Chapter 179

EP.179 The Demon’s Hand Reaches for the Saintess #2

Inside a room at a Study Café not far from the annex of the Uijeongbu.

Thud—!

The long desk shook with a heavy sound.

Having rented out the entire Study Café, I alternated between staring at the enormous book in front of me and Adeline, who was panting with a strained expression.

“What… is this? Is this a holy scripture?”

Adeline, catching her breath, answered energetically.

“Yes! That’s right! It’s the holy scripture of our doctrine!”

What kind of holy scripture is so big that even spreading your thumb and pinky isn’t enough to hold it?

Moreover, the book had no cover and was bound with a spring.

It was just a very large notebook. Is there really a holy scripture made so roughly?

And where did you even get this scripture?

I carefully opened the scripture.

On the first page, written in large, cute Korean font, was the title [Doctrine of the Rosario Church].

I immediately realized Adeline had written this scripture herself.

Letting out a hollow laugh, I asked Adeline, who was sitting across from me, smiling brightly.

“Did you… write all of this yourself?”

“Yes! I started writing it when I was learning Korean! I finished it about a week ago! There are five more volumes, but they’re still incomplete!”

She proudly puffed out her chest.

Six volumes in total? My head is spinning.

I should’ve just built up affection points and asked her out normally… Why did I have to go and decide to learn the doctrine…

Cursing my past self, I asked, “So, you’ve memorized all six volumes?”

“Of course I have! I’m the representative who conveys Rosario’s will!”

Her determination is no joke.

I have a feeling she’s going to explain the doctrine in excruciating detail.

Nodding slowly, I watched as Adeline drank some water.

After adorably gulping down the water, she rested her arms on the desk and said to me, who was just sitting there blankly.

“What are you doing? Start reading.”

“…Huh? You want me to read this?”

“It’s written in Korean, so you shouldn’t have any trouble understanding it. Today, you’ll memorize about a hundred pages perfectly!”

What kind of haphazard education is this?

I made a baffled expression.

“Uh… Shouldn’t we start with an introduction to the religion to pique the interest of the potential convert…?”

“Oh, is that so?”

Why are you asking me?

You’re the saintess who’s supposed to be on the frontlines of proselytizing. How do you not know this?

Ah, on your planet, the believers just followed orders blindly, so you never noticed anything strange.

As I let out a small chuckle, Adeline’s face turned red, and she quickly continued.

“I, I was going to introduce it first!”

“I’m sure you were.”

Seeing my slightly unimpressed face, Adeline panicked.

“Um… To briefly explain our doctrine… Well… First…”

I spoke gently to Adeline, who was starting to ramble.

“If you’re not ready, we can do it next time…”

“No, no! You’ll run away!”

Judging by her words, it seems she’s had potential believers run away before.

No wonder they’d run if you teach like this.

Pretending to be regretful that I couldn’t run away, I stayed silent, and Adeline let out a sigh of relief, clasping her hands together.

“Shall we start with our prayer? Place your elbows on the desk, interlock your fingers, and place them on your forehead. Lower your head slightly and close your eyes.”

“Ah, okay…”

I obediently did as Adeline instructed.

Then, Adeline’s clear, melodious voice reached my ears.

“Lord, full of love and grace, I thank You for having mercy on my inadequacy and bestowing Your grace upon me. I am filled with infinite joy that You have guided Song Jihyuk to our doctrine. May You illuminate Song Jihyuk’s path…”

The entire prayer was in Korean.

She didn’t stutter at all, so it seemed she had practiced quite a bit for my sake.

Peeking through half-closed eyes, I was startled when I saw a faint golden aura rising from her body.

‘Does reciting the prayer generate Divine Power?’

Did I make a mistake by deciding to learn the doctrine? That aura isn’t going to enter my body, is it?

Swallowing my unease, I felt an inexplicable discomfort as the golden light filled the room.

It wasn’t that my hidden Evil Energy was reacting.

I just felt… crappy.

But since I’m in a human body, it seems I’m not affected even at close range. What a relief.

“…May You bestow the holy light of grace upon Song Jihyuk’s life as he lives believing in You from now on. I pray in faith that You will guide Song Jihyuk’s life forever. In Your name, I pray. Amen.”

The moment Adeline finished the prayer, the light was instantly absorbed into her body.

Quickly closing my eyes, I unclasped my hands when Adeline said it was okay to open them.

The room was exactly the same as before the prayer.

It felt like a huge storm had passed, so I took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.

Then Adeline asked, “How do you feel? Do you feel a sense of reverence?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure yet, but I feel somewhat refreshed.”

“That’s it! Don’t forget that feeling!”

Adeline was overjoyed, flailing about.

Smiling warmly at her, I perked up my ears as she began introducing the Rosario Church.

Knowing your enemy is the key to victory.

I’ve rarely suffered losses by gathering information beforehand, so I’ll dig into everything thoroughly.

**

I gathered quite a bit of information from Adeline.

The purpose of the Rosario Church is to eradicate evil, save lives, and achieve peace.

It was similar to the mysterious power of Aiter.

And Rosario was the God of Light and the leader of the celestial realm.

Though the celestial realm was just her alone, she apparently had retainers she commanded, like my pretty demons.

Long ago, when the universe was in chaos, Rosario’s activities were widespread, but now she rarely acts directly.

Instead, she has prophetic dreams, and if the dream’s content is significant, she chooses a representative to deliver an oracle and grants them a portion of her power.

