Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 174

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Chapter 41

 

It was a problem because it was the first time facing a demon, but it won’t work a second time.

 

Originally, Kyrillos fought evenly against the likes of Iblith or Abaddon.

 

As the game progressed, he won more often. Of course, that might have been because Adam, who remembered the regressions, helped him.

 

“But don’t worry, Eve. They probably aren’t in perfect condition either. Judging by the resurrection ritual at the Imperial Palace, it would be recovery through sacrifice.”

 

“There was a resurrection ritual at the Imperial Palace?”

 

“Yes, there’s no point hiding it now. We confirmed that ritual in the Emperor’s secret passage.”

 

“Originally…”

 

Didn’t it usually just say they were resurrected?

 

If they had been resurrected through sacrifice, there surely would have been those who noticed over the hundreds of years.

 

Resurrection rituals leave traces somehow.

 

“As Eve knows, nothing like this has happened before.”

 

I nodded readily.

 

For unknown reasons, the Demon King was showing completely different behavior than before.

 

Even in the game’s setting, there was no particular mention of sacrifice rituals.

 

Since it wasn’t publicly announced, this must be a special situation.

 

Perhaps Adam being alive all this time was also becoming a problem.

 

Since the Hero, the Demon King’s nemesis, was alive and well, maybe this time they couldn’t use their usual method of regaining power?

 

Usually, those cursed by the Demon King would go berserk or meet death within a few years.

 

‘But is Adam really okay?’

 

I didn’t trust Abaddon’s words, but there must be a reason he came to warn us.

 

However, Adam, whose eyes met mine, looked perfectly fine.

 

Not a trace of the curse was visible.

 

As if the Demon King’s curse had completely disappeared.

 

But I couldn’t let my guard down yet.

 

It didn’t seem like Adam had told me everything.

 

‘I should always carry the Sacred Relic.’

 

Regardless of trusting Adam, I knew his nature well.

 

Rather than harm others, he would try to bear all the damage himself.

 

‘If there are any traces of the curse remaining…’

 

However, the Sacred Relic was quiet.

 

As if it was fine as long as there was no direct contact.

 

But I still remembered.

 

The day I first visited the Temple with Adam.

 

His reaction when I tried to hand him the Sacred Relic.

 

At the time, I thought Adam pushed my hand away because he didn’t want to touch me, but probably even then the Sacred Relic rejected him.

 

The Sacred Relic only rejected those related to the Demon King.

 

After experiencing Aphene, I could be certain.

 

‘So I still can’t let my guard down.’

 

Especially seeing Aphene’s behavior, there was nothing to trust.

 

Seeing how he cursed the Hero to torment him, the curse could suddenly change drastically while we were being complacent.

 

I didn’t lose my tension and examined Adam’s body from various angles.

 

Then Adam, who had been watching me in return, tilted his head and asked.

 

“But what’s this?”

 

“…What?”

 

Adam smiled and pointed downward.

 

Only then did I discover the box I had failed to hide. No matter how distracted I was, I can’t believe I brought it like this.

 

I didn’t want to believe it, but cruelly, Adam’s finger was pointing exactly at the small box that had fallen from my pocket.

 

I was slightly startled, but since everything was already discovered, there was no need to hide it.

 

Adam seemed to have realized the meaning of the box too.

 

Though Adam was flustered at first, he quickly regained his smile.

 

When I handed him the box, Adam received the small box as preciously as if it were a jewel.

 

“May I open it?”

 

I nodded.

 

When Adam opened the case, a pair of earrings came out.

 

The design was simpler than what Adam had given me before, but the most important thing was the function.

 

“I lost the one Adam gave me before… This is a pair, and when worn, you can know each other’s life and death.”

 

If one wearer dies, the other side breaks too.

 

I added playfully.

 

“So this time, don’t be surprised if I have to secretly die for some reason.”

 

“…Don’t even say such things. It was terrible. Every day without Eve…”

 

But Adam seemed to like the earrings’ function. Being able to know each other’s life and death.

 

If we had them three years ago, such a thing wouldn’t have happened.

 

I excitedly explained the function the merchant had told me about.

 

“But I wonder if the additional ability is real?”

 

“…”

 

At Adam’s words, my mouth stopped.

 

Was it a scam after all?

 

But originally, fortune tellers or strange old men selling antiques in games or novels are all people you can’t just pass by!

 

Their very existence is an event!

 

That’s why I paid an expensive price for what was just ordinary earrings with small gems embedded.

 

However, Adam, who had lived in that event-filled game world, looked like he was hearing about it for the first time.

 

‘There’s magic, so why isn’t there such a thing?’

 

I was scammed.

 

I looked at the small case in Adam’s hands with a devastated expression.

 

Then Adam burst into loud laughter.

 

“Haha, this is why I can’t leave Eve alone.”

 

“That’s not true.”

 

Adam said exactly what I used to think while looking at him.

 

I felt a bit wronged.

 

The one who doesn’t know the ways of the world is definitely Adam, yet I’m being treated like this by him.

 

“Still, I like it. Thank you, Eve.”

 

Still, Adam seemed to like the birthday present fortunately.

 

I fidgeted and buried my face in Adam’s embrace.

 

Making a small wish that Adam would find comfort in this, even though it was just earrings.

 

* * *

 

“Hello, Hero. It’s my first time meeting you.”

 

A man who removed his hat and placed it on his chest introduced himself.

 

Then his attendant beside him added an explanation.

 

“He’s a portrait artist sent by the Imperial Palace.”

 

“Though my skills are lacking, I will paint a perfect portrait that won’t disgrace the Hero’s dignity.”

 

The artist bowed his head respectfully in greeting.

 

Iberis, who was with Adam, ended up hearing the portrait artist’s greeting together.

 

The portrait was something Adam had hinted at before.

 

I can’t believe he actually realized what he said in passing last time.

 

Iberis was once again slightly amazed by Adam’s execution ability.

 

No, wait a minute.

 

“If you say sent by the Imperial Palace…”

 

“Ah, yes. I’m mainly in charge of painting portraits of the Imperial Family.”

 

He’s an exclusive Imperial artist!

 

Iberis sent Adam a look demanding an explanation. Then she spoke through gritted teeth so the painter wouldn’t hear.

 

“Even so, how could you bring the Imperial Palace’s exclusive painter!”

 

Iberis quietly scolded Adam while maintaining her smile.

 

Fortunately, the painter didn’t seem to notice her shocked reaction as he was conversing with the butler.

 

‘Such a precious person in this humble place… Of course, Adam is also a precious member of the Imperial Family…!’

 

He said he had no intention of succeeding to the throne, but he hadn’t completely severed ties with Judith.

 

But bringing the Imperial Palace’s exclusive painter in this situation – what would people think?

 

Iberis glared at Adam with narrowed eyes.

 

Then Adam drooped his eyebrows and said.

 

“I’m being wrongly accused, Eve. I was also going to find just an ordinary painter since I was worried you’d be uncomfortable… But His Majesty forcibly assigned him to me.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Adam sent her a sincere look as if asking whether she didn’t trust him.

 

Iberis’s suspicions that had sprouted at his innocent face wavered greatly.

 

Then was it really Judith’s goodwill?

 

It was the moment Iberis was about to let it slide.

 

If she hadn’t suddenly looked up to check Adam’s face, she might have let it pass.

 

“But you look happy. As if everything went according to plan!”

 

Adam, who had clearly been smiling, immediately relaxed the corners of his mouth.

 

However, perhaps thinking he’d already been caught, Adam leaned in again and whispered to Iberis.

 

“Of course it can’t compare to the real Eve, but I wanted to possess Eve in the most legal way possible.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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