Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Cake for the Overslept Author
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* * *
The next day.
"Whew, it's cold."
Clang!
Along with the sound of the front gate closing—I carefully brushed the snow from my eyes and stepped inside.
Did it really have to be this cold?
'I was thinking of visiting Mom for the first time in ages this weekend, but with this weather... that's gonna be tough.'
The snow's piled up high, so it'll be fine once it melts a bit.
Mom had raised a high schooler just fine on her own without Dad, and she was pretty lenient with me unless I did something really bad. She'd probably forgive her fragile son's decision too.
That's when it hit me.
One of my few bad memories—getting spanked like dust on a rainy day.
It was back when I fell for a cable promo and racked up a huge bill calling 060 numbers.
I didn't get it as a kid, but now I knew.
With our family's finances back then, for the bill to be that massive and me just getting a spanking... Mom must really love me.
Don't be shocked. Believe it or not, a few phone calls cost almost as much as everything I've donated to Author-chan combined.
Adjust for inflation, and the real difference is even bigger.
That was the era. Eyes wide open, nose cut off—a lawless time full of romance.
...Calling it romantic is only possible because that youthful past is behind me now.
'If it were now, maybe it'd be okay...'
I let out a bitter chuckle, then—
Took off my coat, hung it on the rack, turned on some music, and hopped in the shower right away.
I used to just flop on the sofa and laze around, but since becoming a god, I'd been consciously avoiding sloth.
Nothing impressive.
Just thought that to act godly in front of believers, I had to hold myself to the right standards first.
How many people spout noble words and demand high morals from others while being lenient with themselves?
I hated those types the most, and hating them meant—even if it was comic roleplay—I wanted to be proud of myself.
Today alone, I'd done seven small good deeds.
I could still picture the grandma whose tangerines had spilled everywhere, bowing repeatedly in thanks as she looked at me.
'Heh heh heh... Sorry, ma'am, but you have no idea I only helped to stay true on my path to godhood.'
Of course, I wasn't that naive.
I knew no one would notice or appreciate it.
Even the mangaka drawing the comic probably wouldn't. If she did, she might offer a handshake saying, 'I'm pretty immersed, but you're on another level.'
Still, whatever...
At least this way, I wouldn't be ashamed of the guy in the mirror.
'Haa...'
After showering, I changed into comfy clothes and lay on the bed, and naturally, my chat with Erin came to mind.
It was weird.
Lately, for some reason—even knowing it was all just a comic—
Erin felt more and more real, like the Observer said, and I was helping her with 'Divine Power' or whatever.
After chatting, it got worse; I'd even banter with her in my dreams.
I realized it anew when she remembered 'Erin Boobs Super Big.'
I was genuinely embarrassed. Like getting caught by a girl friend with some dumb, childish dirty joke.
Since she's a comic character, I could've brazenly said, 'Yeah, Erin, show me that Divine Power Pouch right now,' and the author would've handled it fine...
But back then maybe, now I couldn't throw crude jokes at Erin or the other characters.
'...Am I lonely these days?'
Stuck in a hamster wheel life, and now even games are out.
Lately, the only things I communicated with were comic characters and the author.
...No, the characters are just the author typing lines, so basically just hanging with Author-chan.
She's got it rough. Catering perfectly to a boob-loving otaku's tastes ain't easy.
'Can't get too buddy-buddy internally; might creep her out...'
So why this sudden reflection?
Because—
'......'
Heart pounding, I carefully checked my phone.
......Nothing.
—For some reason, past the usual upload time, no next-chapter alert.
'Busy today?'
It's not official serialization; strictly amateur, so a hiatus without notice isn't weird.
But she'd uploaded hefty chapters daily without a single break, and I'd gotten Pavlov'd—drooling like a mutt near upload time, scarfing down my feed.
Her going quiet like this? Honestly worrying.
'Given Author-chan's personality, she'd have warned me about a hiatus...'
I smirked bitterly and shook my head.
Who am I to judge the mangaka's personality from across the screen? Just a regular reader.
'Hmm...'
Anyway, if she's tired or sick—I wanted to help however I could.
No joke, she's half a friend now. Dunno how she sees it, but to me, she's not just a mangaka. More like a precious online buddy sharing this hard-to-explain roleplay, laughing and chatting.
So I thought of donating right when I got home—
'No donations.'
