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 After Story 20. Return to Korea

Finally, they're returning to Korea.

However, when the day actually arrived, Eun-ha couldn't be entirely happy.

'What should I do...'

How would he get permission for his relationship with Iriya from his family waiting for him?

Before that, how much scolding and cold treatment would he receive?

Just thinking about it made Eun-ha sigh involuntarily.

"Su-bin, what should I do now?"

"Why are you asking me that? You should have been more careful, tsk..."

Italy, Rome, Port of Civitavecchia.

Eun-ha lamented to Bae Su-bin while bitterly looking at the horizon.

Bae Su-bin didn't sympathize and just clicked her tongue.

"I think I know why you can't date..."

"What? Is this suddenly picking a fight... I'm not unable to date, I choose not to, okay? Dating? If I wanted to..."

"Yes, you're absolutely right."

"...Should I really kill you? Dating is completely useless in life, you know? I'd rather live comfortably than worry like you. While researching magic!"

<Lonely Queen> Bae Su-bin.

She shows an upset reaction and expounds on her pessimistic view of dating.

Considering their relationship from before the regression, Eun-ha didn't provoke her further and just pretended to listen generously.

It was then that Ariel chimed in.

"Eun-ha Eun-ha! Are you very worried? I have a good idea, want to hear it?"

"You probably don't have any good ideas, but it might be more nutritious than Su-bin's talk. Alright, let's hear it. What is it?"

"What? My talk isn't nutritious? Hey, your personality is really..."

"Listen, we cover it up with an even bigger shock so they can't even speak! Like how people admire the crimes of white-collar criminals! Of course, it's wrong, but!"

Ariel, flapping her blue-scaled ears, expresses her opinion.

Eun-ha couldn't help but be tempted by her proposal, which was quite good for her.

"Cover it up with a bigger shock... How?"

"For example, how about shocking them by taking other people as wives besides Iriya unnie!?"

"What?"

"As it happens, I'm not dating, A-ra A-ra isn't either, and neither is Kaede, so it would be fine to just throw us in!"

"..."

"No, is four not enough? Then let's add more girls and make them think 'What is this guy doing? Did he come back from conquering women instead of the dungeon? Is he really determined to become a harem king? Is his head attached below?' They'll be too dumbfounded..."

"Right, you're always like this... It's my fault for believing you even for a moment."

Rejected.

Eun-ha stopped listening and lightly hit Ariel's head.

"I think it's fine... It makes sense... Reality is usually more amazing than fiction..."

"What did you say?"

"Huh!? Ah, no... Ouch! Hey, that hurts!"

"La la la♬ La la..."

He also hit Jo A-ra's head, who seemed to have been influenced by hanging out with Ariel too much.

As for La-ra who was nearby, unfortunately, she had to be hit by Eun-ha's pinky for no particular reason.

The two made groaning noises and rubbed their heads that didn't really hurt.

Meanwhile, Eun-ha turned his gaze to Kaede standing at the end.

"I didn't say anything."

"..."

Hoshimiya Kaede, showing her wariness with quick wit.

She took a step back and assumed a defensive posture.

Eun-ha chuckled.

"I know that."

"Then why..."

"I was wondering what you thought."

"...You should just apologize for your mistake. Don't try to be clever."

"That's what I should do, right? Kaede, you're the most reliable. Thank you."

"More importantly, shouldn't you be taking care of Iriya unnie instead of doing this? It seems like something happened with that person."

Kaede gestured with her chin.

Turning his head in that direction, Eun-ha could see Iriya.

Iriya was having a friendly conversation with Roberto.

"It's okay, don't worry. We probably won't meet again anyway, so what's the point."

"Then why are you moving towards them while saying that?"

"...Just to say goodbye."

Kaede snorts.

Eun-ha, answering her awkwardly, approached Iriya and Roberto.

"Iriya."

"Ah, Master."

"The sea breeze is cold, wouldn't it be better to go inside the cabin now?"

"No, I'm fine."

Iriya greets him with a bright face.

Eun-ha, checking her condition, put his arm around her shoulder.

