Chapter 48

“So that is the Orbein estate, Cerulia’s family home.”

“I wonder if it’s really okay for a commoner like me to go in… This is easily the most magnificent building I’ve ever stepped foot in.”

“You have their daughter as your familiar, so it’s fine. In fact, the real problem is that they’re trying to force a marriage meeting on her despite knowing she’s already a familiar. I mean, logically, even a married person can be a familiar, but a Succubus usually does… ‘steamy’ things with her master.”

If I wasn’t careful, Mary seemed even more ready for a fight than I was. No, no—I couldn’t afford to be intimidated. I had come this far with a certain level of resolve. I had to fight.

When we reached the front of the manor, two suits of empty armor stood guard.

“Excuse me, I am Franz, the master of Cerulia-san. I believe Lidia-san has already spoken to you about us.”

The armors gave a stiff nod and allowed us inside the estate.

The path leading to the building was flanked on both sides by vast gardens complete with ponds. It was so expansive it was almost eerie. Once inside, a Succubus dressed as a maid guided us. I assumed she was part of the household staff.

As we walked down an incredibly long corridor, I saw Lidia-san waving at us from the far end. By the way, she was wearing an outfit that looked like a Succubus about to perform a belly dance. I wondered if she wasn’t cold, but I suppose that’s just a racial trait, so she must be fine.

“Ah, there you are~! Hiya! You didn’t get lost, did you?”

“With a building this massive, there’s no way not to get lost.”

“I told the old man we needed to talk, so I’ll take you to the room. Just pour your heart out. I’ll be waiting outside, so don’t you dare lose.”

“Right. I’ll give it my all.”

Ugh, I’m getting nervous. What kind of person is an Incubus? I just hope it’s not some impossibly stubborn old man…

The man waiting in the reception room was a “romance-grey” dandy swirling a glass of liquor. Wait, this isn’t what I imagined. Instead of a stubborn old man, he felt more like a “cool-yet-shady middle-aged guy”…

“So you are Franz-kun, Cerulia’s master. Lidia said she had something to discuss, but it seems she meant a discussion between you and me.”

It seemed Lidia-san had indeed handled the arrangements skillfully.

Before I could even say “Yes,” Mary chimed in. “And I am the ‘Indescribable Ancestor of Nightmares’.” It was clearly her tactic to intimidate the opponent with her title.

“Cerulia was crying when she heard about the marriage meeting. I may not be her blood relative, but I cannot leave her alone when she’s in tears. Please, won’t you reconsider the meeting?”

The “Cool-yet-shady” dad hardly changed his expression, simply rolling the ice in his glass. Based on his persona, he didn’t seem like the type to care about arranged marriages.

“You and Cerulia seem to be getting along quite well.”

“Yes. It’s a bit much for me to say it myself, but I believe our relationship is excellent.”

“I am very grateful for that. I’m sure your physical compatibility is quite good too. Mama drilled that importance into her quite thoroughly. Oh, by ‘Mama,’ I mean my wife.”

This was a conversation unthinkable in a human household, but this was a Succubus and Incubus family.

“However, when it comes to truly settling down, I believe it is better for demons to be with other demons. A Succubus should have a home with an Incubus; she can go back to seducing humans after that. Wouldn’t that be the best path for Cerulia’s happiness?”

“With all due respect, Cerulia was crying. I don’t believe there is any happiness in that!”

“Then do you, in your human form, have the resolve to make Cerulia happy for the rest of her life?”

The romance-grey man’s gaze turned sharp.

“The lifespan of a human and a demon are completely different. Even if Cerulia can devote herself to you temporarily, you can’t build a lasting family, can you? To begin with, even if you love Cerulia, you almost certainly can’t have children together. And for you to get old alone and ask her to be the one to see you to your grave… isn’t that a bit selfish?”

His voice was smooth and professional, like someone in the entertainment industry, but I felt he was hitting on the essential points.

Tch. Mary clicked her tongue audibly. He definitely had a way of getting under a human’s skin.

“I’m not saying you have to be separated forever. A familiar’s contract is absolute, after all. It’s just that the familiar will become a married woman. So, ‘let’s play it cool,’ okay?”

“Nothing about this is ‘cool’.”

Starting a fight wouldn’t accomplish anything, so I spoke politely, but made sure my indignation was clear.

“Whaddya mean by that?”

He actually pronounced “What do you mean” as “Whaddya mean.”

“Since you don’t seem to understand, I’ll repeat myself. Cerulia was crying. She said she didn’t even want to go to the meeting. I can never believe that forcing her into this is a good thing.”

The man placed his glass on the table. For a moment, I felt a flicker of something like murderous intent. An Incubus probably thinks nothing of human men; he likely views me as little more than an insect.

“You see, young humans tend to make a virtue out of living for the moment. They aren’t very good at living with a view toward the future. Helping with that is what you’d call ‘adult responsibility,’ or ‘paternal duty,’ wouldn’t you say?”

“That’s just a generalization. If I were the type to be talked down to with generalities, I wouldn’t have come here. ‘Adult responsibility’ isn’t an excuse to make Cerulia cry. I will make her happy in my own way! I am the only one making her happy right now! So, cancel the marriage meeting!”

“—Well said! You’re seriously cool, kid!”

At that moment, the door swung open and Lidia-san burst in.

“Did you hear that, Dad? Is there anyone else who loves Cerulia this much? Let them do as they please until they’re satisfied! If they end up regretting it, well, that’s just ‘life experience,’ right?”

Now it was three against one. We had to push through!

“Lidia, you be quiet.”

Suddenly, the “Cool-shady guy” became a serious father.

“You seem to think that rebelling against your parents is always the right thing to do. That’s why you became such a flighty Succubus. I was appalled when I heard the rumor that there’s a Succubus who will let men lose their virginity if they just get on their knees and beg.”

Lidia-san, you were doing that?!

“So what? As a Succubus, it’s technically ‘doing my job’.”

“Both Succubi and Incubi should have more… ‘mood.’ We are respected because we provide an unforgettable night. We must not become mere outlets for desire! There is infinite entertainment in the human world these days. If we lose our prestige, we will be replaced by other hobbies!”

Mary whispered, “Well, this turned into a Succubus/Incubus philosophical debate.” It certainly felt deeper than I expected.

“Anyway! The marriage meeting will take place! If you think you can sabotage it, then be my guest!”

With that parting shot, the father stormed out of the room. Was that shady persona just an act…?

“Ah, persuasion didn’t work, huh~”

Mary’s shoulders slumped. I, on the other hand, was fired up.

“He said ‘if you think you can sabotage it.’ Well, let’s show him exactly what we can do.”

“Yeah! I’m sure you can do it!” Lidia-san cheered.