Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: 31-3. The Wolf's Love is Surprisingly Heavy.
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The first time Emperor Locke heard the name Licht was through a report from the Imperial Guard.
He knew that Pine and Licht were close at Grand Hearts Academy, but...
"...And so, Your Majesty, the man who saved Her Highness the Princess's life is now in critical condition."
He hadn't heard how far their relationship had progressed or what feelings they held for each other.
"What's his name? What did they say his name was?"
"Licht, a man wearing the Black Knight's helmet."
A few days ago, his daughter Pine—whom he cherished more than his own eyes—had even pleaded with the imperial family to save one man.
"The man we heard about last time...?"
"He seems to be a hero from another world, without a doubt."
"A hero... and one close to our Pine, no less."
He wore an unpleasant expression. Having experienced countless heroes and demon kings from other worlds through wars, he knew better.
"Gold, what if I refuse?"
"Her Highness the Princess will be heartbroken."
Most of them were just smooth-talking fools.
Exceptions like Dennis and the Heavenly Demon were rare; the rest were drunk on the delusion of being chosen ones.
"He has saved Her Highness the Princess's life multiple times."
"Wouldn't it be better to lop off all your heads for failing to obey my command?"
"Your Majesty... please grant us your mercy."
They thought their value was determined by themselves, but even the demon kings of the Hero Cult had seemed trustworthy at first.
He had seen more heroes and demon kings than he could stomach, to the point of disgust.
Some had even swindled or committed crimes against the empire's people, claiming to be heroes chosen by the gods.
"I refuse. I will not permit it."
With even Empress Bellin's fate uncertain, he was at his limit. Whether this man Licht lived or died, if he was a hero, it was best not to care.
"...If you see this, Your Majesty will believe, he said."
At that moment, a single card appeared before the emperor's eyes.
"This is...?"
The Queen of Hearts that Licht had taken from Magic Hat.
"...Bellin."
"Yes, apparently Licht retrieved this as well."
Unlike other trump cards, it depicted a queen with wolf ears.
"It's genuine. This is indeed where Bellin's soul is sealed. How in the world...?"
"Her Highness the Princess had it until just now, and she passed it to us."
Emperor Locke immediately rose from his throne to inspect the item Gold had brought. His eyes gleamed faintly like Pine's as he verified the card's authenticity.
"We had no idea until now. Forgive us, Your Majesty."
In truth, Locke had hidden the possibility of the empress still being alive to spare his daughter further pain.
"Her soul is bound to a corrupted holy sword. This can be revived."
No body had been found, but seeing Pine faint from stress with her hair turning white, he had vowed not to torment her with false hope.
"More importantly... the hero who retrieved this is on the verge of death?"
He had even issued a gag order, framing the empress's death. It was almost certain the Hero Cult had stolen her, which was as good as dead anyway.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Her Highness pleaded earnestly."
"...Open the imperial vault, he says. Good grief."
He even shed a few tears as he chuckled softly.
No matter how he looked at it, the soul sealed in that card was his wife's. It couldn't be fully revived yet, but...
"Dragon heart transplant method... I'm not sure if it exists."
The catastrophe that occurred in his absence. How they recovered it from the Truth Demon King, who frequently created clones, didn't matter.
"Wolves, hear me! Open the vault immediately and bring whatever is needed to save our benefactor's life!"
In a way, it might be this man Licht's ability. A true hero, not some pompous fraud.
Having dealt with many demon kings, Locke could judge. If they just killed Magic Hat, his wife would be freed from the card, like Head.
"Your decree is heard, Golden Wolf shall obey. Your Majesty."
As soon as the emperor's command fell, the multiple locks in the palace clicked open with a clatter.
The thick golden door swung open, revealing precious artifacts and masterpieces.
"Steel Wolf, we shall follow Your Majesty's will!"
"Copper Wolf moves for the empire's benefactor."
"Silver Wolf, glory to the Granasia Empire."
The rest of the Imperial Guard rushed in, searching for related books and materials to boost the success rate of Pine's surgery.
