981

 Although they occasionally encountered monsters or were attacked by pirates, it wasn't a significant problem.

The voyage to Korea was smooth.

"We're back, finally..."

Having entered Korean waters some time ago, Incheon Port was now visible in the distance.

They would dock at the pier shortly.

It meant formally putting a period to the journey of several months.

"Haa..."

Twelve Seats <Wind Mage> Chae Seon-woo.

Almost hanging on the railing, he suddenly reminisced about the past days and felt a strange sense of regret.

He let out a sigh.

"Now that we're actually returning, I feel conflicted... It was good when we were in Italy. Although dungeon conquest was tough, the atmosphere of everyone struggling together made me feel less unfairly treated... I didn't need to think too complexly, didn't have to take particular responsibility, just had to do as I was told, and it wasn't entirely without gain... Ah, I miss it..."

"..."

"Above all, the best part was being treated well after conquering the dungeon... Those beauties there were really..."

Hehehe, mumbling...

Chae Seon-woo muttered to himself like a person in a trance.

Eun-ha, who happened to be next to him, just felt uncomfortable.

'I shouldn't stay close.'

Eun-ha subtly distanced himself.

Meanwhile, Chae Seon-woo's lament continued.

"Why did I refuse naturalization? When I was offered naturalization then, I should have just accepted it... That damn patriotism, really... If I could turn back time, I'd like to go back to that moment. Hey, Twelve Seats Leader. With that myth or whatever power, couldn't you turn back time for me? Huh?"

"Say something that makes sense. Other people are watching, maintain your dignity as a Twelve Seats member."

"Dignity my ass... When we return, we'll be swamped with work again, right? Ah! I don't want to work, I don't want to go back... You sympathize, right Leader?"

"I don't."

"Well, I think you can't help but... Are you confident you can get permission for your relationship with the <Saint of Pandora>? No, should we call her the <Mother of Pandora> now?"

"..."

Chae Seon-woo chuckled, shrugging his shoulders as if it wasn't his business.

On the other hand, Eun-ha, who had been unexpectedly mocked, closed his mouth.

His brow twitched.

"<Wind Mage> sir."

"Oh, our Leader. Why are you suddenly being so serious, it's scary... I'm sorry. It was a joke."

"If you miss Italy that much, why don't you go back to Italy? By riding the wind directly. With your skills as <Wind Mage>, it should be quite possible. I'll explain well to the Fairy, so it's okay. Don't worry and just leave now. Take care, thank you for everything so far."

"I'm sorry, Leader. I was wrong. Please forgive me just this once."

"..."

Chae Seon-woo immediately apologizes.

Eun-ha stared at him, who had straightened his back in a stiff posture as if suddenly disciplined.

Soon he withdrew his gaze.

"Keep it moderate when you're sucking up, while I'm treating you as a senior."

"Yes! I'll keep that in mind!"

Chae Seon-woo answers vigorously on purpose.

Eun-ha, not wanting to say any more harsh words, turned his back and left the place.

As he did so, he expressed his concern.

"What should I really do..."

Shortly after.

The ship docked at Incheon Port.

* * *

Incheon Port pier.

A large crowd had come out to greet them, enough to fill the surrounding area.

They gave a grand welcome to the conquest team disembarking from the ship.

Pop!

[Congratulations] Congratulations on the conquest and return of the Korean conquest team! [Celebration]

"..."

Amidst the people's grand welcome, celebratory fireworks exploded and flower petals fluttered in various places.

Placards were also visible.

While somewhat dumbfounded by the greater-than-expected celebration, the conquest team couldn't help but be filled with joy.

The corners of their mouths rose long.

It was then that Lim Ga-eul and Ha Baek-ryeon approached, representing the people who had come to greet them.

"Welcome back, everyone from our conquest team. I sincerely congratulate you on your safe return from the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>. I feel energized thanks to you all."

"Me too. Congratulations to everyone. And I'm glad you're all safe."

Lim Ga-eul and Ha Baek-ryeon offered their congratulations.

The conquest team couldn't help but feel pride at being acknowledged by the Fairy and the next Fairy.

Meanwhile, Lim Ga-eul also expressed familiarity by hugging Eun-ha.

It was an act for the public image.

"You did well, really."

"Nothing happened while I was away, right?"

"Yes, fortunately it was peaceful."

Eun-ha, not unaware of her intention, deliberately went along with Lim Ga-eul.

After lightly hugging like that, he tried to catch up with Ha Baek-ryeon, but...

"Baek-ryeon, it's been so long..."

"Welcome back, Twelve Seats Leader."

"...?"

As if not allowing casual conversation, Ha Baek-ryeon, who had hugged Eun-ha on tiptoe, responded formally.

Eun-ha was perplexed by her distancing attitude.

'Why is Baek-ryeon acting like this? Is she conscious of the cameras? Afraid of being rumored to have an improper relationship if she seems too close to me? Baek-ryeon has become much more cautious...'

His imagination starts to run wild.

Eun-ha, who had been happy to meet Ha Baek-ryeon after a long time, finally had to release the hug with a sense of disappointment.

