The Villainess Has Proposed a Contract Marriage

Chapter 87

87 – I’m Back

In the past, I couldn’t understand people’s minds.

Everyone had to live according to the rules, and there was no value that surpassed faith.

Even without rights, it was enough.

Duty was the meaning of living.

In this harmonious world where everything was intricately connected, balance had to be maintained.

But the Pope, who was like God’s representative, said,

“I’m sorry to say this, but Harlte is quite different from ordinary humans.”

“The owner of the baptismal name is originally different from the people of the outside world.”

“That’s true to some extent. But we don’t live a life where our humanity is worn out, especially not like Harlte, who is still young.”

I tilted my head, puzzled by the Pope’s words.

Was it saying that children and adults have different humanities? Or does it mean that humans grow and their humanity wears out?

I couldn’t answer, so I kept my mouth shut.

The Pope continued,

“This is just my speculation, but… I think Harlte’s senses are closer to God than human.”

“It’s an honorable praise as a soldier serving God.”

“Is that not praise? We, as humans, have to live with human senses, don’t we?”

“That’s right.”

“Then why? Because Harlte’s partner in life is not God, but humans.”

After listening to the explanation, I vaguely understood.

It seemed that a human who wasn’t human-like was like a foreign substance in a harmonious world.

Then, it was necessary to correct humanity.

“Harlte is special in many ways. He might have an incredible power that’s unprecedented in human history. But his overwhelming divine name has overshadowed his human name… I’m speculating.”

“Does returning the baptismal name mean enhancing humanity?”

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“Don’t say ‘return.’ That’s a scary word. Just sealing Harlte’s baptismal name would be enough.”

“I’ll follow your will, Your Holiness.”

“Hmm! It feels more like I’ve received a greater blessing than just bowing my head… Thank you for allowing it.”

The Pope placed his hand on my forehead. Then, with a gentle, divine light, he began the ritual of sealing my baptismal name.

“You’ll see a different world when you wake up.”

“Yes, I understand.”

My eyes closed naturally.

My first sleep in my life was overwhelming. The unfamiliar desire didn’t feel unpleasant.

So, I fell into a deep sleep.

After that, when I woke up from my sleep, it was winter when I was sixteen.

◇

Time passed, and it was spring when I was eighteen. At that time, I had seen a changed world, just as the Pope had said, and was finishing my adaptation.

The sacred pond in the temple’s center still reflected the blue sky like a mirror. And in the nearby field, where spring flowers were in full bloom, a woman with white hair and golden eyes was smiling kindly.

“Have you been waiting long, Erehite?”

[Not at all. I waited with an excited heart, and before I knew it, time flew by.]

“Uh, yeah?”

[Yes. It’s unprecedented for Harute to make such a request, so I’m a bit emotional.]

“Hmm…”

The idol in front of me was pretending to wipe away tears with a dramatic gesture. Harute’s silly act made me chuckle.

[So, what’s the reason you asked me to wait here? I’ve been curious the whole time.]

“I had something to give you.”

[Oh, I’m so curious! I couldn’t wait any longer. Let’s take a look.]

Erehyte’s anticipation was at its peak. Harute’s over-the-top reaction made it difficult to take out the prepared item.

Still, I couldn’t keep it hidden forever, so I carefully brought out the gift.

[Wow, is this… a bouquet of flowers?]

Erehyte’s eyes widened. With an enthusiastic gaze, she pressed her beautiful eyes onto me.

Thanks to that, I quickly opened my mouth, as if I was being asked to explain.

“… It’s a bouquet of white and golden flowers, like Erehyte.”

[You know that, right? But what’s the meaning of these flowers?]

“I didn’t know until now, but today is a day to express gratitude to parents in the outside world. So, I wanted to convey my gratitude to Erehyte as well.”

[Am I Harute’s parent?]

“You could say… mom. After all, Erehyte took care of me…”

[Huh, what’s going on… You’re not even a noble.]

“Uh, don’t like it if you don’t want to.”

