Chapter: 833
I enjoyed my outing with the apostle.
I stepped where I wanted to go, where my heart led, wherever I glanced. Not to avoid someone or hide my body, but purely by my own will.
What a joyful thing this is! How rare it is to wander freely without a worry or concern—what a blessing that is!
‘Of course, I never appreciated it when it was normal.’
Back when I was called Death, reigning in fear over all life. Back then, these free steps felt completely natural.
Who would dare to stop me? Who would so boldly obstruct Death’s march? Therefore, the freedom to roam was something I took for granted, an unshakeable common sense.
But that common sense crumbled, and I was left in a dark pit for hundreds of years. After barely escaping prison, I’ve lived as Jangsaeng, taking on roles I had never experienced during my long life, including being a caregiver.
Now, I’ve gotten used to the caregiver role and accepted that I have no more divinity left, and I can never reign as Death again.
‘Still, difficult is difficult.’
Of course, if simply acknowledging my situation meant I felt no fatigue, the concept of rebellion wouldn’t exist in this world.
So, I escaped. Since I’m destined to be a caregiver for the children for my entire life, I definitely need some appropriate freedom and rest.
I wasn’t even planning to run away completely; I just wanted to step away for a moment. That’s not a huge desire, right? I was indulging in a greed my master could understand.
“Death—”
“Don’t call me Death right now.”
As I was extending compliments to my self-restraint and patience, the apostle tried to speak up, and I momentarily stopped her.
“We’re truly enjoying our freedom after a long time. If our true identities are revealed, this freedom will end swiftly. For now, call me Jangsaeng instead of Death outside.”
“Ho-how could I dare?!”
“This is for our great endeavor. Regardless of what you call me, it doesn’t change the fact that you are my apostle.”
At that, Rysianne’s eyes became a little misty.
“I will remember, Jangsaeng!”
“Hmm.”
I nodded appreciatively at the apostle, who was bowing on the floor.
She truly is a loyal subordinate. While I was sealed away by Enen, wasting meaningless time, she found fragments of my power and transcended humanity. Her faith and loyalty are extraordinary, proportional to her abilities. What a fine subordinate she is!
If not meeting such a subordinate during the religious wars was my failure, then meeting her late could only be called a miracle.
“Apostle. Get on my back.”
Perhaps it was just that; I granted my back to this wonderful and loyal apostle.
“W-What?”
“I said to get on my back. Come on, hop on!”
As I lay flat on the ground, the apostle began to shake her head, worried that her head might fall off.
“N-no! I absolutely can’t! How could I do such a sacrilegious thing!”
I felt both pride and bittersweetness at her words. She knows well what the little ones do to me when I’m in the mansion.
I’m constantly squished, barely holding it together, and stretched in various directions. The level of sacrilege might as well be regarded as blasphemy!
Despite having witnessed that pitiful scene, she still mentions sacrilege over riding on my back. How loyal and devout can one be?
“Get on. It’s cumbersome to adjust to your pace, so it’s better to move together.”
“I’m too inexperienced to impose on you, Jangsaeng!”
“Enough with the excuses, just climb on. This is the last time I’m saying it.”
Finally, the apostle cautiously hopped on my back.
It should have been done sooner. Now I can move around freely!
Sadly, the appearance of me and my apostle isn’t intimidating at all. I’m more like a puppy than a dog, and the apostle barely resembles anything more than a tiny doll.
Thus was born the combination of ‘a puppy carrying a doll on its back.’ Perfect to attract the attention of humans.
“Oh my, look at that one. Did it run away or something?”
“Given its soft fur, I bet the owner spoils it. Must’ve escaped while the owner was distracted!”
As I stepped into the bustling crowd, hands unexpectedly reached for us from all directions.
I was used to it by now; being petted left and right as I walked was just another day in my life.
“What’s that doll on top?”
“Hmm, it looks clean, so it seems like a recent toy—could the owner have some young kids?”
“Oh, then it’s run away with their toys? The owner must be worried sick!”
Meanwhile, the apostle maintained an unmoving stance and silence, leading nearby humans to mistake her for a doll.
Of course, that reaction makes sense. With human narrowness of thought, how could they possibly comprehend what’s on my back? It’s only natural that they reach the obvious and mundane conclusion of it being a doll.
“Where did you come from? If you know your home, we can take you back—”
“Tailglehen.”
“Huh?”
“I came from Count Tailglehen’s mansion.”
As I replied to the human petting my head, the nearby people froze.
They reacted this way after I answered their question? What an outrageously rude bunch!
“W-wait, did it just speak? That was just now?!”
“No, more than that, it said Tailglehen. Was it Count Tailglehen’s pet?”
“Now that you mention it… didn’t the Count have another pet already…?”
Soon, they began to whisper among themselves, completely ignoring me and the apostle.
How infuriating. If they knew my true identity, they’d be apologizing without delay. How dare they treat me, an indispensable being in my master’s household, like some ordinary beast, especially when I’m cherished by the master’s children?
