𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 ③ / 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
On the outskirts of the town of Isavel, there was a large ranch.
Fluffy sheep were leisurely napping in the ranch, and an old shepherd named Walken was sweating while repairing the fence.
The old man, Walken, wiped his sweat.
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“Whew. . . . . .”
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Retirement.
Everyone in town said the same thing.
However, the wool from here is renowned for its quality in town, and it’s popular even in the Asgard Kingdom. Moreover, not only sheep, but they also started raising goats, and dairy products made from their milk like butter and cheese became trendy.
Thanks to expanding their business, they had money. But they lacked manpower.
He was blunt and looked fierce, so even if he hired someone, they’d quickly quit. Despite having popular products, they were always short on supply.
Additionally, Walken was now over seventy.
His son works in the Asgard Kingdom, and his daughter got married. He hasn’t seen them in over a decade. In fact, he parted with his son on bad terms. He hasn’t even seen his grandchildren.
Walken wiped his sweat and headed towards the broken fence when━━
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“You’re so clumsy.”
“What?!. . . . . .Oh?! Is that you?!”
“Thought you might’ve kicked the bucket.”
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There was a young man wearing a ten-gallon hat, making sarcastic remarks but seeming somewhat delighted.
His name was Kid. No other young man would dare to speak so bluntly to Walken.
It felt like the return of his son, and Walken was overjoyed.
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“Hahaha! What, did you finish some big job?”
“Kind of. Took a break and came to visit. . . . . .Geez, can’t you fix the fence properly? Hand it over.”
“Hey, don’t treat me like an old man. I’m still young!”
“What are you talking about with those dried-up radish arms? Anyway, tell me if there’s anything that needs to be done. I’ll wrap it up quickly.”
“Oh, alright. . . . . .But first.”
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Walken noticed a group behind Kid.
Six girls, one boy, and an odd mix of a small tiger and a sloth.
Kid casually threw a glance at them and said.
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“The guys are here to help. Use the girls for miscellaneous tasks. It’s a one-man house here, there should be some laundry or something.”
“””””You’re being too vague!!”””””
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The group shouted in unison.
Then, one from the group named Albero spoke up.
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“We all came because Kid said he’s 『visiting the old man he owes a lot to』… Oh, sorry for the late introduction. I’m Albero. I’m Kid’s classmate.”
“Classmate. . . . . .Oh, I remember, you’re still a student, right? You brought your friends?”
“Friends, huh? Aren’t you just tagging along?!”
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Kid was suddenly smacked on the head by Ridelle.
Walken was shocked by the sudden event, and Kid held his head, enduring the pain.
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“I’m so sorry for his rudeness!! By the way, this is a ranch, right? Kid said he’d work here after graduation, so we all came to greet you.”
“Hey, why did everyone come to greet? And you just followed me on your own, didn’t you?”
“Shut up!! Uh, you’re Walken-san, right? If there’s anything we can help with…”
“Oh, well. . . . . .My, you’re impressive.”
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Walken was simply overwhelmed by the bowing Ridelle.
Watching the scene, Shin Asgard tugged on Albero’s sleeve.
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“Ridelle has completely become Kid’s bride, hasn’t she?”
“Well, everyone thinks so.”
“Fufu. I want to get married soon too. Albero.”
“Let’s talk after graduation.”
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Shin clung to Albero’s arm and grinned mischievously.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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After Shin was defeated by Albero, she was secretly transported to Isavel territory.
Bartholomew and Yuisis were responsible for the transportation. They persuaded Yorha, and it was officially announced that 『Albero had defeated Shin, leaving no remains』. Shin is presumed dead.
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Now, Shin is nothing more than a powerless girl. The 『Queen of Hearts』 lost all her power, so the 『Capricious Queen』 can’t even transform her left arm.
Shin remained quiet for a while, but now she is assisting Bartholomew in managing the Isavel territory. Moreover, she was very eager to marry Albero, interpreting 『holding Albero accountable』 in her own way.
For Albero, after being told 『take care』 by the Queen, he couldn’t outright reject her.
Upon finding out about Albero’s engagement to Lapis and Ashe and the promise to have a child with Yorha, Shin casually mentioned, 『I’ll be the fourth then. I also want a child』.
Albero spoke as he was fixing the fence of the ranch with Kid.
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“Ugh. . . . . .Shin sneaked into my bed naked yesterday. It would have been troublesome if Ashe wasn’t there.”
“So, did you make a move?”
