Became Insanely Beautiful
Before I explain the situation,
Let me make it clear that I'm a guy with very average, conventional tastes.
The only reason I ended up reading a romance fantasy novel called Ceres of Heaven was pure coincidence.
I happened to see a banner ad.
When I checked out the serialization site, it had over a million views, high recommendations, and a lot of people bookmarking it.
I couldn't help but get curious about what made it so interesting.
The story summary went something like this:
Ceres, the only daughter of a count's family, is weak in health but kind and beautiful.
One day, she discovers by chance that she possesses the power of a saintess.
That becomes the catalyst for her to meet various male leads.
…Just from that, anyone would assume it's a typical reverse harem story.
If not for the yandere and angst (피폐) tags attached to it.
But back then, I didn't really understand what the obsession and angst tags meant.
I just thought it meant the guys get a little too obsessed with the girl. So I started reading it without much thought.
As I kept reading, my expression gradually hardened, and without realizing it, I ended up cursing out loud.
"All the guys are freaking lunatics?!"
One guy strangles Ceres because she's with another man, another locks her up demanding she only look at him.
One even threatens to kill her parents if she doesn't marry him.
The plot was outrageous enough to make anyone curse!
Looking at the comments, I wasn't the only one swearing.
Yet the novel kept doing well, probably because it had that trashy drama vibe that makes you keep watching even while complaining.
I got hooked too, and after the first time I read it, I kept up with every update.
I kept wondering when the situation would get better. But instead of improving, things just kept getting worse.
She's framed as a fake saintess and thrown into an underground prison.
She's constantly tormented by a crazy male lead and ends up losing her saintess powers.
One guy cuts her Achilles tendon so she can't run away, crippling her.
Then she gets diagnosed with a terminal illness, barely recovers, only to lose her will to live and commits suicide.
The story ends with the protagonist suffering terribly and then taking her own life!
[ Has the author lost it? ]
[ I wanted angst, but not this much! ]
[ This is way too much. ]
[ The suffering female lead died, so why are all the male leads alive and well? ]
Even the usual angst readers couldn't take it, and the comment section exploded.
Same for me.
After reading for hundreds of chapters, I grew really attached to Ceres.
I left so many comments begging the author to let Ceres be happy.
And this is how they end it?
[Was "Ceres of Heaven" meant literally, as in she goes to heaven?! I've never seen a novel like this in my life. I begged so hard for her to have a good life, and this is what you give me? You're probably the first person to drag out the protagonist's suffering for hundreds of chapters!]
Enraged, I sent a long message full of curses to the author, and still couldn't calm down, so I drank a whole bottle of alcohol.
…That was the situation right before I passed out drunk.
"Where am I?"
But when I woke up, I was in a completely different world.
***
I raised my body halfway off the bed and looked around.
The bed was huge and soft, and the room was filled with expensive-looking items.
It definitely wasn't my room from before I went to sleep!
My physical condition was strange too. I did drink before bed, but not that much.
Yet I felt drowsy and weak, like I'd been on a massive drinking binge.
Could it be that someone drugged me and kidnapped me while I was sleeping?
"Who'd even bother kidnapping someone like me…?"
I voiced my disbelief out loud, then suddenly noticed something odd.
The voice that came out wasn't mine. It was smooth and pleasant, a beautiful, delicate voice.
"A m-mirror!"
With a bad feeling, I looked around for one.
I saw a mirror across the room and tried to get off the bed to go over, but the moment I moved, I felt pain.
W-what's going on? Why is even walking this difficult? I'm out of breath just from walking, and my legs hurt!
"Kuugh…"
I gritted my teeth and pushed through, slowly approaching the mirror.
When I finally looked into it, I saw a face that was, as expected, completely different.
Long silver hair. Immaculately pale skin.
Thick eyelashes and sparkling blue eyes.
A doll-like face, perfectly sculpted.
Incredibly beautiful, and strangely familiar.
"…Ceres?"
There was no way I was mistaken.
The very reason I was drawn to the novel in the first place was because of this appearance.
It was the spitting image of Ceres from the novel cover, brought into 3D.
"What the hell…."
Shocked, I took a step back, but lost my balance and collapsed to the floor.
My body wouldn't move!
I tried to get up somehow, but this body, which struggled just to walk, wouldn't cooperate.
"What's that noise?"
"No way!"
I groaned as I rolled on the floor, and people appeared after hearing my voice.
Servant-looking people opened the door, came in, and gasped when they saw me.
"Young Master Ceres!"
"Are you alright?"
They immediately helped me up and laid me on the bed, leaving me completely bewildered.
Who were these people? And why were they calling me Young Master Ceres?
Did I become Ceres?
But if so, what's with the "young master"?!
I touched my chest to check, definitely male, not female.
It was already bizarre enough that I'd become the protagonist of a novel, but even the gender didn't match what I knew.
"Young Master Ceres, why did you move around on your own?"
Not knowing what was going on, I just rolled my eyes around, and one of the servants spoke with a mix of concern and scolding.
"We told you to call for us whenever you needed to move."
"You've been getting worse lately, and now you're doing things you've never done before."
The servants asked, clearly finding the situation strange.
In the original story, Ceres had a very frail body.
Though it gets cured later, early in the novel he couldn't even walk properly.
He always moved around with servants, so of course they'd find it odd that he collapsed trying to walk alone.
"I-I just wanted to check my face real quick."
