Chapter 298

EP.298 The Will of God #2

When revealing the Demon Realm, honestly, I was nervous.

I was afraid Adeline would find it strange.

But she didn’t. The situation turned out to be ideal.

I must have underestimated the malice injected into her.

Explaining the connection between the Demon Realm and the sacraments probably helped.

“Mmm…! It smells fragrant.”

Adeline sniffed the air and smiled happily.

I grinned as I stood next to her.

“Much better than the basement, right?”

“Yes. It’s like someone sprayed air freshener. Kim Minji, the believer, did an excellent job. She deserves a reward.”

“A reward, you say?”

“First, I should ask if there’s anything she desires. I’m willing to grant her anything.”

Anything? Really?

Adeline, now aware of her true self, exuded an alluring aura.

Should I say I saw some kind of aura? Just looking at her filled me with satisfaction.

I did well by subtly coaxing her, calling the Demon Realm a divine mark.

We soon arrived at the room to be used as the religious tribunal.

It was quite large.

But its contents were utterly bland.

At the far end was a horizontal bench where Adeline and I could sit, a small prosecutor’s seat slightly off-center, and in the center, a reformation platform doubling as the defendant’s seat.

On the bench sat a wooden gavel exuding an authoritarian vibe.

This essentially meant Adeline and I could conduct the trial as we pleased.

Adeline, glancing around the tribunal, looked at the pitiful virgin bound and sitting in the defendant’s seat, shrugging her shoulders.

“That person is a sinner who has blasphemed God,” she said.

Minji, who was already present, responded.

“Yes, Saint.”

“There’s no smell. It means there’s still a chance for salvation.”

Adeline walked up to the woman.

She frowned deeply.

Tears were streaming down the woman’s eyes, gagged as she was.

“Huuu… Hup…”

Adeline was angry because of the woman’s expression.

The look of innocence, claiming she knew nothing, that she was guiltless.

“Even after blaspheming God, you claim innocence with that look in your eyes. I don’t like it.”

The Adeline who once liked people was gone, replaced by a cold, icy woman.

She’s gone mad. Completely mad.

Even in this state, her love for me remains pure. What a beautiful sight.

“Hup… Huup…”

Tears began to pour from the woman’s eyes like a waterfall.

Adeline clicked her tongue and sat on the bench.

After I sat beside her, Adeline asked Minji.

“Will she make noise if we remove the gag?”

“She’s been briefed on the precautions. It should be fine.”

“What precautions were taken?”

“To answer quietly… That’s all.”

She must have been thoroughly threatened.

That’s why she’s staying still.

A faint smile appeared on Adeline’s lips.

“Well done, Kim Minji. I like it.”

“Ah…! Such an honor…!”

Minji trembled with excitement.

She’s putting on quite the act. I’ll praise her later.

“Remove the gag.”

“Yes, Saint.”

Minji skillfully removed the woman’s gag.

“Huuuuk…! Huk… Cough!”

Even with her mouth free, the woman only coughed briefly and showed no strange behavior.

She just trembled, pleading for mercy with pitiful eyes.

Adeline, watching indifferently, spoke.

“Temporary interrogator, state the main points of the indictment.”

Minji, now at the prosecutor’s seat—no, the interrogator’s seat—opened her mouth.

“The defendant, Yusera, a classmate of the Cult Leader, refused to join the Adeline Cult, treated the cult as a fraud, and belittled the cult and the Cult Leader.”

Adeline didn’t correct her, even though she only mentioned the Adeline Cult and ignored the Rosario Cult.

She looks like a ripe fruit, ready to be plucked.

“Mmm, good. Now, defendant?”

“… Huuuk… Huk…”

Yusera didn’t answer, only sobbing.

Adeline’s eyebrow twitched, and Yusera hurriedly responded.

“Yes…? Yes!”

“Do you admit to the charges?”

“….”

“Both the nature of the crime and your attitude are poor. This will be noted in the verdict.”

“I, I admit it! I admit it!”

She shouted so loudly the room echoed.

Adeline sighed and said.

“What is this behavior in a sacred religious tribunal? Be quiet.”

“Sorry… I’m sorry… Please spare me… Huuu… I don’t know anything… I don’t know this Cult Leader person… Huuu…! I don’t know… I don’t… I saw him for the first time today…!”

Despite Minji’s stern threats, she’s clearly struggling to hold on.

Adeline’s gaze turned to me.

She seemed suspicious after hearing Yusera’s sincere tone and look.

“What does that mean?”

“She seems to be acting. I clearly made the offer.”

“Uuuu…! How dare you lie…!”

Adeline, firmly believing me, looked at Yusera, who was crying profusely.

Yusera shook her head vigorously.

“It’s not true…! I really don’t know…!”

“It’s not yet the final statement time, so keep that filthy mouth shut.”

“… Huk…! Hup…!”

Seeing her bite her lower lip and try to hold back tears is a bit pitiful.

She is a real criminal, but… the atmosphere is too scary.

The dim lighting, ominous chairs, and cold tribunal.

I’d wet myself too.

“Temporary interrogator, do you have any further procedures?”

At Adeline’s calm question, Minji immediately answered.

“No.”

“Then proceed with the sentencing.”

“The defendant has committed the grave sin of belittling the Cult Leader, the one true God, and the Adeline Cult… I request the death penalty.”

Yusera’s pupils instantly dilated.

Her teeth chattered, and her lower body trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

She looked like she might faint any moment.

Adeline, stroking the gavel, asked.

“Defendant, do you have any final words?”

“Please… spare me… I’ll do anything… I was wrong…! I never meant to insult the Cult Leader or the cult…! I’m sorry for lying…! I was scared…!”

Huh, lying to save herself… She’s quite sharp.

