Zero. The great mage makes a plan (3)

Early in the morning, Evan suddenly woke up. In front of him was Maybell’s neat face, asleep and quietly breathing after their night together. He thought that her impression had changed considerably due to her turning into a succubus. However, she still retained a girl’s purity in her expression. Of course, the naked body seen under her face was inversely proportional to it, and she boasted an almost nauseating charm, but…after Evan calmed himself instinctively, trying to prepare for battle, he carefully stepped out of bed and covered her body with a blanket.

“Aaahhnn…”

“This kid.”

Maybell frowned in her sleep, she felt Evan slip out and had groped around his side of the bed, but soon gave up, tired. Evan smiled and stroked her hair. A smile returned to her face quickly. She really was a puppy-like girl.

‘It must have been for me that she was exceptionally loud yesterday.’

What an incredible experience to pass through time was. What’s more, they had flown back to the time of the new generation. The curse that was arresting Evan was also cut off. Had it not been for Maybell, Evan would have suffered from a panic that couldn’t be compared to now.

‘…No, maybe she was really excited about being alone with me.’

When he remembered last night’s Maybell, he nodded. Didn’t she throw herself at him with enough momentum to make up for all the losses so far? His body trembled slightly. For the time being, the night with Evan would be only hers. If he were off guard, even Evan could be beaten. No, of course, there was no problem at all with it, but this was a matter of pride. He came out of the bedroom with determination and first washed his body with clean water.

“Sigh…”

Then he went down to the first floor of the tent and made tea. At first, he thought about drinking poisonous tea, but he thought about having the first morning in the new generation normally, so he brewed tea without poison after a long time deliberating.

“Hmm.”

He picked up the teacup, blew lightly, cooled it, and took a sip. He suddenly wondered what was going on outside. Of course, it could be said that there was no possibility that the enemy had invaded by cheating the border magic tools that Evan made himself. Still, he decided to check if anything happened.

“Wow…”

As soon as he opened the tent and came out, an exclamation burst out. There was a mystery hidden somewhere in the morning forest. A cool morning breeze came and swept under Evan’s nose. The scent of grass from the edge of the wind felt sweet, mingling with the scent wafting from his tea…

“Oh, this is poison.”

After all, it was the new generation and couldn’t be underestimated. He couldn’t believe that by just breathing in the morning, he would be taking in poison! However, it was just the right spice for Evan, who was feeling that the tea was a bit bland. It seemed crazy even when he thought about it himself, but since there was no way to turn it back, he decided to give up and accept.

“A fence or a border tool…no problem. But, as expected, consumption is intense.”

In the Yo-Ma Great War Zero’s new generation’s environment, everything became stronger. At the same time, everything became weaker. Since the environment was so harsh, just living there would train him, and his abilities would become stronger. He could particularly see it through objects. In short, endurance was severely consumed. It couldn’t last long in this world unless it were a permanent self-reproducing artifact. The phenomenon was so severe that if even a potion was left still, it would soon lose its performance. Long-term storage of food was also difficult unless certain barriers were established and stored therein. While Yo-Ma Great War 3 was a casual game with a choice of difficulty, Yo-Ma Great War Zero was a game that forced hard mode from the beginning.

‘But, to put it bluntly, most of the artifacts I have are those that work permanently…it’s also a problem that can be solved with alchemy.’

It meant that there were no problems with Evan-related things. If that happened, there was only one worry. How far should Evan really show his abilities? In this world, it was like a cheat key. His trivial actions could make a huge change. But, let’s say that, in the first place, there was a great deal of change that the great ancient mage made in the new generation. It wasn’t a problem that would be solved if he stayed quiet. Moreover, unless it was possible to return to the original time just by being still, he had to move in the end. He had to find a way to return to the original world in the game while fulfilling what the great ancient mage did.

‘That doesn’t mean that everything will be solved. If I go back like that, the curse is the same in the end. I have to find a way to solve the curse here and go back.’

Would it be solved by catching the Devil? However, even in the original Yo-Ma Great War Zero, the Devil was not caught and was stopped from being sealed. Moreover, if the Devil died, it would interfere with the development of Yo-Ma Great Wars 1, 2, and 3. He couldn’t kill it, after all. No, he wasn’t sure if he could kill it in the first place.

‘After sealing it securely, I’ll go back. That’s the most stable and wishful way. However, it is not clear if that will solve the curse, so I’ll have to come up with other means, too.’

The Elixir was still overwhelmingly influential among other means of solving the curse of the world. A fantasy potion that healed all diseases, prolonged life, and perfect existence, and there was only one step left until its manufacture. The only material left was the Hell Ruby! If he acquired a Hell Ruby, he could make the Elixir!

‘Can the Elixir really solve the curse of the world…? No, it can fix it. It has to.’

Evan clenched his fist firmly. He couldn’t be staying in the new generation as it is. He must clear the curse and return to the original world, meet Belois…and his dear ones again.

“Lua…”

He quietly whispered as if he might forget her name. He was sorry for his other dear ones, but he couldn’t help but remember Belois first. It was only a day since he had seen her face, and his chest felt heavy. He believed that he would surely be able to go back, but he trembled when he thought of one possibility.

