Chapter 173
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: It's Kang Han-gil
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Riiing... Riiing...
It was a sweet, deep sleep without even dreams, but a familiar noise somewhere pulled me back to consciousness, and my face twisted in irritation.
"Ugh, what is it..."
Reflexively, I fumbled around beside my head, searching for something.
I groped around for a while, seeking the palm-sized weight and the blunt rectangular feel from my memories, until suddenly I snapped out of it and let out a hollow laugh.
"...Ha."
I couldn't believe it.
It had been quite some time since I possessed this body, yet here I was, habitually groping for my smartphone... Habits are scary things.
Or was this smartphone addiction?
Riiing! Riiing!
"...Hold on."
Then what was this persistent ringing tone I kept hearing?
I quickly shook off the sleep and looked around.
"Snooore..."
"Snore..."
"Mm..."
Inside the steadily moving carriage, shrouded in darkness like a curtain, I could see my companions deep in slumber.
I gazed at them for a moment, then gently stroked the faces of Murel and Rebecca, who were pressed close against me.
Riiing! Riiing!
"...Ah."
Only after hearing the noise echo in my head again did I realize what it was. I unwound the 'Silk of Atonement' from my left arm and looked down at the grotesquely formed limb.
And the moment I thought to answer the call, eyes, a nose, and a mouth immediately sprouted on my left arm.
─You're a bit slow to pick up. Be quicker next time.
"...Unbelievable."
I chuckled softly and stared straight into the eyes.
"You really feel like chatting with the guy you just fought less than a day ago?"
─Hmm? I don't know what you mean. Isn't it normal for lovers who've enjoyed a 'date' to talk on the phone?
"...Sigh. What was I even expecting... Anyway, how's your body holding up?"
─Oh? Are you actually worried about me?
"No, just checking for aftereffects. If recovery's slow or there's any disability, it'll make you a prime target."
─Haha! That's my Han-gil. But no need to worry! This body has already healed most of its wounds!
"...Really?"
I couldn't help but ask again—it was hard to believe. It had taken a legendary relic, a true miracle forged by a goddess's power, and it was already healed?
─Hehe. Funny face you're making. Actually, it was a lie. I've only recovered about half. Removing the divine power that burrowed into me is quite the ordeal.
"Hm. How long will recovery take?"
─Hard to say exactly. But it probably won't take too long.
"...That's a shame."
I'd hoped it'd take as long as possible... Well, that's probably asking too much.
"Next time, I'll definitely kill you."
─I'll be looking forward to it, my husband.
"Who’s your husband... Saying that is Carhella's job alone, you know...?"
─Kukuku. Shouldn't you feel honored? The King of All Demons, ruler of space and time, personally claiming you as mine.
"Then betray the Demon God. I'd add you to my harem without issue."
I tilted the bottle, took a big swig, savored the aroma and taste, then swallowed.
"Phew..."
─You drink so enjoyably.
"Huh? What, you want some too? Want a sip?"
─If you offer, I'd gratefully accept.
"...That was a joke, but you can actually drink?"
─Of course. Aren't you underestimating the 'blessing' I personally engraved?
"Blessing my ass... Anyway, you can drink, right?"
I tilted the bottle toward the mouth on my left arm, and strangely sensual lips parted slightly.
"Wait. Is this really okay? Feels kinda weird."
It was a mouth, sure, but objectively, it was just a hole in my left arm.
Pouring liquor into that hole felt like injecting it straight into my body, which was off-putting.
Not some ploy to kill me with acute alcohol poisoning, right?
─Don't worry. I won't harm you.
"Alright then..."
Yeah, she wouldn't resort to such petty tricks now anyway.
This was a woman who feared my death... I nodded lightly and poured a moderate amount into the open lips.
─Gulp! Whew... Delicious. Sharing a drink with you makes it even more special.
"Glad you like it."
─Oh? I thought you'd hate it, but you're full of surprises.
"Liquor's innocent. If you're drinking, might as well enjoy it fully, right?"
I shrugged, took another swig, then wiped the glistening lips smeared with liquor.
─Ngh... Are you seducing me, dear?
"Don't say weird stuff. So, why'd you call? What's the business?"
─Can't I call without reason?
"What are you, some clingy, annoying girlfriend?"
I grimaced, but it reminded me of my ex from my past life.
...We'd promised marriage, yet here I was in some weird world building a harem.
A twinge of guilt hit me.
"......"
