Chapter 93
I felt my fingertips growing cold and stiff.
Was it because of being criticized to my face? Or because I was denied the chance to gain affection from a man who said he liked me in the previous playthrough?
I couldn’t say anything and just stared at Kaint. His cold golden eyes moved away as if reflecting me was meaningless.
“If you’ve finished what you wanted to say, may I leave?”
“…You have siblings, right?”
At my question, Kaint’s eyes turned back to me.
“Carol likes curious and pretty things, so she’d enjoy touching my hair.”
“Divine Master.”
When I mentioned his sibling’s name, Kaint’s face colored with bewilderment. I continued speaking before he could respond.
“Corin is shy but can gather courage if you wait patiently. Kate and Kiara enjoy ring toss, and Karon dances well, so he’d become popular if you took him to a ball. Chloe is the youngest but more mature than she looks, and Kadin…”
The faces of the ten children I remembered flashed before my eyes. Their bright-eyed looks as they gazed at me. Remembering their flushed cheeks and clear voices calling me, I couldn’t help but smile.
When Kaint despised me, it felt like something sharp was lodged in my chest, but recalling the children’s faces seemed to heal my heart that had been torn by that sharp blade.
I suppose I missed those children who loved me unconditionally more than I realized.
“Bring your siblings to the temple sometime. The children would like it.”
“Did you investigate me?”
My well-intentioned suggestion was met with a sharp response. Kaint’s expression clearly showed displeasure. Anyone watching might think I was threatening him, using his siblings’ well-being as leverage.
His siblings weren’t mentioned in the guidebook, so perhaps they were a secret to the public. Though the citizens who admired the admiral seemed to know about them.
“I didn’t investigate on purpose, I just know.”
“….”
The Kaint from the previous playthrough told me. I’m the only one who remembers that.
“I am the Divine Master, after all.”
Because I’m the Divine Master. Because I’m the player of this game. Because I’m the only one who remembers the previous playthrough that wasn’t saved.
I’m the only one aware of a world that disappeared without leaving a trace of its existence. So saying “I know because I’m the Divine Master” isn’t entirely wrong.
“I appreciate your offer, but I’m afraid I cannot bring my siblings to the temple.”
He means he can’t let his precious siblings meet someone he doesn’t trust.
Well, I understand. If I were in his position and some suspicious person appeared, saying good things would happen if they met my family, I would naturally refuse, too.
“But your siblings would want to meet me.”
“You can know that as well?”
“Because I’m the Divine Master.”
I know because I have memories of the previous playthrough.
The children genuinely liked me. Even excluding the protagonist buff, it wasn’t strange for children of that age to admire a hero who saved the world.
Though in reality, I failed to save that world.
“Since Kaint is often away due to training, having a reliable adult around would provide emotional stability for them.”
“…I’ll discuss it with my siblings.”
His sharp attitude softened somewhat. It seems he’s been concerned about not spending enough time with his siblings.
‘Well, that’s probably why that quest appeared.’
The quest to marry Kaint and take care of his 10 siblings. At the time, I ignored it, thinking it was like a shackle, but it’s good that it’s proving useful in this situation.
“I hope for a positive answer.”
“There are many citizens in the Holy City who admire you and wish to meet you. Is there a particular reason you singled out my siblings?”
“Though I’m called the Divine Master for carrying a god within me, I am a person. That means I’m not as impartial as the Scales.”
“….”
“I want to meet the admiral’s siblings because I want to see their smiling faces.”
I wanted to meet the children I couldn’t protect again. Not with faces filled with terror watching a world being destroyed, but with faces looking at me with wonder and smiles.
“You may not acknowledge it, but I want to be a source of strength for those children.”
As I spoke sincerely, I faintly heard the sound of waves from somewhere.
[Kaint]’s current affection level: 10
The affection that had remained at 0 without budging finally increased. Yet I didn’t feel particularly happy. Perhaps because his gaze was still full of distrust. It felt like my barely healing wound was being torn open again.
