<Chapter 150>
#17. The Beast God’s Arrangement (2)
He was prepared to endure anything if he could capture that brightly smiling face in his eyes and hear that chattering voice. With firm determination, Calix received a response before he even finished speaking.
– Sure!
“……”
Calix’s expression momentarily went blank at the unexpectedly bright and cheerful voice. Quickly furrowing his brow, he directed another question toward the source of the voice.
“Aren’t you going to ask who I want you to save?”
– It’s Melty Crosel, isn’t it?
“……”
– Hahaha. Because I’m the Beast God, you know?
He laughed, chattering as if what he knew was completely obvious. Since his words weren’t wrong, Calix released the tension that had built up in his shoulders. It somehow felt ridiculous to be tense by himself when the other was continuing to speak in such a cheerful and lively tone.
“What price must I pay?”
– Nothing.
Calix’s face wrinkled again at the answer, given without even a moment’s consideration. Seemingly very satisfied with this, the bright laughter once again filled the space.
– It’s not completely free. I told you before, didn’t I? That I would only accept two gifts.
“…That conversation…”
Two gifts—he definitely remembered hearing that somewhere. Strangely, the conversation with the old man that had been constantly coming to his mind before arriving here played again in Calix’s head.
– I’ll take back the gifts I gave to you. That’s payment enough.
Though the being was invisible, Calix could feel someone gently stroking his hair at this moment.
“…Gifts, you say…?”
– Yes. They won’t be necessary for you anymore.
“When you say ‘you’…”
– Naturally, I mean you and Melty. I’ve already obtained that child’s consent, so I only need your agreement. Even I can’t take back what I’ve given without consent.
The voice, which until just now had sounded like a carefree child, now carried a gentle weight. The warm voice soothed Calix’s sharply raised nerves.
Calix blankly recalled his “gift” that the Beast God had mentioned. The gift of seeing connections—with this ability, he had always easily distinguished between those who would have a negative influence on him and those who would be helpful.
But as with Johaim, his gift wasn’t always right. Human relationships were bound to change due to various circumstances, yet Calix had only used the gift at the moment he first met someone.
“…Why did you give me such a gift?”
– Because you needed that ability. Of course, I didn’t want you to rely solely on that ability to choose people.
The voice, like a warm spring breeze, whispered in Calix’s ear. Before Calix could pour out more questions, he recited the story as if reading a fairy tale to a child.
– I love all my children, and thus I always wish for those lives to live happily. The blessings I bestow are what you need most, and gifts are my arrangement to help you safely overcome major hurdles in life.
There was a power in his voice that made one believe. As Calix unconsciously began to nod, he stopped at a sudden question that arose.
“How exactly does fertility become absolutely necessary?”
– ……
The Beast God, who had been speaking without hesitation, maintained a brief silence. Calix’s suspicion deepened at his silence. Seeing Calix’s narrowed eyes revealing complete distrust, the Beast God heaved a sigh and hurriedly opened his mouth.
– There’s a reason for all of it!
“I’d like to hear it.”
Though it wasn’t even his blessing, Calix maintained a slightly impertinent attitude with his arms crossed. His attitude clearly showed that he believed all matters related to Melty were connected to him since Melty was his fiancé and partner.
– …Originally, I was planning to give that child the blessing of health.
“Is that so?”
Since Melty had been severely ill since childhood, there was no doubt that the blessing of health was exactly what he needed. However, how health had become fertility in the process was still questionable. To address Calix’s persistent disbelief, the Beast God hurriedly spoke.
– But then the child prayed hard, saying he wanted to make a lot of money.
Calix faltered at the grumbling, faintly mixed with indignation. He seemed to have heard such words from the Beast God who had been chattering away.
– When a child who usually worships diligently prays that hard, how could I ignore it?
Saying so, he heaved a deep sigh. Frowning at his hair that fluttered with the sound of deflating wind, Calix silently tidied his hair.
“Then couldn’t you have given him a blessing related to that? There must be many blessings that help one earn money.”
– Hahaha! Melty can’t make money.
He was adamant. At his firm denial, Calix was at a loss for words.
– It’s certain he would be exploited or defrauded if he had skills to earn money.
Calix quietly agreed with the Beast God’s confident statement. Although the power of the Crosel family name was evident, Melty Crosel was too… too adorable in comparison. He had nothing to refute since he was the very person who had concluded an absurdly unfair contract with him.
– So I paired him up. With someone who could earn money very well.
Laughter tinged his voice. Calix quickly pulled his head back at the touch that pressed against the tip of his nose. Calix’s expression crumbled as he realized that the “person who could earn money very well” the Beast God was referring to was himself.
“You mean me…?”
– Yes. That’s why that child had to receive the blessing of fertility. It was also a blessing of health.
“How is that health…”
– Do you think fertility is just about conceiving children easily? For that to be possible, the mother’s body needs to be strong.
Calix quietly understood the voice explaining in detail. Thinking that everything Melty possessed was part of the process to come to him, his heart warmed with a swelling feeling.
– Unlike you, Melty had many potential matches. But I deliberately paired him with you because he needed to be with you specifically.
Calix quietly agreed with his explanation. At the moment Melty lost consciousness, Calix had acutely felt how significant and meaningful Melty was to him.
“Why are you helping us like this?”
It was very like Calix to maintain wariness and suspicion even while receiving help. The Beast God burst into laughter at Calix’s fussy behavior despite showing only goodwill without any malice.
– Because I love all my children. And for my other children to survive, you and that child need to be together.
Calix, who had been deep in thought with narrowed eyes, understood the meaning of what the Beast God had said and nodded. Certainly, without Melty’s gift and himself, it would have taken that much longer to suppress this epidemic. Although the cure hadn’t been distributed yet, Calix thought that the Beast God was referring to this epidemic situation.
“Did you know this would happen? If so, you could have prevented it from occurring.”
– There are things that shouldn’t be done even if they can be. Life is yours from the moment of birth. All I can do is create a few variables in your choices.
He continued in a gentle tone, as if soothing a child.
– Still, I’m glad you weren’t too late.
“What do you mean?”
The Beast God burst into laughter as if pleased by Calix’s question, which expressed doubt with a furrowed brow.
– I wanted to keep helping you. But even though I’m a god, it’s not easy to help someone who has no faith.
Calix quickly grasped the situation at his lament-like confession. At the same time, his mouth turned bitter. Unlike Melty, who had strong faith in the Beast God, Calix was close to being a skeptic. Naturally, he had never even prayed to a god.
– So I’m glad you prayed to me just in time.
Calix’s eyes widened at the clear voice devoid of hostility. The Beast God, seemingly pleased by his change in expression, laughed brightly and patted Calix’s head.
– Now, it’s time for you to return.
Along with the whispering voice, he felt something being placed in his hand. Simultaneously, Calix’s vision was again dyed with bright light. At the same moment Calix reflexively closed his eyes, the place became quiet as if the Beast God had never been there from the beginning.
The Beast God, who was leisurely floating in the empty space where Calix had disappeared, hummed a light tune.
– I’m so glad this was resolved well.
Just because they were children raised with love and care didn’t mean they didn’t cause trouble. The fact that he had designated them as a match in advance meant he had been watching them for a long time, but it was fortunate that Calix hadn’t noticed.
As he moved his steps while humming, the words “Danger, Caution” floating somewhere in the completely white space, with Calix’s name written small beside it, were smoothly erased.
– I’ve always said a harmless animal should be placed next to a dangerous beast!
