Quite some time has passed since I became Ceres.
During that time, I didn't just sit around; I gathered information in my own way.
And I found out that this world is one where male and female roles are reversed.
Everything else is like the original novel, but only the gender roles have changed, and perhaps to match that, the genders of Ceres and the male leads have also been reversed.
According to rumors, it's not just Alios; the other bastards seem to be women too.
Is it fortunate that at least I won't have anything done to me by a man?
However, even though the genders have changed, the obsession seems to remain the same.
"Lord Ceres, have you been well?"
As declared, Alios really did visit often.
She comes by every few days. Even though her territory is close to here, it's an unusual level of dedication.
"I was well until just now, but not anymore."
I acted coldly towards the visiting Alios.
Completely opposite behavior from the original Ceres, who welcomed him warmly and gained his favor.
"Ah, it's alright to speak casually. Please talk to me comfortably like when we first met."
However, Alios didn't seem offended and treated me kindly.
"You're beautiful today too. You shine like the moon."
"Actually, the moon shines by reflecting the sun's light, so it doesn't shine on its own."
"Fufu, then shall I become your sun? You truly are an interesting person."
It was creepy how her affection seemed to rise no matter what I said.
Someone else seeing this might say:
Regardless of the original, she's a beautiful blonde woman interested in you now, so why not just get along with her?
But knowing the crazy Alios from the original novel, I just couldn't bring myself to do that.
Amidst these uncomfortable meetings...
"Lord Ceres, I'll just say hello and leave today."
Alios appeared, not with just a few servants as usual, but accompanied by knights.
For a moment, I was startled, wondering if this woman intended to take me by force, but I soon realized that wasn't the case.
"A demon has appeared nearby. I have to deal with it today, so I can't stay long."
Hearing her speak regretfully reminded me.
The most crucial event from the original novel, "Heaven's Ceres".
Alios goes to deal with a demon that appeared near this territory.
Disappointed by only having a brief meeting with Ceres, he lets his guard down without realizing it.
He defeats the demon but suffers a serious wound on his arm and returns seeking help.
That was when Ceres first awakened her divine power.
The desire to heal an acquaintance who had suffered a severe injury awakened her divine power.
If I eliminate this event, that damned divine power might never awaken!
"I'll be able to meet properly starting tomorrow, so for today, I'll just...."
"Wait!"
I stopped Alios, who was about to leave with her knights.
"You need to be careful."
"Pardon? Of course, I plan to be careful."
"More than usual. I have a bad feeling about today. Be cautious if you don't want to get hurt."
"Are you worried about me?"
"Yes."
I wasn't, but I pretended to be.
Having warned her like this, she should be careful and return safely.
Even if she came back injured like in the original novel, I had absolutely no intention of healing her.
Either way, I thought the divine power wouldn't awaken, and waited listlessly.
"Aaaargh!"
"Someone help!"
Several hours later.
Alios appeared, completely unharmed herself, but bringing countless injured people with her.
What happened?!
Seeing the knights she took return all injured shocked not only me but the entire household.
"Sir, what is the meaning of this situation?"
Even Ares, who rarely showed surprise, widened her eyes.
"A stronger demon than expected appeared," Alios said, flustered.
While fighting the unexpectedly strong demon, it suddenly launched a major attack, and they were hit by it.
"What were you doing, Sir? Aren't you supposed to block such attacks?"
"Well, I heard a warning before leaving."
Alios avoided Ares's gaze and explained.
Someone had warned her before she went to fight, and it weighed heavily on her mind.
She had unconsciously dodged the attack instead of blocking it, causing her subordinates to take the hit instead.
Don't tell me this is my fault?
Perhaps to protect me, she didn't mention my name, but since I was the one who gave the warning, I was indeed the cause.
Because I warned her, something that should have ended with one person's arm injury turned into this disaster?
My expression hardened as I examined the injured.
Since it's a world with reversed gender roles, the knights are all women.
They were still young women, yet each bore horrific wounds.
"Hey, stay with me!"
Among them were some whose lives were in danger if not treated immediately.
In the original novel, he took an attack capable of causing such widespread damage with just one arm?
Just how strong is this Alios woman!
"Countess, isn't there anything we can do?"
"My apologies. I have medicine stockpiled for Ceres, but it's for restoring health and ineffective against severe wounds."
"It can't be!"
With people about to die, Alios requested help, but even Ares had no solution.
Should I heal them?
