Pick Me Up!

At the top of the temple.

I walked out onto the terrace.

A thunderous cheer erupted, so loud it hurt my ears.

The mercenaries filling Delhive’s city center were chanting the princess’s name.

The two forces were evenly matched, but the result ended in a resounding victory for the princess’s army. There were likely many reasons for this—commander skills, the morale of the troops, and the presence of our heroes.

“Well… either way…”

We successfully cleared the 60th floor.

With the stronghold of the cult army conquered, the only place left was the imperial capital, where the prince was staying.

Yoshua said the capital was already surrounded, and the prince’s army wouldn’t last much longer. From the beginning, the princess had the moral high ground in this war. News of the prince summoning beings from another world in the forest had spread across the continent.

I sat in a chair on the terrace, looking down below.

Tap, tap. The sound of small footsteps made me turn around.

“Phew, we barely won.”

Jenna ran up to me, wiping blood from her cheek with her sleeve.

Her leather armor was covered in blood and dust, evidence of the fierce battle she’d just fought.

“I heard the civil war is almost over. Do you think we can go home soon?”

Jenna perched on the table next to me.

“We still have to clear up to the 100th floor. There’s a long way to go.”

“Still… we’ve done well so far. I’ve gotten so much stronger, and you, well, that’s obvious. If we keep trying at this pace, I think we can make it to the 100th floor. Keep counting on me, Oppa!”

Jenna bowed cheerfully, in a gesture that didn’t suit her, making me chuckle.

“Ahem, even the other mercenaries recognize me now. I was just a country bumpkin when I first came here. When we finish our mission and return, don’t you think we’ll be treated like heroes? I wouldn’t mind just lazing around all day instead of working.”

Jenna muttered.

Is she planning to live off her pension?

Not a bad future.

“What about you, Oppa? You were a farmer, so… Ah.”

Jenna lightly smacked her own forehead.

Then, with a sly smile, she glanced over her shoulder toward the terrace.

“Oops, I’m being nosy again. See you in the waiting room!”

She jumped off the terrace and disappeared through a lower window.

“You’re not really being nosy.”

I sighed.

Though Irine had died and we had almost finished occupying the holy city, we hadn’t officially cleared the mission yet.

There were still scattered pockets of enemy forces in the city, which meant it would be a while before we could head back.

‘Come to think of it…’

Didn’t I make a promise with that person?

I scratched my cheek as I heard footsteps approaching from the hall connected to the terrace.

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. The sound of hesitant, shuffling footsteps was all too familiar.

“Is this a good time?”

“It’s fine. I don’t have much to do anyway.”

I replied, still seated in my chair.

Pria slowly stepped onto the terrace, leaning on the railing.

From here, the distance to the ground was over 100 meters, and the mercenaries below looked like mere specks.

“It’s all coming together. We’re one step away from the emperor now.”

“I…”

Pria opened her pale pink lips.

“I’m not worthy.”

“Worthy? What does that even mean? If you can do it and you want to, that’s all that matters.”

“I’m not like my brother. We are cut from a different cloth.”

“You know what your brother has done, don’t you?”

“There must be some mistake. The brother I know would sacrifice himself for both the empire and its people. He’s nothing like selfish me.”

“Selfish?”

Pria closed her eyes.

“I have a half-brother.”

“….”

“We were separated when he was very young, but he was truly like an angel. In the stifling palace, he gave me strength. Without him, I might have harbored dark thoughts.”

“And?”

“My reason for fighting isn’t like my brother’s noble cause for all people. I fight for one person alone. I want to create a world where my brother can live peacefully. For that, I’m willing to sacrifice anything. Isn’t that truly selfish?”

Pria smiled faintly.

Then she looked at me.

“But one thing has changed.”

Pria placed her hand on her chest.

The silver bell adorning her silvery white dress chimed softly.

“I want to indulge in luxury. That’s why I aim to become emperor.”

“You’ll have no shortage of that. You’ll be drowning in money…”

“It’s not that.”

Pria’s golden eyes locked onto mine.

“I want something I can’t have.”

I didn’t respond.

“Palaces, jewels, beautiful clothes—they mean nothing to me. Han, do you know what it is I truly want?”

“…”

“I know we live in different worlds. Even if I reach out, I can’t touch you. But if I become the emperor, maybe… just maybe, it will be possible, right?”

I swallowed a bitter smile.

It wasn’t like I hadn’t expected this.

But I didn’t think she’d be so direct.

“After this fight is over, you’re planning to go back to where you came from, aren’t you?”

“….”

“I don’t want that. I still need you. I’m tired of wearing this mask in front of everyone. I need someone I can talk to, someone I can open up to. Without that, I might crumble one day.”

“What about Yoshua…”

“It’s not Yoshua.”

Pria cut me off sharply.

I could only remain silent.

“You must be carrying more burdens than I am. I know you don’t have the luxury of time, and I understand you need time. I just wanted to say it.”

She wasn’t wrong.

I didn’t have the luxury of time.

We cleared the 60th floor, but who knew what mission might come next? Besides, I had no idea what might happen in the outside world. Back when I was a Master, every time I thought things were going smoothly, something would always go wrong, and I’d end up paying the price.

“This wasn’t completely fruitless. I’m seeing you flustered for the first time.”

Pria smiled playfully at me.

Feigning ignorance, I asked, “So, what’s your conclusion?”

“…”

Pria puffed out her cheeks.

“A lifelong contract. I want you to make a lifelong contract with me, Han.”

“A lifelong… what?”

Pria stepped closer to me.

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