secret(5)

Helios’ drawing room.

In an impressive place with a unique antique interior, three family heads were sitting around a round table.

Helena with a drowsy expression, Thereon solemn, and Claire still smiling.

There was nothing special about the reason why the three mismatched people gathered together.

It was because the Council of Elders had called a meeting due to the consortium and the earth situation, and there was little time left before the upper level coordinated opinions.

Dalgrak-

The sound of teacups being tipped scattered throughout the large drawing room.

The drawing room was vast enough for three people to use, but they greeted each other familiarly, as if they couldn’t see the empty space in the empty drawing room.

“Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since we’ve all been together.”

“hahahaha. That’s right. I’m almost new.”

Terreon’s words were accepted by Claire.

Even though it was an uncommon meeting, there was no awkwardness for them.

It’s just that they didn’t have a personal vowel, because the faces here were the faces they’d always seen leading the family.

At least, the only one he knew little about was Deneb’s Claire, whose family name had changed relatively recently.

Thereon looked at them as they sat around the large table.

“It reminds me of the old days. Before we split up, there were times when we got together like this often.”

Hororok.

Helena, who was drinking tea, took the word.

“I see. Back then, you were a little younger and worth seeing. Now you’re a grandfather.”

“Even if you stay over 100 years old, it’s better than acting like a young man.”

tingling-

Thereon calmly ignored Helena’s sharp gaze.

“hehehe. I hope you’re all happy when you’re older?”

Claire sips her tea with her sunglasses still on.

She was the only person I met here for the first time, the youngest in her mid-twenties.

“But, is it really? The fact that the emperor moved and Professor Yujin Kang contacted him.”

“That’s right. I saw it myself.”

Helena recalled the scene at the time.

The appearance of the emperor as if it were made in pitch black.

And, like the abyss he radiated, the deep and dark magic.

It was so gloomy and terrifying that it made me feel really lucky that I hadn’t sent my daughter away.

“And the professor survived the confrontation with the Emperor?”

“Yes.”

Receiving Claire’s question, Helena projected the scene at that time with her holy power.

The terrain that used to be a mountainous area was completely shattered and the land was infested with lava.

Kang Yoo-jin and the emperor confronting each other there.

“… Aside from the confrontation with the emperor, is this really a scene created by one person?”

“Well…the professor did testify that there was another wizard nearby.”

In an investigation not long ago, Kang Yoo-jin stated that, but no one here believed what he said.

“Aren’t you trembling with humility?”

“That’s right. Or he’s hiding his power.”

The three nodded their heads.

For some reason, they had a vague belief that Yujin Kang would have this level of power…

“Anyway, he’s the one who ended the war. Rather, this may not be a full force.”

The power he showed during the invasion of Helios and Centralpolis.

In addition, this time, he not only fought and survived the ‘Emperor’, but also fought with each other.

In other words, this may not be Kang Yu-jin’s power…

They seemed to know why the council of elders cherished Kang Yu-jin so much.

“That’s why. How about inducing Professor Yujin Kang to sign a contract of faith with our Angels?”

In an instant, Terreon’s eyes twitched as he was tilting the teacup.

“Currently, there is only one person who can sign a contract with Vega.”

“That’s right. It’s just our Ensia.”

Helena nodded in affirmation.

“…I remember that you were a prudent group when it came to contracts.”

“Whatever it was.”

Angels who make a contract live a long time.

She also lived for over 100 years, and the daughter she finally got after a long time was Encia.

It was true that she was very careful about her daughter’s contract, and even though she knew that she liked Yujin Kang, she thought carefully…

“I’ve changed my mind a bit.”

A genius professor who caused a stir in academia.

In addition to having the ability to collect money through rotating body kits and various papers, he even has a career as an SS-class hunter who has ended the war.

In addition, this time, he fought the emperor for the first time and even drew.

As Vega’s spouse, it was a resume that was not lacking.

“Look at this.”

With a rare smile, she took the photo out of her arms and held it up.

It was a commemorative photo of Encia who was 17 years old, taken not long ago.

A mischievous smile crept across her lips.

