Chapter 179
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Hostage
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Having packed most of the artifacts from the treasure hall into our 'Subspace Pouches', we headed toward the Family Head's office while reviewing the inventory.
"Wow... this is a better haul than I thought. I can properly equip you all now."
"Is that so?"
I gave a meaningful smile as I looked at Murel, who responded flatly.
"Murel. You seem to think it's no big deal... but this is seriously huge. We're talking gear tailored specifically for our classes."
"Hmm... I don't exactly know what that means, but I didn't think it was nothing. Seeing you smile like that, Han-gil, it must be something amazing."
"Then can't you make a bit of a fuss about it?"
"It doesn't suit my personality."
"You're such a block of wood. But when I actually touch you, you moan like a beast."
"...That never happened."
"It sure did."
I smirked and patted her butt, and she pressed right up against me with an expressionless face.
There were servants passing by, but I didn't care and openly kneaded her butt as I proudly returned to the Family Head's office.
"Hm?"
However, the atmosphere in the office was a bit different from what I'd expected.
"How can we trust someone who's betrayed us once!"
"Whether you trust me or not won't change how I act."
"Who do you think will allow that!? A barbaric savage warrior rampaging in the Duke's territory—it's unacceptable!"
"...You bastard."
It seemed Charhella's presence was the issue.
The retainers glared at Charhella with faces full of disgust and contempt, while she stared back with a coldly hardened expression, murder in her eyes.
"What's all this commotion?"
They hadn't even noticed I'd returned, so I knocked on the door and raised my voice. Only then did their gazes turn to me.
"Perfect timing! Lord Alzen! This savage warrior claims she's to marry you—is that true!?"
"Lord Alzen! We heard you brought this savage in! What in the world were you thinking!?"
"Incest is one thing, but marriage to a savage warrior? Absolutely not!"
I frowned at the barrage of words pouring out the moment they saw me and took a seat.
Wait, they can accept incest but not marriage to a savage warrior? Is that for real?
The values in this medieval fantasy land are beyond me.
"Haa... Father. Why didn't you stop them?"
I glared at Urtega, who glanced sideways at Charhella with a stern face.
"...Because the retainers aren't wrong."
"What? They're not wrong? Ha... unbelievable."
I sneered at him, stretching my lips into a mocking grin.
"Father. Proud Family Head of the Duke's Family. The great knight who alone pioneered the Demi God realm on the continent. You must be feeling pretty relaxed."
"......"
"Two Demon Kings and multiple high-ranking demons. Did that seem like a joke to you? When we're short even a cat's paw, you ignore prime combat power right in front of you just to nitpick?"
"......"
"A loser like you—where does that leisure come from?"
"...!!"
In an instant, the Demi God's aura exploded, filling the room.
"Wha—what...! Lord Alzen! What do you mean by that!"
"Loser? What nonsense is this!?"
"Have you finally lost your mind!!"
"Don't tell me you've forgotten you're of the Starnassila bloodline just because your appearance changed!"
"Finally showing your true colors, you impostor!"
These retainer folks are something else.
Even as their faces turned blue from the Demi God's pressure, their limbs trembling, they glared like beasts protecting something precious and shouted at the top of their lungs. Quite the sight.
"...So, Father. When exactly are you going to shut them up?"
"......"
Urtega, who had been staring me down, finally sighed and moved his lips.
"Enough."
"......"
"......"
At Urtega's single word, the office fell so silent you could hear dust settling.
"Seriously... even after warning about the Demon Kings and high demons, this is how it is. The Duke's Family runs so smoothly, huh? Father."
"......"
"No wonder you nearly got eaten by a single high demon back then. All flash, no substance... Tsk, what a disgrace to the Duke's name."
"...!!"
"......"
"Kuh...!"
The retainers ground their teeth and glared at my words, but I ramped up the provocation even more.
"Still struggling with postwar cleanup because you couldn't handle one high demon, and you spout hostility at Charhella? Don't tell me you didn't know she's Master-class. Or maybe Demon Kings and high demons aren't a real threat to you?"
