Chapter 6 – Episode 5 – Rather Than Let Her Grow Into A Boss Monster, I’Ll Raise Her Myself (2)

Episode 5 – Rather Than Let Her Grow Into a Boss Monster, I’ll Raise Her Myself. (2)

The road back was like walking on pins and needles.
Even though she was called the Witch of Calamity, Karsilla looked like a child no older than ten, and she was so frail, probably from not eating well, that she couldn’t walk all the way to the Grand Temple.
So, I was going to have her ride in front of me on my horse, but then Diana, with a seemingly kind smile, put her in the carriage instead. Anyone would have thought it was a genuinely kind smile, but I knew better. It was anything but kind.

‘Why is she angry? It’s not like she can tell she’s the Witch of Calamity.’

Looking through the clear, square window of the carriage, I could see Diana, with her bright smile, saying something. The little one was stubbornly keeping her mouth shut, then she’d spit out a word or two. I didn’t know what they were saying, but I was relieved to see Diana’s ‘picture-perfect’ smile gradually turn gentle.

“Yurian. Look forward.”

There was a nasty woman who, apparently disgusted by me sticking so close to the carriage and peering inside, squeezed in between us and blocked the window with her body. Of course, it was Irian.

“…Understood, Sir Irian.”

If there weren’t so many eyes around, I’d smack her on the butt. Of course, I’d get it back tenfold after that. Ugh, this ‘clumsy’ trait. Because of it, my physical stats barely improve even when I train.
I trained with Irian as a holy knight, and thanks to this clumsy trait, I got beaten to a pulp every time. Thinking about it makes me angry.

* * *

Arriving at the Order, I introduced Karsilla to the Cardinal and declared that I would take her as my ward. The Guardian position is useful at times like this.

“Hmm. An orphan, you say? Very well. From now on, this child is Yurian’s ward. I trust you will guide her to possess the dignity and compassion, wisdom and courage, honesty and trust, and an unwavering faith befitting a guardian.”
“Thank you, Your Eminence.”

It was unpleasant to kiss the wrinkled hand he offered, but it was a custom, so what could I do? I kissed the Cardinal’s ring and stood up, then made Karsilla do the same. She made a very displeased face, but perhaps because of the solemn atmosphere, she obediently pressed her lips to the Cardinal’s ring.

“Normally, to prevent any untoward incidents, even between a guardian and a ward, cohabitation is not allowed, but… Yurian, I trust you. While a room is being prepared, have her stay in your room.”

Wow. This is the power of image! The might of appearance!
It seems my efforts to smile diligently have paid off. I bowed to the Cardinal with a humble and gentle smile. As I headed to my room with Karsilla, the little one’s lips were pouting.

“What are you so dissatisfied about? Tell me.”
“Ugh. Your way of speaking is weird.”
“Heh heh. You are a truly pitiful and unfortunate soul. You need ‘education’.”

Diana was so compliant from the start that I felt like I missed out on the fun of education, but this is making my motivation burn again after a long time.

Irian? Irian was… from our first meeting, she looked at me like I was her rival in love, so education wasn’t going to work. Still, there was a certain charm to her constant bickering, so I tried hard, but it only got worse, and she even started cursing at me. Was there something wrong with my educational philosophy?

“What’s your name?”
“I won’t tell you.”

Even as a little kid, she’s already smirking. But it just makes her look cute with her pretty face. She’s cute now because she’s young, but she’ll be very annoying when she gets older, won’t she? She’s already mastering the art of wide-area provocation. Truly befitting a boss monster.

“What can I do to make you tell me?”
“First, stop using that annoying way of talking.”
“…Really? Is this better?”
“Much better.”

Walking alongside the tiny kid, I had to adjust my pace.
The ‘Yurian’ character is quite tall, so if I didn’t pay attention to the little one’s stride, which barely reached my waist, she’d have a hard time keeping up.

“Can you tell me your name now?”
“No.”
“…What’s the problem now?”

Glancing down, I saw the little one’s lips moving, like she wanted to say something. I waited patiently as we took a few more steps, and then her small lips slowly opened, and a faint voice escaped.