“My daughter has grown up a lot, right? Ensia really likes that professor.

Encia was the one who sang Yujin Kang’s song ever since they met in the winter forest.

At the time, Helena, who was a professor without experience, worried every night, but now she didn’t have to.

Encia’s eyesight was simply superior to her own.

“Professor Yujin Kang cannot become a Constellation because he is not a star.

Helena thought her argument was valid.

When a person like Kang Yoo-jin chooses one family, the balance of power inevitably shifts to that family.

Even more so now that the three families are similarly balanced.

It wouldn’t be strange if the opposite was said, but Helena thought her opinion would be accepted.

It is said that it will make the opponents of the emperor stronger, but they have no reason to oppose it…

“Don’t you think about the age difference?”

“…Angels live a long time. It’s about the age difference.”

Are you going to throw this over?

Helena looked at Thereon suspiciously.

“It’s hard for me to defend the fact that too much power is concentrated on a specific family.”

“···I do not know.”

Helena’s hand touched the teacup.

She caught sight of Terreon expressing her disapproval and Claire’s silence.

“You know? The war is getting fiercer, and now even the emperor has appeared.”

To them, she took out her original theory.

“I can’t afford to be torn apart by ideology anymore. Like it or not, the time will come when the three generations will have to join forces again.”

“·······.”

“This is to prepare for that.”

The other two were speechless.

Helena is not wrong.

No, rather, it would be a natural thing to say in the current situation.

Even though the threat from the Witchbeast grew stronger day by day, they also couldn’t afford to postpone cooperation under the pretext of ideology.

In heavy silence, Thereon set down his teacup.

“If you think about it that way, wouldn’t my granddaughter suit you better?”

“···Eh?”

Brushing off his beard, he took out a picture as well.

It was also a picture of Estelle taken a while ago.

“How about it. Didn’t she grow up well? She looks just like my daughter-in-law and is very cute.”

“Ah yes···.”

“It hasn’t been made official yet, but Estelle will soon be on the ‘Test of Ascension’. She’s preparing to become a Constellation.”

At those words, the two of them widened their eyes.

“Huh… you mean the test of ascension? I think it’s too early in terms of timing.”

“If I was 17… I wouldn’t have met the conditions to sign a ‘contract’ yet, right?”

Trial of Ascension.

It refers to the test candidates for the Constellation take to become a Constellation.

Normally, a candidate who has graduated from Helios and has ‘qualifications’ contacts the ‘singularity’ and signs a contract, but in Estelle’s case, it was two years earlier.

It’s an unprecedented thing.

“In Estelle’s case, she was lucky. She had the opportunity to contact the Singularity before she even graduated from Helios.”

Due to Balthazar’s intrusion, she was able to enter the record exceptionally through Heritage’s Byway with Kang Yu-jin.

Unlike the midterm exam, which blocked the reaction of the singularity, it is a ‘unrestricted’ position.

And Estelle’s wish manifested there moved the singularity.

“If it’s Estelle’s talent, she’ll be promoted to a Constellation sooner or later. In my opinion, it’s more efficient to work with an intact Constellation rather than an angelic tribe.”

“It’s about evaluating a spouse based on efficiency…”

“And my granddaughter also seems to have a crush on Professor Yujin Kang.”

“·······.”

Helena bit her lip.

I knew Altair was secretly siding with Yujin Kang, but I never thought he would want it this much.

It was now clear why Terreon seemed uncomfortable.

Helena and Thereon.

The head of the two families had a sharp fight.

“hahahaha. This is true.”

Then, Claire, who was casually chewing popcorn next to her arms, intervened.

“Will a person without children live in sorrow?”

“…wouldn’t you like to get married too?”

“hehehe…well, I don’t have any thoughts of wanting to get caught up in that yet.”

The two looked at Claire without speaking.

A heroine with an incongruously easy-going and frugal personality.

Despite having a formidable status as the family head of Deneb, he is an oddball who usually kills time as a police officer on the Helios Guard Team.

Receiving the mysterious stares of the two heads of household, Claire smiled and said.

