Chapter 21

“And then Angelica actually came to wake me up in the morning. That Angelica, of all people! Don’t you think she’s become remarkably kind lately?”

“My Lord, you’re getting annoying, so could you please stop the small talk and focus on your work?”

My secretary, Torualina, complained.

“That’s not true. I’ve only been talking for five minutes.”

“I have about as much interest in the Demon King’s domestic tales as I do in the experience points gained from slaying a slime. If we must chat, could we make it about something like… searching for potential marriage candidates for me?”

I didn’t say it because it would likely border on sexual harassment, but Torualina is still single. Since she’s capable enough to be the Demon King’s secretary, her performance marks must be excellent; I suspect she’s just missing out because her standards are impossibly high.

But I didn’t say it. Because of the harassment thing.

“Even if I did, you’d just make a face like it’s a huge hassle if I suggested a mixer or an introduction, wouldn’t you?”

“To be frank, I believe I would.”

See? I knew it.

Incidentally, even while having this exchange, neither I nor Torualina stopped working. We both have the skill to keep our hands moving while talking.

“One way or another, being alone is just easier. I feel like I’ve already mastered the skill of enjoying life solo.”

It’s true—the older you get before marrying, the higher the hurdles become. Living alone becomes more entrenched as your personal status quo.

“I am thinking about getting a pet, though. On my days off, I’ve been going to the pet shop to look at miniature Cerberuses.”

“Let me tell you, once you get a pet, that’s the end—you’ll never get married. That’s one of the highest-tier flags for staying single for life.”

“Yes, yes. Well, I’ll do my best to find a good man.”

I couldn’t tell how serious she was, but that’s what Torualina said. In your case, it’s not that you lack the ability to find a good man; it’s likely that you’re demanding something excessive from them. You’d be fine if you just lowered your conditions.

“Oh, right. Speaking of men…”

Torualina stopped her hands.

The fact that she went out of her way to stop meant it was something particularly special.

“Does your stepdaughter, the Hero, have a boyfriend or anyone like that?”

I stopped my pen as well.

“I hadn’t thought about that at all until now. At the very least, I’ve never heard anything about her having a boyfriend.”

“Well, even if she did, she probably wouldn’t tell her father…”

Come to think of it, she is at that age. It wouldn’t be strange at all if she had a boyfriend.

“W-Well… it’s fine if she has a boyfriend, isn’t it? It would be weird for me to get all worked up over it immediately…”

“That may be true, but I’m a little concerned.”

“Hey! That habit of yours—pausing for dramatic effect—is a bad one! It’s making me anxious, so just spit it out!”

“The Hero is an adventurer, right?”

“What kind of obvious question is that? It’s like asking if a bee is an insect.”

“Which means there’s a high probability that any boyfriend she dates would be a fellow professional—another adventurer. I read in a weekly magazine that it’s especially common for them to date men within their own party.”

“Your source is a weekly magazine…? Fine. Continue.”

“Adventurers—and this is a fine line between observation and prejudice—often include quite a few hoodlums. I just hope she hasn’t been tricked by someone like that.”

I dropped my pen.

I hadn’t considered that… It was a total blind spot…

That’s right. I am Angelica’s parent. As a parent, it is my duty to help my child grow up healthy and sound.

In that case, it is necessary to check if any “nasty bugs” have attached themselves to my daughter.

“Besides, Heroes—including those of past generations—tend to be ‘earnest idiots,’ don’t they? They’re often scatterbrained or prone to tunnel vision. I worry she might be easily deceived. You should be careful, my Lord.”

“I understand. I will be thoroughly careful. No—if a nasty bug is attached, I will exterminate it.”

Angelica is still only sixteen.

I don’t mind if she has a boyfriend, but it’s too early for a relationship that has progressed too far.

If Angelica were to be hurt by such a thing, Lateia would be deeply saddened as well. This is something I absolutely cannot overlook!

I made my decision.

Even if wiping out humanity is impossible, foolish men must be eliminated.

“My Lord, you’ve suddenly started radiating an aura of true ‘Demon King-ness.’ Is something the matter?”

“I am the Demon King, so it is only natural.”

After returning home, I questioned Lateia while Angelica was in the bath.

The topic, of course, was whether or not Angelica had a boyfriend.

“Ehh? I haven’t heard anything about that, but she’s at that age, so it wouldn’t be too strange, would it~?”

“Do you have any idea who it might be?”

“Well… the Thief in her party was a man, so I suppose there’s a possibility there~”

A Thief? That sounds incredibly suspicious—the sort of person who would commit misdeeds without a second thought! A girl like Angelica would likely be tricked in a heartbeat…

Also, as expected, Lateia had absolutely no grasp on Angelica’s dating life. I knew she was a thoroughly easygoing person, so it wasn’t surprising. If she weren’t, she wouldn’t have married me, the Demon King.

However, in this instance, that easygoing nature might be inviting risk. There was a fear that Angelica was being tainted by darkness without Lateia even realizing it.

It would be best if I took matters into my own hands for my daughter’s sake.

I will protect my daughter’s peace!

Just then, Angelica appeared.

“I’m out of the bath~. Mama or Demon King, whichever one of you wants it next, go ahead. But no going in together, okay? As your daughter, I veto that.”

“Listen, Angelica, I have a question for you. May I?”

“What is it? Just ask already. For a Demon King, you’re way too hesitant around a Hero.”

Since I had permission, I could now ask openly.

Though, it still required a fair bit of courage to voice it.

“Do you… h-have someone you like… or someone you’re dating…?”

“H-Huh…? Why are you asking me that? I don’t get you at all!”

Angelica’s face turned bright red as she flustered. Does this mean she does have a boyfriend? No, it’s only natural to be surprised when asked such a thing. It’s too early to judge.

“The meaning is simple. As your guardian, I must ensure my daughter isn’t being deceived by some wicked man.”

A bath towel came flying from Angelica’s hand, hitting me square in the face!

My vision was completely obscured by the towel.

“Idiot! D-Don’t start acting like a father at weird times like this! Even if I did have someone, it’s none of your business!”

With that, Angelica stormed off to her room.

“Oh dear. It looks like you’ve been rejected as a father~”

“As a father, being disliked is part of the job.”

I clenched my right fist tightly.

Judging by that reaction, it would be best to conduct a proper investigation.