Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Reunion at the Estate
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The Heavenly Demon nodded her head while seated at the highest spot in the Demon Hall.
"There sure are a lot of people."
"There's much to do, Cult Leader."
"It's something you started yourself, but... like always, couldn't you handle it in my stead..."
"No."
The First Demon cut her off firmly.
"With so many watching, this is an important seat for displaying the Cult Leader's dignity. If the Cult Leader, the heart of our cult, doesn't take the lead in this event, what meaning would it have?"
"That's why, like you did before, from behind the scenes..."
"No."
"Tch, you're so blunt. But listen, if the work piles up, you won't have time to visit the puppy, right? You okay with that?"
"...I'll go after finishing all the work."
"You're not even denying it anymore. You're killing me with laughter. Guess I should check if yours is still attached properly."
"This is a formal occasion. Please show some restraint, Cult Leader."
The Heavenly Demon grinned. She leaned forward.
"That one might be mixed in down there somewhere... Try spotting them from this distance. Think you could pick them out at a glance?"
"They're not there."
"Spotting that in one go means your skills have definitely improved. At this rate, you'll catch up to me in ten years."
"Even if heaven and earth flipped, I don't think that would happen, Cult Leader. Let's end the chit-chat and go over what needs to be done."
The First Demon unrolled a scroll.
It kept unrolling endlessly, reaching the floor and even rolling off the edge.
"...Are you trying to kill me?"
"It's an official cult event. This much is the bare minimum to call it proper. We'll start with the Cult Leader's grooming and invest everything we don't usually do into the Demon Hall."
"I'm the heart of the cult, so even if it's sloppy..."
"Cult Leader, it's what all previous Heavenly Demons, including you, know is necessary. There's nothing as important as appearances when displaying dignity."
"........."
"It's also where all the Heaven-Earth Eight Demons will gather. Before the Sovereigns, we must absolutely show the Cult Leader's dignity. To show the weight of the position."
"...Hmph. Seeing those kids grown into proper Sovereigns is a wonder that won't quit wondering."
"I don't think that's something for the youngest Heavenly Demon to say."
"Well, I'm basically on the verge of ascension anyway."
"...You're going too far with the jokes."
"But you believed it for a second, didn't you? Hm? My cute disciple."
"This is a formal occasion. Don't pinch my cheeks. Behavior like this is forbidden during the event too."
"You're nagging so much, it feels like I married someone I didn't."
"Good thing, then. If I were the Cult Leader's wife, it'd be even worse."
"...Now I want to see the puppy."
"You can after the event."
The First Demon rolled up the scroll.
"After it ends."
"........."
.........
The First Demon's residence, which I'd slipped away to secretly, was empty. The servants I hadn't seen in a while beamed at the sight of me.
"My lord! You've returned! Did your trip go well?"
"Thanks to your worries, it did. Here..."
I handed out souvenirs bought from Lake Min to each one.
The servants blinked as they received them, then all smiled brightly.
"To think you'd bring something like this... Haha! What a lord you are!"
"I'll treasure it. But what's this...?"
"Porcelain animal figures. I thought they were cute, modeled after real animals..."
"Hahaha!"
Surprisingly, the warriors loved them. Not just the First Demon's maids, but the manservants bowed with huge grins.
"Thank you, my lord."
"So cute. I'll cherish it."
What I'd done on a whim became a trend in the estate. I even spotted porcelain figures sitting primly between pillars.
Not just the ones I'd brought-others sourced from elsewhere were added too.
Ornaments appeared throughout the once-stark house. I liked it very much.
The First Demon... would she like it too?
If not, I'd have to remove them.
But she didn't return even by nightfall. The reason came from one of her maids.
"The First Demon said she'll be too busy to return for a while. At least until the event ends, it won't be easy to see her."
It was a bit disappointing, but unavoidable. I hadn't planned to attend the event anyway, so all I could do was wait.
