Whoa it’s been a while since I’ve been here, I think to myself as I stroll down the castle’s corridor.
By the way, what’s with everyone? The second they see me, they’re dropping their laundry basket, gawking wide-eyed, and pointing and whispering to each other.
Never mind that. I head over to my dad’s study and knock on the door.
“Come in,” says a voice from the other side. I step into the room.
“Grlck?! Bgough, eherm… Ha-Haruto?” chokes the impressively bearded man.
This is my dad, Count Gold Zenfis.
“Why are you here? You’re supposed to be at the academy in the capital.”
Oh, right. I’m not in any position to be popping by my old place. I forgot.
My hermit house has been my domicile where I go to sleep and hang out every day. I walked into the castle with the same mindset.
My dad says, “If you’re trying to hide something, at least make an effort to be more carefu─”
“Never mind that, Dad.” He’s hinting at an “I know you know, I know” situation, but I ignore it and cut to the chase. “Can you tell me about the current political climate in the kingdom?”
“Oh? I see. So, you finally…”
He seems happy about something, but why?
My dad gestures me over to the guest sofa and starts making tea. He sets the cups down and seats himself across from me.
“Now, where to begin…” he starts. “The capital has access to all the latest news. Much of it passes through the academy’s young noble scholars. What is it that you want to know?”
Uh, I’ve never had any interest in political news, so I know squat.
I decide to skip all the fluff and get to the point.
“Remember when you said, ‘It would be unfavorable for the kingdom if the queen disappears’? Is that still true today?”
“?!”
Wow, he looks like he’s about to fall off his seat.
“Don’t tell me… You’re going to challenge Gizelotte…? No, there’s no reason for you, a child, to sully your hands. That is something for us adults to do. It’s a disgrace to admit, but we’ve been dragging our feet on the matter all this time.”
Suddenly, my dad grows sullen.
Sully my hands? I’ve already chopped off her head once.
“To be honest─” I don’t know where to start, but I begin to talk. I tell him everything I know about the existence of a mysterious organization called the Church of Lucifyra, the devils, the Devil Lord, etc.
But I leave out the part where Char is involved.
I wouldn’t want to worry him.
My dad grows increasingly pale as I talk.
By the time I finish, he’s pinching the bridge of his nose and groaning.
He finally gathers his words to speak. “So…you’re saying the Church of Lucifyra is working to revive the Devil Lord?”
“Yup.”
“And the recent insurrection in the capital was…instigated by a devil─a subject of the Devil Lord─and Queen Gizelotte was complicit?”
“That’s right.”
“Furthermore, the core of the Devil Lord is now occupying Gizelotte’s body…?”
“Apparently.”
My dad takes his time to digest everything I just said by repeating it. He lifts his head and looks up to the ceiling.
Yeah, it probably sounds too far-fetched and out of the blue.
Who’s gonna believe such poppycock─huh?
He turns to look straight at me, presses his hands on the coffee table, and leans forward.
“You saved the kingdom from a crisis! I can’t thank you enough!”
He bows his head at me, practically digging his nose into the table.
“Uh, no. It’s thanks to the Shiva guy…”
Dad readjusts himself on the sofa.
“Right. Very well then. If that’s what you wish, we can leave it at that.”
Come to think of it, why haven’t I told Mom and Dad that I’m Shiva?
Sheer laziness.
That’s the only reason. I should just fess up. Then again, because it’s the only excuse I have, I’m hesitant to tell them.
“Regardless,” says Dad, “if Gizelotte has fused with the Devil Lord and there’s a possibility her psyche is completely gone, we don’t have much time.”
“That is a problem, isn’t it?”
“The Devil Lord’s powers are incalculable. It’s bound to be a grave threat to this kingdom.”
“Then I’ll─Shiva will go take her out.”
My dad lets out a long sigh. “You say that like it’s nothing more than crushing a bug. Well, I suppose with your powers, it’s understandable. However─”
He gives me a solemn look.
“The kingdom is sure to face turmoil. In order to avoid that, I’ll need to make some arrangements in advance with the other nobles. But there’s little time for that…” He trails off with a big sigh.
Now that I think about it, I can’t just go and take out the queen.
Never mind the kingdom’s turmoil; my little sister needs her entertainment.
“I’ll do something about buying time, Dad. Can I leave you to make those arrangements in the nobility? I can’t do that part…”
“I have no words for you, Haruto…” He smiles as if he’s made up his mind. “All right, leave it to me. But allow me some time. I’ll need to travel all over the kingdom.”
Take your time. I’ll be taking it easy till then.
Nonetheless, our enemy is the Devil Lord.
Anticipating any unforeseen circumstances is a necessary precaution. I can’t let my guard down.
I should do my part in helping my dad negotiate with the nobles while being ready to ambush the Devil Lord from behind at any moment.
I stand up and stroll over to one of the walls, cast my hand against it, and conjure a door.
“Whaaat?!” my dad cries.
Beckoning my dumbfounded dad over, I open the door and walk through.
“Where are we…? This isn’t the next room.”
“This is my room in Professor Tear’s research building.”
It’s clean and tidy since it’s basically only used (for Haruto C) to sleep in.
“Is this…teleportation magic?”
“Let me know where I should set up your Anywhere Door so you can travel back and forth between the castle and the capital.”
K-chk.
As soon as I tell him that, the door to Haruto C’s room opens.
It’s Professor Tear.
“Oh, hey. There you are, Haruto─hm? And this rugged gentleman with you is…Count Zenfis?”
“Can’t you knock first?” I retort.
She and my dad exchange the conventional greeting of “Good to meet you,” and “Thank you for looking out for my son.”
Perfect timing, actually.
I fill in Professor Tear with what I just revealed to my dad. While I’m at it, I whisper to her, “Don’t let him know Char is involved.” Best to drive that point home while I can.
“Why am I getting a bad feeling…?” my dad mutters from behind.
Keen as always. Can you tell?
“Dad, Professor Tear is a noble with a lot of time on her hands. Feel free to use her as your henchman.”
“Hey, my freedom belongs to me! But I see what you’re trying to do. And since doing you favors doesn’t get me anything in return, I suppose I can shift my favor-owing to your parents.”
Geez, she’s blunt.
Oh well. If it’s my dad you’re helping, of course I’ll return the favor. Probably.