I snickered at the retainers and took a sip of my drink.
"Kuh... Then why don't you rush out right now, catch a Demon King, catch the high demons, and while you're at it, grab a Demon God too for continental peace? Huh?"
"Your words are too harsh...!"
"Bullshit. You're the harsh ones. Your flimsy pride, flimsy honor, flimsy self-importance... how does any of that help the current crisis? Tell me. In the face of an overwhelming threat like the Demon King, what's the point?"
"...Enough, Alzen."
At that moment, Pitra, unable to just watch, stepped in to restrain me.
"......"
I was about to fire off a few more barbs but clamped my mouth shut and leaned back in my chair.
Maybe it was a problem that guilt kept me from snapping at Pitra.
Is this what they call human chemistry?
I chugged straight from the bottle.
"Whew... Anyway, Father. I have good news."
"Speak."
"The treasure hall was overflowing with excellent artifacts. With them, we can definitely kill one Demon King. Specifically, the Death Demon King Annus."
A stir ran through the room!
I ignored the shocked murmuring retainers and watched Urtega's reaction.
"...For example, what artifacts?"
"Well, it's hard to explain in one word... Let's call it a 'Demon King Self-Destruct Device'?"
"...?"
"Anyway, explaining won't mean much. You'll see it yourself when the time comes to use it. Same for the others. Most will end up with me anyway—no need to explain."
"......"
Urtega's eyes sank as if weighing something.
I brazenly smiled and met his gaze without flinching.
...Truth be told, laziness aside, I stayed quiet because explaining would spike the danger level.
The 'Blasphemous Grimoire' from the treasure hall earlier.
Its effect: once, inflict the target with the 'Immortality' status abnormality.
An imperfect 'Immortality' that also halts growth.
They freaked out over the Elixir I barely mentioned, so if word got out about an artifact that actually grants immortality... we'd have to watch for internal enemies before Demon Kings or high demons.
"...Fine. So we can assume we have a way to deal with one Demon King."
"Exactly. Now we have the 'means' to face them. What's left is location, timing, and manpower."
I twirled my finger and smirked.
"Hate to say it, but the two Demon Kings' main target is me. The Life Demon King Otillev is interested in me as a human, and the Death Demon King Annus will poke at those around me to gauge my reaction."
"...And?"
"So, I'll be the bait."
A quiet shock spread through the office.
"If I draw their attention and make them show themselves, the others split the two Demon Kings. Specifically, separate Otillev. Then my group handles Annus. If the chance arises, we take Otillev next."
"...Easy to say."
"The plan itself is simple. The issue is minimizing casualties in the process."
"Hm..."
"Figure it out yourselves."
I left the pondering Urtega and stood.
"Where to now?"
"Lots to do. I gave the framework—fill in the details yourselves. We'll handle our end too."
"Sigh..."
He sighed reluctantly and nodded, so I took my group and headed out.
Since they were most of the main force, the office emptied in a flash.
Oh, by the way, Weller stayed behind, frowning deeply.
-Tell me the plan later. Big sis Weller.
I messaged via flame transmission, and she sighed.
-...Fine. Just finish whatever 'errands' you have properly. Don't skip explanations.
-Leave it to me.
"Alright. First up... Sisili."
"Yes!"
I cut the flame and called Sisili, who looked up at me with bright eyes.
I absentmindedly stroked her head, then linked a flame transmission to her.
-About to talk to the Pope. Mind helping?
-Sure! I was going to contact him anyway!
-Thanks always.
-Y-Yes...?
My frank gratitude seemed to surprise her; she whipped around with wide eyes.
-What? Thought I couldn't say thanks?
-N-No... not that... Ahem! Knowing you're grateful is enough!
I chuckled at her puffed-up, triumphant expression.
"Ugh..."
Then Arpe clung to my waist, groaning like she might cry any second.
"...Arpe. Still like this?"
