Chapter 129: The Devil’s Face

A tranquil yet eerie dawn.

In the small bedroom of the cabin, Luella’s soft laughter echoed subtly.

“Hehe.”

Scarlet eyes, engraved with a cross, gazed at the defenseless girl dressed in pure white with a satisfied glint.

“That’s enough for today.”

“I’ll corrupt you into being mine—slowly, ever so slowly.”

With delicate fingers, Luella traced gentle circles over Tina’s soft, radiant belly before withdrawing her hand with a pleased expression.

Imagining a life hiding away in hell with Tina, she silently buried herself in the warmth of Tina’s embrace.

***

In stark contrast to the bleak atmosphere of Rahel Village, the mansion of the Blanc family exuded an entirely different air.

Sunlight streamed into the grand estate, and my mother, with vacant eyes, looked at me and asked:

“…You’re saying you’ll take care of this child?”

“Yes.”

I confidently presented Luella. I was sure that once my mother saw her delicate features, she would agree.

Still unaccustomed to strangers, Luella failed to hide her discomfort. My mother gazed intently at her face for a long time.

“Tina, if you’re worried about the child’s safety, you could take her to the temple. They care for war orphans well there.”

It wasn’t a bad suggestion. The temple, devoted to the empire’s goddess, at least ensured no harm would come to her.

“I don’t want to be with anyone else.”

But Luella showed no intention of accepting that proposal. Clinging tightly to my waist, she trembled slightly, evoking a natural sense of pity.

“She’s still scared of people. I’d like to take care of her until she feels better.”

“……”

My mother silently observed Luella for a while, then let out a short sigh before reluctantly nodding.

“If that’s what you want, then so be it.”

With a warm smile, she gently patted my head.

Her affectionate touch stirred a childish urge to seek more comfort from her.

“Mother… also, um… could you, um… go to the bathroom with me?”

Blushing, I timidly grasped her hand and made my request.

For a moment, my mother stared blankly at our joined hands before a faint blush tinted her cheeks.

“Hehe, of course, anytime.”

After finishing my business with my mother’s help, Luella and I made our way to Viviana’s mansion.

To be honest, I hadn’t expected to gain permission so easily, but surprisingly, Viviana agreed without much resistance.

“…If that’s what you want.”

She explained that she didn’t want to block my earnest goodwill after I had struggled to reach this decision.

Grateful, I gently kissed her forehead in thanks.

Leaving behind Viviana, who stood in a daze watching me go, our next stop was Lilian’s mansion.

“I don’t sense any dark energy, but… the child’s health isn’t in good condition.”

After examining Luella, Lilian spoke with a hint of sadness. She explained that malnutrition had left her weak, allowing disease to fester from within.

“So… is it okay for her to stay?”

“Of course. I support you, Tina.”

Lilian readily agreed and proceeded to heal Luella’s body and scars.

With this, I had gained approval from everyone.

***

“Unni… does this mean I can stay with you forever?”

On our way back, Luella cautiously asked. I gently stroked her head, reassuring her with a soft smile.

Just as my mother had always done for me.

“Everyone agreed because they found you lovely.”

“But you’re the most beautiful, Unni.”

“Huh?”

I blinked, dumbfounded by her sudden words.

“I’ve never seen anyone as pretty as you. I want to be like you someday.”

“T-thank you…?”

I hadn’t expected her compliment to fluster me this much. But as Luella spoke from the depths of her heart, I felt my cheeks growing redder and redder.

“You’re amazing, kind… beautiful, and adorable. You’re truly lovely, Unni.”

She leaned in close and whispered into my ear.

The intimate praise sent shivers down my spine.

A tingling warmth spread in my chest. They say children give the most honest assessments because they don’t know how to lie.

That meant every word Luella said was sincere.

My mood soared. A smile crept onto my lips, unable to be suppressed.

“The weather’s nice today. Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll buy you whatever you want!”

“Really? Then… I want meat!”

“Meat! Alright, I’ll make sure you eat until you’re completely stuffed!”

For such an adorable and precious child, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy hundreds of servings of meat.

“Let’s go straight to a restaurant!”

“…As expected, a pushover.”

Luella muttered something softly, but her words did not reach my ears.

Meat in the Empire was far more expensive than I had expected.

But it was worth every bit of its price.

Using high-quality ingredients naturally seemed to elevate the overall quality of the dish.

