<CHAPTER 20>
I felt my anger rising even more at that attitude.
“Huh, is it easy to brand me as a bedroom slave?”
“Lamia”
“Don’t lay a hand on me.”
I instinctively pushed back as the group approached.
Normally, he was strong enough that I couldn’t even leave a scratch on him.
He must have been.
Ku-paang!
With a small whimper, I lifted my skirt, and a strange symbol appeared near my ankle.
Sensing the danger, I tried to hide it, but I couldn’t match Rodrigo’s strength and speed.
The small luck I had just experienced within the group didn’t occur again.
He easily subdued me and covered the symbol on my ankle with his broad palm.
Chaiiiik—
“Ah. It hurts.”
The skin he held burned like it was on fire.
As I shivered violently, Rodrigo quickly adjusted his grip.
His already stern face became even harder.
“It won’t break. It’s the highest-tier imprint.”
Imprint.
It was a concept even mentioned in the game.
Usually considered just a mark of ownership, the imprints here were far more profound.
Instead of unilateral subjugation, it was closer to mutual possession.
They even shared not just power but pain.
Of course, there were limits: the power one could draw depended on their mastery of magic.
‘I’m such a newbie that it only comes out reflexively when emotions flare up, like just now.’
‘So if both imprinting parties are clear about their desires, in a world where power is authority, imprints are the most effective mutual benefit.’
But I had a problem.
It was a big problem.
I was a low-level saint with no abilities to speak of.
The other was a predator capable of the highest-tier imprint that even the Demon King couldn’t achieve.
The power gap was astronomical. Who would willingly imprint with me without losing their mind?
‘For them, it’s not a win-win, it’s a huge loss. My past self, where did you get such foolishness.’
The cost was extremely unfair.
My trembling fingertips told me so.
Even borrowing just a little power overloaded my body with immense magical energy.
In the blink of an eye, Rodrigo was sent flying across the room as if caught in an explosion.
Thud. Debris from the broken ceiling fell at his feet after a long fall.
Exhausted, I slid down and sank to the floor.
Even for a moment, I felt it. This power was not mine.
Such ferocious power could never be mine.
‘Then what do I do?’
“Lamia”
I looked up to see Rodrigo kneeling before me.
He cupped my cheeks in both hands and locked eyes with me.
I felt his breath press against my skin.
“Yo-you….”
His gaze reflected my face.
I exhaled sharply, thinking:
‘Strange. Were my eyes always this dark blue…?’
Rodrigo, already aware of the meaning, panted with a cracked expression.
“When did you imprint?”
At the same time, a sharp pain shot through my ankle.
He had pressed so hard that his palm felt like it was on fire.
I forcibly removed the choker from my neck and threw it in front of Rodrigo.
“How dare you give me something like this?”
“Then what else would you use to walk outside? Was there another way?”
Even after being struck in the room, he responded calmly.
Yet his large hand gently rubbed the redness on my neck.
It felt caring, tender, and soft.
But looking up at his face, it was so indifferent it seemed like he was checking merchandise for damage.
I harshly pushed his hand away and shouted:
“Let go of this!”
Backing away to escape his reach, he asked in a cold voice:
“Where are you going?”
The tone reminded me it wasn’t a question but a warning.
But I couldn’t tolerate it.
“Anywhere you’re not!”
I felt foolish for expecting common sense from him and being disappointed.
I had to leave before losing my mind.
Stepping back further, his normally calm face turned harsh in an instant.
“Still not over what Shykan did? Will you only realize when the other side breaks too?”
“Try it, if you dare.”
“Then why do you keep trying to run?”
I couldn’t believe he was asking that.
“To me, you and that old man are the same! No, at least I could understand the old man’s reasoning, but you don’t even explain properly~”
“Being next to the worst doesn’t make the bad not bad.”
“Still, ten loaves from ten houses are better than a hundred from a factory! Completely hopeless!”
As I kept backing away, he softened like a master calming a pet.
“This isn’t as simple as you think.”
If not for Heligan’s annoying mouth not calling my name, that might have been true.
‘That bastard tried to pull me in just to save himself.’
His judgment was effective enough. All the women’s eyes turned to me immediately.
One woman, who seemed to be the leader, scrutinized me before frowning.
“What is this?”
The women following her had similar reactions, some laughing bitterly, some with disgust.
“The Demon King must have found a new doll.”
“Impossible. He ousted us and brought in a disgusting human slave?”
“How rotten must he have been…”
What? Was she calling me a slave?
Confused, the lead woman crossed her arms and snorted.
“How did you beg? Flat on your face like a dog? That necklace must feel like a medal now. But how long will it last?”
What nonsense.
Even though I did nothing wrong, this treatment was frustrating.
“I didn’t ask for this.”
So I reacted, and finally, Peligan intervened.
“Everyone, don’t do this here—”
But the woman pushed him away and poked the choker Rodrigo had given me.
