After the Black Sea Swords left, Masha gently laid me down on the bed.
She brought a damp cloth and wiped my chocolate-covered hands.
Her face was tense.
It was only natural, considering the threat Kustiel had just leveled at her.
If I harbored any ill intentions toward Lucas, Masha would die.
With that single threat, Kustiel had completely bound my hands.
For the first time since arriving in this timeline, I had experienced what genuine, tender care felt like.
And it was all thanks to Masha.
I didn’t want Masha, who anticipated my every need and cared for me so devotedly, to die because of me.
I had to be careful.
I had to make sure I never let my murderous intent slip.
Until I found a foolproof way to prevent the end of the world, I couldn’t afford to make any reckless moves.
Perhaps reading my sullen expression, Masha forced a smile.
“Don’t worry, baby.
You’re going to grow up safe and sound.
I will raise you perfectly, so no one will ever dare think of taking your life.”
I’m more worried about you than myself, Masha.
“Heeyah.”
When I reached out to pat her head, Masha laughed and pulled me into a tight hug.
I liked this.
Her embrace was warm, and she smelled wonderful.
Beneath the pleasant scent was a subtle, comforting fragrance—one I thought might be the scent of a mother.
A scent I had never once known, even after regressing over a thousand times.
Breathing it in made me incredibly sleepy.
It must be because I felt safe.
Clinging to her arm, I spoke before my eyelids grew too heavy to keep open.
I won’t let you die.
I swear it on my former reputation as the Punisher of Darkness.
“Bah-boo.
Maaa.
Ah-ba-ba.”
Masha beamed and replied.
“I’m not Dada, baby.
I’m Masha.”
* * *
Stepping out into the hallway, Kustiel looked down at the hands that had been holding Ellie just moments ago.
To think such a soft, squishy creature could exist.
And to think she resembled his lord.
An unfamiliar, inexplicable emotion settled in his chest—something he had never felt in all his long years of existence.
Lucas had told him to observe Ellie closely and make a judgment.
He had mentioned that her red eyes bothered him, suspecting it might be another one of Kareha’s schemes.
‘I felt mana.’
He had sensed a trace of mana when he held her.
A dormant energy swirling inside her tiny body.
It was astonishing for a newborn like Ellie to possess mana.
Humans were never born with it.