Harute tried to take back the bouquet, but Erehyte swiftly retrieved it with a flash-like movement.

[Who doesn’t want to receive it? It’s just that I’m touched, thinking that our Harute has grown up well.]

“Embarrassing words, huh…”

[By the way, looking at how we’re not going together, does that mean Ibría doesn’t have a gift for me?]

“I prepared it in secret, so it could be…”

[Oh, I’m disappointed. It seems that even if I raise a daughter, there’s nothing left. Did Harute become a filial child, and Ibría a unfilial one? Usually, it’s the opposite, right? The world is indeed unpredictable.]

“…”

Harute found it difficult to agree with the complaint about Ibría and kept her mouth shut. Meanwhile, Erehyte observed Harute, who had lost her words, and let out a small laugh.

[Do you know that?]

“Yes?”

[The bouquet of white flowers. The person who gives it as a symbol of gratitude is definitely Harute.]

“Why? I thought it was pretty because it resembles Erehyte.”

[Heh, haha… That’s definitely… very, very… happy words, but…]

Erehyte barely managed to continue speaking, suppressing her laughter.

[But… white flowers are mainly used in funerals, right?]

“… What’s that?”

[Well, anyway, I’ll keep this well and use it at my own funeral. Of course, I’ll live hundreds of years longer than Harute, but by then, even Harute’s ashes won’t be left. Still, I’ll bury this with me, thinking of it as Harute’s.]

“E, Erehyte! Give it back, right now!”

No matter what, it’s impossible to give a funeral flower to express gratitude to one’s parent. I realized my ridiculous mistake and immediately reached out to take back the bouquet from her. However, Erehyte quickly transformed into a polymorph dragon and flew away, escaping.

[I’ll keep this safe and sound using my divine power~. Harute~!]

“No way, Erehite!!!”

[Uh-huh-huh-huh-huh.]

I couldn’t help but kneel down and scream. But Erehite had taken away all my dreams and hopes, leaving only a faint, eerie glow that eventually disappeared from sight.

“I want my life back… Please, Erehite…”

It seemed the Pope’s words were true.

After having my baptismal name sealed, I began to experience various emotions.

Today, for the first time, I felt resentment towards someone.

I didn’t want to acknowledge this feeling.

… If possible, for the rest of my life.

◇

If having my baptismal name sealed was the first turning point in my life, the second came on my nineteenth birthday.

Except for training and work hours, I usually stayed near the sacred pond. Sitting on the lawn, staring blankly at the vast pond, would calm my mind. Moreover, I could soon forget the pain of the white dahlia flower that Erehite had forcibly taken away.

That day, I wanted to observe the pond from a closer distance. So, I mechanically walked towards the sacred pond.

At that moment.

The ground beneath my feet caved in, suddenly shifting my center of gravity. Given the steep slope, it was inevitable that my body balance would be disrupted.

An unexpected accident.

I ended up diving headfirst into the pond.

It was a ridiculous sight, bound to become everyone’s laughing stock.

However, strange as it may seem, a memory began to surface in my mind.

It was a memory that shouldn’t exist in this world.

“This is… What the…?”

As I pieced together the fragments, I recalled the life of a man who lived a marginalized life, dying young in an accident.

“A conglomerate…? A illegitimate child? Me…?”

In my memories, I was a man born into a wealthy family. However, as a illegitimate child, I wasn’t recognized as family and was ostracized. Apparently, someone else’s name was even registered on my family registry.

That’s how I lived, barely existing until I died young.

Of course, during that process, I caught glimpses of this world’s fate.

I didn’t know everything, but I was certain that I would die.

It was an unfinished novel, so I didn’t know the exact circumstances. Nevertheless, I was sure that if I didn’t take action, it would be too late.

“It’s a strange feeling…”

Even though only a part of my past life’s memories had resurfaced, it felt like a part of my consciousness had changed. My past self, who used to be carefree, began to feel uneasy. More than anything, I was terrified of dying for no reason.

That’s probably why I did it.

