Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Makeup
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"But were you late because you were doing your makeup?"
"...Ugh."
I had arrived at the meeting spot first, but even accounting for that, Yeo So-cheon was pretty late.
Thanks to her, the conversation with the Saintess—which I'd thought would end quickly—had dragged on longer than expected.
So, with a hint of reproach in my gaze, I shot her a look. In a small voice, Yeo So-cheon opened her mouth.
"...It's my first time doing makeup, so it took longer and longer..."
It really was her first time.
A wave of relief washed over me alongside the joy of my guess being spot on.
If makeup had not been her first time, given her earlier state, that would have been the real problem.
It would've meant she'd gone around looking like that before.
"Like I said earlier, you don't need makeup to be pretty. Why cover up a face that's already beautiful?"
"Hmph! Flattery won't get you anywhere!"
"It's not flattery—it's the truth. You're prettier without it. Just your natural face."
I didn't particularly want to compliment her looks, but this was sincere.
Even with moderate makeup instead of the heavy stuff from before, her base features were so good that it would still feel like hiding her beauty.
I knew all too well that truly beautiful people didn't need much makeup.
I'd spent ten years with one such person.
"A-anyway, enough about that. We've got a long way to go ahead. Let's get moving."
Yeo So-cheon said that and came over to sit right in front of me.
The carriage was spacious, so I wondered why she chose to sit there, but I figured asking wouldn't get a straight answer, so I kept quiet.
-Sniff sniff
"...Hold on a sec."
Yeo So-cheon stood up with a stiff expression and approached me.
Before I could react, she pressed right up against me.
-Sniff sniff
"...Something smells weird..."
She started sniffing at my chest.
"W-what are you..."
"Stay still. This is important right now."
As if she were some kind of dog, Yeo So-cheon began sniffing my scent and the air around me.
She paused at one spot, furrowed her brow, and spoke.
"Did another woman come here by any chance?"
-Flinch
Strictly speaking, the Saintess had only communicated through the window and never physically come here, so calling it "another woman" was inaccurate. But the chill that ran down my spine had a reason.
She'd stopped right where the window showing the Saintess had appeared.
"N-no? It was just me. Why? Is something wrong?"
"No... It smells familiar but unpleasant. Kinda like a woman's scent."
"Oh, maybe it's Dang Ayoung's? I think she mentioned switching perfumes."
"...Maybe?"
I threw out Dang Ayoung as an excuse, unsure how Yeo So-cheon would react if she knew I'd been talking to the Saintess.
Yeo So-cheon knew my situation anyway, so she wouldn't find Dang Ayoung's lingering scent on me suspicious.
"...She stuck to you like glue all day, so it soaking in makes sense. Must've been my imagination."
"Haha... I'll wash more thoroughly next time."
"..."
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh, it's nothing! Got it!"
For a split second at the end, she seemed to hesitate, but it was probably just something else on her mind.
.
.
.
-Clop clop clop
Riding in the carriage had become routine now, and the pain that used to hurt so much felt much fainter these days.
And inside the carriage, alone with just Yeo So-cheon...
"...What are you doing right now?"
"Making embroidery."
I was working on the embroidery Dang Ayoung had given me.
It wasn't because I had any real skill with needlework—it was just to pass the time.
-Rustle swish
For some reason, it feels calming...
As the pattern slowly took shape, a sense of accomplishment welled up inside me.
"What kind of guy does embroidery? Even if you're surrounded by tough women, you're still a man, aren't you?"
"That's sexist."
"...Well, it kinda suits you in a weird way. You don't look very manly anyway."
"...I'd rather not hear that as a compliment."
I sighed at Yeo So-cheon's words, but sadly, I couldn't deny it.
My looks weren't very masculine—it was a fact.
"It's because my growth stopped... If I'd kept growing, I'd have a more manly face by now..."
"...Doubt it. Your natural build is weak to begin with, so even if you bulked up..."
"Ughhh..."
The brutal truth hurt too much.
People change as they grow, sure, but there's a limit to your base frame.
With this body, even at my best, how far could I go?
Probably about Dang Ayoung's height, at most.
-Grumble grumble
"Whatever. The world's not all about height."