“…Call me that.”
“Huh? What was that?”
“Um, can I try calling you Papa once?”

…What!?
Is this a Daddy play!? Forbidden love? A father-daughter romance!? This, this familiar scene unfolds in my mind. My brain, honed by countless adult videos and manga, churned out numerous masterpieces, painting my mind pink.

“…I guess not, right? Sorry. I was just trying…”
“Papa.”
“…Huh?”
“Ahem. You should call me Papa.”

Haa… Hurry, hurry and call me Papa!
Our eyes met.

“…Never mind. I don’t want to. It feels weird.”

It seems I need to work on building rapport.

* * *

After arriving at the room, I sat her down and busied myself.
I got her a priest’s robe, pajamas, and underwear, and I also made a list to send her to the ‘Children’s Priest Corps,’ which educates young children who came for similar reasons. I even went to the bathhouse with her to wash her grimy body.
This time, I rented a private room and washed the little one first.
Well… she’s someone with a promising future, but right now, she’s just a grade schooler, so it really felt like I was bathing my daughter or niece.

“Why is there something weird attached here? A handle?”
“Y-you shouldn’t say things like that! I’ll get arrested.”
“……?”

There was a brief, unpleasant incident, but it was nothing. Really. Truly. For real.
After scrubbing the grimy kid clean, her cuteness was amplified. …Is this what it feels like to raise a daughter? It reminds me of the Princess Maker game I used to play. Alright. As a ‘Princess Maker’ master, I’ll raise this kid to be great.
She fell asleep as soon as she lay down on the bed, probably tired from the day. When she’s awake, she’s so prickly and sarcastic, but when she’s asleep, she’s an angel, an angel.
And so, I fell asleep holding her. …She smells like a baby.

* * *

The morning at the temple is bustling.
The Holy Nation of Hespote is the headquarters of the dominant religion in this world, like Rome in medieval Europe. As such, devout believers flock to visit the Grand Temple, and everyone is busy getting dressed up and preparing to greet the faithful.

“Good morning, Priest Yurian.”
“Good morning.”
“Oh my. Is this the rumored ward? She’s so cute. How old is she?”
“……”
“Ho, ho ho. It seems she’s shy.”

I brought her to the ‘Children’s Priest Corps’ for education. The middle-aged female priests all gathered around, praising her cuteness, but she still had a sullen expression. She really lacks social skills. Well… a cool-dere is necessary, so I guess I can leave her be?

“Karsilla. From today, you’ll study with the nuns here in the morning. There are many kids your age, so make lots of friends. See you at lunchtime?”
“……Okay.”

I patted the small head that nodded with a sullen expression and stood up. I greeted the nuns and turned around, but I felt a weight on the edge of my sleeve. I looked to see what it was, and Karsilla was holding onto it. I looked at her, wondering why she was holding on, and her small lips, which had been hesitating, opened.

“C-can I see you again?”

She’s still a child. Is she worried about being abandoned?
The nuns who were watching smiled at her cute appearance, and it seemed like the image I had messed up at the beginning was being salvaged.

I knelt down in front of her and met her eyes. Bottomless, pitch-black eyes. Karsilla turned her head slightly when our eyes met.

“Karsilla. Look at me.”
“…No. It feels bad when I look at you.”

I didn’t need to see to know what kind of treatment she had received. That’s why this cute kid is being called a calamity.

“No. It’s not bad at all. It’s actually good? Look at Papa.”

I stroked her head with a gentle voice, and she hesitantly turned her face back towards me. Our gazes met again.

“My eyes… they don’t feel bad?”
“Of course not. Why would they feel bad when they’re so pretty? They actually make me feel good?”

I meant it. It felt like seeing someone from my hometown after a long time. To me, the eyes of the people here, which boast a full range of colors, were strange. Even after 15 years.

“Play with your friends here, study hard with the nuns, and then let’s have lunch together, okay?
“…Okay. Promise.”
“Promise.”

