I Don't Need To Log Out-Chapter 171: A Quiet Bond

"But today’s visit changed a lot of things," he continued, his tone sharpening slightly. "First of all, Os’s real identity… It’s Asmond from the Magus Council."

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June’s jaw dropped. "What!? Him again!?"

"Yeah," Arlon confirmed. "Unless someone went to extreme lengths to frame him, I’m sure of it."

June frowned. "But that means he knew we weren’t anti-saviors from the start. He knows we are saviors from the banquet... No, before that, we have encountered him on our first day in Kelta."

June was right. Asmond had approached Lady Rael in Kelta when the players had just arrived.

"Exactly," Arlon said.

She shook her head in confusion. "Then why didn’t he expose us? Why just let us walk away?"

"Because it wouldn’t change anything," Arlon explained. "Even if he killed us, we’d just revive. And if he took us hostage for no reason, the government would have to retaliate."

June’s eyes widened as she processed his words.

"Right now," Arlon continued, "the government doesn’t have justification to make a move against the anti-saviors. If Asmond acted recklessly, he’d be giving them the excuse they need."

June slowly nodded, absorbing the implications. "So he let us go to avoid making the first move…"

"Not really," Arlon answered. "He probably doesn’t think that we know his identity. And, even though we know, we don’t have a proof."

"I see. Then, it is understandable that you think anti-saviors are bad, now."

"Ah, that wasn’t it. I mean, Asmond being there is a big issue. Bigger than you know since you don’t know what happened with Shirl. But there were other signs."

"Wait, first tell me about what happened with Shirl. Since I thought this was a game back then, I didn’t question it. But she went to trial, it must be important."

"Sigh... We are derailing..." Even though Arlon said that, he went on and told her about the happenings of Oceina and the monsters under the cities.

Of course, he omitted the parts he knew from his past life.

"I see, I am sorry for her. She was a good person."

"We can’t do anything about it. So, that is why now I know who the traitor in the Magus Council is." When Arlon added everything together, it was obvious.

"And what else?"

"First of all, the whole working environment in the headquarters of the anti-saviors was a quack."

"Huh? Why, though? It seemed to me that they were working working hard."

"They are, that is the issue. I think most of them believe that they are doing real work. The thing is, the anti-saviors aren’t bad from the root.

What I think is either Asmond is the only bad one or there is someone bigger behind him. And that someone bigger could only be one of the founders."

"Do you also know the founders of the anti-saviors?"

"I am not sure, but I think I met them once. That is not the important part. Even if all of the founders were bad, the Trionians I know inside are not."

"I see. Then, that is why the government isn’t ending the faction altogether."

"That is correct. Even if they did, I wouldn’t support them. Anyway, in the end, my conclusion is that there is one more person behind Asmond. And I need to find them."

---

June continued with her questions, but this time, there were far fewer. Now that Arlon had explained everything from the beginning, most of her curiosity had already been satisfied.

Eventually, the questions ran out.

A comfortable silence settled between them as they walked, the weight of their earlier conversation still lingering in June’s mind.

She felt different now—closer to Arlon in a way she hadn’t before. It wasn’t just about knowing more about him. She understood him.

Before, she had assumed he kept his distance because he simply didn’t want to be involved with them.

But now, she realized that wasn’t the case at all. He had too much on his plate, too many things he couldn’t share.

But now that June did know… maybe she could help. Maybe she could be part of the weight he carried, even if just a little.

She glanced at him, hesitating before speaking. "...So, Arlon. Is that why you never told us where you live?"

Arlon didn’t answer immediately. His eyes remained forward, his expression unreadable. Then, he exhaled.

"Since my body is on Earth and I don’t need to log out, I have no way of defending myself." His voice was steady, but there was something distant about it. "It’s not just that I don’t need to log out. I haven’t logged out since EVR was launched."

June came to a sudden halt.

She stared at him, eyes widening. "Wait. You haven’t been to Earth for almost six months?"

"Yes," Arlon replied simply. "I don’t really care about Earth."

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June felt her chest tighten at his words.

She had never really thought about it before. To her, EVR was a second world—a world, not the world. Even though she spent most of her time here, Earth was still home. She still had a life there. But Arlon…

For him, Earth wasn’t home.

"I see…" she said softly. "I’m sorry we kept trying to find out where you lived. We didn’t know… We just wanted to befriend you."

At that, Arlon visibly stiffened.

Then, to June’s surprise, his face turned red.

Her shock quickly turned into delight. "Huh?" She grinned mischievously. "Your face is red! Are you embarrassed?"

Arlon turned away instantly, his gaze fixed on something—anything—that wasn’t her.

June gasped dramatically. "I didn’t think I’d ever see you make this face!" she teased, enjoying the rare moment.

"Shut up," Arlon muttered, still refusing to look at her.

June laughed but didn’t push her luck. She let the teasing drop, though she still smiled to herself as they continued walking.

For a while, they walked in silence. The moment of lightheartedness passed, and the weight of their conversation settled once again.

Then, just as June was about to speak again, Arlon’s voice cut through the quiet.

"...I also wanted to befriend you."

June stopped mid-step.

She turned to look at him, but Arlon still wasn’t facing her. His tone had been quiet—barely audible—but she had heard it.

A small smile formed on her lips, warmer this time.

"Good," she said softly. "Because you already have."

And with that, they continued their journey, the silence between them now feeling lighter than before.