episode_0005

Silence lasted for quite a long time.

Breaking the silence, the deacon’s voice was heard along with a knock.

“Count Alphonse has come to visit.”

“Ask them to come in.”

After receiving permission from my father, the door slowly opens.

Count Alphonse entered the office and immediately bowed his head in courtesy.

“Meet Duke David.”

That was my first impression.

It’s black. He was a man who suited that description well.

I felt that way when I saw a black cloak made of luxurious fabric covering my entire body.

This was the impression brought about by the rare combination of black hair and black eyes, and a cold impression.

Meanwhile, the golden sun-shaped embroidery on the chest caught the eye.

Imperial Sun.

It was a sentence indicating belonging to the imperial family.

Anything related to the devil is strictly prohibited in the Empire.

Since the founding of the empire on the continent, the two times it has been on the verge of destruction were both due to the devil, so people have become more cautious.

However, demon hunters inevitably become closer to demons.

Because you can only hunt them if you know and understand them.

Therefore, all officially appointed demon hunters belong to the imperial family and are managed by the empire.

And among those demon hunters, Count Alphonse is quite famous.

‘Annihilator.’

So much so that there is no one in the empire who does not know that nickname.

“We were once a family that ate together, but I feel a little sad.”

“Since you are retired, shouldn’t you follow your title?”

“You still speak well.”

His father, who was a swordsman and belonged to the imperial family, seemed to be familiar with him.

Judging by the natural nature of their conversation, they may have been quite close friends.

“How was the Duchess?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Thank goodness.”

Count Albert exchanged greetings with his mother as well as his father.

His eyes turn to me.

gulp-.

For a moment, I feel as if my heart stops at the reluctant gaze that seems to pierce my body.

It was a tremendous amount of pressure in a different way than it was with my father.

“Youngsik has grown up a lot. It’s good to see that you look healthy.”

“… Thank you.”

I bowed my head slightly and answered.

At the same time, I thought.

Have you ever met Count Alphonse?

I looked back on my memories, but I couldn’t remember anything like that.

That probably means when I was very young.

For whatever reason, there is no way that his face will not remain in your memory.

Regardless of that fact, he showed me favor and I didn’t particularly dislike it.

Although it was still uncomfortable, compared to my first impression, that feeling had diminished considerably.

After greeting me, his eyes turned to his father again.

“But, I heard you had a favor to ask.”

“Okay, I’m not sure yet… .”

My father told me what happened yesterday.

From the sudden change in me to the suspicion that it might be the devil.

In the process, my usual behavior was revealed, and I had to feel my face getting hot with embarrassment.

Count Alphonse, who heard the whole story, muttered, muttered, and shifted his gaze to me.

The eyes are sharper than before.

I even feel like everything is exposed to him.

“I will need to examine it for more details, but I don’t really think it was the devil’s work.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, they have seizures when they see us.”

The tense expressions on my parents’ faces softened further.

This is probably because these words are spoken by a devil expert, especially the peak, so they are worth believing.

“But, wouldn’t it be better to be certain about everything? It would be better to prove it here than to live with unnecessary doubts in the future. Of course, as long as English is okay.”

Count Alphonse said this and smiled at me.

It wasn’t a thought-provoking action like, “If you’re going to try it, try it!”

Rather, it was a trusting smile that seemed to tell me that nothing would happen and that I would trust and receive it.

Since I also had nothing to worry about, the answer came out without hesitation.

“I will accept it.”

“Yes, that’s good. Well then, let’s get ready right away.”

A prosecutor who will prove my innocence, and a prosecutor who will determine the presence or absence of the devil.

Since it was an important event in many ways, I naturally thought that preparations would take a long time.

But when I found out, there was no need to prepare.

Count Alphonse said, taking out a vial containing a clear liquid and a short dagger from his arms.

“The test method is simple. Just add a few drops of blood to this reagent. However, in order to do that, Yeongsik’s body needs to be injured… .”

Count Alphonse said this and looked at his father.