I wondered if there was a pinky promise culture in this world, but who cares? As long as the meaning is conveyed. I kissed her cute cheek, which was smiling bashfully, and stood up. The soft skin and baby smell made me feel good.
…Not in a sexual way, but with a true father’s heart.
Truly.
Really.

* * *

The Order’s daily routine starts at dawn.
My, Yurian’s, daily routine is very simple.

I wake up when it’s still dark outside, before the sun has risen. I open the window and take in the refreshing morning air… yeah right, I’m tired and half-asleep as I wash up. I curse under my breath as I wash with the cold water, and the memories of my military service unconsciously come to mind, waking me up completely. Ugh, damn it. My body is younger now, so I’ll endure it. …Because I’m damn handsome and my thing is bigger.

After washing up, I put on the priest’s robe that I had washed and neatly arranged, and head to the administration office… no, the Order’s office, to check my schedule for the day. No, I keep feeling like this fantasy world is so modern. ‘Bathhouse,’ ‘Children’s Priest Corps,’ ‘Order’s office.’
Did the developers get lazy with the names? I say that, but honestly, I like it because it’s intuitive. It’s good because it’s not confusing.

If I check the ‘Saintess’ schedule at the Order’s office, that becomes my daily schedule.
Because I have to stick with her all day as her guardian. So, what will it be today… let’s see.

“Huh? Holy Knight training? Is this really the Saintess’ schedule for today?”
“Yes, it is, Priest Yurian. The Saintess requested it herself, so it was given top priority.”
“Hmm. Understood.”

Our Saintess is a jack-of-all-trades, so her physical abilities are outstanding. She’s a master of both literary and martial arts, and the three of us, Diana, Irian, and I, were educated together since childhood, but Diana showed the most outstanding achievements. Of course, if we only consider physical training, Irian was the best, but she lacked in the theoretical field. Typical physical type.
As for me… I’m just average in everything except for things related to physical abilities. What do I care about this world’s creation myth or doctrines? I was an atheist in real life.

Still, I showed achievements in divine power that were comparable to the Saintess.
My vast divine power, which never runs out, grows like bamboo shoots every day, I master divine magic in an instant, and the power of my divine magic grows stronger every day.
Oh… yes, this is what it means to be overpowered! I feel like my money was well spent.
But I’m still terrible at moving my body.

Anyway, Holy Knight training today. It’s been a while. And it’s been almost a year since Diana herself received training? Why did she suddenly schedule this?
I took the schedule and put it in my pocket, then headed to Diana’s room.
Annoyingly, Diana’s room, as the Saintess, is a luxurious room that’s easily 30 pyeong. I also have the Saint trait, but damn it, there’s no way to prove it. I want to live in a room like this too.

In front of the Saintess’ room, Irian, who I wonder when she sleeps or wakes up, is standing like a wooden post.

“Get some sleep, get some sleep. Aren’t you bored just standing here all the time?”
“……”
“Ugh. That’s why you’re not growing taller.”
“S-shut up! Are you trying to insult me!”
“Insult? No way. I’m just saying that because I’m worried your beautiful hair will get damaged.”
“Again, again with the hair! You frivolous man!”

I got punched in the gut for stroking Irian’s head. She seems to be controlling her strength, but it really hurts like hell. If it weren’t for my buffs and heals, I might have thrown up on the spot.

“Diana. It’s morning, wake up.”
“Uung~ Yuriaan~”

Our princess, lying on her luxurious bed, is being spoiled again today. She just stretches out her arms while lying down, and she won’t budge unless I hug her. Even though she looks like that, her physical stats are much higher than mine, so I can’t force her to get up. Of course, even if I could, I wouldn’t. It’s so nice to hug her, why would I do that?
I naturally hugged Diana, who had her arms outstretched, and patted her back, and then she smiled and opened her eyes. My face was reflected in her bright blue eyes. It’s a sight I see every time, but it feels like I’m being sucked in.

Looking into each other’s eyes for a few seconds every morning is also one of our daily routines.

“Wash me.”
“Wait for me. I’ll go get some warm water.”