Unwanted Awakening and Budding Obsession
That wasn't it. Quite some time had passed since I became Seres. I hadn't just been sitting idle—I'd been gathering information in my own way. And what I learned was that this world had reversed genders. Everything followed the original plot, but with male and female roles swapped, and accordingly, Seres and the male leads' genders were flipped too. Rumors said not just Arios, but all the others were women as well. …At least that meant I wouldn't have to worry about getting assaulted by men? Still, even with the genders changed, their obsessiveness seemed intact.
"Seres, have you been well?"
Arios came visiting as often as she'd declared. Every few days, despite her own territory being nearby, this was no ordinary devotion.
"I was fine until just now, but not anymore."
I treated the visiting Arios coldly. The complete opposite of the original Seres, who welcomed her warmly to gain favor.
"Ah, you can speak casually to me. Talk to me friendly like when we first met."
But Arios didn't get upset and responded warmly instead.
"You're beautiful today too. You shine just like the moon."
"The moon doesn't shine on its own—it reflects the sun's light."
"Hehe, then shall I be your sun? You're such an amusing person."
No matter what I said, it seemed to boost her affection, which gave me chills. Someone else might say something like this: Whatever the original story was, she's a blonde beauty who likes you now—why not just get along? But knowing the original deranged Arios, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
These uncomfortable visits continued until one day.
"Seres, I'll just say hello and go today."
Arios arrived not with a few servants as usual, but accompanied by knights. For a split second, I thought she might try to abduct me by force, but I quickly realized that wasn't it.
"Demons have appeared nearby. I have to deal with them today, so I can't stay long."
Hearing her say it regretfully jogged my memory. The most crucial event early in the original story from Seres's heavenly perspective.
Arios goes to handle demons near this territory. Because their encounters with Seres were so brief, she's regretful and lets her guard down without realizing it. She catches the demon but sustains a major arm injury and returns seeking help.
That's when it happened. The moment Seres first awakened his divine power.
Wanting to heal a close acquaintance with a severe wound triggered the awakening of divine power.
In other words, if I could prevent this event, that damn divine power might never awaken!
"I'll visit normally starting tomorrow, so today—"
"Wait!"
I stopped Arios as she prepared to leave with her knights.
"Be careful."
"Pardon? Of course I plan to."
"More than usual. I have a bad feeling about today. If you don't want to get hurt, watch yourself."
"Are you worried about me?"
"Yeah."
Not really, but I pretended. With this warning, she'd be extra cautious and return safely. Even if she got hurt like in the original, I had zero intention of healing her.
Thinking there was no way divine power would awaken, I waited indifferently.
And then, hours later.
"Aaagh!"
"Someone help!"
Arios returned unscathed herself, but dragging back countless injured knights. What the hell?!
The entire household, myself included, was shocked to see every knight she'd brought return covered in wounds.
"Wh-what is the meaning of this?"
Even Ares, who rarely showed surprise, widened her eyes.
"A demon stronger than expected appeared."
Arios explained in a fluster. Midway through fighting the unexpectedly powerful demon, it unleashed a massive attack, and they got hit by it.
"What were you doing? Aren't you supposed to block attacks like that?"
"Well, before we left, I got a warning, so…"
Arios averted her gaze from Ares as she explained. Someone had warned her before heading out, and it stuck in her mind so much that instead of blocking, she dodged instinctively, leaving her subordinates to take the hit.
No way, is this my fault?
She didn't name me, whether to protect me or not, but since I was the one who warned her, I was indeed the cause. Because of my warning, what should have ended with one arm injury turned into this disaster?
I hardened my expression and surveyed the wounded. In this gender-reversed world, even the knights were all women. Young women, every one of them bearing horrific injuries.
"Hey, stay with me!"
Some wouldn't last without immediate treatment. An attack capable of this widespread damage—that's what Arios tanked with just one arm in the original?
How ridiculously strong is this woman?!
"Countess, isn't there any way?"
"I'm sorry. We have potions stockpiled for Seres, but they're for recovery, useless on severe wounds like these."
