Elsword – Time Trouble v3c2

2. Sword Knight vs Dark Knight
Add blinked numbly after coming back to the past. He was inside the cafeteria. Elsword was about
to chomp on a delicious looking steamed potato.
“Elsword, Rena told us to stand by at the barracks.”
“Here, you eat too.”
When Eve lectured him, Elsword grabbed one of the steamed potatoes and put in on Eve’s hand.
Eve made a troublesome expression as she looked down at the bribe(?) on her head.
Ara was already eating the potatoes together with Elsword.
“It’s delicious. Would you like some Mr.Add?”
Add blankly stared at the steamed potato Ara held out towards him. He was fighting in a life
threatening battle just a moment ago. Witnessing this scene right now made his mind blank out.
“Eat it by yourselves.”
“…..Will that really be alright? This is the army’s food storage.”
Hearing Add approve(?), Ara and Elsword were already grabbing their next potatoes. Eve had
expected Add to stop them and was now looking confusedly at Add.
“They need to eat to fight well.”
Add responded with words that weren’t like him as he bit his lips. Time travel was successful. But….
Elesis’ sword was waiting for them in the fight tomorrow.
The strongest leader of the Red Knights Elesis. She was unbelievably powerful.
It will end with the similar result if they faced her tomorrow without any plans. He could make an
excuse that they got ambushed during the first time. But even during the second time where he had
known she would appear, they got pushed back.
For a moment, it looked like they could win. But it only confirmed that there was no way to stop
Elesis if she made up her mind to attack their back line.
“Phew…..”
“Here you go.”
When Add was letting out a helpless sigh, Eve suddenly broke her potato in half and held it out to
Add. When Add couldn’t tell Eve’s intention and stared at her quietly, she spoke with a cold voice.
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“Didn’t you just say yourself that you need to eat in order to fight? Nasods don’t need foods but
humans are different after all.”
“….”
What she said was correct but for Eve to take care of him like this? Add was dumbstruck but took
the potato for now.
Ara and Elsword were already eating their fourth potatoes. What a big appet.i.te.
“Wow, they even have salt here. Should I enlist here too?”
“Here you go, Mr.Add. Eat it with some salt.”
Add dipped his potato lightly inside a dish of salt that Ara held out to him. He then silently chewed
and swallowed the potato. Inside of his mouth heated up as the soft and sweet taste of the potato
got mixed with the taste of salt and lingered on the tip of his tongue.
Eve held out a cup of water towards Add as he ate wordlessly.
“You’ll choke yourself like that.”
“…..Thanks.”
That’s right. He couldn’t do anything if he was hungry. He had to run his brain in order to think of a
way to beat that powerful enemy, that black panther. Actually, the plan just now was the best he
could think of…… but he couldn’t beat Elesis if he didn’t come up with something even better.
“So this is where you guys were?”
Then a familiar voice joined in. Rena entered the cafeteria and examined the group with a bitter
smile. Her gaze finally turned towards Add who was chewing his potato mechanically.
“It’s my fault for coming in such haste despite knowing you guys were hungry….. But I didn’t
expect Add would be like this too.”
“Humans cannot fight when they are hungry. I’d like you to give us more time, Rena.”
Eve sided with and spoke for the three who were busy eating. Rena made a strange smile as she
nodded.
“Alright, I’ll be discussing our plans with Ms.Vanessa first so don’t be too late.”
“Yes, I’ll bring everyone with me after.”
Rena looked proudly at Eve as she left while smiling. Add finally finished swallowing his potato and
was about to call Rena. But Eve looked at Add with a pitiful gaze then handed him another potato.
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“Were you that hungry? Here.”
“…..”
He had eaten quickly so he could say his excuses to Rena. But Eve must have judged that Add ate
quickly because he was hungry.
It was a gaze as if she was looking at a poor wild animal….. But Add took the potato wordlessly.
It wasn’t because he was hungry. It was because it was so rare for Eve to take care of him like this.
No, wasn’t this the first time?
Elsword had eaten 6 potatoes meanwhile and kicked the ground as he stood up.
“Alright, I’m full now. I’ll go ahead first!”
“Wait. Elsword, he’s still….”
“Go with him. I’ll finish eating and go with Ara.”
Eve hesitated for a moment at Add’s words then nodded as she left the kitchen. Hearing her
footsteps get further, Add pondered if he ever had such peaceful conversation with Eve before.
“It’s enjoyable to see such harmonious moments.”
Eun answered Add’s internal question for him. Ara’s hair had already turned white and fox ears were
twitching on top of her head.
Add stared quietly at the unwarranted ent.i.ty Eun who had come out.
“You’re not showing an unpleasant reaction anymore, boy. Should I interpret this as you feeling
slightly more goodwill towards me now?”
“This time….how can I win this time?”
Eun must already know what will happen tomorrow. Shadow Master could be beaten if the entire El
Search Party fought it together.
But how can they beat Elesis? Was there even a way to conquer that terrifying monster?
Eun sat on the chair with her legs crossed and didn’t answer as she just wagged her tails. She was
leisurely grabbing the potatoes one by one and stroking them as if she was checking for their quality.
Add would have been normally become unpleasant and enraged at Eun’s guile att.i.tude right now.
But he just stared quietly right now. Eun smiled with her eyes. It seemed Eun hadn’t expected this
kind of reaction from Add.
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“Huhu, boy seems reserved today. No. Is saying ‘today’ strange after all? Saying ‘this moment’
should be the more correct way for talking with the boy.”
“Tell me how.”
“There could be a way, or there could be none.”
Add closed his mouth at the riddle like response. If the conversation went on like this, the one
who’ll get the initiative will be Eun.
But Add didn’t quibble over this fact unlike before. There was something he had to bring into
question before that.
“…..Just what do you want from me? It’s probably not making me randomly time travel endlessly.
You wouldn’t have helped with defeating Shadow Master if that was your intention.”
“What do you mean?”
“Eve would have kept being destroyed if you didn’t tell me how to defeat Shadow Master. I would
have been repeatedly rewinding that time.”
Add suddenly realized as he spoke.
He would rewind time only when Eve was destroyed. Add was acting according to this decision so
far. And this decision didn’t change until he actually witnessed Rena and Elsword’s deaths.
“Could it be that…..”
“Stop! Do not speak if you are going to suspect that I had already seen everything that was going to
happen. That I knew boy will change his mind. As I’ve said before, I’m not omnipotent or
omniscient.”
