3. Confession
Night at the Ash Covered Village.
After defeating the demons and also defeating(?) Karis, El Search Party prepared to camp outside.
After eating dinner, girls went to bathe and guys prepared to camp outside.
Add sat beside Elsword who was organizing his sleeping bag and abruptly asked.
“……Was Elesis always like that?”
Add had only encountered Elesis as an enemy. Of course the fact that she was still amazingly skilled
and wasn’t someone you wanted to fight if possible was the same. But Add hadn’t known that she
was this much of a playful and broad minded person.
Was broad minded the right way to describe her? Should he say that she possessed both wit and
fort.i.tude?
“Big Sis was always amazing.”
“No what I meant was…..”
Add was trailing his words when the girls that went to bathe earlier came back.
“Guys can go bathe now.”
Add stole a glance at the moisture on Eve’s hair then got up.
Elsword, Raven, Chung, Add and Ciel headed to the river they located beforehand. Everyone was
walking silently when…..Raven brought up an abrupt topic.
With an extremely troubled tone...
“…….Is my chest big?”
“…..”
How am I supposed to answer that? Add pretended he didn’t hear. Elsword measured with his eyes
then nodded.
“It is probably. Right Chung?”
“…..Why are you asking me Elsword?”
Chung got startled and trailed his words. Ciel joined in on the conversation.
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“It’s on the big side, Raven.”
“……I see.”
Ciel added when Raven acknowledged with a low voice.
“But girls like guys with big chest.”
“Really?”
Add asked hastily without realizing he did then waved his hands when everyone’s gazes gathered on
him.
“It’s not like I care. I just need it for research data.”
That’s right, according to Eun’s words, he needed to raise affection points of one of the girls in
order to go back to his own universe. Although he had no clue what he needed to do to raise them.
Ciel replied slowly.
“It makes you look dependable. Bigger looks more manly.”
“…….”
Add hadn’t cared about manliness before but ended up unconsciously staring at his own chest. He
was never conscious of it before.
It’s not like Add wanted to show off to girls. This was just the feeling of not wanting to have any
flaws…probably. It was difficult to describe why but he felt strangely bothered.
Elsword and Chung must have felt the same as Add because they were looking down at their own
chests. Then the three of their gazes gathered on Raven’s chest again.
“……It is big after all.”
“……”
Raven was making an expression as if he didn’t know what to say at Chung’s exclamation. When the
atmosphere turned strange, Ciel offered some words of consolation.
“You don’t have to be hasty. It’ll get bigger as you grow up.”
“I didn’t care in particular.”
Ciel just pa.s.sed over Add’s agitated answer with a smile as if he knew how Add felt all too well.
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It was a second time but Add didn’t like bathing with other people after all. Add washed quickly
then headed to the campsite quickly.
“……Although I don’t know if it’s really second time.”
Weren’t there countless times that he couldn’t remember? Add stopped his steps and took out Eun
from his jacket. But Eun was sound asleep and didn’t look like she was going to wake up.
“Why is she always asleep?”
He thought about waking her to get additional information but he already heard most of what he
needed to hear. Look for a way to defeat D here while raising the affection point of someone who’ll
give him a kiss at the same time.
“…..It sounds easy when you say it. But…”
People here don’t have any idea who D was and the kiss part was even more hopeless. Anyways,
he’ll have to think about both of these tasks as he followed this El Search Party around.
“Alright.”
Fix the Dynamos first then find a way to defeat D while helping this group with their battles. For
the affection point issue, he’ll experiment a bit then lean towards the path that has the most chance
of success.
Add decided his course of action and was about to move forward but stopped. Elesis was
approaching him.
“You washed really fast, Add.”
“…..”
She was speaking with a smile but Add couldn’t help but to become cautious. Add had suffered so
much because of Elesis that he couldn’t easily recognise her as an ally.
He was worried that she’ll turn on him all of a sudden and try to strike his neck.
Of course how she made mockery of Karis was delightful and judging by the other Search Party
members’ reactions such thing shouldn’t happen.
In the first place, this Elesis was a different individual than Elesis that Add knew.
He knew that in his head but couldn’t help but to become nervous.
“Why aren’t you answering? Did something bad happen? Is Elsword making fun of your chest?
Should I scold him for you?”
“….What do you want?”
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Add replied with a low voice. Elesis was acting quite friendly but he couldn’t help but to feel like an
herbivore being forced to talk to a carnivore with a full stomach.
“Shall we take a walk for a bit?”
Elesis’ tone was soft but Add couldn’t refuse her for some reason. Add reluctantly walked beside her.
Elesis stretched as she bent her neck left and right.
“Good work during the fight earlier.”
“You and that demon should have taken care of almost all of them.”
Elesis and Lu had a huge hand in defeating over 100 demons within such a short time. Of course,
other members were strong but those two weren’t just defeating the enemies, you had to say they
were sweeping through them.
“But you worked so hard to the point where you became shorter.”
“……”
Elesis wouldn’t have invited him to walk with her for no reason.
“So what do you want from me?”
“I think something happened to my comrade so I’m just trying to find out what. Is there a problem?”
That’s right, Add right now wasn’t Add that Elesis knew. Add had basically thrown out the original
Add that was here before and taken his place.
And Elesis was suspecting him right now.
“You, are you really Add?”
No, it wasn’t going to end with just suspicion, Elesis’ hand was already grabbing her sword hilt.
Elesis had withdrawn her smile and was staring at Add sharply.
“There will be trouble if you don’t explain properly.”
“……”
She meant that she was going to resort to force if necessary.
Of course…..she couldn’t possibly guess that Add came from an parallel universe. Things like there
being a world with someone similar to you was something that’d only come up in young people’s
imaginations.
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It’s not like Elesis had any concrete evidence either. Only thing she had to go on was that Add looks
younger than before, became shorter and…… various possible minor guesses.
It’s just your imagination. What are you saying? Did you hurt your head during the battle? I already
explained to the other members that I became like this due to a side effect of an experiment. Don’t
overreact.
Add could play innocent all he wanted. Elesis certainly didn’t have any clear evidences to expose
Add. She wouldn’t have invited him to talk one on one otherwise.
“I’m at a loss for words…….”
But Add was marveled. Elesis was terrifying as an enemy but she was also too much to handle as an
ally.
“How did you know? We didn’t even talk that much.”
