Chapter 182
Ch.182 I Know You’re Awake. I Saw Your Eyes
—Whoosh!
Snow fell through the freezing forest.
“Brr… so cold.”
It’s a mindscape, yet the cold is intense.
Why so sudden?
It was warm moments ago—now freezing.
This place must mirror Selena’s mood—
warm when she’s happy, icy when upset.
But where do I find her?
“Haah… haah…”
It’s seriously cold—
my breath steamed in the air.
At least I’m wearing thick winter gear—
my clothes had changed from casual wear to heavy winter clothing.
Why?
I still lacked too much information.
After walking a while, I spotted a two-story house ahead.
“Oh?”
Thank goodness—it’s shelter!
I rushed over and knocked urgently.
—Knock knock!
“Hello? Anyone home?”
Footsteps approached from within.
—Who is it?
A boy’s young voice. I replied quickly:
“I’m just passing by—the weather’s terrible. Can I rest here a moment?”
The door cracked open—
a black-haired boy peeked out.
He scanned me head to toe, then shouted inside:
“Um… Headmistress! Someone’s at the door!”
He turned to me.
“Wait a moment, please.”
Then he slipped inside.
—Headmistress! There’s really someone here!
Soon after, a woman in her 40s wearing a black nun’s habit opened the door.
“Oh my!”
She looked startled to see me.
“Hello. I lost my way and need a place to rest briefly.”
She examined me carefully.
“To be out here in this weather… Are you a traveler?”
“Yes. I took a wrong turn…”
I put on my most pitiful act—and she nodded.
“No help for it. Come in.”
I stepped inside immediately.
Ah… warm!
Compared to the howling wind outside, this was heaven.
Huh?
This ordinary-looking house held several children around the boy’s age.
Where was I?
“No need to be surprised. This is an orphanage.”
As the nun spoke, my eyes drifted to the children—
and landed on a girl with black hair and crimson eyes.
Selena?
Black hair and red eyes alone weren’t proof—
but those mysteriously glowing crimson eyes could only belong to her.
Young Selena glared at me, clearly displeased.
What’s going on now?
As I pretended calmness and removed my coat—
“Oh! Hang it over there.”
The boy pointed to a coat rack.
“Thanks. What’s your name?”
I tore my gaze from Selena to ask him.
“I’m Davinus.”
What? Davinus?!
***
“Master seems to have entered properly, right?”
Hans lay motionless on the floor, face peaceful.
“It’ll be fine.”
At Leah’s words, Cecilia gaped in disbelief.
“It might not be fine! If you knew that, why didn’t you warn us earlier?”
“I don’t even know how this artifact works! I didn’t create this magic, remember?”
The King of the Dead lay bound, unconscious—and Hans showed no reaction.
Naturally, the Hero Party worried.
As Leah and Cecilia bickered, Edward stepped in:
“It’ll be alright. Lady Icira said so herself.”
The lich approached Hans.
“Light.”
He conjured a tiny flame at his fingertips, gently lifted Hans’s eyelid, and checked.
“Pupillary response is normal—he looks stable.”
He did the same to Roy.
“This one’s also stable. Don’t worry—he’ll return if he truly wishes to.”
The Hero Party sighed in relief.
“But how long will it take?”
At Scarlet’s question, Edward shook his head.
“It depends on how quickly he convinces that stubborn woman inside.”
Selena had to willingly expel Roy—
and that wouldn’t be easy.
“It can’t take too long…”
Mia looked troubled.
“Why? Something wrong?”
Everyone stared at her in confusion.
Mia’s face grew anxious.
“Isn’t the Gates of Hell still open? If the Demon King or demons escape through it… we won’t be able to stop them.”
The Hero Party suddenly remembered.
“Oh…”
They’d seen how powerful Hell’s Demon King was—
and if all demons were similarly strengthened, humanity stood no chance.
This Demon King had been vastly stronger than the one they’d first defeated.
If the entire demonic army entered the human world at that strength… it’d be unstoppable.
“But it should be okay for now—the Demon King just died recently, right?”
“Yeah.”
Leah and Cecilia spoke hurriedly, trying to reassure themselves.
“Well… for now, maybe—”
The Demon King hadn’t been dead long.
What if he resurrected and returned here?
Would he really stay put?
Mia felt uneasy about the future.
***
I sat on the sofa, observing the children.
Most watched me with curiosity—but Selena?
“Hmph.”
She met my eyes, snorted, and turned to the crackling fireplace.
Was she mad at me?
—Crackle.
Flames danced in the hearth.