“…..”
Add shut his mouth just as he was about to ask Eun if she had known that Add would turn back
time even if Eve wasn’t destroyed and another party member was killed instead.
Eun was lightly scratching her head with a tried face.
“It would be obvious for boy to suspect as such in his position. And I didn’t intervene in various
ways because I was afraid of getting that same suspicion. But the only thing I know about at this
point is the enemy waiting for us tomorrow. Even I do not know how that enemy would act, or
what kind of result will be waiting.”
“Even you can’t take her on?”
Could it be that even Eun coming out to the surface completely wouldn’t be enough to beat Elesis?
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Add made a very surprised expression as he inferred this conclusion from Eun’s words.
No, no matter how strong Elesis was, wasn’t she within the realms of humans? Even the Great
Specter Eun cannot defeat her?
“Did you just dare to call me a Great Specter?
“…..”
Although Add hadn’t said it out loud, Eun shook her head as if she was honestly displeased.
“I didn’t read your thoughts. I pointed it out because your att.i.tude was clearly evident. Geez, hearing
such words even though I’ve helped…..”
“….Just continue with what you were saying.”
Add was embarra.s.sed that his thoughts got found out and spoke bluntly. For some reason, Eun was
rather cooperative right now. He needed to use this chance to get information.
“I’m currently sealed away right now. Also, Ara’s body won’t be able to hold out if I fought
seriously.”
Eun said those words as she curled up her right hand to make a claw like shape then waved it in
midair. Then a human sized claw marks got carved into a stone wall far way. It was an amazingly
powerful attack.
Normal people would have died even before they figured out how they got killed.
“….I see.”
But they couldn’t be a.s.sured of victory against Elesis even if this much powerful Eun helped.
Then how about avoiding this battle? Turning back time to before they headed to Velder and telling
the party to go somewhere else….
“No. I guess it won’t work.”
“That’s correct. After converting the El inside the royal castle into a Dark El, Demons will be able
to use the Dimension Gate freely again. If that happens, they will send a.s.sa.s.sins after Eve again. If
you avoid facing Elesis now, you’ll end up having to face Elesis plus the thousands of Demons next
time.”
Even darker future waited for them if they ran away.
“Just what is that woman’s goal? How come a woman who was the strongest amongst the humans
joined up with the Demons?”
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“That’s not something important. Elly is like a sword when she makes up her decision. She probably
won’t forgive any enemies that stand in her way.”
Add didn’t like Eun’s att.i.tude as if she was talking like this was someone else’s business. Then Add
realized that it was obvious. No matter how much Add suffered and struggled, it was his problem. It
didn’t matter at all to Eun.
All she had to do was take over Ara’s body and run away if things got dicey.
“……I don’t understand what kind of evil spirit boy sees me as.”
Add didn’t answer even though Eun spoke with a tone as if she was hurt. How Eun had read his
thoughts right now wasn’t important. It probably must have shown on his face or something.
When Add didn’t remove his suspicions, Eun sighed and got up from her seat. She approached Add
with a pouting face that was unlike her, and then abruptly held out her hand.
Grab.
Eun pinched Add’s cheek and spoke sharply.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh boy? Did you think me, who’s been journeying together with all of you all this
time, would abandon boy and the others so ruthlessly, without any regrets, and run away?”
“That’s because you said…..”
“That’s just something I said because boy made me angry. How can you be so dense about a girl’s
heart? Do I really have to say this out loud?”
Eun expressed her irritation as she twisted Add’s cheek painfully. Add felt like screaming but held
on with willpower as he spoke each words precisely.
“Then tell me what I have to do to win.”
“Shouldn’t there be an appropriate procedure if you are going to make a request to me?”
“…..”
Eun let go of Add’s cheek for now but it didn’t look like she had relieved her anger. Add rubbed his
cheek as he looked at Eun glare at him with her arms crossed.
“If you help me this time, then I’ll time travel once according to your request.”
His s.h.i.+n got kicked. All he did was give a reasonable bargain but he got violence in return. Add
groaned as he grabbed his leg and hopped in place in pain.
Eun looked at Add while he was hopping in pain and spoke coldly.
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“…..Even if you don’t know about a human’s heart, you should at least know about a girl’s heart.”
What was she saying when he had gone out of his way to present her with a fair bargain? Add
looked at Eun while suppressing his pain, but all he got back was a cold stare.
“…..If it’s about that time, I’m sorry.”
“What time do you mean? Boy has been going back and forth in time so much that I cannot
remember clearly.”
Add made a light sigh at Eun’s snort and apologized.
“About how I treated you as an object in somebody’s pocket…..”
“Now you seem to understand human words. How can you be denser than me, a fox? And also, did
you think I’ll feel better now that you’ve bowed in apology to me?”
Eun was shooting back as if she was waiting for this opportunity. Before, she had always been
leisurely and teased him with a tone as if she was looking down on him. But she was quite
straightforward when she actually started to reveal her emotions.
Although she hadn’t shown any signs, she must have been extremely offended that time.
“I said I’m sorry….”
“That’s not a tone of someone who is sorry. I can see clearly that you’re speaking reluctantly.”
Eun words were cold but she soon let out a sigh and dropped down to sit on the table. It seems her
mood had loosened slightly after pouring out her emotions.
“Well, I somewhat understand boy’s position as well. I would look quite suspicious. Is she trying to
toy around with my fate? Is she doing this because she has some ulterior motive? Well, they are
obvious thoughts to make.”
“…..”
Eun’s tone was as if she was used to these suspicions. Eun shook her feet lightly in midair then
waved her hand and changed the topic.
“But I at least wholeheartedly agree with the boy’s great cause of wanting win against Elly in a fight
tomorrow without anyone’s death. Do you understand?”
“Then the way to win?”
Didn’t she say that it won’t work even if Eun fought? Eun paused when Add insisted.
“Before I say, promise me one thing. That you won’t suspect me again.”
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“That’s….”
“I can tell by your face. Don’t answer half-heartedly just so you can avoid this situation. Say no if
you don’t want to.”
Eun requested with a clear cut tone. It seemed she had been quite begrudged by that past
event…..but Add shook his head.
“Don’t make such unreasonable demands.”
“……That sounds contradictory to how you were begging me just now. Shouldn’t boy have to lick
my feet right now if I wanted him to?”
Eun’s eyes narrowed and her voice turned low.
