I Became the Burden of a Conscienceless Party

199 – Side Story 2. The Story After, Irina (2)

The story afterward, Irina (2)

Irina’s expression was the epitome of a pitiful girl. Should I say that it aroused my protective instinct to want to hug her?

Is that acting? Is it real? I hesitate because I can’t decide.

Even if this were an act, it would be so pitiful that I would want to be fooled.

That fatal charm.

I can’t tell if it’s just a coincidence that she’s showing me that now, or if she’s hiding something and trying to lure me in.

If this is simply a temptation for me, then I may not be able to resist it depending on the situation.

However, it was only recently that I came across the madness of Tina and Milia.

And I’m sorry to say this, but Irina also has a madness that is no less than those two.

I think she’s kind and loving, but… … .

Can’t you say that you haven’t seen the appearance that is shown sometimes?

“… … I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

“Oh, no. I just thought you might be thinking that, but that would never happen!”

Even though I was being careful, my mouth reacted first to the guilty words that followed.

But, isn’t that okay?

It’s just a word.

“That’s good. I thought Mr. Jim had lost interest in me… … .”

“No way! I love Irina so much.”

“is that so?”

Only then did Irina smile.

At this point, it doesn’t matter what mistake I made, right?

That’s why I like it so much.

“Haha! What a relief!”

“As expected, the saint is definitely receiving God’s favor!”

“Yes! That’s right!”

“… … .”

For some reason, the carriage outside became noisy.

I wonder if this wasn’t Irina’s trick to start talking in unison as if she had been listening to this conversation from the beginning without saying a word.

A public figure in front of a large crowd.

Maybe they are even filming a video.

Because that’s Irina’s specialty.

Since she often stands in front of people, it seems like she thinks crowd psychology is important.

Of course, even without that, it’s clear that I care for her… … .

Maybe they are trying to use this to keep others in check.

“… … That’s ridiculous.”

Actually, looking at Irina’s reaction, it’s confusing to know whether this was ordered or a coincidence.

Each and every expression expresses such clear emotions that it makes me think they might be made up.

Irina’s acting is so perfect that it is impossible to tell the difference.

If other people have a suspicious aura that can’t be hidden behind a smile, Irina doesn’t have that.

There has never been a time when I have not fallen for Irina’s tricks.

“Oh, shall we sleep here tonight? Mr. Jim woke up a little while ago, so he might not be able to sleep, but I think it’s time to set up camp.”

“Oh, I’m fine. You don’t have to cater to me too much… … .”

“… …Mr. Jim is now the Demon King. Have you forgotten?”

“Oh, right. Ahem… … . But that’s okay. It’s not a problem.”

I was so busy working that I forgot that I was the Demon King.

Are you telling me not to worry about what will happen if I treat the king of a country poorly?

I really don’t care, but I know very well that this kind of consideration can be poisonous to people who don’t know me well.

Wasn’t that damn ‘consideration’ the reason I wanted to quit the warrior party right away?

I couldn’t stand that excuse at all. Of course, now I know it was all on purpose…

Because I couldn’t doubt it.

Other people will be similar.

“Then I’ll let you know that you can set up camp now. Mr. Jim, you can rest here. Oh! I’m just saying this just in case… … .”

“There will be no escape.”

“That’s fortunate. If Mr. Jim suddenly disappeared, everyone here would have to go look for him.”

“… … .”

“Mr. Jim is the king of a country.”

Is this it?!

Is this why you brought along the Paladins and the Priests? To control my every action?!

Irina’s belated realization of her clever plan sends shivers down my spine.

Escaping is a nuisance. I knew that and did it anyway because I had been suffering at the hands of the warrior party.

Running away from those who tormented me was not an escape, it was an escape. It was never an act of nuisance.

But these are not.

They just followed Irina and are not devout believers.

Among them, there are some who seem to have gone on a pilgrimage with their old bodies.

If I were to run away from here… … .

“Cough! Cough!”

“Ah! Father Cistus! I told you not to follow me!”

