Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Come Back Stronger
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"Come back stronger..."
Normally, he would have told her to sleep now and set off early tomorrow morning.
But for these cat-motif beastkin with their nocturnal nature, this evening hour was just like daytime.
After sending Lia ahead with a casual "I'll just grab my stuff and head down," Sion turned to Gers the Great King, who was watching his daughter's retreating figure.
"By the way, Great King."
"You should call me father-in-law."
"...To keep things polite, I'll stick with Great King."
"Aw, come on.
So stiff."
If he kept calling him father-in-law out loud, Lily, Lucia, or Trisha would flip out big time.
Muttering that to himself, Sion decided to ask what he'd been wanting to know.
"What happens when Lia fully matures and masters that power from the lightning's choosing?"
"I've never seen it myself, so I can't say for sure.
But one thing's certain."
Gers the Great King approached with an incredibly serious air.
Sion found himself leaning in, caught up in the mood, only for the next words to shatter that seriousness in an instant.
"Once that girl masters that power, our son-in-law's life dealing with his daughter-in-law is gonna get several times more exhausting."
"Huh?"
"She's already a wild one, but imagine her getting faster, stronger, and then—bam!—lightning crackling everywhere!
How terrifying would that be!
Whew, I have no idea how lucky you are to take her off my hands just right."
"..."
"What made me faint earlier was something similar.
My little girl, sitting so obediently on another man's lap.
Back when she was little, I'd try to put her on my knee, and she'd hiss and bare her claws like crazy!
And get this!
The craziest part is..."
It must have been quite the ordeal for him.
Sion nodded along understandingly, silently praying his father-in-law's ramble would end soon.
It only wrapped up when Lia returned to the drawing room and shrieked, "What are you talking about?!"
"Ah, got it.
You rascal!
You won't even let me chat with my son-in-law!"
"It's because Dad keeps saying useless stuff!"
"Haha!
Scared I'll spill more embarrassing stories, huh!
Looks like you really like that guy!
My wife would be thrilled to hear it!
That our girl’s head over heels for a man and can’t get out!"
"Don't tell Mom weird stuff!"
With that shout, Lia dragged Gers the Great King out.
"Hahaha!
Blushing like that!
Hey, Young Lord Sion!
No, son-in-law!
Nice meeting you.
I'll come visit again later!"
"Why would you come visit!
Just live happily ever after with me, and you stay with Mom!
Don't go running off like this!"
"Hey now!
Don't say such terrifying things!
You have no idea how horrifying it is to spend eternity at home with the wife!
Haha!
Ah, pointy-eared lady!
Thanks for seeing me off.
You all go ahead with your daughter; finish your talk and come out!
Hahaha!"
Clunk, slam—.
"..."
It felt like a whirlwind had swept through the area.
Sion let out a sigh, sat down, and rubbed his forehead.
'Good grief.'
If Lia powered up, it'd be great news for Sion—thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
No doubt about it.
But somehow, it felt like he'd unwittingly acquired a noisy set of in-laws he hadn't asked for.
'Rido might try to snap my neck again if he finds out.'
He already had three women while leaving his own daughter behind, and now a second father-in-law to boot.
From Rido's perspective, this was definitely not welcome.
"Pfft."
At that moment, Helen, who had been sitting quietly, finally couldn't hold back and let a laugh slip through her lips.
When Sion looked at her questioningly, she hurriedly composed herself.
"S-Sorry."
"Why'd you laugh?"
"It's nothing.
If I was rude to you, Young Lord..."
"Have I ever played the noble game with you?
Don't worry—just tell me straight."
He wasn't mad about the laugh; he just wanted the reason.
Helen caught his meaning, stared at him for a moment, then carefully spoke.
"Just... you all look so happy.
You, Young Lord.
And Winnie—no, Lia now, I suppose.
Even that beastkin woman seems so happy."
As she said it, a deep sadness shadowed Helen's face for some reason.
Sion didn't miss it and fell silent, simply watching her quietly.
"Because I couldn't be like that back then.
I couldn't sit on the lap of the man I loved like Lia and act cute for more affection, or throw a tantrum for more love.
I was just a body, a slave, defiled however that man wanted."
Helen's eyes lost focus.
She seemed unaware of what she was even saying.
Then, noticing Sion's silence, she snapped back, let out an "Ah!" and waved her hand with a forced bright smile.
"I was dredging up old stuff and got lost in thought again.
Please forget I said anything."
"You still have nightmares, huh."
At that, Helen gave a bitter smile and slowly nodded.
Her revenge was complete, and her enemy was trapped in an inescapable hell, suffering until death.
The noble house stained with her tears and those of countless other women had been vaporized and absorbed by the kingdom.
But even now, thinking back made her tremble and brought tears.
The ones who stole her entire life, and those who cackled as they violated every inch of her body.
No matter how hard she focused on work to forget, lying in bed and closing her eyes brought back their gazes, touches, breaths.
It had been over seven years since she'd relied on sleeping pills.
"Make them happy.
Her and the others."
"Is that a request?"
"Hmm... call it a deal.
Make those around you happy, and I can get you info at a bargain price."
"Good deal."
Sion decided not to push.
This woman still feared men.
Forcing it here would only breed resentment.
"Huh?"
When Sion gently reached out and took Helen's hand, she looked at him in startled confusion.
A flicker of fear and terror flashed in her eyes before vanishing.
"Don't be so scared.
