Ch.391Side Story: Benefactor

The story about Deia made me feel a bit dizzy, but that wasn’t the only reason I came to Norsweden anyway.

As I stepped outside the mansion, Norsweden’s characteristic cold wind wrapped around my body. The Republic of Clark was equally cold, but somehow Norsweden’s chill felt strangely familiar.

‘Winter is really almost here.’

I needed to organize my thoughts, and walking alone outside made me feel somewhat at ease rather than lonely.

‘I need time like this too.’

I’ve always enjoyed being alone, but recently I haven’t had much time to myself. It’s not that I disliked company, but I genuinely needed appropriate alone time. After all, I’m in quite an unusual situation.

Perhaps that’s why.

Every time the chilly wind brushed against my lips, a strange sensation welled up inside me.

I had just kissed Deia, whom until now I had simply viewed as my younger sister.

I had always known she harbored feelings beyond those for a second brother, but it felt strange when she expressed it through action.

‘Sigh.’

If asked whether I disliked it, that wasn’t the case.

No, rather, I disliked myself for not finding it disagreeable.

I was perplexed that I felt less resistance than expected toward a relationship with Deia, something I had assumed was obviously impossible.

‘I know, but still.’

I’ve heard it several times already, so I know. That even though Deia is my younger sister, marriage wouldn’t be a major problem.

Nevertheless, the reason I had rejected her until now was simply due to my personal aversion.

Like a brilliant chess move.

Deia’s sudden advancement of our relationship was more powerful than I expected.

It was contrary to her previous behavior where she feared losing me, but precisely because of that, I was caught completely off guard and took a heavy hit.

‘Plus, I need to tell others about Deia too.’

There are already plenty of people around, and I’m not sure how they’ll react if Deia says she wants to join us too.

They’ll probably be quite angry.

Tap tap.

I came out to see the city, but I was so lost in thought that I barely noticed Norsweden’s downtown when someone tapped my back.

Kyaa!

Hearing the familiar child’s cheerful exclamation, I turned around to find Illuania in casual clothes with Sevia in her arms.

“I heard you were coming, but you’re alone?”

Illuania asked with a smile.

“It’s been a while. You look good.”

Seeing the happy mother and daughter, a smile naturally spread across my face.

I took Sevia’s hand as she reached out to me and waved it, making her laugh with delight.

‘A child.’

Something I hadn’t thought about for a while naturally came to mind.

Sevia could be considered my adopted daughter, and I would certainly support her in many ways.

But having my own child would be quite nice too.

Though I’m not sure if that’s possible.

Even though things are already chaotic, it would surely bring joy in many ways.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Ah, sorry.”

Looking at Sevia made me neglect Illuania, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Shall we go somewhere to talk?”

“I know a good place for that.”

Though we met suddenly on the street, Illuania skillfully guided me as if she had been waiting for this moment.

I thought she might have a café or restaurant she frequented, but…

“A bar?”

I thought this was quite surprising. Bringing a one-year-old child to a bar.

Even though she came from a red-light district, wasn’t she a woman whose love for Sevia was second to none?

I even questioned whether it was really okay to entrust Sevia’s education entirely to Illuania.

“You can have a simple bottle of beer at the outdoor tables here.”

“Is it okay to bring a child?”

“Even mothers need to relieve stress. Besides, I’m not drinking enough to get drunk, just one bottle.”

Well, a mere beer wouldn’t be enough for Illuania to get drunk. Working in that industry, she must have built up quite a tolerance.

“And I don’t breastfeed.”

She doesn’t breastfeed.

Her voice carried deep regret.

Illuania doesn’t breastfeed Sevia because her body had consumed so many harmful drugs and alcohol in the past.

It was wise, and in a way, she was taking responsibility for past mistakes even in such small matters.

“One more thing.”

“Hmm?”

“This is actually the important part. This is where Deia, Findenai, and I often gathered.”

“Really?”

I didn’t know that at all.

It seems that’s why we came here.

I glanced around.

For some reason, I felt like Findenai and Deia might join us at any moment and get thoroughly drunk.

“Sevia, unlike me, dislikes being inside, so she prefers places with outdoor tables like this.”

“I see.”

