episode_0015

Hmm, it seems that changing my face from an ordinary one to a remarkably outstanding one has resulted in numerous dance requests.

Already 5 people.

Is it really all about the face? Since my face changed, there have been many dance requests.

It’s like those things you see in novels or webtoons.

If you reject a dance request, it seems to go against the principles of a man, something like that.

There seems to be some unwritten rule about it.

When I rejected a dance request, they asked me angrily which kingdom and family I belonged to.

So when I said I was an imperial court magician, everyone just stiffened their expressions and left without saying a word.

Since imperial court magicians often have dark magic towers, it seems that the evil spirits’ influence is strong.

“Hmm, rejecting doesn’t seem to end.”

And then, I danced occasionally.

It was a moment when I was enjoying myself, dancing to the atmosphere.

“How about dancing with me, Damian?”

Rebecca approached me in a revealing dress and extended her hand.

She knows my true identity and can see through me, so refusing her here didn’t seem quite right.

Considering the gazes of others, it seemed somewhat appropriate to dance with her once.

“Why did you come dressed so provocatively? If it were you, even priestly attire would have been allowed.”

“It’s not nice for a defeated country to wear its national clothes recklessly. Besides, priestly robes don’t suit seduction, do they?”

“…What?”

“The best way to preserve our country now is to become the concubine of the most powerful ruler. It’s something even Lady Lucia agrees with…”

“If that’s your intention, it doesn’t look good.”

But what does it mean that Lucia agreed?

For these reasons, I had no reason to pursue her at all.

Not because I’m celibate or anything like that, but for 23 years, roughly since this child was born, I’ve been watching over her.

While I may not be free from harboring desires towards her, deep down, I wish for the key figures around me to be happy.

For example, even for Rebecca, who lost her emotions due to a terrible upbringing, I hope she finds true happiness. Becoming my concubine, well, not really…

And where would her main partner be if she became a concubine?

“It seems you’re not satisfied with me. If you give me a chance, I will train my skills and return.”

“I hope you find happiness. Of course, the happiness of our sect’s children comes first, but I also wish for your happiness.”

While favoring the children of the sect was inevitable, the sympathy I felt for her was genuine.

She was born from a slum prostitute and abandoned early on, only to be recognized for her talent by the Pope and raised as a saint.

She lost her emotions in that harsh process, lost the purpose of life.

She too lived a profoundly unhappy life, deserving a chance at happiness.

“Having the Celestial Church remaining is my happiness. The preservation of the Sacred Empire is my wish. And the most efficient way to achieve my goals is this. So…”

“The method itself was flawed from the start.”

Lucia, what exactly did you allow?

I doubt if you are truly a god of creation.

Allowing a devout believer to act like this.

If it were me, I would have put a stop to it no matter the consequences.

“In such cases, it’s about making a request. If you simply tell me how precious that Sacred Empire is to you, I would never have interfered.”

A child who doesn’t know how to make requests.

“People won’t follow anything unless there’s a reward and benefit coming back to them. The teachings I received were the same, and so were the people I saw.”

“So you see me as a human being.”

I probably used to think that way too.

I was just an ordinary person, a selfish person who considered myself more important than the group.

However, as time passed, the deeper the children’s faith became, and the more I trusted them, the more I realized it shouldn’t be like that.

Showing the right image as an idol, maintaining dignity, and constantly moving forward.

That is the right attitude that takes responsibility for everything.

“I am a god. A god believed in by children, a god who responds to that belief. So even if you don’t believe in me, if you ask, I will respond to your request.”

She seems to be lost in thought.

As we danced and talked, one song ended unnoticed, and she sipped her wine with a pensive expression.

Come to think of it, yesterday she left quickly before raising a toast properly.

Well, maybe it was a toast celebrating turning her own country into a defeated nation.

Or perhaps she felt she didn’t quite fit in as an outsider.

“How about dancing a song with me?”

It was Maria.

Surely I’ve completely changed my appearance now, so there’s no reason she should have known. How did she find out?

