After Returning to My Room

Hieronymus had left, and as expected, Hyungkeshni removed her gloves to inspect my hands.

Then, she bent down to examine my knees as well. Hmm. Did she perhaps do something to this area too?

Good thing I reset my entire body. Moments like these remind me that letting my guard down can be dangerous.

Two months is a short time to open up to someone. If it’s someone you barely know, maybe that’s different—but especially if it’s a dangerous beast.

Accidents tend to happen when you’re careless, don’t they? In that sense, Hyungkeshni’s cautious behavior is impressive. She’s doing well.

From my perspective, being on the receiving end is exhausting. But that level of vigilance is probably why she’s managed to survive this long.

Having realized that Hieronymus is connected to the Yongrang Theocracy, I reviewed memories related to people from there.

That’s where the name “Witch of Ecstasy” appeared here and there.

The records I skimmed weren’t detailed, but they showed mentions of her from at least a hundred years ago.

But isn’t it odd that someone who was a target of the Yongrang Theocracy’s eradication efforts is now working alongside a high-ranking individual from there?

I don’t have enough information yet.

Hieronymus seems to be letting his guard down now, but looking at his position, it might not be entirely true. He’s far better at deceiving people than someone like me could ever be.

What’s the point of reading emotions from his expression if I can’t extract critical information?

So I act docile. I’ll stay quiet, as though I know nothing.

Of course, I don’t know everything.

Just a little. I know things others don’t.

For instance, a little while ago, Tischa was fighting soldiers of the Cogni Kingdom alongside Future Hope Sect members. He was hit by an arrow and fell off a cliff, failing his mission.

But it was all part of his plan.

When he fell, Tischa was smiling.

It was a height that would have killed an ordinary person instantly, but Tischa survived even after both his legs suffered compound fractures.

And his legs healed immediately.

Didn’t I mention it? Tischa has exceptional regenerative powers. He’s been testing them in secret, careful not to let anyone notice.

All of this was to escape from the Future Hope Sect. By leading the sect members to an obvious position and allowing himself to be struck and fall, he likely intended for the sect to believe he had died.

He was swept along the river current for a long time before reaching the shore. After pulling the arrow from his body and surveying his surroundings, he began walking without hesitation.

Tischa will become a threat to the Future Hope Sect.

Why? Because he possesses a wealth of information.

Details about what seems to be the heart of the sect, the people who receive blessings, the one who bestows blessings—that is, me. And on top of that, he himself wields considerable power.

Regeneration.

Regenerative powers are often undervalued, but they’re incredibly formidable. They allow someone to remain in peak condition at all times.

No matter how injured they are, no matter how many fatal wounds they sustain.

The ability to start over is astonishing.

Imagine wielding a sword. If your arm gets severed during a fight, the battle is over for you.

But Tischa can start again.

Isn’t that extraordinary?

It’s like when someone with a lot of money fails but manages to succeed through sheer effort. For someone without money, getting back up after a failure is much harder.

One person trips, braces themselves with their hands, shakes off the dust, and moves forward. Another person trips and tumbles all the way to the bottom of the abyss, shackled by chains of debt on their limbs.

Exactly.

Tischa possesses an incredible asset: the chance to start over. The only ability more valuable would be the power to turn back time.

As long as he avoids instant death, he can manage somehow.

So, a person blessed with such powerful abilities has escaped from the Future Hope Sect.

Hehe.

I don’t know what he plans to do now, but good luck, Tischa.

I hope you bring back a lot of warmth. Thinking this, I began preparing to head out.

Isn’t it time for some exercise?

Eight Days Since Tischa Escaped the Future Hope Sect

I’m running with Joanna. In this world, there are no weekends or holidays, so every day feels the same.

After performing blessings, I return to my room, change clothes, and go exercise.

It’s just running for an hour, but still.

And now, someone is observing me. I’m not talking about the two warriors caught under Joanna’s watchful eye.

I mean the increasing number of cultists watching me from quite a distance.

Yes.

The more I run outside, the more people notice me. I worried that sweating and running might seem too human, damaging my image as an apostle.

But since Hieronymus hasn’t imposed any restrictions, it must be fine.

In fact, I faintly sense a condescending attitude toward me, which puts me at ease.

Yes, please keep underestimating me.

It’ll make it easier for me to figure out how to summon myself. Even though I might be too clueless to let it slip intentionally, I don’t only learn by asking questions.

And there’s someone else.

Hyungkeshni.