If I do, my divine power might awaken like in the original, and events might proceed just like the original story.
But if I don't step in, they might all die.
Just as I was conflicted...
"Ceres?"
"What!"
Ares and Alios, who were having a desperate conversation, looked at me in surprise.
Other people also seemed to forget the situation, wearing startled expressions.
...Because divine power was radiating from my body like light.
Did it awaken just from inner conflict, even without actively deciding to heal?
Dammit!
Can't be helped.
"Step aside for a moment."
"Young Master Ceres!"
Shaking off a servant trying to support me, I endured the pain and approached the dying knights.
The original Ceres used it immediately upon awakening, so there was no need to learn how.
Placing my hand over them, I released the divine power. Wounds healed, and even lost limbs regenerated.
"I'm healed...."
"Is this holy power?"
"Impossible. Even the High Priest would struggle to possess such immense holy power!"
"It's like a legendary saint!"
The knights, who were dying moments ago, were instantly healed and stared at me in bewilderment.
"Ceres, since when did you have such power?!"
"Just now!"
I told the surprised Ares the truth.
"I don't know why, but it seems I just gained a healing ability, so I used it."
Right, what can I do about it awakening now?
Might as well try to use this somehow beneficially!
"And you."
I pointed at Alios.
"I told you to be careful. I never told you to irresponsibly dodge. Don't think I'll help you next time something like this happens, so do better from now on!"
I vented my frustration unfairly at Alios, but her expression was strange.
"...Yes!"
Despite being needlessly scolded, her expression looked moved. Her eyes seemed to drip with honey.
What's with her?
(Shift to Alios's POV)
At first, it was pure curiosity.
The young master of the Whiperion family, too sickly to leave the mansion.
What was the person called the Empire's greatest beauty, based solely on rumors spread by servants, really like?
Alios came to see Ceres for such a light reason.
So when she happened upon the collapsed Ceres while looking around, she was surprised yet impressed.
'Truly, just like the rumors!'
Shining silver hair. Skin as white as snow. Features like a work of art.
Her gaze was captured by his beauty, which seemed to reject any impurity.
But soon, admiration turned into bewilderment and laughter.
'She thinks I fell for him and will get him pregnant?'
It was the most absurd thing she had ever heard, but precisely because of that, it left a strong impression.
'He's not just pretty, he's interesting too.'
She felt intrigued not just by his appearance, but by Ceres as a person.
She wanted to meet him more and get to know him.
Even resorting to uncharacteristic actions like making forceful requests, albeit half-jokingly.
She sensed that he disliked such actions, but ignored it.
In fact, she did it more because she wanted to see his reaction.
'He reacts in such an interesting way.'
Alios thought she was just doing it for fun, but she didn't realize.
That her actions were those of someone trying to get attention, deliberately being mischievous.
Though she hadn't properly realized it herself, Alios was already strongly conscious of Ceres.
That's why she paid attention to Ceres's sudden warning.
And that led to a result that was good for her, but disastrous for her subordinates.
'What should I do? What can I do!'
Alios, having somehow brought her injured subordinates back to the Whiperion estate, felt a headache coming on.
Because she had inadvertently dodged the enemy's attack, her subordinates ended up like this.
Meanwhile, the target demon had used the chance to escape.
The first and greatest mistake in Alios's life, who had only known success as the Duke's heir and the strongest knight!
'Will Ceres be disappointed?'
She was afraid of how people would react, but among them, Ceres weighed most heavily on her mind.
She was too scared to even look at his expression, deliberately avoiding eye contact and talking only with Ares, but then...
"What!"
Ceres suddenly displayed immense healing power and healed her subordinates.
Not only that.
"I told you to be careful. I never told you to irresponsibly dodge. Don't think I'll help you next time something like this happens, so do better from now on!"
Ceres pointed at her and exclaimed reproachfully, but Alios focused on something else.
'Does that mean... he helped me cover my mistake? By forcing his body, which can't even walk alone, to move!'
She thought Ceres had healed them for her sake.
'I thought he disliked me. But he warned me and was actually worried about me.'
Thinking that Ceres had worried about her, she couldn't calm down.
A strange feeling arose, and her heart pounded erratically.
'This is?'
Alios, initially flustered, soon realized what was happening.
'I see. This isn't just simple interest, it's love!!'
The moment Alios first became aware of her own feelings.
A result that came several months earlier than for the original Alios regarding the original Ceres.