Chapter 19: To the Royal Castle
"Kat."
Someone whispers in the darkness
The voice of someone gentle, cold, cruel.
"Kat."
Another whisper.
Kat moaned, "Nyaa?"
She can't think of anything.
She doesn't understand anything.
"When I give you a sign..."
A, sign...?
"Pat××, ×ning, ×re"
Pat...?
Someone kindly pats my head.
The person has a mask over its eyes and purple lips.
Devil……?
It's a voice she had heard somewhere...
For some reason, Melvina's face comes to mind.
The voice of someone related...?
"Okay. When I give you a signal."
"Pat××a, …××"
“Yes. But, ×don't. I'll take it out later."
"×no..."
"Good girl."
Someone is leaving.
She doesn't know anything.
Kat knows nothing.
× × ×
On the day of the ceremony, Christo slept leisurely until 10:00 in the morning.
The ceremony for the four-hundred-year-old victory over the devil's king.
The memorial ceremony for the hero Lancelot.
And a meeting to distribute the demon's body to the successful bidders, all held together.
The ceremony starts at 3:00 pm.
The recommended attire is mourning clothes with white as the base color.
It may seem overly ironic to hold a celebration in mourning clothes, but it must be an interesting human culture. Both Christo and Melvina had already prepared their mourning clothes for the party.
"Christo-san?"
Melvina's bright voice echoed as she knocked.
"Christo-san, are you awake?"
"I'm awake, but I'm still lazing around."
"May I come in?"
"Yeah."
The door of the room clicked open and the blonde girl's upper body peeked out. Melvina's hair is not tied up in the usual twin-tails today, but is braided inward in a more mature style with her long blonde hair. A white flower hair ornament was attached near the braid of her hair.
Melvina had already changed into mourning clothes.
Her light makeup was already done and she was ready to go.
"Christo-san, please get up and clean your body soon. If you take it too easy, you'll be in trouble later."
“I had a hard day yesterday and the day before. Let me lie around a little longer."
When Christo said that, Melvina said, "It can't be helped", but with a gentle smile, she sat quietly on the corner of Christo's bed.
She touches Christo's knee.
“Sister-in-law Kat, she seems to be doing very well. She has no after-effects from the magic attack she suffered at the hands of the [White Knight], and there were no other external injuries. It's all thanks to Christo-san.”
"No, no."
The day before yesterday―― Christo went to the elven attackers to persuade them to stop the attack, but at one point he gave up on Kat and was about to leave, but he quickly reconsidered and stole Kat's body from Gilsanas' place.
Gilsanas doesn't need Kat.
He would probably end up being killed by the church knights on the mountain of the holy tree tonight.
He just thought that taking Kat out would be more beneficial to Christo than that.
Melvina regained her energy, and he was very glad that he had saved her.
"Christo-san."
Melvina makes the bed creak and gently leaned her upper body forward.
The white girl's hands are placed next to Christo's ears as he lies on his face.
In his field of vision was Melvina's face with her eyes closed.
Her lips, coated with a glossy light pink lipstick, fall slowly, slightly open.
The golden hair tickles his cheek, and then the smell of sweet lily blossoms, the feel of her soft lips gently touching his.
"――――"
"――――"
A faint sound.
The warm, moist sensation leaves his lips.
Melvina raised herself up, leaving behind the scent of lilies.
"I love you."
"――――. To be able to convey your affection so straightforwardly. I love you too, Melvina."
“When I first met you, I thought you were kind of flirtatious and seemed like a lighthearted person.”
"You mentioned that."
"But you were completely different. Christo-san is kind, cool, good at everything, and always makes me smile―― a wonderful man who is too good for me! I am very happy to have met you."
Melvina is an honest child.
She tells him exactly what she thinks.
She always smiles and always tries to be cheerful.
She is the kind of girl who makes Christo smile naturally, too.
Talking with Gilsanas and the others, his heart, which had been sad, was renewed.
He felt his heart fill with warmth.
"Thank you, Melvina."
"What are you thanking me for? That's my line."
"Thank you for giving me a smile. Your smile makes me feel better."
"W-well...!"
