TVOWW 84

Chapter 84

I Had a Child

“Fairies?”

Johann furrowed his brow slightly.

“Haven’t the fairies already disappeared?”

“No, they haven’t gone extinct.”

The demon chuckled as it replied.

“If they had, the world wouldn’t still be like this.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Johann’s red eyes, until now calm, suddenly gleamed.

“Ah, forget it.”

The demon looked at Johann’s reaction with suspicion.

“You don’t want to ask more about the fairies? It should be very difficult to uncover anything about them.”

“What use is it to pry further into beings that even a great demon can’t handle?”

“What do you mean, ‘can’t handle’? What nonsense is that?”

“You seemed eager to take one as a sacrifice somehow. Doesn’t that mean they’re that powerful, important enough to a demon?”

Johann deliberately scratched at the demon’s pride.

“Or maybe it means they’re beings even greater than demons.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Who said that?”

Inside the demon’s torn mouth, its sharp, bluish teeth gleamed.

“To compare something as lowly as a fairy with a demon… they’re only useful as sacrifices because of their lucky bloodline, nothing more.”

“Being born with such blood is also a kind of ability.”

“There’s only one of them left anyway! A worthless worm that can’t even make use of its precious bloodline—how can you compare that to a demon?”

“So, if that bloodline is used properly, it could surpass a demon, is that what you’re saying.”

“I am a being who has existed since the beginning. In nobility, no one can stand beside me.”

Excited, the demon’s form twisted wildly.

“Some useless fairy that can’t change anything with its power—!”

The demon, baring its killing intent, suddenly shut its mouth. Then it gave Johann a dry laugh.

“Well, well. Were you trying to squeeze free information out of me like this?”

“Why refuse, when you’re offering it without asking for payment?”

Johann shrugged casually. The demon ground its teeth, realizing it had been tricked into talking about fairies.

“Johann, are you not afraid of demons?”

The demon suddenly thrust out its clawed hand as if to rip him apart.

“You’ve already given up your happy future to me, in exchange for revenge on Libertan. You’ll never have happiness. Aren’t you afraid of the misfortune that could come at any moment?”

“That’s exactly why there’s no need to fear it anymore.”

Even under the threat, Johann only laughed derisively.

“If misfortune is already set, then no matter what I do, it doesn’t matter.”

“Yes. That’s the way you are.”

The demon’s violet eyes studied Johann with interest. Even for an ancient being like it, Johann was truly strange.

A man who, even when he had nothing, held himself higher than anyone.

One who could treat a demon—something that would overwhelm any ordinary human—as an equal in negotiations, and who had wagered the most important thing for a human, ‘happiness,’ yet never faltered.

“But be careful. A human who has contracted with a demon should worry about how much he can afford to lose if he dares to seek something more.”

“My, how considerate for a demon—to worry even about a human’s future.”

“Arrogant human. I could even tell you how to sacrifice a fairy.”

“Do demons also lose their hearing with age?”

Johann knew all too well the traps demons dangled before humans.

The easiest road always hides the worst choices.

The demon’s nature was vile. Even if sacrificing a fairy truly was the simplest way, there would be hidden schemes buried behind it.

Especially since fairies are beings I don’t know much about.

Trading something he didn’t understand would only leave him manipulated and destroyed. Best to avoid the so-called “easy way” and choose another.

“I’m not interested in fairies. Tell me another way.”

“Very well. If that’s your will.”

After a pause, the demon’s eyes narrowed, violet orbs swirling with ominous malice.

“The holy treasure of the Holy Kingdom—Atea’s Heart.”

The greatest treasure that gave existence to the Holy Kingdom.

“And gather all twelve holy relics, the pride of the kingdom, and offer them on my altar. Then I shall tell you the truth of your wife’s curse.”

The moment I arrived home, the black panther beast came bounding over, tail wagging.

“Choco!”

There was a star-shaped pattern on its forehead, so I’d first thought of naming it “Star,” but since that sounded too much like my own name, I ended up giving it the name of my favorite dessert instead.