“Add usually tries really hard to avoid me. He would have run away quickly if I asked him to talk
with me like this.”
“……..”
Add also shared those feelings. Add sent Add B a bitter sympathy then shook his head.
“It will take long time to explain. I’ll talk when everyone is gathered.”
“Hmm……”
“I won’t cause any harm to you guys so decide after you listen to what I say.”
Add ended the topic like this then asked because he was really curious.
“So you suspected me just because I didn’t refuse to take a walk with you?”
“That’s something I just asked for no particular reason.”
Elesis answered as if it was no big deal.
“There’s no harm in asking right?”
“……You were randomly scoping me out?”
“Not really. Add wouldn’t have normally wanted to be in this kind of village for too long. He would
have strongly suggested that we should leave soon as possible because it was too dusty.”
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Well that was true. Add didn’t like this village with ash flying everywhere either. Elesis shrugged then
stretched out her hand.
Elesis murmured as she stroked the area around Add’s eyes.
“Also, you look extremely tired. Like an exhausted traveler during a long journey. It looks as if you
will be fine with anywhere long as you can have a place to rest.”
Add was startled by her unexpectedly kind voice and gentle touch but froze soon after. Elesis was
flipping over Add’s eyelids as if it was a natural thing to do.
“……What are you doing?”
“I’m checking if there’s anything else wrong with you other than fatigue. I learned palpation during
knight cla.s.ses. Hmm, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your ears.”
Add annoyingly hit Elesis’ hand away. He felt stupid for becoming momentarily embarra.s.sed. But
Elesis tilted her head then murmured as if she was confused.
“But you acting like this is just like Add. You’re like Add but not like Add at the same time. I don’t
think you’re a demon…..”
“Don’t pry, I said I’ll explain everything.”
“Right now was because I was really worried. Try having Big Sister Rena take a look at you later.”
Elesis said this as she took her hand off her sword then turned around.
“Others should be back by now so come after settling your mind. I’ll be waiting there.”
“……What are you going to do if I run away?”
“Go ahead if you want. But you won’t right?”
Elesis looked back towards Add and grinned.
“How you add an ill-tempered remark at the end is the same as well.”
“…….”
Elesis walked away. Add was looking at her back and sighing when Eun poked her head out from
his jacket pocket.
“You’re going to reveal everything? That’s not a boy like method.”
“It should be better to tell them up to certain extent. Also, get your facts correctly. Hiding
information and using it as a bait to control people is your method.”
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Eun laughed from hearing Add blame.
“Boy must have quite a grudge against me. Can’t you forgive me already?”
“Don’t say that when you’re not even really sorry.”
Eun didn’t say anything when Add scolded her with an angry voice. Add looked up at the night sky
and clenched his fists.
“I can agree with your goals but I won’t agree with your methods. Elesis becoming aware was
beyond my calculations but this is also fine. Just telling them everything…… and exchanging
information with them should be more helpful with trying to find a way to defeat D.”
“Hmm, boy must have developed an overly soft thought process as well. Boy from before would
never have spoken about confessing everything.”
“I didn’t make this choice thoughtlessly. Just you watch.”
“I have a good guess at what boy is aiming for but isn’t it too risky? You might get kicked out from
the El Search Party, is there really a reason to risk such a danger?”
Add shook his head.
“There’s a limit to fooling them. Also, continuing to play innocent will restrict the amount of actions
I can take. I’d rather just open up the room for discussion and obtain whatever information I can.
Maybe I could get some useful information if I asked their opinion about D.”
“Still, getting expelled from the El Search Party is a huge risk. Are you confident?”
“……That probably won’t happen.”
Even if they were to become cautious of him, it’ll just end with them tying him up or just keeping
him on surveillance. But Eun must have thought differently because she hummed.
“Boy must have concluded that the El Search Party will accept him openly.”
“……”
El Search Party that Add had witnessed so far was overly soft minded…. this place wasn’t too much
different either so what Eun was saying was correct.
“Boy has changed a lot. He wouldn’t have come up with this kind of plan before.”
“……Yes, I might have changed as well.”
It was to the point where Eve complimented him. Eun asked allusively when Add answered with a
bitter voice.
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“If everything goes well, if we go back to our own universe and successfully defeat D, what will you
do next?”
“That’s of course…..”
Go back to the past? Steal Eve’s core? Add from before would have immediately answered he was
going to but the answer didn’t come to him so easily right now.
El Search Party risked their lives to face D even while knowing the extent of his power.
They believed that Add will change the future.
But Add will steal Eve’s core and destroy the El Search Party even if he’s successful in defeating D.
There was no way that the El Search Party could be maintained when he steals Eve’s core and steals
her life.
Add bit his lips then turned around.
That was something to think about later. There were things that had to be done right now.
The group sat around the campfire after finishing dinner and washing. Everyone was talking to each
other about today’s events.
“Elsword, dry your hair properly.”
“…..Why do you have to nag like that?”
“You can’t have your beddings get wet. We have to use them again. So hurry up and dry your hair.”
Elsword reluctantly took the towel Aisha handed to him. He looked like he didn’t want to but was
doing so because things will get noisy if he refused.
“Can I see the map Raven?”
“Here.”
“It’s faster to go through the hot springs to reach the Grand Cavern….. But we’ll have to join up
with the Fire Priestess before that.”
“There might be enemies at the hot springs.”
Rena and Raven were looking at the map and discussing future plans.
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“Good work today, Ms.Eve.”
“You must be tired. Go and rest early Chung.”
“Ah, Ara’s lap is perfect for a pillow after all.”
“It tickles, Ms.Elesis.”
Elesis was lying down with her legs stretched and rubbing her cheek against Ara’s lap. She reminded
him of a cat that found a warm den…no, another bigger animal in the cat family.
“I’m getting tired, Ciel.”
“Alright, let’s sleep.”
Lu and Ciel were about to lie down. Add who was watching the group’s actions from a bit further
away made up his mind and stood up.
“I have something to tell all of you.”
He was prepared….. But trying to actually say it out loud made him nervous. Gazes of the group
that were resting, eyes of 10 people all gathered on Add.
Elesis who questioned Add before only had one eye open and had a sleepy expression. But she did
look like she was going to listen properly.
Add who was looking up at the night sky made up his mind and opened his mouth.
“It will be difficult to understand but what I’m about to say isn’t a lie or a joke. It’s a truth that you
should all know.”