I still didn't understand the situation, but getting suspected wouldn't help, so I bluffed for now.
"I thought there might be something on my face."
"There's nothing at all. You're as beautiful as always."
"Really? I guess it was just my imagination."
I trailed off.
I couldn't come up with a better excuse, but unexpectedly, the servants seemed convinced.
"Well, I suppose, since that person is coming today."
"You wanted to make sure nothing looked off before meeting Hero Alios."
Alios Gravius.
Successor of the Gravius Ducal House.
Also a Sword Master, and the greatest knight in this empire.
He defeated demons who preyed on humans, and was thus called a Hero.
And also—
That gentleman bastard!
He was really gentlemanly in the beginning.
He treated Ceres kindly at first, but later turned into a scumbag and stabbed him in the back.
In Ceres of Heaven, the story starts by focusing on Ceres, and ends the first chapter with the appearance of this Alios.
So if that guy is coming now, then this must be the beginning of the novel?
"…."
"Young master, do you need anything?"
"…I'm fine, you may go."
I sent the servants away, they were interrupting my thoughts.
"We're so fucked."
I stared up at the ceiling as I tried to sort out the situation.
I had become Ceres, but a male version.
Which meant, I might now go through all the same horrible experiences the original Ceres did!
How was I supposed to survive this?!
In other transmigration novels, the protagonist usually gets some kind of cheat ability when they possess someone. Don't I get one?
Not only do I not have a cheat, this body is even worse than my original one.
Back in the real world, I was a real man, I had taken martial arts at a dojo as a hobby.
I had decent skills and was confident, but with this body, I couldn't even resist anything!
…Wait.
Maybe I still have the power that Ceres had?
I focused my mind to check, but nothing happened.
"…So I can't use divine power yet."
Divine power.
A power above holy power used by priests, literally the power of the gods.
Ceres was called a saint in the original story because he was born with this.
And it was also the reason his life was ruined.
A cheat-like ability that could fully heal any injury or illness another person had.
But it was a completely useless ability when it came to healing his own weak body!
It's later revealed that this divine power is actually the cause of Ceres' frailty.
The divine power was too strong.
Ceres, being human, couldn't withstand it, which made it impossible to use divine power to heal himself.
At least it could be used to heal others, but by the time Ceres became crippled, he lost that power and couldn't use it anymore.
You'd think, what kind of crappy power is that? But in the story, it's explained as being hard to control.
He couldn't even use it from the beginning. He only awakened it after going through certain events.
Is that why I can't use it right now?
Or is it because I'm male now, and completely unable to use it?
I don't know the reason, but honestly, it wasn't a big deal.
"…It might be better not to be able to use this kind of thing."
It wasn't even a power that saw much use in the original story.
The novel was mostly about Ceres enduring one humiliation after another. It wasn't about people praising him for using his powers to heal them.
So it's not what matters right now.
What does matter is that bastard, Alios.
He's the first of the four male leads that Ceres meets, and the first one introduced to readers.
He hears about Ceres, said to be the most beautiful person in the empire, and visits just to see for himself, then takes a liking and keeps coming back.
He eventually falls in love, and at first treats Ceres well, but loses his mind as other male leads appear.
At one point, he even says—
Even if I have to force you, I'll make sure you carry my child. Let's see if you can still wag your tail at other men with a swollen belly.
But now I'm Ceres, and unlike the original, I'm a man?
"…Uagh!"
I rolled off the bed and hit the floor.
I forced my trembling legs to move and staggered toward the door.
I have to run away - now!!
Chapter 2
So What If I'm Pretty?
I opened the door.
Even just that simple action took an immense amount of effort.
"Ugh!"
After walking a little farther, I couldn't hold out any longer and collapsed.
So Ceres lived like this all the time?!
I already knew he was pitiful, but experiencing it firsthand made it feel even worse.
"Kuugh, I won't give up!"
Driven by sheer stubbornness, I forced my body to move.
If I couldn't walk, then I'd crawl, so I twisted my body and managed to get moving.
Something that the original Ceres likely wouldn't have been able to do.
It was said his arms were so weak he couldn't even push a wheelchair properly.
Was it because I was male now, and relatively healthier? Even so, I wouldn't be able to move for long.
I kept crawling as best I could, looking for a place to hide.
I planned to find a quiet spot to wait until Alios left, but that's when it happened.
"What are you doing?!"
Someone had found me.
An incredibly beautiful woman with long blond hair tied in a ponytail.
She had a tall, slender figure, and her long legs moved quickly as she ran toward me.
"Aren't you Young Master Ceres? What on earth are you doing here?!"
Who is she? I don't remember her from the novel.
Maybe she's one of the staff in the count's household? She called me young master immediately, so that must be it.
There were a lot of staff here, being a count's estate. That's probably why the servants came running when I made noise earlier.
Honestly, I was surprised I'd even made it this far without being noticed.
Maybe everyone was too busy preparing for Alios's visit, and only this woman happened to find me.
"Where's your room? Excuse me, I'll take you back there!"
She lifted me with both hands.
Even if my body was slender now, I wasn't exactly a light person, she had incredible strength!
"My dear gentleman, please forgive me for laying hands on your body."
She spoke as if apologizing.
She seemed like a kind person, probably just intending to return me to my room with good intentions.
"W-wait a second!"
It was a kindness I didn't need. I stopped the unknown woman.
"Not now. More importantly, hide me somewhere no one can find me."
"Why?"
