chapter 25
Genebia muttered blankly as she looked around at the crime scene that had been cleared in an instant.
All around the abandoned warehouse, a heap of thugs lay sprawled on the ground—completely wrecked after being beaten down by Sion.
“What about the children?”
Sion asked as he sheathed his sword behind his back.
Still dazed for a moment, Genebia suddenly snapped back to her senses.
“Ah!”
She hurriedly ran off somewhere.
“W-wait, it’s dangerous to go alone!”
I shouted in alarm.
No matter how she looked, the heroine was, by setting, a healing priest with zero combat ability.
At that moment, Sion spoke calmly.
“There are no more presences around here. She’ll be fine.”
“Phew… really?”
As I visibly relaxed, Sion stared at me.
“…That’s unlike you.”
“Huh? Why?”
“You usually treat people like livestock, yet you seem strangely concerned about that priestess. What’s gotten into you?”
“Livestock, seriously….”
Well, he wasn’t wrong.
The only human I truly cared about in this world was Sion.
But Genebia wasn’t just anyone—she was the heroine of this world.
‘And your destined partner, Sion.’
Of course, I couldn’t spoil anything due to the system, and I already knew how he’d react if I said that, so I just shrugged like I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Huh? Me? Not at all.”
But when Sion narrowed his eyes at me, I hurriedly added,
“I mean, still! Meeting like this is fate, right? Might as well build a good relationship! Who knows? Maybe Genebia will become someone very, very important to you someday!”
Sion ignored me entirely, as if my words weren’t even worth responding to.
I felt my stomach drop.
“Sion, you never know what might happen! She’s going to work at the Grand Duke’s castle too, so you’ll probably see her often—if you treat her too coldly now, you might regret it later—”
“I’d rather spend that time on something more productive.”
“…B-but still, isn’t it admirable? She risked herself alone for those kids. That takes serious courage.”
“It’s something anyone can do. Something that must be done.”
“…Still, since we helped her anyway, let’s help her adjust better when she comes to the castle, okay?”
“Sorry, I have no intention of doing something so bothersome. If you want to, I won’t stop you.”
“….”
‘No… the one who’s supposed to get close to the heroine is you, Sion. What am I supposed to do befriending her?’
I sighed deeply at his impenetrable attitude.
Just then, Genebia appeared in the distance, leading a group of children.
“I rescued all the kids!”
Unlike her earlier dark, prickly demeanor, her face now wore a bright, warm smile as she held the children’s hands.
‘…Well, that part hasn’t changed.’
Genebia gently spoke to the sniffling children behind her.
“Here, this is the knight who helped us. You should thank him.”
The dirty children all turned their eyes toward Sion.
“Th-thank you!”
“Thank you for saving us…!”
“Waaah, I want my mom!”
Seeing Sion’s imposing, knight-like presence, the children finally seemed to relax and began crying one after another.
Genebia pulled them into a tight embrace.
Not long after, Garen arrived at the scene with several knights, having received Sion’s message.
Under the knights’ protection, the children were either returned to their families or placed in facilities within the city.
Looking up at the now dark night sky, I said,
“Whoa, the whole day’s already gone.”
What was supposed to be a simple shopping trip had turned into meeting the heroine and unexpectedly resolving a human trafficking case—a truly eventful day.
Even if it wasn’t planned, it was still… productive in its own way.
For example—
“Ahem… um.”
‘Like that Genebia over there, hesitantly approaching Sion.’
Genebia awkwardly muttered as she approached him.
“…Thank you. For helping.”
Unlike before, when she distrusted him, she now seemed genuinely impressed by Sion’s actions.
There was even a faint blush on her cheeks—whether from embarrassment or gratitude.
I immediately picked up on the subtle atmosphere in the air and widened my eyes.
‘Oh? This vibe…!’
I looked up at Sion and shouted in my mind.
‘Sion! This is your chance! Seal the deal with that fluttering heart! Start the romance!!!’
