Chapter 132

——He simply wanted to confirm that there truly were mysterious forces behind the Holy Theocracy.

What came next could be entrusted to Ailellek, who had spent years traveling far and wide. She was better suited for investigations.

As a king, one couldn’t handle everything personally. Utilizing the talents of subordinates effectively—that was the proper conduct of a sovereign.

Having made his decision, the Demon King slapped the crimson armor on his thigh and stood up, gazing into the distance.

“Alright...! Herilet, let’s head back first!”

“Yes, it’s about time.”

“You’re already leaving?”

Sheffy blurted it out, then quickly lowered her head and fell silent, as if trying to retract her words.

Ugh... didn’t that make her sound like a child reluctant to part with her parents?

What was so wrong about having a child’s temper?

Herilet gently patted Sheffy’s head with genuine warmth.

“Your father and I can’t stay away from the Demon Domain for too long... But Sheffy, you are free. I honestly don’t want you to follow the same path your father and I did—it’s really, truly exhausting. You’re like a homing bird that longs for the sky. With your personality, that’s just right. But if you ever feel homesick... come home and visit us.

Don’t stay out there wandering for too long, alright?”

“Mm... I... I know... I was actually planning to come home for a few days...”

“Mhm, good child. We’ll head back first and let Belith stay with you for a while. Mother can tell—you really do miss home...”

“I-I don’t... Well... maybe a little...”

There was something in this world that was impossible to resist.

And that was a mother’s embrace.

Here, there were no lies, no meaningless pride.

This tender moment—Belith hadn’t witnessed one in a long time.

She quietly stepped aside and watched. She liked this feeling—it reminded her of childhood.

Royal Sister always bore the weight of many expectations. How nice it would be if she could just relax like this more often.

The Demon King couldn’t stand all this sentimental family drama!

He laughed heartily with his hands on his hips, thumped the heavy armor on his chest, and pointed to the throne behind him.

“Sheffy, you decide what you want to do! It’s not like the next Demon King has to be you. I think Belith’s got potential too! I suggest you start working harder—otherwise, that throne will be your sister’s! Aren’t you even a little anxious?!”

“Oh, whoever wants that seat can have it. I sat on it once when I was little—it was hard and uncomfortable. I didn’t like it.”

“Wha—!”

The Demon King was utterly crushed.

Why was his daughter so lacking in ambition!

There were no formalities among family. Dielzner had long since risen from the throne.

Meanwhile, Belith walked over and sat down, crossed one leg over the other. Her eyes were brimming with magic, her natural air of authority unmistakable—she really did have the makings of a little Demon King.

She snapped her fingers and teased with a smile.

“If I become the Demon King, then Royal Sister will be the Queen—so it’s all good~”

“Hahahaha!! Look at my daughter—always cracking jokes! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year!”

The Demon King laughed heartily.

But he laughed alone. No one else responded to his amusement.

Because everyone knew...

Whether that was really a joke or not... was hard to say.

Just before leaving, Herilet leaned in close to Sheffy’s ear and whispered a final instruction.

“Sheffy... if you get the chance when you go home, bring your little girlfriend with you, would you? Let your father and I meet her. Of course, keep it low-key—don’t make a big fuss. Given her status... it’s not exactly convenient, right?”

“Mother, you already knew...?”

“Pfft, what can possibly escape my notice when it comes to you? You’re my daughter. The way she looks at you, the way she instinctively steps in front to shield you—Mother understands it all at a glance! I just didn’t expect that the one Sheffy liked would be a girl.”

“Th-that’s perfectly normal!”

“Of course~ My Sheffy is completely normal no matter what.”

As fate would have it, Dielzner was standing nearby but only caught the middle portion of the conversation.

He clapped his hands together, suddenly enlightened.

“So that’s it... Secretly bring the Hero to the Demon King’s Castle, then lay a trap to lure her into it—Herilet, brilliant strategy!”

“......”

Soon after, the Demon King and Queen both made their exit.

What Sheffy saw was this—her father being dragged off by his ear by her mother.

And Herilet was muttering under her breath.

Seemingly in total despair over the Demon King’s emotional intelligence.

Just go already...

Don’t embarrass the Demon Clan family.

.....................................

With the finals approaching, staff were using earth-element magic to repair the arena.

Sigh... The hardest part of this year’s tournament was definitely the arena. All these monster-level strong contenders—it had been destroyed how many times now?!

While things bustled below, the viewing platforms and audience stands were just as lively.

A soldier responsible for delivering reports brought word to King Aurus, seated at the high platform, that the Demon King had already left.

The king nodded in acknowledgment and waved the soldier off to return to his post.

He turned to sweep his gaze across the venue.