"We'll talk later. Understood, Twelve, Seats, Leader? Then I'll withdraw now as I need to greet others."

"Yes... I understand, Fairy Successor. See you next time."

"..."

For a moment.

Ha Baek-ryeon's eyebrows trembled slightly.

She quietly made a threat.

"Really... Really, really, I'm upset. Hmph!"

"...?"

Ha Baek-ryeon brushes past quickly.

Eun-ha tilted his head as he watched her walk away.

'Is Baek-ryeon... sulking? Why?'

He wasn't sure.

As Eun-ha was pondering this.

"Eun-ha!"

"...Oh!"

The Pandora Clan members waiting among the crowd drew attention.

Choi Eun-hyeok was among them.

Eun-ha, happy to see him, quickly approached.

They grasp each other's hands.

"It's been a while. Have you been well?"

"Hmm... So-so? I was a bit busy protecting the clan and going to Uijeongbu because of someone."

"Sorry, you must have had a hard time?"

"No, it was a joke. You must have had a hard time, Eun-ha? Congratulations on the conquest."

"Yeah, thanks. I bought a gift for you, so check it out later. Nothing unusual happened, right?"

"Unusual... Well... Nothing if there was nothing, something if there was something?"

"What does that mean?"

Choi Eun-hyeok's eyes roll.

Eun-ha followed his gaze.

There...

"No matter how happy you were to see Eun-hyeok, don't you think you should have looked for us first... I feel a bit hurt. No, very hurt."

"Everyone... It's been a while. I really missed you."

Han Seo-hyun, Jung Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jung, Noh Eun-ah, Noh Yu-seong, Noh Yu-ran, and Noh Yu-rin were staring at Eun-ha.

Eun-ha, belatedly noticing them, was overwhelmed with a sense of embarrassment.

So, to make up for his mistake, he quickly spoke to them, but...

"Yes, we really missed you too. We're glad you're back. But it seems there's an important issue to address, shouldn't we resolve that first?"

Han Seo-hyun's response had a strangely sharp edge to it.

Not just her, but Jung Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jung, and Noh Eun-ah's gazes were also somewhat fierce.

Eun-ha sensed it.

'I'm caught.'

It wasn't a misconception.

He felt sweat trickling down.

Eun-ha froze in place.

Meanwhile.

"T-Then I should go meet Seo-na and the others now! Eun-ha, bye!"

Unable to bear the chilly atmosphere, Choi Eun-hyeok quickly ran away.

* * *

'It's suffocating...'

Jung-gu, Seoul, Pandora Clan Headquarters.

Eun-ha, almost forcibly brought by Han Seo-hyun, Jung Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jung, and Noh Eun-ah, walked down the corridor.

Iriya was also beside him.

"..."

Iriya was in a state of being completely intimidated by the aura of the women around.

Eun-ha just felt sorry for her.

Yet, being conscious of the situation, he couldn't offer much help and just felt apologetic.

By then, the people walking down the corridor reached the front of Eun-ha's office.

"Let's go in."

"...Alright."

Han Seo-hyun opened the door.

Eun-ha followed her, stepping into his office that he was visiting after a long time.

And he discovered Ryu Yeon-hwa sitting on the sofa.

"Welcome, we've been waiting."

"Yeon-hwa."

Ryu Yeon-hwa showed affection.

Meanwhile, she was holding a child in her arms.

"Wah?"

Blue-green hair and eyes reminiscent of Ryu Yeon-hwa.

It was the child born while Eun-ha was away conquering the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>.

His son, Noh Yu-seol.

"...So you're Yu-seol. Noh Yu-seol."

"Wah."

"Hello? I'm your daddy. I'm sorry daddy is seeing you late. I'll make sure to see you often from now on. Okay?"

"Wah."

The blue eyes looking at him intently were so adorable.

Eun-ha, who had approached to introduce himself to Noh Yu-seol, couldn't help but smile.

"Yu-seol, can daddy hold you? Yeon-hwa, Yu-seol..."

Eun-ha was about to reach out to hold Noh Yu-seol.

Just then.

"No."

"...What?"

Ryu Yeon-hwa flatly refused.

Then Jung Ha-yang and Lee Yu-jung chimed in.

"That's right, no. What have you done right to act like a father to Yu-seol? You completely forgot about Yu-seol and must have enjoyed yourself in Italy."

"That's right, you can't. Should Yu-seol quickly say no to daddy too? Daddy, no! No! No!"

"..."

Jung Ha-yang and Lee Yu-jung, who had suddenly stood behind Ryu Yeon-hwa, glared at Eun-ha.

Eun-ha couldn't help but feel dejected.

This momentarily shook the hearts of the three women, but...

"Shouldn't you finish what needs to be dealt with first before acting as Yu-seol's father?"

"Yeah yeah, Seo-hyun is right."

Han Seo-hyun regained control of the atmosphere.

Moreover, with Noh Eun-ah chiming in, the fighting spirit rekindled in Jung Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jung, and Ryu Yeon-hwa's eyes.

And so.

"Now, why don't you tell us in detail what happened between you two while you were away from home? If you lie even a little... You know well what will happen, right?"

