Chapter 177

“Is it wrong to yearn for the light?! Besides, I’ve read the records—this place wasn’t this dark when the previous Demon King was still in charge!”

“That’s because your grandfather had night blindness! He couldn’t see the path without using Light Magic, you dimwit!”

“Ha?! Who are you calling dimwit?!”

“Calling you a—aaah! Herilet! I was wrong, I was wrong, let go!”

“Have mercy, Mother!”

Indeed, all things in the world balance each other out—these words were never false.

Herilet finally rose from beside the throne.

Her left hand pinched Sheffy’s earlobe while her right gripped Dielzner’s ear. With a synchronized twist, their argument instantly morphed into pleas for mercy.

Much more harmonious now.

“You two... can’t you keep a shred of dignity? The guests are still standing down there, aren’t they? And here you are bickering... Ai! All you do is argue day in, day out. Aren’t you ashamed?!”

Who had the mind to respond about shame at a time like this?

When your ears were being twisted, pleading for mercy was the only option, alright!

This entire scene in the Demon King’s Hall left Xiarette and the others utterly dumbfounded.

Timani rubbed her eyes, even starting to suspect they had walked into the wrong place.

“Wait... Princess Belith, are you sure this is the right place? You’re certain this is the Demon King’s Hall... and not a circus performance?”

“Mind your words. You can say my father puts on a circus, but if you say that about my royal sister, I’ll kill you, alright?”

“!”

Is this how all demons were?! Always ready to kill at the drop of a hat?!

Belith couldn’t be bothered with them.

She stepped forward alone to mediate the family quarrel, freeing her royal sister’s ear from their mother’s merciless grip.

While chaos unfolded on the stage, down below, Xiarette elbowed Livra’s back repeatedly in an attempt to prompt her.

But Livra stood as still as a statue, forcing Xiarette to whisper.

“Your Highness... Your Highness! Hurry and go up to offer greetings... This is a diplomatic visit. We’re the ones coming to them, so you have to take the initiative. Uh... aren’t you usually good with this stuff? Why are you...”

At that, Livra half-turned her body.

In her eyes shimmered a hint of grievance.

She could hear Lady Xiarette perfectly well, and of course, she understood the etiquette of diplomacy between nations.

—But she still crossed her index fingers in an “X” and held them in front of her lips.

As an excellent apprentice, the most important thing was to obey her master’s words.

Teacher Shaya had said: staying silent was the best form of etiquette.

So she couldn’t speak.

Damn it.

Why did Her Highness Livra have to be so obedient now of all times?!

Xiarette noticed how tense Sheffy’s parents were and didn’t dare to approach them directly. She had hoped Livra would go first and break the ice so she could follow up.

But now, with Livra holding her silence, who was she supposed to use as a shield?!

Indeed, the Sword of the Nation that guarded the royal family... seemed intent on using the princess as a human shield.

Up on the Demon King’s high platform, the commotion had already settled.

Dielzner, the Demon King, slumped back into his throne weakly, his face ashen, saying nothing.

Sheffy also had tears in her eyes. Holding her ears, she leapt down lightly from the platform and ran gracefully back toward Xiarette and the others.

Seeing this, Belith quickly followed after her.

The two princesses did not remain on the high platform but instead chose to move about freely—this, strictly speaking, violated etiquette.

But Herilet made no move to correct them.

Because truly, the only ones who could make Sheffy this relaxed... were probably just these few people.

Herilet didn’t unfold her wings. Instead, pale blue magic particles drifted around her. Her long silver-white hair draped down over the elegant brown gown that wrapped her graceful figure. Ignoring the Demon King’s defeated posture, she stepped forward in her crystal heels.

A clear, ringing sound echoed, sending a gentle breeze rippling across the hall.

“Forgive us, everyone. Our family’s always been like this—loud and disorderly, isn’t it? Hmm... but we’ve met before, haven’t we? Oh? The Hero’s outfit today is quite unique, isn’t it?”

“!”

To think her disguise was seen through at a glance! Xiarette had hoped to lay low for a while longer.

Sigh... as expected, before a true powerhouse, disguise was meaningless.

In that case, the only option was to face it with poise.

Xiarette stepped to the very front, giving a slight nod—not too humble, but not arrogant either—responding with composed dignity.

At this moment, she believed she could carry out this first conversation with Sheffy’s mother flawlessly.

“Your Majesty the Queen, greetings. Yes, I am Xiarette, the Hero from the Kingdom of Aurus. It is a pleasure to—ah! Tch... I mean... a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your guidance.”

“......”

She... she bit her tongue.

Xiarette really wanted to hug Sheffy and cry right now, you know?!

The more pressure she was under, the easier it was to trip over her words. What if Her Majesty thought she was inarticulate on their very first meeting?!

