Several days had passed since Yuria returned to her original world.

During that time, a few major events occurred.

First, the epidemic that had swept through the capital was resolved overnight.

‘Those people, do you want to heal them?’

The day after Yuphe asked me that question, all the young ladies of the capital who had collapsed from having their life force stolen suddenly recovered completely.

I was told that stolen life force couldn’t be returned, so I was curious how this happened, but there was no way to find out.

That was because Yuphe had abruptly returned to the Holy Nation without saying goodbye.

‘No, he should have at least said goodbye before leaving… Ah, no. I was the one who harshly told him not to even say goodbye.’

It was strange that I felt disappointed when I was the one who had spoken harshly to him.

Second was the fall of Yuria, who had been a hero.

As it was revealed that Yuria had attempted to assassinate the emperor, and the Grand Temple reversed its interpretation of the oracle, public opinion toward her changed.

Rumors even spread that the epidemic that swept through the capital was actually Yuria’s fault. Unfortunately, due to the timing, these rumors gained credibility.

‘Since the cult leader stole people’s life force to summon Yuria, I can’t say it was completely unrelated to her, but still, it wasn’t Yuria’s intention…’

Those who once called me a witch now cursed Yuria.

Seeing that made me feel inevitably bitter.

‘Still, it’s fortunate. Yuria safely returned to her original world, so she doesn’t have to face any more criticism from people.’

Having returned to her original world, Yuria would forget the nightmare from this place and live happily with people who loved her.

And finally, the third event.

Actually, for me, this was the most important thing…

My pharmacy was finally nearing completion for its grand opening!

I had poured all the money I received after the hunting festival into opening this pharmacy.

And today, I had come to visit after hearing that preparations were almost complete.

Looking at the two-story building located on prime real estate, I felt emotional thinking about all the hard work.

The first floor would be perfect as the pharmacy, and the second floor could be my personal space.

While I was lost in my daydreams, I heard sobbing sounds beside me.

“Sniff, sob…”

“Big sis, waaah…”

The ones who had followed me and were making a commotion were none other than Felitz and members of the underworld organization.

“Why are you following me and crying loudly on this good day?”

When I snapped at the grieving underworld members, they returned a hundred words for my one.

“Big sis, you’re really cold.”

“Aren’t you sad about parting with us?”

“I’d be sadder parting with a pet dog.”

“So we’re worth less than dogs to you.”

“We’ll become your puppies, so please don’t leave us.”

“Woof woof! Woof woof!”

“Shut up! Stop making dog noises!”

When I made a disgusted face at them for barking like dogs, they pouted their lips and added more comments.

“Such a heartless person.”

“Such a cold person.”

“Such a cruel person.”

“A person without blood or tears.”

“Woof woof woof! Woof woof!”

And then Cail, who was among them, looked at me intently and asked.

“Are you really going to leave me behind?”

His gaze was so calm yet persistent, with only my face reflected unwavering in his blue eyes.

‘Why does he always look at people with those eyes? It makes my heart weak and gives me strange feelings.’

For some time now, Cail’s gaze toward me had been particularly tenacious and persistent.

Was he like this before?

I’m not sure.

He was always standing behind me.

I didn’t have many opportunities to look into his eyes like now.

“Why are you doing this too?”

I deliberately avoided his gaze and tried to persuade him.

“You should go home now too. You have your castle in the northern lands and your clan members there.”

Being as careful as possible, fearing he might beg me not to abandon him like last time.

“You’ve become a hero, so wouldn’t it be nice to go to your homeland and live happily with your clan?”

In a kind and gentle voice, as if coaxing a child.

“Homeland, you say?”

After quietly listening to my words, he narrowed his eyes languidly and smiled faintly.

Then, slightly tilting his head toward me, he whispered in a low voice.

“My homeland is only by your side.”

“…?”

“Only by your side is where I belong.”

“…Tell me honestly. You don’t know what homeland means.”

