“Isn’t it really cute?”
Since Lerorna’s 100,000 won donation came through, the stream had been progressing smoothly.
It was just a broadcast taking care of Rohan. That was all. I wanted to enjoy a bit of an easy content day.
Fortunately, the viewers didn’t seem to show any rejection. It was all thanks to Rohan’s adorable and handsome face.
“Everyone, make sure to take a good look. You won’t find such a cute baby easily.”
I adjusted the fixed webcam to get Rohan in the best view possible. It was a great angle for showing off his clear blue eyes.
– Really cute.
– Look at those long eyelashes! Haha!
– He does have a bit of his mom’s face, right?
As the chat filled with people completely smitten with Rohan, there were a few showing their disappointment.
– Why’s the quality so bad?
– Change the camera already!
“Is the quality really that bad?”
The webcam I was using was the cheapest one available. Since I hadn’t had any issues with it, I kept using it, but it looked like it was time for an upgrade.
I asked the viewers which webcam was good. Suddenly, a whole list of model names started flooding in.
While I was trying to memorize each one and checking their prices…
Tap-tap, out of nowhere, Rohan tapped my shoulder and started whimpering softly.
As a mom with five years of experience, I could guess this was the sound of him being hungry.
‘It was about time.’
Today, I didn’t manage to feed him due to my interview schedule, so I filled him up with Sacred Power in the morning.
That way, he would feel full and wouldn’t need to eat for a while. It was a temporary fix, but since there were no side effects, it was handy in emergencies.
But now, the effects were starting to wear off.
I gently stroked Rohan’s head as he whimpered and asked the viewers something that needed to be noted.
“Everyone, does breastfeeding on the stream violate Tribe regulations?”
The chat started to move up rapidly right after I asked the question.
– ???
– Isn’t that a violation?
– Ma’am, why are you doing this?
– They say you lose shame as you age…
– I think you’ll get suspended.
The reactions were even fiercer than when Lerorna randomly praised my beauty with her donation earlier. The atmosphere felt like everyone was trying to stop me.
As I tried to read the increasingly intense chat flow, an unnecessary playful impulse bubbled up inside me.
Now was the perfect time to revive the dignity of the Pope’s special humor that had received endless humiliation up to this point.
“Breastfeeding is a sacred and pious act, so why would it be wrong? I’ll just send Liam to the Tribe headquarters to protest. It’s just morning over in the U.S., so that’s perfect timing!”
A joke using Liam’s reckless tendencies. It had always worked particularly well against the bishops.
The viewers were somewhat aware of how extreme Liam could be, so I thought this would definitely work this time.
Just as I was planning to say “Just kidding”…
[(☆)riamclytia: Request accepted]
Liam suddenly typed a message. It was an ominous message.
‘…Request accepted?’
At that moment, my honed detection instincts from taking care of Liam sent an urgent warning.
I needed to stop this immediately.
“Liam! It was a joke!”
I bolted straight into the living room. Even I was surprised by my own reflexes, but it felt like I was already a step too late.
“He’s gone.”
In the living room, Seo-yoon was alone.
Liam was nowhere to be seen. The only evidence that he had just been there was a leftover snack wrapper on the sofa.
Soon, Seo-yoon, gazing out the open balcony window, turned to look at me.
“It seems he’s really going to the Tribe headquarters.”
“……”
Her voice sounded bitter.
*
Liam flew off to America.
His destination was the Tribe headquarters. According to my search, it was located in San Francisco, in the western U.S.
Looking at my smartphone, I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh as I turned off the screen.
‘What a surprising calmness…’
After the “live broadcast news raid incident,” things had been peaceful for a while, so I had relaxed my guard. It was a mistake I wouldn’t normally make.
I had plenty of excuses. Just a peaceful daily life without major incidents. The comfort that modern society uniquely offers had led me to let my guard down.
What should I do now? I continued to chuckle while stroking Rohan’s head.
“Rohan, this is why I told you not to resemble me. Understand?”
It seemed Liam was really about to pull off something big this time. It felt like an impending disaster was coming.
I first decided to end the stream for now. I planned to turn it back on once the situation was resolved.
After that, I plopped down on the sofa, contemplating solutions.
As I was gnawing and getting lost in thought, Hainha sent me a KakaoTalk message that was laced with urgency.
[Hainha: You didn’t really fly to the Tribe headquarters, did you?]
He must have been so rushed that he didn’t even correct his typo. I quickly wrote a reply filled with sympathy.
It felt fast for me, but it seemed it didn’t for Hainha.
[Hainha: Pope! It’s urgent!]
[Hainha: Why are you just reading and not replying?]
[Hainha: Seriously, it’s urgent!]
After receiving a series of messages filled with his anxiousness, I finally managed to respond.
[Eluke: He really went, but remember the rules I explained about modern society from last time, so he shouldn’t do anything excessive.]
