I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 124

CHAPTER 124

“L-Lionel?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Do you understand correctly now?”

“Yes, I do.”

Lionel smiled smugly, like a well-fed cat, wagging his tail.

“So, you’re saying you only have eyes for me without being distracted?”

“No, that’s not it!!”

I almost shouted.

I swallowed the words that almost came out.

“You’ve been brainwashed, haven’t you? You’re deluded into thinking I’m your savior because of a trap set by an evil god.”

“Well, you see…”

Was it a positive ‘yes,’ or a negative one? 

Lionel, confused by his own pronunciation, chuckled softly.

“I’m ten years younger than you, handsome, capable, wealthy, and of high status.”

“…Yes, you.”

“Don’t you mean to tell me you’re going to keep your eyes on me, and only on me?”

“…….”

“Isn’t that right?”

What should I say to this? 

Words got stuck in my throat.

Suppressing the urge to slap my forehead, I chose to breathe.

Let’s say it again, one more time.

“Listen, Lionel.”

There’s no way our child’s mind could be this much of a flower garden.

“So, the emotions you feel towards me right now are nothing but fabricated lies since you’re currently in a brainwashed state.”

“Master.”

For a moment, the smile vanished from his face. 

With a cold expression, Lionel tightened his grip.

“Please don’t say that. Even if you’re my master, I’m the one who knows my feelings best.”

A satisfactory smile crossed my face.

“Is that so?”

“….”

Once again, words failed me.

“Oh, did I hit another nerve?”

Whether it was my complicated feelings or not.

With a relieved expression, Lionel rested his head on my leg.

“Have you been agonizing over something so trivial all this time?”

“So trivial.”

“Yes, just that.”

Lionel corrected me with a smile.

Even though I found it cute, his laughter was too much.

“Don’t underestimate this disciple. There’s no way a forgotten god or anything like that could mess with my head.”

“Lionel.”

I hardened my expression.

“It’s good to have confidence. But don’t take evil gods too lightly. Especially the ones you encountered when you were young.”

Back then, even evil gods could wield divine power.

So I hinted to the children and worked hard to make Lionel susceptible to brainwashing.

‘If I hadn’t shown up back then, Lionel would have followed the evil god.’

Just like those two dark elves I saw back then.

‘…Just imagining it makes me feel sick.’

I narrowed my eyes in disgust.

Lionel followed the evil gods and worshiped them.

‘It doesn’t seem quite fitting, does it?’

The last time I saw them, those two dark elves.

They even wore matching outfits.

Should I ask my kid to wear such clothes? 

Those pouch-like robes??

Absolutely not.

Even though he wore combat-like attire underneath, it was still a no-go.

‘Lionel looks best in neat conqueror-like attire.’

For example, something like the attire of a knight or a well-fitted suit?

Of course, it’s not just my preference.

‘To be honest, there’s probably no outfit that doesn’t suit him.’

He’s tall and has a good physique, so even if I put him in a robe like the one Achilles wore, he’d probably look good.

Still, dressing him in slightly more suitable attire…

“Pfft.”

Suddenly, the train of thought I was following was interrupted by a burst of laughter.

“It’s fascinating.”

I noticed Lionel still smiling while resting his head on my leg.

“It’s been frustrating and difficult not being able to understand what’s on your mind.”

He reached out and ran his fingers through my hair.

“Now, I can read your mind perfectly.”

His smile deepened.

Playfulness, satisfaction, achievement, and unmistakable affection.

It was a mix of those things.

“Did you imagine me following evil gods? That’s why you felt bad?”

“How did you…”

A finger that had been gently playing with my hair touched my forehead.

“This part was blurry.”

“…”

I rubbed my forehead. 

If anything, it seemed even more wrinkled now.

“Lionel.”

After taking a breath and collecting my thoughts, I attempted the conversation again.

He’s not only the person I was looking for, but there are also evil gods involved.

I can’t keep chatting with Lionel leisurely forever.

I need to wrap this up quickly.

“I’m not denying your feelings. But, reconsider once more.”

I got up awkwardly.

“Because your emotions were initiated by someone else.”

Even if they’re Lionel’s feelings, it’s a fact that evil gods planted the seeds.

So, it’s better to address it sooner rather than later.

