Chapter 86

EP.86 The Emperor Mijang, the Paladin, and the Holy Maiden

The word "change" carries both positive and negative connotations.

It can refer to progress in one situation, or conversely, regression in another.

Change.

It has become an indispensable keyword for me.

Ever since I became the Holy Maiden.

There are many aspects of myself that have changed.

Just by having a different body, my lifestyle, how others treat me, how I treat others, my mind, and my heart have all transformed into something distinctly different from before.

My complaints about the world and the curses that were always on my lips have significantly decreased.

I no longer spend the whole day staring at an empty wall or cutting my wrists to draw blood.

From the events of the past, I realized that my fear of people has also greatly improved.

Even when drunk, I would go out on the streets and throw carefree smiles at people, which is quite something.

The changes that have come to me have been clearly positive,

but, well, it's not all good.

For example, I suddenly developed a lewd hobby that consumes most of my mornings, unproductively.

No, I can't even call it a hobby anymore.

If I skip a day, my body shakes uncontrollably,

like an alcoholic who hasn't had a drink for months, experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

I'm not exaggerating; it happened last time. During the crucial first match of the finals, my body was so agitated that it almost ruined the game...

That night, I don't even remember what happened to my body and mind.

After winning the championship and giving the interview, I crawled into bed on all fours with a dazed mind and lost both my consciousness and my sanity.

When I woke up in the morning, my body was unpleasantly sticky with sweat or something, the bed was a mess, and the scent of peaches clung to my nose as if I were standing in the middle of an orchard in full bloom...

"..."

No, enough of this foolish talk...

That's what I wanted to say.

While there are people who like this new me, there are certainly others who find my changes awkward, uncomfortable, or even dislike them.

No,

there are.

Right in front of me.

The person on the other side of the screen is now lamenting over my changes.

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Hoooooo]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Hoooooo]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Give me back my lewd ★Holy Maiden, you chest monster! Hoooooo]

What exactly is this lewd Holy Maiden?

...Trying to act innocent, but the past ten years of behavior are too long to ignore.

So, this kid wants...

the kind of things that make my face burn red just thinking about them, to be said again.

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: So big-chested, so slim-waisted, so big-bottomed, and most importantly, so, so beautiful]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Being only kind and gentle is a waste of life, Hawawawa]

I can't tell if it's a compliment or an insult.

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: So, reveal your true nature, you chest monster!]

It's an insult.

Twenty minutes into the game.

This little one keeps calling me a chest monster, which is really annoying.

Maybe I should hug her tightly and show her what it's like.

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Eeeeeee★]

But as soon as I try to get close, the red-haired girl disappears instantly with her signature illusion magic.

Tch, too perceptive for her own good.

There was one character who looked at me with a pleased expression.

While there's no system in the game to show the player's facial expressions, the pleased look was just my feeling, but it felt that way.

And it was an unexpected person.

At least to me.

Feeling embarrassed about my argument with Baby Mijang, I decided to speak first.

[Holy Maiden: Um, you]

[Paladin: Yes, yes]

"..."

What's with the "yes, yes"?

That's not your style.

Shouldn't you be more unfriendly and fierce,

showing the image of a savage warrior?

Of course, of course.

We've met in real life, shared drinks, and it might be hard to go back to the old chat style.

I would feel the same way.

But even if not to the extent of "b*tch" or something, a bit more fierce...

Wouldn't that be normal?

Talking about normal and concept play is a bit funny.

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Look at that water buffalo, sticking right next to the lewd girl]

[Paladin: What the *&*$#1 year]

I could tell it was a filtered chat without even looking.

This person hasn't changed, even now.

Even the lack of backbone, the cursing, and the seemingly unintelligent behavior are all calculated actions under the guise of concept play.

In real life, he was a kind person who would buy, cook, and serve beef for me.

Yes, yes, he was very kind.

He was like an angel.

But that's a different matter. If you're going to do concept play, do it properly.

I don't understand why he's being so nice to me.

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Your nickname is a waste, 10-connor -_-]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Just change your nickname to water buffalo, you s*1kiya]

[Cardinal Albert: Emperor Mijang, your concept is broken ㄷㄷ]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Ah]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: .]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Baby Mijang never said such vulgar things, Hawawawaohaoaoawao★]

Sigh.

I don't blame the Paladin for changing a bit.

It would be like a dog with fleas criticizing a dog with lice.

"..."

After some thought, I realized my own faults.

Is this what they call learning from the opposite?

Seeing the Paladin,

I could understand why the red-haired magical girl was lamenting about my changes.

If he had just called me "b*tch" or "f*cking pervert" or something like that, I wouldn't feel so stifled.

Of course, I don't like it, and I don't get excited by insults...

Actually, I used to like it. Those kinds of derogatory words.

At first, you were shocked by my concept and couldn't even speak, but gradually, you realized I wanted it and, despite the risk to your image, you adapted. You were so kind that it was touching.

"..."

No, no, it's not that I liked being treated harshly. It's just that someone was adapting to my concept play.

Absolutely not.

[Paladin: Is something wrong? ㄷㄷ]

It's just too awkward.

And please, lead the charge and attack.

What is a warrior character doing in the back row of a battlefield with a priest?

There's no need to protect the backline since there are no warriors or rogues on the enemy team.

Regardless of what I'm thinking or how the team members are complaining about the lack of power, the Paladin doesn't seem to want to join the battle.

So, I pondered again.

To win this match,

or to help a partner who shared hot nights with me in the past,

or, this way of putting it sounds strange.

Anyway, to lead everything in a positive direction, it seemed a decisive action was needed.

Yes, a decisive action.

I felt a sense of duty.

It was my duty as a comrade to guide an old friend who was lost in the wrong direction.

No, a more direct approach would be better.

If I hold his hand and walk the old path with him, he will soon come to his senses.

The thought was long, but the action was quick.

My body moved before my brain could give the command.

[Holy Maiden: Hoooo]

[Paladin: ?]

Embarrassing.

Was it this embarrassing?

I didn't even say anything as lewd as before,

just a three-letter input.

While all the team members were in confusion due to my sudden action and the chat was cut off,

someone saw their chance.

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Finally showing your true colors, you chest!]

Now it's just a chest, not a monster...

[Holy Maiden: .]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: But it's weak]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: More! Please! Come back to that Holy Maiden 쨩!]

The red-haired magical girl, floating in the air, looked at me and made a cute gesture, clenching her fists and pumping her arms as if encouraging me.

She looked like a protagonist magical girl pleading with a former ally who had defected to the enemy side.

...It's embarrassing,

but if she wants it so much, it's not a big deal to say it.

I'm a kind person.

[Holy Maiden: Hoooo]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Louder!]

[Holy Maiden: Hooooo]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: With more sincerity!!]

[Holy Maiden: Hoooooo]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: I didn't mean to increase the number of characters!!!]

[Holy Maiden: Hoo?]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: No!!!]

[Magical Girl Baby Mijang: Why don't you know! Why are you pretending not to know!!!!]

[Cardinal Albert: .]

[Cardinal Albert: What is this]