Chapter 637: One Week (2)
‘Who cooked it?’
“Why is it melting so softly? Why is this so good?”
I wanted to take another bite, but the problem was that my pride wouldn’t let me. There was no way we could eat all of it in the first place.
I was hooked on the fragrant smell permeating at the tip of my nose, but getting devouring it all was no better than accepting the current situation as okay. Of course, I was hungry. Even if my stomach was small, I hadn’t had a proper meal since I entered the dungeon.
Since the Queen’s Tomb was also wider than expected, I could only eat gra.s.s porridge at the end of each battle.
“Where the h.e.l.l did you hide this?”
It could be explained that it was planned from the beginning. I expected it, but I felt more confident when they served such a luxurious dinner.
‘There has to be a limit to the load capacity of the bags, but they probably have something to eat as well.’
It was rather simple to call it dinner, of course, to the point of worrying unnecessarily, but that was enough to be a virtue in a place like that.
It would be better to keep my mouth shut for the time being than to ask why he was doing that already.
Wasn’t making the other person nervous first a necessary leverage?
Just in time, I felt a sign. I heard a knock on the big door. It was obvious who it would be.
“I’m coming in, Hyung.”
“…”
“Have you had a meal?”
“…”
When I put my hand on the table without saying a word and swiped my arm across the surface, completely edible food fell to the ground with the sound of a loud bang.
He naturally bit his lips tightly.
I showed a hostile reaction that told him I would never touch the food he gave me.
Looking at Raphael’s face without saying anything, I didn’t know he would react that coldly. I would’ve thought he’d loosen up over time, considering everyone knew that it was hard to solve Lee Kiyoung’s aching heart.
“You don’t seem to like the taste.”
‘No, it was a good meal. It was a really good meal. Honestly, I wanted to eat everything… I couldn’t eat it because of my pride.’
“I’ll… I’ll bring more, or is there anything else you want to eat?”
‘Mirror salmon.’
“I also brought mirror salmons. How would you like it cooked?”
‘When did you bring that? No, but I don’t need it now.’
When I threw a wine gla.s.s as if I didn’t want to say anything else, he stood still and got hit again.
‘It was my favorite wine.’
That was a bit of a waste. I shouldn’t have thrown it in the first place.
Raphael, covered in alcoholic fluids, looked somewhat embarra.s.sed, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, while smiling bitterly, he picked up the dishes that fell to the ground.
“You’ll get hurt if you step on it.”
“I don’t care what you think of me.”
“…”
“How are you feeling? Are you alright?”
“…”
“You must have been very surprised…”
“Get out.”
“…”
There was no need for more words.
Once again, the lonely back of the man who sighed loudly caught my ears, but I didn’t give a single glance.
I had a lot to say, but I felt it was better to keep silent for the time being.
Wouldn’t it be better to talk to him tomorrow?
Of course, I didn’t know if it would work, but it wasn’t a build-up for that.
I had to remind myself that I was in control, although I was the one being held hostage.
Although it might’ve seemed like there was nothing else to do but play pranks, the build-up was important.
‘I can convince him.’
It was too early to tell him, ‘I loved you, Raphael.’
I didn’t like the situation, but how could I easily let go of the people I raised with my hands?
If they were ordinary people, they would’ve waited for Kim Hyunsung to run in and break everything, but the Holy Sword party looked like they had a pretty good chance. So were the heroes of the first round, and so was Raphael.
To throw the eight-winged Holy Sword user into the trash can… it was such a waste of invested time.
‘I have plenty of opportunities left.’
It’s more than enough. By all means, I had to stop those suicide hopefuls from jumping into the fire pit.
Wasn’t it the trend of a new era for everyone to walk hand in hand?
Of course, the situation outside was as critical as persuading him. It was important how Kim Hyunsung and others were accepting what happened to me.
First of all, the best scenario was…
“It’s best for Hyunsung to keep it to himself.’
Wouldn’t there be no worse situation than the entire continent knowing about the incident?
I didn’t want to stop all the work that I’d been working on so far, whether it’s a prayer meeting, a rescue, or other works.
I was naturally worried about Jung Hayan or Cha Hee-ra…
And the media. The quick-witted Lee Jihye would control it, but…
‘Don’t make a big deal out of it.’
It was much better to deal with it so silently that people would question if it really happened.
I wanted to look outside, but the G.o.ddess’s Mirror was missing. I had no kits either. Hence, I couldn’t make anything.
Of course, there was a solution. I wondered if it would be possible, but I believed it was.
‘Benignore, I’d like to see what’s going on outside. Can you show me a little bit?’
“…”
‘Benignore? A lovely member of your religion, Lee Kiyoung, is greeting you. Why are your replies so late?’
“…”
‘Benignore.’
[Common-grade forced quest has been invoked.]
[Lee… Lee Kiyoung! My lovely Lee Kiyoung! Did you call me? (0/1)]
‘I’d like to take a look outside… I don’t have a G.o.ddess’s Mirror right now.’
[Oh, yeah… I think I know what you’re talking about. You’re wondering what other humans are doing right now, aren’t you? (0/1)]
‘You catch on so quick.’