She likely knows the summoning technique as well. Having lived for over a hundred years, being connected to the Yongrang Theocracy, and bearing the title of a witch—it’s less likely she doesn’t know.

But she’s so guarded that I’ve decided to set her aside for now. If she keeps staring at me like that, it feels like she might figure me out.

And finally, on the eighth day.

My outdoor exercises paid off.

Someone came to me.

A man with blonde hair and blue eyes, of average build. I’d only met him once before, but he had been of great help to me.

He was the one who gave me the opportunity to move from the basement to a room on the first floor.

He introduced himself as Andrew.

“It’s been a while, Lady Rebecca.”

It was right after I finished exercising. At a place along my usual running path with many protruding stone pillars, a location difficult for others who might be observing me to find. He stood there.

“Hello, Andrew.”

“I’m truly glad you remembered my name. Do you enjoy life outside?”

His face was adorned with a friendly smile, but I could tell it was a fabricated expression. Surprisingly, though, he wasn’t overly tense.

The fact that he mentioned “life outside” right off the bat was likely an intentional move, implying that I should think I owe my time outside to him.

And hidden beneath that was a subtle expectation of gratitude.

So, I gave him what he wanted.

“Yes. I like it.”

Andrew smiled, satisfied. I stared at him, waiting to hear what he would say next.

“I’m glad to hear that. Are there any other inconveniences? After all, you’ve been running along these dusty paths. If it’s something you were forced into, I can take action.”

Oh?

Ah, I see.

To someone not accustomed to such behavior, my running might seem like it carries some ulterior motive. I shook my head side to side.

“A human body weakens if it doesn’t run. To maintain this body, I have to run.”

At my words, a faint glimmer of sharp intent flashed in his eyes but disappeared just as quickly. What could he be thinking? Perhaps something like whether he could kill me?

“Would it be bad if your body weakened?”

“If a human body weakens, doesn’t it die?”

It sounded like he wanted to ask if I would be in danger if I became weak, so I twisted his question into something more extreme before throwing it back at him.

He was there when I was summoned to this world, so he should already know that I’m a beast in human guise.

“I see.”

A short silence.

If I can die like a human, how will you interpret that?

“I came to see you out of concern that you might be living uncomfortably. Are there any particular difficulties?”

He deflected the conversation.
Since I had been deliberately giving him responses that seemed childishly simple, I wanted him to speak clearly and directly, without dancing around his intentions.

That way, I can grasp your desires.

For example, are you on Hieronymus’s side, or not?

I’m about 80% sure he’s an enemy of Hieronymus, but it’s also possible they’re working together behind the scenes, so I’m determined to tread carefully here.

It’s safer to assume that the Future Hope Sect doesn’t operate with a singular mindset, reducing the chances of a mistake.

For now, I’ll stick to the facts. If he’s planning something, the information I provide will be useful. If not, just sharing the facts won’t cause any problems.

So, let’s plant seeds carefully and observe.

“No.”

When I answered while staring straight at him, he masked his bored expression with a smile.

“It seems Lady Rebecca doesn’t have many desires. It’s a pity I can’t offer more to you, even if I wanted to.”

Hehe.

Yes, this is bait. The same bait they used to fish me out of that cold sea before.

I know. I’m fully aware.

This bait is dangerous if mishandled. But I don’t need to hold back.

Why? Because I don’t overthink things; I can simply articulate what I want directly.

“If you’re going to give me something, I want warmth. I need more than I’m receiving now. Three people a day isn’t enough. Even if each day brought the same level of warmth, some days, the combined warmth of all three doesn’t even surpass one from the previous day. Without warmth, it’s cold. So, if possible, give me more.”

I expressed my desire plainly. To avoid any misunderstanding about what I meant by “warmth,” I clarified that I was referring to needing sacrifices.

Three people a day.

Anyone in a position like his would know that even on days when blessings are given instead of sacrifices, three people still disappear.

Now.

I’ve bitten the bait. How will you respond, Andrew?

Andrew asked me, “If you could obtain more warmth, could you provide more blessings?”

He’s reeling in the line.

“Until now, it’s been three people, but with a little more effort, I think I could manage four. In return, I’d like to have more warmth. Not just one, but more.”

Up until now, it’s been a one-to-one ratio. But why not express the desire for more? It’s a pure, unadulterated want. Nothing to argue with.

“Understood. Thank you for your answer, Lady Rebecca.”

Andrew bowed his head. When he raised it again, his face revealed an expression brimming with desire.

Hehe.

Yes. He took the bait.

Now, let’s see how things will unfold.