976

 'Really... Is this really okay?'

Eun-ha, having hidden the Aegis in his bosom, left the vault.

He couldn't help but feel nervous, wondering if he might be caught.

But fortunately, the highest administrator didn't seem to notice.

His attention was focused on the Scepter of Jupiter in Eun-ha's hand.

"Did you choose your treasure well? May I check it for a moment?"

"Yes, here you go."

The highest administrator asked for permission with a kind smile.

Eun-ha, feigning calmness, held out the Scepter of Jupiter.

'I feel like I've become a thief...'

In fact, he was a thief.

Soon, Eun-ha corrected his thoughts.

'No. Why am I a thief?'

He swore to himself that he absolutely did not steal the Aegis.

The Aegis had followed him of its own free will.

As for whether treasures have will...

Eun-ha could confidently say they do.

Woong!

As if reading his thoughts, the Aegis in his bosom vibrated faintly.

Eun-ha, startled that the presence might be detected, quickly and as naturally as possible, put his hand to his chest.

Meanwhile, the highest administrator, who had been examining the Scepter of Jupiter, finished his appraisal.

The old man returned the treasure.

"It's the Scepter of Genoa. I've confirmed it. I hope it's a treasure that suits Player Noh Eun-ha well."

"Thank you."

With that, all procedures in the vault were finished.

Eun-ha was able to leave the Pantheon safely without arousing any suspicion.

People waiting in front of the Pantheon welcomed him.

Among them were Jin Seo-na, Iriya, and others who had separated to enter different vaults.

'To think I'd get the Aegis...'

Only then did Eun-ha realize it.

He couldn't help but feel joy to the point his chest swelled.

As soon as he got the chance, he would share this happy news with his friends...

It was then.

'That bastard...'

As Eun-ha's eyes turned towards the people, he saw Iriya and Roberto.

Roberto was speaking affectionately to Iriya.

"Is there anything you want to eat? Just say the word. You're someone who can do that."

"Hehe, anything is fine with me. But I think today..."

Iriya smiled with her eyes.

Eun-ha, suppressing his rising anger, quickly approached her.

"Ah, Mas...ter!?"

He wrapped his arm around Iriya's shoulder from behind, pulling her into his embrace.

Making her lean against him, Eun-ha spoke to Roberto.

"What a shame? Iriya has a dinner with us."

"..."

Roberto's response wasn't necessary.

Eun-ha turned around, taking Iriya with him, leaving Roberto standing there.

Iriya, unable to resist Eun-ha, followed him while protesting.

"But, Master..."

"What, why, what."

"Sigh... It's nothing. I was going to refuse today anyway."

"Not just today, but tomorrow, the day after, keep refusing until we return to Korea."

"Is Master a child? Always throwing tantrums..."

"Yeah, I'm a child. Waa, waa."

"No... Pfft!"

Iriya burst into laughter as if nothing had happened.

Eun-ha, laughing along with her, shrugged his shoulders.

"So let's go eat. I'm hungry."

"Yes, yes, alright. Our Master, let's go eat."

"Is there anything you want to eat?"

"Hmm..."

Iriya put her finger to her lips.

Then she answered with a bright smile.

"I want to eat something spicy! Army stew?"

"Army stew? I wonder if they have it here..."

"They sell it in Koreatown. The other day when I went to eat with Player Roberto..."

"Don't even mention that guy in front of me."

"Ah, okay..."

* * *

Italy, Rome, Korean conquest team's lodging.

Byeok Hae-su, who had been staying at Bracciano's workshop for a while and recently returned, welcomed the Korean conquest team happily.

"Welcome, everyone! Nothing went wrong, right?"

"Hello. I heard you visited the Pantheon today? Congratulations on receiving the national treasure!"

Byeok Hae-su's eyes sparkled, anticipating the Korean conquest team's treasures.

Beside him was his lover, soon to be his wife, Martina.

'Somehow Hae-su hyung persuaded her to naturalize to Korea.'

