Allen's New Beginning in Jerusalem
Daniel visited my residence.
Construction outside the city walls has been progressing for quite some time.
The Judean captives are gathering in Jerusalem, and we need to decide a leader to guide them.
Naturally, everyone pointed to me as the leader.
Since I've been watching the hardships of being the leader from Lucas's side, I didn't want to take on the position.
It requires strong responsibility, and above all, the ability to love the people.
So, I recommended Daniel as the one to lead them.
"Low, low?"
"The one who interpreted the dream is all Daniel's credit."
I fully acknowledged Daniel's contributions and placed him before them.
People are bewildered, but they can't say he has no credit.
Moreover, since I'm the one who appointed him as successor, they can't refuse the recommendation.
Thus, Daniel received the title of leader.
I simply live in Jerusalem as a prophet.
Leona also abandoned her status as a princess and lives as the wife of a prophet.
Of course, we didn't have a marriage ceremony or anything like that.
Since I was the one who bestowed the princess on Gatnesar, everyone just accepted it.
There was no progress between us.
Progress or not, Leona has suffered mental regression.
Caring for her immature Leona is my duty here.
It seems she sees me as a mom.
So far, that's been the case.
"Aaa..."
"Al~len!"
"A...r...re.."
"Call me Allen one more time!"
She can't even say my name correctly.
I had to teach her every word.
I can't understand how a mere magic potion could break Lucifer's mind.
I felt it even with Serina; when we first met, her language was clumsy.
From that, it seems it's okay to say that the witches' weakness is their mind.
Even after two months in Jerusalem, she hasn't spoken.
Besides the commands I give, she doesn't say a word.
I brought those who remember Leona among the captives,
But Leona doesn't remember them at all.
"Ahuu..."
*
One year later in Jerusalem.
Allen's life no longer involves grand heroic deeds or living as a prophet.
Baal no longer gives him responses,
Only Zagan is by his side.
Zagan doesn't commit evil deeds to the extent that his demon title is meaningless.
He turns water into wine and enjoys small happiness.
Allen is gradually returning to his old life.
For Leona, he suffers, teaches her to speak,
Cares for the witch who isn't like a witch.
He enjoys the life of a nanny.
"Leona! Let's eat!"
"Beep later... I'll eat..."
Leona is tossing and turning in bed.
We are settled on the outskirts of Jerusalem, living quietly.
Daniel clung to me crying and begging not to go, but I refused in one go.
Looking back on Allen's life, he didn't cherish the people among many.
He just wants to live a quiet life herding sheep like before.
Allen walks slowly, lifts Leona's blanket.
When sunlight hits Leona's eyes, she frowns and gets annoyed.
"Aaaang.. I want to sleep more.."
"Eat and sleep!"
"Aaaaang... si... si.."
"No. You have to eat and sleep!"
"Really aa."
"Just one bite and sleep!"
"Feed me..!"
"Ugh.. come out and eat!"
"Feed meee.."
With a grumpy tone and pouting lips, she acts cute.
Seeing Leona's plump lips and gloomy expression, Allen smiles.
Allen is thrilled that his dream world has unfolded.
"I can't live.. I get it."
"Oppa is the best!"
The term for Allen is Oppa.
Perhaps because in Allen's heart, memories with Serina are there.
Happy memories of being called Oppa.
From the time Leona couldn't call Allen, she was taught the word Oppa first.
Perhaps due to Leona's clumsy pronunciation?
It hit harder than Serina's blunt "Oppa".
When hearing "Oppa", it feels like a painful heart-stopping feeling.
"Oppa Oppa!"
"Why~~!"
"I want water!"
She doesn't move an inch from the bed but calls Allen to feed her, but still feels good.
Feeding her is happiness.
Seeing this, she shows similar tendencies to Serina but different.
Because Leona is cute.
Opposite of Serina's tsundere.
How could I not love her?
Allen unknowingly feels love as Serina's figure overlaps.
Suddenly, her wedding day comes to mind, but he erases it by looking at Leona.
Perhaps human Allen is also suffering from mental illness.
Is Leona mistaking Serina for her to forget the departed Serina?
Allen lifts Leona and says.
"Is today the day we go to worship?"
"Yeah!"
"Take care!"
"Oppa isn't going?!"
"I'm taking Leona and going to see the village for a bit!"
"Got it! But Oppa, you said you're a prophet, why don't you go to worship?"
"Eh? Uh.. I have to go to worship, but I don't believe in the law!"