She looked very emotional and even dangerous. But Add coldly glared at Eun.
“Stop making unreasonable demands, fox. You won’t reveal your intentions, won’t give me any
information but you expect me to blatantly trust you? Do you think that makes sense? Didn’t you
say it yourself that it was obvious for me to be suspicious?”
“….”
“Show some sincerity if you want to earn my trust. If you won’t show any sincerity, then give up my
trust. Isn’t that very simple?”
Eun was wordless and had her eyes opened narrowly. It was an ambiguous att.i.tude where you
couldn’t tell if she didn’t want to speak anymore or if she’ll listen to more.
Add haughtily looked up and concluded.
“But if I can win tomorrow by listening to you…… Then I’ll trust you a bit.”
“…..”
“Be thankful.”
When Add threw his words bluntly, Eun looked like she was at a loss for words as she put her hand
on her forehead and let out a long sigh. She almost looked like a cat that just saw mouse acting cute
in front of its eyes.
But Add didn’t change his att.i.tude.
Well, he understood that Eun had been very hurt by that one time. Her att.i.tude just now was
probably her true feelings and not an act.
But that and this were separate things.
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“…..Fine, boy’s words are logical. But what are you going to do if I get more offended by this and
refuse to help?”
“You won’t. You must have wanted this.”
“I….”
“Even if you hadn’t known everything, you must have wanted this time to come.”
Add spoke coldly as he glared at Eun.
He could deduce from the traces of their past conversations. Add had determined to not rewind
time unless Eve was destroyed and Eun asked multiple times if he was really sure about that.
She must have said those words knowing that there will be a casualty other than Eve when they
fought with Elesis tomorrow. Well, although if you believed Eun’s words asking him to not suspect
her…. she wouldn’t have known in every detail.
Achieving victory against such a powerful enemy like Elesis without any casualties was almost
impossible. Even if she didn’t look into the future, Eun could have easily known that the El Search
Party would get destroyed if Elesis attacked them.
Eun was cleverly justifying her position. Add concluded this much but didn’t ask any further.
“I turned back time again when Rena and Elsword died. This must be one of the results you wanted
right?”
“…..I won’t say that it’s not.”
“The moment you’ve wanted is right here. So cooperate.”
It was Add who should have been begging in this situation but Add examined the situation carefully
and didn’t let go of his initiative. Just like how Eun had shown Add the scene of Eve getting
destroyed many times before telling Add the solution, Eun had been trying to do the same thing
here.
Thus, Eun had also wanted the situation of Add acting like this, the situation of Add making up his
mind to win against Elesis without death of any party members.
He didn’t need to show any signs of weakness when their goals were aligned. When Add quickly
made his conclusion and looked at Eun haughtily, Eun let out a thin sigh.
“I don’t know where I let up this time. Boy is too smart that it’s sometimes difficult to deal with
him.”
“Kukukuk, you don’t have to pay any lip service.”
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Add let out a cold laugh then held out his hand towards Eun. Eun who was sitting down looked up
at him. Add pressed for an answer.
“Don’t just sit there, get up and tell me what I should do. I’ll do exactly as you say.”
“There is a best possible way….. But I don’t know if boy can pull it off.”
“I’ve come this far, there’s nothing I can’t pull off.”
There can’t be anything worse than cross-dressing right? When Add snorted, Eun smiled bitterly as
she grabbed Add’s hand.
“Even if you act so confidently, something even more hideous is waiting.”
And it was just as she said.
The strategy meeting was already in progress when Add entered the Velder’s Liberation army’s
commander’s tent. But the goal they were trying to achieve was something outrageous so it was a
situation where no one could come up with any proper suggestions.
Add didn’t bother to sit and glanced at the map once then made his conclusion.
“What a ridiculous plan. Retreat before you get annihilated.”
“…..”
When Vanessa frowned, Rena quickly spoke in Vanessa’s place.
“Wait Add, listen to me for a moment. We can’t just retreat….”
“Yes, you can’t retreat because of the citizens and the king. But no matter how important the goal is,
you should know when to retreat when you are outmatched. We’ll get annihilated if we engage
blindly.”
Add’s sharp words cut across the atmosphere of the meeting. Everyone had been giving various
opinions but this meeting was more like an armchair meeting. Vanessa’s adjutants that hadn’t been
here last time were frowning as they stared at Add.
But Add sneered on purpose to show them.
“You’re going to face the elite demon army with theses sc.r.a.ped together forces that’s barely
managing to hold themselves together? Are you misunderstanding that your battle capabilities went
up amazingly because we are here? What an att.i.tude to show when you don’t even have any courage
to fight without borrowing someone else’s strength.”
“How……”
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It was a blatant mockery. Even if the El Search Party were important reinforcements that came in
their hour of need, it was hard to suppress their rage after getting mocked so openly like this. Just
when one of the knights was about to stamp up from their seat, Vanessa quickly grabbed the knights’
arm and put him back in his seat.
In this tense atmosphere, Add withdrew his sneer then threw sharp words across the meeting.
“Bring some reinforcements if you really want to go through with this plan. I heard this on the way
here but didn’t you have something like the Red Knights? Soldiers were all praising them that this
tragedy wouldn’t have happened if the Red Knights were here. Why don’t you call them?”
“Red Knights are now……”
“Now what? Where are those Knights that are supposed to be the strongest in the kingdom?”
Just when Vanessa was about to murmur with a troubled voice, Elsword got up from his seat and
left. While everyone blinked in surprise seeing that he left without saying anything, Eve also quickly
stood up and left as she followed after Elsword.
Just when Knights that were startled by the repeated walkouts were about to raise their voice, Add
lightly hit down on the table.
“The meeting ends here. I’ll come up with the plan so be prepared to fight. Battle will start soon
even if we don’t want to.”
“Pardon me?”
“What?”
Rena and Vanessa, and everyone else looked at Add with a surprised expression. Wasn’t what Add
said right now 180 degrees different from what he was saying before?
But Add who had completely changed his att.i.tude didn’t explain anymore and instructed Rena.
“Rena, help encourage the soldiers with Vanessa. They won’t be able to fight as they are right now.”
“Alright.”
Rena looked like she wanted to ask many questions but was holding back for now. Did she notice
that this was something they couldn’t talk about in front of other people including Vanessa?
“Then I’ll go get some fresh air.”
Of course, that was a lie.
