Chapter 122 – 121 – The Peeping Woman, The Wounded Woman, The Childish Woman (3)

Well, it’s more efficient to say, “Do this because of this,” rather than “Shut up and do it.” Above all, in human relationships, coercion is counterproductive. This is something that needs to come from the heart, so let’s explain a bit.

“Because of you, our baby has horns on her head. It’s not like they’re small enough to hide. And on top of that, she awakened her magic, the magic of a Grand Witch, and became a witch? How do you think people will see her?”
“Of course… they’ll see her badly.”
“Right? How much would that little one be hurt if she received prejudiced looks and treatment? She should be cherished with love, but if she gets bullied… I’ll kill them.”
“……I don’t think she’d care much.”
“Oh, come on. Kids that age are sensitive. Have you ever taken early childhood education? Do you know what child development is? Attachment formation? Child psychology?”
“……Just do whatever you want.”

I continued to explain gently to Lilith, who muttered with a look of resignation, as if she had given up.

“Anyway, it’s obvious that Carsilla will be ostracized because of her horns and demonic magic. So, either Diana, Irian, or I should take care of her… but we’re busy with the Holy War, right? Then who will take care of her?”
“Uh… someone else? A subordinate?”
“That’s why I’m asking you, because that won’t work. You don’t want to go? Should I come back in about five years?”
“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!”

Well… it’s partly because people are wary of Carsilla. But there’s also a reason I can’t say.

Right now, I don’t know how the forces that are keeping me in check will react… Lilith is better than someone I can’t trust. This girl is surprisingly easy to handle, right? And if I use the charged sealing stone, her combat power is decent.

Above all, her favorability towards me is quite high… it’s better to use her well.

“Hmm?”
“Hey~ Cardinal! Hurry up and come in! What are you doing!”
“Ah, yes, yes. I’m coming, I’m coming.”

Ugh, these troublemakers. I shook off the dirt from my soiled rear and got up.

Okay, it’s our farewell day, so I’ll be patient. When I think about it, we really are comrades, aren’t we?
The mercenaries who broke through the underground waterways and dungeons together in Huran City, and who also declared the Holy War together. Although only half of the original number survived, they came with me to the Holy Nation of Hespote.

Our Saintess had hired them long-term in her haste, so their contracts still had time left, and they also had the justification of being the first participants in the Holy War at the place where it was declared. I also felt it was a waste to let go of this good military force.

Thanks to that, they also received official certification as the first participants of the Holy War, along with an indulgence, when I was appointed as Cardinal.

Indulgence. Yes, the same thing that was rampant in medieval Europe. Since the Holy War was declared, it was necessary to encourage people’s active participation and motivation, so I proposed it. Let’s create indulgences.

There was a sharp conflict of opinions within the clergy… but the granting of indulgences was eventually formalized because it was a good way to encourage people’s active response without actually affecting the clergy’s finances.

Still, it’s a relief that we didn’t go as far as selling indulgences. It’s a good thing that the clergy isn’t so out of touch that they would maintain their finances by selling indulgences like in real history.

Cha Hyewon’s gaze was piercing, but so what? Someone will take responsibility for the aftermath.

Another hidden reason was a sense of crisis, just in case. If things went wrong, I was going to use them to escape… but it worked out well, so whatever.

It’s already been a month since I brought them here, so the mercenaries are starting to leave. From the start, thanks to the clergy having its own powerful military force, the security of Hespote was the best in this world, and the surrounding area was also the most developed civilization, so a large metropolitan area was formed, ensuring security and safety, so there was nothing for the mercenaries to do. Moreover, a life controlled by the security forces was also a hardship for the mercenaries.

It just so happened that Cha Hyewon, who was returning to the Empire this time, had hired them in the name of the Imperial Regent. So, we’re having a farewell party for Cha Hyewon and a farewell party for them today, renting out the pub and drinking to our hearts’ content.

Huh? Come to think of it, where is she? After dealing with the drunks for a while, I quietly got up and looked around, and found her sitting alone in a secluded corner.

What is it? Is she an outcast? Is she enjoying solitude or something? Why is she moping around here alone? As I staggered over, Cha Hyewon, who only turned her eyes to scan me, asked curtly.

“Are you okay?”
“Ugh. I haven’t even drunk much, but my stomach is full of alcohol. It’s sloshing around every time I move, it’s driving me crazy.”
“Then you shouldn’t have drunk so much. You just kept gulping it down when they offered it.”

I glanced at Cha Hyewon’s face, who was picking at the food in front of her with an indifferent expression, and then sat down in front of her.

“Why the long face? Are you sad to be parting with me?”
“No.”
“Come on, don’t lie. Tell me honestly. You’re honestly sad, right? Huh?”
“I said no.”

I’ve felt it since she became close with Irian, but this girl is also similar to Irian. A tsundere, that is. Look at her now, she’s sulking because she doesn’t want to part, but she’s stubbornly denying it. Cute girl.

I got up from my seat and plopped down next to Cha Hyewon. She glanced at me and then, as if protesting that she wasn’t interested, she was stabbing at the food on her plate with her fork with an indifferent expression. My guess was right after all.

Ha. It’s so tiring being a handsome man. I can hear the inner cries of the pitiful lamb, Cha Hyewon, who has fallen deeply for my charm.

Hold me~ I don’t want to be apart from you, but I’m also conscious of staying close to you~ So hold me~

Hah. This cute girl. I know that feeling well. I’ll hold you.

