episode_0082

“…Karshian, that guy is coming back today?”

In a quiet study room,

The middle-aged man with red hair muttered absentmindedly while looking down at the letter written in elegant handwriting.

“He said he was going to defeat Gwangryong, didn’t he? Or perhaps, did he mistake Aryong for Gwangryong?”

Although the letter clearly stated ‘defeated Gwangryong,’ the man couldn’t bring himself to believe those words.

It wasn’t the ‘Gwangryong’ who had defeated monsters like the first-class hero and the first-class demon.

No matter how talented his son was, he seemed inadequate to face Gwangryong. Thus, he thought it might be just boasting.

“Master? There was an item enclosed with Lady Cecilia’s letter.”

“What is it?”

“It was a large tooth. A tooth so large that it would be embarrassing to compare it to a mature dragon’s tooth.”

“…”

After examining the item handed by the head maid, Drake had no choice but to change his thoughts.

Having hunted a mature dragon alone before, he knew for sure that the item in his hand was indeed a dragon’s tooth. Moreover, it had lived for countless years.

This only added to his confusion.

…How on earth did he defeat Gwangryong? Cecilia and Karshian could only scratch Gwangryong’s scales at best.

If it were Cecilia, there might have been a possibility.

By taking advantage of a moment of carelessness to deliver a fatal blow, she could have inflicted a mortal wound on Gwangryong.

But Karshian…

“Even if he can draw the Aurora Blade, the matchup isn’t favorable… Hmm, I’m already curious about what method was used.”

Deciding to inquire when they arrive at the mansion, Drake folded the letter and placed it in the desk drawer.

Soon after, thinking about the arrival of his son’s party, he instructed the head maid.

“Since Jonseogu has arrived, my son and lovely daughter will soon arrive at the mansion. Ensure everything is prepared.”

“As you wish.”

“Oh, and pay special attention to the room where the future daughter-in-law will stay. Amy, you know well that the witch is eccentric, right?”

“I will prepare it flawlessly beyond reproach.”

“Thank you. Oh, and I’d like some time alone. I want to rest in a quiet place.”

With a satisfied smile, Drake dismissed the head maid, who nodded and left the study room.

Thus, Drake was left alone in the quiet study room.

Sipping his cold tea, he gazed out the window at the imperial palace and let out a long sigh.

“Defeating Gwangryong will only intensify the Emperor’s obsession.”

The Emperor was determined to finalize a strategic marriage with the Pasible family by any means necessary.

It wasn’t hard to understand his desperation.

If he could establish a connection with the Pasible family, known as the Empire’s power, even exaggerating a bit could provide the Imperial Family with military strength equivalent to half of the empire.

Therefore, from his perspective, he would do whatever it takes to establish a link with the Pasible family.

However,

“I cannot allow anything like a strategic marriage. Marriage should be between people who are compatible! How can one prioritize the family’s interests over love?”

Apologies to the Emperor, but Drake had no intention of connecting the Crown Princess and Karshian.

If Karshian had brought a direwolf or a slime like his brothers, he might have hesitated a bit.

Even though she was eccentric, wasn’t she within the normal range as a ‘witch’? Drake intended to support his son’s love for such a daughter.

“What do you think? Bringing a witch as a daughter-in-law, do you think it’s okay?”

As he looked out the window and asked, a gentle voice came from the sofa in the study room.

“A witch… They are noble and elegant beings like the main wife, but it does concern me that there is a fanatic aspect.”

“The crazy part, our children are not falling behind, right? Pedophilic perversion, incest, and interspecies. Hmm, I don’t think we lack anything.”

“…Noisy! I… I raised them properly! Who made the kids turn out like this!!!”

“Honey, even so, insinuating…”

“Insinuating is bullshit!!! Even if you didn’t show the history of the Pasifal family, the kids wouldn’t have gone astray! How much effort did the main wife put into raising them… Huaaah…”

A silver-haired maiden wept with sobs, tears falling like chicken droppings on the carpet.

Upon this, Drake let out a deep sigh and embraced the maiden in his arms.

“Still, huh? It’s because I saw that you’re connected to me like this, right?”

“Don’t put ideas in my head! Yes, I’m sensitive!”

“Don’t beat around the bush, so you hate that the kids turned out weird like that?”

Avoiding Drake’s gentle question, the silver-haired maiden slowly spoke.

“I-I don’t hate it but…”

“So?”

“Well, isn’t the Diawolf a bit… inappropriate? No matter how many times Lady Mother advised to be embracing…”

There is a line even in respect, my companion.

“Ah.”

At the cute whisper of his wife,

Drake couldn’t help but sigh.

—–

After spending a lethargic yet embarrassing night.

The group quickly finished breakfast prepared by Cotas and then packed up, leaving the campsite immediately.

It seems they didn’t want to stay long in the desolate and cold ruins where people had died.