‘It’s clear that there’s a direct connection to Aiter…’

I wanted to learn more, but Adeline’s introduction ended here.

I couldn’t get any additional information beyond this.

For now, the prophetic dreams Rosario has don’t specify a particular target.

I could be confident in this because Adeline only received an oracle to gather her comrades and save Earth from evil.

If the dream had been more detailed, my identity might have been exposed.

This much is reassuring. I can move freely.

Today’s harvest ends here.

It’s a bit disappointing, but if my relationship with Adeline grows closer later, I’ll be able to dig up more information… For now, I’ll just do as Adeline says and stay quiet.

After organizing the information in my head, I spoke up.

“I enjoyed the story. I feel a growing respect for the Rosario Church.”

Hearing that, Adeline smiled brightly.

I can’t wait for the day that beautiful smile, which seems to light up the surroundings, turns into an evil grin.

My motivation is soaring.

“Right!? It’s amazing, isn’t it? You really have the right mindset, Jihyuk.”

“Thank you. Shall we start reading the scripture? Should we begin with Genesis here?”

“Yes! I’ll stay here quietly, so if there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask! You can analyze it as much as you want, but the most important thing is to accept it deeply in your heart! Imagine that I’m there with you!”

“Understood.”

I started reading the scripture and asked Adeline about parts I was curious about.

She was delighted by my studious attitude and answered my questions in great detail.

And so, we spent nearly eight hours talking about the scripture.

By the time the sun had completely set.

As I continued to focus on reading the scripture, I burst out laughing when I heard Adeline’s stomach growl.

Adeline hung her head low and shouted.

“D-don’t laugh! I didn’t even eat breakfast!”

Getting angry like that… Feels good.

I can tell Adeline feels comfortable around me.

“I wasn’t laughing at you. I laughed because I’m hungry too. How about we stop here for today?”

“Hmm… Okay. There are 20 pages left, but I’ll let it slide.”

“This is quite the Spartan education.”

“What’s Spartan education?”

“It’s an education method used by the soldiers of the ancient Greek city-state. It’s also called the Agoge, and it’s infamous for being harsh.”

Adeline clapped her hands.

“Aha! That country must’ve been really powerful!”

“They collapsed because of that education. Completely ruined.”

“….”

Her mouth hung open.

Her expression was so cute that I burst out laughing.

As the room filled with laughter, I waved my hand dismissively.

“Just kidding. Let’s go eat.”

Adeline, relieved, let out a sigh.

Then she scolded me.

“Phew… You scared me! First the candy yesterday, and now this… You’re really mean!”

“As an apology, I’ll introduce you to a delicious place.”

“If it’s not tasty, it won’t be fun.”

Where did you learn to say things like that?

Pretending to be sheepish, I got up from my seat.

“I’ll take the scripture with me. Is that okay?”

“Of course! You should read it whenever you have time! If there’s anything you don’t understand, just text or call me!”

“I’ll do that.”

**

After eating expensive food at a nice restaurant, I suggested we take a walk to digest, and Adeline agreed without hesitation.

Leaving the restaurant, we walked side by side, slowly strolling down the sidewalk.

Adeline admired the surroundings, exclaiming in awe.

I looked down at her with a content smile.

“Did you enjoy the meal?”

“Yes, it was really delicious.”

“Then nothing boring happened. What a relief.”

Adeline giggled.

Then, out of nowhere, she apologized.

“I’m sorry, Jihyuk.”

“Huh? For what?”

“At the café today… Thinking back, it must’ve been really boring. You wanted teachings to find spiritual comfort, but I forgot about your feelings and was only focused on gaining a new believer. The way I spread the doctrine was stupid too. It’s no wonder you were bored. I’ll reflect on it.”

Listening to Adeline’s complaint, I pulled out a candy from my pocket.

The mint-flavored one I gave her yesterday.

I held it out and said, “Want one?”

“You’re not joking, are you? I’m being serious!”

“I’m seriously offering it.”

“I’m not nervous! I don’t have to eat it!”

“It’s just to refresh your mouth and clear your mind. It’s cool, right?”

“…Well, that’s true… Then I’ll have it.”

Adeline snatched the candy from my palm like yesterday.

As she ate the candy, I took out a new one and popped it into my mouth.

The sound of crunching filled the air, and soon Adeline puffed out her lips like a fish, sucking in air.

She was trying to feel the coolness of the mint.

Watching her, I smiled like a proud dad and encouraged her.

“Everyone learns through trial and error. And you did well, Adeline. I felt at ease while reading the scripture.”

Hearing that, Adeline pursed her lips and looked at me.

Then she asked, half-doubting, “Really…?”

“Yes. I didn’t even have a migraine today, so it was really nice. I’m truly satisfied and want to learn more. I’ll rely on you from now on. We might not meet often, but… I’ll prepare thoroughly.”

“Wow…!”

Adeline’s eyes sparkled.

She seemed happy that she had been helpful.

“In the latter part of the scripture, there’s a passage you’ll need to memorize. It says, ‘The holy Lord purified Orcus, who was pure evil…’”

Adeline began chattering away about the scripture.

That day, until I took Adeline home, I listened to Rosario’s achievements until my ears bled.

I had no interest in any of it, but I focused as much as I could.

So that later, if Adeline gives me a pop quiz, I can answer without hesitation and score points.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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