Melvina puts her hands on her cheeks and is embarrassed.
Seeing this, Christo had the urge to pounce on her and violently thrust his penis into her lip-coated mouth and fuck it all over.
But, as expected, doing so now would ruin Melvina, who was all dressed up. The sexual desire was rising, but he suppressed it with his rational mind.
"Let's eat. When we're done, I'll clean myself up and change into mourning clothes."
"Yes."
He got up from the bed, adjusts the sheets with Melvina, and left the room.
He felt like he could eat five potato dishes today with a smile on his face the whole time.
× × ×
This morning's late breakfast was Christo's favorite seasonal vegetable and chicken soup.
He took it slowly with hard bread and cheese.
“Christo-san, ahh.”
"Ahhーmhh."
"Is it good?"
"Yes."
"Fufu, good. Here, ahh."
"Ahmh."
"Fufufu. Ahh."
"Ahh..."
(What is this.)
The old man didn't do this.
A woman in a monastery in the north once gave him a piece of cheese between her vagina, but she never gave me an "ahhn" with a spoon. Water and other things were sometimes given to him by mouth as part of the play, but it only made his penis erect, and he had lost all other feelings.
"Christo-san, I'm going to pour you some water."
“I don't want you to get your clean clothes dirty. I'll do that much myself."
He grabbed Melvina's hand.
She let out a small "ah" and her cheeks blushed.
"Stop it, Melvina. You can't go any further."
"Eh?"
His rational mind can't handle it. ――He was about to say it with a serious expression, when the door of the [Muma's Cradle] opened with a modest sound.
"Hello Mel, Christo—"
The person who appeared in the doorway was indeed Patricia, dressed in white mourning clothes.
Patricia opened the door, looked around the deserted tavern, and saw Melvina and Christo holding hands and looking at each other at close range.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Wait, sister-in-law! We're not in the middle of anything!"
"B-but..."
Patricia timidly looked at Christo again.
She was relieved to see that they were standing at a respectable distance from each other.
"Ah... were you eating?"
"Just me, yes. But I'm finishing my meal now."
"What's the matter?"
In response to Melvina's question, Patricia made a small smile as she walked around.
"I'm here because I want to say thank you again to Christo-san about Kat."
"Ah, that's what it is. I didn't do anything special. I was strolling in the forest and happened to come across a suspicious-looking ruin where I found Kat-dono tied up."
“But you spent all day looking from the day before yesterday, right? It's a dangerous place where demonic beasts roam."
“Hahaha. I'm glad she's okay, Kat-dono. I really didn't do anything serious."
"No, don't be so modest."
Patricia shook her head and took Christo's hand and wrapped it around hers.
Her clear eyes filled with tears.
The chest part of the white mourning dress―― Patricia's cleavage was emphasized, and Christo unintentionally peered into it.
"Christo, you saved the hearts of the Lou family. Saving Mel, and then Gwendolyn."
"I, what did I do to her?"
"She said she enjoyed the trip, and that she wanted to kill wolves again. I've never seen Gwendolyn look so happy. I was a little worried because she always has this bored, blank expression on her face."
"I see."
"And this time it's Kat. No, not only Kat, but you even saved my and Setanta's hearts!"
"Haa. I'm glad I was able to save Patricia's heart."
"Christo-san!"
Patricia smiled softly, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
It is a gentle smile that somewhat resembles Melvina's.
“Thank you very much. I will never forget this debt of gratitude. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. I will try my best to help you!"
“Thank you, and if you ever need my help, please let me know."
"Speaking of which, what happened to Onii-sama?"
Melvina looks toward the entrance of the tavern.
There's no sign of anyone behind the door, so it doesn't seem like Setanta is waiting outside.
"Setanta is still at home."
"He's going to participate in today's ceremony, right?"
“Yes. I left first. Later...... Setanta will go to the castle with Her Royal Highness Princess Yufimia, I think."
"With Yufimia-sama?"
"Yes."
Patricia's smile fades a little.
She continued.
"She's been at the house since morning as well. It was kind of hard for me to stay at home, so I went ahead."
“Since sister-in-law is Onii-sama's wife, wouldn't it be better if you went with him?”
