How to Tame That Gentle Hero - Chapter 9.10

Resena continued softly.

“People’s connections are all linked from various angles. However, when those connections are recognized as inappropriate, one tends to be cautious in areas that shouldn’t require attention. Eldis, you’ve done well as the Crown Prince and have used your connections appropriately, but from now on, you’ll need to make decisions based on intuition rather than being influenced by connections.”

“……Does that mean the opponents I’ll face are not to be taken lightly?”

Resena spoke quietly, her tone deliberately soothing.

“Yes. According to Sernaus, who appeared in my dream, if things continue this way and I disappear, Eldis’s end will only be destruction. It’s just the most likely future, so I can’t say for certain it will happen… But to prevent this future, I was told to give you imperfect advice so that you, Eldis, can experience protecting precious people in dangerous situations yourself.”

“Imperfect advice……”

Resena slightly lifted the corners of her mouth. Then, staring at Eldis, she fiddled with her teacup.

“But although not directly mentioned in Sernaus’s words, I think imperfect advice might mean adding advice to events I haven’t experienced through regression. After all, advice can’t be perfect unless you see the future. However, most of the advice I’ve given so far has been perfect. It was advice that incorporated experiences after experiencing the future and coming back.”

“That makes sense. Continue. I’m listening.”

Eldis listened to Resena’s words with a gentle expression like a spring breeze. As those bright, sea-colored eyes seemed to draw her into rippling waves again, Resena flinched but soon regained her composure and continued.

“That’s why I think it would be good for Eldis to take his cherished subordinates on an expedition after finishing what needs to be done now. To be precise, I’d like you to visit the holy land Lemordus, the island floating in the sky.”

The holy land Lemordus was an island that rose from the ground to the sky with the blessing of the main god Sernaus. It was also the place where the holy knight Irkenes and the Demon King had their final battle during the founding of the empire.

And above all, it was where Eldis gained the power to use Sernaus’s light after becoming a Grand Sword Master.

“May I ask why you want me to visit Lemordus, Resena?”

Eldis’s eyes shone with unusual seriousness.

At the altar in the center of that island, he had offered a sacred ore called Esrilda and gained the power to use Sernaus’s light. But if one set foot there for other purposes, they would be engulfed in hallucinations, and in unfortunate cases, could become a wandering ghost forever haunting that place.

“Because I hope Eldis gains the power there to filter out those who appear kind on the surface but whose hearts are tainted with evil.”

“……”

“You might not know what’s still lacking, but I might not be able to stay by your side forever. I’d like to always give you appropriate advice, but when I’m absent due to unavoidable circumstances or when I can’t give advice due to limitations… You’ll need to shake it off and move forward on your own.”

After finishing her words, Resena stared at Eldis. As a man, Eldis was too splendid, but he was someone who would lose all his precious people and destroy the world.

At least until now.

‘Sernaus is right. What I’ve done is merely delay the world’s destruction caused by Eldis. It’s meaningless unless Eldis realizes it himself.’

Eldis, who had been quietly watching her, reached out and placed his hand on Resena’s. As the warm touch rested on her cooled hand, she felt her heart racing with excitement. Resena took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart.

But whether Eldis knew her feelings or not, he stroked the back of her hand, then pulled it toward him and gently pressed his lips to it. At the intense feeling of his lips on the back of her hand, Resena couldn’t calm down at all, but she tried hard not to show it outwardly.

“If I go there, what will you do for me, Resena?”

Eldis asked in a calm tone.

Is preventing world destruction and saving the people he cherishes not enough? But soon she remembered that Eldis visiting the holy land Lemordus was a life-risking endeavor. For Eldis, who hasn’t directly experienced the future, this life-risking task might seem to offer no reward.

“I’ll grant any wish Eldis wants.”

“Anything?”

Eldis laughed lightly and breathed softly on the back of Resena’s hand. Then, slowly releasing her hand, he curved his eye corners seductively and smiled provocatively.

“Do you know what that wish might be? What if my wish is to make you my wife?”

“That’s……”

Eldis asked leisurely with his arms crossed.

“I won’t force it if there’s no opportunity, but if a moment comes when I can fulfill just one wish, I won’t hesitate to wish for something related to you. Is that still acceptable? Can you handle it?”

“……”

“Resena. I’m smitten with you. Right now, I’m approaching carefully while maintaining propriety, but I sometimes feel the urge to approach you impulsively. When this close, I suffer from the desire to press your pretty lips with mine.”

“Eldis……”

Resena’s face was red as she called his name hesitantly. Her appearance was truly lovely, making him want to embrace her tightly. But he knew that if he did so, Resena would run away from him.

When he was Vernas, Resena approached him first, but when he was Eldis, Resena kept her distance. The barrier would disappear after spending time together and talking, but when they met again, that barrier would be rebuilt between them as an invisible wall.

‘I know the reason. I’m not unaware.’

Resena had experienced several regressions. And in that process, she had seen him destroy the world multiple times. So deep inside her heart, there must be a burden about the man she has to take responsibility for.

The reason she approaches Vernas more boldly is probably because he appears purely as a man, not someone she needs to take responsibility for. Moreover, she seemed to feel comfortable when looking at his sculpting hands. Whenever he saw her naturally smiling face, he knew his guess was correct.

“So don’t give me such an opportunity, Resena.”

“……”

“I’m… not as detached as people say. If there’s a chance to have you, I’ll seize that opportunity anytime. Even if you have another man in your heart, I’m confident I can make you fall completely for me. No, that’s not all. Somehow, by any means, I will possess you.”

“Eldis……”

After speaking passionately, Eldis uncrossed his arms. Then he reached out to Resena and pulled her chin toward him. Their lips gradually came closer, but even at a distance where their breaths touched, Eldis simply gazed quietly into Resena’s eyes.

“……If I kissed you like this, you would take one more step away from me the next time we meet. So I won’t do it. But my wish is different. If it doesn’t matter what I wish for, I’ll wish to make you my wife.”

“……Eldis.”

Slowly letting go, Eldis smiled refreshingly.

“If you’re willing to let me become your husband, I’ll go to Lemordus. If not, I’d like you to dangle a bait that can tempt me. Something powerful enough to make me willingly risk my life to go to Lemordus.”

“……”

Resena quietly looked at him and then stood up. Then she stood beside Eldis.

Wondering why she was doing this, Eldis watched for a moment as she put her arms around his neck.

“……Resena?”

“Eldis……”

And the next moment.

Resena willingly embraced his neck, parted his white hair, and kissed his cheek. At the slight touch of her lips, Eldis’s eyes widened and his pupils trembled. He remained still for a while, then embraced Resena’s waist and pulled her completely toward him.

“Resena……”

“……Mmm. Eldis.”

Eldis pressed his lips deeply against hers with desperate hunger. But that feeling wasn’t unpleasant. No, it felt rather good. Resena clung tightly to Eldis’s neck as he pushed her delicate body into his arms and kissed her deeply and continuously.

“Haa. Haa, hoo……”

When she looked up at Eldis while panting, he chuckled. He pressed Resena’s slender waist firmly against him and then ran his fingers down her back. He even stared at the trembling Resena with eyes deeply imbued with possessiveness, his touch so hot it felt like it would burn her.

“Such a reward makes it worth going.”