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Chapter 183

“Nice to meet you, Madam, Mother. I am Riley, serving as Young Master Yeon-woo’s secretary.”

Riley, dressed in a slim suit with a white coat, bowed her head slightly to Alkeinea. She had just joined Claire, signaling that the conversation was over and it was time to move to a dining area.

Alkeinea, startled by the sudden situation, looked around in confusion, while Claire seemed pleased to be called ‘Mother’, smiling contentedly.

“Don’t say that…”

“No. Perhaps others might not, but this individual cannot. For us, the companion of Young Master Yeon-woo is like a god. Please, grant permission for this individual to serve you, Madam.”

With a knight-like demeanor, Riley knelt on one knee as she spoke. Alkeinea, shifting her gaze away from Riley, sent a look for help.

“But isn’t it not a bad thing?”

Although she had unintentionally become a secretary, Riley’s abilities were undeniable. If she had been around when Shar and I fell into this past, perhaps we would have adjusted much more quickly.

“It might feel a bit uneasy, but I don’t see any harm in it. Riley is capable and will help Nea adapt to this world.”

“…Is that so?”

“Even though I might look like this, I was in charge of the research to bring you here, Madam. I’m confident I can answer all your curiosities.”

“Hmm, that’s certainly true. You were the master of the dimension until just now, right? I can expect no shortcomings in your abilities…”

“Indeed, Madam. Your powers of observation are quite impressive.”

“Heh.”

Seems like enjoying compliments runs in the family. Riley puffed up her chest, making me think that Shar might be like this in about ten years.

“Ahem, since you’re so eager to serve, I will grant you special permission. Understood?”

“I am deeply grateful.”

…Where did they learn those classic idioms? When I looked at her in disbelief, Riley quietly replied.

“I learned various things from the researchers at the Magic Tower.”

“Make sure to treat them well.”

They may be helpful people, but they have their fair share of hardships too. Being good to them may bring help at some point.

“This meeting is a chance, so why not head to dinner?”

“Is it alright for me to join?”

“Of course. Riley’s boss is quite wealthy, after all.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Riley shot Yeon-woo a look that seemed to say ‘how pathetic’ as she tried to avoid his gaze. I know, I know.

*

Afterward, there were various happenings. Tae-oh and Nea suddenly leapt up, startled by the smell of food, and Shar and Tae-oh had a little accident while trying to feed Nea.

Just watching from afar was enough to fill one’s stomach. Despite her embarrassment, Nea was genuinely making an effort to meet the children’s expectations, and it was incredibly, incredibly adorable.

‘They were definitely a couple, but it’s a pity they couldn’t become one…’

…Wait, thinking it over, maybe it’s not so bad? Back before the regression, I had jumped through hoops to become Shar’s father.

Though it was a clone, I had been told that upon returning to the main body, memories and emotions would merge completely.

‘Could this time be the chance for a love marriage? Am I insane, Choi Yeon-woo? Am I some kind of genius?’

Truly a blasphemous genius that even the gods couldn’t hold back! They say crises bring opportunities, and if Yeon-woo’s crisis detection ability is on point, synergy like this could occur.

I often pondered this. What if we were given enough time?

Surely, loving someone on a fleeting burst of emotion is great, but wouldn’t nurturing love over time also be nice?

Even Yeon-woo, who was clueless about love between genders, understood this truth. Not everyone finds their partner through an intense inferno of love.

If I thought of having an opportunity to redeem such regrets, it made me feel incredibly satisfied.

As I lingered behind the cheerful group lost in thought, Riley approached, slowing her steps.

“Young Master Yeon-woo.”

“Oh, hey. Riley, what’s up?”

“Madam has offered to cooperate with the research. Is that alright?”

“Whichever you call her, Madam or Young Master’s partner, just pick one. And well, if Nea wants to do it, would I say no?”

“That’s true. Then I’ll call her Madam. Also, one more thing.”

Riley spoke in a low voice. Was this a serious topic? Sure, the question of Nea’s title was a serious one, but—

“It seems she will awaken soon. You might want to prepare.”

“…Already?”

“It seems the divine power from Lunaria has already started to flow. Ever since then, the speed at which her divine energy is increasing has notably quickened.”

“Oh ho.”

– Aren’t you forgetting something? Where’s the thank you?

How can one be so oblivious? It felt like I was nurturing a pet that proudly brought back the catch, while I exchanged puzzled glances with Riley.

“Thank you very much. You’ve been a lot of help.”

– Ahem, that is a bit embarrassing, you know.

I expressed my sincere gratitude, and yet she seemed flustered. Laughing at the absurdity, I noticed Nea glancing over with a sulky face.

‘Oh my, could this be jealousy? Is she trying to say not to talk to other girls?’

I hope so. A mere wishful thought, after all.

*

Whispering quietly, Nea suddenly leaned toward Claire to ask.

“Um, dear. Is it true that Choi Yeon-woo is quite popular…?”

“Excuse me?”

Claire unintentionally replied to the unexpected question. Turning slightly, Claire glanced at Yeon-woo, who was chatting happily with Riley, and a glimpse of the moonlight lady behind him.

“He’s kind, handsome, and all, so of course! It would be weird if he weren’t popular, right? He’d make the best husband. Though I wish Lunaria would step back a bit.”