“Don’t waste time with useless words and get to the point, now useless Add.”
Add nodded at Eve’s sharp remark.
“I’m not Add that you all know.”
“…..Did he eat something strange?”
Aisha who was neatly folding the towel she got back from Elsword stopped moving her hands and
made a puzzled expression. Add didn’t mind her reaction and continued speaking.
“I’m Add that came from a universe different than this one. I’m Add from a parallel universe.”
“What’s a parallel universe?”
“……I know what it is.”
Aisha spoke with a sullen voice as she twirled her hair with her finger.
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“Ah, Ara’s lap is perfect for a pillow after all.”
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“That’s a strange and random thing to say. But let’s say what you’re saying is correct. Then where’s
Add who’s our comrade?”
“……He got deflected to somewhere else because I jumped to here.”
“So?”
Elesis got up from Ara’s lap and asked with a sleepy face.
“You didn’t come to our universe to get rid of our comrade Add right?”
“……Do you actually believe him Big Sister Elesis?” Aisha protested.
“I don’t think Big Brother is lying.”
Elsword answered instead. Aisha made a dumfounded expression then drew a large circle with her
finger.
“You probably don’t know because you’re stupid…… But parallel universes might exist in theory
but its existence have never been confirmed. Also, even if it exists, moving between them is
impossible. Do you even know what a gravitational force is? How about attractive and repulsive
forces?”
Aisha snapped as if she was telling Elsword ‘don’t talk about something so stupid’. She was acting
like a scholar who just got her theory and beliefs challenged.
“Force that binds objects to each other, this also applies to universes. It’s impossible for people
from our universe to jump to a different universe! Opposite is true as well!”
“But I actually did that……”
“Do you have a proof? Give me a proof that you broke through the restraint of the universe!”
Aisha stood up as if she couldn’t bare to listen anymore. Add shook his head bitterly.
“Giving such a proof is impossible. I’ll have to scientifically prove that I’m different from Add that
was here before. But it’s already difficult enough to prove self-continuity where if me from 10
minutes before and 10 minutes after are same individuals. So proving this will be even more
difficult.”
“I can’t trust you if you can’t give me any objective proof. Are you planning something strange again?
Could it be that you’re……?”
“Let’s hear him out for now. Continue what you were saying before.”
When Raven mediated, Aisha bit her lips and sat down even though she still looked dissatisfied as if
she couldn’t believe Add’s words.
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“Yes. I didn’t come here because I wanted to. Our universe…..is in danger of being destroyed. I
came here to look for a way to escape from that destruction.”
“Destruction?”
“……There’s a demon leader called D. It seems he’s not here in this universe but he can’t be
defeated because he’s too powerful. That’s why I want to find a way to beat him here.”
He skipped the detailed explanation about D. Story would only get more complicated if he said that
his future self was trying to control the universe and him right now was trying to stop his future self.
‘I probably don’t need to mention about time travel as well…..’
His immediate objective was to explain the situation and be accepted by this group.
“D……?”
“I never heard of that name.”
Elesis and Rena tilted their heads.
“Clue to defeating that guy is in our universe? Do you have any leads?”
“…..I don’t know the details myself. So I’d like search for it while traveling together with all of you.”
Add said all that needed to be said. When Add closed his mouth, El Search Party members all
exchanged glances.
The atmosphere seemed to be leaning towards accepting Add for now. Not only was El Search
Party a group that wouldn’t turn down someone asking for help…..Add looking like Add from this
universe would help with his chances as well.
‘Up to here is according to my calculations……’
By revealing his ident.i.ty and purpose, he could openly look for information about defeating D…..
“I’m same as Add that you all know but is not at the same time. I won’t ask you to believe what I’m
saying right away…..but I’ll prove it through my actions from now on.”
By appealing that he’s different from Add B that was here before, he can completely reset the
affection points that Eun spoke about. It was a method to change the negative affection points back
to 0.
Add pretended to look around at the El Search Party while stealing a glance at Eve. Eve who had
been acting sa.s.sy ever since he met her looked quite shaken right now.
Add was internally singing with joy when Aisha spoke sharply.
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“…….Let’s say you came from a parallel universe. But why do we have to help you? We’re already
busy with things going on in our universe.”
“That’s……”
She was theoretically correct. Point Add made just now was a request relying on how the El Search
Party was a soft-minded group. Aisha had seen through this and was pressuring Add.
“I can’t agree if it’s not a reason I can accept.”
Add hadn’t expected this to go completely smoothly. He expected some opposition.
Add clenched his fists tightly at Aisha’s cold deduction.
He had to answer properly here but he didn’t know which words would be effective. Regardless, his
mouth was moving on its own.
“That’s because…. why I’m asking you guys is because……”
Desperation in his heart formed his words.
“……You guys are the ones that sent me here.”
“Us?”
“We did?”
When everyone couldn’t understand, Aisha reluctantly explained.
“Basis for parallel universe theory is that…. there can be same people in other universes. For
example, there could be a great and awesome magician called Aisha in that universe as well.”
“Then will I be there as well?”
Aisha nodded to answer Ara’s question.
“From what I’m hearing, all of us seems to exist in that universe as well……”
“…..Please.”
Add tightened his fists. He didn’t remember begging ever since he decided to jump over time. He
always solved his needs by stealing and destroying. That’s how he has lived so far.
But he had no choice but to beg right now.
“……Lend me your strengths so I can save all of you.”
El Search Party became quiet when Add begged while bowing his head. At the heavy silence, Add
bit down hard on his lips and suppressed his emotions.
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They won’t be able to easily believe the story about parallel universes after all. It was normal for
them to suspect if a demon in disguise was plotting something.
“Give me a chance…..to fix my mistake.”
They gave everything they had to send him to this universe.
They threw away their lives trusting that Add could certainly find a way.
He had to answer to their trust. He could bow his head many times as it was needed for this sake.
“It’s better to have more comrades to fight against the demons.”
“I also agree, Big Sis.”
Add slowly raised his head at Elesis and Elsword’s words. Elesis grinned brightly.
“That was an interesting story. We’ll help any way we can.”
“Hmph, I still can’t believe that he came from a parallel universe…… But I’ll help him out since
he’s asking for help.”
“Long as he doesn’t get in our way.”
“I don’t think he’s lying.”
When even Aisha, Rena and Raven agreed, Add bit his lips from being immersed in an indescribable
feeling. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what face he was making right now.
