Chapter 186

EP.186 Change of Heart #3

“You didn’t have to drive me…”

It was Adeline, sitting in the passenger seat, who spoke.

I had parked the car near the annex and replied.

“You said you were scared of the night.”

“Still… I could’ve taken a taxi… You’re busy monitoring the world, Jihyuk.”

I was only pretending to monitor.

“I’ll be back soon. Go in and rest. You worked hard today.”

“It was a really meaningful time. You feel the same, right, Jihyuk?”

“Of course. Thanks to you, I learned a lot today. Thank you.”

“Your attitude is so good that I feel rewarded teaching you. Let’s do well tomorrow too.”

I awkwardly smiled and shook my head.

“Tomorrow’s not possible.”

At that, Adeline’s eyes and mouth went round.

Like the surprised emoji she often uses.

“Why not!?”

“Bible study delayed the device production. I need to focus on making it now that I’ve realized the urgency.”

“Ah… I see… Then I guess there’s no choice…”

Adeline pondered for a moment.

She seemed eager to teach me the Bible somehow.

Lost in thought, she suddenly raised her index finger, beaming.

“I have a great idea!”

“Let’s hear it.”

“How about I read the Bible to you while you work on the device?”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate…”

“Really? Then how about learning during breaks?”

“Once I focus, I work for hours. What will you do in the lab while I work?”

Adeline’s shoulders slumped.

Such an adorable sight. I reached out to pinch her cheek but stopped.

A momentary loss of self-control.

Luckily, Adeline didn’t notice my action.

Regaining composure, I secretly sighed in relief.

Then, I asked Adeline, who was pushing the car’s floor mat with her head down.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Yes…”

“Why?”

“Because… You could become such a good believer… That’s why I wanted to teach you diligently every day…”

“Days aren’t just today and tomorrow. I’ll make time the day after. Though not for long.”

“Okay…”

Adeline, dragging out her words, unbuckled her seatbelt.

She took out a candy from her bag and handed it to me, smiling brightly when I accepted it.

“Be careful on your way in.”

“Wait. Stay in the car for a moment.”

I got out of the car before Adeline could react.

Standing in the pouring rain, I opened the passenger door and pressed a button inside to retrieve an umbrella.

“Now you can get out.”

“Ah, yes…! Please hold me. There’s a ditch here.”

Adeline extended a foot and hand simultaneously.

I grabbed her wrist and carefully pulled her out, ensuring no water splashed, then covered her with the umbrella.

“I’ll walk you to your door.”

At my actions, Adeline’s lips curled up.

“Thank you…”

She thanked me but didn’t move.

I asked, puzzled.

“Why aren’t you going?”

“If you go first, I’ll match your stride!”

This little girl… My stride is much longer than yours…

“Alright.”

Feeling playful, I took a big step.

Adeline, flustered, hurriedly followed beside me.

“Sl-slow down!”

“You said you’d match my stride?”

“Your stride wasn’t that big before! You’re teasing me!”

I smiled softly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and adjusted my pace.

This time, I walked slowly, narrowing my stride for Adeline.

Enjoying this brief connection, I headed to the front door, waved goodbye to her as she energetically waved back, and returned to the car.

On my way to Dr. Cash’s house, I received a call from Marcella.

She wanted to meet now. I changed direction to the lab instead, and upon arriving, summoned Marcella.

Swoosh-!

In a dark, deserted space, a demon’s maw appeared.

Marcella, disguised as Minji, emerged from within.

She slowly approached the passenger door, and I reached out to open it.

Clunk!

Marcella quickly folded her umbrella, got in, and closed the door.

“Thank you…”

“Long time no see. Have you been well?”

“Yes…”

It was rare for Marcella to initiate a meeting.

Something important must have happened.

I turned on the heater slightly, worried she might be cold, and waited for her to speak.

Finally,

“You seem different…”

Marcella said out of the blue.

I tilted my head, puzzled.

“Different? Me?”

“You’ve become gentler.”

Me, gentler? What nonsense is this?

I flatly denied Marcella’s observation.

“You’re mistaken.”

“……”

“What’s the matter?”

“The demons are uneasy.”

Uneasy… What does that mean?

Frowning, I silently watched Marcella. She swallowed hard and continued.

“The deaths of the demons are sacrifices for the Queen, Yuria, and other Evil Valkyrie candidates. The other demons understand this. But… they feel they’re being used as disposable tools and are terrified.”

Demons, unable to roam freely on Earth, waiting for their day of death like pawns.

That’s all they were now.

It made sense they’d feel that way.

Sending high-ranking demons like Aloken to test Silvia and Adeline’s abilities, and this incident… I knew it was harsh.

Even if the demons pledged unwavering loyalty to me, motivation was another matter.