I thought how wonderful it would be if our shop could someday stock such fine ingredients.

With our stomachs full from the rich meal, we made our way back to Grandma Miranda’s house.

“You actually managed to get permission.”

Grandma shrugged, her expression saying she had no choice.

“Then that means I can stay here now, right?”

“Just don’t get on my nerves.”

“Hehe, don’t worry.”

With Grandma’s reluctant approval, Luella became the newest member of this household.

Right now, Miranda might be acting cold, but with time, she, too, would fall for Luella’s charm.

I was certain of it.

I didn’t feel bad.

If my actions could ease even a little of Luella’s misfortune, that alone would make me happier than anything.

I never imagined that showing kindness would suit me so well.

As I reflected on the path I had walked so far, I found myself looking back on my past self.

Back then, I had thought my actions were only natural.

But if I could turn back time, I would correct my past mistakes.

“Shall we go take a bath together, Unni?”

“Yeah.”

As always, after making sure Luella was thoroughly clean, we lay side by side on the bed.

Maybe it was from wandering around all day, but my body felt heavy with exhaustion.

Luella seemed the same—her drowsy, nodding figure was utterly adorable.

“Good night, Unni.”

The soft voice of the girl drifted through the air, and slowly, my vision sank into darkness.

***

“Hehe.”

Cutting through the sound of quiet breathing, a devil’s laughter filled the room.

A sinister smile stretched across Luella’s face.

It was a flawless plan.

The power of a saintess could do nothing more than repel demons.

So all that needed to be done was to slip out of the body the moment she approached.

Of course, every time it returned to the body, it required Luella’s permission.

But this girl was ridiculously foolish—she willingly handed over her body whenever asked.

And now, the moment had come.

How could it not be joyous?

The prey it had longed for so desperately lay before it, completely defenseless in sleep.

“You should have listened to me.”

Had she been more wary of people and built higher walls around herself, this would never have happened.

Thanks to that cursed necklace, the demon’s powers were sealed.

But everything else was still possible.

For example—taming this defenseless body into a loyal, obedient pet.

Luella’s hand moved, disturbing the air.

Thick smoke began to fill the room, sealing it off completely so that not a single sound could escape.

At this very moment, that pure white, soft body and the soul nestled within it belonged entirely to her.

Though her delicate, protective-instinct-arousing beauty had been even more breathtaking in her past life, her current appearance suited her corrupted soul quite well.

Well, no matter how she looked, what truly mattered was the soul’s owner.

“Fufu…”

A small hand, trembling with desire, slowly reached out. Its destination—Tina’s palm.

Ruela interlocked their fingers naturally, clasping Tina’s hand before gently loosening her grip, rubbing her skin against the gaps between Tina’s fingers.

The soft touch of their intertwined fingers, sliding and tangling together, sent a thrilling shiver through her body.

It was so sweet, so intoxicating, that Luella’s cheeks were flushed a deep red.

But she had no intention of stopping here. If she were to be satisfied with just this, it would be an embarrassment to her demonic nature.

“Hehe.”

With a sly smile, Luella climbed atop the quietly resting Tina.

Her gaze, burning with unbridled desire, locked onto Tina as she lowered herself completely over her.

Wrapping her arms tightly around Tina’s waist, she pulled her into a firm embrace.

“Tina… Tina…”

Through their pressed bodies, she could feel the scandalous rhythm of Tina’s heartbeat. The warmth radiating from her skin only pushed Luella deeper into the abyss of exhilaration.

What a secret, dangerous act this was.

And yet, Luella had no intention of stopping. Her demonic instincts urged her onward.

Smack—

Finally, Luella’s lips softly met the smooth skin of Tina’s cheek. But the sensation was so irresistibly tender that she immediately pulled back, unable to contain herself.

For a brief moment, Luella touched her own lips, as if savoring the lingering trace of Tina’s skin still imprinted on them.

“Hah… Fufu… Did I overdo it?”

A quiet chuckle escaped her lips as she admired her own wickedness.

At first, she had hesitated. She had only ever corrupted humans through pain and despair. Could she truly taint a soul through such… sensual means?

This was usually the work of a succubus, after all.

But, to her surprise, this method wasn’t bad at all.

Now, Luella was certain.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before Tina fell into corruption.

Her face, flushed with a deep blush, stretched into a confident, knowing smile.

“Fufu… That’s enough for today.”

Any more than this, and it might get dangerous.