Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: 13. Cutting Water with a Sword (7)
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"You idiot."
Duke Lebedev had no response to Duke Calamity's rebuke. After all, she wasn't wrong.
He had a rough idea of what his son liked or disliked, and what actions hurt him, but this was the first time he'd heard it laid out properly. And he had no clue how to address those wounds.
Considering his own father had been just as gruff and affectionless, devoid of any emotional expression, his son must be the odd one out.
He could feel his own shortcomings in empathy and fatherly competence, but there was no easy fix.
"You're still the same as you were back in school, really."
"...What do you mean by that."
"You and your fiancée didn't get along. A woman coming to marry into a territory on the front lines against the demon race, and you called her vain and money-hungry."
"So what."
"That's why, even though you hit it off with a relatively laid-back woman like me, you couldn't say a proper word to either side. Like it or not, just spit it out. You've never clearly explained why you like or dislike something, have you?"
Was that true? Their relationship had been an icy one of convenience, but since she knew him better than he knew himself, her assessment was probably spot on.
As he watched her click her tongue with a pathetic look on her face, that expression soon gave way to amusement.
"Hitting forty and still childish as ever. It's kinda cute."
"Cut the weird talk."
"Honestly, you don't even know how to start a conversation, do you?"
"Ahem."
"Cold hard truth? It's way too late now. Anything you say at this point will just look like posturing to get your talented daughter-in-law back."
"Then what do you suggest."
"You need guts. Just let him go. Tell him to come back if he changes his mind."
Duke Lebedev's face twisted subtly at her words.
And it wasn't long before that expression turned to one of puzzlement.
"In exchange, let me have my way for one day. Give me a shot at shaking things up."
**
"I swear, people change the flavor of their dirty jokes as they age."
"Totally. They go from childish giggles to something sleazy and sticky."
I wholeheartedly agreed with Karin.
Once folks hit their thirties or forties, the edge of their sex jokes dulls in a bad way—from rowdy laughs to this creepy, leering vibe.
And I could guess why this topic came up. The emperor sharing our lodgings had been acting suspiciously.
Lingering in the same room at odd hours for mixed company, plopping down near me or on my bed when others were around, circling me with that expectant look.
Karin hadn't said it outright, but her face screamed pity for a woman in the throes of her prime.
She'd stepped out for a bit to talk with her father, and with the others scattered, this was girl talk time for just us.
"Oh ho, sonny. Spending quality time with another lady?"
"Who're you calling son?"
"I'm in mom mode right now."
With Svetlana fully absorbed—probably needing the calories—Karin was munching away at some snacks when Rias's mother appeared behind her.
She felt closer than Rias, somehow. I'd known her since childhood, but her casually ruffling my hair like this was still awkward as hell.
Among all the much older adults from my past and present lives combined, she was the friendliest, so I didn't hate it enough to push her away outright.
She sidled up behind me at the table, placed a hand on my crown, and spoke in an amused tone.
"Youth really is wasted on the young."
"Your Grace is living youthfully yourself."
"That's me ribbing you for not acting your age. I'm not as oblivious as your dad."
"And you know that because...?"
She kneaded my scalp with her palm, and I just let her.
"Cute baby face, but a better figure than our girl's. You into the innocent look with a killer body?"
"No particular type. And that's sexual harassment."
"Mind if I cop a feel?"
"Hard pass. Just no."
"Ahahaha."
Bending at the waist to bring her face level with mine, Her Grace whispered in awe, "Damn, these are huge."
I hesitate to say it myself, but ever since taking in Svetlana, my face and figure had shifted a bit.
With all these women around me and my half-assed attitudes, complimenting her looks or body now would spark a full-on brawl, so I kept it zipped. But facts were facts.
Probably some lust aspect from the demon god's power settling in.
"Alright, son. Wanna step out with me for a bit?"
"Just us?"
"Nah, Karin too."
"Why all of a sudden...?"
"You grew up here, right? Thought maybe you'd recommend some spots."
Her Grace shot Karin a wink.
Karin looked startled for a second, then nodded calmly.
"I'd love to see it."
"Heh. Got no plans, right?"
"None."
I led the two women toward places etched in my memory.
Top of the list: the training grounds.
Not far from the mansion, since even Father visited occasionally.
Following old memories didn't take long. Soon we reached the grounds, lined with soldiers in full training.
"Whoa. Spacious."
"This territory borders demon front lines—things could go south anytime. You know it's one of the few with a standing army."
"Yeah, yeah. So why here?"
"This is where I trained brutally as a kid."
"Huh?"
Karin stared blankly at me, and Her Grace let out a puzzled noise.
"Heir like you had a private dojo, no?"
"Did. Didn't use it."
"Why?"
"Back then, I was too weak for frontline command. Only way to earn the troops' trust was training alongside them in the same dirt, showing the sweat."
"You... really don't seem like Ratsee's kid."
"Please refrain from nicknaming my father, ma'am. You're a married woman."
"Oh, right. Sorry—slipped out from shock. How old were you?"
"Pretty sure I decided and started at six."
Only possible with a past life. In a bond where lives are on the line, what trumps trust? It was my desperate gambit.
Father's training regimen was brutal too, so they all saw me puking up breakfast by lunch after intense drills.
But that trust let them follow me into non-aggression pacts with friendly demons.
"Definitely too good for our girl."
"...Just learned recently myself, but Rias struggled with inferiority complexes. Go easy on comparisons."
"You two talked, huh? She's been more subdued lately—our little soldier girl."
"Yeah. Not sure about reconciling fully, but I think we've cleared some misunderstandings."
"You and your dad are just like her. Neither of you knows how to voice feelings."
"Haha."
"We used protection, though."
"Skipping that one."
As I tried to drag the cackling Her Grace away, she added softly one last thing.
"Those guys down there? They'll wait for you."
"...I know. Not now, though."
"Fair enough."
Minding her stride behind me, I asked Karin, who was trailing silently.
"Anyplace you wanna go?"
"Huh? Oh... somewhere from your childhood memories?"
"Tough question, honestly."
I pondered. Not many good memories worth calling "nostalgic." But one decent spot came to mind. I swung by the kitchen for simple desserts and coffee, then headed to the garden behind the mansion.
"Isn't this the garden your mom loved?"
"Yeah, but that's not the point."
"Not important...?"
"Probably 'cause it's where I last had good times with kid Rias."
They both shut up at that.
Really. Things were great with Rias back then. She'd preach her greatness, then toddle after me wherever. Devour my snacks with glee, then peek at me and try to eat daintily.
I even thought we might avoid her villainess fate.
"Er, um. Guess she didn't hate you."
"Heir training and practice were brutal. Her visits were a nice breather."
Her Grace looked flustered at my unexpected response—reminded me of Rias, and I ended up chuckling too.