[Abduction – Interlude Episode 2]
Episode 2
* * *
“I know! I know!”
A dark alley in the city.
With a bonfire lit, Iolka shouted in a twisting voice.
“It’s different from back then!”
Suddenly, the city got dark.
There was no distinction between day and night on the border here, but at some point the sun rose and the moon rose due to a subtle magic principle.
“Oh I don’t know!”
Beep beep.
Swallow the contents of the glass.
golden liquid. It was beer.
“Is your sister okay?”
“Ah, whoever sees it will know that I am not crazy. I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Iolka wiped the foam from her mouth.
beer.
In Valhalla, it’s ridiculously expensive.
I had to shell out my emergency fund for a few beers.
“If you have money for a drink, you can find an inn.”
“Oh, how noisy! you can drink it too Let’s spend money!
“I’m out of my mind. So, are you homeless again today?”
“I guess that’s how it should be. My sister has a lot of heartache.”
“I know.”
said Iolka.
There was a huge crowd in the plaza.
I wouldn’t have been able to pretend to know it openly in front of others.
‘But those eyes…’
It was the eyes that saw a complete stranger.
Iolka felt her stomach boil.
‘It’s different from before.’
In the days of Taonier, they were comrades crossing the battlefield together, but now it is different.
Remnants who do not stand out in Valhalla.
That man is being praised as a king or something.
‘I didn’t come here to be like this.’
Court mage days.
Everyone praised their talent.
Proud nobles used to bow their heads to themselves in order to borrow the power of magic. But here, at the bottom of the bottom.
‘What? This is it.’
This place is strange.
All the strong people of Moebius are gathering.
They are all human beings who were praised for their genius or skill in their own place.
‘Did I lack my talent?’
Burr.
I don’t even want to imagine.
no. It can’t be. that the situation is strange A world that doesn’t give you a chance is bad!
“Yes! If you’re going to brag about being a king, then you shouldn’t be making a good deal out of this place! A world where only those who came first are treated well! Laggards like me kick the ladder or at random!”
Give me a chance too!
Iolka stirred her limbs as she emptied her beer clean.
“Wizards don’t look good.”
“Hey, so are you. We all do. dust! gentle! larva! They are all the same scum!”
The hem of the dress was reflected in the field of vision.
It was treated magically, so it was clean no matter what.
Now it is terribly dirty. Iolka felt like she was about to burst into tears.
“Anyway, it’s time to come.”
Jenna scratched her cheek.
“What are you doing! huh? Is there a dark future coming? Are you now a beggar and begging on the street? I hate it, I hate it!”
“Are you drunk?”
“Kheuk! Coke!”
cough several times
Iolka had a weakness for alcohol.
A bitter aura rose from within.
“You made fun of me, damn it. don’t go over like this I proved my talent in a great way…”
“I hope you will.”
“Hey, I’ll do it anyway. Who am I? I…”
“Before that, sober up.”
“What are you ignoring me for? Even a hangover can be blown away with magic. I… um?”
Iolka looked to the side with her eyes wide open.
Someone is standing between the blurred vision.
The owner of the voice covered his whole body with a long black cloak.
“Oh brother. came?”
Jenna waved at the cloaked assailant.
“It’s late, senior. Look at this wizard. Ugly.”
“huh?”
“it’s okay. I didn’t even expect it.”
What are you not expecting?
Iolka blinked open her eyes.
The assailant removed the cloak behind his back.
His distinctive eyes and black hair were revealed.
“Poop!”
Iolka poured out the remaining beer in her mouth.
“All of you…”
“What? That kind of thing.”
“Oh no…?”
One Israt clicked his tongue.
“Have you been drinking until just before meeting time?”
“Is it meeting time? What are you talking about…”
Iolka turned to Jenna.
Jenna laughed lightly.
“Aha, I couldn’t say that.”
“Eh?”
“Your sister went first and didn’t know, right? An errand boy came after the event. I want to meet you later at night with my brother.”
“….”
“Oh, I was going to say it, but it’s not easy to get the timing right.”
silence.
“Kuhm.”
Iolka cleared her throat a couple of times before putting down her beer mug.
After brushing off the dust on the dress, she stood up.
And I started to look at my clothes to see if there were any wrinkles.
“…what are you doing?”
Belquist tilted his head.
Iolka straightened her disheveled hair, took a fan from her pocket, covered her mouth, and laughed.
“Oh ho ho ho…”
It was an awkward laugh.
