Chapter 350 Side Story (Complete)
“Hoho, it seems Martina got pretty tired from us all hanging out together after a long time. She had dinner and went straight to bed, and now she’s fast asleep.”
As the night grew dark, Alicia said with a cheerful smile.
In her arms, Rita was curled up, blinking his sleepy eyes.
Rita was drifting between sleep and reality. As Alicia gently stroked his back a few times, the time he spent with his eyes closed gradually extended.
“…M-Mom.”
And just like that, Rita completely fell into the world of dreams following Martina.
Alicia planted a soft kiss on Rita’s cheek. Strangely enough, unlike in the morning, Rita’s furrowed brow smoothed out.
“Si-hu, I’ll go put Rita back in bed.”
Even when Rita drifted off to sleep, he always sensed the moment he wasn’t in Alicia’s embrace, like a ghost. Thus, it usually required putting him down twice, and each time Alicia’s help was needed.
As Alicia whispered gently, I had to respond quietly as well.
“Sorry, but could you help out?”
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. Watching the children sleep is one of my joys. Besides, you had it tough with Martina back then, right?”
It wasn’t the case now, but when Martina was Rita’s age, she couldn’t sleep deeply without me around.
Maybe it’s because they’re siblings or maybe not, but there’s something oddly similar yet different about them in strange ways.
“Well then, I’ll be right back.”
With a smile, Alicia took Rita to the bedroom.
I remained on the living room sofa, exhaling as I stirred my mana.
My mana circuits were practically destroyed, to say the least. I had to forcefully restore them to move my body, but the problem was that it came with intense pain.
“…Ugh.”
Whenever I had to do this in front of Alicia, I felt like I’d always end up looking like I was about to cry, so it was hard to proceed comfortably.
Thus, it was only when she briefly left that I could act quickly to lessen my pain a bit.
“Phew…”
While repeating shallow breaths that wouldn’t reach Alicia and the kids, as the pain began to lessen somewhat, I juggled another task that had become a routine.
Zzzuum—.
In the void of nothingness, two very fine particles of mana began to ripple and took on their respective forms.
It took on a form.
The Old Testament and the New Testament.
These are the two disasters I’ve been assigned.
“I said ‘disasters’… but thanks to them, many problems have been resolved.”
Although it’s still in the early stages, being able to return the ancient people who became monsters to their original forms is thanks to studying the scripture.
Spirits are more complex in structure than Altife, so it’s taking time, but this seems like it could be realized in a few years.
Of course, I’m not using them directly like Shalom or the Demon King.
That’s because I can’t predict how these two nuisances will materialize and lead the world to destruction.
“Thus, my research is progressing slowly, but… from here onwards, I really need to be careful.”
While the Schugenhartz family threw me into a chaotic situation with Bael, that doesn’t mean I’ve found a clear solution to the scripture.
If I were to use a metaphor based on the original world I lived in, the scripture is much like the sea.
Even though humanity’s technology and science have developed sufficiently to reach space, we still haven’t conquered the boundless sea.
There’s a lot revealed, but there are still vast unknown territories, and rushing in could lead to repeating the mistakes of Shalom or the Demon King.
I enjoy using others, but I don’t like being used myself.
“…Anyway, I’m glad that having both scriptures as expected is the answer.”
As they both want to make me their master, the desire to use specific scriptures tends to arise and disappear.
It seems that using both scriptures simultaneously is considered impossible, but who knows… I can’t rule that out.
“…Huh.”
I gathered the mana circulating within me.
For now, this amount of mana circuitry is sufficient.
Unless I use the unique spell of void twice in a row, I won’t suddenly drop dead or anything.
Zuu— Ugh.
After the painful moment ended, as I meticulously interpreted the two scriptures, violet and blue lights brightly illuminated the living room.
Now, even Alicia in the room would know that I’m handling the scriptures, but I don’t care.
Since the day she endured the waiting time and came to me, I’ve shared everything with Alicia.
“There’s also a possibility that a third scripture exists. However, with the information I’ve heard from Ultreman so far being so sparse… the current state will likely be maintained for a while.”
That’s also why I’ve kept the terrarium and that guy alive.
He’s the kind of bat that flies away whenever the situation changes, but I can’t stress enough how useful he is.
That being said, if a new or hidden scripture decides to operate secretly, it would be impossible to find it, but at least it provides some measure of safety.
…To put it simply, even if it seems like everything is resolved at a glance, there are dangerous elements lurking everywhere that could explode at any moment.
“But, nothing can be perfect.”
I don’t think all problems can be resolved on my end.
That’s why I’m preparing for the next generation, just like the Schugenhartz family did, so they can solve the scriptures and issues.
If it were me, once Alicia and I were dead, I might’ve liked to just leave it at that, but my affection for my child is deeper and more genuine than I expected.
The love for the great nation is deeper and more profound than I thought.
How curious it is that I, in my extreme selfishness, cherish a life resembling me and my woman more than myself…
“Y-Young Master….”
As I was momentarily grasping the structure of the scripture, a fresh and vibrant voice like an unripe peach rang out.
