Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Summons #3
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&
“It has been some time, Your Highness, the Fourth Queen. I am Silvan Doomblade, the Fifth Prince.”
“It’s lovely to see you, Silvan. Have you been well?”
Silvan and Elaine exchanged greetings with smiles. Silvan, who always dressed to the nines, looked perfectly natural in his highly formal attire, but Elaine was a different story.
It wasn't that there was anything wrong with her etiquette or demeanor. It was just that she was so different from the last time Ingong had seen her.
The Elaine before him now was the very picture of a noble lady. Her pure and elegant features, a mirror image of Caitlin's, and her gentle voice created a delicate yet beautiful atmosphere.
And her use of honorifics was even more surprising. Hadn't she spoken to him so informally last time?
But regardless of Ingong’s astonishment, Elaine and Silvan maintained their aristocratic poise with one another.
“I have been well, thanks to your concern.”
After paying his respects, Silvan stepped back. Then, it was Felicia's turn to step forward and curtsy.
“Felicia Doomblade, the Sixth Princess, greets Your Highness, the Fourth Queen.”
Just like Elaine, Felicia was playing the part of a gentle noblewoman. It was a very demure version of herself, a stark contrast to the usual vibrant Felicia.
Elaine responded with a faint smile.
“You seem to have grown even more beautiful in just a few days. I was worried when I heard about the disturbance in the Spider Forest.”
Karma had requested help from the Lycanthrope Rangers, so it was only natural that word would reach Elaine, the queen of the Lycanthropes.
Felicia kept her gaze slightly lowered as she continued.
“Thank you for the Lycanthropes’ proactive support. The guardian spirit of the Spider Forest also asked me to convey its gratitude.”
Although they hadn't received direct help in the battle itself, forces had been mobilized. Moreover, the Lycanthrope Rangers had agreed to monitor the forest for some time, so expressing gratitude was the proper thing to do.
Elaine replied in an exceedingly affectionate voice.
“You are my children, too. It was the least I could do.”
Though they shared not a drop of blood, on paper, they were her children.
Hiding her discomfort, bewilderment, and wariness behind a faint smile, Felicia stepped back. Next was Caitlin’s turn.
“I’m back, Mother.”
Elaine did not respond to the simple greeting. It was as if she hadn't heard Caitlin at all.
Caitlin pursed her lips, her eyes darting about before she forced herself into a demure posture and paid her respects.
“Caitlin Moonlight, the Eighth Princess, greets Your Highness, the Fourth Queen.”
“I’m glad you returned safely.”
Elaine accepted her greeting with a bright smile. Caitlin looked as if she wanted to embrace her, but Elaine did not permit it. She turned her head and said.
“Ninth Prince.”
Caitlin had no choice but to step back. Ingong swallowed dryly and tried his best to imitate Silvan as he bowed.
“Shutora Ignus, the Ninth Prince, greets Your Highness, the Fourth Queen.”
It seemed like a simple greeting, but there were subtle differences in tone and posture.
After finishing his respects, Ingong looked at Elaine, who offered a smile slightly different from the ones before.
“You have good eyes.”
Her voice was still gentle, but it felt as if a predator was hiding within it. *She’s nothing like Caitlin,* Ingong thought as he stepped back. Since retainers did not offer direct greetings, the only one left in their party to do so was Daphne.
“Greetings, Your Highness, the Fourth Queen. I am Daphne, daughter of the Fifth Concubine, Echo.”
Though she was clearly nervous, her greeting was otherwise flawless. Elaine watched Daphne with an amused expression before her eyes shifted. The sullen-looking raccoon standing next to Daphne had caught her attention.
“A pleasure to meet you. Is that your pet beside you?”
The moment Elaine asked the question, tension rippled through the group. Daphne, the direct recipient of the question, glanced at the ill-tempered raccoon, Amita, before opening her mouth.
“Um... well...”
“A companion.”
Ingong spoke up on Daphne’s behalf. Caitlin also stepped forward to add.
“Amita is a remarkable raccoon, Mother.”
