CHAPTER 77…………………..
Esther quietly turned her head, having lost even the will to confront him.
“But it’s true that curses of punishment are my specialty. And the curse your mother bears is similar to a brand placed on a sinner.”
“Brand?”
“Yes. It’s the type that slowly drains vitality—not exactly a high-quality one.”
Even without him saying it, that much was obvious.
When Esther nodded, Laxa lightly rubbed his chin.
“Such brands often have conditions attached.”
“…Meaning it only activates when certain conditions are met?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Laxa nodded with a broad smile. His expression looked almost proud, as if he found her clever, which made Esther frown.
“It’s a curse that passes from bloodline to bloodline, and since it activates when that bloodline commits a sin, a source is naturally required.”
“Right… I suppose it needs continuous gathering and cycling of magical power to maintain it… Ah.”
Esther, who had been responding to Laxa, froze and looked at him. He smiled faintly.
“Yes, the method to remove it is simpler than you’d think.”
“So, I just need to destroy the source. Usually, ancient curses are inscribed in magical circles, and there must be an object forming the foundation. Destroy both, and that should do it.”
“Correct.”
Esther jumped up but her legs gave out, and she collapsed back onto the bed with a thud.
“Ugh…”
Burying her face in the soft mattress, Esther groaned softly.
“I should start by building up my stamina first…”
At this rate, she would probably collapse on the street before she could even attempt to break the curse.
She pouted in annoyance.
“What kind of excuse did you give my mother and father that makes them think I made some weird choice?”
“Oh, Esther, who always felt lonely, was always seeking friends. By chance, she seems to have triggered some device in the annex, and that’s how the curse fell upon her.”
“…What?”
“…I just explained it in a slightly more dramatic way.”
What nonsense.
“Who would even believe that?”
“Oh, everyone seems to. I was actually quite pleased to see how much everyone cares for you, Esther.”
“…They believe that?”
Really idiots, huh? She had known they were gullible since they couldn’t even tell fake ore from real.
“Yes. Letting them feel indebted and guilty will make things easier for you later, Esther.”
“…You really are a devil.”
“You flatter me. I only wish to see you grow, Esther. Preferably without suffering too much.”
Knowing exactly how cruel and merciless his words were, Esther stayed silent.
He is simply doing his work.
A devil’s purpose and interest lies solely in how excellently he can nurture the seed of a Demon Lord.
The more it grows, the higher the devil’s evaluation rises.
“There are plenty of sacrifices this time, so you’ll surely become a Demon Lord stronger than any before you.”
Esther unconsciously clenched her fist.
“Alright, just leave. I’m tired.”
“Yes, I shall withdraw. Call upon me whenever you need, Esther.”
“Fine.”
Turning her head, Esther answered.
Laxa vanished like smoke from the room. Esther let out a heavy sigh as she flopped back onto the bed.
“Annoying.”
She knew.
To grow as a Demon Lord, sacrifices are needed.
The more affection a sacrifice has for the seed of the Demon Lord… the more it grows.
If the seed of the Demon Lord gives their attention to the sacrifice, growth is amplified.
However, in the latter case, the sacrifice cannot be killed, which is why devils usually avoid it.
“It’s fine.”
It didn’t matter.
This had started as an act of revenge anyway.
“I don’t love them.”
She didn’t feel affection. No emotions at all. They were just humans who stayed for a moment, a little kind, trying to relieve their guilt.
They were simply… there, somewhere nearby.
“When your strength returns a bit, we’ll go. You won’t manage if you’re too weak to walk.”
“Understood.”
“My little one answers well, too.”
“Well, I am a genius!”
First, exercise. To become a Demon Lord, she would need to go where humans are.
“Father!”
About a month later, on the day Esther could run two laps around the yard without stopping, the child ran to Kaelos.
“Yes, my little one.”
Unlike before, he tried to respond as gently as possible. The sharpness in his demeanor had softened, now giving off a sense of ease.
‘…Is it because mother is here?’
The anxious or cold look was almost gone. His innate awkwardness still showed, though.
“Let’s go heal Mother!”
“Heal her? Where to?”
“To the Surtr Kingdom!”
“….”
The unexpected name froze him for a moment. Esther giggled, her eyes wide.
“There’s not much to see there. Only dead land. It’s not far from here, so maybe we can explore the surroundings first.”
“But… Father, you also want to heal Mother!”
“Was that also revealed to you by the god?”
“Yes! I’m not a saint, but I can speak with gods.”
Of course, a lie.
“With this bracelet!”
Also false. Everything was happening because she was a genius…
‘If they knew I was too much of a genius, they’d probably treat me like a witch.’
She was, in truth, a great Demon Lord.
Kaelos gazed at the sacred object on Esther’s wrist, then nodded.
“Yes, I know you’re no ordinary child. That’s why we came here.”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t want you to be used.”
Esther paused.
This man was strange.
Usually, when a child has special abilities, everyone is eager to exploit them. Protection often lasts only briefly before being replaced by exploitation.
So why is he forbidding everything?
“…Why? I can do anything since I’m amazing. That would be good for you too, Father.”
“You don’t understand why that would be good for me.”
Kaelos reached out, pulled Esther into his arms, and placed her on his lap.
The warmth made Esther melt, leaning against his chest.
‘Weird.’
The feeling was strange.
‘I’m just a sacrifice.’
Yes, just a sacrifice to be devoured someday.
A sacrifice willing to give themselves for her.
Nothing more.
“But I also want to save your mother. If you tell me the way, we’ll consider it together.”
“…Consider?”
“Yes. If you want, I won’t stop you. But if it’s dangerous… both I and your mother will oppose it.”
It wasn’t that dangerous.
They just needed to explore the castle and destroy the magical circle and the foundational object. The problem was not knowing where they were.
“An adventure!”
Esther smiled brightly.
“Adventure?”
“Yes! Castle exploration!”
She gave Kaelos a brief explanation of what to do. He listened silently, nodding, likely judging it wasn’t too dangerous.
“…So, where are we going now?”
With the plan set, Esther and Kaelos went to find Freya.
After hearing the explanation, Freya asked again.
“We plan to go to the castle, Freya.”
He answered once more obediently. This was the first time Esther had seen Kaelos Eggbert so generous.
“You’ll stay behind?”
“Freya, since you’re weak, it’s best you stay at the mansion…”
“You… leave me… in Surtr… again?”
Freya slowly stressed each word with a dignified face.
Kaelos’ lips magically sealed.
“…Within the Surtr Kingdom, it should be fine, Freya. Will you come with us?”
Her response changed so quickly—it was astonishing. Esther looked at Freya with a slightly fearful expression.
How could someone’s words shift so abruptly just because they were questioned again?
“Yes, I must prepare.”
Having heard the answer she wanted, Freya stood without hesitation.
“Mother, it’s an adventure!”
Worried she might think it dangerous, Esther emphasized once more. Freya’s eyes widened; she stepped forward, smiling kindly, and gently cupped Esther’s cheeks with her slender white hands.
“Yes, an adventure. You’ve grown so much; I’m proud of you.”
“…Y-yes…”
Unexpected praise made Esther’s cheeks flush. She darted her eyes around, unsure where to look.
“However, it may be a bit difficult to enter the kingdom.”
She spoke with a troubled expression.