“…I see.”

“What’s the matter? Seeing other girls flocking to him makes you feel bad? Jealousy, maybe?”

Nea just cleared her throat as Claire poked her side playfully. Trying to avoid her gaze, Nea shot Claire a look that wasn’t exactly friendly.

“…Well, with how fiercely he was looking at you earlier, and then this? It’s a bit…”

“Oh my, oh my! What’s with the fiery blush? It’s true love, true love! Is his face your type?”

“I-I have no idea! I never thought I’d be in such a situation with someone I couldn’t comprehend…”

As Nea bowed her head shyly, resembling a ripe rice stalk, Claire had no choice but to stifle her laughter beneath her hands.

Despite wanting to ensure her son brought home a decent girlfriend, Nea, even as a dragon, was not an easy character.

‘What can I say, she stirs a protective instinct within me….’

It felt like looking at an innocent, blank canvas, or a snow-covered wilderness untouched by anyone. And yet beyond her clear gaze, an intelligent light was shining.

‘Where could I ever find such a bride?’

Such a quality in a bride was surely hard to come by. While I had expected that one day he would bring home a girlfriend, I never imagined it would be someone with this caliber. Though the situation of not being officially married stung, seeing Nea’s reactions, it appeared she had a favorable view of Yeon-woo.

“Can you tell me what Yeon-woo likes?”

“…Hmm, should I listen first?”

“Hehe. Adorable! Remember this: nothing is as important as delicious food when it comes to maintaining a long-lasting relationship.”

“Wait, are you perhaps a love expert? …Even as a nun!?”

“It’s just how to win the children’s love. There’s no one in this world who hates delicious food, Alkeinea. I mean, daughter-in-law.”

“Ah, it’s not at that level yet…!”

So bashful! When I poked her side again, Nea just turned her face red and tried to shy away.

*

I was incredibly pleased to have met Nea, but coincidentally today, I had tasks to handle.

It wouldn’t be a pretty sight bringing Shar and Tae-oh along, but at least now I could leave the two kids with Nea, easing my mind.

Of course, the task at hand was to treat Noel’s illness. If I included Yuri with the preferred weapon forms, then I would mostly complete what I needed to do in the coming week.

…No wait, with the god about to awaken, that meant one task would be replaced by another. What an absurd situation.

“Why am I so busy? I can’t even leave it to Riley.”

Riley had her share of work besides managing the god’s revival; she had several public tasks to handle, like registering children or managing Relin’s Archive. If Yeon-woo were running a business, she would have driven it to bankruptcy in no time with how hard she worked.

With a deep sigh, Yeon-woo knocked on the Department Head’s Office door.

“Master, are you there—”

“Yeah, come in. I’ve been waiting for you.”

As the door opened, a familiar boy with black hair came into view. All children are cute, but our master, despite his youth, was not particularly pretty.

To say he looked boyish might sound correct, but how to put it, he looked excessively ordinary.

“Do you have any alchemists to bring? I can combine stuff, but it might not be ideal.”

“I can’t announce it publicly. However, just like I asked, I’ve prepared the tools.”

Yuri stepped aside, revealing the distiller and mortar laid out on the table—tools that were the basics and everything essential for alchemy.

However, their quality was not lacking at all. They were the finest goods from the Emerald Tablet Company, among the best in the alchemy world.

“You sure spent some money.”

“Quality is essential. If I can save Noel, I’d spend this much a hundred times over.”

“You’ve got quite the fortune.”

Even as someone who had become relatively wealthy, it was still a significant amount just to set up a single set of Emerald Tablet Company’s goods; this gives a glimpse of Yuri’s private wealth.

“Well then, shall we begin? Just keep an open mind if I take an unconventional approach?”

“Can an old man like me challenge an alchemist? I wouldn’t expect any foolishness from someone who has the Crescent Moon Society under their belt. I trust my disciple.”

“Maybe just finish your last sentence? I would’ve felt a bit touched.”

“Hehe, if you praise him too much, he’ll float away with excitement, so I keep it balanced.”

In that warm atmosphere, Yeon-woo took out the materials. Various poisons and herbs collected from the auction house dropped onto the desk. A pungent scent of grass filled the Department Head’s Office.

Yet that smell dissipated almost instantly. As a box Yuri had placed beside opened, a refreshing aroma began to sweep everything away. It was the ultimate elixir, boasted by the Crescent Moon Society.

“And lastly, this.”

The tooth flower. Without this flower, it was impossible to cure Noel’s illness, even though everything else was provided.

Ideally, I would have preferred to do this after mastering the Divine Art, but since Shar and Tae-oh hadn’t visited Noel recently, it indicated her pain was growing worse, so it was better to remedy it as soon as possible, even if it hurt a bit.

“Quite a horrifying-looking flower.”

“Though it looks like this, it’s actually a very kind flower.”

True, as this flower consumed maric—a poisonous spirit that sullies the world. It merely transformed horrifyingly due to the process of absorbing spirits in exchange for normal mana.

In any case, due to its purifying nature once consumed, it was difficult to use in bombs or detect any mana responses, leaving no one aware of its powers.

“Thank you, tooth flower.”

With this much prepared, treating Noel would essentially be a sure thing.

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

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