GalaxyTL
Alright, alright, we’re finally entering Demon King Castle! Yeah, we spent quite a bit of time in the castle town, didn’t we? But everyone was so friendly and easy to talk to! I was so happy about that, and I was having so much fun that I forgot our original purpose. I’ll reflect.
“I knew this would happen from the start, so it’s fine. That’s why we arrived early, taking a shortcut!”
What, this was all according to Dad’s calculations!? But if that’s the case, tell me that! I puffed out my cheeks and complained, only to have him poke my cheek and make a silly sound. Geez!
“Now, now. I wanted you to enjoy yourself without worrying about time, Meg. You had fun, right?”
“Uu, it’s unfair when you put it like that! But I did have fun. Thanks, Dad!”
And in the end, he always says something cool like that. I can’t hate him. He’s always doing things suddenly, and he doesn’t tell us important things until the last minute, causing trouble for everyone. But I know that basically everything Dad does is for the sake of everyone. I love that about him. But I’ll still complain! It’s hard for the ones getting dragged around!
I clung tightly to his arm as we passed through the castle gates. I could feel people looking at me with warm gazes, but I’m used to it. Dad’s just letting it happen too. It might be hard to walk, but bear with it. It’s fine! I’ve decided to be as spoiled as I can, while I still can. So that I’ll never regret it again.
“That’s not fair, Eugene! I’m jealous!!”
I was in high spirits, but then Father-sama, the Demon King, came flying out of the castle entrance, making a loud noise. I was so startled I let go of Dad’s arm. He was half crying – no, he was already crying. Why? He shouldn’t have been able to see, but he understands the situation… What a waste of energy. I mean, it’s amazing, but it’s a shame.
“Shut up! We were finally having some nice parent-child time and you had to intrude. Look, Meg even let go of my hand! Give me back my happy time!”
“You’re the one who needs to shut up, Eugene! You’ve had plenty of enjoyment! Isn’t that enough!?”
Oh, Dad thought of it as happy time. I’m glad to hear that. I’m happy Father-sama’s jealous and saying that too, but as always, it’s embarrassing. So at least come inside and close the door before doing this. The passersby are snickering at us… Saying we get along well. Do we, really…?
“Yo!”
“Fwah!”
I was looking at my fathers with a distant gaze, when someone placed their hand on my head from behind, making me let out a strange noise. I hurriedly looked up to see whose hand it was.
“You’re still so tiny, Meg.”
“Licht!”
Standing there was Licht, who had already grown into a fine adult. When I turned around and spread my arms, Licht also resignedly spread his arms, so I hugged him tightly. I really am a child who loves skinship.
“Licht, it’s been a while! I’ll have you know, I’ve grown too, you know?”
“Well, I can see that, but I’m already an old man, and you’re still a child. It feels kind of weird, you know.”
Licht calls himself an old man, but he doesn’t look that old at all. He looks like he’s in his late twenties, at most. Licht used to be Japanese, and he has a baby face, so he looks even younger! It’s been 20 years since then, so Licht’s actually 34 now. He’s a human, so he’s technically old enough to be called an old man… But I’ve heard that Licht’s growth is a bit slower than normal humans because he has a lot of magic power. That might be part of it too.
“I feel weird too. Like… I’m being left behind…”
“Meg…”
And it’s not just Licht. I also feel the difference in the flow of time, and it’s an indescribable feeling. I know it’s an unavoidable fate, having been born as a High Elf and a Demon King’s child in this world. Even though I know I have to accept it, it’s still lonely.
“…It’s not like that.”
“Huh?”
Maybe because I was feeling sentimental and down, I didn’t catch what Licht said. I looked up and asked him to repeat it, but Licht just smiled gently and patted my head, saying it was nothing. Was he trying to comfort me? I’m really childish. I feel like I haven’t grown up on the inside either.
And Licht’s a human. He’ll leave this world far sooner than me. The complete opposite of me. The one who leaves, and the one who’s left behind. You can’t measure which is more painful. We didn’t say anything more about it and just smiled at each other.
“Hey, you bastard, Licht! Don’t you dare sneak ahead of me like that!”
“I’m not! Don’t say such things that can be misunderstood!”
Just then, Father-sama came over to confront Licht, having finally finished arguing with Dad. Geez, he’s so busy. I smiled bitterly and took Father’s hand.
