Chapter 637 – Liberation and Repose (2)

Heaven.
My mentor, who met my gaze as the sun ascended, and shared slumber when it descended.

We, abundant in shared traits, were each other’s tutors and each other’s cherished pupils. And we were the object of each other’s affection.

Even being aware of that magnificent heart seemed insufficient when reality failed to convey its intentions through the labyrinth of memories.
The emotions long harbored were deferred and deferred, until they were unable to find resolution.

‘Regaining Master’s memories is only a matter of time.’

The phrase, ‘a matter of time’, implies that time itself is the issue.

To reclaim the crown, it was necessary to ensure strength substantial enough to face the subjects. Until then, I was to rest.

Even if the crown was to be regained, there were numerous tasks to prioritize.
At present, countless permutations and possibilities darted chaotically within my mind, akin to a flock of sheep traversing a meadow.

However,
It’s not within my power to resolve, yet I hope for a continuation… Isn’t this the wrong attitude to hold towards my mentor?

– Thud.

Guilt, love, libido.

A toxic cocktail of complex emotions stirred within me.
I stood before Heaven’s chamber, deliberately echoing heavy footfalls.

– Swish.

The unusual sound of coarse stockings grazing the fabric.
Even before the drapes were drawn, the sinuous silhouette of her body entered my vision.

“…Who is it?”

The shadow of her, who turned her head at the sound of my footsteps. As the darkness was brushed aside, a smile was revealed.

“It’s me, Master.”

A fleeting smile appeared on the arid visage of my mentor.

“……Your health.”
“It’s fine. Have you heard from Alba?”
“I’ve gleaned some details. You battled with yourself.”
“Yes.”

I settled on the chair beside the bed, offering Heaven, who had risen, a grin.

Adjusting my expression to mirror that of a playful and natural disciple.
In her presence, I felt an inexplicable urge to be guileless, to engage her with a face full of mirth. How would one feel seeing a disciple, whom one has patiently awaited, deteriorate day by day?

“I’ve gained much. Enough that you need not worry about me any longer. Would you listen to what I have to say?”

Heaven’s eyes traced an arc at my grandiloquent gesture.

“Indeed… That’s reassuring. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you. What transpired–”

– Gurgling.

“-Ah!”

Heaven quickly drew the blankets to veil her lower abdomen as an enigmatic sound emanated from her stomach.
I glanced at her endearing face, now tinged with a faint blush, and chuckled.

“Dinner. Shall we proceed with that first?”
“Please…do.”

Heaven bowed her head, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“Please wait a moment.”

Exiting the chamber, I briskly headed to the kitchen to commence meal preparations.

What meal would be ideal? As I pondered, a memory of the curry that Heaven had relished back in our academy days sprang to mind.

I resolved.
To stew it abundantly with meat, infusing it with flavor.

As I prepared the curry, I opened a cabinet in the living room, uncorking a bottle of spirits and pouring it into my mouth.

-Click.

A potent liquor, consumed all at once, breath held.

-Gulp, gulp, gulp.

As the biting alcohol infiltrated, my previously sealed mouth began to lubricate. My body, already languid, succumbed to the inebriation swiftly. That was precisely what I desired.

“…Huff.”

Lifting the cover off the curry to taste, it was not spicy but rather sweet. A gentle, saccharine flavor rather than a fiery one. This was sufficient.

Generously ladling the simmered curry over white rice, I also prepared stir-fried sausage and vegetables, a favorite of my mentor, along with stir-fried fish cake and egg rolls.

-Thud.

“Master, the meal is ready. Could you kindly set the table?”
“Ah… Please wait a moment. Did you prepare it yourself?”
“Yes.”

Upon the makeshift dining surface over the infirmary bed, I placed each dish, crafted with my own hands. I yearned to feed her every bite, but would my mentor, Cheondo, acquiesce? I opted to leave her to eat alone.

“The aroma was tantalizing… It was curry. You’ve exerted much effort, especially considering your already weakened state.”
“Ah, it’s nothing, being able to prepare a meal is the least I can do.”
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’ve just had my fill.”

