Chapter 224
Let’s turn back time a little—
To one day before the small girl revealed herself to the world.
When Da-eun was asked what she wanted to do, she hesitated.
Canaria simply watched her in silence, without urging her.
“…I…”
After a long silence, Da-eun’s voice pierced the still air.
“I want you to do whatever you want, Kana.”
“…?”
It wasn’t much different from answering “Anything’s fine” when asked what you want to eat.
Canaria’s delicate brow furrowed for a moment.
Passing the choice to someone else—sure, that’s fine.
She was the one who asked for Da-eun’s opinion first.
But if those were the words she gave after all that thought, then it was a different story.
It wouldn’t have been strange if she expressed disappointment with sharper words.
But that wasn’t why Canaria’s expression darkened.
‘There’s no way Da-eun would say something like that without thinking.’
It was simply the expression of pure doubt born from that belief.
“Da-eun.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re really okay with that?”
“Mm…”
It wasn’t really a properly phrased question.
But Da-eun understood exactly what Canaria meant.
“You’re worried that if you do what you want, it’ll cause trouble for me, right?”
“…It’s not worry. Just… I’m staying here as a guest. I can’t just act on my own.”
“Hehe. I see~”
Eyes like she was looking at a stubborn little kid.
Da-eun looked down at Canaria with warmth, but it was clear from her expression that she didn’t actually believe her.
Canaria noticed and made a mildly displeased face but said nothing—
Then Da-eun poked Canaria’s slightly puffed cheek with a finger and spoke.
“You protected me back in Silia, so I told you I’d protect you here.”
Of course, someone might say this.
That bringing events from a game—especially things with an NPC—into reality is just ridiculous.
But Da-eun knew Silia Online wasn’t just a simple game.
‘And even if it was, so what?’
As a player, Da-eun could die and revive, but Canaria, a resident of Silia’s world, could not.
Even so, Canaria had willingly answered Da-eun’s plea and saved her.
Even while coughing up blood and collapsing.
“Maybe you thought I was joking, but I was being serious.”
How could anyone hate someone who ran to save them, not caring for their own safety?
Unless the blood under their skin had been replaced with cold coolant, that would be impossible.
Da-eun was someone with warm blood flowing through her.
“If we reveal the truth, sure—it might get loud.”
She probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy peaceful days like now.
“But compared to what’s coming, that’s a minor problem. Didn’t you say we’ll have to risk our lives fighting when the Dimensional Creatures come?”
Sure, Canaria had added that nothing might happen—
But wasn’t it true that something had happened?
So, if there was a burden she could carry, she would.
So those fragile shoulders wouldn’t collapse under the weight of that burden.
“I’m your guardian, after all.”
“…”
Canaria looked at the confidently smiling Da-eun with a complicated gaze.
She hadn’t wanted to burden her—but ended up doing just that.
Just like that mistake Da-eun made during her stream before.
In this kind of situation, even if Da-eun denied it, people wouldn’t fully believe it.
And if she affirmed it clearly, it’d become a big hassle in other ways.
That’s why Canaria had tried to come up with a way to avoid burdening Da-eun—but now Da-eun was saying she wanted to go together. Of course her feelings were conflicted.
But for some reason—
Despite that turmoil, a faint smile tugged at Canaria’s lips.
“I’ve never had a guardian as stupid as you.”
“…You’re really gonna say that right now?”
Strange. The mood definitely felt warm just a moment ago…
Da-eun scratched her head and then flopped down.
“Anyway, does that mean you’re planning to tell the truth?”
“I was thinking about it… but I’m not sure yet.”
“I mean… it doesn’t seem like a bad idea, but…”
Da-eun tilted her head.
“Are you really okay with it?”
That meant she mattered more than Edel’s will.
Hearing those words had made her happy,
But it wasn’t a decision that could be made on emotion alone—
It would have significant consequences for what lay ahead.
Canaria’s answer was refreshing.
“If you’re that worried, just ask directly.”
“…Huh, wh-what?”
Then, she picked up her phone and called Edel.
Da-eun was dumbfounded by how casually she dialed, like she was just calling a neighborhood friend.
The call connected while Da-eun was still frozen in place.
-…What’s gotten into you? You’re the one calling me?
