Chapter 812

〈 Chapter 812: Part 3, Chapter 1, Section 14 – Public Welfare Facility 〉

Ding ding ding, good morning!

“Time to wake up.”

As soon as I woke up, I stretched my arms toward the morning sun. Whether it was after a deep sleep in some distant world or here in Tera, my body always felt refreshingly clear every morning.

“Hm?”

In front of me, Ha was waking up with dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept all night. Her eyes were swollen from what seemed like crying all night.

“Did you cry?”

“It wasn’t crying.”

Her voice was sharp and curt. After preparing some tea in the room, I quickly boiled water and brewed a cup.

“Have a cup of tea.”

I handed her the cup.

If it had been Shin-ra, Harang, or Yuna in this situation, I might have sat beside their bed, gently stroked their hair, and consoled them. But I’m a married man.

There was an unavoidable physical contact when rescuing her from prison, but there’s no need for such contact in this situation.

“…”

But Ha glared at me angrily, as if something deeply unjust had happened. Despite her being cute and pretty, I somehow felt unfairly targeted.

I haven’t done anything wrong, right?

“If something’s bothering you, talk about it. I’ll listen.”

“There’s no way I can tell you… sir.”

“Sir?”

Suddenly using honorifics?

“I’m just a slave…”

Thud.

Before she could finish, I suddenly grabbed both her cheeks, pulling her face forward. Though her expression became comically distorted, the sadness disappeared, replaced by confusion.

“What… what are you doing?”

“Just because you’re aware of reality doesn’t mean you should dig your own grave.”

If I leave her alone, she’ll just wallow in sadness. Annoying situations are the worst. If she needs care, then proper care is necessary.

“You’re doing fine right now. If it weren’t for my mission, I would fully understand your situation and help you.”

“Aaah…”

“There’s absolutely no reason for you to be upset over this. You’re more than worthy.”

I didn’t expect her to feel so disheartened just because she was treated like a slave.

“So stop sulking. Sure, things are tough now, but remember—you’re a princess, royalty, and destined to become a high priestess one day.”

“Ugh, ugh…”

Ha clenched her fists tightly. Was she embarrassed because her face was held like that, or because she was being comforted?

“Ah, I get it…”

Her face turned red. Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine.

‘Could it be…’

No way. But based on past experiences, this seems like THAT kind of situation.

‘Does she have feelings for me?’

What possible reason could she have? Reflecting back on everything we’ve done since I brought her here…

Rescuing her from prison with a dramatic “princess carry.” Of course, grabbing a stranger like that would lower her opinion of me.

Fighting mid-air while holding her. She might’ve been scared for her life—there’s no way that would make her like me.

Treating her like a slave and making her serve me at night. That practically made her feel like a sex slave; I deserved a slap for that.

Thinking it through, there’s no logical reason for her to develop feelings. Stockholm syndrome wouldn’t happen THIS fast, and even spirits infatuate themselves slower than this.

But what if…

A married man causing her this much distress?

‘I did nothing wrong.’

It’s Ha’s fault.

‘Who told her to fall for me?’

The one who falls always loses. I know that better than anyone.

I’ll handle Ha accordingly.

Even if she were a prince instead of a princess, it’d be the same…

‘Actually, no.’

Instead of carrying her like a princess, I’d probably grab her head and fly off. I’d throw her onto the couch and sleep on the bed myself. If she looked sad, I’d kick her and say, “Are you really this weak?”

‘She’s a girl, so I let it slide.’

She should thank the heavens she’s a princess and not a prince.

* * *

When we went downstairs for breakfast, there were hardly any people around. I sat Ha in front of me and called the innkeeper over briefly.

“Excuse me.”

“What’s the matter? Is there something wrong with the food?”

“Not that. I have a question.”

I pointed at Ha.

“I’m looking for a maid uniform for this slave. Do you know where I can find a good place?”

“Maid uniforms, huh? Hmph, I see you’re in the know. If you go down this way, there’s a good shop. I’ll draw you a map.”

Men understand each other easily. Even though I felt a bit guilty for the lecherous looks he gave Ha, she’ll need to get used to such gazes eventually.

‘That was tough back then.’

Back when I was Blazing Phoenix, also known as Cheongnyeon.

Though I tried not to show it, countless men ogling me made me, even as a man, painfully aware of the dangers of “visual harassment.”

I also realized how terrifying it would be if someone mistook me for a potential conquest. Not only did I have a popularity greater than any celebrity, but there were even attempts to kidnap me—not by small-time criminals, but entire nations.

Ha will have to endure these kinds of stares. If she chooses to hide herself, she must accept the humiliation that comes with it.