"B-because some weird person came to the house."
The situation was so absurd, and my body hurt so much that I couldn't think of a good excuse. In my confusion, I almost told her the truth.
"Hero Alios fell for me and is trying to get me pregnant."
"…What?"
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. That guy's really that kind of person!"
I desperately tried to explain, and the woman gave me a stunned look.
Then—
"Hahahaha!!"
She burst into laughter.
Was she laughing because what I said sounded ridiculous?
Well, I guess if you didn't know the situation, it would sound like the ravings of a lunatic.
Even if she didn't believe me, I was about to at least ask her to help me hide, when she said something I couldn't ignore.
"I'm Hero Alios. What exactly am I supposed to have done to you? Haha!"
…What?
"Pffft, how is a woman supposed to get a man pregnant? You're really quite amusing."
The woman, Alios, laughed, saying it was hilarious, but I felt the blood freeze in my veins.
She said she was Alios? Now that I think about it, she did resemble him a little.
Alios in the novel was a blond, handsome man who spoke politely, and this woman was a blonde beauty with the same kind of elegance.
It really did feel like, if Alios became a woman, this is what she'd look like.
"What's all this noise?"
While I was frozen in disbelief at this nonsense situation, another person appeared.
A beautiful woman with a cold atmosphere and short silver hair.
I had never seen her before, yet when she saw me, she flinched slightly.
"Sir Alios, why are you holding my son in your arms?"
Son? What is she talking about?
Ceres didn't have a mother, she died a long time ago. And the hair color was passed down from the father, so it wasn't even silver…
…Wait. Could this woman be Count Ares, Ceres's father?
Full name: Ares Hyperion.
Father of Ceres Hyperion and the current head of the Hyperion Count family.
Famed as one of the most capable men in the entire nation, but now a woman?
"I'm asking why you're holding my son. You came here as a guest, and this is outrageous behavior. Put him down this instant."
Ares glared at Alios, who was holding me.
She didn't seem the least bit intimidated, even though Alios was the heir of a ducal house and a Hero.
That made sense. The Ares I knew was cold in appearance but cherished his daughter Ceres more than his own life.
Even as a woman, she must really be Ares. That attitude left no room for doubt.
"Please wait, this is a misunderstanding."
Alios, facing Ares's chilling stare, quickly tried to explain.
"I found Ceres collapsed here. I was just trying to take him back to his room."
"What nonsense? A child who can't even walk on his own wouldn't have ended up out here."
"Well, the thing is—"
Alios gave a weak smile.
She was about to repeat what I had said earlier, so I quickly cut in.
"I came out to meet this person, Mother!"
I hid the truth, thinking I'd be suspected if I mentioned anything about pregnancy.
And honestly, it was embarrassing.
I had said Alios, who's now a woman, was trying to get me pregnant, how ridiculous was that?
"I was so excited at the thought of meeting Hero Alios. I couldn't contain myself. I wanted to see her as soon as possible."
"Then why didn't you call a servant?"
"There wasn't anyone around."
"…I suppose they pulled even your attendants to prepare for entertaining Sir Alios."
Believing my excuse, Ares furrowed her brow.
"That was my oversight. I apologize, Ceres. And Sir Alios, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
She apologized, then once again shot a sharp glare.
"How long are you planning to hold a child of that age? Hand him over now."
"…Very well."
Alios hesitated for a moment, then handed me over.
The two women passed me back and forth as if I were some kind of doll.
Though not quite on Alios's level, Ares was also described in the novel as highly skilled.
Even as a woman, I guess her physical ability remained unchanged.
"Ceres, are you alright?"
"Yes."
Cradled in Ares's arms, I quietly nodded.
Despite being held by two stunningly beautiful women in a row, I felt nothing.
The situation was so insane that I didn't have room for emotions like that.
After a moment, a servant arrived and said everything was ready.
"All is prepared. Let's go, Sir Alios. You too, Ceres."
They were about to entertain Alios, and I was being taken along too.
"Why me?"
"You said you came out to meet Sir Alios, didn't you? I'll let you speak with her at the banquet, so wait a moment."
In this situation, I couldn't say otherwise.
I was dragged to the banquet hall, unable to say a single word like a mute.
With all the servants mobilized, the banquet hall was covered in all kinds of lavish delicacies.
"Ceres, sit here."
Ares sat me next to her, handling me like something fragile that might break.
"Sir Alios, over there."
Alios was given a special seat, but she just stood there and didn't sit.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, I just prefer this seat."
The seat she chose was next to Ares's, which meant it was next to me.
Out of all the available seats, she chose the one next to me. Ares's eyebrow twitched.
I stiffened too, but apparently, she didn't notice our reactions.
Alios, having taken the seat beside me, smiled brightly and continued talking to me.
"You're just as beautiful as they say. I came after hearing the rumors, and you've exceeded my expectations."
She complimented my looks, but I felt nothing.
Ceres was originally described as the most beautiful person in the empire. Even with the gender swapped, the appearance stayed the same, so it was only natural I'd be beautiful.
It wasn't even my real face anyway.
"Instead of spending your time chasing rumors about other people's looks, wouldn't it be better used elsewhere?"
Unlike earlier, I used formal speech, but I responded coldly.
Even if the gender had changed, I just couldn't think positively about this woman, knowing she was that Alios.
That probably meant she wouldn't think well of me either, which was actually what I wanted.
After the weird stuff I blurted out earlier too, maybe she'd lose interest in me.
