[CHAPTER 26]
We Have Come Too Far to Show Our True Selves
Herond lifted his chin proudly.
See, I knew it. I understood His Highness correctly after all. He told me to bring back a peacock with black feathers.
Just as Herond was about to scold Lucy, Lucy’s question came faster.
“Do you mean a duke by status, or an actual bird?”
What a stupid thing to even ask.
“Tsk. Obviously, he meant a peacock. Why would His Highness ask us to buy a duke’s title? Why would he need some insignificant human duke’s status? And besides, a noble title isn’t something you can just buy with money. Lucy, think before you speak.”
Herond clicked his tongue and sharply reprimanded Lucy.
“A title.”
A heavy voice rang in his ears.
“Pardon?”
“I told you to buy a ducal house.”
Herond felt as if every feather on his body stood on end.
Th-Then… what His Highness told me to buy was…
“You meant a ducal house with the surname Edmund?”
“If that is the case, couldn’t we simply fabricate an appropriate title?”
“I need the status of a human duke.”
Cold sweat beaded on Herond’s forehead.
He had been so confident just moments ago.
Now, he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a mouse hole.
“Your Highness, how are we supposed to buy something like that…?”
Feeling wronged, Herond offered a timid protest.
“Is there a problem?”
“N-No, not exactly…”
His small act of rebellion vanished with a single word from Redemberg Lu Edeltein.
Who in the Demon Realm would dare to openly defy the Demon King?
No. I am His Highness’s right-hand man.
A loyal subject was supposed to correct their lord when he said something unreasonable.
Herond widened his eyes and spoke up.
“Your Highness, please think about this. Where are we supposed to find a duke named Edmund? That cannot possibly be so easy—”
“Not easy?”
Redemberg Lu Edeltein frowned.
“N-Not easy… yes, it is easy. Very easy.”
Herond’s second attempt at loyalty ended just as hollowly.
“Haa…”
Herond let out a deep sigh.
Where was he supposed to find a human duke with the surname Edmund, and how was he meant to persuade them to sell their status?
Was noble status really something that could be bought and sold so easily?
As Herond’s worries piled up like a mountain, a hand of salvation reached out.
“If it is something like that, I think I might be able to help.”
It was Lucy.
“What? Lucy, do you know such a human?”
“Where? Where are they?”
Herond looked ready to rush off immediately.
“Where is this person?”
Redemberg Lu Edeltein also showed interest.
Under the weight of both their gazes, Lucy asked cautiously.
“Have the two of you perhaps forgotten my name?”
Herond frowned at the sudden, nonsensical question.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Your name is Lucy.”
“Yes, Lucy.”
“And what about it…?”
“More precisely, Lucy Edmund.”
“…”
“I was once the daughter of a ducal house.”
“Kraaak?”
A crow-like screech burst from Herond’s mouth in shock.
As Herond stood frozen with his eyes and mouth wide open, Redemberg Lu Edeltein muttered calmly beside him.
“That’s right. I thought the name sounded familiar.”
Only then did Herond remember.
There had once been an incident in which the young lady of House Edmund fell in love with an incubus.
The result of that forbidden love was Lucy.
When a whistleblower revealed that Lucy was of mixed demon blood, House Edmund fell into ruin.
The entire family, including distant relatives, was annihilated for consorting with demons.
The records of House Edmund were said to have been almost completely erased.
Lucy was the sole surviving member of House Edmund.
“There is a small villa in the northern region of the Kingdom of Cadeldot that my mother secretly purchased. The family crest should still be there.”
At Lucy’s words, Redemberg Lu Edeltein smiled in satisfaction.
“Excellent.”
Watching this, Herond felt oddly anxious, as if his role had been stolen by Lucy.
“Y-Your Highness. I will fly there and retrieve the crest myself.”
“There is no need.”
The firm refusal dampened Herond’s spirits.
Of course. There would be no need.
Teleportation would be far faster than Herond flying.
“Yes…”
…I am a useless crow.
Herond drooped his head and spoke gloomily.
“I will go take care of my overdue work now…”
As he trudged away, Redemberg Lu Edeltein grabbed him by the back of the neck.
“Y-Your Highness?”
“You are coming with us.”
“What? Me too?”
“Yes.”
Tears of gratitude welled up in Herond’s eyes.
To think His Highness would care even for a useless crow like him.
Herond silently recited once more how great and merciful a Demon King Redemberg Lu Edeltein was.
“Yes, Your Highness. I, Herond, will remain by your side for the rest of my life.”