It was a slight breach of etiquette—and the phrase "remarkable raccoon" made the entire group tense up again—but Elaine did not ignore her as she had before. She had already heard the name Amita from Chris.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Amita. Can you forgive my rudeness, which stemmed from my ignorance?”
Elaine lowered her posture slightly and smiled sweetly. Amita seemed to glare at her for a moment, then crossed its arms and nodded.
“I forgive you.”
“Thank you.”
Whether it was because it was still upset or because it found Elaine uncomfortable, Amita said no more. Elaine, in turn, did not press the matter and instead introduced Grandmaster Bruce, who stood beside her.
“This is Grandmaster Bruce. He is the strongest fist master the Lycanthropes have to offer.”
Grandmaster Bruce was a large, burly man. His hair was white and his face was lined with wrinkles, but that was the extent of his age. His body, packed with muscle, was nearly on par with Karak’s.
His attire was almost identical to Chris’s usual clothes; to put it bluntly, he looked like a bandit clad in animal hides. It was easy to see where Chris got his fashion sense.
Grandmaster Bruce had not been present during the Lycanthrope Subjugation War. He had died suddenly two months before it began.
Bruce silently bowed to the entire party, then looked at Ingong. It seemed Chris had told him a few things. His gaze was reminiscent of the Sword Duke’s.
But this was not the time to satisfy personal curiosity.
Elaine addressed everyone.
“You must all have been surprised by the sudden summons. But there is no need to worry too much. I do not know the exact reason for it myself... but it does not seem to concern the well-being of the princes and princesses. For today, please rest and recover from your journey.”
She was the very picture of gentleness. Elaine then turned to Chris, who stood to her right.
“Chris. Would you be so kind as to guide your siblings?”
“Leave it to me.”
With a bow, Chris turned to the group with a somewhat stiff expression. Silvan met his gaze with a complicated look, but Chris paid him no particular mind.
Amidst the strange tension, Elaine called out to Ingong.
“Ninth Prince, how about a short walk with me?”
Felicia flinched, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Ingong, as if he had expected it, readily agreed.
“Of course.”
The group split in two once more.
One party, led by Chris, headed for the detached palace. The other consisted of Ingong, Elaine, and the Blood Wolf Captain Ludwig and his squad, who remained behind to guard her.
The Blood Wolf members, excluding Ludwig, kept a considerable distance from Elaine. As a result, only Ingong, Elaine, and Ludwig walked side by side, close enough for their whispers to be heard.
As soon as they entered the garden, Elaine spoke abruptly.
“So, have you thought about it?”
The honorifics were gone. This was the Elaine that Ingong had met before.
When Ingong showed a flicker of surprise at her sudden change in demeanor, Elaine shrugged.
“As I said earlier, you are my child, too. Besides, you made a promise when you learned the Beast God Fist from Chris and Caitlin, didn't you? I’ll treat you like a proper son. Shall I give you a hug?”
Her playful smile was so very different from Caitlin’s. Instead of indirectly experiencing a hug from a grown-up Caitlin, Ingong chose to continue the conversation.
“I have thought about it. And I’ve reached a conclusion.”
Ingong also cut straight to the chase. Elaine giggled, took a step forward, then spun around lightly to face him.
“How interesting. Would you care to share your conclusion?”
“I will become the Demon King.”
His voice was calm. Elaine tilted her head slightly and asked again.
“The reason?”
“Because there are things I want to protect.”
To protect.
It was a rather unusual motive for wanting to become the Demon King, but Elaine was satisfied.
“How amusing. Your purpose is the same as mine.”
Elaine didn't ask what he wanted to protect. She simply turned and began walking again. Only when Ingong was walking alongside her did she speak once more.
“Shutora, the Lycanthropes will support you. As Chris has likely told you, a future with you as the Demon King seems to be the best for us.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s all. Maintaining the status quo isn’t as easy as it sounds. Well, it would be a lie to say we don’t hope for a little improvement.”
Elaine smiled playfully before her expression changed. She narrowed her eyes slightly and frowned.