On hiatus, no need to poke her with that.
I'm dead serious about this, maybe more than her. She'd probably draw 'impact on the continent' crap again.
A diligent author hiatus-ing? Must be unwell. I hoped she'd rest plenty.
'Hmm...'
Yeah.
No donation—send a Gift Icon instead.
Something giftable... Yeah, cake.
No reason. When life's tough and grindy, I eat strawberry whipped cream cake.
Sugar melts away a lot of worries. Melts into your body as a side effect, but... a slice on special days is fine.
Not just one slice, though.
99% sure she has assistants.
Biggest size, so the studio can share.
'Alright.'
Bought the largest strawberry cake.
Ripe seasonal strawberries piled on snowy animal cream—super appetizing.
Saved the image... uploaded to chat—
[ Igugwoden: (Gift Icon photo) ]
[ Igugwoden: Oh, uploaded fine ]
—Viiiing!
[「God Is My Famous Husband (1)」 chapter uploaded! ]
'It uploaded!!!'
Sneak upload at this hour?
Right after the Gift Icon?
Then.
Messages popped in the quiet chat.
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: I'm truly sorry, Lord Igugwoden ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: I... I was too late ]
[ Igugwoden: LMAO sent gift icon and alert scared the shit outta me lololol ]
[ Igugwoden: You okay? Hurt anywhere? ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: No. It's... so embarrassing and overwhelming, but ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: Overslept from fatigue... Truly, truly sorry ]
'Phew, good.'
Sighed in relief without thinking.
Not sick... Thank goodness. Meaning—
—My feed won't stop!!
Relief from it not being serious?
I teased the author playfully.
[ Igugwoden: Author-chan ]
[ Igugwoden: Sorry but you're not solo anymore lol ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: Pardon...? ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: What do you mean... ]
[ Igugwoden: Where else am I gonna get feed if you stop this epic? ]
[ Igugwoden: You wouldn't starve this mutt, right?? ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: Not sure exactly what you mean, but I would never starve Lord Igugwoden ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: If anything, we'd starve before you—how could we let that happen? ]
[ Igugwoden: LMAOOOOOO what starving bs lolololol ]
[ Igugwoden: Anyway glad you're fine.. off to devour next chap bb ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: Wait, Lord Igugwoden ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: You sent that picture above... What is it? ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: Looks like 'strawberry cake' at a glance... ]
'...Ah.'
Right, she doesn't know what a Gift Icon is in-setting.
Yeah, that's the 'setting'.
Like with chicken, gotta explain the tech so she can eat it here...
[ Igugwoden: It's a gift from me to you for always observing the world so hard ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: A gift...? ]
[ Igugwoden: Cake that gives you strength when you eat it ]
[ Igugwoden: Exchange via 'God's Domain' method ]
[ Igugwoden: When tired... Go to the priest at the place listed under the cake and ask to summon it ]
[ Igugwoden: Get it? ]
Short silence, then—
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: Understood ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: Thank you sincerely for the gift ]
[ PleaseGiveMeMoney: I'll treasure it forever ]
[ Igugwoden: Lololol ok ok ]
[ Igugwoden: Eat when super tired like today ]
[ Igugwoden: Now fr going to comic ]
Closed chat, shifted gaze to peer down at my world.
* * *
"Huaa..."
A girl sighed in awe, sprawled somewhere with a totally relaxed voice.
"Ah... This is it."
This is it!
God's love flowed through her body.
"I've missed this. You have no idea how much since you left for the New Continent."
The responding voice—warm, maternal, cozy as can be.
"Hee hee...♡ Feeling good, Demon King?"
"Yes... This is... so addictive..."
Her melting voice trailed off, followed by a clear, tinkling jingle.
"You brought that too?"
"Yes. Never know when I'll need it, so I always carry it. Because I—"
—Always, to the god.
To my master, my one and only husband—I must prove myself.
The maternal voice's owner—Empress Eirene von Ainsberg—smiled tenderly down at the Demon King.
—Tinkle tinkle.
The Demon King's gaze locked fully on the jingling thing in the Empress's hand.
"Even after all these times, it's so fun... Shake it more."
"Yes♡"
Once the pinnacle terror to humanity, apex of the demons—the Demon King—
Now lay on the soft, thick, pale thighs of the Empress, humanity's leader...
Watching her shake the jingle, lost in utterly luxurious downtime.