“Mm, Meg…!”
“It’s been a while, Father-sama! I’m so happy to see you!”
“Guh, as powerful as ever… Meg! I’m also happy to see you! Um, can I… pick you up…?”
He asked timidly, this incredibly handsome man… Even though his face is so well-proportioned, he’s very approachable, like a big dog. Of course I wasn’t going to refuse, so I nodded and raised my hands, waiting. Father happily and gently picked me up. He doesn’t need to be so nervous, like he’s handling something fragile, but I can feel his consideration and it makes me feel warm inside. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Guh, so cute, my daughter’s the cutest in the world.”
“Quit it! Come on, Ash, let’s go to the office.”
“I-I know. Meg, you can come with us, right? Kron!”
“Yes, Zahariash-sama.”
When Father-sama called, Kron-san appeared out of nowhere and bowed her head. Eh, seriously, where did she come from?
“Once we get to the office, please keep Meg company.”
“Understood. Meg-sama, it’s been a while. You haven’t changed at all.”
Responding to Father-sama’s instructions, Kron-san shifted her gaze to me and greeted me with her usual awkward smile. She’s wearing a flawless maid uniform, with her refreshing light blue hair and eyes. Her cool beauty is still intact! Though her smile is a bit stiff.
“Kron-san, I’m glad to see you’re doing well too! I’ll be in your care today!”
“Yes, I was looking forward to seeing you.”
But the smile she gave in response to my words was natural and very beautiful. Fufu, it’s my secret goal to get Kron-san to smile naturally, so I’m happy.
“Kron…”
“…Licht-sama. You should also go to the office with Zahariash-sama.”
“…Yeah, got it.”
…Huh? What’s with this weird distance between them? Am I imagining it? I was about to say something, but Father started walking, so I couldn’t ask. I wonder if they had a fight or something. I’m kind of worried.
“Hmm, no progress, huh.”
“Yes, it’s quite troubling. But all we can do is watch over them.”
“Yeah.”
Dad and Father-sama were sighing as they exchanged words above my head. They’re probably talking about Licht and Kron-san, right? There seems to be something going on, and these two seem to know the situation. Hmm, I can imagine various things, but if these two are saying all we can do is watch over them, then that’s all there is to it. I’ve decided to not butt in and behave myself.
More importantly, “Meg,” Father-sama spoke to me, so I listened to him. He’s asking how I’ve been lately, but I should have written everything in my letters. But even if I tell him the same things I wrote, Father listens happily with the face of a father, so I talked without worrying about it. We don’t get to meet directly very often. I was lonely too, and it’s fun to talk like this after so long, so there’s no problem.
And so, I enjoyed chatting the whole way until we reached the office, being carried by Father. Eh? You secretly went to the castle town yesterday too? I see, that’s why the townspeople looked so happy…!
“Well, I hate to part, but this is it for now. Meg, let’s have a meal together.”
“Yeah! You’re going to talk about work, right? Good luck!”
“Th-This is amazing. If I have Meg’s support, I feel like I won’t lose even if the whole world becomes my enemy.”
“The scale’s too big for it to be a joke, so cut it out, Ash.”
Seriously, his reactions are always so over-the-top. But he’s serious about this. That’s what makes it even scarier.
“Now, Meg-sama, let’s go. There’s a small favor I’d like to ask of you.”
“A favor?”
After finishing my goodbyes to Father and telling Dad I’d see him later, Kron-san said that while holding my hand. I wonder what it is?
“Don’t make her do anything unreasonable, okay? I don’t know what you’re going to do though.”
Maybe he overheard our exchange, but Licht said that as he entered the office in passing.
“I know that without you telling me, Licht-sama.”
“Tch, how uncute.”
“I have no need for cuteness. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
Geez, Licht, that last comment was unnecessary! I was nervous, but Kron-san closed the door as if it didn’t affect her at all. Ugh, that’s scary in its own way!
“…Kron-san is cute, you know?”
When I timidly said that, unable to bear it, Kron-san’s expression softened. Ah, she smiled.
“Thank you very much, Meg-sama. You’re very kind.”
But her smile only lasted for a moment, and it looked like she was staring sadly at the closed door. It might have been my imagination, since it was only for a second.
“Now, let’s go.”
“…Okay.”
But I felt like I shouldn’t pry, so I couldn’t say anything more.