“Her Highness seems to have an important discussion with Setanta. ......I, too, have been holed up in my studio for the past few days, neglecting my husband, so I could not say anything to Her Highness, who has taken care of him during that time."
"Then, shall we go to the royal castle together?"
Christo suggests.
“Wait here Melvina, I will go and prepare myself immediately."
"Well, may I join you?"
"Of course."
"Let's go together, sister-in-law! It's not lunch yet. But before we go to the royal castle, would you like to grab something to eat? I want to cook with sister-in-law for the first time in a while!"
"Yes, of course."
Looking down at the two of them, who were so close as if they were real sisters, Christo smiled.
"Then I'll go upstairs for now. Melvina, Patricia-san, I'll be right back."
× × ×
What would happen if Christo used charm in the royal castle?
He had often fantasized about it ever since he was given the invitation to the ceremony.
Although it would have no effect on those who had a pseudo-holy sword or a lot of blue holy tree ashes in their bodies, if by some chance those people disappeared from the venue and only Christo, the king, and the ministers remained――.
However, even if they were enchanted, the enchantment would eventually be broken.
If he charmed the king in public, it would surely be revealed that Christo was a demon.
Even if he charmed the king and made him commit suicide on the spot, a second or third Yggdrasil king would emerge. If a more powerful king is born next. If a king hunts demons with a stronger will and power and will suppress and dominate the demons more thoroughly. Even if the current king dies, it will mean nothing if the next king is stronger.
Short-sighted actions will not destroy the huge organization of the nation.
The great swell of the times only sided with the light race and did not bring victory to the demon race.
Therefore, he needs to create a country.
It is necessary to create a country and to be recognized as a country by each nation.
× × ×
They went to the royal castle by carriage.
However, private carriages could only cross the drawbridge to the foot of the spiral road leading to the castle.
Christo, Melvina, and Patricia had their carriage stopped at the drawbridge, and they decided to walk up from there.
When he got off the carriage, he was dazzled by the noon sunlight.
At either end of the drawbridge, they could see a group of nobles in mourning clothes walking leisurely, apparently participating in today's ceremony.
The topic of conversation among the three on the road was exclusively about how to command the party to fight, and how to deploy and operate each warrior. Christo was a little surprised, as he had expected that since the two women were present, the conversation would have developed into a discussion about essential oils, hairstyles, or famous operas, as Melvina had done before.
But if you think about it, both Melvina and Patricia are members of the Lou Family. Considering that the Lou Family routinely fights on the [Frozen Plains], it was only natural that the topic of battle would come up.
"Kat always rushes in."
Patricia says gloomily. "Whenever she succeeds, she pushes through and wins, but if the enemy is strong or waiting for her, Kat is the first one to get hit and be in a tight spot."
“I guess you have no choice but to change Kat-dono’s position. I think that the vanguard must be someone who can read the battle situation accurately, or who can sense the timing of attack and defense with instinct and take action. In addition to lacking the ability to think, it's not likely that they have a particularly good intuition―― a warrior like that, no matter how strong her body is, will eventually become a hindrance."
When Christo said this, Patricia shook her head.
"I'm the one who can't give her the right instructions. I think it would be better for me to drop back to the rear guard and concentrate on commanding."
“Certainly, if Onii-sama, sister-in-law Patricia, and sister-in-law Kat would be in the vanguard, it would be unbalanced. If sister-in-law Patricia steps down, the arrangement will be more beautiful."
“If you ask me, I don't see the point in keeping Kat-dono in the vanguard. It is better to put her in the middle or rear guard and let her observe the war situation from a broad perspective. If she is able to analyze the situation on her own, she will be able to return to the vanguard and not just rush in. She will see how useless it is."
"I can't believe I can't use Kat. She's a very good warrior."
"If you want to keep her in the vanguard, you should change the wording of the prohibition against assault."
"Change the wording?"
Christo nodded, "Yes", and continued.
“Those who want to charge in won't listen to you when you tell them not to attack. So, you tell them to attack to their heart's content, but when the conditions are right, you can beat up the enemy more comfortably, so if you are going to attack, you should do it at that time. It's just a different way of saying it, but I'm sure that Kat-dono would be more inclined to wait for the time when she can feel comfortable attacking, rather than thinking about ignoring the order.”