I wondered what happened to my real body... Probably dead, huh.
─Your face darkened. What were you thinking?
"Nothing... Anyway, the business. Spit it out."
─Hm... I'd like to savor this moment longer, but...
"...Hanging up?"
─Wait, hold on. You're so impatient. Fine.
She cleared her throat and spoke in a serious tone.
─Kang Han-gil. When's good for our next date?
"...You called for that? Hanging up."
─N-No, joking! There's real business!
"Sigh... Hurry up."
Suppressing the urge to poke those annoyingly sparkling eyes, I poured more liquor into her lips.
─Mmph, gulp! Phew! Don't pour suddenly! You startled me!
"Talk."
─Fine, fine... Hmm, it seems Annus and Otillev are showing unusual interest in you.
"...I know."
─You know? Then you know they're plotting something?
"What? Tell me more."
I widened my eyes and locked gazes with the eye on my arm.
─Ngh... Staring so intensely. I can feel your love; my lower belly's heating up...
"Shut up. Can you just get to the point for once?"
─Ahem. Sorry. Anyway... Otillev caught my interest—I even blessed her—and now she's intrigued by you, the one who killed her clone. Seems like petty revenge too... But do you know that gloomy woman's hobby?
"Tormenting humans she likes until they die? More precisely, she enjoys keeping them alive in utter despair at life itself."
─...You know well. Why?
Jealousy flashed in her eyes.
I smirked, curling my lip.
"I've traded kills and chit-chat with other demon kings too."
─.....
She narrowed her eyes and glared, then sighed.
─Sigh... Already worrying. My husband's such a playboy; how will I fix you later?
"So, Otillev's scheming to make me her plaything?"
─...Yes. With Annus. Know her hobby?
"Voyeurism. She messes with targets she's into, then gets off on their reactions. A creepy peeping tom."
─Exactly. Otillev and Annus are a match made in hell that way.
"Gloomy creeps teaming up?"
─Yes. Trouble's likely for you or those around you soon. Be careful.
"Hmm..."
I frowned, pondering.
Targeted by two demon kings, not even high demons... Headache already.
No such thing in the game. How to handle?
─...Want my help?
"What? Even though we're both demon kings?"
She scoffed.
─Fellow demon kings aren't friends or allies. We're mortal enemies, really.
"Oh... No reason to refuse help then."
─The price is a date.
"Not tired of it?"
─But this time, a normal date—no fights or death.
"You know..."
I grinned slyly and tapped her lips.
"If you don't want to see me die, you have to help anyway."
She probably didn't know about my regression.
So, fearing my death, she'd have no choice.
─Using a woman's love like that? You're the worst.
"Use everything you can."
─Stubborn. But true, I can't stand by if you die. Your death would shatter me. But what about your companions'? I don't care, but you'd be heartbroken, right?
"......"
I silently glared at her.
She met my gaze leisurely, unyielding.
"...Tch. Fine. Deal."
─Smart choice. Already looking forward to the date. I'll set the time later.
"Sure... So, how will you help?"
─I'll monitor Annus and Otillev personally and give real-time updates. Plus, lend you some authority.
"Through the arm? That's..."
─No worries. My original scheme won't work on you now that you've grown stronger.
"...So you were plotting something."
Suspicion confirmed.
─Hehehe. Yes. Shame. If you'd used my power through the arm more, your soul would've twisted, and you'd love me by now.
"Sigh..."
Never let your guard down with her.
"...Drink up."
─Thanks. Cheers.
Thus, a secret contract was sealed, unknown to anyone but us.
The carriage pressed on steadfastly, soon entering Terabaon, the capital of the ducal territory.
But no one was joyful; everyone, including me, was tense, faces stiff.
"Waaah~! Is that castle Lord Han-gil's house? It's huge!"
"As expected of Lord Han-gil. That's only natural."
"......"
Of course, there were cases like Pashutra, oblivious and playing dumb beauty, or Ratifi, who worshipped me so much she wasn't worried.
As we parked in the ducal castle garden and stepped down slowly, unknown butlers and servants rushed over, bowing in unison.
"Lady Starnassila Weller! Lord Starnassila Alzen! Lady Starnassila Vivian! We welcome your ret—!?"
The butler, shouting loudly, looked puzzled at me.
"L-Lord Alzen...?"
"...No."
Tense and troubled, I lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, exhaled smoke, and answered.
"Kang Han-gil."
At my declaration, the butler wore an expression of utter incomprehension.