I Level Up With In-app Purchases

EP.101 By the Words of the Saintess (3)

I firmly scolded them for their ridiculous plan and told them to stop talking nonsense.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of the two looking dejected.

One had reserved the position of second wife, asking to wait 10 years, while the other said she’d take me as family when enlisting in the military.

“Am I a bag you carry around? Use me for a bit over there, and when you’re done, she gets to use me too?”

It’s not for nothing that illegitimate children are born; there are unfaithful men even in this place.

However, Rebecca’s reaction to Fran’s proposal to marry me as a second wife in 10 years was problematic.

‘When a child goes astray, you should persuade them not to. What if she says she wants to do it too?’

What if she gets caught up in it and acts even more immaturely?

Despite my severe scolding, the two weren’t discouraged and seemed to get along well, gossiping about me as they played.

This went on until late into the night.

It was already too late to send Fran back to the dorm.

“Just sleep here tonight.”

I would have let her stay even if I were alone, and with Rebecca here too, there was no reason not to.

“Is that really okay?”

“What’s the big deal all of a sudden?”

Fran used to live here, so she had comfortable clothes to change into.

The two of them fell asleep embracing on the bed, and I slept in the place I had prepared for Fran before.

⁂ ⁂ ⁂

“Yaaawn~ Where’s Fran?”

“She went back to the dormitory early.”

She woke up early in the morning to leave, but I woke up midway and sent her off after feeding her.

“We could have gone back together, I wonder why she went alone.”

She was probably secretly planning something quite mischievous.

Rebecca, unaware of what happened in the early morning, yawned while scratching her belly with messy hair.

I don’t know why seeing that makes me smile.

“As if you’d wake up at that hour. Not a chance.”

“Ahem, you’re supposed to sleep in after drinking. Fran’s just too diligent.”

“Here, honey water.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Gulp gulp—

Rebecca downed the honey water I gave her in one shot and made an old man-like sound.

“Ahh~ That’s good. Whew! It really clears up the system.”

Her face was puffy and shiny, probably from eating meat late last night.

Seeing her smile like a fool with that face…

‘Why does that look so cute?’

Sensing a potentially dangerous signal, I slapped my own cheek hard to snap out of it and said,

“I need to get my head straight too. Guess I’m not fully sober yet.”

I made another cup of honey water and drank it myself.

Meanwhile, Rebecca seemed to be regaining her senses as her expression became more lively.

“Ah, and let’s talk about what happened yesterday.”

“What about yesterday?”

Rebecca is playing dumb as if she doesn’t know what I’m talking about.

But I couldn’t just let it slide.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. When a student says they want to marry a commoner man, you should discourage them, not get caught up in it. What were you thinking?”

“It’s not like that? In my mind, I wasn’t getting swept up, I thought it was a good idea? If you hadn’t refused, I would have acted on it right away.”

“You were really going to do that?”

“Yeah, I would have.”

“But why on earth would you?”

Fran at least has the excuse of repaying a debt of gratitude.

But Rebecca has absolutely no reason to do so, right?

“Why, you ask? Are you asking because you really don’t know? Are you being oblivious, or are you pretending to be oblivious because it’s hard to refuse?”

Just as I had feelings for Rebecca, it was an undeniable truth that Rebecca had feelings for me too.

“Is marriage a joke to you? You know full well what happens when a noble marries a commoner man, don’t you?”

But for us to be together, too many things are needed.

First of all, we won’t be able to prevent the negative attention that comes with a union between a commoner and a noble.

“I don’t care about that. If anyone tries anything in front of me? I won’t let them off easy. You know my personality, don’t you? I’ll protect you.”

“What are you saying, really.”

“I did a lot of reflection last night. Someone 10 years younger than me is showing this much courage, while I’ve been hesitating all this time. Shouldn’t I be more courageous than her?”

“No, it’s not easier to be courageous just because you’re an adult.”

The more you know, the harder it is to be courageous.

Just imagining the various problems that would arise if she and I got together gives me a headache.

How could it be easy to be courageous in such a situation?

