novelraw Chapter 64 : Chapter 64
Chapter 64 : Chapter 64
Chapter 64. A Brief Vacation (1)
“It seems I have overestimated you.”
Primus's face was filled with disappointment.
Since he rarely showed his inner thoughts, Nox was afraid of this side of him.
“...I apologize.”
“You haven't properly accomplished a single one of my orders. From now on, do not call me father. Call me Sir Primus.”
“...!!”
Nox's eyes widened.
It was as if he was indirectly saying he never had a son like him.
He bit his lip so hard that blood dripped down his chin.
Primus had said it was alright to call him father after defeating him.
Despite his first-ever defeat in life.
He couldn't have been happier about it then, but now, their relationship had been reduced to that of a master and a subordinate.
‘The recognition from my father that I so desired has shattered in an instant.’
Nox clenched his fists and changed the subject.
There was nothing to be gained by obsessing over this issue any longer.
“When will you be coming here?”
“The work on this side is not easy either. It will take more time to resolve.”
Primus had said he was doing something in an eastern island country to increase his weakened power.
Without explaining in detail what that was.
“I do not wish to be disappointed in you any further. I will not contact you for the time being, so act on your own judgment. It might even help with your growth.”
With those last words, Primus cut off contact and vanished like smoke.
Nevertheless, his afterimage seemed to remain in Nox's eyes.
Nox stood there blankly, unable to move from his spot for a while.
Had the tension finally dissipated?
Nox slumped to the floor and muttered to himself.
“I suppose I must go to the Demon King's Castle. Just as Sir Primus is increasing his power, I too need to train myself.”
Beneath the Demon King's Castle slept the oldest ancient ruin in this world.
Also known as the Entrance to Hell.
Among all the demons in history, none who entered had ever returned alive.
That was the same even for those at the Demon King level; even the great Demon King who had driven humanity to the brink of extinction had ultimately failed to return.
Thus, entry was strictly controlled, but now that no one lived in the Demon King's Castle, there would be no one to stop him.
“I will… I will definitely break through that place and prove my strength.”
Clang!
Nox shattered the only magic crystal ball that could contact Primus and abruptly vanished somewhere.
***
Riding on a demon's back gave a different feeling in many ways from riding on a dragon's back.
‘It's slower, but much more stable. Not bad.’
If Anonymous was a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft, Mammon provided a comfort akin to that of a large transport plane.
He had cast a transparency spell, so there was no chance of being seen by others.
However, due to the slow speed, it was well over three full days later when we arrived at the barony.
After landing on the ground and undoing the transparency spell, Elliot approached.
He looked up at the giant Mammon and asked cautiously.
“Who is this gentleman beside you?”
“This is Mammon, the demon of greed, one of the Seven Demons.”
“Hmm.”
He seemed to contemplate what to say for a moment before politely bowing to Mammon.
“I am Elliot, the Head Butler here.”
Mammon, who had instantly transformed into his humanoid form, seemed pleased, slapped Elliot on the back, and laughed cheerfully.
“As expected of the Head Butler of such a Master. You are the second human who hasn't been surprised to see me. Haha.”
Mammon seemed to have taken a liking to Elliot, but it was a different story for Elliot.
Wincing, he rubbed the spot on his back that Mammon had hit.
The fact that he didn't let out a single scream was probably due to his position as the Head Butler of this family.
Well done, Elliot. You are the proud Head Butler of our family.
“Mammon.”
“Hm?”
“Elliot is an old man over fifty. I'd appreciate it if you'd treat him as gently as possible.”
“I was being gentle, though?”
That was gentle?
This guy would only come to his senses after someone died.
While I was shaking my head, everyone rushed outside to greet me.
The first to arrive was Noemi.
“I heard from Master Anonymous! You've become a Byeongyeongbaek? Congratulations!”
Next, Adel approached.
“A Byeongyeongbaek is the highest rank except for a Duke. It's truly an honor for the family. I also heard the marquisate now belongs to our family.”
“That is correct. We'll need to send someone to govern that place, but I'm not sure who would be suitable.”
Me going to the marquis's castle was an option, but that would put me too far from the gold mine and the dragons' paradise.
More importantly, I preferred this cozy house to a large castle.
And beneath it slept various treasures that could rival a giant ruin.
Then, one person's face came into view.
My old friend who was smiling awkwardly in the back, having missed the timing to congratulate me.
Rude.
I strode over to him and asked.
“Rude, do you have any desire for worldly success?”
“Huh?”
“If you wish, you could do all the insect observation you love so much. You'll have nothing but time on your hands, after all.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I'm saying I'd like you to govern the marquis's castle.”
“Whaat?”
Rude just blinked his eyes with a face that said he had no idea what was going on.
‘You're the only one, Rude.’
Could I send Adel and Noemi there?
The thought of Iris being gone was already agonizing; I couldn't lose any more daughters.
Then what about Anonymous?
‘If I did that, I can't even imagine what would happen.’
She was the queen of dragons, but at the same time, my exclusive maid.