"Fufu, you're shy, aren't you?"
Damn it. She wasn't getting it.
She probably thought I was acting strange on purpose to get her attention.
Even my blunt attitude was being interpreted as "cute."
"Thank you for the hospitality. I had a wonderful time today."
Finally, Alios was preparing to leave.
"Someone once said that seeing Ceres before you die is worth it. I now understand what they meant."
"What a foolish thing to say."
Ares said exactly what I had wanted to.
"You've seen him, so be on your way. I'd prefer if you didn't return again."
"Why is that?"
"If an unrelated woman keeps visiting, it'll only make Ceres uncomfortable."
"Hmm, is that so?"
Alios looked at me with a teasing glint in her eye.
"What do you think, Ceres? I'd like to see you more often."
There it is.
That was a line straight from the original novel.
Alios expresses interest in Ceres, Ares doesn't like it and pushes her away.
So Alios turns to Ceres and asks for his opinion instead.
In this situation, there was only one answer I wanted to give.
Don't come!
The real Ceres, thinking she might finally have a friend, naively told her to come visit again.
But I, knowing everything, had no intention of doing that, I wanted to refuse her right away.
…But if I tell her not to come, won't she just use her power to force her way in anyway?
She's the heir to a ducal house and a Sword Master. As a count's family, we probably couldn't even stop her if we wanted to.
Still, I was considering rejecting her anyway when—
"Ceres, just a moment."
Alios leaned in and whispered so only I could hear.
"I've taken a liking to you. Even if you say no, I'll come visit, so please just accept it."
…She's already showing signs of obsession.
Even as a woman, she's definitely still the original Alios from the novel!
Chapter 3
That's Not It
It's been quite some time since I became Ceres.
In that time, I haven't just sat around, I've been gathering information in my own way.
And what I found out was this: this world is one where the roles of men and women are reversed.
Everything else is just like the original story, except the genders are swapped. As if to match that, Ceres and the male leads have also had their genders reversed.
According to the rumors I heard, not just Alios, but the other ones are all women too.
…At least I won't have to worry about anything happening with a man, so I guess that's a relief?
But even if their genders are different, the obsessive behavior seems to remain the same.
"Ceres, how have you been?"
Just as she declared, Alios really did visit frequently.
She came every few days. Her territory was close by, sure, but it was still an unusual level of effort.
"I was fine until just now. Not anymore."
I treated Alios coldly whenever she came to visit.
The exact opposite of the original Ceres, who warmly welcomed her and gained her favor.
"Oh, you can speak casually if you like. Just talk to me like you did when we first met."
But Alios didn't seem offended at all, she stayed friendly.
"You're beautiful again today. You shine like the moon."
"The moon only shines because it reflects the sun's light. It doesn't shine on its own."
"Fufu, then shall I be your sun? You really are an interesting person."
No matter what I said, it felt like her affection only grew, it gave me chills.
Someone else might say this:
"Regardless of the original story, she's just a blonde beauty who likes you now, why not get close?"
But knowing the crazy Alios from the original, I just couldn't.
Amid these uncomfortable visits—
"Ceres, I'll just stop by to say hello today."
Alios showed up, not just with a few attendants like usual, but with knights in tow.
For a moment, I was shocked, thinking she might try to take me away by force, but that wasn't it.
"There were reports of demons nearby. I have to take care of them today, so I can't stay long."
Hearing her regretful tone reminded me.
The most important event from Ceres of Heaven.
Demons appeared near this estate, and Alios went to eliminate them.
Because she had only a short meeting with Ceres, she left feeling unsatisfied and dropped her guard.
She defeated the demons, but returned with a serious arm injury.
It was then, when Ceres first awakened divine power.
The desire to heal someone dear to him who was badly injured triggered the awakening of divine power.
In other words—
If I prevent this event, that damn divine power might never awaken at all!
"I'll visit as usual starting tomorrow, so today I'll just—"
"Wait!"
I stopped Alios just as she was about to leave with the knights.
"You need to be careful."
"Huh? Of course I'll be careful."
"More than usual. I have a really bad feeling today. If you don't want to get hurt, be cautious."
"You're worried about me?"
"Yes."
I wasn't, but I pretended I was.
Now that I'd warned her, she'd be more careful and come back unharmed.
And even if she did get hurt like in the original, I had no intention of treating her.
I figured there was no way the divine power would awaken now, and I waited nonchalantly—
"Aaaagh!"
"Someone, help!"
A few hours later—
Alios returned, completely unharmed herself, but with countless injured behind her.
What the hell happened?!
The knights she had taken with her had all come back wounded. Not just me, but the entire household was shocked.
"Sir, what happened here?"
Even Ares, who rarely showed surprise, opened her eyes wide.
"A demon stronger than expected appeared."
Alios said in a flustered voice.
While they were fighting a demon stronger than anticipated, it suddenly unleashed a powerful attack, and the knights were hit by it.
"What were you doing? Isn't it your job to handle things like that?"
"Well, someone gave me a warning before I left…"
Alios avoided Ares's gaze as she explained.
Someone had warned her before the battle, and it stuck in her mind.
Without realizing it, instead of blocking the attack, she dodged it, and her subordinates ended up taking the hit.
…Are you saying this is my fault?
She didn't mention my name, maybe to protect me, but since I was the one who warned her, I was clearly the cause.
Because I gave her that warning, what should've ended with one person getting an arm injury turned into this mess?