It was already late, but the energy in the stands remained undiminished.

From the king’s perspective, he was particularly satisfied with tonight’s match.

“Livra.”

“What is it, Father? Is the final about to begin?”

“Still a while to go. What I wanted to say is, you were right earlier—perhaps peace really can be achieved through unexpected means. Look at those from the Demon Clan and the Human Race. They’re standing so close... yet there’s no bloodshed, and they’re even discussing tonight’s potential winner together. This kind of scene... is truly something miraculous.”

“Right?!” Livra practically sparkled among the royal family members. “It’s all thanks to Princess Sheffy being willing to help and cooperate with us. I think if anything’s going to progress, someone has to be the one to take the first step. At first, I honestly thought going to Princess Sheffy to talk about this would end in disaster, but... how would I know if I didn’t try? Hehe... Of course, a big part of it was luck.”

“You were right.”

Indeed, she was right.

But what she had done required immense resolve.

King Celt Aurus asked himself from the bottom of his heart—if he were decades younger... could he have done what Livra had?

It seemed the next ruler of the kingdom was becoming clearer by the day.

“Livra, keep observing. Learn to distinguish right from wrong, and to perceive the truth.”

“Uhh... I didn’t quite get that...”

“It’s alright. These are things you’ll gradually learn.”

The other royal members present remained silent.

Some didn’t understand the king’s words. Others had clearly grasped the implication behind them.

Some acknowledged the potential Livra might achieve in the future.

But, naturally, there were also those... who felt the king’s decision was too hasty. They wanted to prove that they, too, were capable of shouldering great responsibility.

What they thought—was no longer the king’s concern.

What he could do now was ride this promising momentum and ensure the tournament concluded successfully.

He pushed himself up using the royal scepter pressed against the ground.

His gaze turned toward the edge of the high platform, where the one in charge of reporting on the arena’s condition stood: Prime Minister Firex.

“Firex, go down and inform the organizers—the final can begin.”

......

A strange silence.

“Firex?”

He asked again, still receiving no response.

Firex didn’t even turn around.

This was blatant disrespect.

Though everyone knew Firex harbored disloyalty, he had always been efficient in his duties. And now, when directly ordered by the king, he showed no reaction whatsoever.

So much so that the knights guarding the platform immediately drew their blades, aiming at the foreign Prime Minister whom they had long disapproved of.

Firex’s strange behavior had drawn the attention of all the royals and knights present.

The hot-tempered and impulsive First Prince of the Kingdom slammed the armrest of his chair, stood up with a jolt, and pointed at the back of Firex’s head, cursing furiously!

“You bastard! Didn’t you hear the king talking to you? Shameless mutt feeding off our kingdom’s tribute—don’t you dare act so arrogantly in front of me!”

“Yasen, sit down.”

“But Father, he—!”

“I know. Your father is right here. There’s no need for you to speak further.”

“...Tch, fine. I understand!”

The First Prince also knew—this wasn’t his place to speak. Saying too much would be overstepping.

But he just couldn’t hold back his fury toward Firex, that dog who strutted around relying on the support of the Holy Theocracy!

Prince Yasen was full of hot-blooded passion. His temperament was suited for the battlefield, leading armies and slaying enemies.

But he lacked finesse in governance and struggled with political affairs—that was his shortcoming.

Because of this, King Celt Aurus had excluded Prince Yasen from the line of succession.

A true king... couldn’t rely on mere passion to shoulder the crown.

The king called Firex’s name once more.

Seeing that he still arrogantly gazed off into the distance, swaying his head, the king’s patience ran out.

He raised his hand, signaling the Royal Knight Order to prepare to advance and apprehend him.

But just at that moment...

Though Firex didn’t turn around,

He spoke in a mocking, twisted tone.

“Tell me, Your Majesty, do you think this is wise?”

Celt raised his hand again, signaling the knights to hold their position.

“What harm is there?” Since Firex wasn’t in a hurry, Celt wasn’t either. “Firex, you have no merits in this kingdom. And with the Pope present today, it’s the perfect time to have him teach you what it means to serve one’s monarch. Or are you planning to use the Holy Theocracy as your shield again? I’m afraid times have changed—you can see it yourself. Princess Sheffy has chosen to cooperate with our kingdom. The situation is no longer the same, Firex. I advise you to assess the landscape carefully, and find yourself a proper way forward—before you end up in disgrace.”

“Haha... Hahahahaha! I truly thank Your Majesty for the kind advice! But tell me... who is it really, that fails to see the situation clearly?”

In the midst of all the hostile and contemptuous glares—

Firex finally turned around.

And on that sly, shoehorn-shaped face of his was a calm, smug smirk full of hidden triumph.

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