“And, if you’re going to check, what should you do with Professor Skadi first? Professor Skadi isn’t very good, so it seems like they live together like gum.”

“·······.”

“·······.”

In an instant, the eyes of the two heads became sharp.

I meant it was real.

She shrugged and nodded.

“I’m on Helios. You see me every day?”

Then, the faces of the two heads of families hardened to the point of seeing.

Apparently, oil was poured into the burning house, but Claire still laughed.

Honestly, it was a lot of fun to watch.

*

A lofty universe in an outer dimension far away from the stars.

Sitting there alone, Laniakea closed her eyes in the silence that filled all directions.

Darkness creeping in with closed eyes.

In the darkroom she created herself, she recalled the words of the elders.

– It is said that Yujin Kang and the emperor contacted each other.

– This is not a danger sign.

-If he realizes the truth…

– I think it would be right to take some action…

They all expressed their concerns, and she delayed answering.

Did the emperor really tell Kang Yu-jin everything?

If so, would Yujin Kang believe it?

Uneasy about that, Laniakea unknowingly clenched her fists.

“Eugene-sama…”

She recalled the current fate that had been passed down from a long time ago.

In the past, four Constellation candidates headed for Earth carrying the test of ascension.

For the birth of a constellation, it is natural to throw a world into the fiery furnace of war.

Wolfgang and Patrick were in favor, Angela was neutral and Kaya was against.

And Raniakea was silent in their will.

Because it was her existence that kept silent no matter what.

By the decision thus handed over to the elder, their test was passed.

-then. I’ll go too.

Then, Maria, who had been still, stepped out.

If it is unavoidable, he says he will change something.

She headed to Earth with her convictions and met Kang Yoo-jin, who lost everything, and the meeting was separated by each other’s death.

Perhaps it was from then.

She woke up from a long silence and despite everyone’s disapproval, revived the dead Yujin Kang.

Even though I know the catastrophe that will be inevitable.

Even knowing that humanity is also responsible for everything he lost.

“Ah…”

My heart, weighed down by guilt, ached as if it had been scraped with a knife.

The realization of the death of a family member came as a heart-piercing pain.

Did I deserve to bring you back?

At that time, if I had rejected that test… you wouldn’t have lost everything…

“If one day you know the truth…”

Can I look straight into his eyes?

Swallowing remorse and anguish, she opened her closed eyes.

It was because her apostle was calling her Constellation.

Hwaaa-

The place he reached in the form of his mental body was in the middle of a winter forest.

It is a pure white space where it is cloudy all year round and cold wind and snow flurries mix.

There, Yujin Kang was waiting for her.

“You’re here.”

Perhaps it was because of the trouble just now, a ripple spread in Raniakea’s eyes when she saw Yujin Kang.

My heart trembled, my heart ached as if I had swallowed a blade, and my lungs seemed to be confined.

The feeling of self-reproach was such a deep-seated pain.

“···Yeah.”

Still, he struggled to smile.

As always, fearing the truth, all she can give him is this little smile that would be nothing but hypocrisy.

Raniakea smiled softly and looked at Yujin Kang.

“Did you call, my apostle?”

“Yes. Sorry for calling you while you were busy.”

His voice, as usual, didn’t sound the slightest agitated.

Thanks to her, she realized.

oh This man hasn’t heard anything yet.

Even though he was a little relieved by that fact, he was disgusted with himself and made him feel sick.

Raniakea asked with her eyes wide open.

“···It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the winter forest. Do you keep visiting these days?”

“Yes. There is no place like this to train magic.”

“I see… Why did you call me this time?”

He said it was called the work of Avanrat, a dimension he had recently regained.

Avantrat is fertile soil that contains the holy power derived from the remains of the constellation, the demonic energy of the monsters, and the magical energy of each dimension.

It would be of great help if we could use that heavenly environment as a training ground.

He hoped to pull the drifting island of Avanrat to the safety of the central dimension.

“I know it’s difficult, but…”

“Yes. I’ll do it.”

After immediately agreeing, he asked back with a slightly puzzled face.