I stiffened my expression and looked at the wounded.
In this world where gender roles are reversed, the knights were all women.
They were young women, but every one of them had suffered gruesome injuries.
"Hey, stay with me!"
Some of them were on the verge of death if not treated immediately.
The kind of attack that caused this much damage, was that really something Alios blocked with just one arm in the original?
Just how strong is she?
"Count, is there no way to help them?"
"I'm sorry. I have medicine reserved for Ceres, but it's only for general health, it won't help with serious injuries."
"That can't be!"
As people on the verge of death appeared, Alios asked for help, but even Ares had no solution.
Should I heal them?
But if I do, I might awaken the divine power, then everything would proceed just like the original story.
But if I don't step up now, some of them really might die.
As I was struggling with the decision—
"Ceres?"
"What is—?!"
Ares and Alios, who had been speaking in despair, turned to me in shock.
Everyone else, too, seemed to forget the situation for a moment as their faces showed surprise.
…Because divine power was radiating from my body like light.
So it awakened just from worrying, not even with the clear intent to heal?
Shit!
No choice now.
"Step aside."
"Young Master Ceres!"
I shook off the servant who tried to help me and endured the pain as I approached the dying knights.
In the original, Ceres used it immediately upon awakening, so there was no need to learn how to use it.
As I raised my hand and released divine power, wounds closed, and even missing body parts regenerated.
"They're all healed…"
"Is this holy power?"
"No way. Even the High Priest wouldn't have this kind of holy energy!"
"He's like a legendary saint!"
The knights, who had been on the verge of death just moments ago, were now completely healed. They stared at me in bewilderment.
"Ceres, when did you get that kind of power?!"
"Just now!"
I answered Ares truthfully, who looked shocked.
"I don't know why, but I seem to have awakened a healing power just now, so I used it."
Yeah, now that it's awakened, what can I do?
Might as well find a way to make use of it somehow!
"And you."
I pointed at Alios.
"I told you to be careful. I didn't say to irresponsibly dodge and let others get hurt in your place. Don't expect me to help next time, so do better!"
I vented my frustration on Alios, but her expression was strange.
"…Yes!"
Even though I yelled at her for something that wasn't entirely her fault, she looked… moved. Her eyes practically oozed honey.
What the hell is with her?
***
It all started with pure curiosity.
The sickly young master of House Hyperion, unable to even leave the mansion.
Just hearing some gossip from the servants, Alios wondered, was someone called the empire's greatest beauty really that beautiful?
Alios visited Ceres on a whim, with only that light reason.
So when she happened to find Ceres collapsed while wandering around, she was shocked but also impressed.
"So the rumors were true!"
Silver hair that sparkled. Snow-white skin. Features like a work of art.
A beauty so pure it seemed to reject impurity, her eyes were glued to him.
But her amazement soon turned into bafflement and laughter.
"He said I'd fall for him and try to get him pregnant?"
It was the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard, but it made a strong impression.
"He's not just pretty, he's funny too."
She was interested not just in his looks, but in Ceres as a person.
She wanted to meet him again and get to know him better.
Half-joking, she even did things she normally wouldn't, making pushy requests.
She could feel he didn't like it, but she ignored that.
In fact, seeing how he reacted made her want to do it more.
"He's such a fun person to tease."
Alios thought she was just messing around because he was amusing, but she didn't realize.
She wasn't aware that what she thought was teasing for fun… was actually her trying to get his attention.
Alios hadn't fully realized it herself yet, but she was already intensely conscious of Ceres.
That's why Ceres's sudden warning stuck with her.
Which, while good for her, ended in disaster for her subordinates.
"What do I do? What should I do?!"
Alios had somehow managed to bring her injured knights back to House Hyperion, but her head throbbed.
Because she instinctively avoided the attack meant for her, her subordinates took the hit.
The actual target, the demon, escaped during the chaos.
It was the first and biggest mistake in Alios's life, until now, she had only known success as the heir of a duke and the empire's greatest knight.
"Ceres… will he be disappointed in me?"
She was scared of how people would react, but more than anyone, she was afraid of what Ceres would think.
She was too scared to even meet his eyes, choosing instead to speak only with Ares.
Then—
"What the—!"
Ceres suddenly activated a powerful healing ability and began treating her knights.
And that wasn't all.
"I told you to be careful. I didn't say to irresponsibly dodge and let others get hurt in your place. Don't expect me to help next time, so do better!"
Even as Ceres pointed at her and scolded her, Alios focused on something else.
"Wait… are you saying you helped me? With that frail body, forcing yourself to move… for me?"
Alios believed Ceres had healed her subordinates for her.
"I thought he hated me… but he even gave me a warning, and now he's worried about me?"
Just thinking that Ceres cared about her made her chest stir uncontrollably.
Her heart pounded, her feelings a mess.
"What is this feeling?"
At first confused, Alios finally realized what it was.
"So that's it. This isn't just affection, it's love!!"
It was the moment Alios first became aware of her feelings.
And it happened months earlier than it did in the original story.
Chapter 4
Unreasonable Hatred
Why, I wonder.
Alios's attitude had gotten even clingier.
It had been some time since I healed her subordinates.
Since then, Alios had continued visiting me regularly, but her behavior had clearly changed.
"Ceres, a gift for you."
Alios came to find me as I lay in bed and handed me something.
She had been bringing gifts with each visit before, but they were relatively modest items.
