Chapter 172

EP.172 Rosario? A foreboding name indeed.

After a passionate encounter, we finished showering together and tidied up the living room without a word.

Though, to call it tidying up would be an overstatement.

We just gathered the photos we had taken out and tossed them into a disposable box, along with the frames. That was it.

When the task was done, the doctor had a refreshed expression on her face.

It seemed like a weight had been lifted from her heart.

“Should we burn it now? Let’s go to the yard,” the doctor asked.

I shook my head.

“No. You should handle this alone. Tomorrow, I’ll teach Silvia and Adelle how to use the unmanned taxi. You can do it then.”

“Why?”

“It’s your chance to say a final goodbye. You should take your time, think things over, and let go properly.”

When I lightly touched on the lingering guilt, the doctor let out a sigh tinged with sorrow.

Yeah, I get it… Even after all this, she’s someone you’ve loved for a long time. It’s only natural to feel that way.

She looked at me with a sullen expression and eventually accepted my suggestion.

“Alright. But just because I’m agreeing doesn’t mean I still love my husband. I’ve already decided to give everything to you. So don’t misunderstand.”

“I’m not misunderstanding. I already know how you feel, which is why I suggested it.”

“Mmm…”

“Are you sure you don’t need to take the medicine?”

“…If you tell me to, I’ll take it.”

“You’ll be alone for a bit tomorrow. If you start hallucinating again, it’ll be a problem. Take it.”

“Alright.”

The doctor nodded weakly, obediently took the medicine, and then hugged me.

With a tone full of regret, she spoke.

“If I had known it would come to this, I wouldn’t have said those things to you…”

“What are you talking about?”

“I… I only got angry when you were on drugs. Now, you’re treating me, who’s become a mess, so gently…”

“That’s different. You can’t compare the two.”

“Still… I’m sorry for being so pathetic…”

The once proud doctor had become so submissive and pitiful.

It’s a stark contrast, isn’t it?

I wrapped my arms around her slender waist and looked down at her with gentle eyes.

The doctor, who had been staring at me intently, moved her lips.

“I feel strange…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I used to think of you as just a smart and reliable assistant. I never imagined I’d see you as a man or fall in love with you like this. I never thought I’d come to rely on you so much.”

The doctor, too, was comparing the past and present, just like I had.

Even though it wasn’t that long ago, it feels like a distant memory, doesn’t it? I get it.

“Is that why you feel strange?”

“I said it wrong. I’m just really happy.”

“Me too. Should we go to bed now?”

“Yeah… Stay with me all day today.”

Looking outside, the sun was slowly rising.

I grinned, picked the doctor up in my arms, and carried her to the bedroom. After setting her down, I covered her with a blanket.

As I lightly tapped her cute nose with my finger, I said, “Let’s not leave the bed today except for meals and bathroom breaks. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good… Oh, and I need to find the ring…”

“You can do that tomorrow when I’m not here.”

“Okay…”

**

[Jihyuk! Why aren’t you here yet? (,,Ծ‸Ծ,,)]

[I’m on my way. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.]

[You’re late! (ʘ言ʘ)]

[Sorry, traffic’s bad…]

[Are you texting while driving? The news said a lot of accidents happen because of people using their phones while driving…]

[I’m in autopilot mode. It’s a technology that guides you to your destination even if you’re lying down.]

[You’re so carefree! I just looked it up on my phone! Autopilot mode in cars can’t change lanes well! That’s why you’re late, isn’t it?!]

She’s quick to look things up.

[I’ll be there soon.]

[I’m all ready! Hurry up! (ﾒﾟ皿ﾟ)]

What kind of preparation do you need for an unmanned taxi… She’s overdoing it.

I brushed off Adelle’s text with a smirk, grabbed the steering wheel, and turned off autopilot.

She’s waiting eagerly, so I’d better hurry.

The car soon arrived at the annex in Uijeongbu.

While brainwashing the doctor, I also need to lay the groundwork for Adelle’s strategy…

It’s clear she’s developed some affection for me.

Not as a man, but as a ‘human’ named Song Jihyuk. Still, I’m not in a rush.

Sehwa, Yuria, and the doctor all started from this point before I won them over.

Lost in thought, the car entered the Uijeongbu residence.

After parking in the outdoor lot and opening the driver’s door, Adelle came out of the front door wearing a white polka-dot dress.

Paired with white sandals with ribbons near the ankles, her cuteness was off the charts.

But is she going on a picnic or something? It’s been autumn for a while now. It’s a bit ridiculous.

Not that I mind the eye candy.

Behind her, Silvia followed, wearing simple training pants and a long-sleeved shirt, looking tired.

It seemed like she tried to dress Adelle comfortably, but gave up when Adelle threw a fit.

Adelle is, to put it nicely, pure, or to put it bluntly, immature. Training her might be a headache.

But the payoff will be worth it.

Adelle ran toward me, checked the time on her phone, and pouted.

“Jihyuk! You’re 7 minutes and 21 seconds late!”

“Sorry.”

“People who don’t keep their promises are the worst!”

“Where did you hear that?”

“From game chat! My guildmates said so!”

“Ah…”

It’s good she’s fitting in, but… I hope she doesn’t reveal she’s from another planet.

When I gave her a suspicious look, she smiled brightly.

“Don’t worry! No one knows I came through a portal!”