"I see. So taking advantage of her character who likes to charge in."
“Yes. I think it would be better to discuss this with Kat-dono and decide on a signal for when she can charge in. You should make some kind of easy-to-understand signal and use it to coordinate with each other."
“A signal. You're right. Signal...... I'll decide on it."
"Rather, I'm surprised that you haven't decided on a signal until now."
And he was even more surprised at Kat's insistence on charging in.
In summing up Patricia's and Melvina's stories, it seemed that Kat was overconfident and thought she was strong, always wanting to make people around her recognize her strength and greatness. That's why she wants to do what is often seen in heroic tales, which is to charge single-handedly into the enemy's camp.
“Sister-in-law Kat’s ideal seems to be Onii-sama. He often rushes into the enemy's camp singlehandedly."
"I see."
Setanta is the only one who can do it.
Kat can't do it.
Setanta can accurately read the atmosphere of the battlefield with his instincts and superhuman senses.
However, Kat cannot do that. So the results are not consistent.
There is an overwhelming difference in instincts.
Kat is considered to be disqualified as a vanguard.
Or rather, he didn't want to fight in the same party.
She may be strong, but according to Christo, she's disqualified as a party member.
"――Ara, isn't that Patricia Ojouchan."
As the three of them were walking up the path leading to the castle, they were suddenly approached by a burly man dressed in the armor of the royal army. A man―― was he a man? He or she, he was not sure, but his voice was definitely male, but his chest, wrapped in a breastplate, was as ample as that of a succubus.
He? was wearing black round sunglasses and purple lipstick on his thick lips.
On his hands, he wore thimble gloves.
He had a thick back, and every time he moved, something under his cloak shook.
"Good day, [Sei-shoku]. It's been a while."
(TN: Not sure about this one [性食], the results being given is [Sex Food] lol so I used its romaji form. 性 meaning: sex, gender, nature(n). 食 meaning: meal, diet, food.)
Patricia replied amiably.
"Myo, myo, myo, myo, miyo."
"It's been a while [God's Eye]. Has anything changed since then?"
"Myo!"
Standing behind the man called [Sei-shoku], the thin man returned a high-pitched voice. He was wearing a black cloth over his face, and on his head was a large goldwork in the shape of an eye.
He is wearing a priest's robe from the church.
"I'm sorry for [God's Eye], he buried many eyes in his brain in search of the truth, but at the cost, he couldn't speak properly."
[Sei-shoku] says so.
([Sei-shoku], [God's Eye]...guardian knight, Dominion!)
Christo looks sideways and opens his eyes.
No doubt.
There were guardian knights called [Sei-shoku] and [God's Eye].
Most of the stories he heard from the old man were about either Yufimia or Lancelot, the King's Shield, but he had a feeling that these two also appeared briefly.
If he's not mistaken, both of them are as battle-maniac as Yufimia.
Even if you look at it like this, there is a strange atmosphere.
Or rather, as the nobles in mourning clothes came and went, their existence clearly stood out.
The nobles also looked at [Sei-shoku] and [God's Eye], made faces as if they saw feces while eating, and quickly passed by.
Even if they are also guardian knights, it seems that their evaluation is different from Yufimia and Lancelot's.
"The Demon King of Chaos is back!"
[God's Eye] suddenly began to speak decent words.
"The Seven Seeds! The seeds of the Demon King, planted in the seven races, will sprout and grow!"
"U-um……?"
"He sometimes has fits and says things I don't understand! You know what I'm talking about, don't you, Patricia Ojouchan?"
"Yes, ahaha..."
"The seeds have sprouted!"
[God's Eye] shouted.
He shouted―― then suddenly grabbed Christo's arm.
"Myo! Seeds of primordial chaos! Seven seeds sprouted! Seven will be attracted to each other, compete with each other, and finally one will become king!"
"Y-you're an odd one."
With a strained smile, Christo shook off the arm that had been grabbed by the [God's Eye].
[Sei-shoku] intervenes and suppresses [God's eye].