Still, her life must be precious.

That’s why she should have lived righteously. Next life, don’t go around scamming people.

Adeline, perhaps softened, couldn’t easily deliver the verdict.

I could feel her emotions fluctuating.

After a long wait, Adeline’s pretty lips parted with resolve.

“I will now deliver the verdict for the defendant, Yusera. The defendant’s confession and remorse are favorable factors, but the fact that she committed blasphemy and lied during her testimony are unfavorable.”

“… Huuu…!”

“Originally, a death sentence would be appropriate to atone through death, but I sense genuine remorse…”

A glimmer of hope appeared in Yusera’s eyes.

“You will undergo two days of penance in seclusion. After that, you will be given a chance to convert. However, given the severity of your crime, if you convert, you will be branded. This brand signifies lifelong service to the Adeline Cult as a low-ranking believer and worship of the Cult Leader.”

Conversion…? Branding…?

She’s more into this than I imagined. Is this okay?

And penance in seclusion? I guess she doesn’t want to see torture in front of her.

Very Adeline-like.

“Seclusion…? Penance…? What does that mean…? What will happen to me…? Please spare me…! Please…!”

Ignoring Yusera’s desperate plea, Adeline continued.

“If conversion is deemed impossible, a new trial will be held. Now, Jihyuk. What do you think?”

Adeline left the final decision to me.

With a gentle smile, I answered.

“I’ll follow Adeline’s will.”

“Good. Temporary interrogator, take the sinner to seclusion.”

“Yes, Saint.”

**

“Phew…!”

Adeline sighed after gulping down strawberry milk.

I hugged her from behind and said.

“You worked hard today. You’ve finally taken your first step as the Saint of the cult.”

“No, not yet. We don’t even have a symbol.”

“A symbol…? Like a logo?”

“Yes, like Earth’s religions, we need a symbol. And… it’s already decided.”

“What is it?”

“I must use the mark you gave me. I think it symbolizes embracing believers with love, so it fits.”

She meant using the shape of the Demon Realm as the symbol.

Ah… How can she be so kind? She’s so beautiful, it’s driving me crazy.

“I appreciate the thought, but that mark won’t do.”

“Why not?”

“I vowed to give it only to the person I love.”

“Oh, come on… So, it’s only me, right?”

Actually, Sehwa, Yuria, and Dr. Cash already have it…

If she falls, she won’t demand I give the Demon Realm to these three, right?

Imagining Adeline stomping around in the gloomy Demon Realm is oddly satisfying.

“That’s right.”

“Then let’s just use the middle part. How about that?”

“Hmm… If Adeline wants it, go ahead.”

“Good. I’ll tell Kim Minji to handle it… Hoo… Jihyuk…! No more today…! We have important things to do…”

As I reached into Adeline’s pants, I asked.

“What important thing?”

“Have you already forgotten? We need to officially appoint Kim Minji as a believer and inquisitor… She’ll be here soon.”

“We can conduct the ceremony while we’re at it.”

“What are you…! I’m not a voyeuristic commoner! And what would Kim Minji think?!”

Well… She’d probably be thrilled and even masturbate?

Reluctantly, I licked my lips as Adeline removed my hand from her.

At the same time, Minji arrived right on cue.

With a reverent expression, she bowed to us.

“The sinner has been confined.”

“Ahem…”

After a few fake coughs, Adeline adjusted her clothes and ordered.

“Well done. Now, kneel before me.”

“Yes, Saint.”

Minji approached Adeline respectfully and knelt on both knees.

Watching her, I glanced at Adeline.

“Starting right now?”

“Of course. Kim Minji is already an excellent servant of God. It’s absurd not to grant her baptism. We must acknowledge her, even informally.”

Well… Since she wants to play religion, let her do as she pleases.

But how will she perform the baptism without holy water or anything?

I’ll just let her handle it.

“Understood. Will you do it, Adeline?”

“I will until the temple is completed. Is that okay?”

I don’t mind either way.

I nodded and stepped back to watch the two.

Adeline approached Minji, who had her eyes closed, and asked in a solemn voice.

“Do you, Kim Minji, wish to receive baptism to become a follower of the one true God, the Cult Leader?”

“Yes, I wish to be baptized.”

“Are you prepared to dedicate your life as a servant of the Cult Leader and Lord?”

“Yes, I am prepared.”

“Do you swear to faithfully perform your duties as a devoted priest of the Adeline Cult?”

“Yes, I swear.”

Adeline moved half a step to the side.

She pointed in front of Minji.

She was calling me over.

I stood in front of Minji, and Adeline spoke.

“Now, pledge to uphold your faith before the Lord’s holy body. Do you, Kim Minji, worship the one true Lord?”

“Yes, I worship Him.”

“Do you reject the evil forces that oppose the Lord?”

“Yes, I reject them.”

“Do you follow the Lord and all the teachings He imparts…….”

Where did she learn these lines?

Did she just rearrange stuff from the Rosario Cult?

The covenant took quite a while to finish.

Next was the prayer.

Adeline closed her eyes and began reciting the prayer.

“Lord God, Cult Leader. Open the heart of believer Kim Minji to Your grace and truth…….”

Whoooa…!

Then, as Adeline prayed fluently, a golden aura emanated from her body, resonating with my magic.

It was clearly divine power, but there was no sense of rejection.

It felt like natural magic.

‘This is…’

The aura filling the living room changed color as Adeline progressed with the covenant.

From gold to a deep purple, as if completely fused with my dark energy.

And when it turned completely purple, it moved softly, like clouds, and began entering Minji’s eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

An unfamiliar situation. But I had no desire to stop it.

Why? Because I could feel Minji’s—no, Marcella’s—magic amplifying in real time.

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