Did she desire to partake together? Cheondo, who subtly hinted at such, promptly lifted her spoon and gently introduced the curry to her mouth.

Would it be to her liking? Likely so.
Cheondo’s countenance brightened as she sampled the curry.

“This is… quite tasty!”
“Of course. Haven’t I grasped your palate quite tightly?”
“…What makes you presume so?”

Heavenly Demon, who abhorred anyone seeing through him, swiftly adjusted his expression. Yet, how could I not understand his culinary leanings?

Cheondo has the typical palate of a child.
She detests spicy, adores sweet.
She favors ham over vegetables, is infatuated with eggs, and often indulges in her peculiar eating habits when out of others’ sight.

From my observations, she loathed vegetables even more than Shiba. She only forced herself to eat them to maintain her dignity.

“Am I incorrect?”

Upon my question, Cheondo clamped her mouth shut as if struck to the core. Silently, she scooped another spoonful of curry, introduced it to her mouth, and chewed.

“…You’re mistaken. Do not ridicule your master.”
“I believe it’s wrong to lie to a disciple. So, it doesn’t taste good?”

Even in this moment, she savors it.
Seeing my subtly mocking gaze, Cheondo mumbled and averted her eyes.

“Don’t you understand the concept of flattery? You’re no better than a tree root. I could prepare such a simple curry anytime. Hmm, mmm….”

-Yum Yum.

“Is it not simply sweetening it a bit? The same goes for this stir-fried fish cake on the right. Ahem.”

-Chew, chew.

“This minced meat is already a processed product. What’s so challenging about stir-frying it in a tomato-based sauce?”

Observe, that left hand of hers, wavering all around.

For a meal that barely rivals the roots of the King of Trees, Master appears to relish the blend of sausage and fish cake.
Watching him brings a blossom of laughter to my face.

How can a being… No, how can a tree be so endearing?

“I hope you find it palatable.”

Feeling remorse for my earlier profanity due to his surprisingly benign response, Heaven, spoon in hand, cautiously spoke while observing my reaction.

“……Your meals are always pleasing to the palate, so do not fret.”
“Hmm.”

She was truly radiant.

* * * * * * * * * *

“I see, it’s a respite then?”
“Yes. My partners impede me so much even when I attempt to work… Therefore, our search for both their bodies may need to be postponed. There’s still much to be done.”

After the meal, I sat alongside Heaven and conversed for a while.

I told her of my victory over the King of Trees. What life the King led.
Any amusing or sinful incidents that occurred during that epoch.

Heaven, with her shoulder against mine, closed her eyes.
The time was an unsuspected 9:00 PM. The evening air pregnant with warmth.

“Wait…? I always ask, but I hope you’ll refrain from any foolish actions that prioritize me.”
“I understand. I remember that. I consider everything for you, Master.”
“I’m relieved to know. Also… you’ve put in a good effort this time as well.”

Before my combat with the King, when I conversed with Heaven for a moment. I recall her gaze, fraught with concern.

Heaven smiled contentedly as she sipped the peach black tea I brought.

“My disciple always accomplishes her tasks.”
“She does indeed. It’s due to Master’s correct guidance.”
“Foolish, isn’t it? We’ve only spent a few months together. Calling me ‘Master’ feels premature. Let’s put that topic aside… So, did you glean any lessons from your other self?”

Many.
I’ve gleaned many.

“What could they be?”
“Well, first off….”

I rested my head on Heaven’s shoulder.
A slight boldness brought on by my inebriation, Heaven, sober but intoxicated by the ambiance, did not react overly.

“Being a father is indeed challenging.”
“Challenging, it is. Nurturing a life to its fullest potential is a monumental task. What else?”
“……The current situation is a blessing born of chance. I must express gratitude.”

She smiles and nods at each phrase.
A faint aroma of peach wafts from the side.

One might deem me depraved for saying that I savor this scent, but it is far more pleasing than any artificial fragrance, thus making it impossible not to indulge in this olfactory delight.