Add exited the tent but he didn’t get on the Dynamos and walked instead. He didn’t want to hurry.
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Elsword was sitting on the same box from the previous time. If there was something that had
changed, it was that Eve was also beside him now.
Elsword had his head dropped down and Eve was beside him holding his hand. Seeing Eve’s hand
on top of the back of Elsword’s hand….. It felt unpleasant.
“Kukukuk.”
Well, wouldn’t such feelings be beneficial now? Add did his best to suppress his displeasure, rage
and all sorts of negative emotions as he approached the two. Eve turned around after hearing Add’s
footsteps then tried to say something to prevent him from talking. But Add didn’t give any eye to
her.
Target of his sight was Elsword’s limp back.
“I found Elesis.”
“……”
Elsword’s back winced then he slowly turned his gaze towards Add. His shadowed eyes contained a
question asking how he knew.
Add made an exaggerated shrug then continued his words.
“I’m going to talk with Elsword now. Are you planning to listen in?”
“…..So that was on purpose.”
Eve’s face turned extremely unpleasant. She just realized that Add had purposely brought up the
topic of Red Knights in front of Elsword in order to provoke him.
Her stare was filled with rage as if she was asking Add if he was doing this purposely to hurt
Elsword.
But Add didn’t give even a single glance at Eve. It was because he was afraid that he wouldn’t have
the courage to continue talking if he saw what face Eve was making right now.
Add sneered as he asked Elsword again.
“Do you want to know?”
“…..”
Elsword let out a sigh as he pulled his hand out of Eve’s hand then stood up to face Add.
Elsword had a troubled expression as he spoke with a low voice.
“Please tell me where Big Sister is.”
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“She joined up with the demons that captured Velder. She’s cooperating with them. She’s our enemy
now.”
“…..”
Elsword’s face stiffened. Add looked up towards the sky as he spoke with an exaggerated voice.
Alright, let’s paint over time.
“Would it be more correct to say that she’s now an enemy of the entire human race?”
“You……”
Eve’s disgusted voice caused a ripple of pain to go through Add’s heart. Add looked down to stare
at Elsword. Elsword had his eyes opened widely and was biting his lower lip. The shock must have
been quite large.
“There’s no way Big Sister would…..”
Elsword’s words as he tried to refute stopped. Hand that Add held out towards him. A long red hair
was on top of his hand.
Elsword couldn’t continue his words after seeing the hair with an extremely similar color as his own.
The hair Add had picked up in Feita, something he had kept just in case was now giving extra
persuasive power to Add’s words.
“You still can’t believe after seeing this? Then you can just confirm it with your own eyes tomorrow.
But before that, I want to hear your opinion. What are you going to do now? Your sister is on the
demons’ side. Are you going to join them too?”
“Stop this, Add. I won’t forgive you if you say anymore.”
Add didn’t stop despite Eve’s warning.
He wouldn’t have started this in the first place if he was going to stop here. He wouldn’t have
traveled back in time if he wasn’t going to say this.
“You must be doubtful; you probably don’t want to trust what I said. But what are you going to do
if it’s true?”
“…..”
“Elsword, I asked what are you going to do if your Big Sister who had gone missing for half a year
actually joined up with the demons.”
When Add pressed for an answer, Elsword continued to bite his lower lip and couldn’t say anything.
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His heart must be in a mess. The gladness from the sudden news about his missing family and the
impulse of denial must be getting mixed up from within him.
“Add, I told you to stop.”
“I don’t want to.”
Add finally averted his gaze from Elsword and looked at Eve. He pretty much finished what he had
to say to Elsword.
Eve was staring at Add with a gaze that was cold beyond measure. Eve’s att.i.tude towards Add
before had been stiff and distanced. But now, she was showing an expression of loathing, contempt
and rage towards him.
Insisting that she doesn’t have any emotions despite this…..? Isn’t this unfair?
Add let out a sigh then looked at Eve with narrow eyes.
“What are you going to do by keep doting on him like this?”
“Who is…..?”
“Enough is enough. Do you think I’m doing this for no reason? Elesis is already our enemy. You
can confirm it for yourself tomorrow if you’re doubtful. But what are you going to do if it’s true?
“…….”
Eve couldn’t respond. Add sharply pushed the issue.
“His older sister he’s been looking for joined up with the demons that are trying to destroy this
kingdom. What is he going to do now? Shouldn’t he know beforehand so he can make his choice?”
“…..What choice do you mean?”
Eve was barely managing to respond. Add waved his hand as a gesture of saying don’t say
something so obvious.
“Choice if he will follow his sister and surrender himself to the demons or not…. I’m saying that if
he’s going to betray us, let’s get it over with neatly. Since he was an El Search Party member, we’ll
also get suspected if he joined the demons….”
Slap!!! Add’s body staggered after getting hit by Eve’s palm that tore through the wind and came
flying towards his cheek. The impact was so powerful that the strength in Add’s back almost gave
out, but he held on with willpower and didn’t let himself fall.
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Eve was now glaring at Add as if she was looking at an enemy.
“So…. This is how it’s going to be is it?”
Add lamented after seeing Eve’s hostile gaze. He didn’t do this so it could turn out like this. But
could only turn out like this.
Eve ignored Add lamenting and glared coldly.
“I won’t stand by quietly if you say anything more.”
“Really? What are you going to do? Are you going to kill me?”
“……”
He had gotten slapped by Eve many times before. But he had never felt this much disgusted from it.
Add sneered as he laughed with a feeling of not knowing who he was laughing at.
“Or what? Are you going to follow Elsword wherever he goes? If he joins the demons, are you
going to go together with him?”
“I don’t even want to deal with you anymore. Let’s go, Elsword.”
“I asked you a question Elsword. Answer.”
Add suppressed the shout that was about to burst out from his throat and instead asked calmly as
possible. Eve grabbed Elsword’s hand again as if she didn’t want to deal with such nonsense.
Elsword, who had been looking down towards the ground the entire time was now about to move
his steps and follow Eve who was pulling him.
It was a hateful sight.
“You hide behind your sister when you are young and now you are going to hide behind Eve like a
coward?”
“….”
Elsword’s steps stopped.
“I see, you’re still a brat inside despite how your body grew and your skills got improved. It was
stupid of me have tried changing my opinion of you even for a little bit. You were just a useless brat.
I wasted my time.”
“If Big Sister…..”
A raspy voice, Elsword didn’t know what to do with his surging emotions.