When Eun-ha first heard the news, he was genuinely happy.

He wished for Byeok Hae-su and Martina to live happily together.

While chuckling at that thought, the two pressed the conquest team.

"Where are the treasures? Take them out! Let's see them!"

"It's okay, you don't need to be wary! It's not like they'll wear out from looking, we'll just take a quick peek! We need to see them in advance to use them as materials later anyway!"

From this point on.

People lined up to request the two to craft items using the treasures as materials.

The two, meeting people one by one in the room, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration every time they encountered a treasure.

The sound could be heard even from outside.

Eun-ha gave a bitter smile.

'I guess I'll have to visit after everyone else is done.'

He had to keep the fact that he obtained the Aegis a secret as much as possible.

So Eun-ha secretly met with Byeok Hae-su after some time had passed.

And when he returned the Aegis, which had been transformed into a stone-like state, to its original form...

"You, you're crazy!?"

Byeok Hae-su, who was surprised to see the Scepter of Jupiter, couldn't help but be shocked at the appearance of the Aegis.

He couldn't close his mouth.

"No, in the world, to steal a national treasure... And one equivalent to the Taeguk grade..."

"Steal? When did I steal it? The Aegis followed me."

Woong!

Byeok Hae-su, feeling his blood run cold, scolded with a pale face.

To this, Eun-ha boldly denied, and the Aegis also agreed.

"Hah... What should we do about this..."

"What do you mean what should we do? We take it."

"..."

Byeok Hae-su covered his face with his large hands.

He sighed.

But Eun-ha, having known him for a long time, wasn't unaware of his feelings.

"Hyung, I can see the corners of your mouth turning up, you know?"

"..."

Byeok Hae-su flinched.

Eun-ha chuckled and asked.

"So honestly, how does it look? Does it seem good?"

"...Personally, I think the Aegis looks better than the scepter. If used as material, I think I could make a sword comparable to the Honghwa Sword."

"I didn't particularly take the Scepter of Jupiter to use as material anyway. Well, that's good. The condition of the Twilight Sword wasn't good anyway."

"It's inevitable after overusing it in both the <Abyss > and the <Deep Sea>."

"Anyway, I'm counting on you."

"Huu... Alright, I got it."

And so.

Eun-ha decided to create a new Maengoseu using the Aegis and the Twilight Sword.

However, due to the Aegis's circumstances, it was decided that the crafting would proceed after returning to Korea.

* * *

The night deepened.

Eun-ha, lying in bed to sleep, took out the Aegis he had been carrying all day.

As he held it in his hand and looked up at it, the corners of his mouth naturally turned up.

'I wish we could return to Korea soon.'

During this.

'Should I look at the Aegis one last time before sleeping?'

A sudden impulse arose.

There was a mirror in the room, and it didn't seem difficult to change the Aegis, which had been returned to its original form, back to its petrified state.

It was when Eun-ha was making this judgment.

"Player Noh Eun-ha."

"..."

"Are you still awake?"

Suddenly, there was a knock, and a voice was heard from outside the door.

If Eun-ha's memory was correct, it was Big Mama's voice.

"It's me, Big Mama."

It was certain.

'...What business does Big Mama have at this hour?'

A sudden visit late at night, Eun-ha was just perplexed.

However, he couldn't ignore Big Mama's visit.

Hurriedly putting the Aegis in his bosom, Eun-ha decided to meet her.

"If you're not sleeping yet, could you open the door?"

"Just a moment, I'm coming out now!"

He tidied up his clothes.

Eun-ha opened the door to respond to Big Mama.

The person outside the door was...

"What brings you..."

Big Mama was wearing a negligee.

Eun-ha hesitated for a moment upon seeing her in sleepwear.

Big Mama smiled with her eyes.

"Hehe, thank you. I'm sorry for coming without notice at such a late hour. I feel ashamed."

"No... What's the matter?"

"Well, I recently received a precious wine as a gift. I was wondering if we could drink it together if you have time."

