A Lavish Farewell and Joshua's True Colors
Resting at the family estate turned out to be far more comfortable than I'd expected. Maybe because no one, not even Felix, had bothered me since that day in the library? Felix even seemed to be deliberately avoiding me.
No. It's probably just because the family facilities are so damn good.
If I compared our household to modern standards, it was on par with a five-star hotel. It had to live up to its reputation as the overlord of the North—luxurious beyond necessity.
"Lilia. Aren't you comfortable too?"
"Yeah. It's definitely more relaxing than the academy, I'd say."
Lilia, lounging beside me with a novel in hand, nodded in agreement.
"And above all, getting to hang out with Master so much is the best part."
"……Ahem. Well, yeah, sure."
She'd definitely softened up a lot since Belhalm. Unlike her prickly old self, she was being more honest now. I missed the tsundere side sometimes... but honesty suited her best.
"Anyway, rest really does wonders."
"Tell me about it. You gotta take breaks to keep going."
My battered body had recovered better than ever. Surviving near-death had been like a full-body rebirth, but hitting 7th Circle on top of that... My body must've reconstructed itself while completing the circle at the same time.
Plus, all that knowledge from the library is pretty useful.
At this rate, I might even handle an 8th Circle mage. If I'd fought Belhalm in this state, I could've beaten him straight-up without tricks.
"Still... it's about time to head back."
It'd felt awkward at first, but home was undeniably comfier now. I didn't want to leave, but what could I do? I had to graduate from the academy.
"Isn't today that banquet? Your send-off party, Master."
"Yeah."
Maybe Joshua acknowledging me had changed how they treated me. They always threw grand events when siblings came or went. When I left for the academy, it felt more like being chased out.
"Good things are good. No point overthinking it now."
They were offering, so why refuse? I wasn't about to devote myself to the family anyway.
"Let's stuff ourselves. Can't get this food at the academy."
"Sounds good. Let's go eat tons of delicious stuff."
"Yeah. Let's do that."
I stroked Lilia's beaming head and slowly got ready, pushing aside any thoughts of what lay ahead.
"This feels kinda weird."
On the way to the family banquet hall, I couldn't shake the awkwardness. Even born into nobility, being treated like a ghost meant no chances for experiences like this. Who knew I'd have to dress this formally?
Come to think of it, isn't this only my second time here?
I had come once briefly as a family member. Though it turned out to be my last.
"The banquet hall is ridiculously huge…."
"Of course. They show off more there."
While the mansion and gardens were subtly impressive, the banquet hall—meant for guests—was blatantly extravagant. It got the most funding, even more than the main facilities.
"Hmm… The star of tonight's banquet has arrived. Come here, youngest."
"Sorry I'm late. I don't get chances to come to places like this, so my prep was a bit sloppy."
"No matter. The guest of honor being late is no issue."
I'd braced for anger, but his reaction was milder than expected. Had my standing in the family really risen that much?
At this rate, I might be able to use Joshua as backing later.
Until now, I'd been treated like I didn't exist. But I was originally a golden spoon—a high-purity one at that. With a heavyweight like Joshua behind me, my reach would expand exponentially.
"Now that the youngest is here, raise your glasses, everyone."
At Joshua's word, the hall erupted in cheers. Some drank, others danced—a classic noble party scene. Still awkward to me.
Who knew corn bread could be this fancy? Fucking delicious.
I didn't know dancing, but the bread hit the spot, so I kept shoving it in. Better stock up on good food now.
"Master."
"Yeah? What?"
"Wanna dance a song with me?"
Lilia's sudden invite. No reason to refuse, but jumping at it felt off.
"…If you etherealize and we dance, won't I look like a lunatic dancing alone?"
"No. I'll materialize naturally and join you. Don't worry."
"But... you know how to dance?"
"I'm a great demon, you know? I could dance blindfolded."
"…You're better than me at this."
I wasn't that confident. I'd learned the basics as noble etiquette... but no practice.
"I'll lead. Just follow easy, Master."
"………Fine."
Ego bruised, but what could I do? I sighed, set down my corn bread. The hall suddenly buzzed—
Damn, she came prepared.
Far off, Lilia approached in a dress blending black and red elegantly.
"Wow... whose family is she from? She's stunning."
"That aura…."
Soul-snatching beauty fit the expression. I'd forgotten sometimes, but she was a great demon who enchanted people. Overwhelming looks and noble poise. She glided to me casually.
"May I have this dance?"
"…Gladly."
I smiled unwittingly, took her hand. Swaying to the music, I followed her steps. I only knew basics, but I knew one thing: sticking to Lilia was my best shot.
"You're good, Master."
"Thanks. You saved my face."
Guest of honor not dancing? Bad look. There'd been approaches... but
They're all so obvious. No mood to mingle.
I wasn't succeeding the family anyway—no need to schmooze. Joshua would work to claim me instead.
Still, with my pride, I was grateful to Lilia dancing for me.
"You're all I have, so this is natural."
"…Where'd you learn to talk like that?"
"From that novel earlier. Roles were reversed, though."
Her grin lifted my mood. Was it fair for a demon to enchant like this? We danced through, grinning.
Chatted lightly with well-wishers, drank a bit. As night deepened, Joshua spoke again.
"Night deepens. Let's save the rest for tomorrow."
My first banquet ended grandly. Or so it seemed.
After guests left, in the quiet hall, before Joshua spoke again—
"…Patriarch? I heard you wanted to speak privately."
"Yes. The time has come. Time to reap the seed."
Joshua set down his glass slowly. Suffocating pressure, body growing heavy.
"…Master. This is dangerous. That's definitely demonic qi."
"Yeah. Thought it was my imagination last time, but no."
Joshua's demonic qi, dismissed as nerves before, now filled the hall.
"Yes. Your first banquet, was it?"
"…Yeah. Even born here, I was such a disappointment."
"Pity. It might be your last."
I'd sensed his power, but not this sudden reveal. After all that care, now this...?
"Mind telling me why?"
"Why... The time has come. Digestion complete."
Utterly baffling. In the game, Joshua was just ambition-blind. Who knew he'd dabbled with demons?
"Didn't plan to go this far, but blame your talent."
"…Thanks, I guess."
Once discarded for no talent, now threatened for too much. Life's unpredictable.