Chapter 636 – Liberty and Respite (1)

“Daddy.”

Consume.

“Da-da.”

Consume,

“Daddy! My portion first!”
“Dada! Not Wiki’s, but Shiba’s!”

Feasting once more.

My appetite may be large, but I implore you, my adorable daughters.

“Would you not gradually absolve your father?”
“Ah~!!!”

-Gobble gobble.

Why must finely-chopped greens, prepared for my children’s easy consumption, find their way into my own mouth?

Around the time my stomach grows heavy from the food ordeal enforced by my two overly affectionate daughters and the self-proclaimed adoptee pooch.

My women offered no assistance, even as my cheeks strained under the weight of the meal.

“Ugh.”

It’s overwhelming.
For me, who roamed the red-light district indulging in base love, the pure love from these children was too much to bear.
Prostitutes would become anxious with a mere glance, but children, they lack any form of restraint, and I have neither the heart nor the ability to handle them severely.

Silence greets my plea for aid.

“Sister…”
[Your soup is so delectable I can’t find the will to move.]
“You wench…”

I tried sending a message, but Alba’s response was complete disregard.

The ingrained sense of deserving such treatment, even if a bit harsh, had my women leisurely passing meals while observing my suffering like a spectacle.

In our display, I wonder if the stars might envision their own future offspring.
They were giddy among themselves, debating frivolities such as “Would a son be better, or a daughter?” and “What is the perfect number of children?”

“I prefer a son. How many would you want?”
“Sieon’s child. Hmm… every two years for a lifetime…”
“… Det. Se, Se-young, your preference?”
“One son and one daughter? Honestly, if they’re of sound mind, you should allow them to be born and bear the responsibility.”

To be frank, if they’re of sound mind, let them be born.
There’s weight to these words. The women, subtly stoked by the sight of Shiba and Wiki on my lap, cast glances bordering on intimidation.

“Se-young, however…”

If I were to voice anything regarding the matter.

-Whoosh!

Wiki, who hopped off my thigh, jabbed a rolled omelette into her cheek.

“Hurry up!”
“… Wiki, Daddy was speaking.”
“Dada, me too!”

Rice grains fell from Shiba’s extended spoon, sticking to my clothes.

“Ah…!!”

Shiba, with a look of despair, painstakingly removed the rice grains from my garments, then looked up at me, her eyes welling up.
Could she possibly expect me to eat that?

“…Dada.”

Oh heavens.

A single breakfast, and the laundry is piling up.

“Enough!!”

The limits of digestion and tolerance. I raise my voice to calm my two daughters.

“… Daddy’s full. Shouldn’t Wiki and Shiba eat as well?”
“But watching Daddy eat is filling enough.”
“Beep! Beep!”

“That’s for me to say, not for you two,” I asserted.

Extraordinary measures were called for. I solemnly voiced this, all the while gently stroking the heads of my two daughters.

“So, the first one among you to finish a bowl of rice gets to take a midday nap with dad today. How’s that?” I proposed.

“A communal nap!?” Wiki exclaimed.
“Midday nap?” Shiba echoed.

The two girls, faces flushed with excitement, eyed each other warily before puckering their lips in resolve.

Before the two could fully prepare, I amplified my voice, launching the signal.

“Begin!!”

“!”
“!”

Thin arms stretched out towards the side dishes— Shiba and Wiki were in the race. They mixed the greens and rice haphazardly with a spoon, shoveling it all in.

“Ugh, ugh!” came from Shiba.
“Beep… Beep!!” Wiki responded.

Wiki, gnawing on an egg roll as large as her own face, dribbled bits of Shiba. Surprisingly, compared to the more mannered Wiki, Shiba was on a mission. She hefted the entire bowl of rice, using her spoon like a mountaineer scaling a wall. With a sweeping motion, she devoured the rice, her cheeks swelling like balloons. She then shot Wiki a zealous glare.

“Beep, beep,” came a muffled sound from her full cheeks.