"Enjoy the party! The elven terrorists are declaring an attack or something, but as long as we're here, this venue is safe."
“Thank you. Is the [Dragon Slayer] coming too?
“Commander? Yes, he is! He's here. He keeps saying that he doesn't believe Lancelot is dead! It's sad, isn't it? If it's okay with him, I can comfort him......"
[Sei-shoku] said so and put his hand on the thimble glove on his right hand.
The palm of the glove has a hole in it.
Christo could smell the stinging, acrid scent of a succubus' love juices on the [Sei-shoku] hand.
No way, under that glove――.
"Let's go, Mel, Christo-san. We don't want to interrupt you two in your work."
"That's right. ――I'm sorry. Christo-san, let's go."
Patricia and Melvina take me by the arm and lead me away.
Though [Sei-shoku]'s line of sight was soon removed from Christo, the [God's Eye]'s line of sight still remained unbroken, leaving him with a terrible sense of discomfort.
“Patricia, are you acquainted with those two?”
"Yes, well....... I met them several times before when I accompanied my husband on his work. We didn't fight together though."
"Did you know them Melvina?"
"No. It's not like I was with Onii-sama all the time. But those two are famous people in the [Frozen Plains]. They have no mercy for the enemy demons."
"Fuu."
The same is true for Setanta and Yufimia.
The warriors of the light race are usually merciless towards the enemy demons.
"Can we stop talking about those two?"
Patricia says in a cheerful voice.
She looks at the grape ivy-twined castle gate and exclaimed, "Ah, it's Setanta. And Kat!".
Christo and Melvina followed Patricia's line of sight.
Setanta and Kat, dressed in white mourning clothes, were there.
Kat was in her usual mood, as though she had not been kidnapped.
Setanta had a scarf wrapped around his neck.
He also wears a white glove on his right hand.
On his left hand, he wore nothing.
"Ah, Pat! and Melvina. And... Christopher Soderholm."
"Hello Onii-sama, sister-in-law."
"Hello, Setanta-dono, Kat-dono."
Christo greets them in the most modest voice possible.
He thought it would be foolish to get on Setanta's nerves and start a fight at a place like this.
While Kat crossed her arms and remained silent, Setanta turned his gaze hesitantly to the cobblestone pavement.
After a while, he bluntly called out to Christo.
"Kitten, you took care of her.... thank you."
"No, it's natural that we'll help each other in times of need."
When Christo replied, Setanta turned his face away looking uncomfortable.
"Oh, Christopher!"
"Ah, what?"
When Christo asked back, Kat bowed her head vigorously with only her chin raised up.
“Thank you. I'm sorry I called you a small fry. I owe you."
"No, no. I'm glad you're okay."
"Yeah. I would have chewed off the rope, killed all the elves and returned home if only I had regained consciousness! But on the other hand, I might have been killed in my sleep."
“They wouldn't have killed you until the ceremony started. If you had regained consciousness by then, you could have come back on your own."
Kat nodded in satisfaction at Christo's words.
(This woman has this attitude even though I helped her...)
But if he poked around too much, it's going to complicate things.
Christo thought it was clownish nonsense and decided to let it slide.
Meanwhile, Patricia and Melvina were smiling and looking mad at Kat.
Patricia pinched Kat on the cheek and started lecturing her.
Behind her, Melvina pulled Christo's sleeve.
“Why don't we spend some time over there and admire the view with me? Because I don't want to breathe the same air as sister-in-law, Shitcat...... I mean Kat."
"Did you just call me shitcat?"
"I didn't say that. Hohoho."
Christo nodded and decided to leave.
Setanta and he are hopelessly incompatible.
They wouldn't be happy when he's with them.
"Melvina."
Just when Christo and Melvina were about to leave the place, Setanta's blunt voice followed them.
"Yes."
"...I'm sorry. Forgive your incompetent brother."
“…………”
Melvina, perhaps at a loss for words to reply, just bowed silently and turned her back on Setanta.
Christo and Melvina then joined the other nobles on the observation deck in front of the royal castle, admiring the spectacular view of the castle town.
It was not long before the ceremony began.
Tftc.
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