Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Family (2)
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"Tell me. What can I possibly do for the benefactor who restored the existence more precious to me than my own life?"
In response to the offer from Rian Lumen, chairman of Lumina Group, I fell into brief thought.
"........."
The wealth and influence of one of the city's top 100 corporations.
In this world, there were scarcely any feats beyond the reach of such power.
And now, this man was saying he would give me anything. So, what should I say next?
The first reward that came to mind was...
'Money, after all.'
In this city, there was almost nothing more important than money.
Countless people sold themselves for a handful of credits, endured all sorts of grueling labor, even killed others.
A city where anything could be had for the right price.
The most straightforward means to acquire any product in the world.
'But...'
If asked whether I truly needed money that badly right now, I wasn't so sure.
The payment from the wine supply deal was already overflowing.
We couldn't even properly utilize that much with the church's current operations. Holding more would just leave me without a clear use for it.
So, what did I really need most at this moment?
I pondered deeply, but there was only one answer.
"For starters, please help ensure the secret of this power doesn't get out to the world."
Rian immediately grasped my meaning, as befitted the head of a major corporation.
"Indeed, your power... It's miraculous, but a treasure just as perilous."
A "miracle" that could revive even those with incurable diseases.
Realizing its dangers anew, Rian warned me with a hardened expression.
"I'll do everything in my power to keep it secret. However, should word ever leak out, I'm not certain our company's strength alone could fully protect you. Especially if the top ten corporations get involved..."
His grave warning put me on edge once more.
The top ten corporations of Omega Detroit—they were true megacorps that looked down on even global giants.
It was believed just ten companies monopolized over half the world's capital. Calling them the de facto rulers of this world was no exaggeration.
Rian continued.
"Half of those ten conglomerates' leaders are old monsters facing the limits of their lifespans. Men who would gladly drink a newborn's blood for even one more day. If the secret reached their ears..."
His wife, Rachel, murmured worriedly from beside him.
"Miss Eve, did you take such a risk for our sake...?"
Before I knew it, the couple's gazes toward me had shifted.
Unlike the slum dwellers grateful merely for their own recovery, these two now saw things from a higher vantage.
With their insight into society, they instantly realized the immense cost I'd borne to help them.
Thus, Rian declared firmly once more.
"As I've said repeatedly, you've bestowed an irrepayable grace upon us. I promise to guard your secret. We won't let a whisper escape our side."
Then, he made another sudden proposal.
"Or how about this? It's not too late now. I can erase your name and traces completely, let you live a life of luxury in obscurity forever. What do you say?"
I understood his intent. It was far easier to vanish before the megacorps caught wind than to fend them off after.
With the chairman's power, he could make one person disappear from the world like smoke, ensuring a life of comfort.
It would solve the biggest problem I'd faced since arriving in this world.
'But...'
I couldn't accept so readily.
Hiding away would prevent me from expanding the church and gathering faith, dooming my return to the original world.
A dilemma: live safely here forever, or brave the dangers to get home?
After a moment's thought, my answer was set.
"I'm sorry, but that's not possible."
I yearned to return to my beloved home, to the family and friends I'd left behind.
But that wasn't the only reason for my choice now.
I couldn't just abandon the church followers I'd drawn in and run off to save myself.
With responsibilities to bear, leaving the city immediately wasn't feasible.
Rachel looked at her husband with pitying eyes at my refusal.
"Dear, what should we do?"
Rian fell silent a moment, then spoke with resolute voice.
"...Then how about this?"
Our eyes met with grave intensity.
From his lips came an unimaginable offer.
"Would you become our adopted daughter?"
"Pardon?"
"Learn management by my side for ten years, and I'll hand you the group chairmanship."
Following that staggering proposal came his explanation.
"Even megacorps won't touch a corporate leader lightly. Targeting the chairman himself is a far cry from hitting an outsider under corporate protection."
He was offering me a seat at the pinnacle of this world's power.
A dream anyone might harbor once in a lifetime.
"......"
But I quietly shook my head again.
"I truly appreciate the offer... but I have unfinished business."
Who wouldn't want money and power?
As a human, I wasn't immune to desire, and I knew well how sweet those fruits could be.
Especially in a place called "Omega Detroit"...
I could enjoy everything I wanted—and experiences beyond imagination.