Han looked at Iolka and smiled.
“It’s been a while, Iolka.”
“You too.”
“I didn’t know you would come this far.”
“That is my heart! Director Nam.”
“It’s not like that. Whatever you do, it’s your heart.”
Instead of the flashy midday uniform, Han was wearing gloomy casual clothes.
Then he said right away.
“There is something I want to say.”
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry then.”
Iolka’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
“It was my mistake that you lost your life there. When we meet again, I wanted to apologize for what happened then.”
“Uh uh…”
An apology?
Who is this?
Iolka licked her lips like a carp.
“So what is the answer?”
“Oh huh?”
“If you apologize, isn’t it your duty to receive it?”
“Therefore?”
“sister.”
Jenna jabbed Iolka’s side with her elbow.
Iolka came to her senses.
good!
She unfolded her fan and laughed.
“Whoop whoop! great. You are very polite. I will accept that apology.”
“Okay then, the story is over then.”
“yes? It’s done?”
“I apologized and you accepted it. Then it’s over.”
“Is that over?”
“end.”
what.
This feeling of being lost.
Iolka stiffened with her fan open.
“So brother, long time no see! how have you been doing?”
“so so.”
“Are you okay or not?”
“Okay.”
Jenna and Han exchanged greetings.
In terms of time, it’s been a long time since we met, but there was no awkwardness or notice between the two.
“I knew you would come here.”
Han’s gaze turned to Belquist.
Belquist said flatly.
“I’m sorry. Because I couldn’t betray my senior’s expectations.”
“Hmm.”
Han closed his eyes.
“I will not apologize. What are you doing here?”
“I know, brother.”
“It’s fine if you know. Did you learn enough to get bored? The Taoni way.”
“If you feel unfair, be strong.”
Belquist replied with a smile.
Han opened his eyes.
“But there seems to be a problem with equality of opportunity.”
Han put a hand on his chin as if thinking about something.
“Certainly, the response to latecomers was insufficient. Stagnant water is bound to rot. I’ll take this opportunity to overhaul the system once more.”
“Then is there a chance for us too?”
“It will be so. On that occasion, I will invite you first.”
“Can we be strong too?”
Jenna’s eyes twinkled.
Han smiled.
“According to what you do. But you know what? The days of following me like before are over. i’m not there You guys have to do well.”
“I know, brother. We just need to do well together!”
“okay.”
said Han.
“So this is the first and last time I meet you guys informally.”
“Is this the last time?”
said Iolka, startled.
“why?”
“No, the last one is…”
“So, it’s not a social club, so let’s get together once a month? What class reunion is it?”
Jenna added an explanation.
“Today’s work is that my older brother was particularly overworked. Wouldn’t it be easier to sneak out? If oppa is a very important person here, every single person he meets becomes very important.”
Every person you meet becomes important.
In other words, if the king of Valhalla meets with low-level heroes who have no power or ability, that alone can cause controversy over fairness.
“So that’s what I’m saying. This will be the last time we meet informally.”
“Then…”
“I’ll give you a chance.”
Han said while looking at the three of them alternately.
“Come up. to where I am To the extent that we can’t even meet informally. Your chance will come soon.”
“Haa, senior, you are late. Did you just start?”
“I’m very busy with work.”
“Okay, now it’s a start!”
The two of them conspired.
Iolka was staring blankly at the three of them.
“Sister sister?”
“…?”
“Answer answer.”
Iolka shuddered.
“Ooh whoop! okay. Opportunity is an opportunity. I was waiting. A battlefield to prove my talent!”
All the hardships so far have been waiting for this.
Power went into Iolka’s hands.
“But the man isn’t there.”
Belquist looked to Han’s side.
“You mean Aaron?”
“exactly. Aren’t we from the same origin? I thought you would come with me.”
“Ah, come to think of it, Aaron doesn’t have a brother. The first Taoni language meeting was held here!”
“Did you have a complete relationship with Niflheim?”
“That can’t be! They are our rivals!”
“rival?”
Iolka’s eyes widened.
It reminded me of the heroes standing side by side behind Han during the victory ceremony.
The prestigious five knights of Valhalla.
All but one said they were from Niflheim.
In other words, they are the sacred bones of sacred bones.
“They… are our rivals?”
“Right, sister. Are we following you? Because they took my brother away from us.”
“Take it?”
“is it so!”
Jenna clenched her fists tightly.
“We’re going to get stronger and get our brother back from them!”