“If Big Sister really joined hands the demons, I…….”
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Elsword clenched his fists and couldn’t continue his words. Boy only shook in place for a while then
kicked the ground as he dashed off by himself.
Eve obviously tried to follow him right away but Add used three of the Dynamos to block her path.
Add sneered when Eve sharply turned her head around to glare at him.
“Kukuk, just leave him alone to think by himself. He should have lots to worry about.”
“……”
Eve was about to use her gears to hit the Dynamos away but stopped for some reason. She looked
like she was collecting her thoughts then spoke with a low voice.
“Add, I think I understand why you did this.”
“Hoh? Really?”
Add was quite surprised at Eve’s tone that was as if she had put aside all the emotions she was
showing before.
He had thought she’d be in haste to follow Elsword. Her talking to him like this right now was quite
unexpected.
“If Elesis is really our enemy then it’s correct to tell Elsword. But I cannot agree with this method of
yours.”
“I didn’t do this expecting someone to agree.”
“I cannot forgive you for this.”
What Eve showed after putting aside her emotions was a plain hostility and animosity. It was a gaze
as if she was looking at an enemy she had to destroy.
Add’s heart hurt as if it was getting stabbed but he suppressed his emotions.
“Whichever side has to, I hope we don’t ever see each other’s face again after this mission.”
“…..”
It was an extremely explicit demand. Did it mean that if you won’t leave then we will?
“Also, although Elsword is shaken right now, he won’t collapse. I a.s.sure you.”
“Kukukuk.”
Eve didn’t respond to Add’s laugh and slowly walked away by avoiding the Dynamos.
57
She walked off towards the direction Elsword ran off. Was she trying to find him and stay beside
him? Was she trying to stay beside Elsword to protect and comfort him all night while he’s caught
up in pain and worry? Would she say to him that Add was lying? Or would she say that Add is just a
jerk?
What will those two talk about through the night?
“…..”
Add’s smile stopped. What showed up on his face was rage and helplessness. What remained in his
heart was self-loathing.
“Hahaha.”
He tried laughing to get rid of this lump in his heart but it didn’t show any signs of disappearing.
Originally in this time…… This would have been a scene where Add recognized Elsword’s feelings
towards Elesis and comforted him. This would have gotten found out by the other party members
and Add would have gotten warm evaluations from the other party members. Didn’t Eve also react
as if she had changed her opinion of Add?
But it got painted over.
Add rudely tore out Elsword’s heart and Eve opposed Add’s actions. No, it didn’t end with just
opposition. She declared that they were strangers soon as this mission was over.
“Kukukukuk.”
It was unsightly, although he didn’t know what it was that was exactly unsightly.
Night, private tent.
Add sat on the chair as he stared quietly at the steaming potato. He even prepared a dish of salt
beside it. Add was staring at the potato for a while then made his decision and started to peel the
potato.
He dipped the potato in salt and tasted it. It was tasty. But Add didn’t’ feel like eating anymore after
swallowing his first bite.
“It tastes different…..”
58
A sudden rage swept over Add as he was looking down at the potato. Then he swung his arm to
throw the potato away. He couldn’t withstand after recalling Eve’s face filled with only hostility
towards him.
Then the potato that was flying towards the tent entrance stopped in midair as if it was caught by
something. Defiance of gravity? When Add was looking at the potato confusedly…..a voice came
from outside the tent.
“You shouldn’t mistreat food.”
Eun entered the tent and grabbed the potato in the air as if she was picking a fruit then tastily took a
bite out of it. Looking at Eun enjoyably eating the potato, Add covered his face with his palm and
waved his hand.
“Go to the cafeteria if you want something to eat.”
“Do you think I came to meet the boy because I needed something to eat?”
She ate deliciously despite what she said. Eun quickly finished the potato then tried to sit on the
table with the strategy map on top but stopped to make a puzzled expression.
“There’s no plan.”
“There’s no point unless we beat Elesis.”
Velder Liberation Army already had inferior numbers. Even without that disadvantage…. It didn’t
feel like numbers mattered to Elesis. She can easily blow away buildings by gathering then firing
demonic energy. Would normal soldiers be able to even approach her?
This wasn’t a fight between the Velder Liberation army and the demon army. It was a fight between
the El Search Party and Elesis. Victory was impossible for the Velder Liberation army if the El
Search Party couldn’t defeat Elesis.
“So, I told Elsword beforehand just like you said. Will everything be fine now?”
“Even I don’t know that, boy.”
Eun shook her head at Add’s blunt question. Her att.i.tude was as if she honestly didn’t know.
“I only told you the best possible way. I can’t guarantee that it will work out well.”
“……”
Someone here had executed her instructions while suppressing their emotions and this is her answer?
But Add knew that he couldn’t blame Eun.
That’s how much beyond reason the opponent called Elesis was.
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“We couldn’t fight with a burden anyways. It was correct to tell him.”
Elsword was so shocked after knowing that Elesis was their opponent that he couldn’t even think
about holding up his sword. He’ll only get in the way in such a state. Of course, Add was only alive
right now because that Elsword had thrown his body……
But that was that, and this was this. The result might have changed if Elsword had made up his
mind to fight.
“I’ll turn time back again if we fail. It will work out somehow.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it too much…..What are you planning to do after that?”
Unexpectedly, Eun’s tone was as if she was trying to dissuade him. So what were they going to do if
they still couldn’t defeat Elesis even after telling Elsword the truth beforehand? There was
something that Add had in mind.
“We’ll go back in time further and bring Raven. That will work.”
If they couldn’t win because they didn’t have enough forces, then they just had to supplement it.
Add had never met Raven again ever after the time when Raven separated in Ruben. He never had
the chance to confirm why he wasn’t joining up from Rena. But he had to bring in Raven now no
matter what.
Raven was a skilled individual comparable to Rena. With him, they had a chance of victory against
Elesis. It felt like a convincing plan for Add, but Eun shook her head.
“That’s impossible.”
“What?”
“Master of blades is already fighting in a different battlefield. It’s impossible for him to join up.”
Add could tell that this strange t.i.tle was referring to Raven. But he still couldn’t understand what
Eun said.
“What do you mean? Didn’t he split up so he could research what Banthus did with the Nasods in
Ruben?”
“That’s only the surface excuse. It’s actually different. He won’t be rejoining.”
“…..”