Just as it had been trained, Choco stopped right in front of me, waiting for my touch.

“Good boy, Kkamang. So pretty.”

“Yip, yip.”

“You missed me a lot, didn’t you? I missed you too.”

Choco rubbed its head against my hand, then flopped over to fully enjoy my petting.

Strangely enough, despite its great size and strength, Choco always moved carefully so as not to hurt me.

Even its panther growls, once so frightening, now somehow sounded adorable.

“Yip, yip.”

Perking its ears, Choco thumped its tail on the ground, begging for more scratches.

“Good boy. Did you listen well to everyone else?”

“Yip!”

“Good, I knew you did.”

Behind Choco, Betty appeared like a ghost, glaring resentfully at the beast.

“No, Madam. You have no idea how much trouble this thing causes.”

“Really? Did you make trouble, Kkamang?”

But he was such a well-behaved boy.

At that, Choco widened his eyes as if falsely accused, while Betty continued complaining.

“Don’t be fooled, Madam! This beast thinks not only his room but the entire garden is his territory. He keeps scaring off the servants.”

“Really?”

“Whine…”

Choco pawed nervously at the ground under my gaze.

Oh dear, Kkamang, your paws are so big the earth is cracking.

He still hadn’t learned to control his strength.

“Were you a bad beast, Choco?”

“Whine.”

“Did you try to bite people, threaten them and all that?”

“Whimper…”

Choco flattened himself, rolling his eyes around pitifully. I heard the servants nearby chuckle wryly.

Well, he is still a beast, no matter how gentle.

“No, no. People must have misunderstood you, right? My Choco is such a good boy, isn’t he?”

“Yip!”

Choco perked up, nodding smartly. He was clever enough to understand me.

“Betty. Where’s the garden he was guarding?”

“I’ll show you right away, Madam.”

As I followed Betty, Choco perked up again, rubbing against my legs and happily trotting along, tail wagging wildly.

He wasn’t like this when I first met him.

I realized that after returning from my honeymoon, I’d been too busy to visit the garden.

Strange, considering I’m supposed to be a fairy.

—Coming to the garden today?

The trees spoke right on cue.

—Yes. I wanted to spend time with you all.

—Oh, no need to trouble yourself, busy as you are.

—Right, fertilizer alone is enough for us. A gardener can take care of the rest.

—We know how important this “debutante” thing is to humans. Trees like us will always be here anyway. Come whenever you want.

They sounded sulky.

—Should I really treat you like that?

—Of course. We’re not upset at all. Seeing you happily mingling with people is enough to make us happy. What’s so great about talking to us, anyway?

Their voices grew unnaturally cheerful.

—That’s right. Otherwise, people will just think you’re crazy for talking to trees. Only use us when you need to.

—Exactly. After growing this many rings, we’ll just get chopped down for lumber anyway. Living too long is a sin, really.

Sometimes I wondered where they even learned to talk like this.

—I’m sorry.

I spoke honestly as I walked.

—I didn’t have time to visit. But I never forgot you. I love you all so much.

The trees gave awkward little coughs at my heartfelt words.

—Heavens, old trees bullying a young fairy like this! How silly of us.

—Yes, forgive us. We were just jealous of the Kelsis Mountain trees—they say they drink spring water that runs underground.

—We’ve had plenty—water, sun, soil. We were just greedy.

—Alright. I’ll see if I can get you some of that spring water.

—Child, holy water would be enough for us!

Soon, we arrived at the garden Choco had supposedly been guarding.

Isn’t this where my Eden Roses bloom?

Patricia and Erich were waiting there.

“Why are you both here?”

“Ah, Madam.”

Patricia, as expressionless as ever, spoke.

“We were trying to prepare Eden Roses for your debutante, but Baron Blonieu and I kept disagreeing.”

“Madam, I don’t think we should keep cutting them the way Lady Gilite suggests. These Eden Roses are too precious!”

It seemed there was conflict over my debut plans.

Somehow, all problems keep circling back to the Eden Rose garden.

I glanced at Choco. He looked away innocently and plopped down with a thud.

