CHGD 37

Chapter 37

After the conversation ended, I left the study. Louis was among the most sensible of monsters. He listened to my story and made an effort to understand the parent-child relationship.

*’I had no idea monster family dynamics were so brutal.’*

For beings like Louis, family was apparently a shallower and more arid relationship than human blood ties. The act of bearing children, from their perspective, was akin to cutting off a part of one’s body and proliferating it.

Naturally, there was no affection like humans had, so parents having their positions usurped by their children, or siblings becoming mortal enemies fighting for eternity, was apparently common.

Of course, there were exceptions like my mother-in-law, but for the most part, it was considered fortunate if they didn’t fight.

Having grown up with such common knowledge, Louis’s attitude toward his parents was also severely distorted.

Never averting his eyes first, always responding to greetings with the same words, hiding the back of his head…

*’Come to think of it, it’s exactly like the behavior of a wild beast.’*

Anyway, it was only natural that Deus didn’t regard Louis as his son when he displayed such attitudes.

I briefly explained, with a few examples, what kind of joy parents feel through their children.

Of course, I didn’t think everything could be conveyed in just a few dozen minutes of conversation, so we agreed to meet a few more times to talk.

*’I hope it goes well.’*

I wasn’t the type to feel affectionate toward family either, but at least I could offer my hopes.

More than anything, there was no harm in getting closer to Louis, who seemed like a reasonable person.

Thinking this request would probably be resolved well, I was walking down the corridor when—

“Deliana.”

Someone touched my shoulder.

“Ah!”

Startled, I instinctively swung my hand and brushed off whatever had touched my shoulder.

“The Count…?”

Standing behind me was the Count. He was looking at me with his hand awkwardly extended.

“……”

“When did you get here?”

“…I saw you from the entrance and called out, but you didn’t respond. So I came to see if something was wrong…”

“Ah, I was lost in thought.”

It seemed I hadn’t heard his voice because I was so focused.

Just as I was about to apologize, I noticed the Count staring at his hand, which he had placed on my shoulder.

*’Did I hit him too hard?’*

I had done it out of surprise, but I felt a bit guilty and took his hand. I checked his palm, the back of his hand, and his wrist—fortunately, there were no injuries.

*’…Why is he suddenly smiling?’*

Seeing this, the Count smiled softly. At that smile, so mismatched with his appearance, I unknowingly let go of his hand.

“B-By the way, Count, you’re out early. The sun hasn’t even fully risen yet.”

“Same to you, Deliana. It’s not even breakfast time yet—why are you here?”

“I was taking a morning walk with Jerry. I woke up early.”

I looked at Jerry in my arms and tilted my head as if to say “right?” Jerry licked my cheek as if understanding.

The Count’s expression soured momentarily, but he soon regained his composure and spoke.

“If you wake up early again, let’s take a walk together.”

“Ah, yes. If I have time.”

I nodded reluctantly.

“By the way, what perfect timing. I was actually going to ask if you were free in two weeks.”

“Two weeks from now?”

My schedule only consisted of granting monsters’ requests. I didn’t even attend social gatherings, so I had plenty of time.

When I indicated I was free, he continued with a bright smile.

“What a relief. Then look forward to it. I’ll prepare a special event.”

Did the Count’s domain have some kind of event? I had no idea, so I just nodded.

Afterward, we parted ways, agreeing to meet again at breakfast.

Thinking I was relieved I hadn’t been caught talking to Louis, I quickly made my way back to my room.

—

* * *

Louis’s father, Deus Rozelan, had been living a fairly happy daily life lately.

Thanks to his son, Louis.

Louis—a twisted being born from the desire to resurrect his child—was to Deus both a family member who sustained his life and an object of regret.

Every time he saw him, he was overcome with both guilt for creating a substitute for his son and relief that he could at least see such a semblance of his son.

To him, who harbored selfish feelings that a parent shouldn’t have, yet only a parent could have, Louis’s change brought great meaning.