“Sheesh, how could you make such a proposal to a child? If you hadn’t said such a thing in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened! And if you were going to make such a request!”

If you were going to?

“Shouldn’t you have made it to me? So you prefer someone younger than me, is that it?”

“……”

I thought only Saintess was like that, but it seems this one is no pushover either.

If I could, I’d like to go along with it.

A woman who likes me, and a pretty one at that, with a personality that matches well – how could I dislike that?

But it’s not possible.

I couldn’t just meekly follow along with her proposal.

‘There are still so many children I haven’t raised yet.’

If I were to raise all the SSR characters, then who knows, but…

Right now, it was impossible to follow Rebecca’s proposal as is.

It means I won’t be able to see her for the next 6 years.

“I made that proposal then because she didn’t want to accept my help. I’m saying it wasn’t meant to actually make her my wife.”

“Regardless of the circumstances then, it’s impossible for me to just let it go. I’ve already set my sights on you, and knowing that another girl is after you, I can’t just sit still.”

Rebecca’s attitude was more resolute than I expected.

“It’s not going to happen. Ten years is a long time, you know.”

Ten years.

It really is a long time.

In ten years from now, I’ll be 40 years old.

By then, I’ll start to feel the effects of aging, with wrinkles appearing on my face.

It’s also enough time for a girl who was brainwashed by a pseudo-religious cult to grow into a young lady and then a woman.

To spend all that time thinking only of her gratitude towards me?

‘For the sake of me, who’ll have become a paunchy middle-aged man?’

Not a chance.

That’s why I told Rebecca it wouldn’t happen.

Fran is a tier 1 character.

Her abilities are on a level that a guy like me can’t even compare to.

‘Actually, the same goes for Rebecca.’

She hasn’t re-enlisted yet, but once she does, she’ll rise to an impressive position.

“In ten years, you and I will be a middle-aged couple. Fran will be in her prime as an attractive young woman.”

I want to tell her that even stating facts can be a form of violence.

At that moment, Rebecca came closer and put her arm on my shoulder, saying,

“That’s why a wrinkly old man like you should date an ajumma like me. Got it?”

Rebecca’s words were so ridiculous that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Who would see you as an ajumma? You’re so beautiful.”

Even after ten years, Rebecca would still be beautiful.

Fresh and pure, just like now….

Chu-up-!

Rebecca’s face comes closer, and soon her lips meet mine.

‘And even seductive.’

I willingly opened my mouth and slipped my tongue into hers.

“Mmm, mm.”

A sudden, deep, and sticky moment with Rebecca.

The intense stimulation makes my head spin.

Just a moment ago, I was thinking I should reject her, but before I knew it, I was doing something that a person intending to reject shouldn’t be doing.

‘I’ve completely fallen for it. Me.’

What man could resist when Rebecca comes on like this?

No man could blame my actions.

I just thought, ‘Ah, whatever!’ and focused on kissing her.

We shared our breath, not separating our lips until they were swollen.

“Haah….”

“Whew.”

When our lips finally parted, our clothes were quite disheveled.

We were enveloped in the afterglow of the kiss for a while, and Rebecca smiled brightly as she said to me,

“I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I don’t want to hold back what I want to do right now. It’s true that I’ve become impatient because of her.”

As she looks up at me and speaks with a moist voice, what man could resist?

“So, come over to noona a bit. I’m dying of anticipation here.”

“…Shit.”

Even though I thought I shouldn’t give in to her like this, I couldn’t resist the urge.

“By the way, I’m a virgin, you know?”

“!!!”

Finally completely crumbling, I moved my body as she wanted, like an obedient student.

A bit more intensely than before.

She was somewhat clumsy, but quite flashy and flexible.

When I took the lead, she followed along well.

She was so talented in physical activities that later on, I was the one panting beneath her.

The night was long, and our youth was still burning bright.

⁂ ⁂ ⁂

After using up a lot of energy with him, I collapsed and even had a meal.

Nevertheless, she didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving, so I asked curiously.

“How long are you planning to stay here?”

“Are you hinting that I should leave?”

