I understand the reason for Dehan’s change in personality.
It’s likely because the orphanage where he originally lived was attacked by a band of thieves and turned into ruins. Going through such a horrifying event would make it difficult for him to continue his previous way of life.
‘Since he mentioned bringing a tiara from the western dungeon…’
The band of thieves that attacked Dehan’s village were likely demons.
With this prediction, a new curiosity arose.
‘Why, exactly?’
It seems too early for Dehan to clash with demons.
In the original game, Dehan awakens after my death, and the confrontation with demons begins…
‘Is it because I’m not there?’
Am I becoming part of the ‘New Game’ as the system suggests, turning into a ‘hidden character’?
So, did they introduce the band of thieves as an event to awaken Dehan?
‘It seems somewhat accurate.’
As I think about it, everything falls into place. Yet, a certain thought crosses my mind.
‘The game is utterly ridiculous.’
The game is as absurd as it could be.
Isn’t it too cliché for a character to awaken only when their loved one dies? Are we still in the 80s?
‘I feel sorry for Dehan.’
However, separate from that, my determination not to encounter Dehan again became even firmer.
‘He might already be suspicious of me.’
So, it seemed better to erase him from my mind, stay as far away as possible, or even leave the situation entirely. If, by any chance, I had to face him again, I should quickly leave.
With this conclusion, I removed my hands that were covering my ears.
Then, I looked at the twins, who were chattering away right beside me.
“Hey, Shekina! Are you going to talk to us now?”
Merdes happily shouted upon seeing me, but Pardes didn’t. He raised his glasses and gave me a scrutinizing look.
“Blocking your ears when we’re right in front of you, what’s that about?”
“Sorry, I need some time to think. And you guys are being too loud.”
“How could you mix apologies with curses?”
Pardes chuckled and tousled my hair.
“Setting that aside, what about that guy earlier?”
Referring to Dehan. I shrugged.
“I don’t know. Just greeted him.”
Pardes narrowed his eyes.
“You whispered something. What did you say?”
“Hmm. Nothing important.”
I had to gloss over the details since I couldn’t reveal everything. I hoped he would let it go.
“… It’s strange.”
But Pardes was not one to take things lightly.
“You seem to be hiding something.”
Pardes observed me closely, his face showing suspicion.
Indeed, compared to Merdes, Pardes was quite intelligent. Merdes seemed bewildered, not understanding the situation.
Despite being the same age, Dehan and Pardes appeared mature, while Merdes seemed like a child… No, is Merdes really the right age? Useless thoughts passed through my mind.
“Are you lost in your thoughts right now?”
“Oops, got caught.”
“You really…”
Pardes frowned deeply.
“Brother! Don’t say anything to Shekina!”
Merdes, who had been hesitating, stepped forward. Embracing my shoulders, he shouted with a slightly recovered throat.
“Shekina helped me. Thanks to Shekina, I didn’t get scolded much. You know?”
“You hung upside down on the top of the tower for six hours!”
“That was a punishment. If I had really been scolded, I would have died. Isn’t that right?”
“… Well, that’s true, but…”
“So, don’t say anything more to Shekina. If you do, I’ll get mad!”
At Merdes’ shout, Pardes made a resigned expression and stepped back. Merdes hugged me even tighter.
“Shekina, thank you. Thanks to you, I’m alive!”
“Mm-hmm.”
Yeah, of course, you should be thankful.
But it shouldn’t end here.
I leaned my head back and looked at Merdes upside down.
“But, you know.”
“Huh?”
“Is that the end of what you wanted to say?”
“Uh, well?”
“I told you not to come out, but you sneaked out, caused a commotion by messing with the sacred relics, and even got caught by humans. And all you have to say is just a few words to end it?”
“Well…”
Merdes pupils shook here and there. It seemed like he thought he could pass with a simple apology for a young homunculus. But I couldn’t let it go like that. The price for causing me so much trouble had to be paid.
“Should I hit your head?”
“Yeah. Hit it properly.”
“Okay.”
Thud! Merdes forehead was slammed into the ground. I stared intently at Merdes with my fist clenched.
“This isn’t the end. You’ll have to listen to my request later.”
“Don’t worry about that! I’ll do whatever Shekina says from now on!”
“Alright. Just keep getting hit on the head.”
“Yeah.”
He might be trembling, but his posture is stable.
‘He had quite some skill when dealing with the sacred relic.’
I asked to see what level he was at, and he didn’t disappoint.
‘This could be useful later on.’
I chuckled to myself as I entertained these thoughts.
“By the way, Shekina, I’m curious about something.”
“What? Talk without taking your head off.”
“Hmm… Well, back then. You stopped the sacred relic without even touching it. How did you do that?”
I have a feeling I know what he’s talking about.