I pouted, about to resume my embroidery, when a thought struck me.
"But you're in no position to talk about me, are you?"
"Huh?"
"Your growth stopped too, same as mine..."
-Swish
"...I'll be quiet now."
She started it, but I couldn't even respond.
I knew she was sensitive about her height, though.
"Hmph, I'll let it slide this once. Bring it up again, and I'll tell the Sword Empress everything."
"Sorry... Sorry..."
"Don't forget I know your weakness."
One wrong word, and I'd be on my way to the afterlife.
I still need to figure out how to handle the Sword Empress...
I was painfully learning the cost of teasing her manhood that one time.
Dang Ayoung had an escape route thanks to Yeo So-cheon, but the Sword Empress? No such luck.
I couldn't shock her the same way.
How many in the Central Plains could overwhelm the Sword Empress with sheer force?
Even in this vast land, you could count them on one hand. Maybe none.
Ah.
One person came to mind.
The Heavenly Demon.
The Sword Empress herself had said she'd felt that overwhelming power gap back then, so the Heavenly Demon fit the bill.
But to solve my harem issues by pitting the Sword Empress against the Heavenly Demon?
That was pure madness.
It'd make me a real seducer demon—luring women to ruin with lust.
It wouldn't end with a simple fight. Whoever won, it'd spark a war.
This Heavenly Demon was supposedly peaceful, so why poke the bear?
I didn't have the pull to move the Heavenly Demon Cult's leader over a nobody like me anyway.
...Come to think of it...
-Glance
She was right in front of me.
Someone who knew suspiciously much about the world.
"...What're you staring at?"
"Just curious about something."
"...This feels ominous. Spit it out."
"What's the Heavenly Demon like?"
-Freeze
The moment I mentioned her, Yeo So-cheon's body went rigid.
Is she that dangerous?
"Why bring up that woman all of a sudden?"
I could see her expression sour.
Annoyed? Scared? Hard to tell, but it wasn't pleasant.
"No real reason. Just popped into my head. You've seen her yourself, right?"
"...Don't talk about that woman if you can help it. Don't even think about her."
What kind of person is she?
From the rumors, she didn't invade the martial world, so I'd thought she was peaceful for a Heavenly Demon. Apparently not.
Not with Yeo So-cheon reacting like this.
"If that monster stuck in her cult ever steps out into the Central Plains... no one could handle it. Things are messy enough with those half-dead bloodsuckers crawling around... She's too big a variable. Better to leave her be and not provoke her."
Yeo So-cheon, who called bloodsuckers "half-dead corpses" and maggots, referred to the Heavenly Demon as a "monster." Her power was beyond imagining.
How strong is she, exactly?
My curiosity only grew, but Yeo So-cheon's reaction killed any follow-up questions.
I hoped I'd never have to meet her.
If I did...
It'd be me going to her, or her coming for me.
Either way, nothing to welcome.
"Master. Come to think of it, don't you ever do makeup?"
It was a question that had occurred to me one day.
She never went out, and it was just the two of us, but still—no makeup tools at all?
Her answer was pure Master.
"Why bother when I'm already perfect without it?"
Infuriating, but impossible to argue with.
"Go on, disciple. Tell me—what's lacking in this master's looks? What needs covering with makeup?"
"...Nothing."
"Good. Mystery solved."
"You say that without any shame?"
"Arrogance is only wrong when the deficient brag about their ignorance. This is well-earned pride."
"Sure, sure~."
I regretted asking—didn't even break even as I swept the floor.
"And you don't need makeup either. Don't talk about others."
"Men don't wear makeup."
"You wouldn't know. Grooming your looks isn't just for women."
"Pass. Don't want to picture it."
Images of men at mirrors with makeup turned my stomach.
"You forgot who called you 'a rice cake block fallen from the roof'?"
"That was to loosen you up—you were so guarded."
"Would you have let me approach easily if the guy you just met said there's only one blanket so we have to share?"
"Yet you slept quite peacefully."
"..."
I blushed silently, sweeping the floor.
I hated to admit it, but...
That night was the first time I'd slept peacefully in this world.
...Even if breathing was a bit hard.