It could have been a request made unknowingly, but her gesture of raising her glass seemed unnatural no matter how much I thought about it.

Her expression seemed somewhat calculating, leading me to intuitively feel that she approached me knowing exactly who I was.

How did she really figure it out?

The power of a god isn’t easily penetrated, and on top of that, with the Evil Spirit Religion being the world’s top religion, my divine power has increased significantly.

“Maria, how did you know?”

Rebecca herself has the ability to completely see through my identity, but Maria wasn’t like that.

As the manager of the World Tree, can she see through identities using that power?

No, it’s a god’s power, so can she only see through identities to the extent of the World Tree’s power?

I really can’t figure out the reason.

“I believe the Evil Lord will not refuse my earnest request.”

“If Lady wishes, anything is possible.”

“Could you converse with me as the Evil Lord as well?”

Perhaps because she was in front of people, she behaved more normally than expected.

Honestly, at this point, even if she flirted with me, it wouldn’t be strange at all, but seeing the conversation flow smoothly warms my heart inexplicably.

Indeed, the world is still worth living in.

“Please look only at me. Don’t pay attention to other things. I’m here in front of the Evil Lord, right?”

“Yes, let it be so.”

But her unique words remained unchanged.

From the beginning, Maria seems to want to possess me like a child wanting a toy.

Although I can’t exactly understand the purpose or meaning of this possession, I can’t help but think her faith might be leading her astray.

“I know you like me.”

Of course, I don’t consider that to be a rational emotion.

I don’t think I can have feelings of attraction towards someone I’ve never even seen before.

Moreover, in the relationship between a believer and the deity they serve, emotional sentimentality should definitely not be present.

It’s probably more like a childish emotion of wanting to solely serve the god one serves, wanting to have an interesting toy all to oneself.

“However, I hope you won’t hurt others too much for that emotion.”

“Well~ I’ll try my best.”

She returned with her unique tone and said leisurely.

“I will try.”

Well, it’s better than not trying at all, so is that somewhat acceptable?

“Of course, as long as it’s not those things, I will respect whatever you do.”

Hmm, but suddenly bringing in a stranger as a husband is a bit much.

Does anyone else do this while holding a wedding ceremony?

I’ll blow my head off with a shotgun.

Ah, is this what father’s heart feels like?

Even though I didn’t raise them myself, if I bring in those who don’t know where my children have been nurtured with my heart.

…I might want to kill them even if it were me.

“Thank you for the wonderful dance, sir.”

She smiled and said that before moving from her seat.

I’m not sure if my words were fully understood, but as long as it doesn’t worsen further, it was enough.

After finishing the dance that followed twice in a row like that, when I returned to the corner, Ryu appeared this time.

“Well…. Did you enjoy yourself, evil spirit?”

Is he saying that because he’s drugged?

No, this kid really can’t control his speech.

Sometimes he speaks informally, and other times he uses the same tone as now.

It’s like mixing up speech strangely even when he’s not drugged.

“All those kids refused to dance for you out of consideration, oh, of course, it seems they don’t have a suitable partner. Sharing hobbies and understanding each other… It shouldn’t be hard to find.”

“How did you figure it out? I thought you wouldn’t be able to tell…”

“It’s better not to say that in front of others besides me. We’ve believed in each other for so long, if you can’t recognize even one god you believe in, how different are you from an idiot? No matter what form or how well hidden. We see everything with our eyes.”

Was it because Mari saw through my identity?

For some reason, I felt inexplicably good.

To think that there are gods who can instantly discern completely different appearances and energies.

“Everyone is coming here. Since it’s come to this, why not enjoy it together?”

Ryu laughed playfully, then sat by the window and said.

“For you, even the evil spirit, wouldn’t it be more enjoyable this way?”

I chuckled and released my transformation.

Seeing everyone’s faces unchanged, they must have really known.

Our nobles and royals, not our sect, all had changed expressions, you know.

“Come on, everyone. Come here.”

The night of the banquet was drawing to a close.