“I’ll check the Eden Roses myself. Do you have anything else to report?”

“It’s about the Saintess.”

For the first time, Patricia’s usually blank face creased in a frown.

“She’s been inviting nobles to the temple lately, acting suspiciously. I fear she may be plotting against you.”

“She hasn’t done anything unusual besides inviting them?”

“No. But the nobles she entertains leave as her devoted followers, forming her faction. Noblemen are even openly confessing to her.”

So she was trying to regain the ground she lost because of Miryu.

If she doesn’t openly oppose me, I don’t care…

But honestly, I couldn’t guess her real intentions.

And she’s still hiding her identity as Estella…

Even if the original plot was resolved, Estella remained a thorn in my mind.

I need to visit the Holy Kingdom soon.

Lost in thought, I stepped among the Eden Roses. The lush blue roses shone in splendid beauty.

They’re always so breathtaking.

Some of them were unusually large, even for Eden Roses.

This is where I planted the Undine’s Tear.

I stopped before the largest bloom. I could feel a strange power within it.

“Yip, yip.”

Choco barked at the rose.

“What is it, Kkamang? Is something inside?”

Can a beast sense a spirit’s power?

I reached out and touched the oversized bloom. A tingling sensation ran through my hand.

What’s happening?

The rose began to grow even larger.

“Madam is making the Eden Rose grow!”

“Quiet, Betty. Madam always has a plan. Wait.”

“Yes! Madam must be preparing some grand surprise for her debutante!”

No, I’m not!

Why is it growing like this?

Each petal shimmered with colors like the deep sea, slowly unfolding.

A… baby?

Inside the Eden Rose lay an adorable infant.

Silky black hair, pale delicate skin—the baby was irresistibly lovely even in sleep.

No wonder they look familiar…

The child resembled both Johann and me, as if we’d been blended together.

“Ah, a baby! Madam created a baby with her own hands!”

“Betty. Don’t be frivolous.”

At her outburst, Patricia corrected sternly:

“Show proper respect to the heir.”

What do you mean heir?!

I swallowed hard. The spirit’s power was supposed to help with my curse, but it never said anything about making a baby!

“Everyone, that’s… a spirit.”

Fortunately, Erich seemed to understand.

“Madam has given birth to a spirit, something thought to have nearly vanished.”

That was supposed to be such a big deal?

—A spirit baby!

The trees suddenly cried out in excitement.

—To see a spirit born in this age!

—Child, you truly are a fairy. A spirit baby has appeared.

—Look, it’s so young it can’t even open its eyes yet. How precious.

Even Erich and the trees seemed to know what this meant.

—Quickly, hold it. If it’s tainted, it could be harmed.

I carefully reached out and lifted the baby.

It wriggled and snuggled against me as if it already knew me. Its chubby cheeks moved adorably with each breath.

The trees, sensing my questions, spoke nonstop about the spirit child.

—It must have been born because of your power’s influence.

—Still, it’s far too young. Likely it can only stay awake an hour a day.

—For now, just growing is all that matters.

—But what am I supposed to say about this?!

The trees fell silent.

—You’re not answering me?

—…

—Should I tell them to chop all of you down then?

Just then, the baby’s eyes fluttered open—dark blue, tinged faintly red. With innocent eyes, it reached tiny hands toward me, squirming.

“Oh, it woke up.”

I stared at the baby, unsure what it would do.

It really looks like our child…

The spirit baby babbled, grinning widely.

“Ma-ma, ma-ma!”

Johann, after meeting the demon, sought out Estelle.

How much are you prepared to lose?

The demon’s last words echoed in his mind. Swearing under his breath, he entered Estelle’s room.

She was lying on his bed.

“Johann?”

She looked up at him in surprise, eyes widening. For by her side was something she hadn’t expected.

A spirit?

It was a baby radiating spirit energy.

Holding Estelle’s finger in its tiny hand, sleeping like an angel.

And uncannily, the child looked like both Johann and Estelle.

Somehow, just looking at it made Johann’s heart swell strangely.