Chapter 136
Chapter 136
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: The Cursed Villainess Becomes Obsessively Dependent (Complete)
The winter at Dreadis Academy was a pure white season blanketed in heavy snow.
"Hoo..."
My breath came out in a thick cloud of white mist before me.
"It's especially cold today, isn't it?"
"Mary's surprisingly sensitive to the cold?"
"Having the Blessing of Frost doesn't make me immune to it."
Mary, walking beside me, had red cheeks and hands. She huffed warm breath onto her palms to thaw them.
Her cuteness prompted me to naturally take one of her hands in mine.
It was times like this that made having warm hands a blessing.
"Hee hee."
Hand-holding had become mere cute affection for us, so the old thrill had faded quite a bit.
Still, my warmth brought a bright smile to Mary's face.
One of the rare moments I could see the various expressions hidden behind her usual blank stare.
'Maybe I should invent a camera.'
That smile always ignited my urge to develop something using modern knowledge.
"I hope everyone likes it."
We'd been walking quietly hand-in-hand for a while when Mary suddenly spoke up.
"All three of them are great cooks, so they'll eat anything fine."
Each of us carried a large bundle.
Of course, I had a sub-space pouch, so normally I'd just store everything in it without needing to carry loads in both hands.
"Sorry. I left my pouch behind this morning."
I'd always kept it on my belt, but lost it today.
I figured it was somewhere in the room.
Strangely, I couldn't find it when searching earlier.
"I like this, though."
Mary lifted her bag with a bashful smile.
"Doesn't it feel just like a newlywed couple?"
"We are a real newlywed couple."
"The point is the feeling. Stashing it in the sub-space pouch just feels like a walk."
She had a point.
A man and woman walking hand-in-hand, carrying groceries over a distance.
It felt like a picture-perfect married couple.
"I've been a little envious. ...When we have kids someday, this hand will hold theirs instead."
Mary's cheeks flushed—not from the cold—as she gripped our joined hands tighter.
A distinctly different blush from her chilled-reddened face.
"...Did Mary hide my pouch?"
"......"
She looked away, pretending not to hear.
Bingo.
"Well, it was our first time alone shopping after drawing lots... I just wanted to try it a bit..."
After a silent stare, she mumbled the truth.
Her adorableness made me pull her into a light shoulder hug.
Teasing the bashful Mary as we walked, we soon arrived at the mansion.
A grand estate slightly removed from the city center.
This was the mansion we'd won from that absurd event quest called Gooongpo Mansion.
At first, everyone felt uneasy about the past events there.
But a small house was inconvenient for four people, and buying a new large one cost too much.
Mary had inheritance from her father, enough to easily buy a house.
Still, spending it freely felt off, so we decided to use this one I owned.
Mary said to use it freely without worry.
But a man's stubborn pride and all that.
"Ah, Ken! Perfect timing. Taste this?"
Heading to the second floor, the kitchen bustled with cooking.
Emily stood by a pot wafting aromatic stew scents, waving me over with her ladle.
"How is it? Good?"
"Yeah, the best."
"Really. You always say that without thinking, so I can't tell. What about you, Mary?"
"It's delicious, Emily. I think it's great."
"Yeah?"
Doubting my judgment, perhaps.
'Then why call me first...?'
She probably just wanted to feed me first.
"Emily, let me help. ...Should I prep this?"
"Ah, thanks. Then boil some potatoes after."
"I'll help too. What should I do?"
"Huh? Nothing to taste right now?"
"Not tasting, I mean..."
"Nothing else, so sit and relax, dear."
I got chased to the sofa.
She'd call when food was ready.
So I was just the taster after all.
Even Mary got final approval.
"I'm exhausted..."
Someone trudged over to the sofa where I sat.
"Hiiiing... Prepping is so tiring. I wanna cook too. I'm the best at it. Right, Ken?"
"We drew lots, so no helping it. All done?"
"No..."
"Then rest a bit, and I'll help."
"Huh? ...My job isn't cooking; nothing to taste?"
"I'm a tasting expert...?"
Having overheard my chat with Emily, Rapne giggled.
She gently laid her head on my lap.
Thus, we spent the day quite busily.
Dividing tasks: shopping, cooking, setting up, preparing for guests.
And the reason was...
Paang!
Paang!
"Congrats!"
"Took longer than expected? Lots to prepare?"
"We'll be regulars. I can trust you."
"Probably crowds from Dreadis and beyond."
"Ahh! Can I buy shares early then? Uwaha! Nationwide crowds mean money...!"
Elis, Siegfried, Adrian, and Alicia offered their congratulations one by one.
People we'd relied on multiple times coming here.
If anyone had the deepest ties from the academy, it was them.
They'd gathered today to celebrate us—or rather, me.
Specifically...
"Ah! Toast done, let's see the sign! I've been dying to know the shop name!"
"Ahh! Alicia! W-wait, together! We all see it!"
On the first floor of our residence...
I'd opened a weapon shop.
"One, two, three~!"
On Emily and Elis's cue, Adrian and Siegfried pulled away the canopy over the entrance.
"Huh? That's the shop name?"
"Hee hee, funny name."
"Ken, named after the haunted mansion ghost?"
"No, not that..."
Amid the questions, I scratched my cheek and looked up.
There hung the sign Mary designed, with Emily selecting materials and Rapne brainstorming the content.
[Cursed Weapon Shop Fine Stein!]
"Impressive~."
"What is, Senior Elis?"
"Well, a kid not even graduated yet, married to three, opening a shop."
Hearing it, yeah, flashy resume.
