The Goddess Is Obsessed With Me [Complete]

Chapter 24

"I love you..."

My voice, laced with caution, reverberates through the expansive, life-drained relic.

Decomposing demons, including Marlua, fill the air with a stomach-churning stench as they decay at an alarming rate.

"I love you, Harold... I need nothing more than to be with you..."

Her whisper, icy yet brimming with affection, gently torments my ears.

"Erina, please... I need a moment to think..."

My plea for understanding was genuine as I tried to share my feelings with her, but...

"Do you... hate me?"

Suddenly, she clings to me, her eyes welling with melancholy tears, leaving me lost for words.

In this moment, I feel mentally trapped and desperately need a respite.

My consciousness, already blurring under Marlua's influence, grows dim.

The dreadful odor from the rotting demon corpses amplifies my nausea, amid the chaos engulfing my thoughts. I long to escape outdoors for a breath of fresh air, but Erina, suddenly fervent, allows me no peace, persistently pressuring me.

"You do hate me... I'm always such a burden to you..."

She reflects genuinely on her actions, not intending to emotionally weigh me down, but sincerely voicing her self-loathing and regret.

Erina's behavior, though not malevolent, edges me closer to breaking.

True insanity is driven not by malicious actions, but by pure, unintentional harm.

Consider this: If someone acts maliciously with intent, you can counter and reason with them. However, when a disaster stems from a pure heart, devoid of malice, it leaves one speechless.

For example, parents will assuredly scold a child causing mischief and breaking things.

But if a child, in an earnest attempt to treat their hardworking parents, accidentally wreaks havoc in the kitchen, can the parents truly scold them with a clear conscience?

Unlikely.

If a child acts spitefully, that's one thing. But if their actions, despite resulting in a mess, were meant to convey the deepest gratitude and respect, a mother would likely restrain her anger.

A child, recognizing their mistake, might weep and apologize sincerely. No parent could stay impassive in such a scenario.

If a naive child, innocent to the ways of the world, makes a misstep in trying to honor their parents, they might receive praise for their bravery instead of reprimand.

My predicament felt akin to this.

Erina professed she would do anything for me, seeking only my company in return.

Despite feeling oppressed by her intense demeanor, witnessing her descend into self-loathing made me question if she perceived herself as a burden to me.

Wouldn't a simple nod have sufficed? Why so much dialogue?

Yet, the dark aura emanating from her prevented me from easily accepting her.

Her once vivid, ruby-red eyes had dimmed, and her voice, shaky with emotion, caused me to pull away from Erina.

"It's not that, just... calm down. I need you too."

I scrambled for words, trying to be accommodating, but it wasn't suitable for the situation.

"So, you're accepting me?! We'll be together forever, right?!! I'm so happy...!! Because Harold, you're all I need..."