CHAPTER 72………………………………..
“…Alicia, that’s too much.”
“It’s true! Just look at this mess—it’s all because of you!”
“Sorry.”
He replied as he pulled both the children and her into his arms all at once.
“I really missed you. All of you.”
Esther tilted her head.
Hmm, that looks pretty warm too.
Kaelos Egbert’s embrace was fairly warm and comfortable.
But being between the two of them would definitely feel even cozier.
She really seemed to like warm things far too much. Was it because she was a demon?
I should ask Mother to do that next time we meet.
Esther thought as she let out a light yawn.
“Father, Mother! Then let’s go outside now!”
“Oh, no.”
Barely after Dylan finished speaking, Esther shook her head.
“Why?!”
Caught off guard by the sudden objection, Dylan’s eyes widened.
“Um… first of all, I don’t think they’ll welcome us if we go out…?”
“Why not? All the bad demons are gone now, and Father’s back too.”
Esther’s gaze fell on the countless skeletons scattered around the altar.
The corpses, which had frozen in time, crumbled into bones the moment the souls returned to the earth.
“Mm…”
How was she supposed to explain this?
That was just human psychology.
Even if they were safe now, people would still fear that the same tragedy might happen again.
And besides, someone who had been sacrificed had returned alive?
Of course, people would find that unsettling.
Unless there was undeniable proof that the Demon King was truly gone.
But bringing out proof and entering a contest of strength now… their bodies are far too weak for that.
Esther closed her mouth, troubled.
Yet, from her words alone, Hakan Egbert and his wife seemed to understand. Their expressions stiffened.
“And second… if you just walk out like this, you’ll die soon.”
Esther pointed at the two of them.
“What do you mean, die? Mother and Father are alive, aren’t they?”
“Yes, but…”
When Esther, weary-faced, glanced at Laxa, he smiled and stepped forward.
“The body and soul are originally one. But the two of you were forcibly separated once by an external power.”
“You are…”
“Ah, pardon me. I am Lady Esther’s right hand… no, her butler and escort.”
“Butler and escort?”
“Mm, because Grandpa and Grandma don’t like me.”
At Esther’s words, Hakan Egbert’s face darkened. He too knew all too well how obstinate his parents were.
“May I continue?”
“Yes.”
“You remember being forcibly separated from your bodies, yes?”
“Yes, that happened.”
Hakan Egbert nodded.
“When you repeatedly attach and detach something with glue, the adhesive weakens over time, doesn’t it?”
“No way…”
“Yes, it’s a similar principle. Souls that have been apart from their bodies for a long time need a considerable period to settle back in.”
“Then what must we do?”
At Hakan Egbert’s question, Laxa curled his lips into a faint smile.
“With time, it will naturally stabilize. But until then, you must be careful—even small shocks could be dangerous.”
Hakan Egbert was silent, as if he didn’t fully grasp what that meant.
“For example, just now, when Lady Esther was called ‘cute,’ the shock nearly separated your soul and body again.”
“…That’s…”
“Well, it can’t be helped—she is very cute, after all.”
Laxa nodded contentedly.
So that’s why he’s being unusually kind.
A demon, indeed—always so friendly to those who could benefit him.
But still, what did acknowledging Esther’s cuteness do to help him?
Esther’s expression grew complicated.
“Then… does that mean we have to stay here?”
Hakan Egbert looked around at the space filled with bones.
“This place is the safest, for now.”
“…But it doesn’t exactly look livable. And if we stay here, the children won’t be able to come and go easily.”
He looked worriedly at his two sons clinging to their mother.
“If that’s the problem, it’s easily solved.”
Laxa turned to Esther.
She nodded, and he clapped his hands with a grin.
With a snap of his fingers, the bones vanished instantly.
Another snap, and the place was cleaned up.
A third snap transformed the barren open space into something like a vast room.
Furniture appeared, along with clothes, cooking utensils, and even an assortment of household items.
It became almost a perfect living space—enough for eating, sleeping, and daily life without trouble.
Off in the distance, Alicia Egbert opened a faucet to test the water and let out a sound of amazement.
“…Who exactly are you…”
“I can merely use a little magic. Nowhere near the level of one so noble.”
No, he’s stronger than I am.
Esther looked at Laxa uneasily as he feigned modesty.
At his words, Hakan Egbert’s eyes shifted to Esther.
He gazed at her quietly, then crouched down to meet her eyes.
“You’re a half-demon, aren’t you? I never thought Kaelos would marry.”
He smiled, his eyes curving warmly.
It was the very picture of doting affection, which made Esther feel oddly unsettled.
“That boy was always so stiff. He hated the family too. After all, he grew up being dragged to the temple and raised under strict discipline.”
“Hm.”
Esther nodded.
Truthfully, she was in a good mood today. Her powers had returned significantly, which delighted her.
She doubted she would lose to most humans now. A grin tugged at her lips.
“But… can we even leave this place? It’s under a spell, and the passage would’ve closed the moment we entered. Isn’t it structured so no one can get out?”
Laxa surveyed the surroundings calmly before smiling.
“With the previous Demon King gone, this magic circle has lost its power.”
He scraped the magic circle on the stone floor with his toe.
Though it was carved into solid rock, the part his foot touched reddened as if melting, then dissolved.
“I’ll make that passage permanent. Only certain people will be able to use it.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks are necessary. It’s all for Lady Esther.”
His lips curved into a charming smile.
Hakan Egbert looked puzzled at those meaningful words, but Laxa had already turned away.
“Shall we return now, Lady Esther?”
“Yes.”
“They’ll likely be bedridden for quite some time.”
“What do you…”
Before he could finish, Esther’s body swayed violently.
Laxa caught her smoothly, as though expecting it.
“Huh…?”
“Esther!”
Alarmed, Hakan Egbert shouted, but Laxa raised a gloved finger to his lips.
“It’s all right. Her body just can’t keep up with her sudden growth.”
He smiled gently.
“Please, continue to cherish and love Lady Esther deeply. So much that she herself falls hopelessly into it.”
His crimson eyes curved slyly as he murmured.
Far away, deep in a vast mountain range, a being coiled in slumber stirred.
It poked its head out from a massive egg, golden beastlike eyes shining with curiosity.
Like a small, winged black lizard, it fluttered free from the shell.
“…Such a nostalgic feeling.”
Breaking its egg, the creature soared high and darted out of the cavern.
At the same time, atop the Magic Tower of the Demon Kingdom, a man lounging lazily suddenly widened his eyes.
“What’s this…?”
His gaze lit up as he sprang to his feet.
“This magic wave—it reeks of… potential disciple!”
The wizard, who had been desperate to find a successor to inherit the troublesome tower, finally overcame his laziness and jumped up.
“From the Destroka Empire side? Ugh, I hate those old geezers.”
Scratching his head, he rolled his violet eyes and smirked.
“Still, I’ll go. Wait for me, my prodi—no, my disciple!”
CRASH—!
He shattered the glass at the top of the tower and leapt out.
At that same moment, within the Armos Temple, a man quietly lifted his eyes from a cup of freshly brewed tea.
“So, it’s finally awakened.”
His deep pink eyes glittered beautifully.
Tap, tap, tap—
He drummed the table with his fingertips, lips curving into a serene smile.
“I did think it was about time.”
Clad in radiant white garments, he rose from his seat.
“Yes, it’s about time we brought things to an end.”
He dropped the teacup to the floor as he spoke.
The crimson rug grew darker still.
