Chapter 3 : There’s no way my child would do that

Expecting the seeds sown yesterday to fully grow in just one day was nothing but greed.

Of course, if you plant seeds, waiting at least a few months is only natural, isn’t it?

So, having patience is an obvious necessity.

“Sitri, why can’t I see Joanna growing?”

Still, wanting to see the seeds you planted grow was only natural.

As he reviewed the documents submitted by the judges, Dantalion grumbled to Sitri.

Sitri, who was assisting him with the paperwork, responded.

“That’s because, Your Honor, you didn’t read the game rules properly. Who told you to distribute power so recklessly?”

“I don’t think I was that reckless with it, though.”

“But you were.”

Mammon Corp’s Raising an Intelligent Being was a game.

And, as always, game companies didn’t like cheat-like gameplay.

Having finished his work, Sitri pointed to the ranking button on the game screen.

“Your Honor, you can’t make other players feel deprived. Thanks to you, the top-ranking position fluctuated once, you know?”

“Then what about the store in the corner?”

Dantalion clicked the store button on the screen as he asked.

As the shop opened, a variety of potions and bonuses that could be purchased with Hell currency were displayed.

Wasn’t this also something that could make players feel deprived?

However, Sitri confidently patted his chest.

“That’s fine because it comes from a love for the game.”

Since when was love something that had a limit on its frequency or duration?

Dantalion, staring at Sitri in disbelief, stamped the final document.

He turned his head about 90 degrees to loosen his muscles before reaching for a cigarette.

After work, enjoying a smoke of Enma Mountain tobacco was just the thing—

Ding!

“…What now?”

Cigarette in mouth, Dantalion glared at the notification window filling his vision.

The notification was from Helltok, the most commonly used messenger in Hell.

It was something created by a renowned Hell technician, inspired by novels from the human world…

[Hello! The Hell Faith Bureau has discovered a new faith established in your name! If you don’t report it quickly, the super-cute As-chan will scold you!!!]

Clicking the email within the blazing notification revealed an emoticon of a bunny-eared woman winking.

Dantalion, utterly repulsed, turned to Sitri.

“Does the Faith Bureau send spam now?”

“I don’t know? Lord Asmodeus is eccentric, but I doubt he’d joke about work.”

“…”

Faith Bureau.

Simply put, it was a place where demons who became objects of worship or Hell’s residents would visit.

‘I never created a faith, though?’

Dantalion wasn’t particularly interested in being worshiped.

There were demons who made a living off faith, but logically, the High Judge of Hell had no reason to be short on money.

The only ones who usually visited the Faith Bureau were those who were either bored or enjoyed being the center of attention…

“Should we go check it out?”

“Hmm, I suppose so.”

“Then as usual, shall we take the car—”

“Teleport me.”

Dantalion responded as if it were obvious, and Sitri glared at him with a sullen expression.

Still, there was no helping it. This wasn’t a scheduled event; it was something that suddenly came up.

Wouldn’t it be better to get it over with quickly and rest?

Sitri pouted and grumbled.

“If we keep neglecting it, my beloved car will rust, you know.”

“Your car? Did you forget who actually owns it?”

“But Your Honor never drives it. That makes it as good as mine.”

“A judge’s secretary is treating the law like trash. Fine, we’ll use the car next time, so just teleport us already.”

Only then did Sitri grin and place a hand on Dantalion’s shoulder.

Moments later, Sitri’s shadow swallowed them whole.

Faith Bureau

Public institutions usually have a clean and organized feel to them.

Sharp-edged buildings, neatly dressed employees, and an air of dignity that conveys service to the public.

“Whoa… That’s a new full-body statue of Lord Asmodeus.”

“I don’t understand why they put up things like this.”

The first thing the two saw upon arriving at the Faith Bureau was a full-body statue of its director.

But why in the world had they dressed a marble statue in shoes, stockings, and even full clothing?

Dantalion suddenly felt the urge to leave as soon as possible.

“I want to finish this quickly and go back.”

“Really? I find this quite entertaining. Oh… Normally, Lord Asmodeus wears pink pant—”

“Do you enjoy harassing a statue in front of your superior? Enough, let’s go inside.”

Pulling Sitri away as he reached out to the statue with an inappropriate hand, Dantalion entered the building.

As the absurd statue out front suggested, the Faith Bureau was a rather unhinged place.

Naturally, its staff members were a little off as well…

“Oh my, oh my! Your Honor?! I’m a huge fan!!”

“Kyaaah! And this must be Lord Sitri? I saw you driving before, and you were so cool!!”

“Hmph!”

Why in the world were the staff dressed like bunnies?

And why was his subordinate acting all smug, raising his chin like he’d achieved something?

Giving up on understanding, Dantalion carelessly signed the document the staff presented and got straight to the point.

“I was informed that a new faith has been discovered under my name.”

“Oh, Lord Asmodeus is handling that personally!”

“Yes! It’s an important matter!”

“You can’t handle it yourselves?”

“Nope! We were told to send you up right away because it’s beyond our authority!”

So, he had no choice but to meet that woman after all?

After even taking pictures with the squealing staff, Dantalion headed for the elevator.

Ding!

He stepped inside and reached for the button to the top floor—

As-chan’s Secret Room!

– Enter at your own risk! The cuteness may stop your heart! –

“Your Honor, your fingers are curling up.”