This voice, filled with embarrassment, undoubtedly belonged to Alicia.
But… Young Master?
When was the last time I was called that all of a sudden?
I turned my head to check the door. Then, illuminated by the soft light of the living room, I saw Alicia’s figure.
To my surprise, Alicia looked just like the night I brought her to the mansion.
Yes, she was wearing the servant outfit of the Schugenhartz family.
“…So, how am I supposed to take this?”
“Uh, um… well… you see…”
“With you being that embarrassed, it doesn’t seem like pure intent to me. Did Emily put you up to this?”
“…Y-yeah. She said if I wore it once, you’d be happy… and then… before I knew it, I ended up calling you Young Master. I’m sorry if it was inappropriate, Si-hu.”
Alicia covered her face. I could only imagine how red her ears must be from the embarrassment. They must feel hot to the touch.
Somehow, before parting with Emily, her face looked flushed. Was that the reason?
“…….”
I got up as if under a spell and approached Alicia.
Feeling my presence, Alicia flinched and trembled at the sound of my footsteps.
“Si…hu?”
Alicia gazed at me through her fingers.
With her heartbeat racing, her pupils seemed to quiver violently.
I slowly took her hand. Unable to hide her face any longer, Alicia tried to bow her head.
“Don’t lower your head.”
Just as Alicia was about to ask why,
I pressed my lips against hers.
The sensation of Alicia’s lips, soft yet firm like jelly, communicated its softness directly to me.
The scent of her skin was reminiscent of fragrant flowers yet bore that unique aroma of a child.
It must’ve been transferred from being close to Martina or Rita.
“Si……hu.”
As our lips parted slightly, Alicia breathed out my name in a hot whisper.
As I caressed her neck and back, her body, already flushed with shame, began to simmer.
“…Ugh.”
Gently brushing her left ear with my fingertips, Alicia let out a sound.
It was one of the Hero Alicia’s weaknesses that only I knew.
“W-wait… Si…hu… Ugh.”
Though her lips were shut tight as if she wouldn’t let me in, after a few gentle nudges with my tongue, they opened up. The warmth, along with her more intense fragrance, came flooding in.
For a few minutes, as we savored each other’s tastes, Alicia and I briefly pulled our lips apart and locked eyes.
Her somewhat dazed gaze and the increasing warmth of her breath were striking.
“Si-hu… do you remember the assignment from Professor Louisa during our first year at the Academia?”
Alicia slowly breathed in, preparing to speak.
Alicia said while choosing.
I nodded, feeling her tickling hair.
“I remember. It was about expressing what we wanted to achieve before dying, each in our own way.”
“Then… do you remember the answer I gave?”
“…Yeah. You submitted ‘family’ as a hallucination.”
“Yes, that’s right… right, Si-hu.”
Alicia smiled gently, seemingly pleased that I remembered, and lightly kissed and pulled away.
That smile was so beautiful that words couldn’t quite express it.
“And… do you remember what you said when we had to part for that moment, after we finally reunited?”
“You told me you had one thing you wanted to achieve.”
“Yes, you said that, didn’t you? You’ve only thought about it but haven’t realized it yet…”
For a moment, Alicia looked at me.
She pressed her body closer and asked.
“I was able to fulfill my wish because I had Si-hu. Do you feel the same way?”
Alicia’s eyes seemed a little tense.
Seeing her gentle tremor, I felt a bit mischievous.
“How disappointing. I thought you could see right into my heart, but it turns out you can’t?”
“Don’t tease me like that… I want to hear it from your mouth.”
“Well, what should I do?”
“Si-hu….”
Alicia pouted playfully, a hint of blame in her voice.
It was a rare sight despite being together for quite a long time.
Seeing that, I couldn’t just keep my mouth shut.
I knew we were joking, but her hating me felt tougher than the pain of the mana circuit.
“…I feel the same as you. Being with you allowed me to achieve the one thing I hadn’t been able to do. …Thank you, Alicia.”
“Si-hu…!”
Even though it was the same consonants and vowels, the meaning completely changed depending on the emotion Alicia infused into the name.
Starting a deep kiss with Alicia again, I pushed her against the wall.
Of course, just enough force so the kids in the room wouldn’t wake up.
“B-but, Si-hu. I’m sorry for this situation, but there’s still so much to do, and um… um… isn’t the third one a bit too early?”
“Really? I don’t think so.”
Smiling, I gently hugged Alicia and kissed her.
Our warmth began to raise the temperature of the living room, which had a slight chill.
Yeah, Alicia was right.
We still can’t see the end of the things we need to solve, and there’s no clearly defined route anywhere.
Sometimes we have to climb uphill paths or steep roads.
But, so what?
I’ve already failed once trying to only drive on the highway.
Even if it’s a little late, even if it’s uneasy, I want to go with the people I love.
That’s my last remaining wish.
“……”
Ah, speaking of which.
I completely forgot to raise the curtains.
Park Si-hu wrapped up the long story, conscious of the presence of [you all].
《The Villain Bought the Female Protagonist》 concludes.
^Public^^Gold^
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