With that explanation, we sat at an outdoor table, but it actually felt more like a night market table than a bar.

The atmosphere was quite different from a bar, which made me understand why the three of them often came here with Sevia.

“This is a perfect spot for Deia to observe the street atmosphere.”

A place with a clear view of the street.

Not eating inside somewhere, but literally experiencing time in Norsweden.

“Would you like a beer?”

“Yes, I’d like one.”

“One bottle of beer, please.”

One bottle?

When I looked at Illuania questioningly, she smiled mischievously.

“I can’t drink in front of Sevia.”

“So you deliberately tricked me into drinking.”

“Isn’t the scenery and atmosphere nice here? If Sevia wasn’t here, I would have joined you.”

Illuania had deliberately deceived me to give me a good experience.

With a not unpleasant feeling, I drank the beer the server brought.

The cold beer in the chilly air made my body tense, but it wasn’t bad.

Plus, the cold quickly dissipated thanks to the small fire the owner lit in front of the outdoor tables, supposedly to grill meat.

Kyaa!

“Oh! Fire! It hurts if you touch it!”

Sevia reached out her hands, laughing because she liked the fire, and Illuania kissed her cheek while smiling.

It was a pleasant sight.

That alone made coming to Norsweden worthwhile.

“Would you like to hold her?”

Illuania offered Sevia to me as I watched them. I didn’t refuse and carefully took her in my arms.

I had held her a few times before, and it was satisfying to feel the child gaining weight day by day.

Kyaa!

Sevia reached out and played with my lips and cheeks. No one had ever played with me like this before, but Sevia was the only one who managed to do so.

“Hoho, the child seems to like you.”

“That’s good.”

I closed my mouth to prevent her from putting her fingers in my mouth. Sevia seemed fascinated by me and kept touching my face.

I carefully touched her cheek with my finger.

The softness of her cheek was surprisingly cute and pleasant to touch.

“Did you finish talking with Deia?”

Illuania casually asked while I was distracted by Sevia.

I answered bitterly, still keeping my eyes on Sevia.

“So you knew.”

“I’m something of an expert on love, you know?”

It was a slightly heavy joke, but Illuania rested her chin on her hand. Just then, thick grilled meat and roasted potatoes arrived as appetizers.

“Deia is sincere. That girl who used to hate men has truly come to like you.”

“You two seem quite close now.”

I remember she used to speak formally in the past, but now her speech has changed.

“I’ve given her a lot of counseling.”

Counseling?

So Deia sought advice from Illuania.

“It’s not as easy as you might think to share love with multiple women, is it?”

“…That hits close to home.”

“I was in a similar situation, though I was being paid for it.”

Comparing it to that gives me mixed feelings, but I didn’t deny it.

Illuania must want to give me advice in her own way.

“Well, our situations are quite different, but let me give you one tip.”

“…”

“Even a prostitute like me was drawn to your warmth, the way you treated me so kindly.”

“…”

“You’re the one who cherishes even this small child I gave birth to.”

So.

“Have courage. You will surely handle this well.”

Her voice resonated.

This woman, Illuania.

Who wandered through brothels, had relationships for money, and survived each day on drugs.

Now she lives each day happily with a smile.

“I…”

The answer was already visible in the smile she wore, but.

“I promised Deus.”

Still, I wanted to hear it from her lips.

“That I would make you and Sevia happy.”

That was my promise to the desperate man who gave me another chance.

My gratitude toward the man who first truly accepted me in this continent and granted me mercy.

“Are you happy now?”

I hugged Sevia tightly.

The child smiled in my arms, feeling our warmth, and.

Beyond her.

Illuania, sitting across from me, answered with a bright smile.

“Very, very happy.”

“…Good.”

Then that’s enough.

It can be said that it’s sufficient.

Surely Illuania and Sevia will continue to do well in the future.

The child may experience growing pains as she gets older, but she will eventually overcome them.

O departed one who could not even enter rest because you were annihilated.

Noble one who saved your family by burning your soul to the end.

Pure love that never let go of feelings for the woman you loved.

Finally.

My benefactor who accepted me.

Since I have kept my promise to you.

“Now, it should be enough.”

At last, I think I can completely let go of the name Deus Verdi.

‘Deus.’

Truly.

Thank you.