But... that wasn’t the case.

Herilet looked at the unhidden expression of tangled regret on Xiarette’s face and blinked in slight surprise.

Then, it seemed her impression of the usually solemn Hero shifted somewhat.

Her smile softened.

As for the Demon King...

“What?! You're the Hero?! Good grief, a Hero dares step foot on my turf... You—!”

—Thud!

Sheffy unconsciously reached up to touch her head, a phantom ache lingering in her skull.

Just now... it seemed Mother had snapped off the armrest of the throne—

—and slammed it straight onto Father’s head.

A gale like a chaotic tornado swept through the air, and Father collapsed on the spot, completely knocked out cold.

Sheffy certainly hadn’t forgotten.

Her mother was a genius proficient in both magic and close-quarters combat!

Yikes... Rest in peace, Father—no, rest well.

You’re done for the day.

Herilet casually placed the broken armrest back onto the throne.

No one knew what kind of magic she used, but as a faint blue light shimmered, the armrest seamlessly reattached to the chair.

Throughout the entire process, her smile never wavered.

“Besides the Hero, there are two more... no, three little guests. This one must be the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Aurus, yes? Hello, hello... Hm? You... hmm? Sheffy.”

Herilet didn’t say the rest aloud.

But the confused look she cast toward Sheffy made her question perfectly clear.

—Was the Third Princess of the Kingdom mute? Unable to speak? That’s not what I heard.

Seeing this, Sheffy had no choice but to subtly stretch out her foot and tap Livra’s ankle.

“Hey, speak.”

“......”

“Stop pretending to be mute and respond.”

“......”

Livra understood.

She truly did understand, Teacher Shaya.

You’re testing me.

Testing my discipline.

Don’t worry—if you told me not to speak, then I shall become mute.

“I don’t take mute apprentices. That agreement’s void. If you don’t speak now, I’ll have you sent back home immediately.”

“!”

So this is what elegance truly is!

Like a complete transformation, Livra walked to the front of the platform with flawless poise. She crossed her feet slightly, lifted her gown just a touch, bent her knees with absolute precision, and greeted them with a smile.

“Greetings, esteemed Demon Queen. Forgive the discourtesy of my unannounced visit. I’ve come without a gift, but I shall inform my homeland to have an envoy deliver one at a later date. I hope neither His Majesty the Demon King nor Your Majesty will find fault, and I sincerely wish for a fruitful cooperation between our nations moving forward.”

“Mhm, what a well-spoken child. A talented princess from Aurus.”

“Uwah... Thank you for your kind words! Now Teacher Shaya won’t expel me!”

Livra, what is wrong with your brain?!

Should I call you clever or just plain dumb?!

Herilet then greeted Timani as well, and her gaze briefly landed on Sylatrella, disguised as a different blade form at Xiarette’s waist.

“The Holy Sword is here too, I see... Miss Xiarette, no need to keep standing—please, all of you, find a place to sit. Things aren’t so formal here. Don’t let Dielzner’s behavior earlier mislead you. He’s always like that.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Hearing that, Xiarette felt much more at ease.

Phew... that made sense.

Right now, the Queen and the Demon King probably still didn’t know about her relationship with Sheffy... right?

If that was the case, then there was still time to prepare how to explain it. At least, there was no need to rush.

Or so she thought...

Just as Xiarette led everyone to sit on the stone step seats near the candelabra—

She suddenly heard Herilet let out a soft chuckle, her lips half-covered, as she said:

“Of course, besides matters of state, there’s also family business. Miss Xiarette, about you and Sheffy... let’s have a little private chat later, shall we? That’s the most important matter today.”

“!”

Crap.

She knew—she actually knew...!

The atmosphere suddenly turned strange.

And... and Belith, little sister, you—could you not draw your sword right now?! Let’s just calm down and talk things through, alright?!

8. "She truly understands!"

As for why Sheffy and the others had come—Herilet knew it perfectly well.

Sheffy had returned home to visit family, and the others accompanied her—clearly just as companions.

Since they were companions, the trip could easily be treated as a vacation, a leisurely and relaxing outing. If one were to press too hard on political discussions, it would come across as terribly lacking in grace.

Because of this, Herilet had no intention of discussing the current collaboration between their two nations with Livra for the time being.

After a few casual exchanges, she arranged for them to stay in rooms that had been freshly prepared in the Demon King’s Castle. She said that once everyone had rested properly, she and the Demon King would hold a formal meeting to discuss the matters of bilateral cooperation.

But before that—everyone should just take it easy! Try the local specialties of the Demon Domain, tour Campeno’s unique landscapes, and have some fun!

Her daughter had brought friends home. As the Demon King and Queen, how could they not fulfill their role as proper hosts?