Hearing this abrupt information, Add pressed his forehead with his hand and dived into his
thoughts. Certainly, he had time traveled multiple times but he had never seen any hint of Raven.
Add had been pa.s.sing this off as something trivial…. But there was a hidden circ.u.mstance behind it?
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“Are you telling me that he won’t rejoin even if I convince him that Rena will be in danger?”
“He’ll be extremely tormented by it, extremely….”
Eun’s bitter words meant that he wouldn’t rejoin. Add exploded in anger at this miscalculation and
kicked the chair.
Empty chair made an unpleasant sound as it dragged across the floor.
“It looks like you know more about this.”
“He’s a famously skilled individual in Elrios. He can’t help but to be occupied when demons are
invading all over the place.”
“I don’t think that should a reason for him to not rejoin when Rena he had been traveling with is in
danger.”
Eun didn’t answer Add’s question. Add sighed knowing that this meant she won’t talk about this
anymore. The circ.u.mstances didn’t matter.
Important thing here was that the method of going way back in time to have Raven rejoin got
blocked.
“Then….. Is there no other way?”
“I wonder if there is…”
Add let out an empty laugh at Eun’s unconfident response. This was the first time he’s seen this sly
fox acting so weak. Just like she said, it really did seem like she wasn’t all powerful.
He had to even withstand Eve’s cold stare as he painted over time. But they still didn’t have any
guarantee at victory?
When Add sighed, Eun moved her tail to wag it in front of Add’s face. Add got annoyed at this
distracting movement and pushed the tail away with his hand. But then, another tail moved in.
There were 9 of Eun’s fox tails and only two of Add’s arms. It was obvious who would win.
In the end, Add got buried in Eun’s tails. It tickled so much and he couldn’t stand it.
“…..Get these off me.”
“Well, aren’t they very soft that it feels uplifting?”
They were indeed soft but Add didn’t feel good. To be accurate, he didn’t feel like joking around
right now. When Add got angry and tried to move the tails again, Eun spoke with a calm voice.
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“Don’t get anxious, boy. I understand that you were hurt by girl’s words. But boy has more time
than the others. This can be redeemed if you use that time right.”
“Who said I was hurt?”
There was a rage mixed in with Add’s voice. Eun let out a thin sigh as she slightly lowered her head.
“I do feel sorry about today.”
“…..”
“I let boy do something despicable. I should have spoken those words myself after all.”
“It’s not something I should get comforted over.”
Eun told Add that they should tell Elsword the truth about how Elesis was their enemy. Eun said it
didn’t matter if she borrowed Ara’s body to speak those words to Elsword instead of Add. But Add
refused and chose to say those words himself.
“I chose to do it.”
Eve wouldn’t have become hostile to Add if Eun had spoken those words instead of Add. That was
certain….. But Add couldn’t accept that.
It was annoying and enraging, but Add didn’t want to remain an observer hiding behind someone’s
back.
“Eve never thought good of me from the start anyways. All that happened was returning to point
zero. Kukukuk.”
It felt like a certain emotion he had built up till now, a feeling that he couldn’t quite describe got set
back to point zero, no, went backwards into the negatives, but Add didn’t care.
No, Add tried not to care. If he got caught up in something so trivial, he would lose something
that’s truly important.
Eve, Rena and Elsword, he’ll win against Elesis without having anyone else die. He could swallow
any kind of hostile stares from Eve for the sake of achieving that result.
“There was nothing from the start anyways…..”
Add suppressed his own emotions and murmured with a tone as if he was comforting himself. Then
he felt his chin getting tickled again. Add thought that this was Eun’s tail again and tried to push it
away without any thought. But what got caught in Add’s hand was a hand.
Eun had lowered her upper body and was tickling Add’s chin as if to soothe him.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
62
“I was comforting the boy.”
Even if he tried to move her hand away, he couldn’t win in physical strength. When Add frowned,
Eun who had lowered her upper body and placed both of her hands on top of the table subtly
lowered her voice.
“I would like to comfort the wounded boy with the ways of the fox.”
“….”
Voluptuous ringing voice that any guy would fall for. But Add instinctively raised his guard. He
didn’t know what might be done to him if he became this fox’s plaything….
“Big Brother Add, are you in there?”
Then a question suddenly came from outside and someone entered the tent without waiting for a
response. Person that came in looked straightly at Add sitting on the chair and Eun sitting on the
table tickling Add’s chin….. He asked seriously.
“Should I come later?”
“….Don’t go, it’s a misunderstanding.”
He was glad that Elsword didn’t misunderstand like Eve. Only in this moment, Add was thankful
that Elsword was more mature despite his age.
Eun took her hand off Add’s chin and made a beaming smile towards Elsword.
Elsword tilted his head then asked.
“Are you really Big Sister Ara?”
“Because walking while bathing in the night breeze felt soothing. Not only that, isn’t the moon very
bright today?”
“Ah, I guess, the moon was really bright.”
Add was at a loss for words when Elsword conversed with Eun without any suspicions. You could
tell with a single glance the difference in Eun and Ara’s atmosphere. But Elsword didn’t suspect
anything. Well, you wouldn’t normally think that a Celestial Fox spirit was possessing Ara’s body.
“Big Sister Ara, would you give Big Brother Add and me a moment?”
When Elsword spoke maturely, Eun smiled glamorously as she got up from the table.
“Then I’ll come back after the talk is over, boy.”
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“Don’t come.”
Eun left while laughing without a sound at Add’s hateful response. Only two people, Elsword and
Add remained in Add’s private tent now. Add realized this fact a moment later and felt unpleasant.
Should I have told her to stay?
Add rested his chin below his hands and glared at Elsword. Elsword collected his breath then asked
with a stiff expression. It looked like he had been through a lot of difficulty in coming to meet with
Add in private.
“Is it true that Big Sister is working together with the demons that have captured Velder?”
“Why did you come by yourself?”
Add answered Elsword’s question with a question of his own. Add was curious. Shouldn’t Eve be
sticking beside and comforting Elsword right now? Even if that wasn’t the case, Eve would have
without a doubt tried to come with Elsword if he was coming to meet with Add.
Since Eve cares deeply about everything that has to do with Elsword.
‘Thinking about it doesn’t feel too good.’
While Add was frowning, Elsword answered earnestly.
“Like you said. I didn’t want to hide behind Eve.”
“…..”
“So please answer me. Did Big Sister really….really join the demons? Why?”