The way she’s lounging around, it’s like this is completely her house.

“Even if I were hinting, would you actually take the hint?”

“No way~ Hehehe! I’ll rest a bit more. My stomach hurts.”

“…Alright.”

What am I supposed to say when she says she’s in pain?

I have no choice but to just say okay.

Because she was wearing my clothes instead of her dirty ones, Rebecca was exposing her skin defensively.

I couldn’t help but keep glancing that way, but she didn’t seem to notice my lecherous gaze.

“By the way.”

“Hm?”

“I’m a bit surprised that you’re close with Fran.”

“Why Fran?”

“It’s not really my place to mention it, but do you know there are some bad rumors about her?”

“The pseudo-religious cult?”

“Oh, you knew? Are you okay with that?”

It’s fine.

“I cleaned that all up.”

“Cleaned up?”

“Yeah, so it’s not a weird place anymore.”

Rather, it’s changed into a good place.

It’s become a place that gives hope to people who are discouraged.

“The cult isn’t bad?”

“To be precise, it’s going to stop being a cult.”

“???”

The fact that Fran is a saint is still known only to me.

How many people would sincerely believe in a saint created by a cult?

Only those trapped in the cult would call Fran ‘Saint, Saint’.

But things will change when Fran enlists.

The awl that was hidden in the pocket will finally pierce through the cloth and shine brilliantly before people.

“Since we’re talking about Fran, I should tell you now. I’ve asked Fran separately, so get your eye treated.”

“What?”

Rebecca blinked.

One unfocused eye is covered by an eye patch.

“I mean that eye. I asked her to check your overall physical condition and treat you.”

“You fool, my eye couldn’t be fixed even with awakened treatment. It’s been non-functional for a long time.”

Hasn’t it been Fran who’s been looking after Rebecca all this time?

“Fran is different. So go and get treatment. You won’t regret it.”

I was highly confident that Fran could heal Rebecca’s eye.

So it’s better to get it done while you can.

Later, when people find out about Fran’s abilities, you might want treatment but won’t be able to get it.

“Forget it. It’s embarrassing to ask a student. I don’t want to.”

“I’ve already asked, so just get it. From what I can see, I think your eye can be fixed.”

“But I’ve already adapted to this condition?”

“You’re already in the process of readjusting because your skills have improved so much. And your equipment will take care of any subtle balance issues.”

“…..”

“Don’t you want to fix your eye?”

Rebecca seemed conflicted about my suggestion to get treatment, just chewing on her lips.

“You’re already this strong, imagine what it would be like if one eye was restored.”

“!!!”

“You don’t like feeling indebted? Don’t worry about that. She agreed to treat you instead of getting scolded for misbehaving with me.”

“Fran did?”

“Yeah.”

She tried to steal my lips like a thief cat, sneaking up in the early morning.

Didn’t she say something about wanting to leave her mark before it was taken?

She got caught right in the act and couldn’t achieve her goal, so Fran returned to the cult like a defeated soldier at dawn.

She said she had urgent business left, but judging by her bright red face, the probability of there being no urgent business was very high.

‘It’s like I unconsciously grabbed a piece of pollack roe in front of me… I wonder if she was hurt a lot?’

Honestly, I should be grateful that I didn’t pull out my sword.

If my mercenary instincts were still intact, I would have swung my sword without hesitation.

‘I first thought, “Oh, my hand doesn’t move unconsciously anymore.”‘

It took less than a year for the habits I picked up as a mercenary to disappear.

If even I’m like this, how much worse must it be for the nobles?

I can fully understand why they can’t handle the monster waves on the front lines now.

That’s why I need to recruit and train characters.

‘With the current nobles, it’s impossible to solve the contaminated area problem. It’s also impossible to solve the monster wave issue.’

If we succeed in restoring both of Rebecca’s eyes, how much will her skills improve?

Having discovered the joy of training, I was already looking forward to it.

Can you imagine how the contaminated area war situation will change when Rebecca and other SSR characters I’ve carefully trained enlist?

The country will have a unique opportunity to clear up the troublesome monster waves thanks to them.