Guided by Cecilia, the group returned to the metropolis and boarded the warp gate, arriving at the island.

“Wow…”

As the aftereffects of using the warp gate faded away and they looked ahead, they saw the beautiful scenery of the city.

A warm and vibrant atmosphere different from the cold and rigid one of Grand Lord Springfield.

Feeling the overflowing vitality, I couldn’t help but sparkle my eyes.

“Is it your first time in the island?”

“Yeah, I didn’t know it would be such a beautiful place.”

I thought there wouldn’t be anything more impressive than seeing Springfield, but upon arriving at the island, I felt embarrassed for thinking that way.

…Maybe the author wasn’t lacking in skill? How could they not capture such a beautiful sight even in the dust?

Driven by growing curiosity, I wanted to explore the island a bit more, but that rascal stopped me.

“Let’s tidy up our belongings first. We can’t wander around the downtown looking like this, right?”

“Where should we leave our stuff? Your house?”

“Yeah, our ho… wait, how did you know that?”

“You told me last night. You’re a noble. So, you must have a mansion in the island, right?”

“Sigh… Not all nobles have mansions in the island, Beatrice. Our family is special…”

“Forget about being special, what did you say yesterday?”

Smiling mischievously and asking, he seemed annoyed, so I approached slowly and whispered.

“You said you love me.”

“…Besides that.”

“You said you only like me.”

“Are you joking now?”

“No, it’s sincere to some extent.”

When I replied seriously, he laughed and gently took my hand in his large hands.

“Haha, giving you proper treatment is obviously the basic option. Right, milady? Has our home address changed?”

“It’s still the same. Phew, you really owe it to your mother. If it weren’t for her, you would have been scolded by your father thousands of times by now.”

“…Isn’t your mother very angry?”

“Well, she’s probably boiling with anger, right? Go ahead first, I have something to do for a moment.”

“Okay, see you later, milady.”

As Cecilia disappeared into the crowd, the rascal sighed heavily.

“Damn it.”

“What is it?”

“Oh, there’s something like that. I’ll guide you to the mansion first. Follow me, everyone.”

With firm steps, Karl began to lead the way, and I followed behind him, lost in thought.

Thanks to Karl, at least I can spend a few days comfortably. Maybe I can just enjoy myself for about a month from a tourism perspective and then move on to Springfield?

A month should be enough time to soothe the pain of parting and still have time left. I’ll play hard, say goodbye without regrets, and that will be it.

As I watched my colleagues chatting happily, Karl’s voice came from ahead.

“Why are you acting like you’re leaving soon?”

“Leaving? No, at least I plan to stick around you for about a month.”

“Well, does that mean you’ll leave after a month?”

“It depends on you. If you don’t like it, I’ll leave sooner. If you do…

I could stay a little longer.”

Chuckling softly, he retorted with a mischievous smile.

“So if you like it, you’ll stay here?”

“Hmph, that will never happen. I’ll leave as soon as I get bored, even if I’m having fun.”

“Tough conditions, but I’ll give it a try.”

“…Quiet, focus on guiding us.”

Why does he talk so much unnecessary stuff when all he has to do is guide us?

Annoyed by his playful attitude, I gave him a light tap on the back, prompting him to remember something and turn his head back.

“Oh right, I forgot to mention something.”

“What is it?”

“Our father can be quite eccentric. The reason is… well, I can’t tell you casually because it’s a family secret, but don’t be too surprised.”

“I’m already worried.”

“Haha, me too. Oh, we’ve arrived.”

Looking ahead at his words, there stood a grand mansion reminiscent of a movie set.

Despite its age, the building exuded an elegant and sophisticated charm rather than a sense of decay.

The meticulously arranged front yard and garden exuded a restrained beauty.

And there were maids lined up neatly in front of the front yard, ready to greet the guests.

“It’s magnificent.”

“Don’t you think so?”

Even someone like me, who knows nothing about beauty, couldn’t help but be impressed.

But before I could admire it further, I tensed up and summoned my magic upon hearing heavy footsteps approaching from a distance.

Thud – Thud –

The sound drew closer, yet not a single maid flinched, as if they were accustomed to such occurrences.

Which meant…

“Karl! Why is this brat sneaking into here!!!”

Soon, an angry voice echoed through the mansion, and as expected, the figure I anticipated appeared before me.

Drake Kalstein Pasible.

Karl’s father and the empire’s strongest knight.

He glanced at me, then burst into laughter and spouted nonsense.

“Oh, you’re the new kid? Come on in first. There might be a bit of violence coming up, you see.”

New… what?

Before I could process it, a bomb-like sound rang out nearby.

Kaboom!!!

Shortly after, I witnessed Karl helplessly flying off into the distance.

Wait… this is okay, right?

Just tell me it’s okay, damn it.