"I'm sorry, but for drinks, let's set a separate time later..."

Eun-ha was wary of Big Mama's intentions.

So he tried to send her away, but she nonchalantly entered the room.

Passing under his arm, she naturally sat on the sofa.

"You have to go back soon, right? I wanted to get a little closer to Player Noh Eun-ha before that. For the diplomacy between Korea and Italy."

"..."

"What are you doing? Sit down. Let's have a drink."

He couldn't rashly drive out Big Mama, who was the ruler of a country.

It could potentially cause problems.

Eun-ha, with an uncomfortable feeling, sat down far away from her.

Then she moved her hips, sticking close to him.

"..."

"Take it."

As Eun-ha's face hardened, Big Mama offered him a drink.

They clinked their glasses.

Afterwards, Big Mama proactively led the conversation.

The glasses were repeatedly emptied and filled.

At that moment, Big Mama opened the conversation.

"Do you know? How I took control of this country."

"...I wonder."

"It's simple. I knocked down every person in power. All of them, regardless of whether they were men or women. I'm quite charming, you see."

"And?"

Eun-ha asked bluntly.

Big Mama, subtly leaning her body against him, licked her lips.

"I'm going to knock you down too."

"..."

"Originally, I was going to maintain my dignity, but I can't. I can't let someone like you slip away."

Big Mama takes off her negligee.

Now completely naked, she reached out to Eun-ha, caressing his cheek.

"I've investigated you. You have four wives, right? Seems you're quite lustful too."

"..."

"But you must be struggling with celibacy in a far-off foreign land. I'll help you."

"You must be quite old."

"...It's okay. I'm still in my prime. Thanks to <White Silver>, I age slowly too."

Big Mama, who momentarily furrowed her brow, quickly corrected her expression.

"It's an opportunity to have a woman who reigns as the absolute ruler of a country at your feet. How about it, isn't it too tempting? I'm sure I can satisfy your desires. So take me. In exchange, give yourself to me."

"Are you proposing naturalization to me?"

"Yes, that's right. Come to Italy. If you naturalize to Italy, I'll fulfill everything you want within my capabilities. I'm also willing to pay an equivalent price to Korea to reduce unnecessary conflicts. If you're worried about your family left in Korea..."

"..."

"It'll be difficult, but I'll manage to bring them over somehow. How about it? Isn't this an attractive enough proposal?"

Big Mama smiled seductively.

Eun-ha snorted.

"Well... I'm not sure."

"Why? Is there something more you want? If so, don't hesitate to say it. Or... Am I not enough?"

"..."

"Alright, if that's the case."

Big Mama narrowed her eyes.

After staring at Eun-ha for a while, she snapped her fingers curtly.

"I prepared this just in case, and it's a good thing I did. Come in."

Suddenly, the door opened.

Soon, women who had been waiting outside walked in.

All of them were dressed extraordinarily, as if they had dressed up for the occasion.

"Here, I'll throw in these beauties too. If it's not enough, I'll add more."

"Ha..."

The sight of dozens of women approaching was truly overwhelming.

Eun-ha was just dumbfounded at the ridiculous scene.

And he was extremely displeased.

"..."

"...Player Noh Eun-ha?"

There was no need to tolerate it any longer.

Eun-ha stood up from his seat.

"I'm not sorry, but."

"..."

He distanced himself from Big Mama and the women, turning his back to the terrace where moonlight was shining.

The wind blew.

At the same time, the shadow at Eun-ha's feet writhed.

"I'll have to decline your proposal. And..."

At that moment, the shadow that had surged up enveloped Eun-ha.

Eun-ha, disappearing into the shadow, spoke to Big Mama with his vision not yet obscured.

"The Fairy Government will formally, and very strongly, protest this matter."

Right after, Eun-ha vanished.

Only moonlight remained there.

"...Tch. I failed."

Big Mama, suddenly left staring at the terrace as Eun-ha disappeared, muttered pitifully.

Her pride was hurt, and she felt ashamed.

