CHAPTER 133………………………………………..
“Why do you always speak like that?”
“When the Crown Prince discovers a half-demon, there’s honestly only one thing he can do.”
At Esther’s words, the Crown Prince clamped his mouth shut, his expression decidedly displeased.
“As long as you don’t cause harm, you’re still ultimately one of my people.”
“……”
Esther narrowed her eyes.
“Do you really think so?”
“Do you think I truly wish to hand you over to the heretic inquisitors?”
“Of course not. I just want to live quietly here with my family.”
Still, it seemed best to resolve this matter properly.
‘Do I need to go to the demon realm for a while?’
Or should the connection between the demon realm and this world be severed forever?
Ideally, the Demon King’s position should be passed to someone suitable…
‘But finding someone worthy is no easy task.’
At minimum, they’d need to be a half-demon. Finding one remaining in this world wouldn’t be simple.
‘For now, it’s better to be away for a while.’
Esther decided. She didn’t want anyone to suffer because of her.
“If we’re done talking, may I leave?”
“You’re going to leave just like that?”
“Do you have anything more to say?”
“Not exactly… but shouldn’t we discuss how to handle this?”
“I’ll handle it soon enough. You needn’t worry.”
When the Crown Prince got involved, even things that would have gone well would be ruined. Esther brushed past him.
“Young lady!”
“Yes?”
“…Are you really not going to cause any trouble?”
Esther met his familiar gaze.
It wasn’t the gaze of a man courting her—it was the look of a man measuring a stronger force than himself.
She nodded.
“Yes. Peace is what I truly want.”
Her goal had become simply living peacefully with her father, mother, and Sid.
“It’s best if you leave today.”
Whatever “they” were, they were likely after her.
So moving somewhere else would at least prevent harm in the imperial capital.
“Where are you going, Esther?”
“Just away from the capital for a while… Sid?”
“…Mm.”
Esther’s eyes widened at the sudden appearance of Sid behind her.
She had assumed he went somewhere else with that young lady—how curious. As Esther blinked in surprise, Sid’s expression twisted.
“I really can’t do it.”
Sid said quietly.
Esther paused, unsure what he meant, and he gave a faint smile, bowing his head.
“I just need to cling a little more. The idea that I made you jealous was stupid.”
“Jealous…?”
So escorting that young lady was deliberately to make me jealous?
Esther was momentarily at a loss for words. She didn’t even open her mouth, and he hung his head deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
Sid apologized softly.
Esther found herself speechless, silently stunned.
“No, I’m not angry… just a little surprised.”
She had assumed she’d completely let go of him and moved on to new feelings.
But that wasn’t the case.
‘Well, that’s fortunate…’
Fortunate?
The thought struck her so suddenly that she froze. A strange feeling. She rubbed her face, then bowed her head.
“I… I’m fine. I probably just… acted in a way that burdened you. Whoever you like is your choice. I have no right to interfere.”
Esther said.
Sid looked moved for a moment, then suddenly embraced her.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I really like you, Esther.”
“…Huh?”
A little sudden.
No, it wasn’t just the words—it was the closeness.
Esther awkwardly smiled, pressed against him. Even though she felt some relief that he had shared his feelings, she wasn’t exactly happy after all the inner turmoil she had endured alone.
Sid held her tightly for a long while. Finally, Esther, unable to endure it further, pushed against his shoulder.
“That’s enough, okay?”
“Mm. But where are you planning to go?”
“The demons in the demon realm… are appearing. They must be waiting for me to become the Demon King. I’ll leave for a while and handle it.”
“…Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Why? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You’re… my contractor, but you don’t really need to get involved.”
She didn’t want to show him that mess.
Sid shook his head with a smile at her words.
“I’m coming with you. If I don’t protect you, who will?”
Wait… wouldn’t I be protecting myself?
Esther couldn’t bring herself to say that, and she simply nodded. Gratitude deserved acknowledgment.
After much deliberation, she had finally made a decision…
‘…Is this the right choice?’
It seemed decided just now.
“For now…”
Esther tapped Sid lightly on the head.
“Raxa.”
At her call, a cool presence immediately appeared behind her.
“Yes, Lady Esther.”
“…That was fast.”
“I am always a faithful subordinate, waiting for your command.”
Raxa said with a sly grin.
“You get along with Siphon, right?”
“Yes. What reason would there be not to get along with my contractor?”
“I figured you’d handle that easily.”
“Enough teasing.”
Esther shrugged at Raxa, who mock-pretended to cry.
“I’m planning to be away for a while. Can you take care of the house?”
“Yes… no problem, but is something happening?”
“The demons scattered their summoning circles, occupying human bodies.”
“…I see.”
Raxa clicked his tongue softly.
“They seem to have reached their limit. Even though the Demon King has been born, you’ve delayed awakening and haven’t visited the demon realm yet.”
“Yes, that’s my fault.”
“Completely.”
Raxa added with a bright smile. For some reason, it annoyed her.
She clicked her tongue in irritation, and Raxa shrugged and smiled.
“So, what exactly do you want from me?”
“It’s simple. Watch the house.”
“Is that all?”
“Otherwise, are we starting a war with the demon realm?”
“That’s not impossible.”
Raxa shrugged.
Esther narrowed her eyes.
‘Come to think of it, Raxa is pretty strong too.’
Couldn’t Raxa just take over as Demon King?
A strong ruler was needed to stabilize the demon realm, suppress them, and ensure survival.
Even if they found a new Demon King seed, they’d have to wait for it to awaken.
Might as well…
‘Would it be wrong to make someone else do what I don’t want to?’
Still, she decided to ask.
“Raxa.”
“Yes, Lady Esther.”
“Do you want to be the Demon King?”
“Yes.”
Raxa answered brightly.
“…Decisive, huh?”
“Nowadays I have a contractor, so I enjoy myself quite a bit.”
She thought he’d enjoy having power, but maybe she was wrong.
“But if you fire Siphon… well, I could take the Demon King position instead without issue.”
“…What kind of strange condition is that?”
“I can’t go to the demon realm alone, leaving my contractor behind.”
Why not?
Usually, a demon-human contract only summons the demon when the human needs them.
Having a constantly summoned demon is unusual.
“You mean you’d take Siphon to the demon realm?”
“Yes. Why not?”
“Siphon would hate that.”
Siphon had family—those who had come with him to this empire. Esther doubted he’d abandon them.
“It’s easy for me to fulfill your condition, but you’ll need Siphon’s permission.”
If Siphon chose to leave voluntarily, Esther had no right to stop him.
“But Siphon has family in this world.”
“…That can be handled quietly. Without anyone knowing.”
“Are you confident you can hide it forever? That you won’t regret it?”
If not, it’s better not to start. Regret would be inevitable.
“That’s irreversible. It’s better not to do it at all.”
“I don’t like having to tiptoe around like that,” Raxa replied.
“You want to be the Demon King?”
“Yes. Who would dislike standing at the pinnacle of power? Besides, I’m even a demon…”
Her tone suggested that of course she couldn’t dislike it, but the difficulty of the situation was clear.
“You don’t want to leave Siphon behind?”
“Yes. I like him.”
“Then go and beg him to come along.”
At Esther’s words, Raxa’s expression briefly cracked.