A mere maid governing a castle.
It would only invite all sorts of backlash.
The demons were the same.
But Rude, like me, was a member of the Hero's party and a Sage.
He wasn't a noble, but his background was not something to be ignored.
‘He has high recognition and sufficient capability to govern a region.’
There would be no worry of him betraying me, and his magic was also outstanding, so where
else could I find a more suitable talent?
I grabbed Rude's hand and said this.
“If you take on this job, I won't interfere at all with how you govern the place.”
It wasn't a joke, but my sincere feelings.
As long as it didn't fall to ruin, he could do whatever he wanted.
Whether he built an insect museum or developed insect cuisine as a specialty product, that was a matter for Rude to handle.
But Rude was not easily swayed.
“It's a charming offer, but I too have my own way of life. I'll think about it a little more.”
This guy. He usually acts like a coward, but at times like this, he shows the proper side of a Sage.
Well, that's what makes persuading you worthwhile.
If he had agreed right away, I might have been the one to take back the offer.
***
Mammon, having moved to the gold mine, met his brothers.
However, not a single one welcomed him.
It was because he had treated his brothers poorly at the ancient ruin.
“Welcome to this place, brother.”
Lucifer greeted him formally.
He didn't care one way or another.
Mammon vomited out the treasures he had stored in his stomach and declared his own territory.
"From here to here is my land, so no one cross over!"
The brothers' expressions were not good, but there was no reason to clash with Mammon right now.
Lucifer stared at Mammon and muttered to himself.
‘The time you have to be so carefree won't last long.’
No matter what anyone said, he was the head of the Seven Demons.
The second-in-command's rebellion could not last forever.
***
A few days later.
I solemnly declared to everyone.
“I would like to enjoy a few days of rest.”
Everyone stared blankly, unable to open their mouths.
Their expressions seemed to ask what kind of absurd statement that was at a time like this.
“Hey, Frank.”
“If possible, I'd like you to add the title 'Sir'. Since I am now a Byeongyeongbaek.”
“Ahem.”
Rude cleared his throat and nodded.
“Sir Frank, the war is not over yet.”
“That matter is as good as finished. Take a look at this.”
I handed Rude the letter that came from Alboin.
Rude's expression brightened at once.
“Ooh! Has the King of Lombard finally come to his senses!”
He apologized for sending soldiers here and repeatedly emphasized that there had been a misunderstanding.
He also said he would pay a huge amount of compensation if we returned Liam.
My finances were already unstable because of the gold coins I had to give Mammon, so there was no better chance than this.
“The situation is all resolved, and for the time being, peace will come to the kingdom.”
However, Adel wore a worried expression and brought this up.
“The Demon Tribe is still alive, aren't they? We don't even properly know what's behind this whole affair.”
Wrong. I'm sorry, but the ultimate mastermind behind this is undoubtedly Primus.
All the evidence points to him.
But he rarely shows himself, and even I cannot predict how he will move.
‘But I can't just be on edge forever.’
That's how people are.
If you've been tense, you need to relax.
If the scenario hasn't changed completely, it should be fine to take a break at least for this episode.
Princess Produce is not a dark fantasy where you endlessly slay enemies, but closer to a casual RPG that emphasizes relationships with the daughters.
After releasing Liam, I started climbing the Elburz Mountains with everyone.
Of course, the servants and demons were excluded.
The servants needed to guard the house, and I didn't want to rest with the demons.
A vacation with demons? I'd rather work.
How long did we climb the mountain?
“I think it was somewhere around here.”
As I wandered around by myself, Adel asked with curiosity.
“What on earth are you looking for?”
“A place that will let us rest our minds and bodies.”
“Pfft. Where would such a place be?”
You're laughing.
Once you experience it, you'll fall for it immediately.
Just you wait and see if you don't beg and plead to come again later.
Adel chuckled and continued.
“It's been a long time since I've climbed Mount Elburz with you like this, Father.”
Indeed, it has.
Back then, the two of us could enjoy camping, but now we have a lot of family members with us.
‘I was the one who suggested coming here, so I can't cause any more trouble.’
After telling Adel to rest for a bit, I went deep into the mountains and searched thoroughly.
My foot slipped on a rock, causing me to fall and get cuts all over my body, but I had no intention of giving up.
After struggling alone for about an hour, I finally found the place I was looking for.
“Eureka! So this is where you were hiding!”
A blue sky that looked like it would pour down.
Lush greenery surrounding the area.
A soft water mist rose, gently blurring the vision, and the wind brushing against the skin was pleasantly cool.
The rocks, aged over many years, were tinged with a reddish hue, and the clear, transparent water revealed the bottom, looking as if one's hand would melt right away if dipped in.
But it wasn't cold water.
It was water hot enough to melt you to the bone.
That's right. The trip I proposed was none other than a hot spring trip.
The indispensable open-air bath episode in an Eastern fantasy game was just about to begin.
If this wasn't the perfect stage to relieve fatigue and soothe the mind and body, what else could it be?