"Licht... Licht."
After dispatching the guard, Locke sat back on the throne, slowly examining the card.
"What kind of relationship does he have with our daughter that he'd go this far...?"
He muttered to himself in a daze, unsure if it was a dream or reality.
This report was the first he'd heard of Licht saving Pine's life multiple times from demon king attacks.
"I must meet him once."
The same went for rescuing Bellin. For the first time in ages, the emperor revised his prejudices about heroes.
I felt a chilling sensation from my toes up to my knees.
"So, what exactly is your relationship with our daughter?"
What exactly? We're not even colleagues, and calling him a male friend I know feels too awkward.
"Why won't you answer? Lee Soo-hyun."
The emperor smiled kindly. He almost seemed like a friendly uncle, but...
'One wrong word, and my head rolls.'
Bitter saliva filled my mouth. An overwhelming killing intent washed over me.
Calling him father-in-law would probably trigger his ultimate move. Pine might even be nearby,
"...Just friends."
Ever since the situation turned dangerous for me, I could feel our heartbeats syncing slightly. I couldn't put her in a tough spot.
We're not even dating; what father-in-law? A commoner without a noble title demanding marriage to a princess is suicide.
"Hmm, friends, just friends... And yet you fought a demon king with your life on the line."
"Because it was the right thing to do."
Right answer? Locke's lips curved up, and the killing intent vanished.
"Ho, a rare young man in these times."
His expression fully softened. Only then did I think I'd survived. But seriously, isn't this too intense?
"According to the Imperial Guard's report, you're a hero of conviction, Lee Soo-hyun."
"...But I'm not."
"Haha, of course. One's value isn't defined by others!"
From a terrifying emperor moments ago to a warm middle-aged man.
"I like that we see eye to eye. And you're our Pine's friend too!"
Being Pine's father, he does look similar now that I notice. Black hair, and our strength and attributes don't overlap at all, so I hadn't realized.
"Your Majesty, may I ask if there's another reason you summoned me?"
If it was just to congratulate or reward me, he wouldn't test me like this. Sensing something nagging at me, I asked the emperor.
"You've heard about the recent northern incident, surely. Lee Soo-hyun."
The monster raid? I'd heard it from that pillar husband guy reciting the northern archduchess's backstory.
"An apostle sent by another demon king is driving beasts into the northern territories."
"Shall I handle it?"
That's why I'd noted it down. Going north would let me meet Asha Aureus too.
"Indeed. You seem able to resist demon king authority."
Bonus: I might even get permission for Nex and Sharutineth's marriage. I listened intently.
"...Truth be told, I'd like to go myself."
He spoke with a slightly anxious expression.
"But our Pine looks like the Hero Cult's target, so I can't act rashly."
He must have heard what Head said when his ignorance lifted and he fought me.
If the Hero Cult was after Pine, raising an army to wipe them out would be tricky.
"I nearly lost Bellin the same way before."
That must be how he lost the empress. Trying to eradicate the Hero Cult remnants and failing to protect what mattered.
"Then may I go with Senior Nex, Your Majesty?"
"...Asha said no. Sorry."
Too bad. Going with Sharutineth or Nex to get marriage approval sounded perfect. Their lingering resentment must make it impossible.
'Asha Aureus and Nex's relationship won't heal easily...'
But it was fine. I knew the backstory. If I just brought her back from the north to the empire, I could raise their Love Meter somewhat.
"Instead, I'll assign Drake. Go alone with him."
"I shall obey, Your Majesty."
I knelt again in respect. Going with my master isn't bad. With Head dealt with, demon kings couldn't target Pine easily.
"I'll focus on rooting out the traitors hiding in the empire. With ignorance lifted, I can find them now."
If I left Pine in the empire and slowly pushed out the Hero Cult...
"Daddy, you're mean."
Then, a presence from the side. A person with a cute swaying white tail.
"Pine, sorry."
A woman appeared, the polar opposite of the black Wolf King. A wolf with snow-white hair was right there.