But now, the quality had skyrocketed.
"Ceres, this is clothing made from the pelt of a white wolf that only lives in the snowy north."
"Isn't that expensive? I heard that region rarely trades with outsiders."
"It's alright. I can afford it without trouble. Ah, and this is a snow blossom that only grows in the north."
"Isn't the snow blossom the symbol of the ruling family in that region? I heard it's not something that's sold."
"It was gifted to our family, but I'm giving it to you. This pure white suits you more than anyone else."
As she spoke in that overly affectionate tone and offered me the snow blossom, I almost yelled, "Are you crazy?!"
Why are you giving me a gift that was exchanged between noble houses?!
I remembered the snow blossom because it appeared in the original novel too.
Ceres received it as a gift there as well, and the powerful family that originally owned it was deeply offended.
But in the original, it was a different male lead who gave it recklessly.
Do all these lunatics think the same?
Anyway.
She kept bringing me these burdensome gifts, and I had no idea why.
I didn't even heal her, like in the original.
Sure, I healed her subordinates, but I also lashed out at her right after.
So why is she acting like she's even more in love with me now?
At some point, she'd started calling me by name, too.
Looking at me like I was the most lovable person in the world, while I just stared back at her in confusion.
"Please, stop this!"
"Please return now!"
Suddenly, there was commotion outside.
"What's going on?"
"Wait, don't walk on your own!"
As I tried to get up to check, Alios hurried to support me.
I really hated it, but I had no choice.
Leaning on her, I stepped outside and saw a group of unfamiliar people kneeling in the front yard.
"Count, please help us just this once!"
"I told you, the answer is no!"
"We desperately need help. At least let us meet with Young Master Ceres!"
"You people—!"
The strangers begged Ares, who looked clearly irritated.
"What is it?"
The moment I appeared, all eyes turned to me.
"Ceres, go back inside."
Ares tried to send me away quickly, but before she could, the people rushed toward me.
"That face!"
"Just as beautiful as the rumors say!"
"You must be Young Master Ceres, said to be the most beautiful in the empire!"
People I had never seen before were treating me like some kind of savior.
Wait a minute.
Could this be—?
"Young Master Ceres, we've heard the rumors."
"That you possess divine power, like a legendary saint. Please, share your power with us!"
Ah, right, I remember this.
After Ceres used divine power to heal Alios, word started to spread.
Even though Ares tried to keep things quiet, too many people had witnessed it, Alios's knights, Hyperion household servants, so it inevitably got out.
Then people who heard the rumor began coming to ask for healing…
But why are there three of them?
I remember it being only one person in the original. Why are there three this time?
Could it be that, since I healed more people than the original Ceres did, more came to ask for help?
"Enough. Don't be unreasonable."
While I was trying to figure out what had changed, Ares shouted.
"Why come to my son instead of seeking out a priest?"
"My daughter's wounds are too severe. Ordinary priests can't heal her."
"Then summon a high-ranking priest."
"That's impossible. Commoners like us have no way of doing that!"
"Then how does it make sense to demand healing from the only child of the Count family?"
Ares looked down on the pleading commoners with cold eyes.
"Did you think Ceres looked soft-hearted, so if you begged he'd help you? As long as I'm here, that will never happen."
"We've heard Young Master Ceres is a kind person! Please, have mercy too, Count!"
"What are you doing? Get them out of here at once!"
Ares called the servants to drag the commoners out of the mansion.
And then—
"Don't!!!"
I shouted almost reflexively.
At my sudden loud voice, everyone turned to look at me.
Even Ares, who had a cold expression just moments before, now looked surprised.
"Ceres?"
"Kuh, kuhlk! Th-those people… don't send them away!"
I tried to hold back a cough after shouting suddenly and forced myself to speak.
Because if we sent those people away like this, they'd go out and start spreading rumors that I'm a witch!
In the original Ceres of Heaven, Ares sternly drove out a commoner who had asked for help.
Ceres had wanted to help, but his father was unyielding, and he himself wasn't in any condition to go anywhere, so he could only watch helplessly.
Surprisingly, the commoner who was kicked out held a grudge and started spreading rumors that Ceres was a witch.
They said he had the power to heal but didn't use it, so he must have an evil heart.
That it wasn't saintly power but magic used by a witch pretending to be a saint!
Because of that rumor, one of the male leads who worked at the temple later came to verify it himself.
Then when Ceres was suspected of being a fake saint, the same person reappeared as a "witness" and spouted nonsense.
It sounds like an absurd development, but…
This world basically exists for the purpose of irrationally hating Ceres, so it all makes sense!
"Don't worry. I'll heal you."
And now there are not just one, but three of them.
If I'm unlucky, this could turn into something three times worse than in the original.
I have to shut it down completely before anything starts.
"Ooh, Young Master Ceres, is that true? You truly shine not just in looks, but in heart as well!"
"Where is the person in need of healing? Please lead the way."
"Please, follow us!"
The commoners hurried to guide me.
"Ceres, have you lost your mind?"
As I moved to follow them, Ares rushed over in shock to block me.
"If you want to help, at least make them come here."
"Count, my daughter is in no condition to move."
"So is my son!"
Ares glared at the one who objected, shutting him up instantly, then placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going with a body that can't even move on its own? It's dangerous outside."
"Then I just need to go with someone I can trust."
I glanced sideways at Alios, who was still supporting me.
"Come with me."
"Gladly."
