15 — Chapter 15

“Our goal is the legendary sword said to be near the summit.”

“Yeah, you bet!”

However, for a moment, a flicker of apprehension crossed Angelica’s face.

“Though, thinking about having to head back down this same path makes my bones ache already… I don’t think we’ll get wiped out since the Demon King is here, but still…”

I was genuinely impressed.

“I see. You truly intend to carve out the path with your own two feet to the very end. Yes, you really are a Hero.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Heading back on foot is a given, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. One day, you will surely become a legendary figure even among the Heroes of history.”

“You say that, but it’s hard to become a legend when I can’t even defeat the Demon King… If I killed you now, it would be parricide… Well, even if I were willing to overlook that by a mile, I couldn’t bear to make Mama sad.”

You could at least overlook it by two miles. Are you really planning to kill me over a minor concession…?

Still, it was enough just to see how much Angelica cared for her mother.

As long as she was a compassionate human, there were plenty of chances for us to get along.

As we neared the summit, the path became easier to follow, but the combat grew proportionately more intense.

“Gah! Even Drakes are attacking us now?!”

A Drake—often called a lesser dragon—fixated its sights on Angelica.

The path along the ridge offered a magnificent view since the forest had thinned out, but it also meant we were completely exposed to aerial monsters.

“Hey, aren’t these guys demons too? Can’t you stop them with your Demon King powers?”

“Dragons possess high intelligence and belong to demon society, but Drakes are mere monsters. One might be able to tame them if raised from birth, but otherwise…”

“So that means we have no choice but to fight… One-on-one is pretty rough, but… I’ve just gotta do it!”

I had to support her here. Two of these beasts would be the limit for Angelica to handle alone. If she were by herself, the time lost chanting healing magic would be a critical disadvantage.

I stepped out in front of Angelica.

“I will be your shield! Once you land an attack, retreat behind me immediately!”

“Got it. I’ll fight alongside you just for now. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.”

“It is only natural for a daughter to rely on her father. Do not hesitate.”

“Yeah, yeah. Only a Demon King or a parent would do something this dangerous for someone else.”

Angelica still had enough strength left to trade quips.

She would deliver a shallow slash to the Drake and instantly dive back behind me. That was the right move. Prolonged combat was unavoidable with monsters of this caliber. We had no choice but to slowly wear down the enemy’s stamina.

However, we were at a disadvantage beyond mere combat power. The enemy could fly. We were positioned on a narrow, tapering ridge. One wrong step would send us plummeting down the cliff.

When Angelica’s foot slipped, I grabbed her arm and hauled her back up.

I possessed at least that much reflex as a Demon King.

“Falling from here would make for a very difficult rescue.”

“Thanks… This is more dangerous than fighting in the Demon King’s Castle…”

“That is because you didn’t properly clear that castle. You probably took the shortest possible route to my throne room. I have several rooms prepared that are incredibly hazardous.”

“I never thought I’d be saved by the Demon King.”

“I am your stepfather, after all.”

“…I suppose so.”

Suddenly, Angelica let out a small, bashful smile.

Yes! The distance between me and my daughter just shrunk!

Well, I was holding her arm, so the physical distance had shrunk, but I felt the emotional distance had closed considerably as well.

At this moment, a spark of something like friendship was budding between us.

A relationship of trust forged by fighting together on the battlefield! That was far more significant than a mere mountain hike!

It was unexpected that the monsters would target Angelica so relentlessly, but I’d say this was a great success.

Now then, I suppose I should make things a bit easier for my daughter.

I thrust my arm forward.

“Burst!”

The Drake’s underbelly exploded, sending it spiraling downward.

“Wait, what was that…? Isn’t that cheating?”

“Explosion magic. I used it when I fought your party as well… No, wait, I didn’t. That was a spell I saved for when I was backed into a corner. You lot were dealt with in the first phase…”

“Don’t say things that make me sad! What the heck… so even if we reached the Demon King, it wasn’t even a close fight?!”

Angelica was dejected, but as far as I was concerned, I had essentially achieved my initial goal, so I didn’t mind.

The summit was now close at hand.

We navigated the rugged path—

And finally found it in a small alcove near the peak.

“Ah! A treasure chest in a place like this! And it’s a beautiful one, not even rusted!”

Urgh… I really wish my subordinates had prepared an older-looking box… The work of the soldier who set this up was sloppy. What if she found out!

However, Angelica didn’t seem to care and flipped the chest open.

What emerged was a slender yet masterfully forged blade—a masterpiece, by any definition.

“Amazing… This is definitely more magnificent than the sword I’ve been using… I can actually believe the story about an angel bringing it here…”

In reality, it was forged by a demon bladesmith, but it was the work of a smith whose craft was considered a national treasure of the demon realm. It was a magnificent sword, without a doubt.

Given my position as the Demon King, I’m presented with exquisite swords on every possible occasion. Consequently, things of this caliber are rolling around all over the castle warehouse.

“Well done. This is your reward for the hardship of climbing the mountain.”

“No, I didn’t do this through my power alone.”

Angelica reached out her hand.

“Demon King, this was only possible because I formed a party with you. You have my thanks.”

It happened! We were now officially brothers-in-arms! Lateia would surely be overjoyed to see how close we had become!

“It is only natural for me to help my daughter.”

I grasped her hand in return.

It was a well-trained hand for such a young girl.

Then, Angelica’s face turned pale.

“Now then… the problem is that I have to retrace the entire path we just took… But I guess I’ve just gotta do it…”

“If it’s that painful for you, shall we just go home immediately?”

After all, I had achieved my objective.

“No, it’s not like I can just do something that convenient.”

As expected, she had admirable grit. Despite the struggle, Angelica pushed through the return journey and finally finished the descent.

“Well done, Angelica. Lateia will surely praise you. You truly are a real Hero.”

“Well, I couldn’t exactly stand the idea of finding a great weapon only to become a corpse on the way back…”

Angelica spoke while gasping for air.

“You know, if we had used spatial teleportation magic, we could have returned home in an instant, even from the summit.”

Angelica’s face went completely blank.

“Did you forget? I can travel to any location I’ve visited before, provided I can visualize it clearly.”

“…Say… that… sooner! I was fighting like my life depended on it! I feel like I’ve been cheated!”

Angelica started swinging her new sword at me!

“Hey! That thing is quite dangerous! Stop it!”

“Shut up! You really are the worst!”

“I tried to tell you, but you kept cutting me off or creating an atmosphere where I couldn’t speak! It’s ridiculous to pin all the blame on me!”

“Shut up, shut up!”

My relationship with my stepdaughter might have taken one step forward and about three steps back…