Flinch.

Adin’s body trembled.

Velosian sneered.

“All lies in this world belong to me. Didn’t you reclaim the Agril you bestowed? Why couldn’t I be able to do the same?”

“Uuugh. G-give it back. Give me back my power.”

“Yes. If you grant the oracle.”

“……!”

“Of course, it won’t end with just one oracle. I have got a lot to ask of you this time, Mr. Adin.”

Adin’s eyes rolled frantically.

He had joined hands with Velosian solely to ascend to the throne of the Celestial God, to be worshiped and praised by all.

And solely for that, he had killed Impelium.

That golden throne he had sat upon just moments ago was everything Adin had achieved.

As long as Velosian held the leash to it, Adin’s answer was already decided.

“What do you want me to do?”

“First off, maybe speak respectfully?”

“……”

“Pff. Just kidding. If you spoke formally to me, It would only feel worse.”

“……Aren’t you speaking formally yourself?”

“When I speak formally to humans, it’s because I despise them.”

“I am not human!”

“Yes, yes. Let’s go with that.”

He continued indifferently.

“From now on, deliver the oracle exactly as I say it. Not a single word different.”

He began slowly reciting the oracle’s content.

Listening in secretly, Kaeld felt his heart pounding in his chest.

‘So that’s it. If it’s phrased like that…’

But still, just who is he?

Who was he, to treat even this old man who called himself the Celestial God like a child?

Maybe I should just ask him.

He does seem eager to make me a Hero. If I ask directly…

Just then…

“That should do for now. Any opinions? Kaeld Wake.”

Velosian turned toward Kaeld.

Kaeld desperately held back a hiccup.

“Don’t bother pretending you didn’t hear. I knew you were eavesdropping from the start.”

“……Don’t you speak respectfully to me?”

“You’re not human.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Humans each have their uses and roles in their world. But you… your existence is so utterly unnecessary it’s less than an ant’s tear. You’re not human.”

He delivered the gutting words as calmly as if he were stating the weather.

Kaeld shakily rose to his feet.

Then he looked at Adin, who sat collapsed in a daze behind Velosian.

“What’s with that old man.”

“You’re asking even though you heard everything.”

“Fine. I will rephrase the question. Why is a Celestial God grovelling to a Demon King’s helper like you?”

“For the same reason you are. You will have to crawl before me too.”

“……!”

“You two are so alike. Well, that makes sense. When Adin created you as an assassin to kill Bion, the model he used for reference was himself.”

At those words, both Adin and Kaeld trembled.

Velosian smirked, glancing back at Adin.

“Come to think of it, don’t you laugh like that anymore? Adin.”

“What do you mean.”

“‘Nhehe.’ Like that.”

Adin’s face twisted violently.

I arrived at Hasphil territory and sought out the lord first.

The lord summarized the rumors and stories that had been circulating through the Empire.

For me, who had only seen fame in numbers, this was valuable information.

“So, the incident in Havel territory is spreading, then.”

“Yes. It was an event that made it undeniably clear Kaeld is a pawn of the Demon King. It was bound to spread.”

“That’s good.”

“Of course, but it hasn’t been entirely positive in effect.”

We tilted our heads slightly.

The lord cleared his throat once before continuing.

“It was such an extraordinary incident. In territories that have yet to meet you, Sir Mide, some claim it’s nothing but a ploy of the Demon King’s.”

“Hmm.”

“People only believe what they see with their own eyes, after all.”

“……”

“And this matter concerns humanity’s very survival. Unlike other issues, it’s not something that can be judged on rumors alone.”

He wiped sweat from his forehead once.

Then continued in a gentle tone.

“But once those territories meet you, they will change their minds. I can guarantee that.”

“Haha. That’s reassuring to hear.”

“More importantly, what brings you to our territory…?”

“Ah. Just had a bit of business to take care of.”

I was here to find bait to call Impelium, and to find a way to make my party stronger.

But it seemed the lord misunderstood in another direction.

“We are treating your mother, Lady Dianne, well. Though formally, it is in the form of confinement.”

“Hmm.”

“Would you like to see her?”

“……Please.”