“…Zero?”

Maybe that’s why he was a bit late to notice someone else’s approach.

“Hmm?”

“Are you okay?”

What he heard from behind was the voice of the girl elf. He turned around, and there was Mirole, looking as fresh and beautiful as the morning in this forest.

“I couldn’t tell you yesterday, but the morning wind is poisonous. I wanted to tell you because you might not know…”

“Oh, it’s okay because I have a high tolerance to poison. Good morning, Mirole.”

Evan kept his emotions together and said good morning to Mirole. As if she noticed it then, for some reason, her face was burning red.

“Er, your body is trembling…were you poisoned?”

“No, are you okay? Do you have a cold?”

“It’s not that, so it’s okay…I keep reminding myself…”

“Huuh…?”

As Evan took a step forward, Mirole instinctively took a step back. Evan was slightly hurt. He may sound like a jerk, but it was the first in his life that a woman saw him and stepped back!

“N-No, this is. Yes, I have a bit of fever right now, so I’m afraid to infect you.”

“I have a potion.”

“I-It’s okay! If I ask the spirits, I will heal soon!”

Hearing her words, his eyes narrowed and noticed a group of lights moving around her vigorously. She was the eternal princess blessed by the Mother Tree, and all the elves and spirits followed her. Even the curse of the world that tormented Evan wouldn’t dare to invade Mirole’s body. This wasn’t a matter of force and level but a matter of the natural body.

‘Huh? Then she shouldn’t have a fever in the first place…’

Evan, who came to such an absolutely natural conclusion, tilted his head in wonder, and he belatedly realized that Mirole’s gaze was nailed somewhere. It was at his groin.

“…!”

At that moment, intense enlightenment struck him. Obviously, the security of the tent where Evan and Maybell stayed was perfect. It was perfect, but he wasn’t sure if it would be perfect enough for the original spirits living in the ancient forest!

‘W-What is this…?’

He made every effort for security just in case, but it was too easily broken by the spirits. Such a mistake…!

“…”

Evan was astonished, and Mirole kept staring at that part of his body, not noticing that she had been caught by him. Her face was dyed red so that a tomato could come calling her its sister, but nevertheless, she didn’t try to take her gaze away. Evan drank tea as if hiding the sigh about to burst out. And he turned around, pretending not to know.

“Ah…”

Did she want to see more? He wanted to believe she didn’t. She was a girl full of curiosity, but it was still too early…!

“Ah, Master.”

Just then, Maybell walked out of the tent. As she approached him with staggering steps, she smiled as she looked at Evan, kissed him on the cheek, and naturally buried her face in his arms.

“Ehehe. Masteeer. I love you.”

“Me too. Did you have a nice sleep?”

“Yes.”

Yes, it certainly seemed to have succeeded in calming down yesterday’s ferocious momentum. The innocent voice reassured Evan.

“Oh, ah…!”

Although the timing of her appearance was the worst!

“Ah, you were there, Mirole. Did you sleep well?”

“Y-Ye…no, I kept waking up…”

“Huh?”

Maybell tilted her head, looking at Mirole, who couldn’t keep her gaze away, but soon Maybell realized. She was a succubus, even though she was defeated by Evan.

“Oh, my goodness…”

“Maybell.”

“I know.”

She whispered into Evan’s ear with a slightly spiteful smile.

“You mean to show off more in the future, right?”

“No, you idiot.”

“But maybe she’ll see it secretly in the future. It might be simple if you drag her to bed. She looks like a girl, but it’s already legal.”

“Please be quiet. How did you become like this…?”

It was then. Somewhere in the woods, a violent bang resounded out. At that moment, Mirole, who was embarrassed but didn’t hesitate to look at Evan and Maybell alternately, raised both ears.

“Maybe it’s the Mother!”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but shall we go? If it’s anything I can do, I’ll help.”

Of course, he knew what was going on. Rather, he was grateful that the event took place as scheduled. However, Mirole, who couldn’t read his mind, replied delightfully. If he defeated the Forest Giant at once, it wouldn’t be a problem for him.

“C-Can I ask you?”

“Sure. I’m indebted, so I have to help as much as I can.”

At his reply, Mirole smiled brightly. Shortly after, she moved her gaze a little and blushed.

“T-Then…let’s go now!”

“Maybell, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Evan also began to move after Mirole, who hurriedly turned around and started running as if to hide her own expression. Maybell was still hanging on his back.

“Mirole—she’s cute.”

“I told you yesterday already, but don’t stimulate her.”

“I have no intention of doing so, but it seems that I don’t even need to do it.”

Maybell was right. Mirole, who runs in front of them…seemed like she was trying to hide her emotions, but she couldn’t hide her two ears that were red.

“Ha…”

Evan sighed and kicked off the floor. In the end, to which direction was Yo-Ma Great War Zero going? Maybe it had already fallen into a labyrinth that couldn’t be escaped. He didn’t know, but he decided to put an extra layer of belly band around his stomach for now. The last event of the tutorial, a meeting with a different race, was waiting for him.