"Academy okay? You'll graduate?"
"Yes, hire staff daytime; I'll run afternoons. No issue."
"Staff?"
"Yes, a weapon with plenty of time."
"Weapon...?"
Elis tilted her head, uncomprehending.
'Fits the shop name perfectly.'
Its main body at Tarros Tower's base, but time to spare—the cursed magic sword had nothing better to do.
I entrusted shop operations to her.
Pretty face too; it'd thrive.
Not forced; I asked properly and got consent.
'Waaah! Yes! Yes! Super yes! This girl will do anything by Master's side... Ah, or maybe maid work...!'
She wanted more, so I firmly limited to clerk.
'Can't be a playboy.'
I pledged my life to these three women.
Their happiness is mine.
Before my soon-to-open weapon shop, my lovely wives gazed at me with adoring eyes.
Emily's sharp yet seductive gaze, Mary's aloof yet cute one.
And...
"Huh? Where's Rapne?"
Looking around, no Rapne.
Emily and Mary giggled, explaining.
"Rapne's waiting at the usual spot."
"Wanted to tell you first? Then surprise reveal."
"Uwaha~! Curious! Seniors, go quick!"
"Hm, we'll head in and enjoy the party."
"......Me?"
Ah, got it.
Maybe a gift prepared for the shop opening.
Rapne always loved doing things for me.
"Have fun~!"
With Emily's send-off, I left the mansion.
'The usual spot.'
Only one place that meant between us.
I walked briskly, light-footed.
Remembered first heading there.
'Huffing like crazy.'
Back then, running hard to lose weight.
At the end, there she was. Despairing, barely living, having given up everything.
She who became my hope.
This time, no huffing.
Lighter body now.
I dashed to her faster, nimbler than before.
Soon, I reached the tower.
"Miss it already..."
I gazed at the dilapidated tower standing blankly on the academy outskirts.
Memories of daily visits, eating with Rapne.
'Skipped a meal once, she cried and clung like mad.'
Recalling then, her state had improved so much.
Kkiiik.
I opened the door, slowly climbed the stairs.
Tap, tap.
My footsteps echoed in the quiet tower as I ascended.
Each step resurfaced emotions from first climbing.
Finally...
The tower top.
I closed my eyes before the door.
'Hwaaaang~! Why so late! You're late! Ah, not coming? No! Don't! Hic, don't abandon me...!!'
Opening it, that Rapne would fling herself into my arms.
I smiled and...
Gently opened the door.
Kkiiik...
"Rapne... what is..."
Whoosh!
A familiar red figure charged, burying into my chest.
"You're late! Why so late!"
Rapne, face in my chest, looked up.
Flushed cheeks, beaming smile, loving eyes.
"I waited so long for you. Hee hee."
"You vanished suddenly."
"You're the sudden vanishing expert."
No retort.
Maybe revenge for those times.
I chuckled, familiarly stroking her hair.
She buried her face in my chest, inhaling my scent deeply—as always.
Still embarrassing.
Her routine when alone with me.
"But Rapne, what's up? Calling me out alone like this."
"Yeah, actually."
She pulled away at my question.
Stepped back gracefully into the moonlight from the window, smiling cutely at me.
"Remember our old talk?"
"Talk? Which one?"
We'd talked so much; nothing specific came to mind.
To that natural question, Rapne...
Made her eyes blank, then smiled seductively.
'Huh, familiar gaze.'
Reflexively, I swallowed dryly.
Blame the tower top location.
Reminded me of my first confinement day.
But casually, she blushed, rummaging in her pocket.
What she drew out was...
"......A stone?"
"What color is this?"
"Pink?"
"Yeah. Know what it is?"
I shook my head.
Never seen such an item in the game.
She blushed deeper, smiled seductively, pointing at the stone with her index finger.
Her blank eyes sparkled with life, curving softly.
"Proof a new life has taken root."
"......Huh?"
I dumbly voiced out.
She continued.
"Between you and me... a baby."
That answer recalled the old talk she'd meant.
'That's it! I have a great idea!'
'......W-what?'
'I'll just have your baby!'
Our past selves flickered before me in the tower.
For some reason, emotions surged.
Then.
Poof.
Rapne hugged me again.
"Hee hee, curse lifted now."
She looked up with a similar smile from back then.
"With a baby, you'll come to me every day..."
But I couldn't wait for her to finish.
"Eh?"
Whoosh.
I wrapped her slender shoulders fully in my arms.
Her warm body heat and sweet scent enveloped me.
Tears flowed.
"E-eh? C-crying's my role? K-Ken crying?"
"Yeah, somehow... really happy."
"......Ken."
Rapne gently stroked my cheek.
Wiping my tears tenderly.
She smiled.
"Glad you're happy."
"Of course. I love you, Rapne."
"Hee hee, I know."
She pulled away, grasping both my hands tightly.
Between our hands...
The proof of new life she'd shown me.
And as usual...
With a voice laced with desire, she said,
"Now... you can never escape me forever?"
Her words burst my tears into laughter.
Rapne laughed too, in sync.
The brief noisy, happy laughter subsided.
"Really."
Poof.
I hugged her tight.
"So clingy."
I'll never break free from her in this life.
But I'm content with that.
It's the happiness I chose.
"All... your fault, Ken."
Rapne hugged back tight.
"You saved me."
The price for lifting her cherished curse.
I became hers eternally.
Another curse, in a way.
But unlike hers.
A happy curse I never want to escape.
The Cursed Villainess Becomes Obsessively Dependent. (Complete)