I slowly nodded.

“Gather the uneasy ones and hear their opinions. We’ll try to accommodate them as much as possible. Provide satisfactory compensation to those close to the recently deceased demons.”

“……My Lord… May I say something?”

Marcella’s voice trembled.

I smiled kindly.

“Of course.”

“Y-Yes, if it were the old you, you would’ve immediately quelled such unease… Executing a few as examples wouldn’t be enough… Yet you’re willing to listen to their opinions… It’s unlike you.”

“Execution is too harsh. Besides, I’ve shown mercy before, haven’t I?”

“In my humble opinion… Living among humans has softened your temperament…”

“It’s not me who’s changed, but you who’ve become eccentric. Humans have no influence on me.”

“……But…”

I reached for Marcella’s thigh.

She flinched, her face quickly turning red, and warm breath escaped her lips.

I looked at her and asked.

“Have you been sulking because I haven’t held you lately?”

“N-No…”

“That’s how it seems to me.”

“I-I am your loyal servant…”

“I know. I’ll dismiss it as nonsense, but since it’s your advice, I’ll keep it deep in my heart.”

“Thank you…”

I slid my hand under her skirt, gently massaging her soft thigh.

Marcella’s legs twisted, her body heating up, and her breathing grew heavier.

I withdrew my hand and smoothed her hair.

I tidied the stray strands and brushed her bangs with my fingers.

“Dr. Cash is waiting, so let’s stop here. I’ll hold you later, so go back now.”

“Huu…♡ Yes…”

“Handle the black box.”

“Ah, understood…”

Marcella reached out with trembling hands and removed the black box from the rearview mirror.

She opened the door, stumbled slightly, bid me farewell, and disappeared through a portal.

Marcella came through a portal, so the car would be filled with evil energy.

Thinking I should use a different car when meeting Adeline, I slightly opened the windows and headed to Dr. Cash’s house.

**

Plop-plop!

The sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella canopy.

Getting out of the car, Dr. Cash greeted me with an umbrella, and I kissed her forehead deeply.

Enjoying my affection, Dr. Cash asked.

“Do you have to go back right away?”

“I should. Did you pack the clothes and food?”

“They’re at home. Should I bring them now?”

“We have time for a cup of coffee. Let’s go in.”

“Okay.”

Returning home with Dr. Cash, I washed my hands and plopped onto the sofa.

Dr. Cash brought warm coffee and placed it on the table.

Savoring the deep coffee flavor, Dr. Cash brought a small bag and sat beside me, resting her head on my shoulder.

Then, as if remembering something, she pulled away and touched my face here and there.

She seemed to be checking my skin condition.

After a while, she sighed lightly.

“Your skin’s dry. You didn’t wash at the lab, did you?”

“Too lazy.”

At my blunt reply, Dr. Cash chuckled and suddenly buried her face in my body.

She inhaled deeply, sniffing every part of me.

Starting from my neck and collarbone, down to my chest, armpits, and even my groin, she sniffed and then spoke calmly.

“You smell… Like sweat… Mixed with fabric softener.”

“Don’t like it?”

“No, I do…”

“Developing a fetish?”

“Just… I like your smell.”

Blushing, Dr. Cash slightly lifted my shirt and pulled down my pants, kissing my lower abdomen.

Not stopping there, she licked it.

Feeling ticklish and aroused, I shivered briefly and placed my hand on her head.

As she focused on licking me, I played with her soft hair and asked.

“Did you miss me a lot?”

Dr. Cash simply nodded once, her caresses growing bolder.

She placed her fingers on my crotch, moving them gently, teasing me, and began sucking on my waistband.

It seemed like she might perform oral, but she didn’t.

She just kept caressing, heightening my arousal.

As my breathing grew heavier, Dr. Cash stopped her tongue movements, smiled faintly, and looked at me with half-lidded eyes.

“An email came… Argentina officially protested to the United Nations.”

So she heard the news. But why bring it up now? In this situation?

Disappointing…

“What protest?”

“They asked why we were late to help them when the demons in Israel were dealt with quickly.”

“Those jerks. We’re helping for free, and they complain.”

“I think so too. That’s why I want to make a statement.”

A statement? I lowered my gaze and stared at Dr. Cash.

“What kind of statement?”

“Our headquarters collaborates with the UN, but we’re not a national facility under them. We act purely out of goodwill. We should remind them of that and also take care of you and the Beast Slayers’ mental health.”

She meant to remind the protesting country of our voluntary service and imply that continued demoralization might lead to withdrawal of help… A very satisfying opinion.

A sign that Dr. Cash’s heart is sinking into the abyss. No reason to refuse.

“Then let’s do that.”

“Okay.”

Dr. Cash smiled and returned her mouth to my groin.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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