“No, I didn’t. Ashe took Shin away. Well, lots happened, but I think it’s good that she get along with Ashe and the others.”
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A hammer is used to drive in nails.
Looking in the distance, Walken was seen grazing sheep.
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“You’re becoming a shepherd?”
“Yes.”
“What about Ridelle?”
“. . . . . .Who knows?”
“Why don’t you just confess?!”
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The hammer was thrown, so a giant hand was hurriedly used for defense.
Albero’s right hand functions without any issues and retains its power. However, the warmth he once felt from Mog was completely gone.
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“You’re the one, not me. I don’t want to be lectured by someone who has three wives and one mistress.”
“Well Yorha isn’t my mistress.”
“Well, do as you please.”
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Kid looked at a separate building from the main house where Walken lived.
Around this time, the women would be cleaning thoroughly.
Kid’s gaze was fixed on Ridelle, who was hanging out laundry.
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“. . . . . .Tsk.”
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Before he knew it, he had become desirous.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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That night.
They had a lavish dinner at Walken’s main house.
They were planning to return home, but Walken offered them to stay at the guest house. The women stayed in the guest house, while Kid and Albero decided to stay at Walken’s place.
After getting lively with Walken’s treasured liquor, Albero was completely drunk, and Walken fell sound asleep.
Kid, after covering the two with blankets, went outside.
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“. . . . . .Sigh.”
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The sky was filled with stars.
The cold air felt refreshing, and with each deep breath, it seemed to permeate every part of his body.
As he walked around the ranch for a little stroll. . . . . .
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“Ah, Kid.”
“It’s you. . . . . .”
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Ridelle was there.
She was only wearing a thin dress.
Noticing her shivering slightly, Kid draped his jacket over her.
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“Oh, you’re kind.”
“Hmph. . . . . .so, what are you doing?”
“Hmm. . . . . .watching the stars. Everyone got drunk.”
“Same here. That idiot downed a high-proof Scotch.”
“Fufu, same here. Ashe chugged an entire wine bottle.”
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It was a natural conversation.
It felt really good.
Kid looks at Ridelle’s face.
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“. . . . . .Wh, what?”
“No. By the way, what are you going to do after this?”
“Huh?”
“You’re becoming a designer, right? You’ll graduate from the academy in another year. What will you do after that?”
“. . . . . .Well, I plan to apprentice with this designer at Isavel.”
“I see. Well, you have money, so it seems you can live comfortably.”
“Ah. . . . . .I don’t have money.”
“. . . . . .What? Didn’t you get a scholarship?”
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Those who contributed to the Demon Emperor War were paid a large amount of reward money.
Enough to live leisurely for a lifetime.
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“I donated it. To facilities and churches all over the Asgard kingdom. . . . . .I mean, I wouldn’t have any use for it.”
“. . . . . .Huh.”
“So, that’s why! I’ll start from scratch. After graduation, I’ll come to Isavel, look for a place to live, and work. . . . . .”
“. . . . . .Right.”
“Huh?”
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Kid looked away and muttered something under his breath.
Not hearing clearly, Ridelle asked for clarification.
However. . . . . .Kid adjusted his hat and whispered even more softly.
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“. . . . . .You have a place to stay, don’t you?”
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Even though it was a whisper, Ridelle heard it clearly.
After about thirty seconds of silence━━. . . . . .she somewhat understood 『the meaning』. And then, Ridelle blushed and looked at Kid.
Kid took a small breath to calm himself.
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“After graduation, you can live here.”
“W, What do you mean by that. . . . . .”
“This annex is where I’m supposed to live. . . . . .After I graduate, I’ll succeed Walken as a shepherd. You can renovate the annex to your liking. It might be nice to open a store here too.”
“. . . . . .Wh, what’s that. Ah, ahaha, it, it sounds like a pro.”
“Ridelle.”
“Y, Yes.”
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Kid faced Ridelle directly.
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“I’m not usually this serious, so just once. . . . . .Stay by my side.”
“. . . . . .Y, Yes.”
“━━. . . . . .”
“Uh. . . . . .”
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Under the moonlight, the two figures overlapped.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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“S, Seriously…….”
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Albero, who had gone to the bathroom, ended up seeing it.
He was quite far away and there was only the moonlight. However, with Albero’s overwhelming vision, he saw it.
Kid and Ridelle. . . . . .it seems their feelings resonated with each other.
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“. . . . . .Congratulations, both of you.”
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Pretending he hadn’t seen anything, Albero returned to the house.
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