“Stop pretending to be naive. That’s only given to night-serving slaves.”
‘Night-serving slave?’
After that, everything blurred. I felt my feet lift, and the surroundings sped by.
My only thought was finding Rodrigo immediately.
When I came to my senses, I was pounding on his door with all my strength.
Even now, my poor ankle was trapped in Rodrigo’s grip, barely held.
‘Please don’t let the nightmare from Shykan repeat.’
Luckily, Rodrigo seemed calmer than before.
Exhausted, I had no strength left to stay angry.
‘Okay, the outcome was messy, but the intent was clear. Let’s shake it off.’
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay—huh?”
Did he just say “sorry”?
‘Am I dreaming? Was pushing Rodrigo a dream?’
It was a word that could never come from his stubborn mouth, so I pinched my cheek to confirm.
Rodrigo gently took my hand and confirmed reality.
“I’m sorry.”
“I…”
“The slave necklace was my eagerness getting ahead of me. You must have had your feelings too.”
“No, I… I was too hasty too.”
Seeing my softened reaction, he immediately changed the topic.
“Then sleep with me tonight.”
“Wait, how did we get to that conclusion?”
“We’ve done it once. What’s the difficulty?”
“That wasn’t my will! And don’t you remember I tried to kill you with a broken wine bottle?”
Threatening someone with a weapon was extremely rare in modern society, yet Rodrigo seemed indifferent.
“You can die as many times as you want. I’ll just revive you.”
‘If I could use my ability even a little to gain his trust, it might follow.’
But first, there was a fundamental obstacle.
‘I’m a saint. How do I heal someone of your kind?’
Actions matter more than words.
I placed my hand on his beautiful—no, atrocious chest.
It was futile for a saint to heal a Demon King, yet the light magic seeped into his skin and closed the wounds.
“Huh?”
It shouldn’t have worked. Rodrigo, however, smiled knowingly.
‘Don’t smile so innocently over your chest.’
Flustered, I lowered my gaze and focused on my holy power.
The poison-infused wounds required careful extraction from his veins. It was meticulous work.
Now I understood why he insisted on sleeping together tonight.
After temporarily sealing the wounds, he helped me up.
I quietly followed him to the bedroom, muttering.
“Next time, explain things clearly. Don’t just say ‘sleep together’ out of nowhere.”
“I did.”
Yes, you scoundrel! I’ll remember that.
“Anyway! If my holy power didn’t work, why walk around with a big wound without bandages?”
Even though he caused me pain, he smiled as if it was nothing.
“Your potion was versatile.”
I blocked my ears to resist hearing more.
Opening my eyes, my hands were caught in his one hand again.
“Errors are spreading uncontrollably. Many are getting hurt from the bugs.”
“So you want me to heal? But why does that mean I have to sleep with you?”
He lifted my top despite my protest:
“Start with me first.”
“Ah!”
I wanted to cover my eyes, but Rodrigo stopped me.
Thus, I had no choice but to see his open chest.
Long gashes ran beneath, oozing blood painfully.
I looked up apologetically, and he shook his head.
“I got hurt while handling errors. Poisoned wounds take longer to heal.”
‘You walked around all day with that? You’re stubborn…’
As I leaned to inspect his injuries, he finally released me.
“I’ll protect you no matter what. Even if you sin, I’ll be on your side.”
“I don’t expect repayment, but at least don’t ignore what you see.”
His words brought the demonic world to mind.
Compared to the human world, it was barren, yet people survived.
In the past, the high priestess leading the other priestesses died in battle with demons, leaving only Elise.
Unlike others claiming their divine connection had ended, Elise still heard the goddess and her prophecies always came true.
“Goddess Licht, please bless this land.”
As usual, Elise’s blessing began the meeting.
The King of Hessen smiled approvingly beside her.
“You still hear the divine, I see. Isn’t the burden too heavy?”
“As the only priestess, it is my fate. If my sacrifice brings even a little happiness, I will continue until my last breath.”
It sounded like ordinary greetings, yet the assembled kings and heroes understood the subtle flattery from Hessen.
“We are all upright men, so skip the unnecessary words and proceed, priestess.”
A man with neatly tied cyan hair yawned, appearing bored.
His aristocratic, refined features contrasted with his casual manner, giving off a unique atmosphere.
Ignoring the glares, he motioned to continue the meeting.
In this world, positions were determined by power.
Even the King of Hessen frowned but only cleared his throat; no one dared oppose.
Elise smiled innocently despite his rebuke.
“Life must be dull for you. I hope the food prepared today offers some amusement.”
At her gesture, attendants brought dishes in a line.
“Specially sourced from Plancy, including sky fish. Please enjoy.”
The rich aroma filled the room; in such a desolate kingdom, high-quality dishes were unimaginable.
The heroes and nobles ate happily, but some had dark faces, worried about their lands.
They were too busy relocating to even enjoy the meal fully.