Roberto gave a bitter smile and then spoke to him.

"Player Noh Eun-ha."

"Yes."

"Iriya... Please take good care of her."

"..."

There was much he wanted to say, but in the end, there was only one thing he needed to say.

The rest was superfluous.

Having judged so, Roberto spoke after much deliberation.

He extended his hand.

"...Yes, don't worry."

Eun-ha, measuring Roberto's emotions, answered as restrainedly as possible.

Then he grasped Roberto's hand.

The two men briefly squeezed each other's hands tightly and then let go.

* * *

It's boarding time.

People are getting on the ship one by one.

'...It wasn't a bad country after all.'

Avenier, reminiscing about the days spent in Italy, turned to line up to board the ship.

It was then that his name was called.

"Player Avenier."

"Ah... Yes, Player Albert!"

Albert, wearing an iron mask, approached.

Avenier, who had built up a friendship during the conquest of the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>, greeted him warmly.

"I hope you return safely. And I have a gift I prepared separately, I'd like you to accept this too."

"What? Separately? Ah..."

Albert handed over the handle of a carrier.

Avenier, checking the size of the carrier with his eyes, expressed considerable burden.

"I'm grateful, but this seems too... much."

"It's alright, please accept it."

"..."

"Juli... I filled it with things that Julieta and Bruno would like. So if you could... pass it on to them, I'd be grateful."

Albert asked in a polite tone.

Avenier, who had been silently looking at his uncle, soon nodded.

He grasped the carrier handle and responded vigorously.

"Yes! Then I'll gratefully accept it! Mother and Father in Korea will surely be happy too."

"...Thank you. Take care on your way back, and always be mindful of your health."

"Yes, you too, Uncle!"

"..."

Albert paused at the unexpected title.

Soon, he curved his lips.

"Yes, take care. Someday... If the opportunity arises, I'd like to see you again."

"Me too. Let's meet again someday! I'm sure we can! Well then, I'll be going now!"

Avenier turns his back and leaves, pulling the carrier.

Albert quietly saw him off.

Meanwhile, Avenier, boarding the ship with a happy heart, hummed a tune.

"Now I'm going back. When I return..."

Eun-ae noona is waiting!

I can get Eun-ae noona's kisses!

Avenier grinned from ear to ear.

* * *

Toot toot!

The ship docked at Civitavecchia sounded its horn and set sail.

The view of the port city recedes as they embark on their journey to Korea.

"..."

For one last time.

People came out onto the deck to take in the sight of Italy.

"Seems like I got attached after staying for a few months..."

"There were many inconveniences that didn't match with Korea while living here..."

"I think I'll miss it."

"The men were so passionate... I'll never forget it."

"Yeah, that's ri... Huh?"

"..."

On Tae-hee, Sun Mi-ye, Son Ga-yeon, Bong Gu-rae, Kang Si-hyeong, and others were each immersed in their own reflections.

Jin Seo-na was the same.

"It was really an impressive place. I'd like to come again later..."

The blue sea sparkling in the sunlight and the view of the port city are beautiful.

Jin Seo-na took a photo with her smartphone to remember this moment.

After checking the photo, she raised the corners of her mouth in satisfaction.

"Yes, it came out well. This should be no less than Eun-woo's skills. I should show off to Eun-ha and the kids later."

I wonder how Cha Eun-woo is doing.

Is he happily spending his newlywed life after marrying Mok Min-ho?

As soon as we return, I should listen carefully and have a fun chat.

Not just with her, but also with Jung Ha-yang, Kim Min-ji, Noh Eun-ah, Jin Pa-rang, and others.

"I want to see them soon."

And...

"Ah, I should show this to Eun-hyeok too."

Jin Seo-na, suddenly remembering, perked up her triangular ears.

She sent a message to Choi Eun-hyeok.

[Me]: Are you doing well?

[Me]: Ta-da!

[Me]: (Photo)

[Me]: This is the last photo I took as we left Italy!

[Me]: We're coming back now

[Me]: Let's have a meal when we return!

Of course.

As the communication wasn't connected, the message wasn't sent.

But that was okay.