Yeah, I figured you'd say that. If it's come to this, I'll make use of her.
"She's the empire's greatest knight. She should be more than capable as an escort, right?"
"You're really determined to go, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"…Take some servants with you as well."
When I replied firmly, Ares gave in, albeit with a look that said she really didn't want to.
***
"Please come this way."
I followed the commoners, bringing Alios and a few servants along.
These people were residents of the Hyperion Count's domain.
It wasn't too far since it was our territory, but for me, it felt like a grueling journey.
"Ceres, are you uncomfortable anywhere?"
"This whole situation, being carried in your arms, is uncomfortable."
Grumbling, I let Alios carry me in a princess carry.
She had scooped me up suddenly, saying there was no way she'd let someone as sick as me move on my own.
"We're here."
"Put me down."
Still, I couldn't show up at someone else's house looking that ridiculous.
As soon as we arrived at one of the homes, I had her put me down.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm only standing up while healing, just for a bit."
Enduring the pain, I acted tough in front of her and the servants, who looked worried.
"This child is my daughter."
Once inside, I checked the condition of the patient. It was indeed serious.
She lay on the bed like a corpse, wrapped in bandages, with one leg missing.
"My daughter's a hunter. She went out to hunt and ran into a beast… She's not even conscious!"
In this world with reversed gender roles, the father was the one nursing the daughter. He held my hand and pleaded.
"Please, show us mercy."
"I already have."
"…Pardon?"
Using the hand he hadn't grabbed, I touched the daughter and finished the healing.
The father stared blankly at me.
"W-what is…?"
His daughter, whose leg had been severed and whose body was badly wounded, opened her eyes and looked around.
Divine power might be a source of trouble, but its effect was undeniable.
"Where's the next house?"
It had happened so fast that everyone around was frozen, so I prompted them for the next one.
Right then—
"Ah!"
"Ceres!"
My shaky legs finally gave out. Just as I was about to fall, Alios caught me from behind.
"Thank y—"
I was about to thank her… when I broke into chills all over.
"Fuuu…"
Alios, holding me up, buried her face into my hair and inhaled my scent.
Chapter 5
Overflowing Unreasonable Hatred
The original Alios was in the 180 cm range.
Maybe because of that, the female version of Alios is also over 170 cm.
On the other hand, since I became the original delicate Ceres, I'm on the smaller side even as a man.
When Alios hugs me, I fit right into her arms.
Right now, Alios was taking advantage of that fact, hugging me and simply lowering her head to sniff my hair.
Fuck, this is disgusting!!!
Her behavior was so creepy that I didn't feel the slightest joy, even though she was a beautiful blonde.
If she were still a man like in the original, I'd have thrown a fit and told her to let go immediately.
"…Cut it out."
"Ah, sorry! Your scent was just so nice, I couldn't help myself."
Only when I spoke did she back off, as if realizing she'd made a mistake.
But she still looked regretful.
I wanted to run far away from her, but I needed her help to get around, so I had no choice.
If something like this happens again, maybe I should have her push me around in a wheelchair or something?
"Enough with the weird stuff, just take me to the next house."
I forced myself to shake off the disgusting feeling and continued what I was doing.
"My daughter injured her back and hasn't been able to move her lower body since."
"My mother suffered an abdominal injury while working, and she's been bleeding nonstop!"
I visited the homes of the other two people and healed them as well.
"Oh my god, even the priests gave up on her!"
"Young Master Ceres, I will never forget this kindness!"
That should be enough, right?
I did what they wanted, and judging by their reactions, they were sincerely grateful.
A witch—
No, since I'm a man, would that be a warlock?
Either way, it didn't seem like I'd be accused of anything like that.
"Let's go back."
"Yes."
Feeling relieved, I returned home in Alios's arms. She gently laid me on the bed, and I told her:
"I'm going to sleep, so go home or do whatever you want."
"Ah, then… would it be alright if I slept here too? It's already late, and I've been running around all day…"
"…When you say sleep here, you mean using one of the guest rooms in this mansion, not my room, right?"
"I meant a guest room, but I wouldn't mind this room either."
"…I'm tired."
I drove out the nonsensical Alios and fell asleep as if I were dead.
And the next day—
"Young Master Ceres, please!"
"We need your help!"
More people came asking for help.
***
I had resolved one situation and done a good deed. I fell asleep feeling somewhat proud.
And when I woke up, this was what I saw.
"Count, please, I beg you!"
"I said get lost!"
Ares shouted at the kneeling people who had come to the front yard just like yesterday.
Even worse, there were more of them today, nine in total. That's triple the number from yesterday.
"What's going on?"
"I'm not sure."
To my baffled question, Alios, who had stayed the night in our home, answered awkwardly.
"Maybe word got out about what happened yesterday. People must have heard that Ceres healed others and came hoping to be treated too."
"Then… do I need to treat them as well?"
"That's entirely up to you, Ceres. If you don't want to, you don't have to."
What do you mean, up to me.
If I don't, my reputation will tank, and I'll get unfairly hated for it!
"Alios, I'll need your help again today."
"…Just don't overdo it."
With Alios supporting me, I followed the new people.
"My son is completely healed!"
"The rumors were true!"
"This person is a true saint…"
"I don't have much, but please accept this at least."
I healed those who couldn't even move, and they all expressed their gratitude.
Some even gave me money, but I couldn't feel happy about it.
Things were starting to go weird.