Add gave up responding with personal emotions after hearing Elsword’s desperate voice. Elsword
was currently acting with the heart of wanting to get back the person most precious to him.
Let’s respond sincerely.
“I don’t know the reason myself. But Elesis has indeed currently joined hands with the demons and
she will block our path tomorrow. Actually, I’m the one who’d like to ask you why she’d do such a
thing…..”
“…..”
Add examined to see if he could get any information but there was nothing he could find out from
Elsword’s cloudy face.
Didn’t they say she was the leader of the kingdom’s strongest Red Knights? Rising to such a position
as a girl probably meant that she possessed enormous skills and people’s opinion of her must have
been outstanding.
64
She was the enemy but Add honestly had no choice but to respect Elesis. Although her skills were
clearly superior, she took the initiative by ambus.h.i.+ng, all the while being calm and overflowing with
composure.
There was no wavering in her movements even though she was against her family.
Although, judging by how after she unexpectedly slew Elsword…..her movements became very
distressed, it didn’t seem like she was totally a mechanical person. Add wondered for a moment if he
should tie Elsword up and tried negotiating with her, but he quickly felt that it was futile.
Even if they took Elsword hostage, wouldn’t she just jump in and slash all the other party members
down then release Elsword?
It was a ridiculous story, but it was totally possible with Elesis’ skills.
“Hostage negotiation would be futile….”
“What?”
“I was talking to myself, don’t mind it.”
Add rested his chin on his hands then looked at Elsword’s face sideways. Elsword looked distressed
as he let his words trail as if he was groaning.
“I don’t know why. Big Sister….. Everyone said Big Sister was strong and she was actually really
strong. I was no match for her. That’s why I always wanted to become stronger than her, and on the
other hand….. I was really proud of my big sister who was stronger than me, who was stronger than
anyone else.”
“…..”
“She was so bright that just looking at her was blinding.”
Add didn’t sigh at Elsword’s gloomy words.
Those were words about his memories. Add wasn’t too interested…..but Add having to listen this
was better than Elsword telling this to Eve. On the other hand, each word Elsword spoke oozed out
how precious Elesis was to him and how much he loved Elesis. Add didn’t want to interfere.
No matter who it is, you don’t interfere with these kinds of things.
“That’s why I wanted to become stronger. I wanted to fight side by side with Big Sister. But…. If
Big Sister is on the demons’ side, what am I supposed to do?”
“If you want list of options, I’ll give them to you. First, run away from here. You didn’t hear
anything or know anything.”
65
Elsword immediately shook his head to refuse. He finally encountered news about Elesis. He
couldn’t run away despite knowing this. Not only that, righteous Elsword would never run away
leaving the other Search Party members behind.
…..If it was Eve, wouldn’t she go with her? Add cut off the thought as it rose up from within him
then presented Elsword with the next option.
“Second, surrender yourself to the demon army. Then you’ll be able to fight side by side with Elesis
just as you wished. You probably would be in good standing in there if you became her subordinate.
She did seem like she held a rather important position in their army.”
Judging by how she could command a Glitter Vanguard freely or how the demons left her alone to
run amok as a solitarily unit, the demon army must trust her quite a bit. Well, with that much skill,
she probably has more value as a fighting force if they left her alone to run around freely by
herself…..And you also had to wonder if there was even anyone amongst the demons that could
suppress her.
She was the worst possible enemy for Elrios, but would the demons be able to blatantly trust D’s
knight? They wouldn’t be able to trust her since someone who had betrayed once before could
betray again.
Just when Add was dwelling in his thoughts, Elsword who had kept a numb expression until now
burst out in anger.
“…..Are you telling me, a Velder Kingdom’s knight to join the demons? Those guys are disturbing
Elrios!”
“Don’t say something that everyone already knows. I’m telling you to join Elesis not the demons.
She’s just siding with the demons. And I’m not sure but I don’t think her position in the demon
army as a human would be too good. Don’t you think so? You being beside her could be quite a
help to her.”
Elsword’s face got swept up in disarray at Add’s words. Add smiled as he added.
“I won’t blame you even if you make this choice. Do what you would like.”
“…..Do you really want me to?”
Add shook his head bitterly at Elsword’s words which contained a suspicion and rage as if he was
asking Add if he was coaxing him into betraying.
“Didn’t I say it before? Ignore what anyone else says if it’s a path you chose in order to be with the
person precious to you. Why do you care if the demons destroy Elrios? Isn’t being beside Elesis all
that matters to you?”
“…..”
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Elsword clenched his fists and painfully bit his lower lip. A conflicted face, he probably can’t choose
anything after being faced with his own set of values and the truth that Elesis has joined the demons.
“If you don’t want to choose either of them, then here’s the final third choice. Someone told me
that there are always three choices.”
It’s what that d.a.m.ned fox told him. Add smiled coldly as he clenched his fist tightly then stretched it
out in front of his face.
“Fight Elesis and win, then bring her to our side.”
“What?”
“You can do whatever you want when you win. If you don’t want to go join her, then win and bring
her into the El Search Party.”
“……”
Elsword only blinked vacantly for a while. Then after a long pause, he finally must have understood
what Add meant and spoke with a dumbstruck tone.
“Nonsense, if Big Sister ever decides on something once, she won’t listen to what I….”
“That’s why you beat her down. Nothing beats a good whipping.”
When Add spoke about this ancient truth that has been pa.s.sed down through generations, Elsword
stared at Add with an appalled gaze as if he was asking how such a heinous and blasphemous
thought can exist.
For Elsword, Elesis was…. the absolute value. He was like the sunflower looking up at the sun. He
must have only looked at her and never had dreamed of standing in the same place as her.
No. Standing in the same place was the boy’s dream.
Add had devalued Elsword on the outside, but he internally admitted Elsword’s skills. He had
already saved Add’s life two times, and even without that, his sword skills and battlefield judgement
was top notch. Considering his age, he will become stronger and stronger from now on.
The talk about how he would become stronger than Add after 1 year, those words couldn’t be
blindly discarded as nonsense.
“Aren’t you the youngest knight ever in the Velder Kingdom?”
It was more than enough for Elsword to be proud of his own skills. But Elsword had never shown
any signs of this. For example, during the previous timeline where Add wanted to make a bet about
who could defeat more Glitter soldiers, didn’t Elsword answer that his skills were below Add’s
without any hesitation?
67
Add had always looked down on him. He had always evaluated that this little kid was acting out of
his place. But the whole thing looked different now after hearing the story about Elesis.