As if my telepathy worked, Sion looked at Genebia and spoke.
“You seem to be mistaken.”
“…Huh?”
‘Huh?’
In his usual indifferent tone, Sion said,
“I was saving the children of the North. There’s no reason for you to thank me.”
“…Oh. I see.”
At that utterly mood-killing response, a vein popped on Genebia’s forehead.
“I see.”
Watching her expression sour instantly, I stared at Sion.
‘…Sion. Are you a T-type or what?’
Genebia then completely ignored Sion and turned to me, who was sitting on his shoulder.
“Um, you’re Lin, right?”
“…Yeah.”
“Where are you heading now?”
“…Well.”
My mind started racing.
At this rate, the first meeting event between Sion and Genebia was going to end in total disaster.
Instead of building affection, they’d only stacked mutual dislike.
‘I need to do something!’
Just then, I spotted the brightly lit Lafren city center in the distance.
An idea struck me.
“Hey, want to grab something to eat?!”
Right on cue, my stomach let out a loud growl.
Grrrrrrrrr—
Both Sion and Genebia stared at me in shock.
Suppressing my embarrassment, I forced a cheerful tone.
“E-Ellda said there are tons of great restaurants in the plaza! Let’s go, okay?”
I decided to force a “group outing” vibe no matter what.
I had to salvage this disastrous first meeting somehow.
“…A restaurant?”
Genebia glanced at Sion, not entirely convinced.
Sion replied indifferently,
“Fine. I skipped lunch, so eating something would be good.”
With that, he walked out of the warehouse, me perched on his shoulder.
After hesitating for a moment, Genebia followed us.
Even at night, Lafren’s city center was as bright as day.
After finishing a rather awkward meal with barely any conversation, the three of us stepped outside.
For a moment, I forgot everything and gave an honest review.
“Wow, this place is actually really good.”
“…Not bad.”
“Honestly, it’s better than what I had in the capital.”
“Right? Let’s come again, the three of us!”
“….”
“….”
After that, we wandered through the crowded plaza.
Because I insisted we continue shopping.
‘I’m exhausted, but I can’t end things like this.’
I scanned the area, searching for some kind of romantic opportunity.
“There has to be something… something that could turn into a romantic moment…”
Just then—
“Come one, come all! Direct imports from the imperial capital! Brand-new bags from Madame Chanel and Madame Guthie! Half price for tonight only!!”
“W-what!?”
“Oh my, I need that!”
“Honey, hurry!!”
A crowd of women suddenly rushed toward the stall, creating a surge of people.
“Whoa!”
“Lin!”
As I was nearly knocked off, Sion caught and shielded me.
“Ah!”
Genebia also lost her balance in the crowd.
At that moment, Sion reflexively caught her.
“…!”
‘N-nice, Sion!’
I covered my mouth.
Genebia, who had almost fallen, looked up at him in surprise.
“Th-that startled me…”
Their eyes met.
This was clearly a romantic moment.
I stared at Sion with wide eyes.
‘Sion! Please…!’
After confirming the crowd had passed, Sion let her go.
“That’s enough. Step back.”
“Ah!”
Genebia stumbled back like she’d been brushed off.
She glared at him.
“I almost fell, you know!”
“You’re mistaken. You were about to fall, and I caught you. And now you’re getting angry again.”
“Ugh, seriously…”
She muttered under her breath, practically cursing.
Watching them, I slowly blinked.
‘…Yeah, it’s over. This is beyond saving.’
“Lin. Let’s head back.”
Sion brushed off his robe.
Overwhelmed by exhaustion, I nodded.
“…Okay.”
Like a defeated soldier, I weakly waved at Genebia.
“…Bye. See you.”
“Yes, thank you for everything, Lin.”
She smiled at me, then shot Sion a cold glance before turning away.
Sion also left without a trace of emotion.
Watching them go, I couldn’t help but seriously worry about Sion’s future.