“Wait a moment.”
Eve asked with a cold voice.
“Then what happened to original Add who supposedly got deflected out?”
“……He’ll come back when I return to my universe.”
This was actually what Eun said and Add didn’t know if this was true. But he had no choice but to
say it. Eve looked very dissatisfied with the answer but Elesis shrugged.
“Eve, I know you’re worried but we can’t just tell him to go back right? Let’s listen to him more in
detail and also think of a way to bring original Add back.”
“I wasn’t particularly worried. I just wanted to be sure.”
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Eve answered like this but seemed like she was going to defer the issue for now. Although she was
still staring at Add coldly.
“Then let’s get along well from now on, new Mr….Add. You are Mr.Add right?”
“Yes, Big Sister Ara. He did say he’s a same person from a different universe.”
“Parallel universes huh……”
Lu seemed like she recalled something.
“Do you know anything about this, Lu?”
“Not really, I think I remember reading some record related to it. But I cannot remember clearly.
Then let’s hear your story. Tell me how I was in your universe.”
Lu urged with an antic.i.p.ant expression.
“I never saw you and Ciel on our side.”
“That’s different from what you said before. Didn’t you say the El Search Party from your universe
sent you here?”
“It’s not like parallel universes are exactly the same. There could be various details that are different.
For example, me who’s more grown up?”
No, you didn’t grow at all.
Add wanted to deny Aisha’s example out loud but quietly withheld himself. It felt like it’d break the
mood.
Elesis smiled when the atmosphere changed towards everyone accepting Add.
“Other universes is an interesting topic…. But shall we listen to Lu and Ciel’s stories as well? Who
was that demon called Karis?”
Lu put her hands on her waist then opened her mouth after looking around once at the El Search
Party.
“I’m lord of the demon realm, Luciela. Although I lost my powers due to some circ.u.mstances and
turned into this form. But let’s get along well from now on. Also, this man is my soul companion,
Ciel.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Ciel raised his hand to greet everyone even though he had already introduced himself and even
bathed together with the guys. It felt like he was playing along for Lu’s sake.
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“You can call me Lu, I’ll allow it.”
“Why is a demon trying to join our side?”
Rena asked with a very wary voice. Eve also looked reluctantly at Lu and spoke.
“There must have been a quarrel amongst the demons.”
“Karis was originally my subordinate. But she became like that because she was too greedy. I fell
into their trap and escaped to Elrios with only portion of my power. Now I’m trying to regain my
old powers and stop the demon army.”
“Portion of your power? That wasn’t your full strength?”
Add spoke out in surprise. Her skills from before was amazing in itself.
In Add’s eyes, Lu was at least equal to Elesis who appeared as their enemy in universe A or even
above.
Then should he help Lu get her power back…..then ask her to defeat D? Lu saw Add running his
brain busily and joyfully raised both of her arms.
“This isn’t even close to my original power. You’ll be very amazed once you see.”
Ciel silently put a blanket around Lu who was boasting. Ciel was just caring for Lu so she wouldn’t
get cold from the night wind…… but seeing Lu boast while wearing a blanket around her like a cape
didn’t make her sound all too convincing.
“I’m trying to help Lu with defeating the demons. I also have a debt to pay back to Karis.”
“So Karis was plotting something evil after all. I should have stopped her at that time.”
Ara spoke with a gloomy voice. Lu replied slowly as if she understood what Ara meant.
“I already know that demons caused innumerable tragedies and destruction in Elrios. You obviously
wouldn’t be able to trust me easily. But I’m strongly opposed to demons trying to destroy Elrios. It’s
already hard enough to join our strengths just to survive, but they are trying to do something
outrageous only out of their greed for attacking the Celestial Realm. Warmongering faction’s policy
will eventually lead the Demon Realm to ruin as well.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Dragon, that isn’t something you should join hands with. Its flames will fall upon the Demon
Realm after Elrios.”
Lu sighed then looked around at the group.
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“I heard rumors about you all even in the Demon Realm. El Search Party, you people were called
the only hope for Elrios that’s on the path to destruction. I witnessed with my own eyes today and
all of you were truly beautiful lifeforms shining like stars standing against darkness of the night sky.
If my will is same as yours, then I’d like you all to lend me your strengths.”
“That’s not true.”
Elsword who was listening answered. It was such a short answer that what he meant couldn’t be
interpreted quickly.
When everyone’s gazes gathered on him, Elsword slowly denied.
“We’re not lending strengths. We’re fighting together.”
“That’s my brother.”
Elesis smiled satisfyingly and nodded.
“Many lives disappeared after demons invaded Elrios. People of Elrios are now filled with loathing
whenever they hear about demons. Kingdom that Elsword and I tried to protect…..also disappeared
into flames. I’ll never be able to erase the despair and rage I felt at the time.”
“What?”
Does that mean the Velder Kingdom was destroyed? Add who was listening opened his eyes widely
from surprise.
Elesis gave a slight glance at Add then stared forwards again.
Lu was biting her lips in agony.
“Although our beliefs are different, they are my race. I know asking all of you to differentiate me
with them is an overburdening request…..”
“But wills of everyone gathered here are the same.”
Elesis shook her head then spoke clearly.
“Defeat Scar and stop the demon G.o.d from reviving. Defeat Karis during the process and eradicate
all the lesser demons following them as well. Stop the destruction of Elrios and also stop the
destruction of the Demon Realm. This is our current duty and our will.”
“……”
“And anyone who agrees with this is our comrade. It doesn’t matter if you came from a different
universe or are a demon. Long as you agree to the purpose of ending the war.”
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Elesis stood up and held out her hand. Lu hesitated with a dazed expression then smiled brightly as
she shook Elesis’ hand.
“Thank you for trusting me. Let’s do our best from now on!”
“Yes, let’s. Add too.”
Add confusedly nodded when Elesis spoke as she turned her head towards him. Other members
didn’t say anything more.
Elesis changed the topic after finishing the businesses with Add, Lu and Ciel.
“Alright, then let’s come up with a plan for tomorrow.”
Next day.
El Search Party divided into two teams and headed to their destinations.
Add was included in the same team as Rena, Eve, Elesis and Lu. They were going to scout the hot
springs and liberate it from demons if necessary.
He was the only guy here. It was a perfect environment to raise those affection points that Eun kept
talking about.
