Chapter 217

EP.217 The Sprouting Seed of Doubt #3

“Mr. Jihyuk… How is your body?”

“It’s fine. Everything’s normal.”

“That’s a relief…”

Her tone suggests she has something on her mind.

While driving, I hit the brakes at a red light and turned to look at Adelle.

“Is something wrong? You don’t look well.”

“There is… Sister Silvia is acting strange.”

“Strange how?”

“She keeps touching the back of her neck and avoiding my eyes…”

Adelle, with a frightened expression, explained everything that happened yesterday.

After hearing the whole story, I chuckled inwardly.

I could almost see Silvia’s flustered expression in that awkward situation.

She must have been really embarrassed. That’s why she deliberately scared Adelle and sent her away.

Must be hard to act, huh? I know that feeling.

“Ms. Silvia really went through a lot taking care of me at the Grand Canyon. She even got injured by a demon. That’s probably why she’s a bit mentally and physically exhausted.”

“I thought so too… But her unusual behavior is hard to explain… Why would she do that?”

“Hmm… Maybe it’s because of psychological shock…?”

“Did anything else happen at the Grand Canyon?”

“Nothing other than what I told you.”

“I see…”

I tightly held Adelle’s hand, who was feeling anxious.

I shouldn’t show too much concern.

It might look suspicious, so I’ll act as usual.

We stopped by a restaurant and ordered food.

Then, I excused myself, saying I had a work call, and stepped out to call Silvia.

-Hello.

“Hello, Ms. Silvia.”

-Hi. Why are you calling? Aren’t you on a date right now?

“I stepped out for a moment because I have something to say. What exactly did you do yesterday that made Adelle so worried?”

-…..

After a moment of silence, Silvia answered, sounding embarrassed.

-I guess I kept unconsciously touching the back of my neck… It’s because of the scar you left…

The scar I left… Why does that feel kinda hot?

Did I just get turned on? I need to heal with Adelle tonight.

“Who was it that said I wasn’t trustworthy?”

-…. It was me.

“And now you’re making Adelle suspicious? This is only going to make things harder for you, Ms. Silvia.”

-Are you threatening me now? You better behave!

Silvia exploded in anger.

I guess my tone upset her.

“I’m really just worried, why are you getting so angry… I’m doing fine.”

-Did you treat the back of my neck yesterday? No, you didn’t.

“That’s because I forgot…”

-And you say you’re doing fine! If you had just removed the scar, this wouldn’t have happened. And Adelle is just worried about me, so don’t make her anxious.

Who’s the one feeling anxious here?

I can easily get out of this if I need to.

“Are you shifting the blame? This is disappointing…”

-It’s the truth. Let’s drop this topic and just tell me how to use the medical device.

She seems to be trying to erase the kiss mark herself.

I can’t tell her. You need to stay nervous for another day.

“Why the medical device?”

-I’m going to remove the scar.

“If an unskilled person handles it, there could be serious consequences, and the device has been used a lot recently, so we need to wait until the medical materials are replenished. Come to the lab tomorrow morning. I’ll treat you then.”

-So it’s a no for today?

“Yes. There’s no other way.”

-Haah… This is driving me crazy… But make sure you treat me tomorrow. Got it?

She reluctantly agreed, but her frustration was palpable.

Actually, I lied… The medical device is working fine…

This is kinda fun.

“I’ll definitely treat you if I get caught, so don’t worry.”

-Okay… Where are you on your date now?

“We’re at a Western restaurant.”

-Got it… Oh, and make sure to delete the call log. You know?

“Of course.”

-Have fun.

“Yes, take care.”

After hanging up, I held back my laughter and left the restroom.

**

After dinner, Adelle and I finished a normal movie date and walked hand in hand through the streets.

Then, we stopped when we saw news playing on a large billboard atop a tall building.

[Breaking news. Pierre Issa, a board member of the World Union’s French branch and recently appointed Secretary-General of Interpol, has been caught in contact with a humanoid monster. Pierre Issa is currently denying all allegations…]

[Pierre Issa, currently detained in Lyon, France, conspired with five of Interpol’s Red Notice fugitives to turn the Grand Canyon in the U.S. into an expansion base for monsters. The equipment they used contained cutting-edge technology, shocking the international community…]

[The various monsters at the Grand Canyon were all dealt with by the new Beast Slayer, Celine. Dr. Jennifer Cash, who played a major role in arresting those involved in this incident, declared that if the World Union does not immediately purge the corrupt, the Beast Slayer Headquarters will become an independent organization, expressing her anger and giving them one last chance.]

Adelle’s eyes widened as she listened to the announcer’s precise and rapid diction.

She realized that the events at the Grand Canyon had been hidden because of those guys.

This was all orchestrated by me and Marcella.

To divert the attention of the greedy doctor and plant a small seed of distrust in Adelle towards humans.

As for Pierre Issa… He has nothing to do with this incident, but he’s already a corrupt guy.

His image is in the gutter, and with all the circumstantial evidence, no one would believe him even if he protested his innocence.

The World Union will quickly handle the situation to appease the furious doctor.

