“Brother, are you really fine with that?”

“No doubt Eno, even if it sounds like I am asking for too much.”

My talk with Miss Violetta ends and she left.

Though I said that, I tried minimizing some demands to a degree. The distance between the Demon Capital and Human Capital is no joke so having her warp is extremely convenient. I only asked for two conditions and those conditions are simple.

First, I want Miss Violetta to help with material transportation from Niflheim to the south most part of the Center Continent. It may sound greedy of me but I want to establish a base in that place despite the danger.

That is also to appeal a piece of land from that place. It has potential to be a great land once we defeated the devils, an asset I’m sure to be of use in the future. And by participating with a huge contribution, we can appeal for an immediate ownership.

The second condition greatly connects to the first in which I wan Miss Violetta to secure a land for me to own. By that means, I want a decree, an official authorization that needed at least three continental leaders approval.

The trade and enrichment plan for the demon continent comes in together with those so I am really happy that she agreed.

Also, I am not inconsiderate enough to stress out a pregnant woman. It may not be showing yet in her figure but I can tell from her scent.

Thus, with a confirmation of all my demands and a committed cooperation and assistance from us, Miss Violetta left to fulfill the end of her deal to help us out with transportation. I ask her if she is fine with it despite being pregnant.

The only thing she said was…

“I am going to do what she wanted. If that if it may, I must deem myself helpful even in the rear.”

Being acquainted with the girl, she must have been told to stay low because of her condition. I kind of wanted to ask whose child it is. I am hoping it is Mrothgir’s child. Although Mrothgir has already produced hundreds of descendants, it won’t hurt to have one more child before his death…

“Eno, I will immediately send out an official order to seize all properties of those nobles. I want you to handle them in haste so we can use whatever we have.”

“How about you then? You just stole the throne moments ago. I think that it will greatly shake the capital.”

“That’s what I am about to do. People want a capable leader and I am going to give them more than a capable one.”

“You mean you are just going to waltz in front of the masses and announce that you already gained the throne?!”

“People need to know first and foremost of what’s happening. I will assure you that a panic won’t happen on my watch. Thus, necessary intimidation is required. It is outside of my moral belief but I am willing to if it will make the mass follow me.”

“You really have thought of this really well. If that’s what you think must be done, then I have no words to say.”

“Thank you for believing in me, Eno. You are such a wonderful wife.”

.

.

.

A couple of days passed and with the help of Miss Violetta, we were able to transport everything we needed and constructed the fortress with the help of my undead who worked day and night tirelessly.

I did promise to give them some incentives and such when everything is over.

About my appeal to the mass and my declaration of a sudden takeover, I already expected it, in fact, one can immediately say that it was the inevitable. My credibility, rights, and even my lineage were questioned.

Well, a little show of power and intimidation worked quite well. I am not trying to make an impression akin to Baal’s leadership but, it is, a first and foremost way to make everyone submissive.

Eno’s action of seizing lands was also questioned and frowned upon, however, knowing that she is my wife, none of the nobles could have said a word. The reason is Eno has all the proof and documents that will prove that each of the nobles in the council that I killed has their own misdeeds, starting from labeling heavy taxes to their own domain up to smuggling illegal products to the beast continent.

But in very short time, I was able to convince the demon military personnel about the situation. They gladly gathered able bodies to head to the Center Continent.

One thing we weren’t able to control is the sudden fluctuation of prices due to the halted sea trade from the Beast continent. By that end, they are must be preparing too and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Gaining access to a more affordable procurement is out of the question and forcing people to sell their products to lower prices may push them to the edge and start a coup.

Despite all of those shortcomings, the fortress was made in a breeze and with a little to no drawbacks except the occasional devil attack. Anything else is nothing to fear for.

And today we expect Asagao and her friends to arrive.

A portal opened up in front of the fortress and the first one to pass through it to this side is none other than Asagao. I stare at her little figure approaching me with pitter patter.

Everyone must have noticed it but in her eyes shows great promise and at the same time, an eye that has seen so much, an eye with a twinkle that brings great stories and whose fate was weaved by the God who loves her.

