—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Hero’s party returned home safely. The climb up the mountain had been arduous, but the descent was surprisingly easy.
‘I understand the analogy between mountain climbing and life now.’
It had been a meaningful and enjoyable experience. If I hadn’t come to this world and was still working at my company, I would probably be the department head’s favorite, accompanying him on his mountain climbing trips.
“I wouldn’t mind going mountain climbing again.”
“Again…? Mister, you’re such a grandpa…!”
Luna muttered in disgust.
She had enjoyed the training on the mountain, but she wasn’t honest about it.
Hare, puzzled by Luna’s words, asked,
“Luna, what does ‘grandpa’ mean…?”
“Oh, that! Mister’s dentures are rattling!”
“But Mister doesn’t have dentures…?”
“It means he looks old!”
“Really…?”
Hare glanced at me, as if trying to determine if I looked old. Then she turned back to Luna and exclaimed,
“N-No…! Mister isn’t old…! And it’s okay even if he is…!”
“Huh? Hare! Are you saying it’s okay even if Mister’s hair turns white?”
“I-It’s okay…! It’s okay as long as Mister is alive…!! As long as his heart is beating…!!”
…Wouldn’t it be a problem if only my heart was beating?
I didn’t understand the direction of their conversation. I wanted to flick Luna on the forehead, but I refrained. Instead, I ruffled her hair vigorously.
“S-Stop it! You’re messing up my hair!”
“It’s already messed up from coming down the mountain. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine! Stop it! Are you getting revenge for me calling you a grandpa?!”
“…”
As if.
Would I be so petty? Of course not.
I ignored Luna’s protests and continued to ruffle her hair.
“S-Stop! I’m sorry! I won’t call you a grandpa anymore!”
“It was a compliment, Luna. Stay still.”
“How is that a compliment?! You’re bullying me!”
Luna protested loudly.
Hare watched quietly.
The one thing I couldn’t understand in this situation…
“…I’m jealous.”
…was why Hare was envious.
What was there to be jealous of? I couldn’t comprehend it.
Back home, the children unpacked their bags and enjoyed some free time.
‘They’re good at entertaining themselves.’
Luna was training.
Hare was examining her jewels.
Saten was reading.
However, Estia…
“Brother! Give me holy water! Grant my wish!”
…was demanding holy water the moment we returned. Relentlessly.
“…Estia, wait a moment. And don’t try to open the bathroom door.”
“Give me holy water! Holy water! I want holy water!”
Bang! Bang!
Estia pounded on the bathroom door, demanding holy water.
‘I wish she would consider the time and place…’
…But that was probably impossible.
If she could control her withdrawal symptoms, she wouldn’t be acting like this. Dealing with these unpredictable cravings was a priority…
‘But first, I need to finish my business.’
Bang! Bang!!
I braced myself against the door, preventing Estia from opening it, and finished as quickly as possible. I opened the door and met the drug-addled Saintess’s gaze.
Her golden eyes glared at me accusingly.
“Holy water! You promised! You said you’d grant my wish! You granted Hare’s wish! Now it’s my turn!”
“We decided on the order last time. Luna is next. You’re last, Estia.”
“…!!”
Estia stumbled back in surprise.
Did she forget the order? Judging by her wide eyes, I was probably right.
“Estia, no cutting in line.”
“I-I’m not cutting! L-Luna let me go first!”
“…Is that true?”
“N-No! It’s a lie!”
…She was needlessly honest. Estia desperately wanted holy water. But rules were rules.
‘I can’t let her drink holy water without supervision.’
Unfortunately, I couldn’t give her any right now.
“…I’ll give you holy water after Luna’s turn.”
“I-I’m doomed… My life is over…”
Thud
Estia dramatically collapsed to her knees, her eyes vacant. She was overly dramatic.
“Even if you act like that, I won’t give in, Estia.”
“Tsk, that didn’t work.”
Estia clicked her tongue and walked away, looking disappointed. Her acting skills were as impressive as ever.