“···Are you okay?”

“Of course.”

And, she still smiled.

“It’s Eugene-sama’s request.”

In response to that favorable reply, Yujin Kang lowered her head with a rare smile.

“Thank you. You always get help.”

“·······.”

However, Laniakea was not happy.

All she had to do was lower her head and bite her lip so she couldn’t see him.

Do you know…?

That this favor I am giving you is nothing more than petty hypocrisy.

That I am the one responsible for everything you lost…

Even though I want to say everything and ask for forgiveness, I am doing this because I do not have the courage to do so… do you know?

“By the way… I heard that you met the Emperor recently.”

I am afraid to tell you the truth.

“Are you okay…?”

“No big deal. Kaya helped.”

Kaya.

A bold child who was the only one who opposed the Ascension Test.

There was a vague longing in Kang Yoo-jin’s voice when she spoke of her… as an old colleague.

“Do you miss it…? Your colleagues?”

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss it.”

They shared their sincerity with each other and were like family to Yujin Kang.

Especially since Kaya was the youngest child and only followed Yujin Kang.

Kang Yoo-jin still couldn’t forget the bond he shared with them.

“But I don’t want to meet them. They deserve peace.”

“Then Eugene-sama…?”

“I am not.”

There was a firm and firm conviction in his voice as he answered.

“Isn’t it right for a person who has nothing to lose to take on a life that can only be lost in war?”

“·······.”

She drew in a sharp breath.

“Are you okay? Your complexion is not looking good.”

“Nothing…nothing.”

Know.

That the current disregard will one day return as a dagger.

Surely, the day will come when he will point the gun at himself that was aimed at the Witchbeast.

The day will come in the end when those eyes full of kindness will be filled with hatred, and you will shoot yourself in the heart…

‘If that’s the case…’

To fall while holding on to the hatred that will pierce your heart.

That would be the only death allowed to her… to the constellation ‘Laniakea’.

Enduring the pain in her throbbing heart, she smiled like the first time.

Because that was the cowardly hypocrisy she could do.

“Cheer up. My apostle.”

*

Time passed quickly, and Laniakea accepted my request and transported Avanrat to the central dimension.

This area, which is similar to Jeju Island, was originally owned by the Allied Forces, but I was gifted it in the name of ‘long-term rental’ for the progress of this consortium.

In other words, it means that the whole of this wide soil is now my possession.

“Are you next to a genius professor and a businessman?”

Skadi, who followed me, said that with a puzzled face.

“Here, the one I received is good, but there is no infrastructure at all.

“It’s enough to build infrastructure.”

training facility.

Creating an educational environment.

These are all problems that can be solved with excellent technology at the central level.

It even takes a little time.

Unlike Earth, the construction method here was a technology from another world with ‘magical power’ added…

“It will cost a lot of money? You will need shillings in billions, but that amount of money, even at the central level…”

Without saying a word, I pressed the watch to bring up a screen.

My account linked to the bank was taken, and there were deposits of the salary I had received so far, the profit I had earned from the rotating body kit, and the trivial income I had earned from citing thesis.

“What is this? Account? Show off your money to me… Look… Do…?”

Her voice stopped.

Blink.

The purple eyes blinked as if refreshed.

“2…200 million shillings…?”

“Yes.”

“This is all… your money…?”

“That’s right.”

About 240 million shillings to be exact.

So if you convert it to won, it’s about 240 billion won.

In addition to receiving a decent salary, the profit from the rotation body kit was higher than expected.

Thanks to you, I became rich that I couldn’t even dream of in my lifetime.

It’s getting to the point where you can actually wield the money cheats from the games you played in your childhood.

“Do you know Show Me The Money?”

“What did you say···?”

“···it’s nothing.”

If Patrick or Wolfgang had been there, they would have laughed.

I put my bitter taste behind and saw the soon-to-be-changed Avantrat.

The emperor he met on Earth, and the unmatched mighty power he possessed.

This place will be the anvil where the blade that will cut the emperor’s throat will be sharpened.

“···wait.”

Sooner or later, I will be standing in front of you.