“Admiral. Are you interested in embroidery?”
“Pardon?”
Seeing Kaint’s bewildered response made me feel a bit better. The torn wound was stitched up a bit.
The mention of needlework in Kaint’s affection description might have been a hint that the process of winning him over was similar to stitching up a wound.
“Maybe not embroidery. Do you like flowers then?”
“I neither particularly like nor dislike them.”
“What about your favorite color?”
“I’ve never considered my preference for colors.”
He truly was a man without hobbies or preferences. That’s probably why he found meaning and happiness in helping others.
“Then think about it from now on. I have a feeling that you and I have quite similar preferences.”
Of course, in reality, we probably don’t.
The first thing he brought me was a pink rose. I had initially said I liked yellow just to win Kaint’s favor.
In the end, we knew nothing about each other, so in that respect, we might be similar.
“Ah. And Admiral.”
“…Do you have more to say?”
“Sometimes, leave the training supervision to your adjutant and go out with your siblings. The underwater garden is so beautiful, it’s a shame to leave it empty with no visitors.”
When I mentioned the underwater garden, Kaint’s expression subtly faltered. He seemed perplexed that the Divine Master, who had never visited the admiral’s castle, knew about its interior.
“I’ve wasted enough time. I must return now.”
Kaint drank the cold tea in one gulp and stood up.
[Kaint]’s current affection level: 16
I was relieved that his response wasn’t negative. I should be satisfied with this much for today.
‘There’s still time before Kaint’s bomb anyway.’
Judging by his affection level and attitude, he doesn’t seem like someone who would detonate a bomb, so I don’t understand why there’s a countdown. He was a man who maintained his composure even in front of a crazed magician who ruined a wedding.
‘Maybe I’ll find out as I pursue him more.’
I shrugged and saw Kaint off. He gave me a respectful bow and turned around. The tall man’s back was still straight and upright. Even if the world were destroyed and the past erased, that rigid posture would never change.
***
When I returned to my room, the sun had already set. Since I woke up late in the afternoon, it wasn’t strange that the sun would set after just one meeting, but I felt a bit cheated, as if I’d wasted the entire day.
“Hexion. I’m going to rest now. You can return to your post.”
“Do you not need assistance in your bedchamber?”
I bit my tongue.
How can he say such embarrassing things so casually?
Feeling like this was karma for flirting with him almost daily, I sighed.
“I’m not in the mood for that today.”
“Is it because the admiral rejected your advances?”
“What?”
I turned around in surprise, and Hexion had moved very close to me. Perhaps because it was dark, deep shadows fell across his face.
“I know that you find the admiral appealing.”
“Um, Hexion.”
“But Shin Joo, the admiral is not a man who can dedicate his body and soul to you without hesitation like I can.”
I know that. Kaint from the previous playthrough had many things precious to him besides me.
Just the fact that he couldn’t immediately search for me when I was kidnapped because he was busy recovering bodies from the dock and caring for injured colleagues shows that.
He is a person with a strong sense of responsibility.
“Only I can be your foremost guardian knight.”
“I think you misunderstand, Hexion. I don’t particularly want the admiral to protect me…”
“Only I can be your eyes and ears.”
“Hexion?”
Strong hands embraced my shoulders. Though it was a gentle action, his size was so overwhelming that I froze momentarily.
“I mean that only I, Hexion, can pledge eternal loyalty to you.”
Special event [Oath of Loyalty] completed!
[Hexion]’s affection limit has been released.
[Hexion]’s current affection level: 110
Until the next bomb: D-3
I can understand that the oath of loyalty and dialogue are different from what I remember because the story has changed, but the bomb didn’t disappear even though the limit was released.
Suddenly, I had a bad feeling.
Looking up at Hexion, he slowly bent down toward me, bringing his face close.
“With me by your side, you don’t need anyone else, do you?”
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