The lord immediately rose.

He could have sent a servant, but he personally escorted me all the way to the prison.

And there, he bowed his head politely to me.

“Then I will leave you here. If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable, please do let me know later. You never request things first, after all.”

I nodded somewhat awkwardly.

After the lord withdrew, Xenia spoke.

“Are you ready?”

“Hm? Ready for what?”

“Oh, I was asking Neril.”

Neril flinched at the odd question.

Xenia asked again,

“Have you practiced enough? Neril.”

“Not at all. Once was enough.”

“Adwin said your soul looks very sleepy.”

“……”

“You stayed up all night, didn’t you.”

What on earth were they talking about?

Offense chuckled and said,

“You two go on inside already.”

“Huh? You guys aren’t coming?”

“We greeted her last time. Neril is the only party member who hasn’t met her yet.”

“……”

“Back then you two were too busy hugging and rubbing against each other.”

How did he even see that?

Neril shot back sharply.

“We weren’t rubbing against each other!” Discover more novels at noⅴelfire.net

My mother’s prison cell could have passed for a noble’s room if not for the iron bars.

A soft bed, conveniences of all kinds.

Various pastimes and even jewelry.

Though none of it looked much used.

‘She never touched any of this.’

I steadied myself and spoke.

“Mother. I’m here.”

She was in the middle of a meal.

Startled, she turned to me.

“My son!”

“Yes. It’s me.”

“……Have you eaten?”

“Haha. That’s the first thing you ask?”

“I wasn’t sure what else to say.”

“Then let’s start with this. I will introduce you to the party member you didn’t meet last time.”

I turned.

And my eyes widened.

“What are you doing. That doesn’t suit you.”

“Shu… oh my, what are you saying, Mide.”

“……”

“Hello, Mother. I’m Neril Slane, Mide’s ‘first’ party member.”

0

TL: I like how she always emphasizes ‘first’x

Neril pinched her skirt and gave a curtsy like a noble lady at a ball.

Her fingertips trembled faintly.

It was a very formal greeting, but coming from Neril, it felt weird.

[So that’s why her soul was sleepy.]

‘She learned it from Xenia. That’s why she asked earlier.’

[Heh. Who would have thought we would see Neril acting refined. The power of love really is something.]

Clatter.

My mother shot to her feet, pressed her hands together, and bowed her head.

“Hello, Lady Neril.”

“Please, speak comfortably. Mother.”

“Ah. But still…”

“Mide is always indebted to you. ……? Ah, no. I mean, I’m indebted to Mide.”

“……”

“I’m a mage. Two hun… no, just twenty-two years old. My hobbies are flower arranging and reciting poetry.”

“……”

“My favourite fruit is apples. Favourite tea is black tea. Age… I already said that, right? Ah, I’m a mage.”

That part too, she already said.

I couldn’t stand it anymore and stepped in.

“Calm down. First, take a deep breath.”

“Hhhuup.”

“Now exhale.”

“Fwooo.”

“How’s that?”

“What do you mean? Mide, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Your tone slipped.”

That was when it happened.

“Ahaha. Hahaha.”

Mother suddenly burst out laughing.

She seemed so delighted that tears welled up in her eyes.

While Neril fidgeted in embarrassment, Mother spoke.

“So that’s how it is. I see.”

“Yes?”

“Mm. Mide, could you step out for a bit?”

I was surprised, but Neril looked as if the sky had fallen.

She acted in a way that made me wonder if the woman before me was really herself.

Ssshhk.

She grabbed the sleeve of my clothes.

Mother’s eyes widened at the sight.

“Don’t worry, Miss Neril.”

“Mother.”

“I already like you. I would like us to talk comfortably.”

For a moment Neril’s expression softened.

She let go of my sleeve.

“Go on. Just for a little while.”

“You will be all right?”

“Yes. Since Mother said she likes me, it will be fine.”

“Understood. I will come back later.”

“Yes. See you soon.”

“…..”

It didn’t seem like she was really all right.

The moment I stepped outside, the others swarmed me.

Adwin’s eyes gleamed.

“How was it?”

“How was what.”

“Come on, brother. I already know everything now. Mother taught me.”

