‘It really did feel like something serious was bound to happen.’
That feeling only grew stronger while going through the reports they kept sending me.
Of course, some of it had been expected, but it didn’t take long to realize that the situation was far worse than I[1] had imagined. The ridiculous part was that the very person at the center of it all didn’t seem to think that way at all.
In addition to becoming physically younger, it was clear that he had also become emotionally younger. The foolish kid couldn’t understand what kind of trouble he had gotten into.
The failure to delay the departure for the first life ended up having negative consequences.
Lee Ki-Young was an extremely selfish person who only cared about himself, but ironically, he was the type of person to easily become attached to someone. In other words, he would find it difficult to separate the first life from the second life.
Upon giving his attention to someone, he would have to keep them in his hands and control them for him to feel satisfied.
As a result, he wasn’t exactly immune to unexpected goodbyes.
Once he had concluded that someone was in his hands, he would become so controlling that the individual in question had to ask for his permission to close their eyes for the last time.
That was why I wished he would spend a little more time here...
Since I was observing nearby, it was clear to me that he was becoming increasingly absorbed in the first life.
Even while under stress, he seemed like he wanted to return there, which could only mean that he had found a place that felt like a refuge. Stopping him would be useless, but I couldn’t help but think that we ought to have talked about it one more time.
‘In the end, something happened.’
Out of nowhere, the Monarch of Lust and Eternal Sleep descended upon the Magic Tower. Whether we were lucky or not, there was no worldwide message about his descent, but the people of the Democratic Country had to have sensed the descent of a transcendent being.
Everyone was simply keeping quiet about it. The Continental Protection Management Committee and the Vatican had made no statements, and the descent was brief, but still...
The people of Rafael’s party returned as middle-aged people, and Jo Hye-Jin was covered with wounds. They had become quite popular among the leaders, but they hadn’t said anything, as if they had all agreed to do that. Still, it was obvious to anyone that something had gone wrong.
Naturally, in this case, I had no choice but to dig deeper into that problem.
“Big Boy... Yoojin... Carlton...”
“...”
“...”
“He really did pick up a bunch of fools. This oppa...” I muttered
The real problem began after that. He went around frantically, searching for those bizarre magic circles in the Magic Tower, and he even shouted at Jo Hye-Jin in anger. It was a bit too extreme to simply call it a trivial fit of hysteria, so those around him began observing his mood.
Among them, of course...
‘There she goes again.’
What troubled me the most was the reason Dominions had been pacing around outside the office. It was obvious why she had come looking for me. It had to be because of Seraphim.
After letting out a sigh, I had no choice but to call her in.
“You may come in, Dominions.”
“Y-yes, Mother,” Dominions answered.
‘Of course, I already know why she’s here.’
“What is it?”
After saying that, I slowly looked at her. The brown-haired angel was already in her teens, and she glanced nervously at me before saying, “It’s about Father...”
“...”
“...”
“If I remember correctly, I told you I had nothing to say on that matter. Does my lovely daughter think her mother’s words don’t mean anything?” I questioned.
“No, Mother. I remember what you said... but...” Dominions paused.
“Then why have you come here?” I asked.
“It’s just... it’s just... Did Father truly mean it when he said he would... dispose of Sera and Cheru...” she asked.
“You didn’t go to your father directly, did you?” I asked.
“N-no... not yet...” Dominions answered.
“...”
“Not yet? Then are you saying you’ll go later?” I asked.
“That’s not it,” Dominions replied.
“Don’t even think of going to him. That’s your father’s decision. There’s nothing I can do about it, and there’s not really a reason for you to get involved. If your father wants it that way, then that’s how it will be. How many times have I told you not to get too attached to Sera?
“If you don’t want trouble falling on you, then you ought to listen to me. You’re lucky, Dominions. Be thankful you’re not involved as well,” I explained.
“I understand what you’re saying, Mother. But still...” Dominions said.
“The original sin engraved on one’s soul can’t be erased. I’ve explained enough for you to understand it. Unlike you and the others, Sera was never meant to live on this continent. Your father never planned anything for him. Everything was Cherubim’s doing, and he carried it out on his own,” I told her.
“B-but...”
Even though I said that, the truth was that.
‘Oppa really did go too far.’
I hadn’t been there to see it myself, but hearing that he had rushed at Seraphim the moment he saw him was completely unlike him. He even shouted that he would dispose of him on the spot and said that he would send him back up with Cherubim so he could never come down again.
Jung Ha-Yan was deeply shaken. That genius mage had a blind devotion to Lee Ki-Young, and she tended to like what he liked and hated what he hated.
It would likely be no different with Sera. The youngest Sera had been receiving affection bit by bit, but his affection points had just been reset to zero. If Han Sora hadn’t stopped him, Seraphim would have been disposed of on the spot.
He was lucky enough to avoid his wrath this time, but...
‘It’ll be nearly impossible to recover from this.’
Perhaps the best thing Seraphim could do at this point was stay out of Oppa’s sight. I warned Dominions several times about it. In a situation like this, spending time with Sera was practically the same as saying, “Please hate me, too.”
