The Possessor Mistook the Genre for 20 Years

11 – The Wizard Met the Elf.

Franz headed north to meet Hera.

The destination was the commercial city of Kal Desien.

Kal Desien, as the name suggests, was the largest distribution center on the continent, where all sorts of goods flowed.

In such a place, backdoor deals were naturally active, and various drugs and human trafficking were common.

‘The rumors weren’t good.’

It was about the lord of Kal Desien.

Gathering slaves for human experiments.

A big shot dominating the underworld.

Anyway, it was full of all sorts of bad rumors.

It’s hard to believe all the rumors are true, but…

As the saying goes, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” it was certain that he was a bad guy.

Well, that’s why he has an elf slave.

Franz, who arrived at Cal Desien, headed straight to the location written on the request form.

It was in the center of the square, under the giant clock tower.

When he arrived, someone in a black hood was looking around diligently.

The color of his eyes, which were glimpsed, was green like freshly sprouted buds.

Moreover, his height was similar, and his slender figure was identical, so it seemed that he was Hera.

Franz approached her.

“Hera.”

“Franz.”

Hera looked up at Franz.

Hera, as seen through Franz’s eyes, seemed somehow a bit emaciated.

‘Did something happen?’

If she had returned to normal from being a pig, one might think she had been on a diet, but it was strange that a girl who had been normal from the start had become thin.

The memory of her devouring two bowls of mushroom stew with meat was vivid, making it even more so.

Is she eating properly?

Thinking that, Franz spoke.

“Hey, let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”

“Eat? This is not the time for that. Franz, the reason I called you is all because….”

Hera trailed off, looking around.

She was worried that someone might hear her mention the elf slave.

Franz patted Hera’s shoulder.

“Hey, relax a bit. If you keep this up, even the fish you’ve caught will escape. I know it’s urgent, but we shouldn’t be moving around in broad daylight, right?”

“That’s true, but….”

“Then let’s go eat first. We need to eat something to move. And….”

There are too many people here.

Franz whispered softly into Hera’s ear.

Looking around, there were already dozens of eyes directed their way.

A guy who looked like a wizard was interacting with someone in a hood, so they were suspicious, no matter what.

‘Maybe….’

There might be someone among them who acts as the lord’s eyes and ears.

It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

Soon, the two left the clock tower square and entered the streets of Cal Desien.

True to its nickname as a commercial city, the streets were lined with all sorts of restaurants and stalls.

The aroma from the appetizing food tickled their noses.

Franz smacked his lips in regret.

If they were here for a leisurely outing, they would have enjoyed various foods, but unfortunately, they had work to do today.

But time wasn’t limited to today, they could come again next time.

Eventually, Franz and Hera entered a reasonably ordinary-looking shop.

Choosing a shop with no people would have been suspicious.

As they sat at the table in the farthest corner, a waiter approached.

“Would you like to order?”

“Give us the best-selling dish.”

Franz ordered casually, just intending to fill their stomachs.

If it was the best-selling dish in the shop, it meant the taste was guaranteed, so at least it wouldn’t be a miss.

However, Hera, who sat opposite Franz, remained silent.

Feeling puzzled, Franz asked.

“Hera, aren’t you ordering?”

“I, I…”

“I’ll pay, so just eat without worry. As I said earlier, you need to eat something to move.”

“…Alright. Then I’ll…”

Hera looked at the menu and started listing the names of the dishes one by one.

Franz was astonished at her nonstop talking.

He had said they needed to eat, but he hadn’t expected her to order so much.

It seemed the waiter had a similar thought.

“All of what you just mentioned…?”

“Yes, is there a problem?”

“N-no! No problem at all!”

With those words, the waiter disappeared from their side.

As they were left alone, an awkward atmosphere began to flow.

They hadn’t been on good terms even when they were in the hero’s party.

In front of the clock tower, they acted friendly, but that was only because Hera seemed too impatient.

If there had been food, they would have eaten it while gauging each other’s reactions, but there was none, so it was just awkward.

However, Franz couldn’t stay like this.

No, he shouldn’t stay like this.

Although Hera had applied for the designated dispatch, it was also to save the world from the villainess she would become.

Eventually, Franz broke the awkward silence and spoke.

“How have you been?”

“Just… nothing special….”

Hera’s voice was desolate, contrary to her words.

It was clear that something was wrong.

Franz couldn’t just let it slide.

Hadn’t he learned from the saintess?

Just listening to and slightly relieving the stories inside could make a significant difference.

So Franz’s mouth moved again.

“Nothing special, huh? Your voice has no strength at all. And why have you become so thin? Are you eating well?”

“Is that so…. Am I really that bad….”

Hera said with a bitter smile.

Although she was destined to become the villainess who would lead the world to ruin, Franz couldn’t feel at ease seeing someone he once adventured with struggling.

He just wanted to help, whether it was the world or Hera.

“What’s going on? Tell me.”

“If it’s you, maybe it’s okay….”

Hera slowly began to tell her story.

From the elves opposing her joining the hero’s party.

To her brother and childhood friend betraying her.

She poured out the stories she had kept inside, unable to tell anyone.

Franz listened silently until the end and thought.

‘This is really crazy.’

It’s not even a 21st-century morning drama, how could such things happen in reality?

To Hera, who sacrificed herself to save the world, they couldn’t even offer thanks, but instead, they stabbed her in the back.

How could this even be possible?

Franz could only feel pity for Hera, who had gone through such an ordeal.

And he felt a surge of anger towards those who had done such a thing.

Honestly, at this point, it would be understandable if she wanted to destroy the world.

Of course, wanting and doing are entirely different matters, but Franz could understand Hera’s feelings.

After organizing his thoughts, Franz spoke cautiously.

“Then now, that…”

“Yes, I’m going around saving the kids that my brother sold. If I didn’t even do that, I felt like I wouldn’t have a reason to live.”

“I see…”

“But there’s one thing I’m worried about. If I…”

Franz was suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of foreboding.

Given the flow of the conversation, it was clear that this was the moment for that line to come out.

However, Hera’s words were never completed.

“Excuse me for a moment!”

The waiter began placing dishes one by one on the table.

It was completed while Franz and Hera were talking.

As the table filled up, the waiter said, “Enjoy your meal!” and left.

Franz stared blankly at the food on the table and then spoke.

“Let’s eat first.”

Who knows? Maybe if we eat delicious food, our mood will improve a little.

Then the will to destroy the world might also diminish a bit.

It’s a bit much, but well, it would be good to eat a variety.

Hera nodded at Franz’s words.

Then she picked up a spoon and carefully put some food in her mouth.

‘Delicious…’

Since that day, no food had given Hera much pleasure.

It wasn’t that the taste had disappeared, but she couldn’t feel that anything was delicious.

However, the food in front of her now…

It was incredibly delicious.

Hera’s hands began to move busily, and Franz was a little shocked by the sight.

It was as if she was possessed by a starving demon, devouring the food.

It seemed that the reason she was so thin was because she had been starving.

Then Hera added another word.

“Franz, I’m really sorry, but can I order a little more, just a little more?”

“Ah, uh, uh. Yeah, if you want to eat, you should eat.”

Franz recalled.

The horror of the meat mushroom stew disappearing into her stomach.

‘But, can she move after eating this much?’

* * * * *

When the long, long meal finally ended, the sun that had been high in the sky was now slightly tilted to the side.

Contrary to Franz’s worries, Hera moved as if nothing was wrong.

It was amazing that her belly didn’t even stick out after eating so much food.

As soon as they left the restaurant, Hera spoke.

“Now, let’s go to the place where I’m staying.”

“Uh…?”

Franz was just bewildered.