He’s probably referring to when the sacred relic went berserk in the streets, and I somehow repelled it. What should I say in response? In the midst of contemplating, Pardes chimed in.
“What? That happened? That’s fascinating.”
Pardes looked at me with an expression of interest.
“Elementals aren’t beings you can control with force. Without a contract, you shouldn’t be able to manipulate them. How did you do it?”
“Hmm.”
What should I say?
I can’t reveal the tips shared by the Elemental King from my past life, so I’ll have to tell a somewhat truthful story. Pardes seemed too eager, likely thirsting for knowledge as he delved into the secrets of the world of alchemy.
“You don’t necessarily have to make a contract to handle elementals.”
Well, I thought it would be okay to say this much, so I opened my mouth.
“Most people think of spirits as special beings, but that’s not true. Spirits are just like us. They bow down to those who are strong, and show off to those who are weak.”
I spoke, raising my index finger.
“It’s all about presence.”
“Presence?”
“Yes. Higher-level elementals won’t yield to just presence, but those below can be subdued with it alone.”
“Oh! Come to think of it, Shekina, your eyes were really intimidating back then!”
I gave a playful wink in response to Merdes enthusiasm.
“At that time, I intentionally infused some magic.”
I only used a bit of magic without resorting to spells or summoning techniques.
To achieve this, one needs as much magical power as I possess, something the twins probably lack.
Therefore, I could share this as a fact.
“Subduing elementals with power… That’s a direction I’ve never considered.”
Pardes murmured, stroking his chin.
As if his thoughts fell into place, he grinned and looked at me.
“Sekina, you’re really smart.”
“Hmm, just average.”
“Well, that’s why you probably didn’t show proper summoning skills during the exam.”
“… What?”
I questioned, thinking I might have misheard.
But it seems I heard correctly.
“Easy, I don’t want to die early.”
He said something like that.
‘No way.’
I rushed toward Pardes and grabbed his wrist.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Stay still!”
The moment I held Pardes hand, I could feel a very familiar energy. Delicate, heavy, and perhaps close to a frightening feeling…
‘The power of the Demon King.’
What can you obtain from a rebellious homunculus?
‘Oh, I see.’
I grinned at Pardes.
Found it. My second recruit.
***
“I thought the drinks wouldn’t be diverse in the northern region, but this selection is impressive!”
“Indeed. The strong yet aromatic flavors make it more enjoyable as you drink.”
Watching the priests exchange drinks, Lyat chuckled inwardly.
Those who worship gods indulging in alcohol…
Humans are always like this. Outwardly noble and righteous, but inwardly murky. No matter if the demons are labeled as selfish and indifferent, aren’t those who, despite feeling empathy and having emotions, engage in dirty deeds even more corrupted? Lyat thought, sipping water.
‘Still, there are some tolerable ones.’
Lyat glanced discreetly at Yuriel. He seemed preoccupied, constantly glancing towards the restaurant entrance. The drink remained untouched.
‘I should approach him with courtesy.’
The sensed holiness and devout attitude stimulated Lyat. Suppressing his annoyance, he gazed at Lucart askew.
A defeated Demon Lord wouldn’t associate with humans. It was natural; for him, humans only represented the option of killing.
However, in his current refuge in the demon realm, he had no choice but to adapt to the circumstances.
‘Is this my limit?’
Sensing Lucart’s firm stance, Lyat glanced at the clock and then addressed the other priests.
“So, there must be a reason you proposed a dinner for us.”
The priests, who were sipping their drinks, looked surprised at Lyat’s words.
“Well, um… Since we’re here, I thought it might be nice to unveil ourselves a bit.”
“That’s right. Among the same northerners.
Seeing them awkwardly smile, it seemed they genuinely had no ulterior motives.
For the sake of revealing their faces? Lyat’s eyes trembled.
That’s when it happened.
“Ah… No.”
Yuriel, who had maintained silence throughout, raised his hand.
“Th-there’s something I’d like to request in this gathering… That’s why I proposed the visit… um…”
“Yuriel!”
It seemed like an agreement had not been reached, and other priests stopped him.
“Aren’t we having a serious discussion right now?”
“This isn’t the place for you to step forward. Be quiet.”
Startled, Yuriel involuntarily shrank back from their hostility.
Born frail and timid, he had never asserted his thoughts once in his life.
But what he needed to say now wasn’t about his own thoughts.
It was about speaking for our god.
After calming his heart, Yuriel spoke.
“What I’m about to say is in accordance with the Holy Father’s will.”
Don’t tremble. Don’t stutter. Don’t bow your head.
I am now an envoy of the gods.
Yuriel opened his eyes wide, steeling himself.
“His Holiness…”
Thankyou for coming to this sites and read my translation, enjoy! Sorry if theres still have any mistake on the translation. See you on the next update!
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