“That can happen.”
– It’s a wonder, considering you don’t even answer incoming calls.
Hearing Edel’s voice through the speaker, Da-eun gulped.
Though she’d gotten a little more used to it, Da-eun still found Edel intimidating.
Every time she started to feel relaxed watching her joke around with Canaria, remembering that Edel was a god who created an entire world would fill her with tension again.
So, it was only natural that Da-eun fell silent the moment the call began.
– What’s going on? Did you forget to say something earlier?
“I didn’t forget. I just have something I want to ask.”
-…This isn’t a prank call, right?
“Why would I prank call you?”
– Honestly, that sounds more convincing than you calling for a real reason. But fine, what is it you want to ask?
“Can I reveal what happened today? Truthfully, I mean.”
– …
“And my identity too, as a bonus.”
-…Hold on.
After a pause, as if organizing her thoughts, Edel responded.
– What made you suddenly think of that?
It had only been a few hours since she said she’d just let things play out. Now, out of nowhere, she was calling and asking if she could reveal everything. Edel was understandably taken aback.
But instead of expressing that surprise, she calmly asked.
Kana explained.
That people were suspecting that the person who handled the monster in Seoul and the NPC named “Canaria” from Silia were the same.
And that, because of a past incident, Da-eun was now also under suspicion.
– So that’s why you called. Of course, it was something related to that child.
“…What do you mean?”
– I meant, if it were only something involving just you, you wouldn’t have called.
Kana let out a short breath.
“Enough with the pointless talk. Just tell me—can I or can’t I?”
– Do whatever you want.
“You’re really okay with it?”
– Would you back down even if I said no?
“….”
– Thought so.
As Kana went silent, Edel chuckled.
– I figured letting you do what you want would be easier anyway. Revealing it won’t really change the bigger picture. So just do what you want.
“…Got it.”
Edel’s answer was refreshingly direct.
So much so that it made Da-eun’s long internal struggle feel pointless.
– Oh, wait.
Just as Canaria was about to end the call, Edel suddenly stopped her.
– What about this—
“Hm? Got a good idea?”
– You reveal the truth… but mix in a little lie.
Because when it comes to persuasion, a mixture of truth and lies is often more effective than complete honesty or complete deception.
– And besides, it’ll be better for that girl too.
“Explain.”
Canaria’s tone became more proactive.
‘Maybe it’s about time I admitted it.’
Edel felt Canaria’s shift in attitude but chose not to say it aloud.
***
“…Kana?”
“…Ah.”
I snapped back to reality at the sound of Da-eun’s voice as I recalled the conversation I’d had with Edel.
Then I shook my head to reassure Da-eun, who was looking down at me with concern.
Where had I left off again…?
Right, I’d just said I died and came back to life.
Though I hadn’t been spacing out for very long, the chat window had gotten quite lively.
— What’s wrong?
— ??
— Is she hurt or something?
— Would any of you be able to talk calmly about having died and come back to life?
— Ah
— ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
— Yeah… that’s true…
Ironically, the mood in the chat had grown more sympathetic.
It seemed the way my words cut off made them assume I was recalling the moment of my death.
Since that misunderstanding worked in my favor, I didn’t bother correcting them.
“After I died… I met God. Edel… the goddess.”
I had a sudden thought—
If my words spread, wouldn’t it cause a huge stir in religious circles?
“And Edel… told me. That Silia was already a destroyed world, and that Earth was now facing the same threat that destroyed Silia.”
This was the scenario Edel had created.
It was true that Earth was in danger, and that she had asked for help, so it wasn’t a complete lie.
It was just… full of hidden context.
“That’s why I came back to life.”
Revived from death at the request of a god, to protect Earth—
A warrior.
Edel never actually used the word “warrior,” but just from what I said, it sounded exactly like that.
…Honestly, it’s embarrassing. Shameful. Cringe.
What kind of fairy tale nonsense is “warrior”?
That kind of righteous role really isn’t my style.
But Edel had a point when she said this version would win people’s hearts more easily.
If it meant easing Da-eun’s burden, I could endure this kind of embarrassment.
…Still.
‘…A warrior, huh.’
I tried not to show it, but I couldn’t help letting out a little sigh.
—
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