"Aa~!"
Leona answers mechanically but seems not to understand.
Her speech is still clumsy, so she often misses it.
For Leona, I choose clothes for going to worship.
Worship in the village every Sunday.
There are also Leona's peers, and it's good for her mental health in many ways.
This day is the one I like most.
Leona wears pretty clothes and shows a bright smile to the world.
Nothing is more thrilling than seeing that smile.
Moreover, even in witch's body, whatever she wears, she looks elegant and graceful.
Having her by my side.
Unlike Serina, I don't feel the urge to explore her body.
I want to protect her as she is.
Also, while changing clothes, even if I see her private parts,
I never have lewd thoughts.
This too I think is a beauty and accept it.
"Today, a red dress would be good."
The favorite red dress.
The one I bought for Serina first.
When I put away that dress, tears unconsciously flowed over my cheeks.
"Ah.. why am I like this.."
"Oppa, why?"
"Ah, no. Just suddenly choked up.."
"Was there a sad thing?"
"No. Wear this today."
"Got it!"
Then, today was it.
I had forgotten it completely, but it was the day we got married.
That day.
No matter how hard I try to forget with my head,
My body remembers.
Seeing the red dress, her thoughts come to me.
The things she used to threaten to kill me for also come to mind
And the day she ate barbecue deliciously.
I remember the porridge she made
And all thoughts come back.
"Oppa! How is it?!"
Leona comes out after changing clothes.
Seeing that sight, Allen approaches and hugs Leona tightly.
"Serina..!"
Allen says a word he shouldn't to Leona.
Calling Serina's name.
But Leona doesn't get angry and hugs me back.
"It's okay, it's okay!"
"Huu.... huhuhu..."
"It's okay! Oppa misses his sister?!"
"Huhu... huuuu..."
Leona, whose mind is still not intact, gives me a pitiful look and kisses my forehead for me.
It felt like an action to comfort me without saying it.
Her mind was just past infancy.
It would have been the greatest comfort she could give Leona.
Feeling gratitude, I stopped crying.
"I won't be late for worship. Can't be late."
"No. Let's go after Oppa calms down!"
"I'm fine now. I got a kiss on the forehead, I'm all better."
"Really?! Oppa isn't hurt?!"
She extends her pinky finger saying not to hurt.
There was belief that if you promise, you won't get hurt.
Perhaps she learned it at worship time.
I laugh softly and hook pinky with Leona and make a promise.
Leona smiles showing teeth saying she won't get hurt now.
"Hehehe!! Allen-nim! We are here!"
Carriage sound from outside.
The carriage to pick us up.
This carriage is a consideration for us who moved to the outskirts.
We come every Sunday, and if we need transportation, we ask additionally then.
"Welcome! Is Daniel doing well?"
"Haha. Daniel-nim is busy every day! Hard work! Hello Leona-nim! Wow! The dress suits you well!"
"Thank you!"
"But Daniel has good reputation."
"Yes. Thanks to Daniel-nim running around every day, it's stabilizing quickly."
"Even after a year, making it stabilize to this extent isn't easy."
"It's all thanks to Allen-nim. King Gatnesar doesn't spare full support either. Shall we start?!"
"Yeah."
Building a city in just a year is like a miracle.
Of course, Zagan's help was there, but it's not easy.
Gatnesar, who was impressed by the law, mobilized even the Babylonians to build the city walls, saying he would live according to God's will.
Actually, I was surprised.
I didn't think the king Gatnesar would change like this.
Perhaps he lives with more faith than the Judeans who grew up believing in the law.
Until now, the Judeans boasted that they kept the law.
But in Babylon, as the law fever blows, those who fast increase
And they see lewdness, lust, and debauchery as the most forbidden.
It's unbelievable.
Sometimes Gatnesar comes to me.
"Prophet-nim. What does it mean to live according to faith?"
He asks me about God's will, but it's difficult.
I don't know God's will either, and I don't believe in gods.
For such Gatnesar, I try to say good words, twisting my head.
"Test not. Be grateful in all things. Pray without ceasing."
A short three sentences.
Where did I hear this from.
When I say that, Gatnesar cries and hits his chest.
"I was foolish..! Prophet-nim.. I repent! I will live according to God's will..!"
And for over an hour, kneeling
And praying in that place.
Though I'm bewildered by Gatnesar's enthusiasm,
My role here is as prophet Allen
So I want to fulfill that role.