7 — Chapter 7

“Was breakfast to your liking?”

“I don’t know. It was fine. Also, don’t talk to me,” Angelica said coldly.

It seemed she had no intention of opening up. Even so, I shall press the attack. After all, a Demon King’s job is to do things the Hero dislikes.

After finishing her breakfast (she ate every single bite), Angelica began preparing to head out on an adventure.

“Make sure you’re back before it gets dark.”

“Just because you’re playing the father role doesn’t mean those are appropriate words for a Hero! I’m strong enough to make it to the Demon King’s Castle, so I’ll be perfectly safe!”

“That is not the point. If staying out late becomes a habit, your biological rhythm will suffer. Working while the sun is up and resting once it sets—that is the proper cycle. Continuing to work overtime deep into the night is fundamentally wrong.”

As the words left my mouth, I realized I’d have to re-evaluate the labor management of the demon race as well.

I wonder if I should provide higher hazard pay for those fighting on the front lines against adventurers?

“Adventurers have irregular hours. It’s hard to keep track of time inside a dungeon where the light doesn’t reach. When you’re just a step away from clearing the place, you have to keep going.”

“If you lack the composure to clear it comfortably, then you are still too green. In times like those, do not push yourself; work steadily. Otherwise, your entire party will be wiped out.”

“Ever since a moment ago, you’ve been saying things a Demon King absolutely shouldn’t be saying…”

It couldn’t be helped. She was my (step)daughter, after all. Someone who treats their remarried spouse’s child coldly is the lowest of the low. If such a piece of trash were her new husband, Lateia would suffer for it.

I must not do anything to bring sorrow to the woman I love!

“By the way, where do you plan on going today?”

“Asking about your daughter’s schedule… are you really my father?!”

I really am her father. This isn’t make-believe.

“Since I went straight for the Demon King’s Castle, there are several areas I haven’t cleared yet. I’m thinking of heading to the Tower of Phantoms or the Cave of Lamentation.”

“Ah, you can go, but neither will have a boss anymore.”

“Huh?! What do you mean…?”

“Well, the moment I remarried Lateia, an alliance between demons and humans should be considered established. In that case, there is no point in fighting, so I plan to have them withdraw.”

Actually, if I didn’t do that, the humans might start looking at Lateia with suspicion.

It would be a problem if they thought she was siding with the Demon King to wipe out humanity.

“Ehh?! Then the Hero’s whole reason for existing is gone…”

“That’s an exaggeration. I only govern the demon race. Low-intelligence monsters will continue to infest the lands. You can go ahead and exterminate those.”

Monsters are like animals; they can’t be managed. The reason they are lumped together with the demon race is that they turn into gemstones when they die.

Apparently, we demons are a race that emerged as a mutation from “Mana Stones”—stones imbued with magical power.

We have the ability to reproduce, and we can’t turn others into demons just by touching a stone, but there is no doubt our origins lie within those stones.

“I don’t like it, but I get what you’re saying… Still, spending every day just killing minor monsters is way too plain…”

“A Hero’s goal is to bring peace to the people’s lives, is it not? Then, if peace is achieved, all is well.”

I didn’t think I was saying anything strange.

“I guess… So the Hero just becomes an ordinary adventurer. People will probably whisper behind my back that I’m just a failed thug…”

“Don’t speak so ill of adventurers when you are one yourself.”

“Whatever… Adventurers are enemies to the Demon King, so who cares…?”

Ugh… That used to be true, but once the conflict between demons and humans ends, we won’t be enemies anymore.

“A-Anyway, if you hate being an adventurer that much, you should just join the Kingdom’s knights. In terms of fighting, it’s the same thing.”

Angelica fell into a heavy silence.

A long silence followed.

This was awkward…

Where did I go wrong? When we were eating breakfast, there seemed to be at least some sign of improvement in our relationship, but now things were heading in a strange direction again. Then again, it would be ridiculous to continue acting as a Demon King who fights humans just for the sake of my stepdaughter. Putting an end to the conflict was necessary.

“Join the knights, you say?”

Angelica muttered under her breath. Her voice was so low I almost missed it.

“That’s right! If you’re in the knights, you’ll get a salary. In other words, your life will be stable. Your mother would feel much more at ease that way too. It’s a good choice for everyone—”

“I knew it—you don’t understand a thing about Heroes, and you don’t understand a thing about me! You don’t even care to try!”

I got yelled at by my daughter…

Without turning back toward me, she walked straight toward the front door. I couldn’t see her face, but I could imagine she was wearing a fairly grim expression. Adolescents are complicated.

“…I’m leaving.”

“Make sure you’re back before it gets too late at night.”

“I wasn’t talking to you, Demon King!”

Yelled at again…

“Mama, I’m heading out.”

“Angelica, I don’t think Garto said anything wrong. Conflict ending is a good thing, isn’t it? Besides, wasn’t ending the war with the demons the whole point of being a Hero?”

I was happy that Lateia was defending me, but I had my doubts about whether that would actually de-escalate the situation. Still, I was happy.

“Also, while it might be unavoidable that you can’t get along with Garto right away, throwing a tantrum is uncalled for. That’s not how a Hero should behave. Angelica, apologize to Garto for that.”

Lateia’s eyes narrowed slightly. It was likely the expression she used when scolding her daughter. I thought even that look was beautiful, but now wasn’t the time for such thoughts.

“Lateia, please, I don’t mind at all…”

“But Garto, Angelica is being far too much right now.”

“…I’m off.”

Angelica gave only that brief reply before leaving the house.

Even if she apologized here, the lingering frustration wouldn’t disappear anyway, so as far as I was concerned, this was fine. If Angelica herself wasn’t convinced, no amount of words would change anything.

“I’m sorry, Garto. My daughter was very rude.”

“No, I also spoke to her quite overbearingly. I wouldn’t be able to stay calm either if I were a child and suddenly had a new parent appear out of nowhere.”

“You’re right. It seems it’s still going to take some time.”

At that, Lateia gave a bright smile and rolled up her sleeves.

“Today, I’m going to make lots of extravagant dishes for Angelica! It’ll be a celebration for the end of the war between humans and demons!”

“Oh! I’ll definitely help with that!”

Lateia truly had a wonderful personality. One could practically say she was the sun itself!

But then, I suddenly became aware of the time.

Given the time Angelica was getting ready to leave… Ah, my own work hours were fast approaching.

“My apologies, Lateia. I must head into the Demon King’s Castle for work. I’ll do my best to be back in time for dinner.”

“Yes, have a safe trip!”

And with that, I used spatial teleportation magic to fly back to the castle.