“I’m trying not to smash the button. Could you press it for me?”

“Of course.”

Sitri pressed the button as if it were no big deal.

Dantalion stared at the ascending floor count, trying to regain his composure.

‘This will be over quickly. I just need to hear what she has to say and leave.’

In the end, it was just a fleeting moment.

Thinking that way brought him peace of mind, restoring his composure.

Then, as the elevator reached the top floor—

“Dante-chaaaan!!!”

“Bloody hell.”

A woman in a frilly outfit of mixed pink and black leapt at Dantalion.

Disgusted, he grabbed her arms, spun her around, and threw her.

Fwoosh!

A rabbit-shaped cushion behind her faithfully absorbed the impact.

With a ridiculous sound effect, the woman flipped through the air like a gymnast.

Thud!

She landed elegantly, perking up her bunny ears and spreading her arms wide.

“Dante-chan! Sitri-chan! It’s been so long!!”

“Asmodeus, you’re as loud as ever. More importantly, about the message you sent on Helltok—”

“Then, a hug full of loveeeeee!!!”

Smack!

As she tried to tackle him again, Dantalion snapped his fingers.

A crimson cloth materialized in midair, instantly binding Asmodeus.

“Hnng… Dante-chan, you’re so rough.”

“I swear, I want to kill you.”

Watching Asmodeus flush red and squirm to herself, Dantalion’s murderous intent surged.

Before he could act on it, Sitri stepped forward.

“Lord Asmodeus, it’s been a while.”

“Sitri-chan!”

Asmodeus’s bunny ears perked up in delight.

Sitri glanced at Dantalion and gave a small nod, as if to say it was fine.

After a brief hesitation, Dantalion snapped his fingers again, making the red cloth disappear.

Asmodeus, now free, ran straight to Sitri.

Glomp!

She clung to Sitri’s waist, and Sitri effortlessly lifted her, spinning her around.

Then, they dived into the massive bed in the center of the room!

Asmodeus burst into giggles, delighted beyond measure.

10 Minutes… 15 Minutes… 30 Minutes of Chatter Later…

“Huaa~ I want to keep talking, but since I’m a good girl, I’ll hold back!”

Dantalion hesitated for a moment before unclenching his fist.

It wasn’t that his anger had subsided—it was simply because, knowing that woman, she would likely interpret even a punch as an expression of affection.

‘This is exactly why I didn’t want to meet her.’

Asmodeus, the Demon of Lust.

Chief of the Faith Bureau, and a renowned CEO with a dominant presence in various entertainment industries.

“Ah, wait a sec! I need to reply to my fans’ messages!”

She was also Hell’s top influencer.

That said, being an influencer didn’t mean Asmodeus only received positive attention.

Affection, love, jealousy, obsession, resentment—so many emotions were directed at her that it was impossible to list them all.

But she didn’t mind.

“Kyaaaah! Look at this~ They say they love me so much they want to kill me!!”

“I think they actually just want to kill you.”

She was a hopeless romantic who considered all forms of attention as love.

Just as Asmodeus finished replying to her fans and was about to open her mouth again—

“Is it true that a new faith has been discovered in my name?”

Dantalion seized the moment and swiftly thrust the Helltok message in front of her.

Asmodeus, delighted that he was speaking to her first, nodded eagerly.

“Mm-hmm! Of course, it’s true! I’m not a bad girl who lies about these things!”

“I never spread any kind of faith, though.”

“Really? But does it actually exist?”

She pulled a remote control from her horned rabbit-shaped pouch and pressed a button.

Suddenly, a large screen materialized in midair.

On the screen—

A naked woman offering a living human’s heart as a sacrifice.

A warrior tearing out a man’s ribs after splitting open his back.

And a blind priest plucking out the eyes of the living.

The scenes played one after another.

“Have you recently developed a taste for sadism?”

“Nope, nope! This is just the preference of your followers, Dante-chan! Your followers enjoy human sacrifices, so only these kinds of channels are showing up!”

“Ridiculous. Have you forgotten what my job is?”

Hearing Asmodeus’s absurd excuse, Dantalion let out a hollow chuckle.

Why would followers of Hell’s High Judge, the one who governs sins, engage in brutal human sacrifices?

Even if Hell’s judicial system wasn’t flawless, this was obviously a mistake…

[My savior, your humble servant has punished yet another sinner with death. I pray, over and over, that this sinner’s soul may reach your side.]

“…Huh?”

At that moment, a familiar voice rang out from the screen.

His gaze snapped back to the footage.

A dark, rainy night, the ink-black sky was made even darker by heavy downpours.

[Hurk! P-please… spare me…]

A man, impaled on a sword, was pinned to the wall, desperately begging for his life.

His trembling hands grasped at the air, and tears streamed down his face—a pitiful, miserable sight.

[I pray that this man’s soul may grant you strength. Your devoted servant prays for you.]

Yet, the girl before him showed no interest in his pleas.

After finishing her prayer, she rose from her knees, damp from the rain, and indifferently grabbed the hilt of the sword embedded in the man’s stomach.

Crunch!

The moment she pulled the sword out, rubble from the wall and the man’s intestines spilled onto the ground.

The girl watched this without reaction before silently stepping out of the alley.

At that moment—

Rumble!

Lightning struck from the sky, illuminating the girl’s face.

“Why… why is Joanna there??”

Dantalion froze on the spot.