In the meantime, the one who'd kept me company was Chuwol, the maid I'd spoken with several times. She smiled brightly and helped with this and that.
Our previous formal distance vanished after I gifted the porcelain figures. Now she approached as naturally as if I weren't her superior.
"My lord, what are you doing?"
"Ah, sharpening my sword."
"Come to think of it... you carry four swords, my lord."
"Circumstances..."
I fiddled with the sword lightly. White Night, which had worked hard this time, no longer protested much when I drew another blade.
Having spent time together, it seemed to know I wouldn't abandon it for another sword.
Then, now I just needed to tame Black Spirit...
But before that, there was something else. First, I needed to rein in the rampaging energy after reaching the Flower Realm. Better to finish one thing before starting another than juggling many.
"Lady Chuwol seems busy."
"Not at all. My duty is to attend you, so this is practically my main job. Anything else you need?"
"Nothing, but..."
"Aw, come on, give me something. I'm your maid, after all."
"...Hm..."
I thought about it, but nothing came to mind.
"Well... then..."
"Yes?"
"Shall we eat together? It's a bit lonely eating alone..."
"Dinner?"
"Yes."
"...Pfft."
Chuwol laughed for a good while, then sidled up to me with a playful sway, eyes sparkling.
"If it helps the young lord, gladly. Anything you crave?"
"Usual fare is fine."
"Still, let me whip up something special. There's a reason the First Demon assigned me to you."
"What reason...?"
"I'm the best cook among all the maids!"
Her pride was matched by the mountain of food that covered the table.
Far more than I could eat. But luckily, reinforcements arrived at the estate.
"Big brooo loooord!!"
The red-haired woman who dashed in stopped before me.
"Huh? Where's the lord?"
"The First Demon is away. She said she won't return until the event ends."
"Reaaally?"
Wolhyang eyed me up and down, then sat as if it were natural. Chuwol's eyes sparkled.
"Long time no see! Lady Wolhyang! You're still alive, I see?"
"If it isn't our cutie Chuwol? Doing well?"
"Yes! Super well!"
"You two know each other?"
Wolhyang wiped her twitching nose.
"Back when I was rolling and getting rolled by the lord... our Chuwol made sure I ate... Haah... I really thought I was done for then... a warm meal saved me..."
"Ehehe, it was nothing."
"Let me taste this food... Mmm?! Chuwol, pick a date? When's good?"
"Anytime!"
Wolhyang, laughing and chatting, suddenly flopped onto the floor. Chuwol stood to clear the table.
A breeze blew. As her hair swayed gently, Wolhyang stretched languidly.
"Aah, feels goooood... Smells just like big bro lord, even better... Baby, why'd you sneak off back then?"
"My identity can't be revealed."
"Reaally? Well, fair enough. So, skipping this event too?"
"Probably."
"Hmmm..."
Wolhyang flipped over slightly. She crept toward me slyly.
She laid her head on my lap as if it were natural and sprawled out.
"Baby, you know? Tons of folks are coming this time."
"Tons meaning who?"
"Gonna gather all three Sovereigns at once? Might be the last time they meet before the next Heavenly Demon's decided. So crowds are natural. It's an event to praise merits, turned into a festival vibe... Not just prestigious families, but anyone into power's showing up."
"Bigger than expected, then."
"Yep. So, they called in one of the distant Guard Blood Squads, including me, to guard the Demon Hall... Wonder who's coming?"
"Anyone you're hoping for?"
"Not really? If I had to pick, First Seat, but he's not the type to come. Sigh, too bad... Only someone like him could give me a real fight..."
"No one in the Guard Blood Squad wants to clash with you, sis."
A soft voice drifted from beyond the estate's gate.
Wolhyang lifted her head. Then dropped it again.
"Strikeout."
"Hey, sis. I can hear you?"
The purple-haired woman crossed her arms. A familiar face-I clasped my hands.
"Senior Myo."
"Long time... Huh?"
Myo Ye-rin.