Honestly, I wasn’t completely sure, but I wanted to provide some reassurance. I was committed to keeping a hold on Liam’s leash, so I couldn’t say anything irresponsible.
[Hainha: Alright, understood.]
[Hainha: I will handle the immigration issues, so please do your best to stop him.]
[Eluke: Don’t worry too much.]
[Eluke: (bear emoji giving a thumbs up)]
[Hainha: (angry duck emoji)]
Seeing him reply with emojis, it seemed like he trusted me enough to calm his nerves a bit.
To reassure him further, I sent an additional message.
[Eluke: If anything happens, I will handle it myself.]
[Eluke: Believe it or not, I have fifteen years of experience taking care of Liam; I have plenty of ways.]
[Hainha: I’ll look forward to it.]
After finishing my KakaoTalk chat with Hainha, I set my smartphone down on the sofa.
And then I sighed for a moment. It was frustration mixed with absurdity.
‘Why is everyone taking this so seriously?’
Ever since I started making Pope’s special jokes, everyone has been reacting too seriously. Even Liam, who usually behaved himself, suddenly launched into action.
No matter how I looked at it, it was strange. I was only using material that had been verified in practical settings; how could this happen?
Anyway, I had thought of a way to bring Liam back.
The only problem was that it was a last resort with serious side effects. Using it carelessly might land me in hotter water.
“Let’s do it.”
While I was lost in my thoughts for a moment, I paused to feed Rohan. He had been whining for a while now, and I couldn’t put it off any longer.
At that moment, Seo-yoon, who had been sitting there blankly, caught my eye. Specifically, she was looking at my slightly exposed chest.
“Why are you staring so intently?”
“There’s something I’m curious about; can I ask?”
“Please do.”
“Why… is the color red? It didn’t seem like that before?”
I caught Seo-yoon’s gaze for a moment. Then I smiled with delight.
“Congratulations.”
“…Congratulations for what?”
“The fact that my chest looks red means that trust has deepened since before.”
“……”
Did she think I was making a silly joke? There was a slight chill in her gaze.
Wanting to clear up the misunderstanding, I quickly continued speaking.
“This is called a ‘Holy Body.’ Think of it as a passage where the divine resides.”
“Divine…?”
“Yes. In a sense, it means only my chest became lofty like a god. It’s a gift given by a Goddess herself.”
At that, Seo-yoon’s face contorted.
“Why specifically there?”
“Good question.”
When I first received it, I was simply overjoyed. A Holy Body is a type of award bestowed only upon a select few believers by the gods.
So at the time, I was just happy, but now that I think about it, it was a bit embarrassing. I couldn’t even brag about it on the broadcast like this.
“Still, try not to look at me with that kind of gaze. It’s a sacred thing, you know?”
I smiled while making Rohan comfortable in his breastfeeding position.
Then I grimaced. This wasn’t the time for casual chats.
Where exactly was Liam right now? If he was heading towards the Tribe headquarters in San Francisco, he would arrive soon.
And all he was going to do after crossing the Pacific Ocean was to complain during a broadcast to allow breastfeeding.
The reasons were absurd, but the fact that he was trying to barging into the U.S. without hesitation was a headache. It might escalate into an international issue.
‘…Should I act immediately?’
As I quickly churned my thoughts and closed my eyes, I reminded myself there was someone I could trust and rely on.
“O precious Sun, what should I do now? I’m urgent. Please respond quickly.”
The role of a Goddess is to empower her believers when they’re in trouble.
That’s why our Goddess always provided solutions whenever I asked her to. I expected she would do the same this time.
With that hope in my heart, I continued to pray earnestly.
Then, it happened.
– Eluke.
A sacred voice resonated in my head. Warm like sunlight, the voice brought tears of joy to my eyes.
It was different from communication magic. It was far superior. It was a direct form of communication possible only between souls.
In other words, for the first time since crossing over to this world, the Goddess actually spoke to me directly.
“Goddess, are you planning to help?”
When I was in another world, she avoided communication because it was troublesome, but it seemed she was finally willing to intervene actively.
I waited joyfully for the Goddess’s answer. Then, I heard her gracious voice.
– So, when’s that punk going to grow up?
Unlike the warm tone, the wording was rather flippant. Typical of her.
– I thought he was decent back then, but now he’s no different than a reckless brat.
She sulked about Liam for a while. I joined in and playfully criticized him.
During that time, Seo-yoon watched me with a look of bewilderment. It seemed she realized who I was talking to.
I gave her a wink and then spoke again.
“So, what are you going to do?”
– I was just going to watch, but I’ll help this time.
Then the Goddess presented a solution I never expected.
– That new external affairs officer? I temporarily linked Liam’s consciousness with the girl who stood out in the interview. She’ll prevent the situation from escalating serious. Probably.
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