But... that's why there's a word like "homesickness."
Right now, I just wanted to go home as soon as possible.
That was why I'd poured the church's assets into charity without restraint.
Money that would turn to worthless paper the moment I returned home anyway.
"......."
"........."
The couple stared at me in a daze.
They hadn't expected even that offer to be rejected.
The man murmured softly, his voice tinged with distant realization.
"...Truly... sent down to us without cost... such genuine... divine love."
His out-of-left-field remark flustered me. Then it hit me—he must have misunderstood my act as the church's saintess from our first meeting.
I opened my mouth to protest instinctively.
"No, that's not... I don't mean I don't want compensation..."
It might look awkward, but I couldn't just let this massive opportunity slip.
As I floundered, Rian asked with a puzzled look.
"Then tell me directly. What must I do to repay the saintess who bears God's mercy?"
"Well... that is..."
Even prompted again, no answer came to mind.
What should I even ask for as payment?
It felt like staring at a blank check, hesitating to write an outrageous sum.
"So... um..."
As I hemmed and hawed, their faces gradually softened with warmth.
"Don't worry. How could I, who owes God a debt, cheat you? I'll repay you properly. You can count on it."
"Yes, if she acts shamelessly, I'll give her a good scolding, so rest easy."
Beyond their warm gazes, I could only flusteredly wonder what to do.
"........."
=================
On the way back from Lumina Group's headquarters.
Coming here, I'd been provided just one AV.
But leaving? It was excessively grand.
"......"
The scenery outside the window said it all.
Sleek tactical hover gunships formed a tight formation around my craft, flying in perfect sync. Heavy machines encircled us silently, their advanced armaments gleaming.
At the end of that imposing escort flight, we reached the suburbs.
The AV landed in the empty lot near the cathedral, but the door stayed shut.
Security from the gunships had deployed first, securing the perimeter flawlessly.
Elite corporate combat troops, geared in pricey military hardware.
They stood in stark contrast to the rundown suburban landscape.
They opened the vehicle door themselves and kept vigilant watch until I reached the cathedral entrance.
Even to the last, they provided utmost courtesy and protection.
"We'll head back now. It was an honor to escort you, miss."
The security team leader saluted crisply.
"Thank you for the send-off..."
Honestly... it was overwhelmingly burdensome. I wasn't unused to protection, but their professional protocol was on another level.
It made me feel like a true VIP, which was a bit much for someone with lingering everyman sensibilities.
The entire visit to Lumina HQ had that vibe.
Every fixture, space, sculpture, person— all exquisitely luxurious and pristine. I couldn't even guess the price of a single hallway ornament. It made me unconsciously mind my posture, like I'd stepped into another world and returned.
My impressions of the chairman and his wife were similar.
Separate from their sincere gratitude, they were total strangers—unimaginable tycoons, no less.
Even as their helper, dealing with them felt intimidating.
'Honestly, getting involved was exhausting...'
Maybe accepting moderate compensation and moving on was best.
People never forget grudges, but gratitude fades easily.
They expressed deep thanks now, but those feelings could dilute over time.
Better not demand something awkward that might leave them scratching their heads later. Just forging a positive tie with a Lumina Group chairman was victory enough.
That alone made the visit a resounding success.
I let out a quiet sigh. Coming down from such heights made the familiar feel strange.
But this was where I belonged.
The shabby suburbs soothed my heart more than that flashy penthouse.
I pushed open the cathedral's worn door and called out energetically.
"I'm home!"
=============
A week passed like that.
Memories of the headquarters faded bit by bit, and I returned to my routine.
That day was no different. I sat in the cathedral office, handling backlog business approvals.
Glancing out the window, I saw the nuns gathered in the yard, chatting peacefully in small groups.
Among them blended a woman naturally. Dressed simply like the nuns, engaged in conversation.
A mature beauty with striking poise. Gaunt from illness, but her elegance remained. She looked familiar somehow.
A familiarity I never imagined encountering here.
'...No way.'
Thinking I'd misseen, I rubbed my eyes long and hard, then jolted up from my chair in shock.
Rushing down the cathedral stairs to the yard.
I approached her cautiously and spoke.
"Um... why are you here, ma'am?"
At my voice, she smiled softly and replied calmly.
"Oh, ma'am? Please call me Rachel, Saintess."