Chapter 18

“Y-yeah…”

Derek readjusted the child in his arms and walked on silently, his steps slightly unsteady.

Then, he stopped and called someone.

“You. Come too.”

“M-me? Y-yes, Sir Derek!”

Bennett quickly followed after him.

He didn’t understand exactly what was going on.

‘…That suspicious kid.’

Still, he found himself leaning toward trusting Nemesia.

Of course, that didn’t mean he wasn’t suspicious.

But seeing Nemesia collapse like that… it made him worry, just a little.

Derek’s eyes met Usher’s.

‘Tch.’

Usher clicked his tongue in disappointment and signaled to his subordinates with a tilt of his head.

The recovering knights stepped aside, allowing Derek to pass without obstruction.

“That psycho…”

Only once Derek had disappeared from view did Usher shrug.

“Damn, blew it.”

Truly a shame.

‘If I could’ve just gotten them in my hands… I could’ve easily manipulated them.’

But Usher was the optimistic kind of fanatic. He forgot disappointment quickly and flashed a bright smile.

“Let’s clean this up, guys.”

No worries. He could always try again.

How long could a washed-up ex-hero last anyway?

Besides, that tiny candidate clearly had no clue how dangerous that man really was.

‘Maybe I should just kidnap her?’

Usher grinned.

Ah, life’s good~

* * *

I shot my eyes open.

‘Whoa, that was a solid nap.’

I’d known about the side effect of the “Child Actor” skill, but I hadn’t expected to literally faint from the in-game stun.

‘I’ll need to factor that in next time.’

Shout-out to the massively boosted HP and mental strength that helped sell the act!

I glanced around.

‘Still in the garden?’

We’d moved from where Usher was, but it was still just a park.

“…You’re awake.”

When I lifted my head, I saw Daddy’s face.

‘Wow, he looks rough.’

Even darker circles than before. Thicker veins.

My eyes locked onto those veins.

‘…That’s a sign of a Corrupted Holy Knight on the verge of rampage.’

I’d seen it more times than I could count, and it still made me tense up.

He probably sensed my tension too, with me still in his arms.

‘Something must’ve happened while I was out.’

I could picture it.

That fanatic Usher must’ve scraped at Derek like a rusty nail.

‘Still, the Guardian I chose has maxed-out patience stats.’

In the lore, Corrupted Holy Knights can’t control their rampages, but Derek’s the one exception.

“How long was I out?”

“…Not long. Around ten minutes.”

Makes sense. In-game, “Stun” usually only lasts a short while.

But his cheek looked even more swollen than it did before I passed out. What the hell happened?

“…Where’s Bennett?”

“Bennett? Ah… the servant who was with you?”

“Yeah.”

Weird phrasing, but whatever.

“Look to your side.”

I turned to find Bennett lying on the ground next to where Daddy was sitting.

“Oh, he’s asleep?”

“I knocked him out. He said something weird…”

I paused.

“…Something weird?”

Daddy’s face twisted in a scowl. Whoa, that startled me.

Was it the rampage symptoms? Even though it wasn’t directed at me, a chill ran down my spine.

He relaxed the moment I tensed up.

“He said… you might be a fanatic.”

“…”

Seriously? You told him everything while I was passed out?

‘Hey, you loose-lipped future party member… ever heard of discretion…?’

I had nothing to say.

For a moment, I was just relieved Daddy brought him along. But then…

“He seems to have been influenced by the fanatics, so I plan to hand him over to the Inquisition.”

“No, no, no—no way!!”

That place is a nightmare of ideological tests and brainwashing!

Sure, the Order does a lot of good in the world…

But just because the goal is noble doesn’t mean the methods are clean.

“Just—don’t send him anywhere for now!”

“…? Alright.”

Huh? That was… unexpectedly easy?

I blinked, confused.

“…You’re not even gonna ask why?”

“…”

Daddy averted his eyes. Something felt off about the atmosphere.

“…I figured you’d have your reasons.”

“That’s it?”

“I just… want to do whatever I can for you.”

He finally mumbled his real thoughts with some hesitation.

“…But I don’t know how.”

Still avoiding my gaze, his voice trembled faintly.

The arms holding me were shaking slightly.

“…You chose trash like me. The least I can do is let you enjoy your freedom.”

“There you go again!”

Slap slap!

My tiny hand smacked his neck with little thwacks. I wanted to hit his cheek, but I couldn’t reach.