I told Rupert, the leader of the holy knights, that I would quit without hesitation.

Once I made up my mind, it was easy to desert.

I left the temple, which I thought I would never be able to escape, surprisingly easily.

Although I felt a sense of unease, I had already reached this point.

That’s how I began to defy my predetermined fate.

“Duk-soon.”

“It sounds like a girl’s name.”

“Duk-gu.”

“I’ll just give myself a name.”

Ascalion, the 3rd prince… So, I met Yurian.

“Yurian, I love you! Let’s play a game, Rendelham!”

“What’s going on… what game…?”

“Tag!”

I was with Tina, who really loved playing tag.

“Are you an angel…?”

“No, I’m an orphanage director.”

“Huh?”

Later, I saved Glen, who was about to become a villain.

But.

Up until then, everything was fine, but somehow…

“No, I’m not having kids…!”

“What!!!”

“… Maybe it’s possible.”

“Ahh!”

…… One day, the villainess proposed a contract marriage.

When she was about to rip my back apart, I thought the title “villainess” was truly fitting. But as we spent more time together, I realized that Elpisia Lumineel was a really good person.

More than anything, she was so tempting that it was hard to resist sometimes.

What was I supposed to do?

The more we spent time together, the more I felt like I was becoming a bad person.

Her proposal was the opposite of what I wanted…

It took a long time to define that feeling concretely.

Yes, that was when I clearly sensed the uncertainty of the future.

It wasn’t until the demonic tribe’s attack during the hunting festival that I finally defined it clearly.

In that chaotic scene, a single boy blocked my path.

“You’re the one who’s messed up the cause and effect, I’ll eliminate you and correct the order.”

Pong, tong, pong.

The sound of a huge soap bubble bursting. A sound similar to the Pope’s, spreading simultaneously with the appearance of a crimson bubble.

It was the sacred sound of the High Priest.

The moment I heard it, my head started throbbing in pain.

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It was like I had dunked my head in a holy spring, and the headache was similar.

A massive amount of memories rushed in like a torrent, and I felt like I was being crushed by the weight of those memories.

As I accepted that mysterious memory, I engaged in battle.

Until I lost my mind and collapsed.

Looking back now, I think my sense of justice must have exploded at that time.

The High Priest’s sacred sound was that powerful. I was the one who directly received the High Priest’s sacred sound with my body.

I infer that the memories etched into my body and soul must have been triggered.

I’ve lived a life filled with regrets.

I’ve experienced the harsh reality of losing loved ones, like grains of sand slipping through my fingers.

I never want to lose again.

I don’t want to repeat it.

This mistake, this future.

I want to protect these intertwined relationships that heaven has brought together once again.

This time, I make a vow in the name of Harute, a human.

I will protect my precious world no matter what.

That’s what I thought as I opened my eyes.

“… Ah.”

A strong light poured down.

I hadn’t hoped to see the light again after tearing out my own eyes.

The world I saw with my eyes was so breathtakingly beautiful.

The relationships given to me now are visible.

Three children and my one and only wife.

“Heh heh…”

I narrowed my eyes and playfully poked Urian’s forehead with my finger.

Urian hesitated and drew closer, and I flicked their forehead, giving them a small slap.

Tap!

“Kuaaak! Ah, it hurts! Director-nim!”

“Huh, puha ha ha…”

Urian, who was rolling around on the ground like they were having a fit, completely lost their dignity as a noble and sat down, tears streaming down their face.

“That’s right…”

I chuckled.

“You’re not Ascalion or anything… you’re just Urian, just Urian.”

“Kheu kheu…! You suddenly hit me and then laugh…!!!”

I still couldn’t help but laugh at Urian, who was still rubbing their forehead and blushing.

I turned my gaze to the one woman who was about to burst into tears.

Her expression was pitiful, and I didn’t want to see it.

So I took the initiative and smiled warmly.

“I’m back, Elpisia.”

My one and only wife approached me with hurried steps and finally shed a single tear.

“… You’re late.”

“That’s right.”