"..."

The interrogation began in earnest under Han Seo-hyun's lead.

Eun-ha had to explain in detail what had happened during that time.

And when he reached the part about confessing Iriya's pregnancy...

"..."

Eun-ha was exposed to a chilling killing intent.

His wives and Noh Eun-ah glared at him as if they would kill him.

"Huh."

"..."

Even Ryu Yeon-hwa, who had been giving a lenient gaze, now had an icy expression as if she had never done so.

She clicked her tongue as if sighing.

The reactions of the others couldn't help but be cold as well.

At that moment, Han Seo-hyun began in a stern tone.

"So the gist is that you want to accept Iriya unnie as your wife? As the fifth?"

"..."

His wives and Noh Eun-ah glared.

Eun-ha nodded heavily.

"...Yeah. I'm really sorry, but still, Iriya..."

"If you're sorry, shouldn't you not do it? As I've said many times."

Han Seo-hyun abruptly cut him off and openly snorted.

She asked as if interrogating.

"Do you love Iriya unnie more than us?"

"...No."

Eun-ha painfully denied.

"As much as us?"

"..."

Eun-ha didn't answer.

"Even though it's not that, you want to make Iriya unnie your wife? Why? Because of the child?"

"..."

Again, Eun-ha didn't answer.

But Han Seo-hyun could understand his emotions through her gift.

No, even without using her gift, the time they had spent together made it possible.

"If it's just because of the child, it's simple. Let's just take in the child."

"What?"

"That child, we'll raise it."

"..."

"I'll take it in as Yu-seong's sibling and raise it like my own child, wouldn't that work? It seems it will be born as an Ain anyway. That's good, there won't be any chance of the child doubting its parents later."

As Eun-ha was at a loss for words, Han Seo-hyun smiled coldly.

She turned her gaze to Iriya for the first time.

"What do you think, unnie?"

"..."

"Don't you think that's the most peaceful solution?"

"I..."

Han Seo-hyun's gaze, cold as frost.

Facing that gaze, Iriya's lips trembled.

"I..."

She was scared.

She couldn't help but be scared.

And not just that.

She felt hurt pride, guilt, shame, embarrassment, and anger.

Nevertheless.

"I want to give birth to the child, I want to raise it myself."

Iriya didn't yield.

As she put her hand on her belly, she felt courage welling up that wasn't there before.

On the other hand, Han Seo-hyun's face hardened.

"..."

Jung Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jung, and Ryu Yeon-hwa also couldn't help but harden their expressions.

Iriya, while guessing their feelings, refused to back down.

She bowed her head deeply.

"Please, I beg you like this. Let me raise the child. Don't take the child away from me."

"..."

"If I can't be acknowledged... Then I'll raise it alone. I promise I'll never tell the child about my relationship with Master. So please..."

Have mercy.

Iriya pleaded earnestly.

Everyone present couldn't help but feel conflicted.

The atmosphere became solemn.

"So what are you going to do? Think carefully and decide."

Han Seo-hyun asked Eun-ha.

She urged him.

"We'll follow your choice, as we always have."

"..."

Eun-ha pondered deeply.

However, it didn't take long to reach a decision.

No matter how many times he reconsidered, it was the same.

Eun-ha opened his mouth.

"I'm sorry to you all."

"..."

"I'm truly... truly ashamed. But I don't want to take the child away from Iriya, or lie to the child about its parents. I don't want Iriya to raise it alone either. So I hope you'll allow it."

Eun-ha's attitude was infinitely serious.

As expected, it couldn't be swayed.

Finally judging so, the people had no choice but to resign themselves.

A sigh escaped from them.

"So it ends up like this again... Alright, do as you wish. But take responsibility for your choice, and I hope you won't regret it. For your sake, and ours."

Han Seo-hyun spoke with a heavy heart.

The others nodded silently, their expressions a mix of resignation and concern.

Eun-ha looked at each of them, his gaze lingering on Iriya last.

"Thank you," he said softly. "I promise I'll do my best to make this work."

Iriya, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up.

"I... I also promise to do my best. I won't cause trouble for anyone. I just want to raise my child."

Her words were met with a moment of silence before Han Seo-hyun responded.

"We'll hold you to that promise, Iriya. Both of you."

The tension in the room began to dissipate slightly, though a sense of unease still lingered.

Ryu Yeon-hwa, still holding Yu-seol, stood up.

"I think we all need some time to process this. Eun-ha, why don't you spend some time with Yu-seol? He should get to know his father."

She carefully handed the baby to Eun-ha, who took him with a mix of nervousness and joy.

As Eun-ha cradled his son, the others began to file out of the room, leaving him alone with Iriya and the baby.

Once they were alone, Eun-ha turned to Iriya.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently.

Iriya nodded, her eyes moist. "Yes. Thank you for standing up for me... for us."

Eun-ha reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"We're in this together now," he said. "It won't be easy, but we'll make it work."

As they stood there, with Yu-seol between them and a new life growing inside Iriya, they both felt a mix of apprehension and hope for the future that lay ahead.