Chapter 3
I’m Happy Too
“…If I answer, will you let me live?”
In my previous life, I killed everyone who blocked my path.
Back then, I believed they deserved to die…
but now, I’m not so sure.
So before I cut off this guy’s life, I decided to organize my thoughts—and get some information.
“I’ll decide that after. Who ordered you to kidnap me?”
I already knew, but I needed confirmation.
“…Baron Skalen,” Gojang answered after a pause.
“He lives not far from your Luminara family.”
“I see.”
So nothing had changed from my past life.
“You don’t seem surprised. Baron Skalen has a good reputation.”
He was right.
Skalen was known as a kind lord—he donated to the temple and took care of his people.
“Shut up. I’m the one asking questions.”
“…Understood.”
“Was he planning to attack my family in a month?”
“Probably. The plan was to kidnap you, draw attention away, and strike.”
“I see.”
“But now that you escaped, he might move earlier.”
That sounded like him.
Careful—but bold when needed.
“Why is he targeting my family?”
“I don’t know. I was just hired.”
He hesitated, then added—
“But… probably for your territory.”
“My territory?”
“He’ll destroy your land secretly, then step in as a ‘savior’ and take control.”
I stared at him.
He knew quite a lot.
But it didn’t matter.
“You’re smart.”
“Th-thanks.”
After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
“You won’t be able to stop Baron Skalen easily. There’s no proof.”
“Use me as a witness. That way, the Church’s Inquisitors can act.”
“That’s one way.”
His eyes lit up slightly.
‘Ah… right.’
I searched my clothes.
Only a bottle.
“What did you do with my letter?”
My reason for returning home…
was the letter my sibling sent.
He glanced toward the fire.
“…I see.”
I stood up.
“What are you good at?”
“…What?”
“Your specialty.”
“…I can use a sword.”
“And?”
“…I roast sweet potatoes well.”
“That’s true.”
I nodded.
“So your plan was to feed me sweet potatoes until I suffocated?”
“…What?”
“And when I asked for water, you’d cut my throat?”
“….”
“Am I wrong?”
His face turned pale.
“…Just kill me.”
“Of course.”
Slash.
His head flew off.
Blood sprayed.
“Now who will roast sweet potatoes for me?”
I shook the blood off my sword.
“Why burn someone else’s letter…?”
That wasn’t the only reason I killed him.
Someone who betrays their employer so easily…
would betray me too.
“Letter… are you still alive?”
I searched the ashes.
Nothing.
Only fire and dust.
I stirred the fire.
Sparks rose into the night sky.
I looked up.
Stars filled the darkness.
The moon shone quietly.
“Beautiful…”
It had been a long time since I looked at the sky.
“I want to protect this sky.”
In my past life, I had no goal.
I just wandered… until I fought the Demon God.
But now—
“I don’t want anyone to turn this world into hell again.”
Rudian’s words echoed.
“Sword Demon… can you win?”
The Demon God was strong.
Even my sword couldn’t kill him.
Now, I had divine power.
But it wasn’t enough.
“I need to become stronger than before.”
I drank the rest of the alcohol.
“Time to go home.”
* * *
Inside the Luminara estate.
Benedict Luminara held his aching head.
“Trouble keeps piling up…”
The land was in bad shape.
A plague had reduced crops.
Rumors of corruption spread.
“And my eldest son is still wandering outside…”
Kael had been gone for half a year.
“Goddess Ella… please let my son return safely.”
Knock knock—
“My lord, it’s Cedric.”
“Come in.”
“The young master Kael has returned.”
“What?!”
Benedict stood up.
“Where is he?”
“…At the church.”
“The church?”
“Yes…”
They went there immediately.
Inside—
“…Ah…”
Benedict collapsed in shock.
Sunlight poured in.
And beneath it—
Kael stood quietly, hands together.
“He… is praying?”
The same troublemaker…
was praying to the Goddess.
“…Is this a ghost?”
* * *
There were many ways to gain divine power.
Prayer.
Killing demons.
Being worshipped.
But the most basic method—
“Prayer.”
So I prayed.
“Goddess Ella, stop hiding and come talk to me.”
It sounded insane.
But only the Goddess could hear it.
And yet—
Divine power increased.
“So this counts as prayer…”
Even if I talked nonsense.
“Hey, answer me at least.”
No response.
Still, the power grew.
“Good enough.”
Then—
Voices behind me.
“Is he really praying?”
“Maybe he’s about to headbutt the statue—”
I turned and smiled.
“Yes, it’s me. The troublemaker has returned as a believer.”
Silence.
Only one girl clapped before being stopped.
“Kael?”
I turned.
“…Father.”
Benedict stood there.
“Are you really Kael?”
“It’s been a while.”
He walked closer.
“Are you hurt?”
“No. Are you well?”
“…Of course.”
“Where are Mother and Aren?”
“They went out. You’ll see them soon.”
He looked between me and the statue.
“You… prayed?”
“Yes.”
“By your own will?”
“Of course.”
He laughed with joy.
“The Goddess must be pleased.”
“I think so too.”
They both laughed.
Then—
“Will you attend ceremonies regularly now?”
“That’s… difficult.”
“I see.”
“I won’t force you anymore.”
I was surprised.
“You’ve grown kinder, Father.”
“…?”
“I’ll make sure your white hair turns completely gray.”
“…Kael.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Today is a happy day.”
“I’m happy too.”
He sighed.
“What changed you?”
I thought for a moment.
My destroyed past.
The Demon God.
Everything.
“A lot happened.”
“…I see.”
He smiled.
“Let’s go home.”
“Yes.”
And just like that—
I returned home with my father.
“Now… it’s time to begin.”
(To be continued)
