The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 248

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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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Late at night.

The hand that had been drawing curves on blank paper suddenly stopped.

I got up from my seat and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains.

Beyond the opened view, I could see the endless expanse of the vast sea and the full moon.

“…Why did she come?”

Princess Tia of the Allied Nations.

There were far too many suspicious aspects about her sudden appearance.

Starting from the fact that she had discovered I was here through her own intelligence network,

to her ability to read Lasandra’s incomplete summoning formula.

“A goddess named Rikentia is helping Crookiatus.”

The words Lasandra had spoken a few days ago circled through my mind.

I frowned and rested my chin by the window.

If my prediction was correct, Tia would be Rikentia’s incarnation.

There was no other way to explain the current situation.

Of course, what was more important was why Rikentia was here now.

Until now, Rikentia had been on Crookiatus’s side.

She had returned the sealed power to the resurrected Crookiatus, and the results were horrific.

‘Seven years of effort all went down the drain.’

Seven years ago, after Crookiatus fell into a near-death state.

Abner and the Imperial Court joined forces to construct five lines of defense.

They had layered city walls equipped with state-of-the-art magical devices to protect the Imperial Capital and Abner Territory.

We predicted that each gate would be able to buy us at least a month, or even more time.

So even if the battle dragged on, there would be no problem defending the Imperial Capital and Abner.

But once Crookiatus was actually resurrected, the cruel reality was revealed.

Armies trained to high standards.

Magic stones and magical devices stockpiled to fill warehouses.

None of it could withstand the monster troops that Crookiatus had created.

Contrary to expectations, the First Gate fell in just one week.

Furthermore, the second gate was also in a dangerous state.

‘…It’s all because of Rikentia’s unexpected intervention.’

I quietly narrowed my eyes.

The night breeze carrying the scent of the sea brushed past my hair.

‘As long as Rikentia continues to be behind Crookiatus, we have no hope.’

So the other Divine Dragons said that persuading Rikentia should be the priority.

But she was here at this cottage now.

“I actually came to see you, young lady.”

What could Rikentia want from me?

I gazed at the moon’s reflection on the sea for a while.

[I’ll admit it, that kid is quite perceptive.]

Heavenly Realm.

As Rikentia spoke cheerfully, Lasandra, who was standing a little distance away, rolled her eyes.

[I told you, didn’t I? She’s not an ordinary child.]

[She was certainly interesting. The way she was so passionate about trying to defeat Crookiatus.]

[Then just let her win.]

Rikentia smiled and turned around.

[Is that how the story goes?]

[You probably don’t gain much from helping Crookiatus, Lady Rikentia. You’re already being checked by the other Divine Dragons.]

Rikentia answered in a gentle voice.

[But this will make it clear. Who are the rulers, and who are the ruled.]

Lasandra frowned, but Rikentia continued without concern.

[Since we both know what we’re talking about, shall I just say it? I find it extremely uncomfortable that you’re stuck between us, Lasandra.]

Though she wore a smiling face, her eyes glinted sharply.

[Because, you see, there’s something called value in this world. Everything is divided into what has value and what doesn’t, what has great value and what’s worthless. Of course, value exists in the freedom I handle as well.]

[….]

[Just as our freedom is far more valuable than you humans’ freedom.]

Rikentia approached Lasandra and smiled sweetly.

[Child. Just because you’ve come to stand alongside Ricaruss, Ulgen, and Hegatan doesn’t mean you should mistake yourself for truly being one of us.]

Those were words that clearly established hierarchy.

[Have you ever heard humans complaining about us?]

[…I wonder.]

[They whine that if gods exist, we wouldn’t just watch their pain and corruption. Isn’t it ridiculous? Mere humans discussing the existence and usefulness of gods.]

[….]

[What’s even more absurd is that we never had any obligation to be responsible for humans’ well-being in the first place.]

Rikentia turned around and looked down at the Underworld through the water glass.

[But at some point, too many things started going wrong.]

[….]

[We’re not beings who serve humans. Yet we were strict with Crookiatus and lenient with humans.]

Rikentia’s eyes glinted coldly.

[I think all of this happened because we didn’t clearly establish the boundary between gods and humans. What do you think?]

Lasandra made a hmm sound.

Finally, she tilted her body slightly and spoke leisurely.

[Should I answer from a god’s perspective, or as a worthless being who was once human?]

One of Rikentia’s eyebrows twitched.

[Ah, you don’t recognize me as a member of the Heavenly Realm, do you? Then I have no choice but to answer from a human’s perspective.]

Having answered, Lasandra continued calmly.

[Speaking from the perspective of a worthless human, the Heavenly Realm is terribly boring.]

[What?]

[This place is basically a windless zone. Even after thousands or tens of thousands of years pass, there’s not a single minor change. A living hell disguised with words like eternity and immortality?]

A hollow laugh escaped from Rikentia’s mouth, but Lasandra didn’t stop talking.

[That’s right, this place is as boring as it is perfect. Weren’t you feeling it too, Lady Rikentia? I thought that’s why you went to see Annellia.]

Amid the descending silence, Lasandra shook her head.

Then she gazed intently at Rikentia, who gave no answer.

[Rikentia. That child knows something you don’t.]

[…That’s nonsense.]

[If you’re curious, check for yourself. Watch how this situation gets turned around and you’ll find out.]

With those final words, Lasandra turned away.

“Good morning, Tia.”

The next day, I greeted Tia lightly as she sat on a garden bench.

She had tied her hair back and turned to look at me, her eyes lighting up.

“Good morning, Annellia.”

Tia’s skin was flawlessly clean without a single blemish.

Her features were so perfect that her appearance felt completely unreal.

‘Well, she wasn’t human to begin with.’

This morning, I had asked Lasandra, who had appeared after a long absence.

“What are the chances that the goddess Rikentia is in this cottage?”

It was a question meant to assess the situation, but Lasandra answered with a composed face.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

Hearing those words, I became even more certain that Tia was Rikentia’s incarnation.

Lasandra was someone who rarely answered that she didn’t know.

‘Unless it’s a situation where she can’t carelessly reveal what Rikentia is doing to me.’

I looked at Tia sitting on the bench again.

Then I waved the paper I was holding at her.

“I’m reviewing the summoning circle. Do you have time?”

Tia stared at me intently, then got up from her seat.

“I was just about to ask if there was anything I could do.”

As I entered the cottage, Tia followed behind me.

While climbing the stairs, she spoke from behind me.

“You’re quite diligent, young lady. Are you trying to complete the summoning circle to help the Imperial Army?”

“We’re quite far behind right now.”

“Do you think completing the summoning circle will allow you to defeat Crookiatus?”

My steps came to a halt.

When I turned around, I saw Tia standing one step below, gazing at me with strange eyes.

‘…Did she notice too?’

That I had figured out her identity.

In life-threatening situations, everyone searches for hope.

You don’t ask someone working hard to defeat an enemy, ‘Do you think that will work?’

I nodded calmly.

“I think we can win.”

“I understand the situation isn’t good?”

“Once we resolve the sudden variable that appeared, things will improve quickly.”

Tia’s eyes widened, then she let out a small laugh.

“I don’t know who it is, but that’s too much—whoever created that variable.”

“Don’t worry. Once they realize they were wrong, they’ll change their mind.”

Tia stopped laughing and stared at me intently.

“You think that person was wrong?”

I made a serious expression.

“Yes. And…”

I paused for a moment before continuing.

“When they realize they were wrong, I hope they’re someone who can acknowledge it and reflect.”

The expression disappeared from Tia’s face.

I climbed the rest of the stairs without hesitation.

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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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