What good is speaking at length?
I am the badass Mangja Seongnyeo Isia.
If a third party were to comment on me, they’d probably think I live a laid-back life, as I leave most work to Menelapie and my acquaintances, looking like a slacker Seongnyeo who just plays around all day.
Honestly, calling me a slacker Seongnyeo might even be an overestimate.
Considering the numerous bizarre antics and chaos I’ve caused, the phrase ‘Is this really a Seongnyeo…?’ has become a catchphrase among the Jang-Bung lurking in the genre hunter gallery.
To someone, I might look more like a powerful S-rank Jang-Bung than a Seongnyeo.
But I don’t care.
I suffered immensely in my previous world, right?
I thought I’d never see Menelapie and Teresa again, spinning my pitiful circuits in loneliness.
The reason I even started broadcasting was due to that loneliness, wishing to see and hear what others think.
So from the moment I returned to Earth, I just wanted to live my life as I please.
In other words, I wanted to be a slacker doing only what I want.
Thankfully, the broadcasts are blowing up. The sponsorships are rolling in.
While I’m not passionately working as a hunter, I’ve caught some large monsters and cleared dungeons, so I’ve achieved over half of my wishes.
Reuniting with Teresa, Menelapie, and Mom is just a bonus.
But, there’s one thing I simply can’t tolerate.
If anyone enters my line of sight, even once, I’m determined to do my best to ensure they meet a happy ending.
Of course, I can’t save everyone one by one.
After all, I’m just one body.
I aspire to be a Seongnyeo, but I’m not born with the true spirit of a Seongnyeo.
I’m merely striving to become one.
In both my previous world and on Earth.
And I’m not voluntarily trying to save humanity either. There are probably battles and misfortunes happening somewhere in the world even at this moment.
I have no intention of taking responsibility for or feeling guilty about all of it.
Perhaps the reason I can never become a true Seongnyeo is because of this?
A subtle, selfish egoism wrapped in the Mangja Seongnyeo.
Even I think that’s a bit odd.
Anyway, at least I want to maintain the order and goodness around me and crush only the miseries nearby. Coincidentally, the Mint Queen with her strange tastes is part of that.
Even if it’s just a fleeting encounter.
Even if it’s merely a connection tied to mint chocolate.
She can definitely be called my people.
Ah.
If Teresa heard that, would she have gotten mad and said, ‘This damn girl is wagging her tail again?’
Well, anyway, it’s time to work as the Mangja Seongnyeo after a long time.
This heavy and chilling sensation.
It’s been a while.
○○○
One face contorted.
Surprised by Lilybet’s declaration, her face was briefly flustered, but suddenly became expressionless. The change in the atmosphere was sensed, and Lilybet’s gaze slowly turned.
One eye moved freely, looking up at Lilybet.
Thud!
[“I don’t like it. No way.”]
A bad ending is not acceptable.
What came from one’s mouth was her voice, but at the same time, it was not her voice.
“Ah.”
Lilybet knows who the voice belongs to.
“It’s not Kim Hana.”
It’s her.
It’s definitely her.
Lilybet, being an enchantment specialist, instinctively possesses the ability to interpret the structure of mana. Long ago, Lilybet felt the presence and unique mana of numerous monsters while being embedded in the heart and anchor of Green City.
That’s why, the moment Lilybet first saw Hana, she realized she was not human but rather a monster disguised as one.
However, the energy subtly flowing from Hana now was neither the monsters’ nor the creepy mana, but rather a clear yet alien essence she felt in front of Shia, which is more than enough to be called a Seongnyeo.
[“Was it just a moment that you took your eyes off…?”]
Ah, I see.
You’re truly the Seongnyeo Isia.
Feeling the bizarre echoing of Hana’s voice, Lilybet lifted the corners of her mouth.
[“You’ve been causing quite the amusing incident, Mint Queen.”]
“Hahaha! Mint Queen, huh? What a fun nickname!”
She is truly more convincing as a Seongnyeo than any of the legendary or fairy tale Seongnyeos Lilybet has seen in subculture or video media!
“By the way… Did you hear everything? Seongnyeo Isia?”
[“Well, yes.”]
The Hana with Shia’s face…
No, the Slime Empress, who is a follower of Shia, sat with a chuckle and tilted her head slightly.
Shia’s choice to increase her followers is not due to impulse or mere emotional reasons.
She selects kids she likes to become her disciples and other versions of herself, which are her followers.
Perhaps even calling them followers is insufficient; they have deep and meaningful connections with Shia. The concept of followers is something Shia has been entwined with since operating a colossal religious organization called the Rose Order in her previous life.
Rosaria, known as the Seongnyeo of Roses, was also one of Shia’s followers. In addition, several followers existed, including Jenna, the Seongnyeo of Love. Shia couldn’t possibly have been oblivious to the stories of her followers.
“Hehehe, since when have you known? I was both embarrassed and reluctant to speak of it…”
[“Since that child began to pity you?”]
“Kim Hana, pity me?”
[“Anyone would feel sorry for someone with a crying smile.”]
“Me? Crying?”
Lilybet momentarily wore a blank expression.
She touched her face with her hands.
Still smiling.
Even though the internal mechanics beneath her skin are chillingly cold, the proud smile on her face remains unchanged.
“Haha! Seongnyeo Isia! I’m not crying at all!”
[“Liar.”]
“……”
Liar?
