Paradise Eden.

A place said to have been created by God long ago, where humans were made.

The Izakhel Family was entrusted with managing this place because the hero Alonso Izakhel received baptism from God here.

The demon lord armies threatening the world were defeated by Alonso, who wielded divine power.

Afterward, Alonso had his family manage this sacred Eden for generations… or so the original story goes.

Yeah, just a setting.

Eden wasn’t a significant place in the story, so it felt unfamiliar to me.

I thought it was some ambiguous space between this world and the afterlife, but seeing it in person, I couldn’t help but look around in awe.

‘So this is how it’s depicted in the actual game…’

I followed Bella, marveling inwardly.

It was a fascinating place.

Where I stood, the dense trees blocked sunlight, yet the forest was as bright as midday.

“This place has a higher concentration of magic power than the outside,” Bella explained without turning around.

Magic power.

A blessing bestowed upon humans by God at the dawn of time.

“Do you know, Count? Long ago, humans here could live forever without illness, thanks to the infinite magic power flowing from this place.”

That must have been the happiest time in human history.

A paradise free from any pain.

But like all stories, the happiness didn’t last forever.

Bella spoke bitterly.

“Well, humans fell for the demons’ temptations, learned magic, and the good times ended.”

Our ancestors, who learned the forbidden art of magic, incurred God’s wrath and were exiled from paradise.

Of course, that’s just an old tale.

Now, it’s an era where anyone can use magic.

Especially in the Meikhael Empire, magic research is thriving.

From royalty to commoners, using magic is normal, but it also causes many problems.

Some magicians argue that magic is a sin, citing the exile from paradise as evidence.

Well… it might have been a cautionary tale against overusing magic…

But it’s a famous legend everyone in the empire knows.

“God is truly merciful. Even after abandoning us once, He saved us when crisis struck. Hehehe…”

Bella, now walking beside me, giggled.

“…That does seem true.”

“Oh, right! You wouldn’t know, Count. You’ve never had magic power since birth. Hehehe.”

“…Bella.”

“Yes?”

“Are you okay?”

Bella’s face flushed red, as if drunk.

“Huh? Count, what did you say? That I’m drunk?”

“I didn’t say you’re drunk. I asked if you’re okay.”

“I’m perfectly fiiine!”

“I see…”

She must be feeling the effects of the dense magic.

One of the reasons Eden is strictly controlled.

Magic exists in all things.

From humble stones to humans and monstrous beasts.

In this world, it’s natural.

But here, the magic concentration is the highest.

High magic concentration is excellent for healing internal and external wounds.

But too much can be poisonous.

Like altitude sickness, it can cause vomiting, dizziness, and even death.

That’s the double-edged sword of paradise.

‘Well, I’m immune since I’m magic-deficient.’

Luckily, Bella, with her superior magic capacity, only seemed tipsy.

As expected of a noble family.

“Sooo, Count, why aren’t you apologizing to me? Am I a joke?”

Cancel that.

This woman is completely drunk.

“You’re not a joke.”

“Then! Why did you say 500 Kael back then? Why!”

“500 Kael? Ah…”

I wondered what she was talking about, but then it hit me.

Right after arriving in this world, when I first met her.

Bella puffed her cheeks and protested.

“Am I only worth that much to you? I’m so disappointed!”

“If I disappointed you, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry isn’t enough! You think I’m some cheap woman?”

“If you were like this back then, maybe I would’ve thought so.”

“You idiot!”

Bella started slapping me with her palms.

It was so slow I could’ve dodged, but I let her hit me.

Her strength couldn’t even scratch my thick fat layer.

“I hate you!”

“I know.”

“You think money solves everything!?”

“Money solves everything.”

“You pig who can’t even use magic!”

“Sorry, I’m a pig who can’t use magic.”

“I hate how easily you admit it too!”

Ah, yes… I see.

Bella’s flailing hands gradually stopped, and she grabbed my collar.

In a trembling voice, she asked, “So… how much am I worth?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“My value!”

Sigh…

I didn’t expect this.

“You’ve been holding onto that all this time?”

“…Just answer. How much would you pay for me?”

This was awkward.

Bella seemed determined not to let go until I answered.

I had no choice but to think.

I couldn’t afford to mess up and make her dislike me.

Hmm…

After some thought, I spoke.

“I can’t buy you.”

“What do you mean? You’re rich! You can buy anything!”

“True. I’m rich. I can buy anything I want. But the reason I gave up on you was because you were someone even my wealth couldn’t buy.”

She’s too drunk to remember anyway.

Let’s just placate her for now.

Luckily, Bella seemed intrigued.

“…Explain more.”

“I can’t use magic. I have no athletic talent or special skills. My only talent and ability is being born rich.”

“How annoying…”

I ignored her and asked back.

“Then let me ask you. If I offered 50 billion Kael instead of 500, would you have opened your heart to me?”

“……”

“Of course not. Money is my best and last resort. And you were the only person my wealth couldn’t reach.”

“How incompetent… You really are— Eek!”

Bella, staggering drunk, tripped.

I quickly grabbed her arm.

“Don’t worry.”

Her arm was delicate.

Bella Izakhel, who would fight to the end against players in the future.

I thought.

Even a flower on a cliff is still a flower.

It never breaks in the rainstorm.

But it’s so fragile when touched.

A precarious beauty.

The saint of Meikhael, braver and nobler than anyone, was a fragile woman. And she was a glimmer of hope in this world.

“Even if I’m incompetent, I can support someone like you.”

“…Hmph.”

Bella straightened her posture.

“The magic seems to have stabilized. We’re almost at the center. I don’t need your help.”

Indeed. She’s sobering up.

I let go of her hand.

But her face still had a faint blush, so she might still be a bit tipsy.

We walked in silence for a while.

Bella, who I thought would walk beside me, was already far ahead.

She wasn’t staggering anymore, but I couldn’t help worrying she might fall again.

And after some time, Bella stopped.

“We’re here.”

The view opened up.

Who knew such a place existed in the middle of the forest?

A vast grassland stretched to the horizon.

In the center stood a single, lonely tree.

This space was likely created by the owner’s magic.

The reason we came here was something Sora once told me.

– Eden? It’s basically… a playground for gods.

– Gods?

– Yeah. The beings who blessed humans with magic. You could call them parents.

– So it’s a playground for parents?

– Hahaha. That makes sense. Parents always want to be near their children. It’s the only place gods can exist in the mortal world.

– I see… But if they’re parents, what does that make you? A grandma?

– …Are you crazy? Calling your sister a grandma? I’m the God of Gods, the Absolute God. I created everything, so to them, I’m the light and the law.

– What kind of cult leader are you?

Someone approached from the distance.

I instinctively knew this person was the owner of Eden.

“Tristan, show some respect.”

Bella quietly pressed my shoulder.

I knelt on one knee to greet the owner of Eden.

One step.

Two steps.

With each step, the face became clearer.

‘Ah, damn it…’

The moment I recognized the face, curses spilled out in my mind.

It was the face I’d seen for decades, now wearing a mischievous expression.

“Welcome, big brother.”

The owner of Eden was my younger sister.