(EP-239.2) Summer Vacation #4

239 – Each Summer Vacation #4

As I held the gold-embellished paper up to the firelight, beautifully flowing words came into view.

「After a meeting with the Stella Merchant Guild board members, we would like to inform you that the following schedule has been set.」

「X month X day, X time. At Ark’s Great Temple VIP conference room.」

‘I see.’

They want me to attend a meeting at this date and time. It seemed the high-ranking members of the Bellhawk family would gather to negotiate and discuss some adjustments with me.

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」

It was roughly what I had anticipated, nothing to be surprised about.

This felt inevitable. It’s just that I got it quicker than expected. But I did like their prompt decision-making.

“So, is it true that you’re going to marry the winner of the martial festival?”

At that moment, someone spoke up, drawing our attention. It was Narmi, who had been chatting about banshees earlier.

“It sounds like a romantic story. Didn’t Princess Atalante of the Arcadia Kingdom do something similar? She said she would marry the one who could defeat her…!”

I didn’t know who Princess Atalante of the Arcadia Kingdom was, but from Narmi’s story, it seemed there was another headstrong royal in the world like Aira.

Even Elga once said, “You have to be stronger than me to marry me.”

Perhaps the strong women of this world had a universal desire to be defeated and dominated by a stronger man?

Elga tossed some dry firewood into the bonfire with a click of her tongue.

“It’s just a waste of time. Is there anyone in the world who can beat you?”

Aira chuckled softly at that.

“Fufu, Elga. My cousin Elganes, you’re being humble. I think we could have a good match. Are you not confident enough to fight me?”

Elga frowned in response.

“What are you talking about? Of course, I’m confident. But I don’t have the slightest intention of marrying you. I won’t participate in that silly little tournament.”

I had already expected that Elga wouldn’t join. The martial festival would begin in about a month, and by then, Elga’s belly would start to show.

She wouldn’t be in any condition for fighting.

Thinking about it made me anxious.

Time was running out.

“Who do you think will win?”

The conversation ended with the romance-loving Narmi posing a subtle question to the bonfire.

Hwoooooooo-.

At that moment, a strong gust of wind blew from somewhere. Because of it, I had to hurriedly reach out to keep my hat from flying off.

Then I got up from my seat, feeling a little chilled by all the gazes drawn to me.

“Excuse me, I need to go wash my hands.”

* * *

As the lazy summer evening party started winding down, Elga followed me when I went to wash my hands. She poked me on the side.

“Hey.”

“What’s the matter?”

“After talking today, I’m sure of it. Aira, that girl. She’s hiding something. I think she’s up to something.”

“Up to something?”

“That’s right, a secret scheme.”

‘A secret scheme….’

[T/N: Kkungkkungi is the literal sound of secret scheme if you spell it in English (from Korean word).]

It felt strange to hear that familiar word coming out of Elga’s mouth. It sounded like a baby name. Kkungkkungi. Is this what they call Gestalt collapse?

I was thinking about what if I named my child with Elga, Kkungkkungi…, when suddenly—

Diiing-.

Name: Kkungkkungi lv. 1

Job: Fairy lv. 1

Talent: 《Staying Still》

Disposition: Neutral

Eungae.

‘What is this?’

I was startled by the text that appeared before my eyes.

Whose status window was this?

No, why even ask? It was clear that this was the status of the child nestled in Elga’s belly. But the name was “Kkungkkungi”! I was stunned by the turn of events.

Did the name I came up with get stuck in the status window?

Surprised, I activated Calm Thinking and thought of the name Elga had given in advance, “Leonor.” Then the letters in front of me slowly changed.

Name: Leonor lv. 1

Job: Fairy lv. 1

Talent: 《Staying Still》

Disposition: Neutral

Eungae.

‘I see.’

Depending on what name I give, the display in the status window changed.

At that moment, something clicked.

The name displayed on my status window:

「Name: Theo Gospel Angmar」

This was because I had named myself Theo Gospel. The status window’s display wasn’t absolute.

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」

So, what was this body’s original name? As I was pondering over this, Elga poked my side again.

“Hey, are you listening to me?”

“Yes.”

“What did I just say?”

“… That Aira-nim has a secret scheme?”

“That was a while ago. What’s next?”

“Um….”

“Why aren’t you paying attention!?”

Elga growled as if she was angry.

It was understandable to be upset when someone isn’t focused on your words. But the things that just appeared in front of me were too interesting to ignore. Our child’s name could have ended up being ‘Kkungkkungi.’

Elga sighed reluctantly.

“Anyway, Aira isn’t doing this because she wants to get married. She’s plotting something. What do you think?”

I nodded at her question.

“I think so too.”

“Like the announcement that the big event will be held in the Tarantera estate at the Witch Forest. I have a feeling something’s going on, No… but that aside.”

Seureureuk-.

Elga reached her hand out.

Her hand was aimed at the straw hat I was wearing on my head.

“How much longer are you going to wear that unsightly thing? Hand it over. I’ve let it slide for the past few days, but I’ve had enough!”

“……!”

Edited by: faker