But that was a story for when it wasn’t raining.
Shwaaaaaaaaa……
They couldn’t even see 5 meters in front of them because of the heavy downpour. El Search Party
moved below a tree to escape from the rain. They did set up some poles with a cloth on top to block
the rain but they couldn’t do anything about getting wet before they set the whole thing up.
“This rain would have been nothing if my Dynamos were normal……”
Add could now mobilize 4 Dynamos at once because he repaired them overnight. But they weren’t
still perfect. It was still too much to generate a rain barrier.
“It’s noisy so mutter more quietly, useless Add that came from another universe.”
Eve who was sitting on top of Moby frowned and scolded Add. She was still acting sa.s.sy even after
knowing Add was a different person that came from another universe.
Lu who was looking far out into the distance while sitting on top of a tree trunk joined in on the
conversation with a pa.s.serby tone.
“Looks like this rain will last long. It’s going to pour all night.”
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“…..”
“…..”
Rena and Eve were silent to Lu’s words. Add had no choice but to be unlike himself and keep the
conversation going.
“Weren’t we supposed to cross a river? Then advancing further today will be difficult.”
“We’ll decide when Elesis comes back from examining what’s ahead.”
Rena spoke for the first time after they had moved under a tree. A drop of water on her forehead
dripping down along her cheek made her look very beautiful. Although Add didn’t dare to reply to
her because her cold atmosphere surpa.s.sed her beauty.
But Lu responded nonchalantly.
“Then we can have dinner here. I don’t know much about cooking so please take care of it for me.”
“…….”
“…….”
Eve and Rena didn’t answer again. Add continued the conversation while feeling quite reluctant.
“We don’t have that many ingredients so I’m not sure. And I’m also not too great at cooking.”
“Seriously, you’re so meticulously useless.”
When Eve snapped as if she was waiting for him to say this, Add unknowingly became furious.
“Does that mean your highness Queen of Nasods knows how to cook?”
“I have no need to cook personally.”
Ophelia appeared through the dimension gate soon as Eve’s words ended. Ophelia had a sharp
kitchen knife in her hand. You could tell from a single glance that she was experienced in cooking.
“You’re making your servants cook in the end. Don’t speak as if you’re the one who’s doing it.”
“But my Ophelia is more useful than your Dynamos.”
“What?”
Add flew into a fit of rage as an engineer but Eve stared back haughtily. It was frustrating! It was
frustrating but he had no choice but to admit. There was no cooking feature in the Dynamos yet!
“Don’t make me laugh. What’s so great about a cooking feature? I’ll surpa.s.s it in couple days.”
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“You’ll be a bit less useless if that’s possible. But you’re extremely useless at the moment.”
“……You’ll takes those words back once you try today’s dinner.”
“Are you saying that you’ll cook personally?”
Eve stared at Add as if she was seriously surprised. Add regretted reacting out of pa.s.sion but the
water was already spilt.
“There’s no reason that I can’t. Take back what you said about my Dynamos being useless if my
cooking suits your tastes.”
“If it can satisfy my taste that’s been tuned towards Ophelia’s cooking. Although such a thing will be
impossible for your useless Dynamos.”
Add could somewhat accept words saying he was useless. No, it made him angry but he could bare
with it. But he couldn’t stand hearing that his Dynamos were useless.
Add glared back at Eve from getting seriously angry but Eve just snorted back.
“Stop it you two. I can’t listen well.”
Then Rena b.u.t.ted in to stop the two’s argument. Add and Eve were about to turn their heads away
from each other in contempt when Lu meddled from above.
“I’ll watch the surroundings so leave them to it. That’s how kids grow up.”
“……”
“……”
Eve and Rena ignored Lu again. They were pretending that they haven’t heard Lu as if they were
forbidden from replying to her. Even Add who just joined this El Search Party could tell that Rena
and Eve were quite uncomfortable with Lu. No it was beyond uncomfortable. They were hostile to
her.
Should he reply again instead or not? Add was frowning from this distasteful choice when it looked
like a person’s shadow appeared inside the downpour then Elesis dashed in.
“How was it? How was the river?” Lu asked.
“I saw and it’s no use today. We’ll have to stop for today.”
Completely drenched Elesis shook her head as she muttered. Rain water splattered everywhere
whenever her head moved.
“You’ll catch a cold if you stay like that, Elesis.”
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“Ah, I should change. Add, can you look away for a bit?”
“Stay outside for a bit, Add.”
“……In this rain?”
They were telling him to stay outside in this downpour that could drench someone completely in
just 3 seconds?
“Ah, it’s fine. I’ll trust you so just turn away, Add.”
“It’s still too irresponsible, Elesis. This is rude to Add as well.”
Rena scolded Elesis then stretched out a cloth with both of her hands to block Elesis from being
exposed while changing. Eve also joined in on the security.
“…..Ophelia, keep an eye on Add and attack if you have to.”
He felt Ophelia who’s carrying a sharp kitchen knife moving to stand behind him. Looking would
only make things awkward, so why were they so suspicious? Geez.
Add was muttering internally but then looked down from feeling something move inside his jacket.
Eun who had awoken poked her head out slightly to look at Add with a mischievous expression, she
then poked Add’s chest with her elbow. Add knew what she meant right away but ignored her.
Yes, I know that I have to kiss someone if I want to go back to my universe. I also know that now
where I’m the only guy here is a great chance.
But he had no idea what he should do.
“Ah, you can look back now.”
Add was turning around while groaning internally then his expression became numb.
“It feels refreshing after changing after all.”
Elesis was in her bunny girl outfit again. Its color was different than before and was black this time.
When Add stared numbly from shock, Elesis looked down at her chest.
“Oh, this? It’s an outfit I wore while I was in a circus. Do you want to wear it too Add?”
“Circus?”
“Demons were causing ruckus all over the place so I had to disguise myself in order to gather
intelligence. No one ever suspected when I moved about while wearing this.”
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That makes sense, no one would ever suspect that a girl wearing a bunny girl costume was actually
the strongest Red Knights captain. He could understand…..
But a guy who was looking at her felt uncomfortable.
“But why did you change into that right now?”
“Hmm? Because it feels comfortable.”
“…..Elesis.”
Elesis looked back confusedly when Rena called her name.
“But Big Sister Rena, you wore them together with me before without any complaints. What’s
wrong now?”
“You should wear something appropriate for the situation. I thought I gave you some proper
clothes to change into.”