Every time she chewed, a delightful whimper escaped, making her cheeks quiver.

“Ugh, Dad… we need a judgement call here!” Shiba pleaded.

The problem was the mountainous bowl of rice. There was still quite a bit left. Wiki, her mouth full, voiced her protest.

“Why?”
“My bowl had more to start with!!”
“Well, I’m not sure about that… ,” I responded.

Tears began to well up around Wiki’s eyes when I didn’t take her side.

In truth, focusing more on the contest than arguing with the judge would raise their chances of winning. Wiki, not oblivious to this, reluctantly resumed eating.

‘…Just don’t choke. If you choke, it’s me who’s going to be in deep trouble,’ I thought to myself.

I had been feeling uneasy, foreseeing a future where I would be reprimanded once the contest was over. Who knew I would be so invested? The girls’ earnest efforts took me aback.

“Mon Cheri…,” Marronnier looked at me, a complex expression on her face.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

After the meal, we took a moment to converse.

For the record, Shiba was the victor, and Wiki, after throwing a tantrum, was reprimanded by Alba. The primary topic of our conversation, as usual, was our future course of action.

‘Significant time has passed,’ I mused.

The passage was counted more in months than in weeks.

Fortunately, Alba provided a comprehensive summary of our current situation, enabling us to recoup a bit of lost time.

The authority of the World Tree teeters on the brink of collapse. Thus, I am gradually preparing for my manifestation. A purge has begun among the moderate members of the church.

Flower, like a fish in water, spreads its ideology and amplifies its power. It is preparing to absorb the World Tree’s influence in earnest.

Jung Si-woo is in the midst of subduing the Flower Army. The political situation in Korea is said to have reached a fever pitch.

‘… It’s quite unbelievable.’

With my resurrection becoming known to the world, rumors began to spread slowly but surely. Despite the stringent crackdowns, it was impossible to stifle the stories seeping out among a few hunters.

Be they hunters or crows.

Certainly, I was the one who had intruded abruptly, and because we were fighting a common enemy, it wasn’t something we could simply overlook. Indeed, their identities were now at risk.

‘…Rather than denying everything, it’s better to leave a few confirmations.’

In the cases of Azalea, Marronnier, and Star, they agreed to hide when time allowed and visit occasionally. Se-Young solidified her forces. Sansuyu decided to seize this opportunity to establish herself within my power.

Through mutual agreement, we decided to only spend personal time during periods of respite. I had no choice but to accept this arrangement.

‘What about Shiba?’

‘I think it’s better if we live together for now. Especially in Shiba’s case… Since we don’t know how to revert her back to her original body.’

Shiba, having reverted to a youthful state, even lost her memories. She decided to live with me until she could regain her body at the very least.

Then there’s Wiki.

Except for a few personal aspects, Alba is primarily responsible for Wiki’s education.

‘Wiki will… probably only join us at night. There’s a lot more to teach her moving forward.’

There’s still more to be taught there.

Even if I look at the paper Wiki proudly presented to me, as a mere master’s degree holder, I couldn’t grasp its content.

Upon hearing that, I saw Wiki’s distressed face flicker before me.

‘And…’

The most crucial matter.

‘Don’t even think of showing yourself for a while. This is also for healing.’

For at least a month, do nothing.

‘It’s the right time to heal my frazzled mind.’

Don’t dwell on work, and postpone reclaiming the crown for a bit.

‘Why?’

‘You need more rest to regain your vitality. You barely stay awake for five hours a day, don’t you?’

If I venture to the tower immediately, it could lead to a precarious situation. On the contrary, not showing my presence might serve to check the World Tree or Flower.

Alba’s words were somewhat reasonable, but the choice still carried a heavy risk.

‘… It’s for your sake. Please heed my advice.’

Se-Young earnestly suggested I rest.

‘We need the light to return to your eyes, so we can send you off with peace of mind.’

Though it was difficult to comprehend her words, I decided to comply.

‘After all, it’s not a pressing matter.’

