Chapter 181

The concept of a god.

Especially in the fantasy world, gods feel a bit different from how we think of them on Earth.

Absolute beings.

But they didn’t give off that kind of vibe.

More like the image of Greek-Roman mythology gods.

Though called gods, they were more strongly perceived as experts specialized in their own fields.

Not that I’m looking down on or planning to look down on any deity.

A conceptual thing created by human belief.

Or perhaps a notion, and some transcendent entity might take on such a role itself.

While wearing the guise of divinity, it wasn’t really so when you got down to it.

Just because countless humans believed it to be so, that was how the agreement went.

[System Notice!]

[Gods don’t scheme petty revenge!]

“Hmph.”

Did the system sense what I was worrying about?

I let out a small smile seeing that message appear under today’s secret section.

Achieving the feat of killing divine power wasn’t something easily done.

My ability is structured to pour all its strength into one go.

Producing results instantly and bringing phenomena into reality.

The burden and risk on my body are quite significant.

It’s only natural given how high-efficiency abilities are poured out in short bursts.

That’s why…

On the 56th day of spring.

After training various magic skills with clones, lounging at home wasn’t just because there was nothing to do.

A backlash so strong I couldn’t move a muscle had hit me, and I was just resting.

A god is a god.

Even though I erased a fragment and a small piece of it, it certainly wasn’t an easy task.

It was fortunate Lucy was safe, considering how precarious the situation was.

Today was no different from other ordinary days.

The parade of children running out with Lucy.

Berdetto coming to report at my house just like yesterday.

Though it was unfortunate my body was feeling a little worn out, it was something worth enduring.

Isn’t saving a child’s life worth this much of a price?

Interestingly, the system seems to count killing divine power as an incredible experience.

The fact that my combat level slightly increased was proof of that.

Combat Master Level 2.

Even experts gain experience points; that was a rather encouraging thought.

When I poured efforts into Lucy, the equipment boosting my combat level also helped greatly.

Though skipping stages might not be possible, leveling up to the same extent through gear certainly was.

“Are you not going out today?”

“Yeah. It’s the last day of spring after all. We should spend it together.”

“Hehe. Good.”

Taking a break while I’m at it.

And spending quality time with my wives.

I quietly watch as Anne softly buries her face into my chest.

Even the slight movement sends waves of dull pain radiating out, but…

If I think of it as part of the healing process, it’s bearable.

Can’t scream in front of the one I love.

Now, instead of being warm, the sunlight scorches the farmland as I fall into deep thought.

There used to be times when fairies weren’t bending their knees planting seeds and harvesting crops.

Preparing for summer, the sight of all the farmland neatly cleared was a refreshing and rare scene.

Food issues.

Something done just to eat and survive, but in the village I govern, there’s no need to worry about food.

Not only was the farm’s scale impressive, but thanks to the World Tree, crop growth speed and yield skyrocketed.

If the expected spring harvest was around 10, thanks to the World Tree, we gathered close to 50, meaning a minimum fivefold gain.

As we approached the end of spring, the frequency and impact increased, so summer might be promising too.

Feeling the soft touch of Anne snuggling closer to me, I realize another season has passed.

Summer is coming.

As always, quite a few incidents tend to happen each season.

There have been times when I initiated something, but lately, things seem to come my way on their own.

The most recent Saintess incident.

Berdetto’s visit falls under that category.

The migration of demons, the arrival of elves, and even the World Tree could be seen that way.

Subtle events keep popping up.

Without realizing, many things have been converging towards me.

“Take care this summer too.”

“Yeah! Me too!”

Summer will likely be similar.

Of course, family always comes first.

It was natural to receive a radiant smile when I entrusted her with taking care during summer.

The charming flicker of her lips curving upwards on her always beautiful face.

Who wouldn’t be captivated by the beauty of such a smile?

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Honey.”

Anne’s way of addressing me is pretty random.

Sometimes it’s “dear,” occasionally “honey,”

Normally it’s “Minho.”

When she has a request or is being coy, she calls me “honey.”

It’s kind of fun how her titles subtly change, so I haven’t pointed it out.

“If it rains in summer… can we go for a walk together?”

“A walk in the rain?”

“Yeah. I’m not scared of the rain at all now.”

“Bold of you.”

“Hehe. I want to stroll in the rain once. When I was very young… I vaguely remember walking through the forest without a care in the world in the rain.”

“Sure, anytime.”

“Thank you!”

Then she shyly kissed my cheek before hiding back into my chest.

Such a flirtatious act.

When I tried to look down at her, she avoided eye contact while clinging onto me.

“Will lightning be okay?”