“Ah, they all got dirty while fighting with Lu….. Isn’t that right, Lu?”
“That’s right, your clothes got torn so I gave you some time to change.”
“Come to think of it, I promised you before right Lu? Want one? I have multiple of the same outfit
with varying sizes.”
“…..Just why would you keep so many of those around?”
When Add questioned from not being able to comprehend, Elesis replied with a face as if it was
obvious.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You never know what might happen.”
So she keeps multiple bunny girl outfits around just in case she needs them? Rena pressed her hand
on her forehead then sighed when Add stared confusedly.
“Don’t get any wrong ideas. We needed various objects in order to scout a city occupied by the
demons.”
“I even have witch and nurse outfits too. Eve, you saw them too right?”
“……That was the most violent nurse in the world.”
Eve had a sigh mixed into her voice as well but Elesis didn’t mind too much.
“Everyone got soaked right? Let’s all change before we sleep.”
“I’m going to change into pajamas.”
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“Me too….”
“Aww, But Eve and Big Sister Rena will look much better in them than me.”
Elesis looked very disappointed as she looked straightly at Add. She looked as if she thought of
something amusing.
“You want try wearing them Add?”
“……Drop it. If we’re going to stay here, let’s prepare to camp out for the night.”
“Before that, a meal, dinner comes first. I’m extremely starving.”
Lu hopped down from the tree and stretched both of her arms widely. Eve and Rena’s faces
stiffened but Elesis spoke while smiling.
“Alright, then shall we ask Ophelia today as well?”
“No, apparently Add is going to cook today also.”
Eve spoke while looking at Add challengingly. Elesis opened her eyes widely in surprise.
“What? Add? You cooked in your universe?”
“…..Long as it’s something simple.”
Add wasn’t lying. He had to take care of eating and sleeping by himself before he joined the El
Search Party. In the first place, Add’s tastes weren’t particularly picky (He did grow up while eating
good foods when he was young, but he’s been through so much hardship since then) so he could eat
anything long as they were up to normal standards.
He didn’t want to back out when the Dynamos were insulted.
There was no problem long as he defeated Ophelia….with his cooking skills! Eve declared coldly at
Add’s challenge.
“Then let’s start the cooking compet.i.tion between Nasod and human.”
Lu and Elesis made a very hungry expression.
Ingredients were provided from the El Search Party’s reserves.
Add created fire with his Dynamo then grabbed a kitchen knife. Eve who was watching Ophelia
with her arms folded declared.
“Category is curry. Rena will be our judge. It should be fair this way.”
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Rena who ended up becoming their judge gave them a slightly tiresome nod. It seemed Rena was
playing along because Eve was so fired up.
Add collected himself then decided to make potato slices. He was quickly peeling the potatoes when
a voice of admiration was heard from beside him.
“Wow, you’re really good at peeling that. Our Add would say ‘don’t make me laugh’ when we made
him cook.”
Elesis was on tiptoes looking over Add’s shoulder to watch him cook. Add was fine with her
watching but it was bothersome because her position made it so she was basically sticking close to
Add’s back.
It was especially bothersome with the outfit she was wearing.
“You’re distracting me. Go away.”
“I’m just curious. Can I watch a bit longer?”
Add frowned and was about to shoo her off then got surprised from taking a glance at the cutting
board. Steamed potato that he should have finished peeling was nowhere to be seen.
Lu was gracefully chewing with her mouth.
“Middle Realm’s potato is quite good. It’s a taste hard to come by in the Demon Realm!”
“Why are you eating it so confidently?!”
She just ate the potato he peeled! Add was feeling dumbfounded when Elesis asked while smacking
her lips.
“Can I have one too?”
“…..Are you guys possessed by ghosts that couldn’t eat potatoes their entire life?”
Well, the El Search Party from original universe was like this too. Elesis rubbed her belly when Add
frowned.
“I became hungry because I ran around so much. Just let me have one.”
“……Ah, seriously.”
How ridiculous. But having bunny girl Elesis rubbing her belly right behind his back was annoying.
Add quickly peeled a potato and threw it towards her as a way of saying just eat this and go away.
Elesis caught the potato joyfully.
“Thanks a lot!”
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“Don’t just eat it like that, have some salt with it. And here’s some water too.”
It felt like she would get in his way if he left her alone so Add even gave her salt and water. Then he
resumed cooking, he cut some green onions and was about to cut the carrots that he washed
before….. But half of the carrots had been moved to an unexpected location.
Into Lu and Elesis’ mouths.
“…….”
Add stopped moving his kitchen knife and stared at them in disbelief. Noticing Add’s gaze, Lu
finished swallowing an entire carrot and Elesis slowly pulled out partly eaten carrot from her mouth
and held it in her hand as she explained.
“Because I’m a rabbit…..”
“…..Just shut up.”
Elesis shut her mouth and lowered her gaze when Add got seriously annoyed and spoke agitatedly.
It seemed she at least understood that she did something wrong.
“It was because I was hungry. I apologize if I got in your way. I’ll stay put now.”
Lu also lowered her head and stared at the ground. …..Add was sure he was cooking but the mood
here was like a funeral. There was no way he could focus on cooking with these two emitting
gloomy aura beside him.
This was annoying in its own way. While muttering, Add sliced some apples he was going to use as
an ingredient, put them on a dish then held the dish out towards Lu and Elesis.
“Only eat things I tell you to from now on.”
“……Can we eat this?”
“…….Can we really eat this?”
Did these two starve for at least four days? How they were behaving themselves merely because of
some apples was quite baffling and funny at the same time that Add ended up laughing without
realizing.
For two girls that fought while destroying an entire town to turn so modest in front of a guy in an
ap.r.o.n.
“Yes, you can eat them.”
“Thank you so much!”
“Thanks, Add!”
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Add shook his head from side to side as he saw Lu and Elesis cheer and eat the apples. He didn’t
know how it ended up like this….. but it was funny.
“Wasting ingredients like that. You must be feeling quite confident.”
When Eve approached and spoke to him, Add examined the current status. Ophelia was already
approaching the middle stages of her cooking.
“Come to think of it, what happens if I win?”
“You won’t win so that’s not an issue.”
“Yes, I’ll admit I’m useless if I lose. But what if I win?”
He didn’t say Dynamos were useless. So he could deal with this much.
It was also true that Eve was stronger than him right now.