[You know, I really want to grant what believer Lee Kiyoung wants, but… Things aren’t that good right now… Lee Kiyoung should know too. I’m on probation. I’m being watched up here. (0/1)]
‘…’
[This is my way of helping my precious believer Lee Kiyoung… You know, if a G.o.ddess gets too involved in the world of mortals, there’s a high chance something bad will happen to her… There are some totally prohibited things… (0/1)]
‘I know that making a wish and praying in the first place won’t solve the problem. I also know that you should only act as an observer as much as possible. That’s why I’m asking you for such a small favor.’
[Well, still… (0/1)]
‘I didn’t want to ask you to get me out of here. I’m not asking you to fix this problem I’m having right now… It’s a small favor, a very small favor.’
[I told you that if you trust the demons… This is all about Lucifer… (0/1)]
‘So you’re telling me it’s my fault? Who’s the reason why things got to this point in the first place…’
[… (0/1)]
‘Oh, hurry up and show me. We don’t have time. I need to see how things are going right now.’
[I can’t do that. I have to lower the telescope to the mortal world to grant what the believer Lee Kiyoung wants… It’s illegal for humans to own heavenly items. Wouldn’t it be better for me to tell you? (0/1)]
Huh?
[As expected, it’s a little too much… Still, the telescope… we can’t just grant it to humans…Of course, Lee Kiyoung isn’t an ordinary person, but the same law applies to you since you maintain the body of a mortal. (0/1)]
‘You’re not granting me anything. You’re lending it to me.’
[… (0/1)]
‘You call it a telescope… Hahahaha, you don’t have to worry too much, Benignore. You’re not granting me anything but rather lending me. I’m borrowing as much as I can. I’ll return everything after work, so you don’t have to worry. It won’t take long… Or is that a waste? I don’t want to think that you’re abandoning your precious believer, who was preparing for your trial every day, in case the situation gets worse.’
[How could I forsake Lee Kiyoung? Yeah, I’ll never throw you away, but… 0/1)]
‘Then lend me the item. You can’t even listen to such a simple request. I should be rewarded for all that I’ve given you.’
[If you wait a little longer… I’m being careful not to get caught due to the slightest mistake… (0/1)]
‘…’
[… (0/1)]
‘Fine. Don’t lend it to me. Oh, my G.o.ddess, you’re so cheap…’
[Huh? (0/1)]
‘Do I really need to talk about going my own way again?’
[Huh? Huh? (0/1)]
‘I’ll work hard, so Benignore, please do your best… Should I stop talking like this? You have a trial about a mess I’m not even aware of. Do I have to say, ‘I’m not going to stand as a witness?’ Oh! Then won’t I be in trouble too? Why would I in trouble? There are a lot of beings who want my services. There are a lot, so I can take care of myself starting tomorrow. Wow, I made a big mistake. I asked too much of you. I guess this humble believer has made Benignore uncomfortable.’
[That… that’s not it, that’s not it… (0/1)]
‘You can lend it to me for a little bit, and I’ll give it back as soon as possible… Is that so hard? I’m having a hard time cleaning up heap dung, and you don’t even want to let me borrow that? You told me not to throw you away, then the moment I’m in a difficult situation, you’re going to cut me off like this? Do you think I’d want that telescope for no reason? I’ve done everything you wanted. Tell me I’m wrong.’
[Oh, no. (0/1)]
‘I won’t save the continent! I won’t even try! You think I really want a telescope?’
[Just c-calm down… Lee Kiyoung… Calm down… (0/1)]
‘The continent is in danger!’
She seemed very fl.u.s.tered when I threw the table in front of me and shouted mentally.
As I said before, I wasn’t making unreasonable demands at all. Lee Kiyoung, a humble destructionist, also roughly knew how things were going.
Actions that could directly impact the continent were completely prohibited, but it would be possible to simply look at the situation. Of course, it wouldn’t be a problem to rent a telescope for a while.
There was room for controversy in many ways as she was under inspection, but I didn’t want to continue living with my eyes and ears blocked.
Still, I couldn’t ignore Benignore’s point of view. Clearly, the answer was fixed.
The words I heard in my head were enough to make me smile.
[Well, wait a minute… You have to give it back, okay? If there’s an unexpected inspection… I’m going to be in big trouble. If they know you’ve come in and stolen a telescope, it’s going to be over…I believe in Lee Kiyoung. Do you believe in me, too? (0/1)]
‘We’re destined to help each other. If I don’t trust you, who would?’
[Yes, that’s right. You’re not going to throw me away, are you? I’ve done this for you… You’re not going to abandon me later, are you? (0/1)]
‘I’ll never abandon you. We’re still preparing for trials whenever we have time. Be patient, Benignore. Always remember that hanging in there is the only way to live.’
[I… I’ll cheer up, Lee Kiyoung. I’ll hold on for Lee Kiyoung. So, you should cheer up, too. Let’s be happy together. We’re… we’re destined for each other. (0/1)]
‘Of course.’
[Elune’s telescope is in the Mind’s Eyes.]
[The Mind’s Eyes’ level had been upgraded to mythic level.]
I didn’t know why I had gotten Elune’s telescope, but…
‘Benignore… Wow, she’s really hard to get through to.’
Such thoughts began to circulate in my head.