Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Discussion
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With my companions in tow, I headed to the Family Head's bedroom, flung the door open, and bellowed at the top of my lungs.
"Your Excellency the Duke! At least half of me is your fine, proud son, and I've come on urgent business! Get up at once!"
"......"
"......"
And there it was, a scene that felt all too familiar.
Fortunately, they weren't undressed yet, but the sight of Urtega and Pitra locked in a tight embrace, lips pressed together, hands roaming each other's bodies... it triggered a powerful sense of déjà vu.
"Ah, oh... ahem!"
"S-sorry."
"Gasp..."
"Eek, s-sorry...!"
Realizing the timing couldn't have been worse, my companions jumped in surprise, turning away or apologizing, but I just scratched the side of my head with a wry expression.
"Uh, Father. Honestly, with your senses, you must've known we were all coming. What's the deal with getting busy anyway?"
"...Normally, people don't barge into the Family Head's bedroom without knocking."
"Oh? Ah, yeah, you're right. Fair point."
Come to think of it, his position wasn't one where he had to watch out for others.
If anything, it was I who should be minding my manners.
"Still, be more careful next time. It kills the mood for everyone."
"Sigh..."
Urttega let out a deep sigh and looked at me with eyes full of utter incomprehension.
"......"
The turmoil and emotions packed into that gaze were incredibly complex.
Wary caution toward a stranger, faint sense of loss toward his changed son, cold and unyielding anger, and... cool, calculated judgment of value.
So many thoughts in such a short time.
That came with the territory of a position concentrated with power and responsibility, but it sounded exhausting and burdensome—I wanted no part of it.
"What is it?"
He asked while pressing Pitra's head firmly into his chest, burying it deep.
For me, that was actually a relief.
I'd brushed it off earlier somehow, but honestly, Pitra's mental state didn't seem normal at all.
If she freaked out the moment she saw me, that would be the last thing I needed.
"The Demon King is going to attack. I'd like some help."
"...What?"
Even he hadn't expected that, judging by the faint ripple across his ironclad face.
"The Demon King is attacking the Duchy?"
"Not a full-scale war or all-out battle. Likely a small elite force. Probably. The problem is, that's more than enough to wipe out the Duchy."
"I need a situation report. How did this happen?"
"Well, you see... Ah, did I mention my goal is to take down the Demon Gods?"
"...You never said it to me directly, but I knew."
"Got it. Then... Murel. If you would."
I lacked confidence in summarizing my experiences concisely, so I stepped back.
Besides, wouldn't a third party who witnessed it all explain more objectively?
"......"
Murel gave me a brief look, sighed, nodded, and stepped forward.
"I'll explain from here. So..."
She began recounting what she'd seen and heard in a calm tone.
Heading to the Great Forest under the pretext of travel to obtain the World Tree, slaying the Life Demon King Otilib's avatar there, destroying the Death Demon King Annus's collection in the wasteland—the one that drove Beric to betray us.
And thus, drawing the mad bitches' attention and interest to me.
"Ooh..."
To compress such intense, vivid experiences into something so short and succinct... I couldn't help but admire it.
Her explanation style was concise too, which I appreciated.
Thoroughly excluding personal feelings, sticking to objective analysis and conclusions—it made grasping and accepting the situation crystal clear.
"I see. Two Demon Kings and several high-ranking demons..."
Urttega nodded, stroking Pitra's hair as he stared straight at me.
Pitra seemed about to turn toward me, but he pressed her head down firmly, preventing it.
"You're not just here asking for help. You have a plan in mind."
"No special plan. Just strike first. I considered waiting for their move, but that'd cause irreversible damage."
"Preemptive strike. Any chance of success?"
"If the Duke's Family has hidden forces up its sleeve, sure."
I forced a smile and beckoned Murel.
She immediately placed a bottle in my hand, so I uncorked it and chugged.
"Ugh... damn it."
The complete lack of buzz was truly irritating.
Who knew conversing sober would be such torture... It dawned on me how much I relied on booze, piling on the stress and making my chest tight.
"Hoo... Anyway, let's cut to the chase. Any aces up your sleeve, relics you've been saving... that sort of thing?"
"......"
After a brief silence, he furrowed his brow slightly.
"Not that we don't have them."
"Knew it. Then let me use them."
"Those are the Duke's Family's vital assets and weapons. You want me to hand them to a stranger?"
"What? Now? Don't be like that."
"...True. Fair point."
With that, Urtega smiled.
It was just a slight upturn of the lips, but I was genuinely shocked he smiled at all.
"...Who are you?"
"Hm?"
"Urttega doesn't smile. Doppelganger? Reveal yourself, fake."
"......"
His smile vanished in an instant as he glared fiercely, exuding Demi God pressure.
They could mimic appearances, but not that aura.
"...The real deal, huh. What the hell. So Urtega smiled? Father, you feeling okay?"
"Sigh, cut the nonsense... Come to the office. We'll need a long discussion."
"Discussion... We could probably agree just seeing the relics... Tch, fine, got it."
I followed him out of the bedroom, strolling along.
And so, I ended up discussing how to deal with the Demon King and high-ranking demons face-to-face with Urtega.