They’ll probably sentence the Red Notice fugitives to death and give Pierre Issa life imprisonment or more.

Should’ve lived a good life… If he had, we would’ve put someone else in his place.

I put my arm around Adelle, who was in a panic.

“That’s unfortunate.”

“…This is unbelievable… How can people living on the same planet do such heinous things… Being part of the World Union, an organization of justice, yet collaborating with monsters… I don’t want to believe it… It feels like fake news.”

Looks like it worked perfectly.

But Adelle won’t break no matter how many incidents like this we create.

Because Rosario, that massive presence, holds her heart together.

‘I need to take Rosario’s place.’

I need to make myself the one who holds Adelle’s heart, not Rosario.

I’ll use every method to pull Rosario out of her heart.

“I don’t want to believe it either… But such absurd things happen often.”

“Mr. Jihyuk, you were involved in that incident…!”

Adelle, about to scream, closed her mouth after seeing my gesture to be quiet.

I whispered to calm her down.

“We’re in public. Don’t speak too loudly.”

“Ah, right…”

Adelle, with a nervous look, glanced around and lowered her voice.

“How can you be so calm when you were involved in that incident? You almost died because of the monsters… And all you feel is regret? I’m trembling with anger…”

“It’s already in the past. The mastermind has been arrested. Once the doctor returns, we’ll look into the collaboration with the monsters…”

“Mr. Jihyuk, you’re such a fool…! With such an optimistic personality, you can’t survive in this harsh world!”

Who’s giving advice to whom… This is ridiculous.

I barely held back my laughter and spoke seriously.

“Don’t waver.”

Then Adelle hugged me.

It seems my advice really moved her.

I wish she’d trust my words more than Rosario, who just lounges around in the sky and only comes down to give oracles.

“But my heart hurts… Do you feel the same, Mr. Jihyuk?”

“Of course it hurts. Someone betraying humanity and siding with monsters… It’s horrifying. But those of us with power must hold onto our righteous beliefs. That’s how the world can change.”

“…Mr. Jihyuk, you’re a teacher with so much to learn. Always stay by my side and support me.”

“I will.”

This Demon King is sadder about sacrificing monsters than those humans.

In that sense, should we recharge today?

I patted Adelle’s back and asked.

“How much Aiter is left?”

“Ah… I checked yesterday, and there’s 42% left…”

We used a lot. I’m proud.

“I see. Shall we go now?”

“Are we going back already…? Well, I understand, seeing the news must have been a shock.”

Who said we’re going back? We’re going to the hotel.

**

[22nd floor.]

I held Adelle’s hand, who was staring at the floor, and headed to the end of the hallway.

She hadn’t said a word since the car entered the hotel.

Not even when I paid for the suite at the reception.

From her shyness and lack of protest, it seems she’s not against what’s to come, even if she’s not exactly looking forward to it.

I deliberately didn’t get a bellboy or manager to guide us, and used the card key to open the suite.

Inside, a modernly decorated, classic-style living room greeted us.

Adelle, who entered the room, seemed to calm down in our private space and finally opened her mouth, which she had kept shut until now.

“Um… Mr. Jihyuk.”

“Yes.”

“Are, are we… staying the night…?”

“If Adelle wants to.”

“Th, then let’s rest a bit and go back to Uijeongbu… I’m worried about Sister Silvia…”

“Understood.”

Relieved by my easy agreement, Adelle carefully walked to the sofa and sat down.

“Order some strawberry soufflé through room service…”

“The phone is right next to you, Adelle.”

“I ordered you to do it. No backtalk…”

I agreed and ordered room service, then sat next to Adelle.

I stared at her and made a concerned face.

“Seems like you’re a bit uncomfortable. Should we just eat the soufflé and go back?”

“Wh, who said I’m uncomfortable? I clearly told you not to think ahead, didn’t I? Have you forgotten you’re being punished right now?”

“I’m just worried because you seem restless. Why is that…”

“Well…”

Adelle took a deep breath.

It seems she’s too shy to say what’s about to happen.

She fidgeted and spoke in a barely audible voice.

“My, my chest feels tight…”

Oh? Is that so?

I smirked and pressed lightly near Adelle’s heart with my index and middle fingers.

“Eek!”

She flinched as my fingers touched the upper part of her chest.

Adelle’s reactions are always so vivid.

I asked with a gentle face.

“Is it tight here?”

“No…”

“Then here?”

As my fingers pressed firmly on the solar plexus below her chest, Adelle tightly gripped my clothes.

“M, Mr. Jihyuk, let’s eat the soufflé first… please…”

“You said your chest feels tight. I’m just checking your condition.”

“…. It, it suddenly feels better… Turn on the news. Let’s focus on that until the room service arrives…”

Seeing Adelle avoiding my eyes and speaking like that, today is going to be really fun.

Today, we’ll aim for a much higher level than in Jeju.

It’s unfair that only you’ve been feeling pleasure, don’t you think?

So this time, satisfy me too.

“Are you really feeling better? Be honest…”

“I’m fine, really…? Don’t you trust me?”

“No, of course I trust you.”

I removed my hand from Adelle’s body and searched for the remote to turn on the TV.

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