So, it’s a holiday. A moment of upheaval when the world is inverted and conflicts abound. I’ve lost my purpose and regained tremendous freedom.

Not revealing any image from the front lines, simply delighting in all the leisure and rest I could afford my body.

‘Is that even possible?’

With freedom reclaimed, I found myself bored with nothing to do.

– Thud.

“Then, see you later Si-heon!!”

My farewell to the women filling the doorway was a few casual waves. Shiba and Wiki had returned to their mothers’ laps today, granting me reprieve.

– Bang!

The moment the door closes, emptiness swarms in.

‘How did I used to enjoy rest?’

The refuge Alba had prepared was a place where one could access the internet, play games, even read comics.

Tasty meals could be prepared any time, and there was an abundance of snacks in the storage.

– Clomp.

For some reason, the sound of footsteps reverberates dully in my ears. I lean against the sofa and gaze up at the ceiling light.

“……”

Oh.
What to do?

“Ebony! Training… Ah, I can’t.”

My spontaneous remark spirals around like a lone wanderer before dissipating. Teaching martial arts to Ebony was work, one of the things I had to refrain from.

“Shiba! Wiki… They’re not here.”

No daughters around, just me in the room. My accessible space was limited.

There were precisely three rooms specially treated so as not to let the World Tree or Flower sense my presence.

This room where lovers had their drinking parties, the castle on my land, and Alba’s house where Heaven was staying.

Thankfully, moving between these places was possible, but using spatial magic without purpose felt like a burden.

‘Ah.’

For starters… Maybe I should have a drink.
I pull out a can of beer from the leftover crate, lightly chill it with magic, and pop the lid.

– Fizz!

My mouth meets the frothy head as it bubbles up. Cool beer glides down my throat.

‘……’

In the past,

I would have chugged it down and let out a solitary ‘Kya’ out of sheer excitement. Now, even though the fizzy drink was quite potent, I couldn’t taste its refreshing quality. Perhaps I had grown accustomed to the thrill.

– Crisp!

I pull out a piece of dried squid and chew slowly.
When I switch on the TV, astonishingly, it’s set up to allow the selection and viewing of broadcasts from any country.

‘Korea…’

No chance of watching any entertainment, just a news channel.
Hunters huddled together to recover from a flood, building houses with magic. The scene of treating the injured breezes past my view.

– Glug.

I watch these scenes while nursing my drink. Simultaneously, I recall Angelica’s words.

‘It’s because of me.’

The King of Trees, revealed through the Trial of the Tower.
And the disaster that his existence precipitated.

It wasn’t entirely untrue. After all, it was I who had caused it, and due to my actions, countless lives must have been lost.

‘…’

A question lingers.
When did I become unshackled from such guilt?

The world shrieks in sorrow and agony, the images of grieving families entering my vision with a dry, desolate intensity.

Yet, there was no resonance in my heart now.
I stared blankly at the bereaved, revisiting the scene, verifying it, then shut my eyes without a trace of remorse.

“Ah.”

A voice lingers in the solitude of the room.

Closing my eyes in numbness, swimming in the depths of unconsciousness, buoyed by alcohol as if I were navigating the vast ocean, a name abruptly surfaces.

“…Master.”

I yearn for you.
The face of the one who would sternly correct me when I strayed off the path.
When I squint at the fizzing carbonation, the residual light in the dark world refracts, sketching the countenance of that individual.

-Ring.

The sudden clamor of the phone.
As I lethargically reach for it, it’s Alba on the line.

-There’s something I neglected to mention.
“Oh, what is it?”
-Wiki and I need to observe another phenomenon for a while. The house will be vacant.
“…And so?”
-There’s still someone there, isn’t there?

Our master.
I cover my mouth with my hand in sudden realization.

-There will be many inconveniences given his limited mobility…. I hope you can assist with meals and other things.

As I pondered what to do. A duty assigned.
Does a person truly require a purpose to feel vitality coursing through them?

“I understand.”

In response to Alba’s words, I give an enthusiastic agreement.