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Chapter 191

Rooms can sometimes serve as a reflection of one’s personality. In that sense, the character of this room’s owner seemed almost tangible.

It was easy to predict a nervous and irritable personality.

The room was just as orderly. It was so immaculate that it was hard to believe a human hand had ever touched it.

In that tidy office, an elderly man pressed the device that was playing a video, shutting it off with a stern look on his face. He rubbed his tired brow and muttered.

“I just can’t make sense of it….”

“What do you mean, sir?”

The man who was organizing documents a little way off asked him, and the old man let out a deep sigh.

“Why on earth would a noble being like a dragon enter into a contract with such a pitiful child?”

If Choi Yeon-woo, the person in question, had heard that, he might have shouted, “Oh my, this old man is completely out of his mind!” The other man, however, simply organized the paperwork without flinching and replied appropriately.

“It may be a judgement made from ignorance of the world.”

“Hm, that could be….”

‘This is quite a blunder. A serious blunder.’

As the man casually observed the seriously responding old man from the corner of his eye, he thought that even though he held the favorable position of a secretary, his evaluation of the elderly man was rather stingy.

‘How this antiquated fellow operates is beyond me.’

Of course, when voicing such an assessment, one needed to be as diplomatic as possible.

“Indeed, sir is truly like an artifact,” he said with a sweet smile, and even that irritable old man couldn’t help but show a smile in return.

“…Hmm, then how about facilitating a re-contract? So that both parties can forge connections that match their values.”

“Well, I’m not sure. Unlike spirit contracts, I don’t know if a re-contract is even possible. After all, it’s a very rare species.”

“Would a species as highborn as a dragon make a lifetime contract with a mere human? Especially with one as insignificant as that? They must have definitely made an exit clause.”

The man felt a desire to voice one complaint. It’s as if he would trust the dragon’s competency but had no faith in their choice of perception.

Surely there must be a reason they entered a contract, yet that old man seemed entirely unconcerned about it.

“…Hmm, how about reconsidering? I believe approaching a dragon is too dangerous, Mr. Edward.”

“I never thought I’d hear such words from you, Aaron. That’s enough. I will proceed as I mentioned.”

“But, sir….”

“And didn’t I tell you to call me Guild Master? Get out! Go handle the matter and come back. Hurry up and leave!!”

The old man started shouting in a fit of anger, and instinctively, the man realized he couldn’t stop him. The old man had finally stirred up trouble.

“…I apologize, Guild Master.”

However, Aaron didn’t have the power to prevent it. Even as a secretary, he was just a salaried worker.

After all, this guild, ‘Noblesse,’ was entirely built on Edward’s hands. There was no way Aaron could worm his way in to expand his share.

“…Damn, he used to be such a decent fellow. What on earth happened to him?”

Sigh, money is truly the root of all evil. Aaron mused as he began to slowly descend the five-story guild building, hoping desperately for an elevator.

*

There are many things in this world that defy logical explanation. Just like the miracles wrought by magic or divine arts.

Although public opinion claimed that magic had moved beyond the realm of mysterious phenomena into academic territory, Yeon-woo had thought that way at one time.

However, he changed his mind. Indeed, magic could be something calculable. Especially when compared to the explanations he was about to hear from two gods and one hero.

‘I’ll believe it. You are indeed a scholar….’

“So, what is a hero supposed to be?”

“D-Destiny…?”

“It’s a toy of the gods.”

– Isn’t he the ultimate groom candidate?

That was the response from Noel, Dawn, and Lunaria. To summarize, the hero was a destined top-notch groom created for the amusement of the gods.

“…Is it okay if you explain one at a time?”

“Let’s start with the gods, shall we? I can only speak of my feelings….”

“Alright. Then I will explain first.”

– Then it’s my turn! Open your ears wide and pay attention!

“Ah, shall we listen to Lunaria first?”

“That sounds good. It’s not that important anyway.”

– W-Why! You must hear my explanation! I’m begging you!!

In response to the spontaneous exchange between Yeon-woo and Dawn, Lunaria rolled around on the desk with a voice mixed with tears. This god was surprisingly easy to tease.

“It was just a joke. Can you give us your words from a moderate godly perspective?”

“I wasn’t joking though.”

Aaron’s softly muttered words were deliberately ignored. What if the god actually got offended?

– For the gods, a hero is someone whom one cannot forsake without love.

After a moment of contemplation, Lunaria began her explanation. The gravity in her voice made Yeon-woo perk up his ears.

Lunaria’s warm gaze turned to Noel. Taken aback by the sudden attention, Noel gasped in surprise.

– How could one not love? Here is a child striving to be righteous, giving it their all. It pains my heart that I cannot help more…

“…That wasn’t at all an explanation about being the ultimate groom candidate!”

– Of course, it was a joke. Our world’s hero is Noel, so how could I call him a groom candidate? Even Solaris brother is quite saddened by it.

“…I-I see…”

Well then, this has turned out well. Noel might have felt some ambivalence about being a hero, but hearing such words from the very god advocating for him wouldn’t leave a bad aftertaste.

As Lunaria’s figure floated over to pat Noel’s head, she began to smile gently, and Noel seemed not to dislike it but instead wore a serene smile.

– I’ve always been rooting for you, Noel. We are well aware of the emotions you’ve felt, but we still wish for you to remain a hero. All the gods have joined together to say that you are indeed worthy as a hero.

“…But….”

– I promise, I will ensure that you are compensated for the time you must spend as a hero. So, is it okay to ask you…?

Seeing a god who could be incredibly harsh to romantic interests speaking so kindly felt a bit awkward, but it seemed like things were going to turn out well.

Although Noel wouldn’t immediately return as a hero, perhaps the time until his return could be shortened.

‘So please stop looking at me with those disapproving eyes, Master.’

Feeling Yuri’s intense gaze boring into the back of his head, Yeon-woo wiped the sweat from his brow.

(To be continued in the next chapter)

 

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