Finally, a House of My Own
Ah, this is a romance fantasy, just like everyone in Korea dreams about. Cain, too, once harbored the dream of owning his own home.
'It was an incredibly tough goal for orphaned siblings.'
The tiny fully-furnished rental house they'd barely scraped together was the limit for the two of them.
But now Cain was different! He had a house!
"The academy, huh."
A proper home with official ownership, handed over directly by the Empire itself. Spacious. Comfortable. And above all, his house.
"To cut to the chase, the academy project is going ahead. The buildings are already fully completed."
He'd asked why no one had told him about it. Staring down the Mad Dog who'd shown up again with a sword in his mouth, Wilhelm trembled violently as he answered fervently.
"I told you! I told you, but you weren't listening, Cain!"
Ah. Right.
Cain chuckled awkwardly. Anything that wasn't killing demons was outside his realm of interest. He'd mistaken "academy" for some kind of military academy?
"I opposed it too, saying it was nonsense! But it was like they'd all been hit by some spell—every noble from every nation suddenly agreed! I couldn't do anything about it."
Magic. Yeah, that was a fitting name for it. In romance fantasies, the academy beam was overwhelmingly powerful. The moment it hit, everyone chanted "academy!" Love! Romance! Melodrama! Reverse harem!
"The reason? Obviously, I laid it out logically! With an academy, all the alliance nobles will flock there. The demons are bound to target it. Disaster is guaranteed!"
That was Wilhelm's argument, and the proponents had shot back like this: They'd made every preparation imaginable. Even the Holy Kingdom was pitching in. They could detect demons, contractors, vassals—you name it. The academy would be the safest place on the continent!
"Like that'll work."
An academy existed for one reason alone: to get attacked, somehow, some way. No matter the defenses, it would be raided. That was an academy for you. There was no such thing as an academy that didn't burn. Well, except one. The ones already in ruins.
"The alliance's will is firm. This is their chance to secure communication that transcends national borders. The Continental Academy is the foundation for that. It's about building broader, more powerful authority unbound by countries."
The academy's emergence was inevitable. The protagonists here all came from different nations. The academy was the only place they could all meet.
"S-still, if you strongly insist against it, there's a chance."
When it came to demons, he was the alliance's top expert. They called him the Mad Dog. They dismissed him as a commoner. But they would listen to one thing: warnings and cautions about demons. If Cain stepped up personally, the alliance might reconsider.
—That was why Wilhelm had said it.
"Let me know once you've decided. If you're set on opposing it, I'll rally people and try to stir up even bigger opposition."
Cain smiled at the ever-diligent Wilhelm. How had such a hardworking guy turned out like he did in the original story? He put real effort into his work. His head was pretty sharp too. What the hell made him choose to be such an idiot?
Kind words were nice, sure. But kind force was better.
"Hm."
He showered roughly and flopped onto the bed, lost in thought.
Estelle. The protagonist the whole world adored. You could tell just from Evan, Prince, and Arhen. And now a saint candidate was joining the fray.
Crown prince. Royal prince. Border Count. Saint.
What a lineup. Estelle was the woman they all hung off.
'The scariest part? The hero hasn't even shown up yet.'
It had been too long. Too much had happened. The story his sister had shown him was mostly a blur now. He couldn't even recall the protagonist's name properly. Or when and where the hero appeared.
But he did remember a few key things clearly.
'If things stay like this, the Border Count is done for.'
One of the male leads would inevitably turn rotten inside. He'd spark an unprecedented rebellion, splitting the Empire in half. The guy's capabilities were so immense it was hard to gauge.
Right now, Border Count Evan seemed like the prime candidate. A few days ago, he'd looked ripe for the picking!
'I'll keep an eye on him and take him out if he shows signs.'
No need to rush. Killing was easy, but the fallout? The Empire and alliance would lose their shit. He'd become public enemy number one, hunted down. Not ideal for Cain. How could he hunt demons freely then?
"In the end, all problems start with the protagonist."
Estelle. Maybe she was the real demon? She had all these great men wrapped around her finger. There'd been no such setting in the story his sister showed him.
"Gotta do something! How can someone just... as a fellow human..."
Estelle's words still echoed in his head.
Kind heart. Fine. Love and understanding. Great. A beacon of hope and goodness in tough times. Anyone would love her for that.
But the world was burning right now. Being "good" was turning into a sin.
He didn't expect her to go full selfish. Just moderate it a bit. But the protagonist didn't get it.
"Removing her wouldn't be so bad..."
If he'd really meant to kill her, she'd be dead already. One swing of his right arm. A demon-style beatdown. Another hostage corpse added to the pile.
But Cain had held back. Not because of the original story? Not because she was important?
Nah, nothing like that.
'She's the ultimate demon trap. Why ruin it? Gotta milk it for all it's worth.'
Look what happened this time. Demons crashed the party. Illogical. No buildup. Yet they took over the damn venue.