"Did you have to bully Licht...?"
"Any father would test a stranger you bring home, daughter."
"You didn't even tell me..."
Pine had somehow clung to my side. When did she get here?
"Licht, get up."
"Pine, this is before His Majesty the Emperor."
She pulled me right up from my knees. What are you doing all of a sudden? She was supporting me, wrapping her legs around mine up to my tail in front of Locke.
"I'm not talking to you anymore, Daddy."
"Pine? What are you saying...?"
"And, he's not just a friend."
A bad feeling hit me. Before this clueless girl could drop a bomb about our relationship, I tried to cover her mouth.
"...He's my boyfriend."
Too late. She'd already said it before I could move.
"Pine, saying that will make His Majesty misunderstand!!"
"Why...? He's a male friend, right? Kainel is just a friend... You're my precious person..."
"Uwaaaah!! Pine, stop!!"
A massive chill surged in. I saw Locke, his face sharpening again after hearing the shocking story, turning his back.
"...Surely, I misunderstood. Lee Soo-hyun?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! Pine and I are nothing like that!!"
His voice grumbled, barely suppressing rage, teeth grinding. I rushed to clarify,
"No, you've already mixed so deeply...?"
Oh no. Pine, phrasing our shared mana circuits like that. While I tried explaining to the emperor, she broke my hand off my mouth with brute strength.
"Haha. I've let a madman into the palace."
I gulped. Today was my execution day. What route did I take for Pine's lines to be so disastrous?
"Pine, pleeease... Tell His Majesty it's a misunderstanding!!"
"...We did share mana circuits, didn't we? Licht."
She belatedly spoke the truth, but Locke seemed not to hear. He just walked behind the throne.
"You bastard, you... dare..."
The emperor grabbed a hand axe from the wall with a thud. Long-handled, like a halberd.
"You—! Touched—!! Our Pine—!!"
He swung the massive axe one-handed at me. Wind blades instantly formed to sever my breath.
'I'm dead. Dead. Dead.'
A sonic boom from pure strength alone.
This is the origin of Void Slash. First time seeing it for real. Too shocked to even scream.
'Remembrance, Recall...!!'
I pulled out Remembrance and fled the palace with Pine. Punching a hole in the ceiling,
"You rat bastard..."
The aimless wind blades tore the massive entrance door I'd come through clean off.
After Licht took Pine and left.
"Your Majesty, please maintain your dignity!"
"Dignity be damned!!! Wanted poster, yes. Issue a wanted poster!!"
Locke tore at his hair and stomped his feet,
"No, if I do that, Pine might never come back to the palace!!"
Fearing his daughter would hate him more, he could only swallow his rage.
"What should I do, Gold...!!"
The golden-armored guard rushed in at the emperor's outburst.
"...Staying put seems best, Your Majesty."
Gold restrained the Wolf King. He'd known this day would come, watching from the side.
"You know the Inlang tribe is like that, Your Majesty..."
Seeing the empire's cold, emotionless princess defy her father was a first.
"Even if she loves only one person, isn't it too soon? Gold."
"My apologies. My oversight, Your Majesty."
Locke returned the axe and slumped on the throne with a deep sigh. Wolves are naturally monogamous.
"I need time to prepare my heart! Besides, that child doesn't even know wolf love yet...!"
Wolves love heavily. Once they love, it never changes. But humans might be different.
Cheating, or worse, using his daughter's love like a leash—he worried deeply.
Human men had driven wolf women to extremes after breakups due to loneliness.
"If she falls for a bad man... What am I to do?"
"Didn't you see for yourself, Your Majesty?"
Pine’s emotions were empty, a fact the emperor knew. He worried she'd cause issues without realizing her love.
"Still, I can't accept it!"
Empress Bellin Granasia might have, but fathers and sons-in-law often clash at first meetings.
"...He's a thief. The world's most wretched thief."
From his position, the man who suddenly stole his precious daughter was no different.
Her words about being "mixed beyond repair" made the emperor's vision blur.