The Pope Who Returned After Having Three Children
Ha In-ha, the National Intelligence Service agent (2)
I borrowed Seoyun’s smartphone and dialed the number Ha In-ha had given me.
“Yes, Your Holiness?”
Ha In-ha picked up right after the first ring, as if she had been waiting for my call. Professional, crisp, and efficient—no wasted seconds.
“Is the call convenient for you right now?”
“Of course. Please go ahead.”
A flat, steady voice that somehow carried quiet strength. The kind of tone that sounded as though it had faced impossible situations and still managed to hold everything together.
I liked it. And I trusted it.
If she was this reliable, I could hand the kids over to her without worry. She would watch them with genuine care.
My first impression had been lukewarm, but now I was starting to see that she was someone I could actually rely on.
It wasn’t that she had changed her mind because I poured money into her channel repeatedly. I had simply learned that she was naturally blunt and dry, so my impression had shifted.
“Agent Ha In-ha, how have you been lately? Do you have much free time?”
She didn’t answer immediately. Just like when I asked for her number, she took her time.
“First, could you tell me what exactly an event is? Is there any special meaning behind it?”
“That was just my joke. I only wanted to chat.”
“Ah.”
“Was it not fun?”
A brief silence passed. Then Ha In-ha’s quiet voice broke it.
“Honestly, I don’t see where the funny part was.”
“……”
Another stretch of silence followed.
I had frozen from shock, but I quickly pulled myself together and asked carefully.
“So… you deliberately twisted the facts to create a laugh?”
“That’s correct.”
Even after I spelled it out, the tough agent showed no smile. Thanks to that, I felt another shock.
The bishops laughed?
When I was still Pope, I used to pull the same kind of gag from time to time.
If the Goddess-sama issued a divine decree warning people to be careful of the flu, I would jokingly exaggerate that a disaster would hit the earth and they should prepare.
Everyone would go pale at first, then I would reveal it was a joke and they would double over laughing.
I had thrown the joke out confidently, but it landed completely flat here. Apparently my “Pope Special Humor” didn’t work in this world at all.
“My apologies. Then let’s drop the nonsense and get to the point.”
“Yes, please.”
Even though her voice lacked any trace of amusement, I didn’t let it show. I kept my goal in mind.
“Please become the babysitter for my children. I’ll pay you.”
“You want me to… take care of the kids?”
The reluctance was obvious. I rushed to add, just in case she turned me down.
I had prepared a special card just for moments like this.
“If you accept, I will give you a free one-time Liam voucher. By the way, you’ll be weaker than Liam even if you bring any other returnee. I’m sure you already know what that means.”
“……”
Her eyes softened for a moment. She had clearly been weighing the benefits and losses in her head.
While I sipped my green tea and enjoyed the quiet, how much time passed? Ha In-ha finally spoke after a long silence.
“I accept.”
The outcome of her careful consideration was approval—the answer I wanted.
She had probably decided that national interests outweighed personal hardship. I smiled satisfied and nodded.
“Excellent decision. I hope you get a promotion because of this job.”
“Thank you…”
“Then could you come to my house now? I’d like to talk face to face.”
She answered without hesitation.
“Please wait ten minutes. I was planning to visit today anyway.”
Her actions were almost too quick. It was endearing.
***
“Nice to meet you.”
Ha In-ha arrived in exactly ten minutes. She was breathing hard, as if she had run all the way.
She had probably been staying nearby, ready in case I made any sudden moves.
In truth, the real problem was Liam, but maybe he had already given up. After all, no single agent could stop a former hero.
“Who’s that?”
“Why did you come?”
Erina and Evaila peeked out from behind me while playing in the living room. I hadn’t been able to see them yesterday because they were napping, so this was their first meeting with Ha In-ha.
Almost at the same time, the twins peeked out at her. They had hidden from the stranger, but curiosity had clearly taken over.
“Erina, Evaila, say hello. This is your future older sister whom you’ll see often.”
The twins glanced at me first, then hesitantly bowed. Ha In-ha immediately squatted down to their level and greeted them.
“Hello?”
Just one word. It was too curt for a greeting, but it sounded far friendlier than when she spoke to me. At least she didn’t seem to dislike children, which eased my mind.
“Please take a seat.”
I guided Ha In-ha and the twins to the table, still exchanging glances with my daughters.
Unlike last time when I only offered water, I now served green tea. Last time she had been a rude uninvited guest; this time she was an honored guest.
“You came again?”
Liam, already sitting, waved and grinned. Ha In-ha flinched for a second before slowly sitting down.
She looked visibly scared. I gave Liam’s head a gentle smack to keep the conversation smooth.
“Go take care of the kids.”
“Okay.”
Liam answered obediently and walked over, scooping up both girls. Erina giggled and snuggled into his arms, while Evaila went quietly.
