I Adopt The Male Lead - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Roland reacted furiously to Karina who has been gentle so far, but Karina wasn’t surprised. If she was in Roland’s situation, she would have done more than that.

“Melissa had a good time going to school by herself today. Why don’t you keep an eye on Melissa for the time being?”

“Keep an eye on her?”

Roland blinked puzzled.

“Yeah.”

Karina paused for a moment. She didn’t quite know how to explain it properly.

“Roland can’t always be by Melissa’s side. One day, Melissa will grow up to be as big as me.”

“Until then, I will always be by Melissa’s side.”

Roland said stubbornly.

Karina chewed her tongue. She was even more heartbroken because she knew enough why Roland was so stubborn.

“Roland, you don’t have to… Is it because of Lord Lenque?”

Seeing he nodded his head, it seemed that the answer was correct.

Karina buried her face in her hands for a moment because she was at a loss. She couldn’t think of a way to reassure Roland.

There was a reason why Karina was completely upset during that time.

‘Lord Lenque doesn’t know yet that Roland has what it takes to be the greatest wizard in history.’

In the gruesome laboratory, Karina was able to remember more relevant content and the exact lines of the novel she read in her previous life came to mind.

After a successful biopsy of Roland’s blood and filled his body with cypheric mana inducer, Lord Lenque became completely convinced that Roland will become a world-changing wizard.

‘If he hasn’t found us in a few days, it means he has already searched for another game.’

It was heartbreaking to think of the children who would become new victims, but at least they were completely out of Lord Lenque’s grasp.

But since it was impossible to explain all of this, Karina decided to convince Roland more simply.

“Why don’t you teach Melissa magic?”

“What…?”

“Melissa wants to learn magic. You know that, right?”

Roland nodded instead of answering.

“Then, teach her the magic to protect herself. Something could go wrong so do it in front of me instead.”

“I’m teaching her magic… Will Melissa like it?”

“I’m sure she’ll be very happy.”

Karina’s guess was as right as ever.

The next morning, Melissa was so happy that she hugged Roland so hard that she almost broke a rib bone.

* * *

“Now.”

Karina had to forget her face and try not to jump like a child in front of Wilder.

Today was the first payday of Karina’s life, as she had never received a penny from Lord Lenque’s mansion.

The salary envelope she received for the first time in her life contained a large amount of paper money.

“I put in a little more. Since you’ve been here for a while, you’ll need more money.”

“Thank you!”

“The sales have increased a little since the lady came, so I put in just half that amount. Don’t expect too much.”

Karina grinned and accepted the envelope.

“I’d be really happy even if it’s just 1 more kibrin.”

“Really?”

Wilder’s wrinkled face gave a strange smile.

“I’m sorry we stayed late today. There were so many orders… Go home now.”

Karina ran to the inn where the children would be waiting with light steps as if flying.

She keeps the envelope cherished in her arms as if someone would steal it. The children always had dinner with Karina so they must be very hungry.

She gave them allowance to buy snacks, but they weren’t foolish enough to spend them all at once.

Karina took out the salary envelope from her arms and opened the door. She couldn’t wait to celebrate this happy day with her children.

She thought it didn’t fit her age, but she was more inclined to brag about her first salary.

“Have you guys been waiting a long time? We’re going to eat something delicious…”

Karina’s words were cut short.

It was because Melissa’s crying voice was heard.

“Mom…”

Roland drenched in a cold sweat, held Melissa’s hand tightly, whose face had turned blue exhilarating in heat.

Karina’s salary envelope slipped out of her hand.

“Roland!”

Karina forgot about the salary envelope that fell on the floor and ran to Roland. Karina’s face was distorted as soon as she put her hand on Roland’s forehead.

The child’s pale forehead was as hot as a ball of fire. There was no time to delay, just stamping her feet like now.

However, no countermeasures came to mind from the changed head. At that time, Melissa hung herself on Karina’s arm.

“Ro- Roland… He’s not going to die, is he?”

At each of Melissa’s words, Karina came to her senses as if she was covered in cold water.

“Why would Roland die?”

Karina answered with strength.

Far from dying, despite the terrible abuse Roland in the novel grew into the greatest archwizard in history.

“We need to get a doctor now. Melissa, you’re lying on the bed. Don’t touch Roland.”

Melissa nodded with a frightened look.

Karina also didn’t forget to pick up the salary envelope that fell on the floor. What they needed more than anything now was money to call a doctor and buy medicine.

Fortunately, Karina still remembered the doctor’s house she had asked the innkeeper just in case.

The doctor said with a sour face that he wouldn’t visit in the evening, but as soon Karina showed him the money envelope, he grabbed his bag for the visit.

“Is the child very sick?”

Karina listed the symptoms she had heard from Roland.

“He has a severe fever. He said he has a terrible stomachache… it felt like his whole body had been beaten.”

She bit her lip.

In the meantime, she has seen such severe fever twice while working in Lord Lenque’s mansion.

And both of them died.

‘Roland is going to live. He’s the main character… he has to save the world.’

But deep down in Karina’s heart, the distrust grew. Karina has already changed the future.

What if Roland wasn’t the main character because of her choice? What if Roland dies here and the world is destroyed forever?

Oddly enough her tears seemed to flow down at the possibility that Roland might die, not because the world might perish.

“Aigoo, let’s go and see. There’s no need to cry as if the child has a deadly disease.”

Karina wiped her tears with the back of her hand and nodded.

‘Yeah, I was being so stupid. I never showed my child to the doctor… I’m thinking about the possibility of death.’

But Karina’s hopes were shattered as soon as the doctor examined Roland.

“…Only God knows this.”

After examining Roland the doctor concluded with a solemn voice. Melissa screamed, and Karina gasped as if she was about to faint.

“Only God… doctor, what does that mean?”

“It’s not accurate, but there’s a possibility of a peterail. In that case, the death rate is more than 50 percent…”

Karina couldn’t properly listen to what followed. Her vision flickered as if a candle was lit and the doctor’s words echoed and murmured across the street.

“A-Are there any cures? Yes?”

The doctor took out a paper bag containing some brown powder from the bag.

“It’s willow bark powder. If you decoction it in a month, you’ll be able to get some heat. But more than that… As I said before, only God knows.”

“…I’ll look for another doctor.”

“I’ll give you a piece of advice, don’t waste your money for nothing. You don’t have enough, don’t you have a daughter?”

“…”

“Are you going to pour money on a hopeless treatment and starve to death with your daughter on the street?”

Karina couldn’t answer any of the doctor’s questions.

The doctor looked at Karina with an unsure whether sympathy or contempt and then held out his hand as if he was asking for money.

After paying all the money the doctor asked for, Karina flopped down on the floor.

“Mom…”

She could hear Roland’s voice. Karina approached Roland’s bed half-crawling.

“Am I… am I going to die?”

“No way you’re going to die.”

Karina’s lips trembled.

“I know how to see the future and you won’t die. You’ll become a very healthy and strong adult.”

“Then did you know that you were going to be our mother for a long time?”

His throat must have been sore. Karina answered, holding back her tears.

“I know. I’ve known you since long ago. I mean it.”