Davinus looked at me curiously.
“Big brother… are you an adventurer?”
“That’s right.”
He looked so young—chubby-cheeked and cute.
Hard to believe this sweet boy would later perform so many human sacrifices.
“I want to be an adventurer too! When I grow up, I’ll be the most famous adventurer in the world!”
Sorry, kid—you’ll join a cult. A vile, heretical one at that.
I smiled bitterly inwardly.
If your dream is adventure… why join the Church of Death?
Davinus peppered me with questions:
—Where do you live, brother?
—How old are you?
—Tell me an adventure story!
I answered patiently while watching Selena out of the corner of my eye.
Each time Davinus and I laughed, she’d subtly glance my way—
as if wanting to say something but too shy to speak.
She was adorable even as a child.
As I chatted with Davinus, a voice called from afar:
“Kids! Time to eat!”
Mealtime already?
The children scrambled off.
“Brother! You have to run if you want good food!”
Davinus grabbed my hand eagerly.
“You go ahead.”
“Okay! I’ll save you a seat!”
He dashed to the dining room.
Kids really do love eating, huh?
As I thought that—
I noticed Selena, hugging a doll and staring blankly at the fireplace.
“Hey.”
She flinched at my voice.
“Aren’t you eating?”
She glanced at me, then back at the fire.
“I’m fine.”
Fine how?
“Selena? You need to eat.”
Just then, the nun appeared in the hallway.
“Guest, please join us for the meal.”
“Yes. I’ll come.”
She took Selena’s small hand and headed to the kitchen—I followed.
Children crowded around a large round table.
“Brother! Sit here!”
Davinus had saved me a spot.
“Thanks.”
“Hehe.”
Stop smiling like that—you’ll win my heart, you rascal.
Davinus was already dead—I’d confirmed his corpse.
I couldn’t understand why Selena imagined this world with him alive.
“Enjoy your meal.”
The nun brought out huge plates of tomato pasta—
hearty meatball sauce over noodles.
It looked plentiful—but with ten kids and two adults, it felt slightly insufficient.
—Let’s eat!
As they ate, one child asked:
“Sister, don’t we say grace?”
Everyone froze.
The child’s pure eyes gleamed innocently.
Other kids glared at the questioner; the nun looked flustered.
“Since we have a guest today, let’s skip it just this once. The god will understand.”
She spoke naturally—
because if they admitted they prayed to the God of Death, they’d face execution.
I pretended not to hear and kept talking to Davinus.
Soon, the meal began.
—Munch… munch…
The kids dug in. I served myself pasta from the center dish.
Watching them eat happily, I pondered my situation.
Just before, I’d seen Selena as my pregnant wife.
Now, I saw her as a child.
Why show me this?
I didn’t fully understand—but I could guess.
The first scene was likely her desired future.
According to Church of Death doctrine, when their god returns, all life dies and finds peace.
Clearly, Selena cared for me.
If her near-murder of me stemmed from religious duty, then the previous vision was her imagining life after the God of Death’s arrival—her true hope.
Then… what is this?
I glanced at the girl quietly eating pasta.
What does she wish for?
Or what does she want to show me?
I didn’t know.
That night—
The children went to their rooms to sleep.
I lay on a mat on the living room floor.
—Crackle…
I stared at the warm fireplace.
The sound of burning wood and flickering light lulled me to sleepiness.
Just as I began to doze off—
—Rustle… rustle…
Movement outside the window.
Someone out there?
I crawled toward the window.
Their movement was too stealthy for an animal.
Anxiously, I peeked out—
and saw several soldiers in leather armor.
Damn… I have no weapons here.
Naturally, my gear didn’t exist in Selena’s mindscape.
The soldiers started inspecting the house through the window.
I pressed against the wall, hiding.
When their footsteps faded, I sighed.
“Phew…”
What now?
I frantically scanned the room for anything weapon-like—
but found nothing. Not even a kitchen knife.
To my surprise, the soldiers suddenly retreated.
Leaving already?
I examined their armor—
a red cross was emblazoned on it.
That was unmistakably the Inquisitor’s sigil.
Was Selena showing me her past?
I rose and headed toward the children’s room.
—Creak.
The girls’ bedroom.
My eyes met Selena’s—still wide awake.
I gestured for her to come out.
She turned away.
Sighing inwardly, I quietly entered.
“We need to talk.”
I whispered—but she didn’t respond.
I gently touched her shoulder.
“I know you’re awake. I saw your eyes.”
—Rustle.
Finally, Selena sat up.
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