“Does an engineer talk about ifs? I can’t believe this.”
“Kukukuk, then were you able to imagine that I was Add from a different universe? Did you ever
think about such a possibility?”
He hasn’t felt this excited in a long while. When Add went with the flow and sneered, Eve made a
very offended expression.
Her expression…. Was completely same as the one in his memories that Add unknowingly stopped
sneering.
“Are you that proud about hara.s.sing me while hiding your ident.i.ty? You’re a rude individual after all.”
“I never said I was polite. I never did.”
Add stopped moving his knife then made a sickening smile. His heart felt complicated and stifling
but it felt like he shouldn’t supress this feeling.
Eve was silent for a moment at Add’s reaction then spoke sharply as if she didn’t want to talk
anymore.
“Fine, if you win then I’ll listen to whatever you say. I’ll promise as Empress of Nasods.”
“Alright….”
Add smiled then turned around. Eve glared at Add displeasingly then went back to her original
position. Lu and Elesis who were excitedly watching Add and Eve’s verbal battle chimed in.
“Do you have a strategy to win?”
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“Got any good plans? Want me to help?”
“I’ll also lend you a hand if you give me a cherry tomato!”
“…..Don’t get bribed just by potatoes and apples.”
Add made a bitter smile then started moving his hands. Elesis stared with a strange expression then
asked Add.
“I want to eat something sour now. Can I eat this?”
“Not that one.”
Add saw where the tip of Elesis’ hand was pointing and drew the line sharply. She did ask for
permission before eating, it was a great improvement.
Seeing that Elesis looked saddened, Add let out a short snicker then brought out some other
ingredients.
“I’ll blend some other fruits and make you a juice so wait.”
“I like tomatoes. Make me a juice with those instead!” Lu also joined in.
“Alright, wait a bit.”
Add would have normally refused instantly but he was listening to their requests for some reason
while smiling openly.
It felt like he was acting strangely but it didn’t feel bad so he was continuing.
‘Ah, so that’s why……’
This stupid and soft-minded atmosphere, this atmosphere where they don’t listen to any of his
complaints and makes him get caught up in their flow instead.
“It’s been a while…..”
It felt like his body and mind that was in tatters from fights and despair found a place to rest after a
long time. He could listen to any childish or ridiculous requests right now.
“Did I get in the way of your cooking?”
“No, not really……”
Add shook his head then slowly started to pet Lu’s head. Lu got surprised from the sudden touch
then frowned.
“Don’t treat me like a little kid!”
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“Want cherry tomatoes in your juice?”
“Huh? U, uuuuu….. F, fine. I’ll allow it for just 1 minute.”
Lu who was about to get angry was conflicted for a bit then closed her eyes tightly and allowed Add
to pet her. Then Elesis crouched down and pushed her head towards Add.
“Alright, Add. You can pet me too.”
“……”
As Add stared at Elesis in confusion, she lowered her voice and whispered to him as if she was
making a secret suggestion. But it could still be heard by Lu clearly.
“But you have to give me more juice than Lu.”
“Such a cowardly method! Add, give me twice as more than Elly! I even let you pet my head!”
“Alright, don’t fight.”
Add let off an empty laugh then resumed cooking. This whole situation was laughable. If him from
before saw this he would say he was a soft-minded idiot, he would scold him saying that he should
use any methods necessary to win and secure Eve’s wish…..
But doing something stupid like this, having stupid conversations like this…. wasn’t too bad either.
107
108
Cooking compet.i.tion was over. Ophelia’s curry was spicy but had a sweet aftertaste. It was vexing
but her skills surpa.s.sed Add’s. It was Add’s complete defeat without Rena having to make a decision.
“Compared to that, you couldn’t even provide curry for everyone because you wasted your
ingredients, useless Add.”
Just as she said, Add couldn’t even make enough to give to everyone. Lu and Elesis were shocked
and opened their eyes widely.
“Could it be because I ate too much….?”
“Did I eat too many potatoes…..?”
Lu and Elesis stared at Add nervously but Add took off his ap.r.o.n and held a dish out toward Eve.
“I managed to make enough for 1 person at least. Try it.”
“…..You couldn’t even follow the regulations properly. It’s your defeat without me having to try
your cooking. Could it be that you don’t even possess the ability to determine victory or defeat?”
“Yes, I lost.”
Eve must have not expected Add to admit defeat so easily because she had a slightly surprised
expression.
“But I can’t just throw it out. I made it for you so why don’t you try it?”
“…..You can’t waste food after all.”
Although she was a Nasod and didn’t need to eat, but her concept that wasting food was bad must
be same as humans. Eve took the curry dish Add held out to her with a reluctant expression.
“It will taste bad anyways…..”
Eve reluctantly scooped Add’s curry with a spoon then brought it to her mouth. Then her face
stiffened. Add sneered when Eve stared back at him in surprise.
“Kukukuk, how is it?”
“……..”
When Eve couldn’t answer right away and was still in shock, Lu and Elesis discretely approached her.
“Why? How does it taste?”
“I’ll just have a slight taste.”
Lu and Elesis also ate a bit of Add’s curry then became surprised.
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“It’s a mysterious taste!”
“It tastes special.”
Elesis turned towards Add with a surprised face. How Add’s curry had a sour but fresh taste at the
same time was unique, people who liked this kind of taste had more than enough reason to like this
curry.
But you couldn’t say it would be a popular curry. Taste that people normally expected from a curry
was sweet or spicy.
But Eve who just ate one spoon was speechless.
“I tried mixing in some lemons but it turned out a bit vague. I think it was a failure. Should I throw
it out if you don’t like it?”
“……Didn’t I already say that throwing out food is a crime?”
Eve’s begrudging voice, she wasn’t able to hide her shock. It was a tone as if she was just struck a
blow.
Add laughed satisfyingly then backed out.
“Alright, then deal with it however you’d like. I’ll go prepare the tents for sleeping.”
“Add, how about your dinner?”
Rena asked. Add replied appropriately.
“I also ate some while cooking.”
Add let a laugh slip from his mouth as he went to set up the tents. What he made was a strange
curry…..but one would like it if they liked things with sour taste.
“Not everyone has to like it. Kukukuk…..”
He just needed to feed one person. Add laughed quietly as he heard clearly from behind him.
Sounds of Eve’s spoon moving.