“By the way, where do you plan to go next? It’s none of my business, but I hope you’ll listen out of concern.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Don’t go to the Dark Nation. There’s a war going on there.”

War.

That word sent chills down my spine.

“Why?”

“It’s nothing serious. The seven Demon Kings are fighting over the position of High Priest. I heard the current Dark Priest died in some sort of accident, so they need to choose a new one.”

“That’s news to me.”

I glanced at Ha. She looked slightly aggrieved, as if silently saying, “You didn’t ask, did you?”

“Is a High Priest higher than a Demon King?”

“Yes. The God of Darkness, also called the ‘Demon God,’ selects his priests. His criteria? The strongest being.”

“I see.”

Let me test the waters. I casually sipped my tea and gestured downward.

“How about becoming one of Bisuniya’s strongest beings? If war breaks out, it might be beneficial to have someone strong as a priest.”

“Too dangerous! Saying that could get you tied up in the square.”

The innkeeper drew a circle with his finger. I tossed him a silver coin from my pocket.

“My apologies. I’ve been away too long and lost my bearings.”

“If it were anyone else, they’d either report you immediately or take the bribe and secretly snitch later.”

“Talking about this has me worried.”

“Hahaha! Don’t worry. I know someone who got into trouble for ratting others out.”

The innkeeper pointed at the floor.

“The previous owner of this inn did the same thing—accepted a bribe and then reported someone. He got what was coming to him when the guards came back, sneaked in, and… well, it was karma for breaking trust.”

“What about this?”

I tossed another silver coin.

“Let’s set up a safety net. What do you think about the current priests of this country?”

“Is this an offer for honest information?”

“Exactly. No point in reporting each other and creating unnecessary trouble. Let’s buy mutual silence with this silver coin.”

“…Alright.”

The innkeeper glanced around cautiously. Ha straightened up, her ears perked.

“The priest chosen by the God of Light must be followed without question. In Bisuniya, what the God of Light decides is law and truth.”

“Then…!”

Ha started speaking.

“If the God made a wrong choice… Ow!”

I smacked her on the head with a spoon and threw three more coins at the innkeeper.

“That’s why she’s a slave.”

“Indeed. Blasphemy deserves punishment.”

Ha glared at me indignantly but soon bowed her head, realizing her mistake.

“Understand this. I hate the current priest immensely. Even though I’m a slave, I support the princess.”

“Princess? The one who does nothing? If the princess becomes a priest…”

The innkeeper smirked and shook his head.

“I don’t know what the God is thinking, but if He chose the princess, there must be a reason.”

“Right. What the God decrees is law.”

“Exactly. Those who defy the God or commit blasphemy receive punishment. Oh, before you go shopping for clothes, check out the building next door. You’ll see something interesting.”

“Interesting?”

“Well, not quite for the lady you brought along…”

The innkeeper’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

“But it has its own charm.”

* * *

In the Kingdom of Bisuniya, rape is a crime.

Despite being a nation that promotes free love, violating someone’s freedom is considered a major offense.

However, in a country where rape doesn’t exist unless chaos corrupts the environment, such crimes are impossible.

How does the most sexually liberated country achieve this?

The answer lies in the brothel the innkeeper mentioned.

[Stick it in the hole you desire!]

[Free. No charge.]

“Crazy.”

Inside the building, there were several holes in the walls. Behind each hole, buttocks protruded.

Some were upside-down, others exposed only their groin, and a few were lying flat.

Seems like the preferences of the women stuck in those holes.

“Here for some action? Doesn’t look like you’re the type to put your companion in one of those.”

“Are there people like that?”

“Yeah, sometimes women come alone and feel safer with someone else around.”

The man, who looked like a manager, pointed at various “holes.”

“Feel free to use them.”

“Does it cost money?”

“Money? Why pay for public property? This isn’t a brothel. People these days are strange. Did you come from abroad?”

“I did, from Water Country.”

Using that as an excuse, I turned my attention to Ha. Her head was lowered, seemingly out of shame.

Because of the state of the women here? No.

Ha feels embarrassed because she inadvertently revealed this aspect of the country’s sexual culture to me.

“Personally, I recommend that hole over there. Can’t disclose identities, but… the women who wait here hoping to be taken are top-notch.”

“Haha, really?”

Amazing how many women are willing to be used by any man.

Karna suddenly came to mind.

She may have been promiscuous, but she set conditions, allowing only those who defeated her to have their way with her.

Maybe Seongju restricted Gaechonkwang from indiscriminately bedding people by imposing similar conditions. Scary.

Is the God of Light truly righteous?

“Really… huh?”

Suddenly.

Looking at the hole the manager recommended, I shivered.

A familiar-looking vagina.

“…Delphia?”

“Aaaah!”

Meeting Delphia was the worst possible scenario.