“If the First Prince, Second Prince, or Fourth Princess becomes the Demon King, the Lycanthropes will likely lose their current standing. Unlike the current Demon King, they have maternal families who are quite fired up. And they aren't few in number like the Sura, nor are they warriors indifferent to worldly affairs.”
The Sura neither produced a queen nor participated in politics. Even Galahad, one of the five great generals, served in the Demon King's army as an individual warrior, not as a Sura.
But the Draconians and Succubi would be different.
“The Dark Elves are probably worried about the same thing. You should try to win them over. It will be especially important to win the hearts of the Sixth Princess and the Third Queen... Silvia. Well, it seems you’ve already won the Sixth Princess’s heart. I can tell by the way she looks at you.”
Recalling how Felicia would flinch in surprise, Elaine smiled mischievously, and Ingong gave a slightly sheepish smile in return.
“Are we just skipping over the Fifth Prince?”
“You know it as well as I do. Dark Elf society is matriarchal. The women scheme, and the men fight bravely according to those schemes. The key is the Sixth Princess, not the Fifth Prince. Besides, the Fifth Prince adores the Sixth Princess. It’s like Chris and Caitlin, but with their roles reversed, shall we say?”
Just as Ingong had thought, Silvan was apparently treated as an add-on to Felicia.
Elaine spun around again to face Ingong.
“I will treat you like a son, but our relationship is a loose one. You could very well backstab us after becoming the Demon King. So, we won't ask for much for now. Our honeymoon period has just begun, so it would be best to build our bond over time, whether through affection or annoyance.”
As Elaine said, their connection was weak. Ingong’s maternal family was the Gandharva, not the Lycanthropes.
“Besides... we’re still a ways off from sharing all our secrets.”
Elaine masked her sharp words with a wink, then turned away with a light laugh.
The discussion about their relationship was over.
Sensing this, Ingong asked about something else.
“Do you have any more information on this summons?”
“It's just as I said earlier. A full summons means something has happened, but it doesn't seem to be about the Demon King's children. That indifferent man isn't angry at his children, so don't you worry.”
It seemed it wasn't about Caitlin, at least. If it truly were, Elaine wouldn't be so calm right now.
This time, Elaine asked Ingong a question.
“How do you plan to return to the Demon King’s Castle?”
“I plan to return with everyone on Prince Silvan’s airship.”
He wasn't using a transfer gate. Elaine’s eyes narrowed.
“Why is that?”
“I’m already in the spotlight. Since it’s come to this, I might as well shake things up properly.”
It was a clipped answer, but Elaine understood. She laughed lightly again.
“I like your boldness. Chris will actively support that idea of yours.”
Elaine stopped walking. She let out a breath and said.
“This should be enough. It’s not good to keep you for too long. I can just picture the Sixth Princess worrying herself sick. She’s a cute one, isn’t she?”
“She is a kind older sister.”
When Ingong replied with another embarrassed look, Elaine nodded. She patted his shoulder lightly and said.
“Let’s talk again next time.”
“Until we meet again.”
Two of the Blood Wolf members naturally approached Ingong to guide him. Elaine watched his back until he and the guards had left the garden, then let her shoulders slump.
“Interesting. I think I chose well.”
She looked thoroughly satisfied. But Ludwig, standing beside her, was not. He blinked, a look of confusion on his face.
“My lady, what did you mean by ‘shake things up properly’?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. The Ninth Prince is already in the spotlight. Trying to lay low now would be meaningless. He’s already being watched.”
The things he had done so far were too big. Even if they could somehow downplay the Demon King calling his name at the audience, there was no way to handle what came after.
“So what’s the best course of action? Should he take the time to lower his rivals’ guard again? Or should he turn his attention to others, not his rivals?”
“My lady, please explain it simply.”
At Ludwig’s pitiful plea, Elaine clicked her tongue. She began to explain patiently to her cousin, who was far too simple for a commander of the Royal Guard, a simplicity that had endeared him to her.
“That boy Silvan never leaves his airship. If they used a transfer gate, Silvan would return alone on his ship. That wouldn’t look right.”