"Lord Han-gil... Lord Han-gil won't leave me, right? You'll stay mine forever? My possession for life?"
Arpe's eyes were already brimming with tears as she asked.
"Doesn't feel like you're mine now."
"Don't say that... We're friends...!"
"I have no idea what 'friend' means to you..."
I shook my head slightly and walked on indifferently.
"Uuuugh..."
Arpe dragged her feet, still clinging to my waist, groaning nonstop.
The talk with the Pope progressed quickly.
-Hmm, so...
The Pope, Nerdian Hapechraim, appeared in the communication orb, stroking his beard gravely.
-The Duke's territory is exposed to Demon King attacks? Two of them?
"Yeah. So send some priests and holy knights."
-...Is this real? It's so sudden, hard to believe...
"It's real, Your Holiness!"
As the Pope showed doubt, Sisili thrust her determined face into the orb.
"The ducal castle is in great danger! We need everyone's strength!"
-Hmm, Sisili. I'll trust your word... but if so, you should return to the Church first...
"Hey now. Can't have that."
-.....
"Hm? Lord Han-gil?"
I scooped Sisili up, sat her on my lap, and stroked her little head while grinning slyly. The Pope's eyes hardened through the communication orb.
Scary. Really scary.
Looked ready to shoot lasers.
"Pope. Why so nosy? The Saintess herself offers to aid the ducal castle. So just send the troops obediently. Don't want to? Fine, do what you want."
I grinned sleazily and stroked under the Saintess's chin.
From the Pope's view, it probably looked like I had her by the throat.
"We'll manage somehow on our end."
-Sigh... I was going to send troops even without holding the Saintess hostage.
"Pfft. Nice talk. After trying to recall her immediately. Don't pull any tricks."
-.....
As the Pope's eyes grew more dangerous, Sisili, grasping the context, jumped in shock.
"...Hostage!? Wait! Lord Han-gil! Am I a hostage right now!?"
"Yup. You're the hostage to squeeze troops out of the Church."
"What!? You...!"
Sisili balled her fists and punched my side and chin, so I hugged her tight, immobilizing her.
"Eek! Let go! And don't joke! I didn't offer help to be used like this!"
"But if I don't, the Pope won't send troops—he'll just try to pull you out of the castle."
"Huh? What do you...?"
Sisili turned to face the Pope in the orb, clamped her mouth shut, then spoke lowly with a serious face.
"...It's fine, Your Holiness."
-Sisili.
"Really. I've seen up close how amazing and incredible Lord Han-gil is. He'll protect me. He'll beat the Demon Kings too. Definitely."
-Sigh...
The Pope closed his eyes tight in anguish, then slowly opened them, glaring at me as if decided.
-...I'll trust you, Lord Han-gil.
"Leave it to me. I'll return the Saintess safe and sound. And catch a Demon King while at it."
-I'll send troops as fast as possible.
"Thanks. Oh, right. What about the 'Demon King Fragment'? Any progress?"
-Some progress, but not ready to use on a Demon King yet.
"Too bad. Alright, busy here—let's end it."
-What? Wait! We still have things to discuss...!
I cut the orb abruptly, ignoring Sisili's sharp glare, and shot to my feet.
"Kyaa!?"
Sisili yelped at the sudden lift in my arms.
"Rubias. Status on the two Demon Kings?"
─...No major movements yet. They're discussing something... but not agreeing. Heh, no surprise. If those two agreed, that'd be weirder.
"Good. More time means more options."
I quickened my pace and beckoned the group.
"Everyone, follow. I'll distribute the treasure hall loot while we handle business."
"Artifacts?"
"Um... are we worthy of receiving them?"
"Who else? Might have to return them later... but use 'em when it counts."
The Master-class members nodded gravely at each other.
"By the way, Han-gil. What 'business'?"
"Oh? Ah..."
I thought a moment, then grinned mischievously.
"Gonna go take a piss."
"Pardon...?"
The group tilted heads in confusion, but only Murel looked uneasy my way.