“Is that possible?”
“of course!”
Han laughed.
“Do it if you can. I won’t stop you.”
“Let’s wait and see. So what about brother Aaron?”
“He’s… missing something. I need some time.”
“lost it? what?”
“Don’t worry too much. will get it back soon So, make sure to have Aaron join us at the next ‘official’ meeting.”
formal meeting.
Jenna opened her eyes.
When you become strong, when you become strong enough that no one can ignore you, no one will say anything even if you formally form a meeting with the Taoni tribe.
“Right. also.”
Belquist laughed grimly.
“It feels better to steal than to be taken away.”
“You’re taking those scoundrels out of their place! The seat next to you is ours!”
“huh?”
For some reason, it seemed that things were progressing without Iolka’s opinion.
‘okay.’
If so, just like then.
you can fight side by side
“But then, Aaron oppa becomes important? Aaron oppa has to come this way to get the right number of people. It’s just 4-4.”
“The man will decide for himself. You have to become stronger yourself.”
“…okay.”
Iolka muttered blankly.
Soon, the movement of the hand holding the fan took power.
In no time, her expression and eyes returned to her usual confidence.
“People here have never given me a chance because they are afraid of my talent, right? Whoops, how naive you are!”
Iolka had a smile on her face.
“Okay, let me show you. My real skills!”
“I’m back.”
“It’s simple and easy to handle.”
“What did you say?”
“It is nothing.”
joy.
Iolka snorted at Belquist’s words.
Then he pointed at Han with a folded fan.
“Leave it. I will make you regret it!”
“What are you making me regret?”
“Uh, that’s… oh anyway! I will make you regret it!”
Declaration.
Yes.
This was a declaration of war.
It is to get revenge on the man who left him here without recognizing his worth.
‘joy. I can prove it when I get a chance.’
Only now did I realize why I came to Valhalla.
It was to prove his worth.
That he is the strongest wizard in the universe!
‘There’s nothing wrong with condescending as a starter.’
After all, talent differences are irreversible.
Hehehe. Iolka gave an evil laugh.
“then. It goes slowly.”
“Oh, are you going already?”
“Did you say everything?”
“Oh yes, but.”
Han put the cloak on again.
It melted into the darkness of the night.
before leaving.
“me.”
said Han.
“Don’t make me wait too long.”
The three of them couldn’t help but open their eyes.
“Wow!”
Jenna’s whole body trembled as if she had goosebumps.
“They made you weak.”
Belquist’s eyes grew cold.
“…?”
Iolka had no idea.
Anyway, after the uproar, silence lingered again in the alley.
widely. tadak.
The light of the campfire drove away the shadows.
‘I broke all the alcohol.’
The hangover flew away as if washed off.
Only one thought was clearing his mind.
“It starts tomorrow!”
“No, from now on. Excuse me first.”
Belquist disappeared into a back alley.
You must be looking for a suitable training location.
“What do you think, sister?”
“Me?”
The two warmed up by the bonfire while clinging to each other.
Jenna’s face was illuminated by the fire.
“Do you think it was a good thing that you came here? My sister was a court mage. If I had been there, I would have eaten well and lived well.”
“I told you. There is no fun there.”
A genius is a way to stand out in difficult times.
In such a peaceful world, heroes cannot emerge.
Iolka muttered to herself.
‘But what about in practice?’
I decided to ask myself.
‘Do you regret coming here?’
Of course…
“I don’t regret it, I do.”
“is it so?”
“Whoop whoop! You said there was a wizard among those subordinates, right? How good is it? How genius is that? I’ll jump over it like I’m showing off. Don’t fall behind either.”
“Okay!”
The two looked at each other and laughed.
“Where can I clearly tell people who I am!”
“Then you should tell me my name too!”
“You don’t have to tell me the name of that ignorant man!”
“Why are you pitiful for Belle?”
“anyway! It’s good after rain. great! Let’s start tomorrow!”
Iolka laughed out loud.
Jenna looked at her.
‘It’s happiness.’
long ago.
Jenna remembered what her father had said.
Happiness is living each day to the fullest.
If you live like that, you can find light anywhere.
‘It starts tomorrow.’
Real life in Valhalla.
The archer girl made up her mind again.
‘People there will really catch up if you do it roughly.’
Thus, the resolution of the three began quietly.
[Pick me up! Side Story – Interlude Story]
Continued with [Pick Me Up! Aaron Side Story].