‘Speaking of which, when does Luna plan to use her wish?’
I should ask her.
I headed to Luna’s room.
The last time I saw her, she was meditating with her wooden sword… what was she doing now?
I opened the door and asked,
“Luna, when are you planning to use your wish?”
“K-Knock! You surprised me!”
“…I forgot. Sorry.”
“T-This is an invasion of privacy!”
“It’s an infringement, not an invasion.”
“Same difference!”
Luna glared at me, still sulking about the hair-ruffling incident.
Anyway…
“When are you planning to use your wish, Luna?”
“Wish? What wish?”
“The wish you earned from cleaning.”
“Oh, right! I forgot!”
Just like Estia. Luna had been so focused on training that she forgot about her wish.
‘She probably won’t use it today. Maybe tomorrow?’
She had trained all morning and then hiked down the mountain. She wouldn’t want to train today.
Just as I thought that, Luna replied,
“Then, tomorrow!”
“Good choice, Luna. You must be tired, so-“
“Tomorrow at midnight! And it ends at midnight! My wish is to train all day!”
“…You mean from midnight to midnight, which is now? After training all morning on the mountain?”
“Yes!”
Luna’s voice was full of confidence.
There was no hint of deception in her eyes. She was serious about training for 24 hours straight.
‘Is she crazy…? Is that even possible…?’
It was an unreasonable schedule for anyone. But I had overlooked one crucial fact.
The girl holding the wooden sword before me was the Hero.
And that meant training the Hero…
“I have plenty of stamina! Let’s train!”
…was incredibly difficult.
I had forgotten.
‘I can’t back down now and tell her to change her wish…’
I was tired, but… I had no choice.
I reluctantly nodded.
“…Come to the courtyard at midnight. We’ll start your training then.”
“Yay! I’m so excited! Just you wait! I’ll show you how much I’ve improved! You’ll be surprised!”
Luna grinned, pointing her wooden sword at me. She showed no signs of fatigue.
Where did she get all that energy?
“Sigh…”
Raising children was hard work.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Humming
Luna hummed cheerfully, waiting for her training session. She clutched her wooden sword, glancing at the clock with anticipation.
“Almost time! Training after so long… and a whole day of it…!!”
Giggle
Just the thought excited her!
Luna always looked forward to training with Mister. Hare had recently joined their training sessions, reducing Luna’s time with Mister, and she hadn’t been happy about it.
This was her chance.
“Rapid growth…! I’m going to get super strong this time…!!”
Yes!
Luna shouted, full of energy, despite the late hour.
Thump-thump
Someone complained about the noise from upstairs, but Luna didn’t care.
Tick-tock
“Midnight! Time to go to the courtyard!”
Luna dashed towards the courtyard like a golden retriever at feeding time.
The courtyard, which should have been dark, was illuminated by magic. And standing in the center was the person she had been waiting for.
“Mister! It’s midnight! Time for training!”
“…Alright, let’s begin your training, Luna.”
Lee Jun-woo, his eyes heavy with sleep, looked at Luna in disbelief. He was shocked by her boundless energy.
‘Did she even sleep…? To have this much energy without sleeping…’
Once she mastered swordsmanship…
How strong would Luna become?
Filled with anticipation, Lee Jun-woo said,
“…Before we start, we need to warm up.”
“Yes! We need to warm up!”
“Then run 20 laps around the courtyard. Go!”
“Okay!”
Luna started running without complaint. In the past, she would have protested. But now, she was happy.
‘Running laps with Mister! It’s been so long!’
As the number of children increased, her time alone with Mister had decreased.
But now…
Training with Mister again after so long…
“Hehe…! Mister! It’s nice training together again, isn’t it…?!”
“…It’s… tiring.”
“You can pretend all you want! I know you like it!”
She was happy to have this time with him again. And a thought crossed her mind.
I wish we could always be this happy.
I wish time would stop.
Of course, it was just a wish.
For now.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Please…stop it with the ominous flags, Luna…
For Now?