At least she has some basic awareness. That’s a relief.

Adelle made a fuss about punishing me for being late, saying I should pay a fine.

Meanwhile, Silvia approached and thanked me.

“Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For taking time out of your busy schedule to indulge Adelle’s childish request.”

Adelle shot Silvia a look.

Her pouting face was so cute, I wanted to pinch her cheeks.

Silvia ignored Adelle’s gaze without a care.

“I’m going to work out. You two take the taxi. Just teach Adelle, and I’ll figure it out myself.”

Well, that works for me.

“Got it.”

“She’ll probably whine a lot today, so feel free to ignore her. Take care of Adelle.”

“Ah, yes… Don’t worry, have a good workout.”

Silvia gave me a warm smile, stretched, and jogged away lightly.

As I watched her retreating figure, Adelle’s voice brought me back to reality.

“Jihyuk! You have to grant me one request! As punishment!”

“A request?”

“Yes! A request!”

Amused, I crossed my arms.

So this is the whining Silvia mentioned.

I stayed silent, waiting for her to speak, and Adelle finally stammered out her request.

“I want to visit a cathedral on Earth. Will you take me?”

It was a rather sudden request.

Enough to make me blurt out, “A cathedral?”

“Yes. Take me to a nearby cathedral by unmanned taxi. I just want to look around, so don’t worry.”

A cathedral… It’s not like she’s going to pray to a different god.

Seeing Adelle with her arms crossed and a triumphant expression, it seemed she expected me to agree.

I furrowed my brows and bluntly said, “No.”

“Whaaat?!”

Adelle’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

Her shocked expression was hilarious.

I chuckled and corrected myself, “Just kidding. Let’s go.”

“Yay!”

She threw her arms up in the air and cheered.

Her emotions are so transparent, and her mood swings like waves. Teasing her is fun.

Isn’t a saint supposed to be gentle, elegant, and deeply insightful? Adelle is the complete opposite.

Not that I mind.

“Did you download the app I told you to?”

“Yes! The taxi app!”

“Open it.”

“Got it!”

**

“‘Please tap your card…’ It says that! Do I tap it here?”

Adelle’s eyes sparkled as she asked.

I nodded. “Yes, try tapping it yourself.”

“Wow… I’m so nervous…”

Adelle placed a hand on her chest, took a deep breath, and tapped her card on the screen behind the seat. A beep sounded, and a message confirming the payment popped up.

“Huh… That’s it?”

“Yep. Easy, right?”

“Super easy…”

Adelle trailed off, looking dazed.

After helping her out of the taxi, I explained in a calm tone, “That’s all there is to paying for a taxi. If you want to go somewhere far or are short on time, take a flying taxi. The payment process is the same, so don’t worry.”

“Flying taxi? The ones that fly, right? I’ve seen them a few times while walking!”

“Exactly. And for most things that cost money, the card I gave you will handle everything. If you’re ever unsure, just use the card. Got it?”

“Yes! Thank you!”

Adelle nodded enthusiastically.

Her lively energy was so infectious, it made me smile like a proud dad.

“Shall we go inside the cathedral? It’s a weekday afternoon, so there shouldn’t be many people. It’ll be easy to look around.”

“Yes!”

Adelle let out an excited “Whoo!” and jumped in place.

She looked up at the grand, well-designed cathedral and gasped.

“Wow… It’s huge…”

“On your planet, you call places like this where you pray ‘temples,’ right?”

“Yes, they’re always open. Like 24-hour convenience stores. But not many people visit the temples.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because if you have faith, you can pray anywhere.”

She spoke cheerfully, but her tone betrayed a hint of sadness.

It seems people on her planet don’t have much faith.

And from the way she didn’t mention other temples, it seems they worship only one god.

Adelle sighed lightly and asked, “Jihyuk, do you believe in God?”

Why would I, who am essentially a god, believe in another god?

“I don’t.”

“That’s a shame. Faith can be a great power…”

Yeah, seeing you purify humans tainted by dark energy, I can see it’s a powerful force.

But it’s the opposite of my power, so I have zero interest in learning it.

I smiled and stayed silent.

Encouraged, Adelle continued, “When we have time later, can I teach you and the others about Lady Rosario’s teachings? Silvia unnie refuses to learn, and it makes me sad.”

Rosario? Just the name reeks of a light god. A foreboding name indeed.

“Lady Rosario?”

“That’s the name of the goddess I serve. She’s truly amazing.”

Amazing, my foot… She sounds like a real piece of work.

Wait, she said ‘goddess,’ right? Good… You’re mine now.

She’s clearly the final boss type. I’ll corrupt all the Beast Slayers and make her bow to me.

I have a strong feeling she’s connected to Aiter, but I won’t ask about that now.

“If I learn her teachings, can I use divine power too?”

“Sadly, only chosen saints and representatives can use divine power.”

“I see. I’ll ask the others.”

“If they refuse… I hope at least you’ll listen to her teachings. You will, right? Right?”

If I agree, I’ll definitely spend more time close to Adelle.

I should accept and pretend to learn.

“I’ll consider it positively.”

“Jihyuk, you’re the kindest person ever.”

I’m the worst person… no, the Demon King, you know?

The thought of devouring you is so thrilling.

I grinned and said, “Shall we go inside the cathedral now?”

“Yes!”

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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