At that question, Anne drew a little lightning shape on my chest with her finger.

Then she looked up slowly with those fox-like, captivating eyes that spread warmth through my heart like ink on paper.

“You’ll protect me, right?”

“Of course.”

“Hehe. Then it’s settled.”

Matter-of-factly.

She nonchalantly said that while doodling something on my chest with her fingers.

Through the sensation, it felt like she was writing words, but she didn’t explicitly say them.

I’ll tell her later when she looks up at me with curiosity.

It’s one of Anne’s favorite playful acts.

Matching the words she draws, time passes pleasantly as my physical condition improves.

Turning my stiff shoulders feels relieving.

Demon King and Saintess.

It’s quite a fresh and interesting combination, but if the selection process for the saintess is horrifying, I can’t just stand by and watch.

If Lucy ever wants to take on that role, I can restore divine power anytime.

Though reviving is slightly harder than killing…

It’s not impossible since it already resides within her body.

Gradually, little by little.

Like a drizzle soaking clothes, accumulated over time, I can adjust the amount of divine power to a manageable level.

It’s not my divine power, per se…

But depending on Lucy’s decision, a real saintess could be born.

Otherwise, living as she does now poses no major problems.

Residual traces of divinity.

Some unconscious manifestation of divine power might remain, but using such abilities in daily life isn’t bad.

Her friend is the Demon King, and the small silver creature accompanying her is a dragon.

Being a regular human position doesn’t suit her as well as being a quasi-saint.

Though what her group mostly does is search for delicious food in the village,

Give flowers as gifts to people.

Visit the monastery to play with the children.

Clean the village streets.

Listen to the villagers’ concerns.

These cute and kind activities…

Well, thinking of it as the unique charm of a cute demon king party makes it somewhat understandable, doesn’t it?

“By the way… do you still have the flower I gave you?”

“Narcissus?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s right here.”

All the gifts I’ve given are carefully stored in her bag.

I even made a special compartment labeled “Gift Box” where everything from Yul to gifts from family members are kept.

“Hehe.”

“Should I pin it for you?”

“Nope. Keep it with you for a long time.”

“Of course.”

“That’s good…”

Satisfied, Anne leans against me again.

The gentle warmth spreads soothingly in my heart.

How wonderful it is to enjoy these quiet, peaceful days.

Somewhere along the line, a quiet smile blossoms on my lips.

“Oh, that reminds me… the camera.”

“Huh?”

“Could you wait here for a moment? I’ll be right back.”

Though I’ve thought about making it many times, this seems like a perfect opportunity.

As I leave, Anne gazes at something intently.

Her lingering gaze meets mine, and I wave my hand slightly.

Her small reciprocating gesture is utterly adorable.

Making the camera wasn’t difficult.

Why did I delay this?

Perhaps I simply forgot amidst all the tasks.

Anyway.

We’ll now have plenty of cherished memories captured in photos.

With the system’s help, I infused various kinds of magic into this crinkly contraption.

Compared to Earth’s cameras, it’s rather crude, but it performs a similar function of capturing moments.

“What’s this?”

“It’s called a camera. Could you stay still for a moment?”

“Huh?”

“I’ll take a picture of you.”

The characteristic click sound.

An intentional creation on my part.

I believe the essence of a camera lies in that brief clicking sound when capturing an image.

Instant camera.

Like a Polaroid, it produces immediate prints of the current scene.

A fluttering small piece of paper.

On it, the vivid image of Anne in her current form appeared.

Her head tilted slightly in curiosity.

“Wow!”

“How’s it look?”

“How did you do that??”

“This is a camera. It captures your present appearance and preserves our memories.”

“Wowwwww!”

Anne’s eyes widen in amazement.

Clapping her hands in delight, she unabashedly reveals her fascination with the camera.

“Could I maybe have one too…?”

“Of course. Just ask. I can make as many as you need.”

“You’re the best, honey!”

Then she affectionately hugs me.

Soon enough, she stealthily takes the camera from my hands, steps back a few paces, and aims it at me.

“What button do I press?”

“How should I compose the shot?”

Giving her a rough explanation, Anne confidently raises the camera.

“I’ll take the picture.”

Click sound.

A small piece of paper appears on screen.

She picks it up and beams.

Does she like it?

Curious about the result, I quietly approach.

What appears is a clear photo of just my face.

No background, nothing else—just my face filling the frame.

“You only took a picture of my face?”

“Yeah. So I won’t forget. This will be my number one treasure.”

Seeing her precious gesture of hiding the paper away makes me chuckle softly.

“Your turn!”

As she says that, Anne grabs the camera again and positions herself to take my picture.

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