"To think I'd be stood up..."

* * *

"Sirius technology is quite good."

Feeling somewhat suspicious, it was good that he had recorded it.

Having moved to the lower floor through the shadow, Eun-ha was satisfied as he checked the recording status.

Then he grumbled.

"If it weren't for Big Mama, I would have..."

He would have destroyed everything.

Swallowing the rest of his words, Eun-ha clicked his tongue.

"To treat a person like some beast that only chases after women..."

The more he thought about it, the more displeased he felt.

Eun-ha decided to pass the recording to Song Yun-seo, intending for the Fairy Government to take appropriate measures against Big Mama.

By the way...

'Where do I sleep now.'

As long as Big Mama was occupying it, he couldn't return to his room.

Even if Big Mama left, he didn't know when she might visit again.

It seemed better to stay with someone else for the remaining period of his stay in Italy.

The problem was who to stay with.

Someone he could visit right away tonight...

"Should I go to Si-hyeong's place."

Avenier was so big that it would be uncomfortable to share a room.

Eun-ha made his decision.

Just then.

"Master?"

"Huh?"

The terrace door suddenly opened, and Iriya poked her head out from inside.

Seeing Eun-ha, she opened her eyes wide in surprise.

Eun-ha was the same.

"Master, how did you..."

"What about you..."

"This is my room."

"...Right."

Eun-ha understood.

"..."

After that, silence fell between Eun-ha and Iriya.

 They felt awkward, having encountered an unexpected situation.

At that moment, Iriya, who had been watching carefully, gently opened the conversation.

"Um... Would you like to come in for now?"

Eun-ha hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"...If it's okay."

"Of course, please come in."

Iriya stepped aside to let Eun-ha enter. Once inside, she closed the terrace door.

The room was dimly lit, with only a small lamp providing light. Eun-ha noticed that Iriya was wearing comfortable sleepwear.

"I'm sorry for intruding so late," Eun-ha said, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"It's no problem at all, Master. But... may I ask why you were on my terrace?"

Eun-ha briefly explained the situation with Big Mama, omitting certain details. Iriya's eyes widened as she listened.

"That's... quite shocking. Are you alright, Master?"

"I'm fine. Just a bit annoyed," Eun-ha replied, running a hand through his hair.

Iriya nodded, then hesitated before speaking again. "If you need a place to stay tonight, you're welcome to use my room. I can sleep on the sofa."

"No, I couldn't impose like that. I'll find somewhere else," Eun-ha said quickly.

"Please, I insist. It's late, and after what happened, you shouldn't be alone," Iriya said firmly.

Eun-ha looked at her, seeing the determination in her eyes. He sighed, realizing she wouldn't back down.

"Alright, but I'll take the sofa. You keep the bed."

Iriya opened her mouth to protest, but Eun-ha held up a hand. "That's final. I won't hear any arguments."

She reluctantly agreed. "Very well, Master. Let me get you some blankets and a pillow."

As Iriya busied herself preparing the sofa, Eun-ha stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. He was acutely aware of the Aegis hidden in his clothes, and of the strange situation he found himself in.

Once the sofa was ready, Iriya turned to Eun-ha. "Is there anything else you need?"

"No, this is more than enough. Thank you, Iriya," Eun-ha said sincerely.

Iriya smiled softly. "You're welcome, Master. Good night."

"Good night," Eun-ha replied.

As Iriya retreated to her bed and Eun-ha settled on the sofa, both were keenly aware of the other's presence. Despite the awkwardness, there was also a sense of comfort in not being alone.

Eun-ha stared at the ceiling, his mind racing with the events of the day. The Aegis, Big Mama's proposition, and now this unexpected sleeping arrangement. He wondered what the next day would bring.

Little did he know, Iriya was having similar thoughts as she lay in her bed, stealing glances at Eun-ha's silhouette on the sofa.

As sleep finally began to claim them both, one last thought crossed Eun-ha's mind: 'I hope this doesn't complicate things further...'