poor.’
Hayeon and Ariel.
The chosen and the unchosen.
The only difference between the two was the simple fact of luck.