Soon the three adults were chatting and playing loudly. A lively atmosphere that always lifted the mood.
I watched my daughters play with a smile, then suddenly spoke.
“Agent Ha In-ha, from now on you’ll be playing with them like this.”
“Understood.”
As if she had already prepared herself, Ha In-ha showed no reluctance. On the contrary, she looked full of energy.
“Here you go.”
She suddenly pulled something from her pocket and handed it to me. A smartphone.
It was the same pink color as me and looked sleek and modern. Clearly a new model.
“This is…”
“A small gift from His Holiness. Just activate it and you can use it right away.”
“……”
I stared straight into Ha In-ha’s eyes for a moment.
For some reason, that blunt gaze suddenly became sharper and more intelligent.
“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”
In truth, I had wanted a smartphone for a while. Only with one could I truly be a modern person.
But the broadcast donations weren’t settled until next month, so I couldn’t buy it. Now I had one. It felt like the exact gift that had hit my heart.
Since she had done something that pleased me, I decided to forgive one of my past mistakes.
“Agent Ha In-ha, I forgive you for calling me old on the broadcast. But you should repent.”
“……”
I held the smartphone carefully in my hands and continued talking about the babysitting duties. First, I explained the simple rules.
“From now on, if I call, please come promptly without being late. Especially in case of an emergency.”
Ha In-ha immediately took out a notebook and pen and started writing. Her handwriting was neat even though she moved fast.
“And memorize what the children like and dislike to eat.”
“Understood.”
“Also, when the girls ask you to play, do your best to entertain them. If you ever find it bothersome, they’ll notice and it will hurt their feelings. Be careful.”
“……Yes.”
As I spoke, Ha In-ha listened with maximum focus, only to me. A perfectly desirable attitude.
“What if the children ask about their parents?”
She even asked a question first, showing real initiative. Sometimes she pointed out things I hadn’t thought of, surprising me.
Thanks to Ha In-ha’s proactive help, the conversation flowed smoothly.
“Very good. That’s all.”
Finally, the explanation was complete.
Ha In-ha relaxed and tucked her notebook away. Then, without pausing, she pulled out a folder from her already-packed bag and placed it on the table.
When I looked at it, something interesting was written at the top.
[Returnee Support Plan]
“What is this?”
“I compiled every requirement you mentioned last time and examples from other countries into a support plan for His Holiness. Please read it.”
I pulled the document closer and read from the first page without stopping. Because it was important, I read it straight through.
When I reached the last page, a smile naturally formed on my lips.
“Excellent.”
The plan was divided into five sections. The first one, which mattered most to me, was addressed immediately.
“Does this mean Liam and the children will now get South Korean citizenship?”
Finally, the families who had been treated only as an appendix to returnees were officially recognized as Koreans. I had expected it, but it had taken far longer than I thought.
Ha In-ha immediately tried to excuse herself.
“The problem was that His Holiness is… very… outgoing. There were quite a few objections. But my steady reports were positively received, and only now has approval finally come.”
“Thank you.”
Even though it was for her sake, I praised her gladly. Of course, I immediately raised a problem.
“Then when will my own status be processed? You said it would be done within a few days, but I still have no news.”
“……For the same reason. Because of His Holiness, the processing was delayed a bit and only registered yesterday.”
That idiot was the issue. Liam really didn’t help with a positive image at all.
“Congratulations. As a returnee, you have now been officially granted a new resident registration number.”
Ha In-ha’s words made me feel strangely relieved.
From today on, the “Park Si-woo” who had lived through a cursed life no longer existed. It was bittersweet.
Starting today, I was South Korea’s only returnee—Clitia Elluke. Nothing had really changed, yet I felt a new sense of belonging.
After settling the emotions rising in my chest, I spoke again.
“The other items won’t be resolved immediately, right?”
“That’s correct. As soon as everything is ready, I will contact you right away.”
“Thank you.”
As I talked with her, I realized Ha In-ha was both smart and meticulous. And she looked young. She was exactly the kind of talent I needed.
There was one thing I had wanted to do ever since I started the broadcast, and I was about to ask her to help.
“Agent Ha In-ha, I’d like to talk about something even more important than the support you’re giving me.”
I set a serious tone and began.
Ha In-ha tensed again, her expression hardening. She was in the right position. This was definitely a serious matter.
“Are you ready?”
“Please tell me anything.”
Leaning slightly forward, I continued seriously.
“Agent Ha In-ha, please tell me the expressions young people commonly use and what they like these days.”
“……Yes?”
“I heard in the news that young people are now called the MZ generation. Please make me the MZ Pope.”
“……”
Ha In-ha opened her mouth slightly in surprise, then answered.
“You really sounded like a very old person just now.”
“I used the latest terms. Why…?”
Anyway, the current generation’s feelings were impossible to understand.