Chapter 27

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Chapter 27

“Perhaps… Did you tell Fren this?” Yuria looked at the man with question marks over her face.

“If by ‘Fren’ you mean that little boy, then I’m afraid so.”

“Ah…”

At that moment, Yuria seemed to understand what had happened between the man and Fren, and why Fren had rushed toward him. From the child’s point of view, the man’s words must have sounded like he was trying to steal his precious perdón from him. He wouldn’t sit still. But it didn’t seem to be the man’s fault either. It didn’t look like he would try to take her by force.

The man acted like a doctor as per her request and didn’t act as if he would take her forcefully. In the end, it wasn’t the fault of either party, but rather a mismatch of interests. In fact, the man didn’t try to hurt Fren. So Yuria decided to just move on regarding this episode. Since she had received help from him anyway, it would be churlish to make him responsible.

However, before that, there was something to be sure about.

“I like this place.”

It was a soft refusal of the man’s offer. His brows furrowed. He seemed taken aback as if he didn’t know Yuria would reject his proposal. So far, he had never failed to achieve what he wanted. The opponent absolutely obeyed, no matter what or who they were, and there could be no refusal. However, there was no way he could treat Yuria as if dealing with his subordinates. Yet, he had no intention of backing down, so the man opened his mouth again as if to persuade Yuria.

“If you go with me, you will enjoy only the best. Nothing will make you suffer nor will it be painful.”

“My home is here. And the place where I need to be is by Fren’s side.”

“If you want, bring the newborn with you.”

The man only wanted Yuria, but he was willing to do that much for her. It wouldn’t be easy to settle in and adjust to an unfamiliar place anyway, but it would be much better if she brought something she could lean on.

“It’s not me who decides it, it’s Fren.”

As the man said, if she could go with Fren, the thing that bothered her the most would be resolved. Anyway, to Yuria, this place or whatever the place that man was saying, all of it was the same for her, it was unfamiliar. However, as it was related to Fren’s future, it was not something she could decide carelessly.

[tl/n: I love how she’s thinking about going with some weird dude that treats her like a small pet lmao]

The most important thing to Yuria was Fren’s opinion. She had no intention of doing anything if he didn’t want to.

“Even for the newborn, it would be better for you to go with me than to stay here.”

He was a hybrid of demons and humans. Neither the demon world nor the human world would be favorable to Fren and would only make Fren uncomfortable, but the demon world would be better than the human world. At least as long as the blood of the devil was in him, it would be almost impossible to safely integrate into the human world.

In particular, humans were quite hostile to demons. It seemed that until now, the fact that he was of mixed blood with demons hadn’t been detected, but if the fact that had demon’s blood was discovered, he would be chased by the temple or worse. Even if it weren’t for that, there was no one here to help Fren, who had the demon’s blood flowing through his veins.

If he rampages again or if there was a problem during awakening, he would have to endure it alone. As a result, no one knew what kind of situation the newborn would be in. But in the demon world, it was different. The man himself would be there, and even if it wasn’t him, some demons would help Fren during a crisis. Even if the demons weren’t friendly to Fren, no one would easily touch the child as long as he was under the protection of the man.

“Anyway, it’s up to Fren to decide.”

She simply respected Fren’s opinion and followed him.

‘Tch.’ At Yuria’s declaration, the man looked at Fren with a bit of annoyance.

‘Will that newborn listen to me and follow me?’ Considering his attitude before, the possibility was extremely low. In front of Fren, the man showed a sense of monopoly and possessiveness toward Yuria. As such, Fren wouldn’t accept his proposal. It wouldn’t be difficult to subdue him by force, but… Even that wasn’t possible.

“I’m not going to take you right away anyway, so I’ll give you time to think.”

He came to see her today, just to suggest that she come to the castle with him, not to take her right away. Because the man had not yet found a way to return to the demon realm. Thus, there was plenty of time to think until then.

“…Alright.”

Considering the day’s events, Yuria thought it would be helpful for Fren to be with the man. If a situation like today happened again, there was nothing she could do for him. That was why Yuria didn’t refuse right on the spot.