The Guard Blood Squad member who'd saved me from the Four Demon Families scanned me up and down.
"...What happened to you? What did you do... Wow, impossible. How'd you reach there with such talent? Even satisfying the brutal conditions of Heavenly Tribulation and Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art... How many brushes with death?"
"I raised him."
"What nonsense. Everyone with ears knows you were locked up for over half a year."
"Ahaha! Climbing up! Myo-head, grown a lot?"
"...Just saying it's nonsense. I don't wanna fight you, sis. Losing battles aren't my thing."
Myo Ye-rin sighed.
"Anyway, sis, the lord summoned you."
"The lord?!"
"Yes. Right now, or...?"
"What're you waiting for? Lead the way."
"...Knew you would."
Myo Ye-rin flicked my forehead.
"No hobby ruining reunions, so let's go quick."
"Reunion... you say?"
"Don't you see?"
I turned. One more person stood by the gate.
A woman hesitating, not crossing the threshold.
Her face veiled in cloth, but I recognized her instantly. Who else would if not me?
I shot up and rushed over, pulling her into an embrace.
"Wheee! Dating?!"
"Sis, come on."
The embraced woman flinched in surprise. Her lips, peeking from under the cloth, curved up slightly.
"...A more intense welcome than expected. B-Brother..."
"It's been so long... Of course."
I removed the cloth. Her fully revealed face flushed, eyes awkwardly averting.
A beautiful flower blooming under white eyes.
Baek Mae.
"H-Have you... been well?"
"You?"
"Me..."
She frowned.
Dissatisfaction burst out in an instant.
"Master's insane, kept rolling me nonstop. It's the path I chose, but she worked me so brutally... I can't tell if she's my master or not."
"Ahah! Myo-head! She raises 'em just like you!"
"...Talk later."
"Let's go first. Gotta cozy up to the lord. Beat you after."
"Keep chanting you're dead."
Wolhyang and Myo Ye-rin left. In the now-quiet estate, I looked down at her.
Her demeanor had changed. Her aura too. Demonic energy rippled over her whole body, showing her efforts.
Switched from Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword to another?
"Lots to catch up on, right?"
"Yeah... But how long you gonna hold me?"
"Ah, sorry. Got carried away..."
"W-Well, you could keep holding if you want. Y-Yeah..."
Baek Mae turned her head prickishly.
"Eaten yet?"
I glanced back. Confirmed empty, then shook my head.
"No."
"...Feels like you did."
"Not with you."
"Getting cheeky."
"Maybe 'cause I'm happy."
"Really happy?"
Her persistent tone made me smile.
"If not you, who?"
"...W-Well, true. Y-Yeah. Hm. Hmmm..."
Baek Mae covered her mouth. Her pressed voice asked, hiding a laugh.
"Then let's eat. Okay?"
"Of course. What do you want?"
"Dinner first, then somewhere with lots of snacks. No worries about routes-I've scouted everything."
"Ah, wait a sec first."
Something came to mind, so I went to my room.
I'd polished the dagger from my last Sealing Demon Cave visit.
"...This?"
"Some stuff happened, and I stopped by Sealing Demon Cave then. Picked it up."
"Sealing Demon Cave?! The place no one in the cult enters easily?! Wait, before that... you brought it for me?"
"Yeah."
"Hmmmmmmmm..."
Baek Mae fiddled with the dagger primly.
"W-Well, it's pretty."
Her lips trembled-I found it funny. No longer hiding her smile, I asked slyly.
"Like it?"
"A little?"
"Good."
I stroked her head. Looking at her reminded me of my dead little sister.
She was a former comrade through life and death too, so of course I was glad.
She didn't avoid my hand. She'd dodge prickishly at first, but when mine pulled away, she'd grab it herself.
Plop right on her head.
After a few strokes, she finally laughed openly for the first time.
"Lots to talk about. Let's go. I know a good spot. Private room too, so we can eat comfy."