That Sefer bastard will never see the light of day again, and I'm planning to track down those slave traders who made you that way and deal with them properly soon."
"W-Why..."
"We need to stop making enemies of the subraces.
For their sake, the kingdom's, and for women like you who've lived unhappy lives."
This wasn't Helen sweet-talking for favor.
Sion genuinely planned to crush the slave traders.
With the beastkin connection now open, the path to subrace cooperation was there—but if humans kept screwing it up, it was all for naught.
Fairies would follow the celestials unconditionally, fine, but beastkin and dwarves could be persuaded to at least pull back from charging at the demons.
'And if humans don't strut around abusing subraces, we can meet the White Death too.'
The entity treated as a top villain alongside Khan.
To encounter the White Death, humans and subraces needed to avoid pointless wars or conflicts as much as possible.
"...If it's comfort, you don't need to say that..."
"You think I'm some idiot who just flaps his gums in front of merchants?"
"N-No!
Not that..."
"I know merchants' words affect trust.
That's why I'm saying it.
I really mean it.
Once the north and other stuff wraps up, those bastards are next.
Think it's too much talk?
Nah, I plan to wipe their seed out for real."
Wondering how?
That's for the next queen he's backing hard to handle.
He'd just stir the wind, and let Princess Vanessa swing the sword in rage.
A sword from the next leader cuts deeper and truer than some noble's!
"You're really... unpredictable, Young Lord."
Helen smiled as she said it.
Without pulling her hand from Sion's.
—
The next morning, as Sion prepared to enter the palace, someone entered his room.
"Hmm, Sion.
Seen Lia by any chance?"
"She went off last night to train a bit with her dad."
"Eek?
What?
Then who's hanging with me today!"
"Dunno.
Kim Yu-hyun?
Or maybe Trisha?"
"Sion!"
Both those guys are boring as hell!
Lily wailed.
But what could he do.
Risikida was his guard knight, so she had to stick close, and Lucia had to come along for reasons.
"Stay home quietly."
"Ugh!
You're just ditching me like this?"
"What're you talking about.
Who's the one who stays home when the husband goes to work?"
"That's... uh, um...
The w-wife?"
"Right."
Sion slipped on his formal coat and approached Lily.
Without hesitation, he pulled her into a hug and gave her a light kiss.
"I'll be back.
Guard the house till then."
"Ugh... you're such a sly one."
"Don't like it?"
"One more kiss."
After granting Lily's request with another kiss, Sion headed out.
Lucia was already in the carriage, with Risikida and several knights waiting as escorts.
"Let's go, Risi."
"Yes, Master."
At his command, the carriage sped toward the palace.
Some time had passed since the palace raid, but security remained razor-sharp.
Only after full checks could Sion formally enter via the annex.
"Sion.
What's the schedule after this?"
"His Majesty first.
Can't go straight to the princess."
"...Worrying.
Barbarians stirring in the north."
"Hope it gets handled well."
As Sion, Lucia, and Risikida headed to the throne room, a familiar figure came into view ahead.
"Father?"
"Long time, Lucia.
And you too."
It was Rido, who had left the palace for various reasons.
Sion couldn't guess why he was here instead of wandering the kingdom as usual.
Rido smirked and spoke.
"Look at that face.
Just happened to end up at the palace.
This junior keeps whining for help; couldn't ignore her."
"Junior meaning...?"
"Current court mage.
I just call her crazy bitch."
The court mage was officially the kingdom's top mage.
Calling such a figure "crazy bitch" outright—his audacity was something else.
"More importantly, where's my disciple?"
"Said he wanted some rest."
"Left him in your daughter's care, and you stole him, leaving the poor guy jobless.
Well, even I thought the kid lacked guts.
How do you have a beauty like this and not make a move once..."
"Father!"
It overlapped with yesterday's Gers the Great King and Lia scene.
Sion stepped in: 'This is the palace.
Behave, be quiet.'
"Anyway, handle your business and go.
If I don't show, assume I'm busy training the junior."
"Ah, Lord Rido."
When Sion called him, the elderly mage turned inquiringly.
"If possible, come to the Klauzen villa this evening."
"Not sure if I can make time."
"It's important."
Sion eyed Lucia meaningfully—about her.
Rido caught it instantly, his gaze sharpening before he nodded.
After parting with Rido, Sion and his group resumed to the throne room.
Soon, they met Edgar IV on the throne.
"Your Majesty."
"Come in."
Even in the short reply, the middle-aged man exuded the dignity of a nation's absolute ruler.
With a faint smile, he continued gazing at Sion.
"You had quite the adventures on the way home."
"Yes."
"True, heroes always face tumult, but yours seems especially so."
Yeah, that's why I don't wanna be a hero.
Sion chuckled it off internally.
"Hmm."
Edgar IV paused, eyeing Lucia and Risikida kneeling beside.
He seemed hesitant—important talk ahead; could non-Sion people hear?
Lucia was former court mage Rido's only daughter, fine, but Risikida was an enemy knight until recently.
His slight hesitation was natural.
'Should I step in?'
As Sion pondered, a clear woman's voice rang from beside the king.
"You made it on time, Sion Klauzen, Young Lord."
The woman approached with a smile, first bowing to Edgar IV.
"Royal Father."
"Come, my daughter."
Edgar IV gestured for her to take over.
Vanessa the Princess bowed gratefully, then turned to Sion.