"...A bit, a lot?"
But the office had more people than expected.
Family Head Urtega.
Duchess Pitra.
Eldest Son Berga.
Eldest Daughter Charhella.
Second Daughter Weller.
Saintess Sisili and Knight of the Western Dawn Wendy.
Third Imperial Princess Arpe and her guard Nemes.
Me and my close aides: Murel, Rebecca, Kachiola, Lampon Pashutra, Ratifi.
And the castle's key retainers too.
"Father. When did you gather all these people?"
"Used the emergency communication artifact."
"Such a thing exists?"
"Yes."
"How come I didn't know?"
"...I gave it to you. To the old Alzen."
"...Ah."
A hazy memory surfaced in Alzen's foggy recollections.
I'd definitely received something from Urtega and smashed it while drunk... That must've been it.
What a useless kid.
"Got it. Anyway, shall we start the discussion? Everyone knows the situation?"
"Yes. I briefed them briefly."
"Quick progress, good. Then..."
"Before that, a quick question?"
"Yeah?"
It was some nameless—but vaguely familiar—retainer who cut me off.
Probably one I'd brushed past somewhere in the castle.
Definitely not in the setting docs.
...Or maybe from Alzen's memories? I didn't think we'd met directly.
"What? Keep it short."
"Y-yes. Um... are you... Starnassila Alzen... sir?"
"Ah."
Only then did I notice the retainers' stares and smiled wryly.
Made sense it'd confuse them.
"Half of me is Alzen. The other half isn't."
"...What does that mean?"
"Well... Explaining one by one is a hassle. My name's Kang Han-gil. Just go with that for now."
"What kind of..."
"Enough."
Urttega's heavy voice rang out, and the man clamped his mouth shut.
"I acknowledge and accept him. He is my son and an honored guest."
"...Understood. If that's your word."
The stubborn man who was about to argue nodded and backed off instantly.
A glimpse into Urtega's immense authority and the retainers' deep respect and loyalty.
If he called black white, it would be.
"Anyway... I know the locations of the Life Demon King Otilib and Death Demon King Annus. Getting real-time updates."
"...I see."
I twitched my left arm, perfectly wrapped in the "Silk of Atonement," and he nodded in understanding, eyes flicking only.
The retainers murmured in surprise.
With my existence already confusing things, Demon Kings on top? If I were them, I'd be panicking too.
"You mentioned a preemptive strike. Dividing forces?"
"No. That'd just increase casualties. Demon Kings aren't easy. Honestly... anyone below Master level is just cannon fodder."
I shrugged at the retainers.
"So the retainers here, the castle knights and mages—they're only good for buying time."
"What...!"
"...!!"
The retainers glared, eyes bulging at the insult, but I locked eyes with Urtega, unperturbed.
"We move in small elite teams too. Picking them off one by one. But that leaves the castle vulnerable..."
"I see. You need forces to buy some time."
"If the Duke's Family's aces are solid, maybe not."
I turned to Pitra, who was staring intently at me.
I'd rather not address her, but no choice now.
"...Duchess."
"Yes. I'm listening."
Thankfully, she responded calmly.
"That barrier over the castle when Cambello invaded the Duchy—can you deploy it again?"
"No problem. We've kept it ready ever since, and streamlined deployment too."
"Good."
It was sturdy, but relying solely on it would be foolish.
"Sister Weller."
"What?"
"Mana Frequency Blocker—how's the progress?"
"Pretty advanced. Prototype's stable, ready for mass production."
"Can it stop high-ranking demons?"
"Even that's a stretch. It can limit or weaken power somewhat... but not block entry outright."
"Hm."
As expected, I nodded.
"Still, use it if you can."
"Got it."
I shifted to Sisili.
"Sisili."
"Y-yes!? Me?"
Clearly not expecting to be called, she flailed in panic.
"How's research on 'that' going?"
It'd been a while since handing the "Demon King's Fragment" to the Church.
They'd throw themselves at anything demon or Demon King related—surely results by now.
"Huh? That...? What's that?"
"......"
I sighed at the oblivious saintess.
Glancing at Wendy, she smiled wryly and nodded.
"Joint research with the Magic Tower ongoing. Hearing some progress. Details, no clue."
"Really? Hm..."
Need to contact the Pope ASAP.
"Ah, oh! 'That'! You mean 'that'! Got it now! Yes! No issues!"
"...Yeah, yeah. Sharp as ever."
"Ugh...!"
Late to catch on, Sisili pretended to know, so I patted her head.
She blushed, glaring at me.
Why glare? Blame your own slow wits.
"Oh, right. Sisili."
"What now!?"
"Can you mobilize Church forces?"
"That... yeah, possible. As Saintess, some authority... With Pope's approval, more support."
"I see..."
Another reason to contact the Pope.
"Anyway, Father. Time to show the Duke's Family's hidden aces? Without them, we can't move forward."
"...Fine. First one."
He nodded and waved his hand. The office filled with dark shadows instantly.
"...What's this?"
"Green Jack. All under my command now."
"...What?"
Caught off guard, I looked stunned.
Glancing at Arpe in shock, she wore a face like she was about to burst into tears.