“……”

“Of course it wasn’t anything weird. It was about something very beautiful…”

“Stop. Don’t explain.”

Lisel spoke up.

“Miss Neril was worried quite a bit, you know. She even came to me asking, ‘How did you handle it when you first met Grade’s parents?’”

“Really? Why didn’t I know?”

“She said she would kill me if I told you.”

“…So what did you answer?”

“I just told her to relax and be herself. I always got along with my in-laws from the start.”

Lisel carried on happily.

“I was originally a slave brought in to serve Lord Grade’s parents while he was away from home. Lord Grade was a warrior roaming battlefields until the Demon King of Destruction descended. In today’s terms, he was a mercenary like you, Mide.”

“Quite a revelation.”

“Actually, I even learned cooking from his mother. She was old, but maybe because of that her dishes always had such depth of flavour. I can’t compare at all to her.”

Knowing Lisel’s cooking skills, I was sure that was a huge exaggeration.

That was when Serein cut in.

“I doubt that helped Neril at all.”

“Yes!”

“Don’t answer with a bright smile.”

“Did Miss Neril not come to you, Serein?”

“……”

“Ah, I guess she didn’t need to…”

“Shut it.”

Before long, the group was more excited with their own chatter than Neril’s situation.

I decided it was better to use the time wisely.

[Wisely?]

‘Choosing what I will say to Father. Or maybe I should call it putting my heart in order.’

[Hmm.]

‘Until I saw the secret between my parents, I revered him endlessly. A hunter second to none. Gifted yet devoted to family. When those massive hands patted my head, I couldn’t help but smile.’

Now I had to erase those feelings and face him calmly.

And I had to hear his answers to my questions.

‘If only the Eye of Omniscience were already S-rank.’

[Not long now. Hang in there.]

‘Should I put it off until then?’

[Don’t avoid it. That’s not like you.]

‘…..’

Phew. You’re right.

Just as I steeled myself…

“Mide. Come down.”

Neril stepped outside.

Her face was slightly flushed, and she wore a smile of quiet joy.

From that expression alone, I could guess the talk with Mother had gone well.

I forced myself to ask casually,

“So, what did Mother say?”

“That’s a secret.”

“Why.”

“Because she asked me to keep it a secret. Mother did.”

“…..”

I will just go and ask her myself.

After that, I spoke with Mother for about an hour.

Unlike last time, the atmosphere was calm, and we were able to share much.

She was prouder of me than ever.

She told me to defeat the Demon King and come back safely.

Perhaps, after I retire, this will be where I settle down.

[Didn’t you already give up on retiring last time?]

‘Shut up.’

Time flew by.

When I rose, not wanting to keep my companions waiting longer, Mother spoke.

“Your bride seems to love you dearly.”

“…?”

“Why the strange look?”

“It’s just… calling her my bride already? Isn’t that rushing things a little?.”

“Or is it that you’re the one being slow?”

“…Come to think of it, what did you and Neril talk about? She said it was a secret.”

Mother smiled knowingly.

“Just stories from when you were young.”

“Specifically?”

“If I told you, you would want to crawl into a hole and hide.”

“……”

“Still want to know?”

Trail butted in cluelessly.

[That’s what I’m here for. Should I show you?]

Shut up.

Anyway, I took my leave, promising to return another time.

Having greeted Mother, it was time to return to my true purpose.

I said to Adwin:

“My father’s soul… no, never mind.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s move to another place.”

I took the lead and walked ahead.

Neril stuck close and asked.

“Another place? Where to?”

“Our home.”

“Ah.”

“I can’t face Father again and keep my composure. I will try my best, but he will see right through me.”

“……”

“If that happens, he might not answer my questions.”

Xenia spoke carefully.

“I understand what you mean. But even if you go home, that doesn’t necessarily…”

“I once learned to split firewood from Father.”

“……”

“If it’s there, he will speak.”

I hadn’t intended it, but my voice came out heavy.

The party didn’t easily find words to reply.

I tried to ease the tension with self-mockery.

That was when…

Pat, pat.

Neril patted my back.

Her touch was extremely gentle.

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