“Understood?”

I thought I would have to say something.

But Lionel simply nodded more willingly than I expected.

Yeah, that’s right.

After a compliment and a stroke of the hair, as I tried to get up from the rock…

“I’m done reconsidering.”

…Seriously?

Seeing his carefree demeanor amid such a serious conversation, I let out a deep sigh from within.

“You.”

“Don’t be mad, Master.”

Lionel interrupted before I could say anything.

“To be honest, I reconsidered a long time ago, and I’ve even felt regret.”

As Lionel, who had risen to his feet, continued speaking as if the conversation wasn’t over yet, he gently sat me back down on the rock.

In an instant, the dynamics shifted.

“I just mentioned earlier, Master. No evil god can mess with my head. So, these emotions are solely my own.”

Looking up at me with his blue eyes from within the thick shadow he created, Lionel spoke.

I blinked slowly.

For some reason, I couldn’t look away.

“You saved me, Master. You pulled me out of there, healed me, and made a place for me as your disciple.”

How significant that was.

How tender the gesture of offering him a seat next to me when he had nowhere else to go.

“You know that, Master.”

“That’s…”

I let out a heavy sigh.

“It’s only natural for an adult.”

“It’s not. You know it, don’t you?”

I swallowed once and bowed my head.

“Rescuing, saving lives, and making a place for someone. That’s what you usually call a savior.”

But then I faltered. 

I couldn’t help but lift my head again under his gaze as if urging me to see myself.

“…What do you mean?”

Lionel didn’t give a direct answer to my question. 

He just smiled sadly.

Eyes that could easily tear up again.

That alone was enough of an answer.

Ah, when I first died.

“Master, I…”

Lionel, intertwining his fingers with mine, slowly bowed his head.

“I’ve already reconsidered and regretted. So, it’s your turn now, Master.”

In an instant, the distance closed between us. 

I blinked.

Uh, this is too close.

“Master, reconsider it.”

“Just a mome-.”

The rest of my words scattered into thin air. 

The kiss wasn’t long, but it was enough to make me feel dizzy.

After nibbling on my lower lip for a moment, Lionel blushed and smiled.

“This includes that too.”

* * *

Tweet.

Even though they called it a forest full of monsters.

The bird chirping was cheerful, and the sun was needlessly bright.

And I stumbled through the forest, my face covered by my hand.

“Let’s go together, Master.”

“….”

As soon as Lionel called out, I picked up the pace.

“Master.”

Whether I responded or not.

Lionel, who was following lightly with his long legs, eventually spoke again.

“I didn’t know you’d be this embarrassed.”

Shut up, will you?

I’m struggling with my conscience right now.

I slapped my face with my hand.

‘A ten-year difference… Even my disciple…’

My conscience, still strong in this regard, was lashing out.

What? What’s this feeling of being a sinner?

No, no!

Tears threatened to well up in my eyes as my strict conscience battled within me.

But then came a remark from behind that made me doubt my ears.

“Shouldn’t I be more embarrassed as it was my first kiss?”

“Huh?”

Wait, what…?

Lionel tapped his lips as if driving in a nail and smiled beautifully.

“The first kiss.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

Lionel, quickening his pace, stood right beside me and grinned.

“It’s not that big a deal. Should I be twisting my body around while searching for you?”

“….”

“Dirty.”

With those words, Lionel’s expression twisted.

Genuinely, truly a face of disgust.

For a moment, as I stared at Lionel’s face intently, I covered my face with both hands again.

‘I’ve… I’ve preyed on such a kid…’

No, strictly speaking, I didn’t prey on him, but still…

My head was spinning, but Lionel grabbed my hand, which was covering my face, tightly.

“Look at this, Master.”

With his thumb raised, he smiled brightly, as if proud and happy.

“Hmm.”

That’s when another voice chimed in from within the forest.

Both Lionel and I turned our heads towards the source of the sound simultaneously.

“I don’t want to say such clichéd and boring things, but…”

Under the shade of a large tree, a small girl was approaching.

Fifteen years old? Around that age.

“Nice picture.”

The petite child, with her long black hair flowing, smiled brightly.

“Long time no see, Wanderer. No…?”

The evil god stared at me with glowing eyes.

“My substitute?”