This is the child that Mrothgir gave his acknowledgment to and most of all, the last blessing of the Ancient Dragon Blood, the perk of a Swordmaster.

I have known him for a long time and I know that he kept creating pseudo blessings to imitate the Goddess of Blessing. I can say that he handled poorly this frail girl. Despite her young beauty, a huge emotional stress seems to seep in her very core.

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I have lived for too long to see through a person just by experience. This girl is an envoy of salvation but at the same time, if her very belief collapses, negative emotions that she kept inside will spill like a bomb.

“Lord Gria, I heard that you took over the throne. I want to ask so much from you but…I’d rather not. Well, it is just incredible how you suddenly grabbed it!”

“If you think it is incredible, you are nothing short of a fool.”

“Eh? Is…is that so? I’m sorry…”

“Don’t just apologize for every little thing Asagao. Learn how to be thrifty with your own shame.”

“You seem so strict and sharp than usual Lord Gria. Is it because you became the demon lord?”

“…I may have.”

As Asagao and I speak with each other, my body trembles as I sense a presence I have missed, a presence almost as same as Eno but a little angry but adorable.

Coming out from the warp is… a tip of a blade?

“My moronic father!!”

“Diyu?!”

The blade extended and came out from the warp revealing that Diyu was the one holding it. She thrust the blade towards me while shouting. Of course, I kind of don’t want to dodge the attack but I can’t embarrass myself here.

So, as the sword approaches me, I bend my back backward, however, I forgot to move my hands so I kind of just slammed the back of my head on the ground.

BAM!

“You are lively as ever huh, my daughter!”

“You are an embarrassment! Who dodges idiotically like that!?”

Asagao was just there standing dumbfounded as she stares down at me.

“L-Lord Gria…?”

She muttered with a perplexed face…

Dios mio…

More people came out from the warp while I am in this position. As soon as they step into this side, their eyes immediately lock on me, all of Asagao’s friends…

The lad Hasu is here but his twin isn’t present. Boy Ichirou is also here and looks at me with a confused eye. There’s also that man with dead sleepy eyes but I couldn’t care less of what he thinks about me.

Afterwards, Miss Higanbana emerges but grandly ignored me, followed by the twin elves together with a small red chicken. Also, the last time I saw their group, Cattleya should be here too as well. Lastly, two more figures came out, one is a girl with horns and blond hair and blue eyes. She seems really peculiar but I can’t put my head on it. If I remember correctly, her name is Mimi.

The last figure is a girl called Topaz. Everyone must have known it about this girl who is actually a devil. I do wonder how they were able to make her like that. Some kind of alchemy or magic I guess.

I am not the type of man who will second guess everything so I didn’t really bother.

Before the warp closes, Miss Violetta emerges.

“Greetings Lord Gria, you seem to be in a…rather well mood today…”

“It’s a fun way to relax.”

She only gave a perturbed smile with a slight grin. It’s a little painful to be looked at this. The lad, Ichirou, looks at me with observing eyes with a slight smile on his face…

“Father, you’re embarrassing!”

Diyu shouted again but now, with a really flustered face. She stomps her way towards me again with fuming rage. However, from what I can see about it, she is not embarrassed because her father is doing something stupid in front of many people but she is embarrassed because she doesn’t want someone to see me like this.

After stomping her way towards me, she swiftly grabbed me by the ankle that broke my posture. She started dragging me away in haste like I am a garbage. I get it, I am kind of a garbage for you, my dear daughter…

.

.

.

“Um…Diyu…why did you drag me away from there?”

“Isn’t it obvious?! I have a dunce for a father!”

“Ah, is that so? I’m really sorry.”

Diyu glares at me angrily.

I just look at her with a calm head. I would never ever get angry at my precious daughter, not when she is much agitated than ever. She isn’t just bothered by my presence alone. There’s a lot of emotion stirring inside of her.

She turns her head away from me as if she has already stilled her boiling anger. The usual Diyu wouldn’t even look down in the middle of her tantrum, however, right now, she has become meek and true to her emotions.

“Tell me father…why? Why…of all these years…you just suddenly decided to take over the throne when Cattleya was absent.”