There were double and triple tents inside Elesis’ bag. Add set up the tents without much trouble
thanks to Oberon’s help. Just when Add wiped the sweat off his forehead, a towel was handed to
him. Oberon was giving Add a thumbs up and handing him a towel.
“You were pretty good too.”
110
Oberon was unexpectedly good at setting up tents. It seemed Oberon and Ophelia have been in
charge of various minor tasks of the El Search Party.
Honestly, they were above Add’s Dynamos in regards to this kind of functionality.
“No, this is only possible because they are human type. My Dynamos are better for things that
human types can’t do. No only that, but my Dynamos are smaller so they are easy to carry around.
Although these guys appear through dimension gates too……”
Add was talking to himself when he felt a chin touch his shoulder from his back. He turned around
annoyingly.
“Just say it if you want to have a word, Ren-…..”
“You finished these while we were eating?”
It was Elesis. That’s right, it was Rena that Add knew before who would have acted overly friendly
like this. This universe’s Rena was inspecting her weapon right now.
Judging by her strict face and cold expression, she was totally not someone who would attempt this
kind of skinship.
“Did you have something to say to Big Sister Rena?”
“…….It’s fine. Just state your business.”
It would be stranger to compare those two. Let’s just accept that this and other Renas are different.
Elesis spoke as she smiled.
“Where do you want to sleep, Add?”
“Of course in the double…..”
Even a bit less crowded place was better. Add was about to say this but Add’s expression turned
stiff.
Wasn’t everyone here girls except for Add?
“……”
Elesis grinned when Add moved only his eyes to stare at her. She was grinning, did she really ask
about this without any thoughts?
But he already finished setting up the tents and saying that he’ll sleep outside in this rain was not an
option. He could catch a cold.
“I’ll sleep in the double tent with Lu. Will that be fine?”
111
“Are you sure?”
When Elesis asked with a strangely exaggerated tone, Add frowned and lowered his voice so others
couldn’t hear.
“I don’t know why but Eve and Rena are wary of Lu. They are not just wary, they hate her. Nothing
good will come from letting them sleep together. Also, her appearance is like a small kid…..”
“But she’s probably older than anyone here. Her current form is because she became smaller.”
Why is she saying something so absurd like this right now? Add stared at Elesis confusedly when she
raised her voice.
“Eve! Sleep with Add in the small tent today, okay?”
“Understood.”
“What?!”
Add got surprised and glared at Elesis. Why was she so easily burying his suggestion that he went
out of his way to think up? But Elesis who was still in a bunny girl costume laughed as she patted
Add’s shoulder.
“Alright, then I’ll leave it to you Add.”
“Leave what to me? What are you planning?”
Add openly expressed his frustration as he avoided Elesis’ hand. It felt like his shoulder would break
if he was patted any more.
Elesis folded her arms and nodded.
“Well, we have to get Big Sister Rena and Lu to talk. Big Sister Rena should have more emotional
gap than Eve. Girls talk. Will this be an acceptable reason for you?”
“……”
It was an understandable reason but Add didn’t like it. Elesis laughed as if it wasn’t a big deal then
pulled on Add’s cheek.
“Don’t worry too much. It will all work out. Also, it’s not like Eve is going to devour you.”
“It’s not because of that….”
He didn’t know what to say. Well, Elesis’ words were correct. They were all girls but Eve was a
Nasod. Strictly speaking, she wasn’t a lifeform.
If someone had to sleep in the same tent as Add, Eve was a correct choice.
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Add admitted Elesis’ decision was reasonable. Although he didn’t like it.
“……Got it.”
Elesis scratched the back of her neck when Add answered reluctantly. It wasn’t anything new, but
she didn’t care at all about how she was in a bunny girl outfit.
“Do you hate sleeping with Eve that much? Then do you want to sleep with me?”
“Who said I hated it? The thing between Lu and Rena, just try to take care of it.”
Add answered bluntly. Elesis smiled and turned around. Elesis was about to walk away when she
turned back around as if she just remembered.
“Ah, girls will go bathe soon so you better not peep. I’ll kill you half way.”
“Who would do such a useless thing?”
She was smiling but it really felt like she’d kill him half way. Elesis waved her hand to acknowledge
Add’s bitter answer then left. Add who was left alone turned his gaze towards far off distance.
Rain was still pouring heavily. It definitely won’t let up today.
“……It just had to rain.”
Add took a simple shower then changed into his pajamas and stayed stuck inside the tent. It wasn’t
because he was scared of Elesis’ warning, it was because he didn’t want to get any unnecessary
misunderstandings.
He was trying to repair his Dynamos before he slept when Eun hopped out of his jacket that was
hanging on the cloth hanger. She nimbly jumped out, stretched her arms then pitter-pattered
towards Add.
Her actions were cute objectively.
“Girls are bathing so why aren’t you peeping?! Come on, let us head off to an adventure together!”
…..Subjectively, she was a fox saying nonsensical things.
When Add stared at her blankly from being dumbfounded, Eun spoke as if nothing was wrong with
what she said.
“Isn’t it a chance to raise affection points? Hurry up and go peep.”
“……Are you serious?”
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He needed to get a kiss from someone in order to go back to his own universe and he needed to
raise someone’s affection points. Add was reluctant about this situation but accepted that it was
necessary.
If Add couldn’t go back, that meant Eun was stuck here as well. Was she really suggesting such an
idea despite knowing this fully well?
“When did I ever make useless jokes to you boy? You won’t be seen if you watch from on top of
the tree. I’ll a.s.sist in every way I can.”
“How could you blatantly say that you’re not making a useless joke? Maybe you’re missing a liver
because you’re a fox?”
“I am good at taking out and eating other’s livers.”
Eun sat comfortably and watched Add repair.
“But Rena’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s were very attractive even across universes. Any man would fall for…..”
“Hey.”
Eun shut her mouth when Add glared at her seriously. Getting angry at Eun when she was not even
in Ara’s body and was in a small fox form didn’t feel right. Add didn’t say anything more and tried
to fix the Dynamos.
But Eun hadn’t stopped talking.
“If you don’t like Rena, isn’t Elly also quite attractive? She doesn’t have any extra flabs and is
womanly…..”
Add smashed down on the ground with his fist. It was a dirt floor so it didn’t make much noise, but
Add’s feelings should have been conveyed clearly.
“Stop.”
“……”
“I get what you’re trying to say. I agree on what’s n