It wasn’t because Elsword was proud of his skills that he was always trying to fight in the front head
on.
He wants to become stronger quickly. That’s right; Add now realized the meaning behind what Rena
had been saying to him from time to time.
Elsword was desperate.
“Didn’t you want to be recognized by becoming stronger?”
He wanted to catch up to his big sister that everyone recognised and looked up to, his big sister who
had the t.i.tle of the strongest on her back. That’s why the boy endeavored with only a single mindset
of becoming stronger.
He wasn’t satisfied no matter how stronger he became, he didn’t desire anyone else’s compliments,
and only followed after the back of a single person.
“……”
Elsword didn’t say he wasn’t. After a long moment later, Add saw Elsword’s chin nod ever so
slightly. Add smiled.
This wasn’t a fake smile to show Elsword. Add smiled because he knew what was inside Elsword’s
heart right now.
The heart Add himself had lost long ago was in front of his eyes right now.
“Then show how much stronger you’ve become to Elesis. Fight and win, then drag her back here.
You can’t stand by idly and let the sister that you’re so proud of be used as a hound for the demons
right? The fact that she was on the demons’ side can be dealt with by making up some reasonable
excuses like she was brainwashed or something. Demon invasion will continue and her sins can be
repaid with achievements. The fight will continue on so there will be plenty of chances for the
strongest leader of the Red Knights to redeem herself.”
“…..”
“There, there’s the third choice. What will you choose?”
With this, Add had used up all the methods that Eun told him. But no matter what choice Elsword
made, Add was planning to respect his choice. Add himself was already ridiculing time, how can he
blame Elsword for something so miniscule like surrendering himself to the demon army? He would
rather side with and try to understand him.
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If maybe Elsword chooses the second choice…..would Eve also follow him? Wait, then shouldn’t I
also just join the Demon army too?
Add didn’t have too much interest about how the demon army was running amok in Elrios. The
reason Add was hostile to the demons was because they were after the Queen of Nasods, Eve.
‘…..so the El Search Party would get disbanded.’
If Elsword, Eve and Add go over to the demon army, only Ara and Rena would remain. Ara could
change her mind if she got carefully persuaded about how her older brother Ran was a demon
general. Not only that, Add didn’t know why demons were trying to destroy Eve…. But they
wouldn’t try to destroy her if she was their ally.
“…..”
Except Rena, no, shouldn’t this problem be solved in an instant if they somehow persuaded even
Rena and have the entire El Search Party join the demons? Elesis was already like that, there
shouldn’t be a reason why they won’t accept other people.
It was a solution that he had thought of randomly, but Add felt increasingly drawn by it.
Add delved into his thoughts as he stroked his chin and subtly hoped that Elsword would choose
the second choice. Depending on Elsword’s choice right now, the result of most of the El Search
Party joining the demons could happen.
It was a very appealing solution.
“After I meet with Big Sister tomorrow……I’ll listen to what she says. Then decide.”
“Fine, I’ll arrange the meeting myself.”
Telling him to decide tonight was too much. When Add accepted frankly, Elsword nodded with a
troubled face then was about to turn around and leave…..then paused.
“Big Brother Add, thank you for telling me about Big Sister.”
“Kukuk, it’s nothing. It was a troubling matter on my side too.”
“Still, thank you.”
Elsword spoke those words then left the tent. Add who got left alone was about to think about the
events of tomorrow. Then Eun with her hands behind her back walked inside the tent with carefree
strides.
From how it looked, she must have been waiting for a moment to come in.
“Did the talk go well?”
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“What will Elsword choose?”
Eun shook her head at Add’s question.
“Didn’t I say before that the secrets of the universe should not be revealed so carelessly? Clairvoyant
powers aren’t something that can be overused.”
“…..”
Add wanted to prepare beforehand but he decided to let it pa.s.s. He’ll find out tomorrow anyways.
“Does boy feel that the choice joining the demons is appealing?”
“Ghost or fox, just choose one.”
When Add responded in displeasure, Eun laughed quietly.
“Are you that scared to stand against Elly?”
“…..”
They shouldn’t have to fight with Elesis if they joined the Demons. She was honestly an enemy that
made your hair stand on ends. She closes in towards you despite how you had distanced yourself
then tries to cut through your throat without taking any questions. It was stranger to not get scared.
Recalling it brings chills through his body.
“We lost even though we went in with a plan. You also said even you cannot guarantee a win against
her.”
“You are acting like you’ll listen to me if I prophesized that you’d lose. I only presented the best
possible solution I could think of. It’s not like I have a sure proof strategy. All I know is that when
you continue to roll the dice called time travel, you sometimes get different types of numbers.”
“…..”
“But if I said it like this, would boy criticise me for only trying to satisfy my own greed?”
Eun smiled as she moved her tail and covered Add’s eyes with it. Add had his eyes closed anyways
so nothing had changed much.
The soft sensation felt pleasant.
“But boy, there’s something you should not forget. The reason for your victory against Shadow
Master wasn’t because you relied on my strength. Victory from that fight was the result of the El
Search Party including the boy joining and fighting together as one. I only helped with the cleanup.”
“You’re saying something tiresome.”
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If need be, he wanted to even borrow Eun’s power to take down Elesis. But Eun didn’t seem to
have much intention of doing so.
Well, what Eun was saying did make sense.
“……So you’re doing this to make Elsword fight too.”
Elsword had been out of his mind during the first fight, and he was acting similarly during the
second fight and only ended up becoming a meat s.h.i.+eld.
So the El Search Party had never joined together as one to stand against Elesis before.
The reason for Add creating this situation by painting over time and even getting reproached by Eve
was…..to give Elsword the will to fight even if he was to go against Elesis.
“I won’t say that it’s not.”
So it means yes. Add finally understood as he nodded. They couldn’t defeat Elesis even though Rena,
Ara, Add and Eve had fought together. Then they had to bring in Elsword as well and face Elesis by
focusing the capabilities of the entire El Search Party.
They still couldn’t guarantee a victory, but there was no other way despite this.
“It would be easy if everyone just joined the demons.”
“You must be really scared of Elly.”
“I’m tired so get out now. I’ll sleep for a bit.”
The El Search Party’s actions for the battle tomorrow had been decided but he still hadn’t given the
Velder Liberation army his plan. Since he talked big during the strategy meeting, he should at least