Me?
At Hana… no, Shia’s words, Lilybet unintentionally stiffened her face.
Crying?
Me?
Well, who knows?
After all, I’m not even the main body.
Lilybet still gazed at her main body, supplying verdant mana across Green City.
Is she the one crying?
Hmm. I couldn’t say.
[“You wished to create paradise but ended up crafting hell, so how can you not be crying after piling up mountains of corpses?”]
“……”
[“I can’t dare say I understand. I’m just here to listen. I won’t say I empathize either. I am merely watching over your suffering.”]
“Haha, well, being honest is refreshing!”
Lightly responding, Lilybet spread her steel wings and slowly ascended into the sky.
“But what can be done, Seongnyeo Isia!”
Lilybet lightly shrugged her shoulders.
“This world isn’t a fairy tale. Before chasing romance, you’ve got to face reality…”
And for me to seek a happy ending?
That’s something that doesn’t quite fit, Seongnyeo Isia!
I’ve already done many unforgivable things!
“And if you’ve heard from Kim Hana, you’d know I’ve become a monster to someone. And no matter how hard I tried to create paradise, all I crafted was this endless sewer!”
There are no answers in this city.
To these monsters, this sewage is merely a pile of filth.
[“A person who loves romance gives up quickly, huh?”]
“Hmm, of course, I don’t want to give up.”
What can be done though!
The path I choose is to eternally hide within this filthy sewage, showing no one my face!
“And haven’t you seen this damn city, Seongnyeo Isia?”
Due to the horrifying resurrection gimmick, there are only monsters that cannot be released outside.
Having resurrected, they eat away at each other’s arms and legs. This Green City is full of monsters who cut their own flesh to avoid starvation.
Monsters’ clans, yakuza, thugs, mafia, gangs all split their territory and seek to devour one another – that’s the reality of this sewage!
“There’s no chance for salvation here. This hopeless sewer must be erased from Earth. The Hunter Association isn’t making a fuss about classifying this city as dangerous for no reason. Who knows when this pit of filth will overflow, we’ve got to get rid of it!”
[“So you intentionally lured the Hunter’s Train and Association here?”]
“Right, if you’ve heard, you’d know. So Seongnyeo Isia, I ask one favor!”
Lilybet was no longer laughing.
“Please, just pretend you didn’t see!”
Her face was neither smiling nor crying.
It was a face that encompassed an indefinable determination.
“After all, it’s simply a matter of me disappearing. If something unfortunate happens during the assault on the Hunter’s Train, Elizaveta IV will die. The body won’t be found, and the Windsor dynasty will look for a new king. That will be the end of it.”
A considerable commotion may arise, but separating this Green City from Earth will ensure nothing occurs in the future.
[“Is that your request?”]
“Haha! Yes, that’s the request! I’ve already forgiven the rudeness of striking the British Queen’s ship, haven’t I?”
[“I never expected you to mention that.”]
“Haha, and since I’ve committed heinous acts, I just can’t seem to abandon this place. No matter how filthy it is, who will comfort the souls of the monsters lost and wandering in here?”
At Lilybet’s words, Hana… no, Shia momentarily closed her eyes.
No one will pray for the monsters, so she’ll remain behind to pray for them.
“However, Seongnyeo Isia. Please, do nothing and stay still. All hunters and the Hunter Train will expel Green City from Earth before separating it completely, and I promise your followers will be returned safely. You’ll not suffer any harm. Neither will any other humans suffer.”
So just look the other way.
Nothing will happen to you.
Nothing will happen in the future.
“There will be no disadvantages, and we’re not even that close, are we?”
So just move on.
Please.
Lilybet was now imploring Shia as if begging.
At her words, Shia fell into thought, briefly closing her eyes.
It’s understandable.
She has realized the weight of the sins she has committed. She must have flooded this Green City because she realized that monsters and beings are no different from humans.
However, it’s likely that Lilybet’s mind and convictions were firm, which is why she had not been swallowed despite being a host of a fragment of the Demon King.
‘Right, I could ignore it.’
I could pass by without a second thought.
As she said, we’re not even that close.
[“Queen Lilybet.”]
After some time, Shia’s voice emerged from Hana’s mouth.
“What is it? Do you understand my words?”
[“Did you know? I actually love many stories too. But I really hate bad endings, sad endings, open endings, or ending with no escape…”]
“Ah, I agree with that! ‘And they lived happily ever after’ is a line that is unexplainably great!”
[“I thought the Queen would understand.”]
Of course, tragic stories are fine, too.
Sad stories that leave a lingering impression, scary and dreadful tales that impart wisdom are okay as well.
But even though every story has its pros and cons, what Shia loves the most is a happy ending.
And the Queen loves happy-ending stories too.
[“If characters suffer long trials, they deserve that much happiness.”]
[“If they were originally happy, then the story carries that happiness to others.”]
[“Sad children must have happy endings.”]
[“After pain comes endless happiness.”]
Not in the middle.
Unambiguous happiness is despised.
I’m even less fond of a ‘I’m satisfied with this’ ending.
I want perfect happiness.
An ending that satisfies everyone is what I desire!
[“That’s why I’m going to refuse the Queen’s proposal.”]
“…… Really?”
[“Yes, from now on, the Seongnyeo will arbitrarily meddle in others’ stories.”]
She’ll create a happy ending, forcibly if necessary.