It seemed certain that Cail didn’t understand the dictionary meaning of homeland.

He looked at me silently, then smiled and said.

“I, who lived like a beast, met you and gained a life, and through your grace became human, Jella. So my homeland is only by your side.”

“….”

At those words, I was momentarily at a loss for words.

‘When… did he become so eloquent?’

He was quite the smooth talker.

But what’s impossible is impossible.

“Still, it really can’t be.”

I said in a firm voice.

“Until now, we’ve stayed together in the underworld organization’s building where everyone shared accommodations, but this is my home. I can’t bring you to my home.”

“Why not?”

He asked with a face that truly couldn’t understand.

“Before, didn’t you keep me by your side? As the only person who could enter your bedroom at any time.”

“Well…”

Because that way you could kill me…

‘I can’t answer like that!’

When I couldn’t readily answer, Cail gently narrowed his eyes and said.

“Take me with you, Jella. Let me stay by your side.”

“….”

“I won’t do anything to disturb or annoy you. I’ll just protect you.”

“Hmm…”

Noticing my hesitation, he presented a more logical and reasonable argument.

“You’ll need help at the pharmacy anyway, won’t you?”

That’s true. I can’t work alone, so I do need help…

“The hero is right, big sis! You’ll need help at the pharmacy!”

At this point, the organization members chimed in, agreeing with Cail and interrupting our conversation.

“Use me, big sis! I’m good at sales and cleaning!”

“No, big sis! I’m better! Take me with you!”

“I can carry heavy loads! I can also watch the pharmacy for you when you’re tired!”

“Woof woof woof woof! Woof woof! Grrr…”

For a moment, Cail’s eyes narrowed slightly.

As if this wasn’t the situation he wanted, he glanced at the organization members with a look as if seeing competitors…

“I work better than any of them. You won’t regret choosing me, Jella.”

Then he began appealing to me to choose him from among the organization members.

My ears hurt from the clamoring of organization members asking me to take them as helpers.

I crossed my arms at an angle, looked them over, and opened my mouth.

“Come to think of it, I do need people.”

At my deliberate mutter, the organization members’ eyes suddenly lit up.

“Oh, me! Me!”

“Take me, big sis!”

“No, me!”

“Woof! Woof woof! Woof woof woof woof!”

The corners of my mouth curled up as I watched the organization members raising their hands and shouting “Me, me!”

“To develop and sell new medicines, I’ll need to conduct clinical trials to see if the medicine works well, so someone to work with me?”

“Gasp!”

“Eep!”

“Huh!”

Instantly, the organization members closed their mouths with pale faces.

“Ah…! Now that I think about it, I promised to organize and send promotional materials to the press today…”

“I, I’m on cleaning duty in the office instead of Tenes, so I need to go clean quickly…”

“Woof woof…”

Suddenly, one by one, they left, saying they had things to do.

“Felitz? Want to work with me?”

When I grinned and asked Felitz, who hadn’t left yet, he rolled his eyes and suddenly clutched his lower abdomen.

“Ah, ugh… I, I suddenly have a stomachache…!”

“Oh? Need medicine for your stomachache?”

“Ba, bathroom! No need for medicine, I need the bathroom!”

Felitz fled in a flash, looking for a bathroom.

I gave a snort of laughter as I watched him leave.

The noisy organization members had all scattered in an instant.

But only one person, Cail, still hadn’t left.

“Why aren’t you leaving? Do you really want to be my test subject?”

“I don’t mind.”

Cail answered in a calm and composed voice.

“However you use me, I don’t mind. Whatever you give me, even if it’s poison, I’ll gladly accept it.”

One of my eyebrows shot up crookedly as I listened to those words indifferently.

“What? Poison?”

At my sharp voice, he flinched and blinked.

“Jella…?”

“Poiiiiison?”

In an instant, my face transformed like a demon’s.

“Are you saying I’m a terrible pharmacist who makes poison?”