“……”

“Are you looking down on Cattleya’s efforts? What did mother say about this? Do you really think highly of yourself to just waltz there and crush what Cattleya worked for?!”

“I had no choice.”

“No choice? No choice?! You had all the choices! You had all the choices in the past and yet, you picked a different path! You dump everything to Cattleya, that was your choice! And now you just announced that everything that we worked for was all meaningless before you!”

“This is a special case. There’s something we need to fight at all cost.”

“Stop coating your words with reasons! Whatever may be the circumstances, the fact that you tore down everything because of that just shows how selfish you are!”

“Diyu…I’m sorry…”

“Cattleya was so scared! Every single day that she wakes up, she gets scared! Scared of what might happen to her the next day she wakes up! She was in a place where people would take advantage of any signs of slight weakness that she shows! But what did she do? Nothing! She was too kind!”

After letting out every emotions and complaint, Diyu fell on her knees as she tried to keep her tears from spilling from her eyes while clenching her fists. She usually snarls badly at me, however, this time, I feel like I have done something unforgivable.

My daughter Diyu…and the girl I treated like one…Cattleya…

I have done terrible things to them. All of what Diyu said is nothing short of the truth. I have abandoned the path where I am going to carry a huge responsibility and let someone small and much frailer than me to carry it.

If I had known sooner or later that Cattleya was being crushed by such weight and Diyu, trying to carry some of those unbearable weights, I would have done something better sooner.

But it’s too late. I did another mistake, however, I wouldn’t fall back on this decision of mine. I shall lead this mistake to the path of right. As for my daughter…

“Diyu…you’ve certainly grown in just a short duration of time. You’ve pointed out every mistake that I have done.”

“Father…”

“However, know that a young mistake and a grown-up mistake are two different things. You younger people should call it fault…while we who those move in another plane of understandings call it…sins…”

“What do you mean…?”

“Fault…can be forgiven by us adults…sins…are something you should redeem yourself again. It is my sin and my redemption is to be mine alone…and yet, you and Cattleya are suffering from it.”

“……”

“That’s why…let me redeem myself and let me free you and Cattleya even if it is late.”

Diyu then looks up to me with knitted brows. It seems she finds the situation unable to put up a suitable reaction. She only quietly sighs to herself.

“I don’t trust you anymore…but…if you really won’t budge from that decision…see to it that Cattleya will forgive you before I do. Got it?”

“I will, my dearest daughter. Thank you for this valuable chance.”

“Wha--?! I…it’s not like I have other choices do I! Just be sure to make up with mother too…idiot father…”

Ahahaha…yup, this adorable creature is my daughter.

I pull out a clean handkerchief from my coat pocket and kneel down in front of Diyu. She was surprised by the gesture but let me do that job as her father. I gently dab the handkerchief in her cheeks and underneath her eyes.

I hope with this, I can finally fix the problem in this family that I initially cause too…

“Diyu…be sure to find a man who will wipe your tears, not your blood.”

“Tsk, what gives you the rights to tell me what to do with my love life?”

“Your mother and I have been madly in love with each other for a long time. I know much romance than you’d actually think.”

“How so?”

“We are really good siblings before we fell in love with each other. Obviously, we understand each other so much.”

“…Father…what did you just say?”

“……”

Huh…?

We are really good siblings before we fell in love with each other. Obviously, we understand each other so much.

That’s what I said…

CRAP!

“Father, I am not deaf and I definitely didn’t mishear it! What in the world did you just said?!”

“Ohhh?! What are you talking about? Eno and I are a really good couple.”

I turn my face away from my dearest daughter, albeit, I can already feel her piercing gaze. It was something I don’t want her to know but, why of all time my tongue would slip like an idiot?!

“Father…you and mother…are what…?!”

“Diyu…I really don’t want you to know but…Eno…is actually my younger sister…and you are a child born from an incestuous relationship.”

“……Wow…”

Diyu’s face says it all, surprise, confusion, mortified, disbelief and any other emotion that could lead her to have a pale countenance.

She just…stared at me for a good two minutes before standing up from the place where she has been.

She turns around and slowly walks away…

“Diyu…!”

“Not now…just…let me be…”

This is those moments I could only say to myself…

“Puñeta…”