“I didn’t run away; I just stepped out for a bit. I’ll return on my own when the time is right, so just step aside and let me through!”
Even so, this precious free time I have can’t be wasted on expressing displeasure and anger.
“Ah, yes. Sure.”
“Uh, please, go on ahead. We’re sorry for stopping you.”
At my firm declaration, the humans seemed to sense my authority and stepped aside, creating a path.
Though I might be small now and lack divinity, I was once a god. Scolding an ordinary human is absolutely within my rights. It seems my dignity hasn’t entirely vanished after all.
“Be careful from now on.”
Thanks to that, my irritation eased a bit. If they recognize my dignity, I could spare some mercy and forgive them.
“Wow. I heard that the Count has many peculiar treasures, but I never expected to see a talking beast.”
“Definitely a pet from the Count… right? Only the Emperor or Count would keep something like that!”
As I walked past the humans with light steps, I heard more whispers from behind.
While it seemed that they were more intimidated by the master’s dignity behind me, I decided not to concern myself with it.
*
About an hour after the news of Jangsaeng’s escape—
“We’ve received information that the Count’s pet is wandering around the Capital.”
A message flew in from the head of the Capital’s security forces.
“However, it claims to be under the Count’s protection… we are trying to confirm this with you, Count.”
The expression of the security chief, who contacted us first, was exceedingly complex.
I understand. To refer to an animal as ‘self-proclaimed,’ what sort of bizarre expression is that? It’s no wonder the chief’s face twisted oddly.
“Yes, it’s a clever little guy who can speak and think deeply. Recently, he seemed a bit bored, so I let him out for a while. Has he caused a ruckus in the Capital?”
“No way. Because he’s under your guidance, he’s quite gentle and wise. In fact, the citizens are rather startled to see him; I’m worried they might annoy him.”
Regardless of my politeness in replying, the chief waved his hand and continued speaking.
Gentle and wise, huh? While it’s true that he’s clever, I doubt he’s ‘gentle.’ Is he quietly enjoying the rare freedom he gets?
“Then, I’ll instruct my troops to be especially careful to ensure that your pet returns home safely.”
In the meantime, the chief mentioned a VIP escort operation targeting Jangsaeng.
While I appreciate the courtesy, it’s unnecessary. I’ve already placed a tracking spell on him when I took Titi out for a walk. It’s surprisingly useful magic, and I’ve put it on all the animals, including Titi. Even if Jangsaeng did escape, I could catch him within five minutes if I really wanted to.
Asking for an escort for Jangsaeng would just be wasting the security forces’ resources. That’s disgraceful for someone of noble status.
“It’s fine. The Capital is always safe thanks to the security forces and the Imperial Guard; why would I ask for separate measures? I sent him out because I trust the safety of the Capital.”
“Truly kind words, but I can’t guarantee how the citizens will react to such a peculiar creature.”
“Is that so?”
I stroked my chin thoughtfully at the head’s remarks.
If he’s insisting so much, it would be unwise to keep refusing. If I kept denying, he’d be left feeling uneasy the whole day.
“Then please just confirm whether he is inside or outside the Capital.”
At my suggestion, the chief nodded eagerly.
Checking if Jangsaeng is within the Capital or not. It’s a simple task, one that could be managed just by keeping an eye on the gates, but the chief would likely assign a couple of guards as a formality to walk with him.
That’s wasted manpower, but what can you do? It’s necessary to ease the chief’s concerns.
*
Disaster struck.
“Huh? Jangsaeng? Rysianne?”
“Oh.”
“Ugh.”
Unfortunately, I stumbled upon disaster while wandering around.
“Jangsaeng! Rysianne! Did you both come out knowing I was coming?!”
There’s simply no escaping from this calamity.
“…Apostle! Split up!”
“Y-yes?!”
“One of us will enjoy this freedom and go back! If we split up and travel in different directions, one of us will get away!”
And so, as soon as I spotted the disaster, I made my decision.
Right now, I suggested we escape in different directions. If one of us could successfully flee, we could both savor a little moment of this dreamlike freedom before returning home.
“Jangsaeng! How could I escape while leaving you behind?”
“This isn’t running! It’s a strategic retreat!”
I snapped at the hesitant apostle. I know her loyalty, but right now, following my words would be the truest act of loyalty.
“Get down! And run! Quick!”
Surely the Crown Princess prioritizes capturing me over the apostle.
In that case, I would sacrifice this body that can hardly be called a god to save the apostle. If you truly are my apostle, do not let this sacrifice go to waste!
“Just… Jangsaeng! Please make it out safely!”
Fortunately, it seemed the apostle understood my intention, quickly jumping off my back to run.
Not even a minute passed before we were both captured. Not by the Crown Princess, but by another being.
“Lady’s maid! Thank you!”
It was due to the head maid who always accompanied the Crown Princess.
How foolish I was. If I was being shadowed by that energetic Crown Princess, it was only natural that the maid’s stamina would be inhuman…
“Damn it.”
Is this where my freedom ends?
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