“You’re not trash! I told you not to say that!”

This was just going to keep happening if I didn’t take drastic action.

“If you keep saying that, I’m gonna tell everyone I meet that you said you’re trash!”

“…!”

That must’ve really shocked him, because he jerked upright against the tree.

He looked genuinely stunned.

“No! You have no reason to be called that—!”

“Then why do you get to call yourself that?!”

“Because I’m… corrupted—”

“And I said I’m fine with that!!”

He went quiet.

After a brief silence, his voice came out a little cracked.

“…You don’t… resent me?”

So that was the real question.

‘Honestly, I didn’t see this whole mess coming either.’

I’d wanted to slowly build up his self-esteem, step by step.

How was I supposed to know I’d get yanked underground before I could even start the project?

This was just a fluke. A one-time accident.

“I made a promise… and I broke it.”

“That why you keep calling me ‘Candidate’ instead of by name?”

“…”

His silence said yes.

“Daddy, bad things happen in this world.”

Humans break under too much weight. Derek was proof of that.

“This wasn’t anyone’s fault.”

Okay, technically, I was the idiot who touched a sketchy door. But I didn’t know!

Nemesia has been forgiven by prayer and repentance. We’re good!

“Just say you were worried, that’s all. And… thanks for coming to save me.”

I gave him the biggest smile I could.

Finally, I felt his gaze fully settle on me. Derek looked lost.

[Let’s show some affection to your confused “Daddy”!]

[Cheer him on!]

Whoa, what the—?

[Try saying this to Daddy! “Daddy’s the best♡”]

[Summon spell failure is accumulating! We strongly recommend saying it!]

What’s with all the hearts? Seriously, are you obsessed?

[Difficulty increased!]

[Kiss him!]

…Dammit. I suddenly want to cheer him on. Was I a cheerleader in my past life?

“Daddy… ahem.”

I fiddled with my hands a bit.

“Daddy’s the best!”

Even if the prompt annoyingly stuck a heart on it, I meant it.

I knew all the characters, but I still chose this man.

And once I made that choice, I was going to give it my all.

His eyes widened just a little.

This time, he didn’t look away.

“Daddy keeps calling himself terrible things and losing confidence… ’cause he’s too kind.”

“…That’s the first time I’ve heard that take.”

“You got tired because you had too much to protect.”

Those deep eyes looked so worn out.

An exhaustion that had built over years.

“Ciara told me what kind of person you are.”

I’d been thinking about it a lot. And I knew now.

He needed someone to take some of that burden off him.

“You don’t have to worry when you’re with me.”

He didn’t know how to rest, so he’d worn himself down.

“I’m weak, after all.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“You only have to protect me.”

Because I’d protect everyone else.

He hesitated, then reached out a hand.

Like he wasn’t even sure what he was doing.

[Let’s give your weary “Daddy” a big hug!]

[Hug him!]

That, I can do.

For the first time, I moved without a single complaint.

Because I meant it.

Poof!

“Hug me.”

His hand, which had hovered uncertainly, finally landed. Warm and solid.

“I’ll hug you back.”

[Your sincerity has reached him!]

[Hidden Skill ‘Purification’ activated!]

Tiny white lights bloomed like snowflakes and seeped into Daddy’s body.

May it bring him peace.

The hand awkwardly patting my back paused.

“…Nemesia.”

His voice was hesitant.

“Weren’t you… scared?”

That made me pause.

‘Was I scared?’

When I found the hidden dungeon entrance to the underground, I’d been thrilled. Just like I remembered it.

Even getting dragged in by accident wasn’t too bad.

Then I met Bennett, and after that, the fanatic…

“…You don’t have to answer.”

I handled it well.

My acting was so convincing even that fanatic commander didn’t catch on.

“You’re trembling.”

My thoughts stopped.

‘I’m… trembling?’

I slowly looked down.

‘Oh.’

My hand was shaking.

Not just that—my shoulders, too.

A surreal monster, faced in the real world.

Even knowing the perfect strategy couldn’t completely hide the fear.

Maybe it was just because I was in a child’s body.

‘It’s not like I’m embarrassed… right?’

Then, suddenly—tears streamed down my cheeks.

“Uwaaah…”

“…Nemesia?”

Tears gushed from my eyes like a faucet left on.
 

Brought to you by Gourmet Scans

Translator: Japchae