"No, that can't be!"
As people on the verge of death appeared, Arios pleaded for help, but even Ares was powerless.
Should I heal them? If I did, divine power might awaken like in the original, letting events unfold the same way. But if I didn't step up, they might all die.
As I agonized—
"Seres?"
"What?!"
Ares and Arios, locked in desperate conversation, turned to me in shock. Everyone else, forgetting the crisis for a moment, wore stunned expressions.
…Because divine power was pouring out of my body like light.
Even without intending to heal directly, just agonizing over it triggered the awakening?
Fuck! No choice now.
"Step aside for a moment."
"Young master Seres!"
I brushed off a servant trying to support me and approached the knights dying in agony. The original Seres used it immediately upon awakening, so no need to learn separately. Placing my hand over them and releasing divine power, their wounds closed, even regenerating lost tissue.
"It's all healed…."
"Is that holy power?"
"No way. No high priestess wields holy power this immense!"
"It's like the legendary saint!"
The knights, moments from death, were healed in an instant and stared at me in bewilderment.
"Seres, since when did you have such power?!"
"Just now!"
I told the astonished Ares the truth.
"I don't know why, but it seems I just gained healing ability, so I used it."
Yeah, it had awakened anyway—what could I do? Might as well use it to my advantage somehow!
"And you."
I pointed at Arios.
"I told you to be careful. I never said to dodge irresponsibly. Don't assume I'll bail you out next time—do better from now on!"
I vented my frustration at Arios, but her expression was strange.
"…Yes!"
Innocently chewed out, yet she looked moved. Eyes dripping with honey-like adoration.
Why is she like that?
---------------------------------------
It started as pure curiosity.
The sickly young master of the Huferion family, confined to the estate. Just from servants' gossip, he was called the empire's greatest beauty—what did he look like in person?
That light motive brought Arios to see Seres.
So when she wandered around sightseeing and coincidentally encountered the collapsed Seres, she was surprised yet awestruck.
Just as the rumors said!
Light-emitting silver hair. Snow-white skin. Art-sculpted features. A beauty that repelled all blemishes, captivating her gaze.
But the awe soon turned to bafflement and amusement.
She'll fall for me and get pregnant?
The most absurd thing she'd ever heard, yet it left a strong impression.
Not just pretty-faced—he's fun too.
She grew interested not just in his looks, but in Seres as a person. She wanted to meet more, learn more.
Half-jokingly, even coercively, begging him to do things he wouldn't normally.
She ignored that he clearly disliked it. Rather, she did it more to see his reactions.
What an entertaining reactor.
Arios thought she was just amusing herself, unaware. Unaware that she was acting mischievously to draw his attention.
Not fully conscious of it herself, but Arios was already intensely aware of Seres.
That's why she heeded his sudden warning.
And it led to a result great for her, disastrous for her subordinates.
What do I do? How can I fix this?!
Somehow dragging her injured subordinates to the Huferion estate, Arios felt a headache coming on. She'd dodged instinctively, leaving them like this. The target demon escaped in the chaos.
For the duke's heir and strongest knight, whose life had been a straight path to success—this was her first and greatest blunder!
Will Seres be disappointed?
She feared others' reactions, but Seres most of all. Too scared to meet his eyes, she spoke only to Ares.
And then.
"What?!"
Seres suddenly unleashed immense healing power, saving her subordinates.
And not just that.
"I told you to be careful. I never said to dodge irresponsibly. Don't assume I'll bail you out next time—do better from now on!"
Seres pointed at her, scolding, but Arios focused elsewhere.
Does that mean he helped cover my mistake? Forcing his frail body to move just for me!
She interpreted it as Seres healing for her sake.
I thought he hated me. But he warned me and surprisingly worried….
Realizing Seres worried for her calmed her not at all.
A strange feeling welled up, her heart racing wildly.
This is…?
Initially flustered, Arios soon realized what it was.
I see. This isn't mere fondness—it's love!!
The moment Arios first recognized her feelings.
Several months ahead of the original Arios.