And my bad feeling proved right.
"Young Master Ceres, are you here?"
"Please help us!"
A few days later, more people came asking for healing.
"Saint Ceres!"
"Please, bestow the blessing of the gods!"
And then a few more days later, more people showed up again.
"I knew this would happen!!!"
As the cycle repeated, Ares grew increasingly fed up.
"I knew the moment we helped one person, they'd ignore our situation and keep begging endlessly. They only care about their own pain, not my sick child!"
"We know Young Master Ceres is frail! But my family is dying, and I had no choice…"
"Silence. From now on, if anyone brings people like this before me, they'll be dealt with too!"
Ares's tone turned ruthless as she declared her order. And while I was thankful for it, I had to speak up.
"Mother, it's okay."
"Ceres…"
Ares looked at me with sorrow in her eyes.
"How is this okay? You've already left the house several times when you can't even move! This is exactly why I wanted to keep it hidden!"
The way she spoke, sounding frustrated, reminded me of the Ares from the original novel.
When Ceres first used his healing powers in the original, his father Ares had also tried to keep it hidden.
This female Ares was doing the same.
She didn't brag that her child had an incredible healing power, nor did she report it to the temple.
I had a feeling something bad would definitely happen, and just as I thought, things progressed that way.
"Ceres, refuse them."
Alios, who had just arrived, saw the situation unfolding again and her expression hardened.
"Even if you heal them, the same thing will keep happening over and over again."
That's true. Honestly, I'm exhausted too.
Healing is simple enough, but going in and out so frequently is physically draining for me.
As I was wondering what to do, a brilliant idea came to mind.
"What if I just healed everyone in the territory all at once?"
"…What do you mean?"
"If I heal them all at once, I won't have to go out repeatedly."
And if I heal that many people, even if a few spread bad rumors, it would be more than enough to balance them out.
When I explained my idea, both Alios and Ares were speechless.
"That's not something you can do."
"Do you have any idea how many people live in this territory?"
I do. It's a lot.
The Hyperion Count family is a very prosperous one, with a large territory and many residents.
"But not all of them will need my healing."
"Even if it's not all of them, you can't go to every single one of them."
"I'm not planning to. Mother, please announce it throughout the territory, let them know that I'll heal people, and have everyone gather in one place."
"What about those who are immobile?"
"Tell everyone in need to work together and bring each other."
"…And what exactly do you gain from going this far?"
What else? My reputation and safety.
I kept persuading Ares, who was opposed to it.
Even though I tried everything, she didn't seem willing to budge, until she finally flared up.
"One week. You hear me? I'll allow this nonsense for one week, and after that, I don't care what you say, it ends!"
That's fine by me.
If I go that far, no one will be able to accuse me of anything again, so I have no complaints.
***
A message was sent across the entire territory.
For the next week, I would be healing people, so all those seriously ill or injured were told to gather.
The location was a large plaza near our estate.
Ares picked the place so I wouldn't have to move much, and she assigned me plenty of attendants.
Dozens of servants and even a hundred guards were deployed to guide the incoming crowd.
"Please remain in line."
"We'll be conducting a brief body check."
They maintained order and also checked for anything dangerous to ensure my safety.
"Don't worry. I'll be by your side every day."
Alios even promised to visit daily to act as my escort.
She protected me while also bringing patients to me so I could heal them easily.
"My finger was cut off… is there anything you can do?"
"Here, it's regenerated now."
"My leg was necrotized!"
"It's completely healed now."
There were many people in serious condition.
Our territory is relatively well-off, so just imagining how bad it must be in other places is horrifying.
Not all the patients had severe injuries, though.
"Young Master Ceres, please heal my arm!"
"…Isn't it just a fracture? It'll heal with time."
"I can't wait. If I can't work, I'll be fired!"
Some people had lesser injuries, but desperate circumstances. They tried to get in, only to be stopped by the guards.
"It's fine, let him in."
"But he's not seriously injured."
"Anyone with serious circumstances counts as serious injury."
Losing a job is serious too, so I treated him without argument.
"How merciful you are!"
"A beautiful appearance, a beautiful heart, and immense divine power. You must be the legendary saint!"
"To think the young master of our territory is actually a saint!"
People who had gained new hope cheered, calling me a saint.
Just like that, I continued healing people for five days.
Then—
"Who is that?"
"Hey, who goes there?!"
While I was in the middle of healing, the guards keeping watch suddenly shouted.
A group of about a dozen had appeared in the plaza, but they didn't look like patients at all.
They wore white clothing and gave off a noble, dignified aura.
At a glance, they were clearly of high status.
At the front was a woman with short blue hair.
She appeared to be their leader, tall, with a graceful figure.
She was quite beautiful, but her face was expressionless and cold.
She addressed the guards who were watching her warily.
"I am High Priestess Hames. I've come to meet Ceres Hyperion of House Hyperion. Lower your weapons."
The moment I heard her name, I stopped healing and stiffened.
Hames.
A high priestess of the Celestial Faith, the largest religious organization in this world.
And also the person said to wield the most powerful divine energy—a "man" in the original.
And—
"Ceres, I'm sorry. I just had to make you mine, even if it meant doing this."
When Ceres was accused of being a witch, she didn't help him even though she was a high priest, she instead fueled the accusation and had him imprisoned in the temple's underground dungeons, saying that crap.
One of the male leads of Ceres of Heaven.
She's a woman now, but no doubt about it, it's her.