The man felt a little satisfied with the answer and spoke for the last time before leaving.

“My name is Cain. It’s my name that only you are allowed to call. If you ever need my help, call my name. Perhaps sooner than later you will need me.”

Fortunately, today’s crisis was resolved well, but it was not totally reassuring. Due to the rampage, the energy of the newborn was stimulated, as a result, it was possible to go through a period of awakening somewhat prematurely. The awakening of a young demon was not something she could resolve alone. Also, the first awakening was the only thing a devil had to fulfill as his duty as a parent. The newborn was his own child, and he was the only one who could help him to go through it.

“My name is Yuria.”

The man who had finally heard her name from her own mouth smiled brightly. Her name, like her, was lovely. Just hearing that name made his heart race. His normally empty and cool heart filled with warmth. It felt like his heart had finally found its owner.

“Remember, Yuria. We’ll meet again.”

‘Whenever she needs my help, I’ll show up in front of her at any time.’

At Cain’s parting words, Yuria just looked at him quietly. She couldn’t imagine why she would need his help. She hoped that wouldn’t happen. As such, she couldn’t say anything in reply.

Cain sent a friendly gaze toward Yuria, leaving behind his regret, and left the house.

‘I’ll see you again soon anyway.’

For the present, it was good to step down smoothly today. It would be difficult for the newborn to come to his senses and rush toward me. Only then the energy that had barely settled would lose its reason and would run wild again.

Cain disappeared, and Yuria lay in bed and looked at Fren, who was sleeping soundly.

“…Fren.”

When she reached out and grabbed Fren’s hand, some warmth had returned to the child’s cold hands.

“Thank God.”

‘I didn’t lose you.’

That night, Yuria did not sleep. She stayed by Fren’s side the whole time. Even if he was better now, it was impossible to know what else could happen while she was asleep. There was nothing she could do for him, so she wanted to stay by his side at least. Thus, when Fren wakes up, he would see her and feel relieved. So he would be tenderly touched and comforted at any time to relieve his anxiousness.

‘From now on, I will never leave your side.’

Today’s event, which was anyone’s fault, felt ultimately like her fault, so Yuria looked at Fren and made such a promise.

After the runaway energy had calmed down and he fell asleep, Fren dreamed. There, he was alone, and he immediately looked for Yuria. Where Yuria was, was Fren. Fren without Yuria was not Fren. Without Yuria, Fren became a monster, a demon, and a scum.

But what Fren saw was pitch black darkness. The child trembled in fear. Until now, he had never been afraid of anyone. No situation was scary. It was just anger and pain. But after meeting Yuria, Fren knew fear and terror.

Then,

A hazy figure appeared.

It shone like Yuria.

–Baby.

The calm voice was sweet. However, since it was not Yuria, Fren did not believe the voice. Yuria was the only one that Fren could trust.

–Because of her, you have a chance to start a new life.

Fren quietly looked at the figure.

–You have to choose. Will you walk the new path she made, or will you go down that terrible and painful path again?

The figure looked at Fren with pity.

“Yuri shouldn’t be hurt.”

He couldn’t understand what terrible and painful path the figure was talking about. However, if that path was painful for Yuria, he would never choose that path.

–That’s a relief. You met a really nice person.

The figure was relieved. She was more wonderful than it had thought. It thought that if she had the light of her soul, she would be able to care for Fren’s wounds. And, more than expected, she gave Fren a lot of heart. Fren’s heart, which had been shattered to pieces, was slowly finding its shape. A hue was forming in Fren’s heart, which had only been black.

–Baby, do you want to be strong?

At the figure’s question, Fren instinctively nodded.

–Then you must choose. With great power comes great responsibility. What power would you choose?

There were many kinds of strength. And the strength depends on what kind of effect its will has. A power strong enough to destroy the world. Or the power to kill and trample someone. And… The power to protect someone.

Depending on Fren’s choice, the path he walks and his ending could be different.

“I…”

Before Fren could say anything, he woke up. When he opened his eyes, Yuria was there.

Yuria filled Fren’s whole heart.

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