“This is the place where God is served. Even though I am old and shabby, how could I miss this precious opportunity?”

“But, priest! Your back is not good, so riding in a carriage will be very difficult for you. I’m telling you, you’ll really die if you keep doing this.”

“What is there to fear about death? Even if you die, you will only enter the cycle of reincarnation. Just being able to serve God up close to this old man is like achieving a lifelong dream, so don’t worry about it.”

“… … .”

Voices are heard at that moment.

no.

No, really.

You’re not telling me this on purpose, are you?

Was this something you designed and brought in from the beginning?

If this happens, even when the time comes to run away, you won’t be able to run away.

How could I run away leaving someone who is weaker than me?

He even came to see me!

This can’t be happening. Even though I’ve already given up on escaping, I’m afraid of every single one of Irina’s methods.

“Saint, I heard there is a lake nearby. There is already enough water to cover the area, and there are no people around, so it seems like it would be okay to take a bath and cleanse yourself.”

“Is that so? Thank you for letting me know. As a body that serves God most closely, I should purify my body and mind. I will go right away.”

“……yes!”

Irina answered in a businesslike yet friendly voice.

Then, the voice of the female believer outside was filled with joy.

A saint from the warrior party who has gained overwhelming trust from religious figures.

That’s Irina’s current position. That’s what I hoped for.

“Then, Mr. Jim, is it okay if I go out for a bit and come back?”

Irina smiled as she said that. However, that smile was quite different from the pure and pitiful girlish smile she had shown until now.

It’s a strange smile.

“… … .”

gulp.

Even though it is so different from his usual appearance, it is easy to guess the meaning of that smile, making me swallow dry saliva.

This is temptation.

The temptation is that if you want to see something, you can come see it since it is a place with no people.

And if I just move in the direction Irina is, it will be on everyone’s lips.

“no…….”

That’s not exactly a bad thing, is it?

Even though we’re rumored to be on good terms, we’re already a married couple.

I don’t think it would be a problem if rumors spread that Geumseul is a good couple.

Maybe this would help Irina. Yes, if just showing that she was on good terms with the many believers would raise her status within the sect… … .

There’s no harm in helping out.

“Ahem!”

“Ah! Your Majesty! Is there anything you would like to ask?”

The moment they got out of the carriage with determination, the believers all bowed their heads.

When I first met him, he felt intimidated, but now that I look back, he may have just been warmly welcoming me.

But, it’s a bit excessive.

It makes me sad to see the old man bowing his head and prostrating himself on the floor.

Isn’t that the guy? The guy who said his back hurt earlier?

“… … Well, I’d like to go for a walk.”

“I see! I need an escort… … . Huh?!”

“Have a nice day, Your Majesty!”

One of the knights who was declaring his escort without notice falls over.

Looking closely, I saw a female disciple standing behind the knight.

When I recalled the voice, it was the same voice as the believer who had come to report to Irina earlier that he had found the lake.

Was that a slap? To shut up the mouth of someone who was talking nonsense?

I guess I’ll have to accept this level of design. This is inevitable.

Under the pretense of going for a walk, I trudged towards the lake where Irina had gone to take a bath.

***

I hadn’t heard of the lake’s location, but I had no trouble finding it.

This is because the route was already cleanly laid out, so all you had to do was walk.

As soon as we arrived at the lake, Irina appeared.

“Wow, you came.”

Irina giggles.

The smile was one that simultaneously conveyed the mischievousness of a girl and the alluring charm of an adult woman.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, but the expression on your face is so clear.

Amazingly enough.

“Is it burdensome?”

“… … .”

“This is the current state of the Celestial Church. They are very arrogant. But, Mr. Jim, this is what I think.”

After a brief silence accompanied by the sound of running water, Irina spoke.

“It is now time for the Celestial Spirit Sect to disappear.”

“… … .”

“Don’t you think so?”

“Yes? What did you say?”

“… … .”

I’m really sorry, but I couldn’t hear you because I was looking at your flesh-colored skin through your thin, clingy clothes that were soaking wet.