For Cain, it was more than enough confirmation. Trouble always followed the protagonist. And here, trouble meant demons.
A living, breathing demon catcher. Top-tier performance.
Demons showed up by her side no matter what. Annoying? Sure. A hassle? Yeah. But he could tolerate it. If it meant more demons. Stronger ones.
He could let her live. As long as she stayed on that side of the line.
'And now the 'protagonist' is heading to the 'academy'?'
Heh. Heheheh.
Cain grinned in satisfaction. His belly felt full, like after a feast.
That night, Cain had the happiest dream.
Back to his old life? No. Treated like a true war hero? Nah!
Demons packed horizon to horizon. Endless hordes that kept coming no matter how many he slaughtered.
Raaaaah!!! This is it!!!
A cheer burst from him unbidden. Perfect. Kill. Kill. Kill some more!
"Mm..."
She barely lifted her heavy eyelids.
As Estelle opened her eyes, the maid beside her cried out.
"Lady Estelle is awake!"
Moments later, several men rushed in one after another. From the left: Prince, Evan, then Arhen.
"Lady Estelle! You're awake!"
"Feeling better now?"
"Everyone, quiet down. Too noisy in front of a patient."
Where was this? And why were they here?
As Estelle stared blankly, Arhen spoke up.
"You're safe, Estelle. No demon can reach this place."
"Your Highness...?"
A smile curved Arhen's lips at her words. He'd thought she wouldn't remember him after so long. If she'd asked who he was, it would've stung a bit, but he'd have smiled and said they were old friends.
But Estelle remembered. She hadn't forgotten their bond.
Arhen was deeply grateful. Tears welled up.
"My guards are everywhere around us. Nothing like the party incident will happen again."
"Your Highness, half these knights are under my command."
"Right. Half are the Border Count's. But my knights are superior, aren't they?"
"Guess we'll have to settle it with a knight duel soon."
"Anytime."
The sudden clash of egos between the two men. Prince clicked his tongue and slipped in slyly.
"How's your condition, Lady Estelle?"
"I'm fine, Your Highness. Sorry for worrying you."
"I'm the one who's sorry. I never should've brought you to that party."
A grand celebration for the alliance's formation. He'd planned to create an intimate atmosphere with Estelle there, sparking rumors in high society. Leading to an official relationship. That was Prince's ideal picture.
"We should head back home soon. Resting in your homeland would be best."
The other nobles had already been sent back. Just him and Estelle. Riding together in a carriage, making the most of the time.
"Home? Prince, Estelle's still recovering. She needs rest. Estelle? By the Third Prince's authority, you're permitted to stay in the Empire longer. No worries."
"Grateful, but Estelle would be far more comfortable on her home soil. No matter how kindly Your Highness treats her, the Empire is still foreign territory. It can't help but feel off."
"Are you saying you're rejecting our Empire's goodwill right now?"
"Goodwill is something you can refuse, isn't it? If you have to accept it no matter what, it's not goodwill—it's an order. You might not get it as an Empire man, but Estelle and I are from the Kasen Kingdom."
Estelle herself hadn't said a word yet. But Prince and Arhen's voices grew louder.
Evan, fed up, was about to tell them to take it outside if they were gonna fight.
"Now, now, gentlemen."
Clap!—Along with the sound of applause, a man entered. Dazzling golden hair and striking blue eyes—a handsome sight that instinctively put the other three on guard.
"Who are you? You can't just barge in here."
"...Wait. That voice. No way?"
"That's right. The servant from before. Haha."
He hadn't noticed at the time, but now it was obvious. That inherent holy aura, plus the pristine robes—he was the picture of a cleric.
"Allow me a proper introduction. I am Liberio from the Holy Kingdom."
"Liberio?"
"Could you be the new saint candidate from the Holy Kingdom?"
"I have been graciously granted that title."
The saint candidate's entrance. The three men bristled warily. They were already butting heads over prince this, count that—rivalries between unignorable statuses. They hadn't expected a saint from the Holy Kingdom to butt in too.
"A Holy Kingdom saint candidate disguising himself as a servant at the party? Must've been unavoidable circumstances?"
The bold Evan hit it first. Why hide his identity and tag along incognito? Especially when demons had ambushed because of it.
"My apologies. But I had no choice—a divine oracle came down."
"Oracle?"
"Yes. It spoke of a light that would lead us through the war against the demons."
"And? Did you find this 'light'?"
At Prince's question, Liberio glanced briefly at Estelle.
"Probably. I think so."
Found is found, not is not. What the hell was "probably"?
Ignoring Evan's grumbling, Liberio approached Estelle's side.
"Sister Estelle, you've slept a full day away."
"Have I?"
"You took a blow to the head, it seems. Thankfully, the Lord protected you—no serious injury. What on earth happened at the party?"
The three men's attention snapped to her at the saint candidate's question.
"..."
Estelle hesitated a moment, then parted her lips.
"I... can't remember well."