“Wouldn’t look right?”
“Think about it. Not one or two, but five of the Demon King’s children, all traveling together amicably. They’re even returning to the castle together. Will people see that and just say, ‘Oh, what nice siblings,’ and leave it at that?”
Ludwig blinked. Then he suddenly started counting on his fingers.
“Five, six, seven, eight, nine... that’s more than half.”
Five of the Demon King's nine children.
“Yes, more than half. Their factions may not be as large, but it’s certainly impressive. And this is a group that didn't travel together before. Naturally, people will look for the connection. They will wonder who is at the center of this group.”
And the answer would come quickly.
One only had to watch for a moment. Chris would make sure of that.
“Won’t this make them even more of a target?”
Ludwig asked, his voice laced with worry. Elaine shook her head again.
“As I said, he’s already a target. And the Ninth Prince wants to make a point not to the other princes and princesses... but to others in the Demon King's Castle. He wants to show them that a new faction has appeared.”
He wasn't trying to show off his power to the other children of the Demon King. The intended audience was someone else entirely.
The nobles of the Demon King's Castle.
The children of the concubines who had yet to choose a master.
Even the generals belonging to the military.
“Isn’t it bold? It seems a bit hasty, but I like it.”
The factions in the Demon King's Castle were no longer three, but four. And the fourth faction was not to be underestimated.
Elaine let out a long breath. Her face was no longer playful or mischievous, but that of a mother.
“It’s just a gut feeling, but I think I might be able to entrust it to that boy.”
“My lady?”
Elaine said no more. She gave a slight shake of her head, then put on her most characteristic expression—that of a proud wolf—and started walking.
“Let’s go back.”
Elaine did not look back. She walked straight toward the main palace.
&
A day passed.
Silvan had become extremely quiet since joining up with Chris, and the same was true for Chris.
The awkward silence between the two continued even after the Black Flame Dragon left the Lycanthrope Royal Palace and entered its flight path. The only silver lining was that when they were apart, they both acted more like their usual selves.
Ingong was curious about what had happened between them, but it didn't seem like something he could easily ask, so he decided to hold his tongue for now.
And a few more days passed.
While Amita took everyone’s measurements and drew up blueprints, and Ingong and Caitlin trained using the Moonlight and Starlight Dans, the Black Flame Dragon flew on, leaving the Demon King's Castle just a short distance away.
Karak, who was standing on the deck next to Ingong and admiring the full moon, looked toward the castle and spoke.
“Anyway, I'm starting to get nervous. I wonder what kind of unexpected incident will happen in front of the Demon King this time. Something’s bound to happen, that's for sure.”
From the way he spoke, it seemed he was already convinced an incident was inevitable.
Ingong nudged Karak in the side.
“Hey, haven’t you heard that words can become reality?”
“You’re the living seed of that yourself, Prince. Why act so surprised? And Prince, do you know why we learn history?”
“Why do we?”
“Because what happened in the past will happen in the future. That's just how people are. It’s no exaggeration to say your history guarantees what’s to come.”
As Karak spoke with a grin, Ingong was left speechless. He wanted to argue, but he couldn't think of a comeback.
At the first audience, he was the first of the Demon King's children to have his name called.
At the second audience, he was directly assigned a mission—a mission everyone thought was Zephyr's.
So, what would happen this time?
“Patterns are meant to be broken.”
“We’ll see about that. We’ll know when we get there, won’t we?”
Karak replied leisurely to Ingong’s protest, then abruptly waved at someone in the distance. Ingong followed his gaze and saw Seira smiling brightly. It was a look he often saw from Daphne, Delia, and Karma.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just wondering if my retainer is really an Orc.”
“I’m an Orc, so don’t you worry. What else would I be, an Ogre?”
Karak chuckled and looked away, and Ingong, pondering why the protagonist’s halo didn’t include an irresistible charm effect, also averted his gaze.
Two days later.
The party arrived at the Demon King's Castle.
End of Chapter 16 - Summons. The story continues in Chapter 17 - The Trial.
< End of Chapter 16 - Summons #3 >