Chapter 18

“Do you have plans to have children of your own?”

At Sastina’s words, I choked slightly on the tea I was drinking.

“Oh dear, perhaps human tea truly isn’t to your liking.”

Was that sarcasm? At the very least, Sastina’s eyes weren’t smiling.

“Children… so suddenly…”

“Really, Mother, you’ve startled Garto.”

“Lateia, you can be a bit too easygoing sometimes.”

On the contrary, Lateia was the one being scolded.

We were under fire…

And it was an incredibly heavy bombardment…

“Think about it. It’s one thing if you were an old married couple, but you two have only just remarried. It’s only natural that such… activities… would take place, isn’t it?”

True, but she was being way too blunt!

I heard the sound of someone coughing and sputtering. It wasn’t me.

Two seats over—next to Lateia—Angelica was choking.

Well, yeah… for a teenage girl, this was a pretty high-impact topic… Even I could understand that much. It was like a conversational dose of lethal poison…

“From your reaction, it seems you haven’t done anything yet. I see. Since Angelica is here, I suppose there’s a sense of hesitation.”

This woman, Sastina, really just said whatever was on her mind… She was unleashing a style of talk like a warrior who ignores defense entirely to specialize in pure offense.

“Listen well, Lateia. It’s better to confirm these things early on. It’s precisely because it’s a difficult subject to bring up.”

Even so, wasn’t this a bit too difficult? My life bar was being drastically depleted…

Angelica was shooting a look in my direction.

What was with that gaze, as if she were looking at a villain? I may be the Demon King, but I’m not a criminal.

“If there were no children involved, I wouldn’t care. You could love each other however you pleased. Lateia is a grown woman; she can handle her own affairs. But this time, the situation is different.”

It had become entirely Sastina’s stage. I was starting to forget that I was the Demon King. If anything, wasn’t she the one who was the Demon King?

“If a child is born, Angelica’s position might become awkward. To you, Mr. Demon King, it would be a choice between your biological child and the child of the previous husband. It wouldn’t be surprising if you treated them differently.”

I see… That was indeed a valid concern…

“Furthermore, we’re talking about a Demon King and a Hero. A relationship that could be described as sworn enemies. It’s actually strange that you can even exist without fighting.”

Come to think of it, we were in a Demon King and Hero relationship. Lately, I hadn’t been thinking about that much. Perhaps it was because I’d grown so accustomed to this new life.

“It’ll be fine, Mother~ After all, Garto is a good person. He wouldn’t do something like changing how he treats her~”

Lateia, I appreciate your trust, but that’s far too light!

I think we need a few more words to convince your mother…

“Listen, Lateia. Angelica is an adolescent. She won’t be able to settle down if she’s constantly thinking about her mother and her new husband doing… things… night after night! If it were me, I’d turn delinquent!”

This time, Angelica and I choked simultaneously.

This person was a relentless attacker through and through…

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we were in tatters…

But the fact that we were in tatters also meant that this topic was indeed a heavy one.

I had been making efforts to be accepted by Angelica.

Compared to the beginning, I felt like she was accepting me a little more.

However, that might only have been possible because we both avoided truly sensitive topics.

If the question of having children came up, the story would change.

“Angelica is my granddaughter. This is a matter that directly affects her happiness, so I cannot compromise. I want you to decide firmly right here.”

This Sastina… was she a Hero in the past? She wouldn’t back down an inch.

But when it came to their granddaughter, I suppose they couldn’t just keep quiet.

Baindy, the father, hadn’t said a word for a while now; no doubt the couple had pre-arranged which one of them would broach the subject.

I had to respond with words filled with immense resolve, or it would never work. The enemy was formidable.

However, before I could open my mouth—

“Grandma, don’t worry.”

Angelica stood up first.

Everyone’s eyes gathered on her.

“This Demon King is… well, he’s diligent, or rather, he’s the type of person who can’t just do things halfway. He’s meticulous—honestly, he’s basically just a worrywart. I’ve observed him as a Hero, so I know.”

This girl really said whatever she wanted too. Was it skip-generation inheritance?

“Things are still awkward, but I can at least feel that he’s conscious of trying to get along with me.”

Those words felt strangely, faintly warm.

“Even if I were to get a little brother or sister, this Demon King is actually the type who would fret excessively to make sure things stay fair. He’s incapable of neglecting someone. Besides, if I have a sibling, they’d be the sibling of a Hero.”

Angelica placed a hand over her heart as if making a vow.

“As a Hero, I’ll take responsibility and make sure they grow up to be a fine person. Otherwise, that kid might end up being raised as a Demon King.”

Angelica… she really had accepted me and Lateia.

I was truly happy.

As for Sastina, she was moved to tears.

“Angelica, you’ve grown so magnificent… You truly are a Hero. A Hero among Heroes…”

Yes, I thought so too.

“Though, having said all that…”

Angelica’s face suddenly turned bright red.

“If possible, I’d like you to make sure I don’t find out or sense that you’re doing that sort of thing… Seriously, show some consideration there.”

Well, she had a point…

“Ufufufu, I’ll be careful~”

“I don’t quite trust Mama on that front! Demon King, pay the utmost attention to that! You hear me!?”

“U-Understood… I shall ensure that every precaution is taken…”

For the first time in my life, I used formal honorifics toward a Hero.