“Hey~ hey~ you’re sad, right? Right?”

I nudged her with my elbow as I asked, and she let out a deep sigh. …Something’s off. She should have given in by now, shouldn’t she?

“Hey, Cha Hyewon. Are you a little sad? We’re comrades, the only two of us. Are we really going to part like this? Seriously?”
“Seriously, so stop bothering me and go away.”

Uh… is she serious? Our first meeting wasn’t very pleasant, but I thought we had been getting along well since then. Was it just my delusion?

Should I try to be more clingy here, or should I just get up coolly? A severe conflict arose. Is her tsundere level higher than Irian’s, so she’s rejecting me three times? Or has she really decided to part ways? What if I get up coolly, but she wanted me to hold her back? Would we end up parting like this without being able to show my pride?

I’m already tipsy from the alcohol, and I can’t come to a conclusion because I’m caught up in this hopeless dilemma. I remained frozen in the same position, nudging Cha Hyewon’s arm with my elbow for a while.

“You two were here. Surely… I’m not interrupting?”
“Interrupting? Come here, sit down here, Sandra.”
“Hehe, excuse me.”

Thanks to the charming South American lady, Sandra, the tense atmosphere was relieved. Ugh, that charming tanned skin! Big breasts and a slender waist! Smooth skin!

It’s a shame she’s married… no, is it better because she’s married?

‘……Let’s not do this, Yurian. Just because you drank doesn’t mean you have to become a horny dog.’

I shook my head to get rid of the bad thoughts. The relationship I had with her before was only to save Sandra in an unavoidable situation, so I have an excuse.

Even with two charming beauties like Diana and Irian by my side, if I lust after a married woman, that’s just trash. I’m not Cao Cao, and it’s a misconception to think that I’d go crazy over married women. …It’s definitely not because I’m afraid of Diana. Really.

“When I first followed the Regent, I never thought something like this would happen… somehow, I’ve ended up at the center of such a big event.”

My eyes keep going to Sandra’s plump lips as she rests her chin on her hand and speaks after drinking. Her red, plump lips are glistening with alcohol. …Let’s get a grip.

“Ah, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know it would turn out like this either… I almost lost my life. I don’t know how to apologize.”
“It’s okay. Since I became a battle mage, it’s natural to be on the battlefield where my life is at stake. I was already prepared. But… I didn’t expect to experience something like this.”

What does she mean by “something like this”? Is she talking about being poisoned by a monster and having sex with me? …No, right?

Regardless of my conversation with Sandra, a friendly conversation continued, leaving Cha Hyewon, who was sulking with an expression that showed she wasn’t interested.

“I’ve learned a lot this time. I was actually confident in my skills, but this experience has made me realize that I have many shortcomings, which is a great gain.”
“Come on. Sandra is a great battle mage. If it weren’t for Cha Hyewon’s group, I would have begged you to stay. To stay on our team.”
“That’s tempting, you know? Try begging me. Who knows? I might actually stay?”
“Huh? Is there a possibility? Should I really beg?”
“I’m just kidding. It’s been half a year since I last saw my husband, so I have to go back. But I feel good.”

Husband. I wonder what kind of person Sandra’s husband is. If he finds out that I slept with his wife, he’ll try to kill me, right?

I was having unnecessary thoughts when Cha Hyewon slammed her glass down on the table and got up abruptly.

“You two are so lovey-dovey. Have fun, I’ll get out of your way.”
“What? Hey, what are you saying? Hey. Hey! Cha Hyewon!”

Her indifferent eyes glanced at me and then she turned and walked out. I couldn’t even grab her as I stared blankly at her back, which was radiating coldness, and she disappeared in an instant.

“What is it? Why is she like that?”
“Hmm. I think I know.”
“You know? What is it? Why is she like that?”

Women are really difficult. I thought I knew a little about women after experiencing Diana and Irian, but in just one day, they’re telling me that I was wrong.

Why is she radiating such coldness? What am I so angry about?

“Well, that’s…”

Sandra’s eyes, which were looking at me while dragging out her words, were… quite hot. …Is it real? Is it just my delusion…?

“What is it? Tell me.”
“I’ll tell you after you finish this.”
“……I’m already so full from drinking that I feel like my stomach is going to burst.”
“Come on, this is strong, so the amount is small. Here, I’ll pour it for you~”

The way the glass was filling was ominous. …You said it was strong. Why are you giving me so much?

After drinking back and forth for a while, I suddenly came to my senses and found myself on the bed. …Huh? A bed?

“Haa… Yurian.”

I was startled by the hot breath on my neck, and I saw Sandra, half-naked, with a flushed face, hugging me.

……What is this? What’s going on?

“Um… Sandra? Wait a minute. Just move away for a second.”
“Huuung. Yurian. Just one last time… please, just one last time.”

No, this isn’t right. She’s married. It’s not like I have an excuse like before, this is definitely adultery. I’d be too embarrassed to face Diana and Irian, so I can’t commit adultery… and I also feel a little sorry for her husband, even if I don’t know his face.

“Just for today… hold me so that I don’t think of my husband’s face. For the last time.”
“……”
“You’re the one who made me like this. So… make me lose my mind so that I don’t feel sorry for my husband.”

…Damn it. You just rolled around with Diana and Irian yesterday, but why are you so vigorous, you clone?