Translator: Nox

Chapter 21

“What in the world… are you both okay?”

Unlike his usual languid tone, Kiriel Yudia asked the question without hiding his bewilderment.

At the sudden appearance of Kiriel, Bunny slowly turned her trembling gaze toward the guard with eyes brimming with betrayal.

“Big… tattletale…….”

The guard flinched, his shoulders twitching under Bunny’s gaze, dripping with disbelief.

He scanned the impeccably dressed, noble-looking man with the refined face, Bunny’s eyes full of betrayal, and Allen’s eyes widened in utter disbelief, then opened his mouth without hiding his panic.

“I’m sorry. Who might you be?”

“My children have caused you trouble. They seem startled, so it would be best if you speak with my adjutant about the rest.”

With a lazy nod from Kiriel Yudia, the man in the white uniform stepped forward from behind.

“I am Levon, adjutant to Young Master Kiriel Yudia. Please speak with me.”

“Y-Yudia D-Ducal… Family? Then those children are…….”

The guard’s mouth fell open.

Kiriel Yudia, no less?

The unparalleled genius chosen by the gods, who had joined the war against the demon race at a young age and annihilated countless demons?

The Angel of Sloth, whose face no one had ever seen?

The only direct descendant of the Yudia Ducal Family who never appeared in public, so lazy that even the Duke had given up on him—that monster?

“Please explain the situation first.”

Levon, now seated where Bunny had been, said to the guard.

Remembering the harsh words he had just directed at Bunny, the guard paled slightly and sat down demurely.

* * *

“…….”

Inside the ducal family’s carriage, Bunny and Allen stole glances at Kiriel. Kiriel, arms crossed, looked at them and spoke.

“You’re both unhurt anywhere? No pain…?”

“Neeeng…….”

Bunny, head bowed deeply, fidgeted with her fingers and answered in a voice that seemed to crawl into the ground. Allen nodded awkwardly.

“Young Master. B-Bunny won’t go home…… Uncle promised not to tell but he did…… Bunny can pay the fine…… Don’t make me a slave…… Hueeng……. Gotta earn money again. And allowance too…….”

Bunny said tearfully, tears plopping down.

“No, if you don’t have money, you have to leave. Where do you think you’re staying? The world’s already dangerous enough, and I took in strays with no connections or place to go, but how dare you be so brazen…… Anyway, no money means you can’t stay in this house, so get out!”

“This is all I have for this month. I’ll pay properly next month, so please just this once. You know, the rain’s been so heavy I couldn’t do proper business.”

“That’s your problem. Ugh, I took pity on a single mother with a kid. This is the last time! If you don’t have money next month, you’re out, got it!”

“Yes, thank you. Next month I’ll pay this month’s too.”

“Tch, you’re lucky I overlook that suspicious hood you always wear. You know? They’re rounding up anyone around here who seems connected to demons.”

“Ah, demons? You saw before. Not horns, just a gross scar. I wear it so it doesn’t show.”

You need money to stay in the house.

No money, and you get kicked out.

Get kicked out, and you can’t become the great big Demon King, and you’ll never see Luri again.

“Luri… okay……?”

“Ah, it’s because I didn’t pay. To stay here, you need money. It’s hard to sneak around, and here it’s all about money, not power.”

“Money? Yowngdun?”

“Mm, yeah. Like allowance. Humans love money a ton. With money, you can do anything. Anyway, don’t worry about it, little one. Humans are just too greedy.”

“Gweedy…….”

“Right! Humans are greedy. But it’s okay. When you grow up and become the Demon King, we can live proudly again.”

“Bunny, wanna be big Demon King!”

“Right! The great big Demon King! So listen well to the fairy tales I tell you, and even without Luriel later, you have to do great. Got it?”

“Yeah! Luri come back with horns too?”

“…Of course. I told you, right? We’ll be apart just a little while, but when you become a fine adult, you’ll know where Luriel went.”

Recalling Luriel, Bunny clenched her fists tight, squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them.

‘Bunny… can’t get kicked out yet.’

She had to grow up safely here to meet Luri again.

“Th-This month it’s just this, but next I’ll pay more…… Please just once…….”

Bunny rummaged out what she had offered the guard as a fine earlier, placed it on Kiriel Yudia’s knee, clasped her small hands neatly, and said.

Kiriel Yudia looked at Bunny with a slightly stiffened expression. Allen’s mouth was agape too.

‘Gasp, is the money too little……?’

Bunny, frozen stiff, lifted the stone and spoke again.

“It’s a top-grade Holy Power Stone. Spent almost all money buying this so only a little left…… Eggs said tummy hungry……”

“…Holy Power Stone? This?”

Kiriel narrowed his eyes, looked down at the stone, then back at Bunny.

Bunny nodded tensely.

After a long silence, Kiriel slowly opened his mouth.

“Bunny.”

“Neeeng…….”

“This stone might be dangerous, so can I have it inspected first and give it back…?”

No anger or irritation seeped from his slightly languid tone.

Bunny sneaked a glance and rolled her eyes before nodding.

“Neng…….”

Allen, seeing Bunny’s drooping eyes, quietly gripped her hand tight.

“…Young Master. Do you hate Bunny now? Please……?”

Kiriel Yudia, who had been choosing his words, paused again.

In truth, when had Kiriel Yudia ever hesitated over words?

But seeing Bunny’s utterly dejected state—ears would surely be drooping if she had them—he felt an impulse to choose even nonexistent words, so he stayed silent.

Never imagining it would lead to such a huge misunderstanding.

“My daughter is…….”

After a long while, Kiriel Yudia spoke with a serious expression.

‘You’re getting kicked out.’

The moment Bunny squeezed her eyes shut.

Thud. A large hand rested on her small head.

“Really cute.”

“Neng……?”

Not painful or scary words—Bunny blinked.

Bunny, who had been completely wilted, slowly raised her head.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m not going to scold you, so don’t worry. I just want you to tell me honestly why my son and daughter were there…….”

“T-To… earn money…….”

Kiriel Yudia gazed at the child, who kept her head down and fidgeted with her hands, then knelt on one knee on the carriage floor, ducking his head to meet her eyes, tilting his own.

“Why?”

“Bunny can’t summon dragon…….”

Adults like special kids. Not bothersome, helpful, not noisy special kids.

So……

“With money I’m good, uh, with money… can stay home…… Bunny not good, so wanna be special kid…….”

She studied hard, but human language still wasn’t familiar, and flustered, her pronunciation more slurred than usual as she babbled, fidgeting her fingers.

“So… if not thrown out, not okay……? Didn’t know needed pewmission…….”