Chapter 61: Family (2)

“Tell me.”

“What can I possibly do for the benefactor who restored to me a presence more precious than my own life?”

At the proposal of Rian Lumen, the chairman of the Lumina Group, I paused for a moment in thought.

“…….”

The wealth and influence of one of the city’s Top 100 Corporations.

With such power, there would be few things in this world that couldn’t be achieved.

Such a person was now saying he would give me anything.

So, what should I say now?

The first reward that came to mind was…

‘Perhaps money?’

In this city, there was little more important than money.

Countless people sold themselves for a few mere credits, endured all sorts of hardships, and even killed.

A city where anything could become a commodity if the price was right.

The most straightforward means to obtain any product in the world.

‘But…’

If asked whether I truly needed that much money right now, well, I wasn’t so sure.

The payment I had already received from the wine delivery business was more than enough.

The Church’s operations were still too small to properly handle even that amount of money.

Honestly, even if I had more, I wouldn’t have a proper place to use it.

Then, what did I truly need the most right now?

I thought about it carefully, but there was really only one thing.

“First, I’d like you to help ensure the secret of this ability isn’t revealed to the world.”

Hearing my words, Rian, befitting the head of a major corporation, immediately grasped my meaning.

“Indeed, your power… it’s marvelous, but it’s also an equally dangerous treasure.”

A ‘miracle’ that could revive even someone with an incurable disease.

Realizing its danger anew, Rian warned me with a hardened expression.

“I’ll do my utmost to cooperate in maintaining secrecy.”

“However, if, by some chance, this were to become known to the outside world, I’m not sure if our company’s power alone could fully protect you.”

“Especially if the top 10 corporations get involved…”

His grave warning made me tense up again.

The top 10 corporations of Omega Detroit.

They were true mega-corps that reigned supreme, looking down even on global conglomerates.

It was believed that just ten companies monopolized more than half of the world’s capital.

It was no exaggeration to call them the de facto rulers of this world.

Rian continued.

“Half of the heads of those ten corporations are old monsters now facing the limits of their lifespans.”

“They’re the kind of people who would willingly drink the fresh blood of a newborn if it meant living even one more day.”

“But if the secret were to reach their ears…”

His wife, Rachel, who was beside him, murmured in a worried voice.

“Miss Eve, did you take such a risk for us…?”

The way the couple looked at me had changed.

They were individuals who stood at a different vantage point, unlike the poor who were simply grateful that their bodies were no longer sick.

Because they had insight into society, they instantly realized the immense price I had paid to help them.

Therefore, Rian spoke again, resolutely.

“As I’ve said repeatedly, I owe you a debt I can never repay.”

“I promise to keep the secret.”

“I’ll ensure it never leaks from our side.”

Then, he suddenly made another suggestion.

“No, how about this instead?”

“It’s not too late yet.”

“I can completely erase your name and traces, and set you up to live a life of luxury forever in a place no one knows.”

“What do you think of that?”

I understood what his proposal meant.

It was far easier to erase all traces and hide before a mega-corp discovered the secret, rather than trying to stop their movements after they had.

With the chairman’s power, he could truly make someone disappear from the world as if they had evaporated, allowing them to live comfortably for the rest of their life.

It was an offer that would solve the biggest problem I’d faced since falling into this world.

‘But….’

I couldn’t readily accept it.

If I hid like that, I wouldn’t be able to expand the Church’s influence and gather faith as I was doing now, and then the way back to my original world would disappear forever.

It was a dilemma.

Should I live safely in this world forever, or risk danger and strive to return home?

After a moment’s consideration, my answer was decided.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do that.”

As expected, I wanted to return to my longed-for home.

I missed the family and friends I had left behind in my original world.

But my current choice wasn’t just for that reason.

I couldn’t just save myself now and abandon the Church members I had brought in.

As long as I had responsibilities, it was difficult to leave this city immediately.

At my refusal, Rachel looked at her husband with pitying eyes.

“Honey, what should we do?”

Rian remained silent for a moment, then spoke with a resolute voice.

“….Then how about this.”

Our eyes met, his gaze serious.

An unimaginable proposal came from his lips.

“Would you consider becoming our adopted daughter?”

“What?”

“And if you learn management by my side for just ten years, I’ll pass on the chairmanship of this group to you.”

Following the mind-bogglingly radical proposal, he added an explanation.

“No matter how powerful a mega-corp is, they wouldn’t dare to rashly touch someone who has reached the position of chairman of a major corporation.”

“Targeting the chairman herself is a completely different matter than targeting an outsider under the corporation’s protection.”

An offer to hand over, in its entirety, a position of power at the pinnacle of this world.

It might have been a moment anyone in the world would dream of at least once in their lifetime.

“…..”

But I quietly shook my head again.

“I’m truly grateful for your offer… but I still have things I must do.”

Why wouldn’t I know that money and power are good?

Being human, it’s not like I don’t have material desires, and I know very well how sweet their fruits are.

Especially if that place was ‘Omega Detroit’…

I could probably do everything I wanted and experience things I couldn’t even imagine.

But… why else would the word ‘nostalgia’ exist?

Right now, I just want to go home as soon as possible.

There was a reason I had generously used the Church’s assets for charitable work so far.