My father nodded slowly.

It meant permission.

The Count said, turning his gaze to me again.

“Are you okay, Yeongsik?”

“Yes, it’s okay.”

“Then, would you please give me your hand?”

I stretched out my hand.

He opened the cap of the medicine bottle, placed it on the table, and carefully knelt down on one knee.

And held my hand.

“It will sting for a moment.”

cook-.

As soon as I heard those words, a sharp pain came.

The tip of the sharply sharpened dagger pierced my finger and it began to bleed.

The Count lifted the bottle of medicine that had been placed on the table.

The red blood droplets on the tip of the finger gradually increase in size and soon fall.

Took-.

Blood mixed into the transparent reagent.

After that, three additional drops were added to the reagent.

As if this was enough, Count Alphonse took out a handkerchief from his pocket and covered my hand.

“Excuse me.”

Saying that, he stood up and slowly moved in a circle while holding the medicine bottle.

This was done to ensure that the blood and reagents were mixed well.

It was also proof that there were no tricks in the process.

Eventually, when the movement stopped.

Although the reagent had a red tint, it remained transparent.

And it was proof of my innocence.

“When the blood of a person possessed by a demon is mixed with the reagent, it turns black and sticky. But what do you think, Duke?”

“… It’s transparent.”

“Yes, Yeongsik is not the devil.”

It was a firm declaration.

As if he wasn’t going to leave any room for refutation on this matter.

Was that why?

Those words seemed to have touched my parents even more.

My father brushed his bangs upward and burst into laughter.

My mother lowered her head, covering her face with both hands.

The tense expression on his face is relieved, and the heavy atmosphere becomes comfortable.

I was a mess.

Let alone being filial, he couldn’t even be an ordinary son.

However, my parents truly cared for me and were worried about me.

I was so grateful and sorry for that fact.

I tried to vomit out my emotions, but I finally held it back and slowly opened my mouth.

“… I’m really sorry for coming into the season late.”

Unfortunately, I was not very good at expressing my emotions.

* * * * *

Count Alphonse returned as soon as he finished his work.

His father, who was extremely excited, suggested that he stay at the mansion for a few days and have a drink, but unfortunately, the count was a very busy person.

It was natural that this would be the case as incidents involving demons continued throughout the empire.

━ I will come see you when I have time.

The Count said that as he left, but it was probably just a courtesy.

My father knew that too, so I guess he looked regretful.

But fortunately, parents have a lot of time.

Surely, we will meet someday.

Maybe the next time we meet will be after I take over the position of head of the family.

Let’s postpone our gratitude for today’s work until then.

We will have a grand welcome together with Luna.

As I was envisioning such a pleasant future, it was already time for lunch.

In my heart, I wanted to secure my engagement to the Duke of Iris by proving my innocence.

I decided to put it off for a while because I thought my parents would need time to calm down.

Of course, I plan to receive a confirmation within today.

Perhaps because I take after my father, I also seem to have a very impatient personality.

“Master, lunch is ready.”

“Oh, I’ll go right away.”

Melina looked much better than in the morning.

Occasionally, I would look at them as if I was anxious, but that was the same for other users, so I didn’t pay much attention to it.

Eventually, we arrived at the dinner table.

My parents sat down first and were waiting for me.

“Hurry up and sit down.”

“Albert, please sit down. I asked for things you like.”

I was momentarily shocked by the fact that I arrived later than my parents, but my parents’ subsequent reaction made me smile without realizing it.

Just two days.

To be exact, less than 24 hours, one day, had passed.

The small changes that occurred in that short period of time brought the family back to its original place.

The past that wasn’t even that good felt a little bitter, but the past is just the past.

There’s no point in worrying about something you can’t get back.

I sat down thinking that.

“Enjoy your meal.”

It’s been so long since I had a meal with my family that I don’t even remember how long ago it was.

However, that peaceful atmosphere did not last long.

My mother said this in the office she visited after the meal was over.

“Why don’t you think again about this engagement?”