The stockings clung tightly all the way up to the torso, and the sweat caused by their unique insulation evaporated, flowing from the gap in the opened armpits. A seductive… a sort of pheromone.

“In this world, all connections are formed by chance. I’m not sure if gratitude is necessary… but if that’s how you see it.”
“Quite the high-minded sentiment. But it lacks sincerity.”
“That is the essence of a Heavenly Demon. Every word must appear profound.”
“Hehe.”

She lowered her head further, entrusting herself to the woman’s shoulder. Cheondo silently accepted the full weight of her body.

“So, you’ve grown this large, yet you wish to lean on your mentor’s shoulder?”
“…”

She desired it. In her life, fraught with struggle and desperation, only Cheondo could be called her mentor.

Sometimes, she yearned for a different kind of reassurance, distinct from the strength a lover provides.

“You’re not about to declare your affection for me again, are you?”
“I haven’t uttered a word yet.”
“You had the look of someone about to do just that.”

She chuckled softly.

“This time it’s different.”
“How so?”

To love is to love, and to miss is to miss. They had battled tirelessly, committed countless sins, and begged for forgiveness.

“I am a queen.”
“Indeed. And also the successor to my position.”
“Yes. A position laden with responsibility. Therefore, if I may confide in you, mentor, sometimes it feels too heavy.”

Cheondo nodded silently in response.

“Do you remember the old times?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“When we lived together at the academy. Those were good times.”

Days gone by, irrevocably lost, nights filled with longing. She murmured these thoughts, her eyes closed in reminiscence.

When they enjoyed a satisfying meal, they would converse, laughing together. They played pranks and shared cigarettes. And she could live freely, relying on her mentor for various things.

“Yes… we experienced much. There were times when you pleasured yourself behind me during the long nights.”
“…How did you know that?”
“Khehehe. Did you think I wouldn’t?”

Her face heated up slightly. But soon enough, even that was dismissed with a laugh, and she nestled deeper into her mentor’s embrace.

Cheondo loosened her guard slightly and reached out to embrace her shoulder.

They leaned on each other for a long while in silence.

In the stance of two beings leaning onto each other, subtle smiles playing on their lips.

“Do you wish to return to those times?”
“…If we could, there would be much we could rectify. But I know. There is no ending beyond this.”

She was the Heavenly Demon and the queen. She was the one to sow the seeds and nurture their growth, no longer the one looking up at the sky and sprouting leaves.

She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth for a moment. Her mentor seemed to have found a rare moment of peace, wearing an expression of happiness akin to her own.

“Si-heon.”
“Yes.”
“You are my treasure.”

She felt the same way.

“Thank you, for turning a mere demon of vengeance into such a joyful mentor.”
“Master… you too have done well, raising a hardened rapist.”
“……When you put it that way, I feel as though I’ve become some wicked creature.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you, Master. After all, you’re still as foolish as ever.”

– Tick.

It’s time to sleep now.
It is so tranquil that I wish to stay forever, but the moment of being a young disciple is fleeting.
I lift my head from Heaven’s shoulder. Her face subtly shifts, a hint of regret, and her hand trembles slightly.

“We need to part ways soon. I’ll bring you breakfast tomorrow morning.”

Just as I was about to rise from the bed.

– Thump!

Heaven grabs my wrist.

“…You’re resting anyway, aren’t you? If you go back, you’ll just be alone.”
“Indeed, that’s true.”
“Stay here.”
“Here? Oh, well, that would indeed be more convenient… If I use Alba and Wiki’s rooms-“

Heaven closes her eyes and lets out a small cough, interrupting me.

“I was implying we should share a bed, like back in our academy days.”
“Oh.”

That’s a bit much.
I’m not sure I can resist.

“……”
“…Are you overthinking? The bed is bigger now, compared to then.”

I wanted to object, but seeing Heaven’s careful gaze, I hold my tongue.
She cherishes the relationship between a mentor and a priest greatly.
How could I refute her here?

My nostrils are already intoxicated with the scent of Heaven.

– Gulp.

I swallow my saliva.