‘But here she goes again.’
Personally, I couldn’t really like this side of Dominions.
‘I didn’t raise her to be this soft.’
I had grown up that way, and Oppa had probably grown up that way as well. Those with someone to lean on would become weak, and those with much attachment would become vulnerable to pain.
I wanted to raise Dominions to be a little more selfish and to care only for herself, but I didn’t entirely dislike this side of her, either. People raised that way would inevitably end up broken somewhere along the line. Oppa, me, and people like Jin Cheong had all been like that.
Dominions was too alien to be called human, but in a way, she was more human than any of those people.
‘Still... I worry about what kind of person she’ll turn out to be...’
“Hoo...”
“I’m sorry, Mother. But when I think of Sera and Cheru disappearing...” Dominions trailed off.
“So, what? You’re planning on running away from home with them?” I questioned.
“That’s not it,” she answered.
“Your father isn’t such a fool that he’d escalate things on impulse, Dominions. Since he’s related to that woman Jung Ha-Yan, he won’t discard him so easily,” I told her.
“But...”
“This is the best option. If your father truly wants to discard that blond little brat, there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t stop him, and you shouldn’t try to stop him. Your father shows no mercy to real enemies. As for me, Dominions...” I paused.
“...”
“I’d like you to think about yourself a little more. Of course, I understand your worry for your siblings, but I want you to feel like you understand your own position a bit more. Have you not yet realized that your father is watching you? If he finds out that you’ve made this kind of request to me, even you will have a hard time avoiding his anger.
“When that happens, even I won’t want to stop him,” I explained.
“...”
“You know, don’t you? That I’m on your father’s side,” I asked.
“I know, Mother,” Dominions answered.
“In situations like this, you need to choose a side carefully. You have to tell apart what will benefit you and what will truly help you. If you really want to get what you want, this isn’t the way to go about it. Understand? I’m your mother, but leaning on me won’t give you the answers,” I said.
“I understand,” she said.
“So did you come here to make a deal? Isn’t that it? If you went so far as to ignore my words and come all the way here...” I paused.
“...”
“I wonder what my daughter brought. I’m a little curious,” I said.
“...”
“I hope it’s a good deal. It is, right? If you’ve taken up this much of your mother’s busy time, it had better be a very good offer,” I warned her.
“...”
“...”
‘Look at her. Seems like she came again without thinking this through.’
As expected, Dominions looked dumbfounded. She looked cornered, and it seemed like she could burst into tears at any moment. A small flicker of sympathy snuck into my heart. My words were harsh, but...
‘I must’ve grown soft, too.’
I couldn’t just cut myself off completely. I had raised the girl to be more like a daughter than not, so I found it difficult to stare at her dejected face. I had put some effort into raising her, after all.
“Hoo...” I sighed.
“...”
“...”
Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to at least hear her out. At the very least, I had to show a willingness to communicate and empathize. I couldn’t really care less, but the girl in front of me wanted me to care.
“...”
“I-I’m sor—”
“Actually... let’s hear you out. So... how is Sera doing? What are you all doing...” I interrupted her.
Sure enough, I caught a glimpse of her faint smile.
“He’s very sad. He’s been crying nonstop. He thought he was getting closer to Father and Mother. Cherubim said he would try to talk to his mother, but...” she paused
“The Mercenary Queen probably doesn’t care much...” I commented.
“And Thronus...” Dominions paused.
“His master’s busy too right now,” I said.
“S-so...” Dominions stuttered.
“So that’s why you came here. To ask me to soothe your father’s anger,” I said.
“I’m ashamed but...”
“There’s no need to be ashamed, Dominions. My precious daughter,” I told her.
“M-Mother,” Dominions stuttered.
“Come here,” I said.
‘Sometimes, I have to reward her. I have no other choice.’
In a way, she was facing a desperate situation with nowhere to turn. When I patted my knees lightly, she carefully sat down on them. Hugging her tightly from behind, I could feel her trembling, feeling overwhelmed by the shock of receiving affection again after such a long time. Her flushed face and stiff wings twitched nervously.
They were beings born to crave love, so it was only natural, but...
‘I really can’t let her get used to this.’
I couldn’t help but have that thought.
“...”
“...”
“Do you feel a little better now?” I asked.
“Yes,” Dominions answered.
“I can’t do anything about Seraphim...” I paused.
“Huh? Ah... I see,” Dominions muttered.
“But I don’t like seeing your father sulking like that either,” I continued.
“...”
“...”
“Th-thank you. I appreciate the words, Mother,” Dominions said.
‘I mean, it’s true.’
I really couldn’t care less about what would happen to that foolish little Seraphim, but I disliked seeing the downtrodden face of my foolish little brother[2].
‘Big Boy, Yoojin, and Carlton...’
“...”
‘I wonder if they’re still alive here,’ I thought, ‘I really do hope they’re alive.’
1. Lee Ji-Hye’s POV ☜
2. Veela: It is indeed like this in the raws ☜