Because the moment I returned to my original world, all that money would become mere scraps of paper.

“……..”

“…….”

The couple stared at me, their eyes glazed over.

It seemed they hadn’t expected me to refuse even the previous offer.

The man murmured softly, his voice tinged with a distant realization.

“…..Truly… sent to us without expectation of reward… was this then… true… divine love.”

I was a bit flustered by his sudden remark.

Then it dawned on me.

When I first met the chairman, I had acted in accordance with my role as the ‘Saintess of the Church.’

Had that caused some misunderstanding?

I opened my mouth to protest, almost unconsciously.

“No, it’s not that… I don’t mean I don’t want to receive compensation…..”

It might look a little ungraceful, but I couldn’t just pass up this incredible opportunity, could I?

As I became flustered, Rian asked with a puzzled expression.

“Then tell me directly.”

“What on earth must I do to repay the Saintess who possesses such divinely bestowed mercy?”

“Well… that is…..”

Even when he said that, I still couldn’t think of an answer on the spot.

What should I receive as compensation?

I felt like someone staring at a blank check, hesitating because I couldn’t bring myself to write an absurdly large number.

“So…. um…”

As they watched me mumble, the expressions on their faces gradually softened.

“Don’t worry.”

“It’s not just anyone; how could I possibly fail to repay a debt owed to God?”

“I will definitely reward you.”

“You can look forward to it.”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

“If he tries to act shamelessly, I’ll give him a stern talking-to myself, so there’s no need for concern.”

Beyond their warm gazes, I was just flustered, not knowing what to do.

“…….”

==============

And so, on the way back from the Lumina Group’s headquarters.

Until I arrived here, all I had been provided with was a single AV.

But on the way back, something, somehow, had become too extravagant.

“……”

It started with the view outside the window.

Centered around my vehicle, several sleek tactical hovering gunships were visible, flying in a tight formation.

The heavy aircraft surrounded us without a sound, their advanced weaponry mounted externally reflecting the light.

After such an imposing formation flight, we arrived in a suburban area.

The AV landed in an open lot near the cathedral, but the doors didn’t open immediately.

Security guards disembarking from the gunships moved first, swiftly and systematically securing the perimeter.

They were elite corporate combatants, each equipped with expensive military-grade gear.

Personnel equipped with armaments that starkly contrasted with the rundown suburban scenery.

Then, they personally opened the vehicle door and maintained strict vigilance around me until I reached the cathedral entrance.

And they escorted me with the utmost courtesy until the very end.

“We will return now.”

“It was an honor to serve you, even for a short time, miss.”

The security team leader saluted sharply.

“Yes, thank you for the escort…..”

Honestly… it was incredibly burdensome.

Being escorted wasn’t entirely unfamiliar, but their professional protocol was on a different level.

I felt like I had truly become someone important, which was a bit overwhelming for me, as a part of my heart still harbored the sensibilities of an ordinary citizen.

Most of what I experienced at the Lumina Group headquarters had that kind of atmosphere.

The furnishings, spaces, sculptures, people – everything was dramatically luxurious and refined.

I couldn’t even guess the price of a single sculpture decorating the hallway.

I felt like I had briefly crossed over into another world and returned, making me unconsciously careful about my demeanor.

My impression of the chairman and his wife was similar.

Aside from their sincere gratitude, they were complete strangers I had met for the first time today, and magnates of unimaginable wealth.

Even though I was the one who had helped them… I also felt a sense of pressure dealing with them.

‘Honestly, getting involved with them was so tiring…’

Perhaps it would be better to accept a modest reward and move on.

People never forget grudges, but they easily forget gratitude.

Right now, they express great gratitude to me, but those feelings could also fade with time.

Rather than making an uncomfortable demand that might make them tilt their heads in confusion later, it was better to find meaning in the fact that I had formed a positive connection with the head of a major corporation like the Lumina Group.

That alone could be considered a sufficient success for today’s visit.

I let out a soft sigh.

Having ascended to such heights and then come down, everything familiar now felt strangely awkward.

But still, I felt that this was the place where I belonged.

The shabby scenery of the suburbs, rather than that splendid penthouse, actually put my mind at ease.

I opened the old door of the cathedral, stepped inside, and called out cheerfully.

“I’m back!”

=============

A week passed like that.

The memories of what happened at the headquarters gradually faded, and I returned to my usual daily life.

That day was no different.

I was sitting in the cathedral office, processing overdue business approvals.

Then, I happened to look out the window and saw a peaceful scene of nuns gathered in small groups in the yard, chatting idly.

At that moment, the figure of a woman, blending naturally among them, caught my eye.

She was dressed in simple attire similar to the nuns and was joining in their conversation.

A strikingly beautiful woman with a mature impression.

Though a little gaunt from illness, her elegance remained, and she looked somehow familiar.

It was a familiarity I had never imagined encountering in such a place.

‘…..No way.’

Wondering if I had seen incorrectly, I rubbed my eyes for a long time, then, startled, I shot up from my chair.

Hurriedly descending the cathedral stairs, I reached the yard.

I cautiously approached her and spoke.

“Excuse me… Madam, why are you here?”

At my voice, she smiled gently and replied calmly.

“Oh my, ‘Madam’?”

“Please call me Rachel, Saintess.”