19 — Chapter 19

“Good, good. We shall consider my concerns settled for now.”

My mother-in-law, Sastina, brushed her hands together briskly. This was likely a human gesture signifying that a matter had been resolved.

“The Demon King seems like a good person, for better or for worse, so I’m sure he’ll manage just fine even if a new grandchild comes along.”

As a rule, I believe the phrase “for better or for worse” is used when something isn’t entirely ideal, but in this case, perhaps she meant I was simply too nice for my own good.

Still, if I were a villain, would that have been better? Well, I wouldn’t have been able to remarry Lateia in the first place, so this must be for the best.

With this, the massive hurdle of obtaining her parents’ permission had been cleared.

As a side effect, however, thoughts of… intimate moments… with Lateia had begun to flicker in the back of my mind.

When would Angelica be out of the house? As an adventurer, she’d surely head off to a dungeon for an overnight trip eventually. Should I aim for a time like that? Or I could take a day off and stay home, though taking paid leave for that felt rather embarrassing…

“Demon King… are you thinking about something lewd…?”

Angelica directed a suspicious gaze my way.

“Wh-! On what grounds?! I have approached this occasion with a p-pure heart!”

“That’s a total lie. I can tell what men are thinking most of the time. Besides, is it even okay for a Demon King to have a pure heart?”

“A Demon King is one who ‘swallows both the pure and the corrupt’… This is fine…”

By the way, why did she say she could tell what men were thinking?

Come to think of it, there was a man in the Hero’s party… His presence was so faint I barely remembered him, though.

“I personally welcome the idea of a new grandchild. You two should work hard at it.”

“Then I’ll do my best, Mother.”

Lateia gave her okay while maintaining her usual airy atmosphere. I suppose I should steel my resolve as well.

“Grandma, Mama, stop saying things like that in front of me! Everything about this is weird!”

Angelica was fuming, but this household was certainly quite open-minded. Every family has different rules, so I wouldn’t comment on it.

As for me, I felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Such trivial matters didn’t bother me. I felt like I did when a budget finally got approved.

However!

An enemy still remained.

“Demon King, there is one thing I wish to say.”

My father-in-law, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up. Let’s see, what was his name again? Ah, Baindy. His hair had turned white, but his eyes still commanded dignity.

“Yes, please, whatever it may be.”

It had been a long time since I’d acted humble, but I was gradually getting the hang of it.

“I challenge you to a duel.”

A duel?! Did this mean he wouldn’t acknowledge the remarriage?!

“Do not fret. I shall use a wooden sword. The garden should suffice as our arena.”

“Um… couldn’t we do this more peacefully? If you have any doubts, we can discuss them…”

“Enough talk! When a man calls for a duel, it is a duel! To the garden!”

Leaving those words behind, Baindy exited the room.

This had turned into quite a situation…

Surely my mother-in-law, Sastina, would stop him—no.

She was drinking her tea with an air of complete indifference.

Even Lateia was acting nonchalant, saying, “Oh my. Father is at it again.”

As my eyes darted around, I locked gazes with Angelica.

“Demon King, you look like you’re panicking, but you don’t need to worry so much.”

“Even if you say that, of course I’ll worry. To me, this is a bigger crisis than you leading an invasion.”

I heard a distinct, audible “Tsk” of the tongue.

“Well, just treat it like a trial and get it over with. You’re supposed to fight to win the princess, aren’t you?”

I felt like that was exactly what a Demon King was supposed to do, but since talking back would only invite more trouble, I headed toward the site of the trial.

My father-in-law stood before me, gripping a wooden sword.

I faced him empty-handed. Since I hadn’t come here for a fight, I wasn’t carrying my usual blade. Besides, I don’t exactly keep wooden swords in my inventory.

“Are you ready, Demon King?! Here I come!”

A fair amount of spit flew my way. It was gross, but I’ll endure that much.

“Nuaaaagh!”

Baindy came charging at me.

As expected of a Hero’s grandfather, his movements were sharp—actually, they weren’t at all.

Likely due to his age, his feet were just flailing about. There wasn’t a hint of precision in his movements.

I dodged the wooden sword and gave his body a light tap.

He landed right on his backside. Good, he shouldn’t be injured from that.

“Right. Can we call that the match, then?”

“No, not yet! The fight isn’t over! I’m still fit as a fiddle!”

He scrambled back to his feet. Agh! He’s the type who doesn’t know when to quit!

Of course you’re fit as a fiddle! I’m attacking with extreme caution specifically so you don’t get hurt! It’s not like I can blow you away and cause a major injury!

On the sidelines, the three women were watching the match.

Lateia was cheering, “Good luck, you two~!”

I appreciated the sentiment, but if I actually gave it my “all,” it would turn into father-in-law-slaughter, so I absolutely could not give it my all. My only option was to work hard at not fighting.

As he stood up and swung his sword again, I gave him another light shove.

To say he was full of openings would be an understatement; he was nothing but openings.

Down he went again.

“Is that enough? We can call it two out of three falls—”

“I told you, I’ve still got plenty of energy left in me!”

He stood up again! This is getting incredibly tedious!

Hmm… I can’t exactly go breaking his leg bones, so what am I supposed to do?

I’ve got it! It’s because I keep winning that this goes on forever!

I’ll just pretend to lose! I’ll take a hit and act like it really hurts.

At this point, one might ask where my pride as the Demon King has gone, but there are plenty of things in this world more important than pride. Of course, I don’t disparage a lifestyle that prioritizes pride, but personally, it’s not high on my list of priorities.

In fact, you could argue that because my pride is actually so high, I can throw it away without hesitation when the situation calls for it!

I adjusted my movements so that the wooden sword would hit me squarely in the stomach.

“Guh-haah! It hurts! What incredible power!”

Phew, that should satisfy him.

But instead, his face turned a deep crimson. He was red with rage, looking like a boiled octopus.

“D-Don’t mock me…! There’s no joy in being held back against! My pride is wounded!”

Seriously, w-what am I supposed to do?!

Just when I thought I was truly out of options—

“Give it a rest already, Grandpa.”

Angelica spoke up.