She could send it again after returning to Korea.

"Why is telepathy one-way? It can't even reach Korea... That's a shame."

Jin Seo-na muttered dejectedly.

Soon she decided to change her mood.

"Well, I'm bored, so I should go fishing with the kids after a long time!"

[Anyone who wants to fish with me, bring your fishing rods and gather on the deck! Ah, Eun-ha, you know you're required to participate, right? The Clan Lord can't sneak away!]

She sends telepathy to her friends.

Jin Seo-na chuckled, her shoulders shaking.

* * *

The Korean conquest team that left to conquer the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> is returning.

According to recent news, they're passing through the Philippine Sea...

To this, Fairy Lim Ga-eul instructed.

"They've raised the nation's prestige. So make sure to prepare a welcome greeting without fail."

Lim Ga-eul, who had achieved substantial results with the conquest of the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> and the agreement between Korea and Italy, couldn't help but be in a good mood.

She even made plans to personally go out to greet the Korean conquest team.

Meanwhile, the Pandora Clan, having received the same news, also began preparations to welcome them...

"..."

Currently, a cold wind was blowing among the executive officers.

This was due to the report from <Shadow King> Han Chang-jin.

"Say it again, brother-in-law. No, Sub-Lord Han Chang-jin. What did you just say?"

"..."

Han Seo-hyun, representing the others, questioned Han Chang-jin.

It was a voice like a cold blade.

Han Chang-jin, despite having done nothing wrong, couldn't help but feel scared.

So when he looked for Noh Eun-ah for some comfort...

"What are you doing? Why aren't you speaking? I said speak up!"

"...Sob."

Noh Eun-ah didn't take his side.

Han Chang-jin just felt disappointed.

On the other hand, he couldn't help but resent Noh Eun-ha for causing this situation.

"So..."

Han Chang-jin, unable to withstand the pressure from people, finally opened his mouth.

"It seems that the relationship between Eun-ha and Sister Iriya is particularly close..."

"..."

The gazes pouring down are scary.

Especially the gazes of Eun-ha's wives and Noh Eun-ah...

Han Chang-jin just wanted to cry.

It was then that Han Seo-hyun sighed in the heavy atmosphere.

"Somehow I felt uneasy... In the end, words became reality."

"I told him not to look elsewhere... If I had known this would happen, I should have just gone along..."

"I want to trust Eun-ha, but... How can I trust him..."

"So this is how you felt. I think I understand now."

Han Seo-hyun, Jung Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jung, Ryu Yeon-hwa.

They couldn't help but lament.

"Something must have happened in the dungeon, right?"

"100%. It's certain. I have a hunch. The question is who crossed the line first... Hehehe..."

"What does it matter who was first? Both of them are at fault. More importantly, what are we all going to do?"

"I'm curious about what Eun-ha thinks. What he wants to do."

"..."

The four of them talk among themselves.

The people present could only watch their expressions carefully to avoid getting scolded.

Meanwhile, Ryu Yeon-hwa spoke to her son in her arms.

"We'll see daddy soon... I hope daddy hasn't forgotten us. Right, Yu-seol?"

"Wah?"

"You say we don't need to worry?"

Noh Yu-seol, proving to be Ryu Yeon-hwa's child, resembled her in many ways.

However, the child's hair and eyes had a slightly darker, bluish color than Ryu Yeon-hwa's.

"Yu-seol, do you miss daddy too?"

"Wah."

"Yes, mommy misses him too."

Noh Yu-seol reaches out to Ryu Yeon-hwa, touching her cheek.

Then he shows a bright smile with an innocent face.

Ryu Yeon-hwa couldn't help but find the laughing child adorable.

A smile spreads on her face too.

"Our good and pretty baby. Mommy loves you."

"..."

Meanwhile, Han Chang-jin, watching this scene, decided after much deliberation.

'Yes, I shouldn't mention that Sister Iriya seems to be pregnant without considering the situation. It's not even certain yet...'

Anyway, when Eun-ha and his group return to Korea, it will be resolved one way or another.

Han Chang-jin decided to refrain from speaking.