*’Welcome home, Father.’*

A week ago, he had heard the word “Father” from Louis’s lips for the first time.

It felt as if his real son had come back to life.

Although Louis’s expression was still awkward and he was still more mature than his appearance suggested, he was clearly trying to do “son-like things.” Thanks to that, Deus felt as if he had returned to the past.

*’I know this is wrong. But…’*

Even though he was responsible for managing the human village, Deus was not a man of great character.

He was an ordinary human who valued his own personal safety and well-being over justice, ideals, or morality.

He buried the thorn-like guilt in a corner of his heart and gladly accepted Louis’s role as his son.

His good mood was so apparent that even Haster had remarked, “You seem to be in a good mood,” during his work report today.

*’Normally, the way home felt heavy, but today it’s light.’*

Thus, on his way back from the castle to the village, he stopped at a voice coming from behind.

“Excuse me—that gentleman passing by.”

“Yes?”

It was a voice so enchanting that any human with ears would turn around.

A voice so captivating that it made him momentarily forget even his thoughts about Louis—Deus found himself answering before he knew it.

*’A cathedral…?’*

And then, his eyes widened at the sight of a massive cathedral he had never once seen in all his years of going to and from the castle. Just as he was about to wonder if such a grand cathedral had always been nearby—

“Could I ask a favor?”

Once again, a lovely voice captured his attention.

The owner of the voice was looking at him from the entrance of the cathedral. She wore a yellow robe, and through the opening for her face, green eyes sparkled.

“W-Who are you?”

“I am a priestess of this cathedral.”

Her beaming smile was beautiful enough to shake Deus’s heart. Feeling his heart pounding foolishly, Deus instinctively raised his hand to press against his chest.

And because of his excessive excitement, he failed to suspect the reason for this sudden encounter.

“A favor, you say…”

“Isn’t there a small flower nearby? I think I dropped it while tending to the garden.”

“Ah, there is.”

As she said, there was a single flower at Deus’s feet. It was a strangely colored flower with stripes of black, yellow, and purple intertwined.

Moreover, it had only two leaves, with a long pistil sticking out—it was bizarre.

Deus bent down and picked up the flower.

“Thank you for picking it up. Could you bring it to me? It dislikes sunlight a bit…”

“Of course.”

Deus readily walked toward the cathedral. Although he was usually wary of beings, he sensed no presence from her. She appeared to be human in every way, so he didn’t even suspect anything.

And so, the moment he stepped into the cathedral—

“Thank you.”

She snatched the flower from Deus’s hand in one swift motion.

“Ugh!”

Whether there were thorns on the stem or not, Deus let out a small groan at the sudden friction. A drop of blood dripped from his index finger, which had been holding the flower.

“Ah! I’m so sorry, I accidentally… Please come inside. I’ll apply some medicine for you.”

“No, it’s fine. This will heal quickly.”

Even so, it seemed the woman was alone, and Deus thought it would be rude to enter further—just as he tried to step back, she grabbed him.

At that moment, the beautiful face hidden beneath her robe suddenly stretched toward him.

Green eyes, brighter than vegetation yet as vile as hell’s filth, seized control of his vision.

“Come in, quickly.”

“Ah…”

With all his senses focused on those eyes, Deus nodded with a dazed expression. His conscience, which should have told him to refuse, had long since melted away.

Moreover, his focus was blurred, and he failed to notice that her head was protruding abnormally long from her body.

Having extended her head to ensnare Deus, she was in a form resembling a snake with a human head.

She led Deus, slowly backing deeper into the cathedral.

“Now, since you granted my request, I will give you a reward.”

As if entranced, Deus began walking into the dark, cold depths.

*’I need to go back to Louis…’*

With each step forward, the small desire to return to his son was gradually erased.

Instead, her voice filled his mind.

“Thank you for bringing me the flower, Deus. I have many questions—let’s take this opportunity to talk. For example…”

[I need Deliana’s soul.]

“Things more important than names.”

Human Deus’s reason crumbled in an instant.