Chapter 99
Without even seeking prior consent, arbitrarily interpreting the user’s intentions and proceeding! This is tyranny!
When I expressed my indignation toward the translucent window, surprisingly, the system responded.
Would you like to reactivate [Kaint]’s bomb?
Canceled selections cannot be reversed.
…If you’re going to give me a chance to cancel after proceeding arbitrarily, shouldn’t you also return the lost choices? I’m so grateful for this system that pretends to be merciful only in matters disadvantageous to me that I don’t know where to put myself.
‘Sigh. This is really something.’
What’s the point of saying more? Although the deadline was generous, the disappearance of the bomb was certainly a good thing. The problem is that I’ve lost a way to extinguish the immediate fire.
I summoned the reward window with the feeling of grasping at straws.
I received one save slot that I have no idea how to use. If a bonus roulette had appeared instead, I could have at least prayed for a useful item.
I don’t understand why nothing ever goes my way.
“Divine Master.”
Kaint called me in a low voice. Come to think of it, I was so distracted by the choice that I missed responding to Kaint. He had just told me he would trust me, and even though multitasking isn’t possible, it was still impolite behaviour.
“I’m sorry…”
No, that’s not it.
“Thank you, Admiral. I didn’t expect you to think well of me.”
When I smiled and made eye contact, Kaint slightly averted his gaze.
[Kaint]’s current affection level: 13
“It’s because my siblings adore you.”
He means he decided to trust me because he didn’t want to disappoint his siblings. Though he pretends his own will isn’t reflected, judging by the increased affection, he wasn’t entirely unwilling. Whether he’s aware of it or not, his wariness toward me seems to have diminished.
“But Divine Master, why did you give my key to the demon…?”
Corin asked me with tearful eyes. It was an awkward question since I had never given the key to Marvis.
However, if I didn’t resolve this quickly, I would become a scoundrel who extorted a child’s precious treasure to gift to a secret lover, so I quickly extended both hands in a gesture of peace.
“I needed a symbol of peace for the first step toward harmony between demons and humans.”
“What…?”
“Well, so… it means Corin’s pure heart has come to represent humanity.”
It’s a terrifying key that destroys ancient relics, but it’s less harmful than a bomb, so let’s consider it a symbol of peace.
Corin nodded with a face that suggested he didn’t understand at all, but knew that if he didn’t nod here, I would be in trouble.
“I-if that’s the Divine Master’s will…”
How this contrasts with the men who, even after spending a night of passionate physical intimacy that broke through affection limits, ignored my words and were only intent on fighting!
How can grown men be less considerate than a child?
When I glanced at Marvis, he made an expression of disbelief.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re the only one who hasn’t answered.”
“Answer?”
“Promise you won’t fight.”
Hexion would listen if I stopped him, if only to keep his word, and Kaint showed his dignified side even in a situation of rock-bottom trust.
The only one left is Marvis, who isn’t acting his age.
“Shin Joo-ah. I told you, right? I have no intention of moving according to your wishes…”
“Want to drink?”
“What?”
“If it’s hard to promise while sober, you can pretend to be overcome by alcohol. Alcohol solves most problems.”
When I brought up the conversation I had offered when we first met, Marvis’s expression softened. However, rather than his anger subsiding, it was more like… the face of someone confronting a dog showing the whites of its eyes, pretending not to understand its scolding owner.
“Shin Joo-ah. Can’t you read the situation?”
“That’s why I’m doing this? If I say I’ll follow you right away, first Hexion and Kaint would be disappointed, and people would be sad thinking I abandoned the Holy City. But if I let the priests and holy knights imprison you as they want, Niflheim would lose its leader and fall into chaos.”
“So what’s the connection between your shameless straddling of three positions and alcohol?”
“A show.”
“A show?”
“The fact that you, a demon, invaded the Holy City’s temple will soon become gossip. Since there’s no way to stop words from spreading through people’s mouths, we can only cover it with a bigger wave.”
A demon invaded the Holy City’s temple, but the Divine Master displayed remarkable wit and barely managed to bring about harmony and form an alliance.
Even if the process is a bit forced, people generally overlook it if the result is good.
A plot where the protagonist slips on a banana peel and dies of a concussion would be heavily criticized, but a plot where the protagonist falls off a cliff, is swept away by a fast-flowing river to the lower reaches, and still meets a noble person who saves their life is forgiven under the name of cliché.
The demon, the human, and the Divine Master met and had a drinking party… no, shared cups of harmony, and peace came to the world. What a beautiful legend is this?
“Do you think that’s possible?”
“That depends on how Marvis handles it.”
“….”
“If I return to Niflheim, people from the Holy City will try to bring me back again. Then a war might truly break out this time. You don’t want that either, right?”
“So you’re taking hostage those who aren’t even here.”
“I’m also the savior of those people. I just want the most peaceful solution. And.”
“And?”
“I believe Marvis isn’t a cold-hearted man who would reject the request of the woman he likes because of pride.”
Marvis’s expression turned grim when I touched on his pride. But it can’t be helped.
[Marvis]’s current affection level: 66
Isn’t the system encouraging me to act like a dog to raise your affection? I’m sorry, but that’s how it is. From today on, call me the puppy player.
“I’ve never seen anyone make peace treaties like this before.”
You also said you’d never seen someone eat waffles before. Naturally, everything would be a first for you.
“Thank you, Marvis.”
When I smiled and extended my hand, Marvis only reached out with his fingers, tapped mine lightly, and folded his arms again.
“So when are you going to clear these away?”
He nodded toward the sharp spears pointed at him. When I ordered the spears to be lowered, the holy knights, despite looking unconvinced, reluctantly lowered their weapons.
Usually, it feels like talking to a wall, but when it aligns with the story’s direction, nothing could be easier.
This system is just the same, rolling the player in the desired direction after deciding the answer.
***
A cold wave swept through the prayer room. Though the holy candles were emitting warm light, it felt as if someone had frozen just this space with magic.
There was plenty of alcohol prepared, but no one was drinking. The atmosphere couldn’t be heavier even if the cups contained poison instead of alcohol.
Kaint’s ten siblings were staying in the novice priests’ quarters as it was getting late.
He still didn’t seem to fully trust the temple, but thinking it would be worse to leave me with the demon and go back, he entrusted his siblings to the priests and stayed.
Hexion stood guarding behind me as if he had become one with my shadow. Even when told to sit down, he stubbornly refused, saying, “How dare a guardian knight sit alongside the Divine Master.”
I could have forced him to comply with an order, but I chose not to.
The man sitting across from me had the most hostile atmosphere.
“Shin Joo-ah. Why aren’t you drinking?”
“Huh, what?”
When our eyes met, Marvis pointed to the cup that had gone cold.
“This drinking party was your suggestion. Didn’t you arrange it because you wanted to drink?”
No, I didn’t particularly want to drink. I just needed that kind of staging.
Besides, if I drank in this atmosphere, I would probably get indigestion even without eating anything. I didn’t want to abuse my body.
‘How do I break this deadly atmosphere?’
A peace conference should have a warm and friendly atmosphere, but in the current situation, it was clear that even if I put flowers in my hair and danced the passionate samba on the table, the mood wouldn’t change.
Ding-a-ling.
It was then that a quest window appeared with a childish sound effect.
Surprise Quest, [When a Big Mountain Appears, the Existing Mountain Looks Small]!
In this still unfamiliar and awkward gathering, let’s get to know each other through fun games!
Give the three men appropriate missions and encourage them to become friends while competing with each other.
Success Reward: 1 Abnormal Status (Random)
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