Translator: Nox

Chapter 28

28화

“Uhm. The dungeon will swallow our home. Whoever finds this, please… save us. From now on, we shall fall into a deep slumber in this deep place. When the time comes, as this crystal lights the way, come and break the seal for us.”

Murmurs of admiration rose here and there at Bunny’s words. And rightly so, for they were words of the ancient elves.

Ancient elves!

Their very existence was uncertain, yet the civilization they left behind was so extraordinary that even mere traces or records of it were enough to inspire awe.

Yet it was said that all of it vanished in an instant one day.

Had it not been for the artifacts and remnants of the ancient elves occasionally found scattered about, and the records left behind, their existence itself would surely have become mere legend.

However, while traces of their existence in ancient times remained, not a single actual ancient elf could be found. Despite the fact that they were said to live lives close to immortality.

“The one who opens the seal… possesses the purest soul, untainted by any filth, yet has stepped into the deepest darkness. That one alone is the savior of the world……”

The moment Bunny finished speaking, a hush fell over the surroundings.

“Whoa… if that’s real, it’s astonishing.”

“If we discover an ancient elf ruin or the place where they slumber just like this, wouldn’t a new hero be born in the Yudia Ducal Family?”

Though they were whispers, Bunny could hear every word.

In general, the five senses of demons were superior, allowing them to see the unseen or hear even the smallest sounds clearly.

Demons in particular had excellent night vision, able to see everything as clearly as daylight even in darkness.

Heh. They all seem shocked by Bunny’s abilities.

With her shoulders puffing up proudly, Bunny sneakily glanced around. It seemed about time for some praise.

Pet, pet!

‘When will they do it?’

Wriggling her body, she looked up at Kiriel, only to find his face slightly stiffened.

“…Young Master?”

The startled Bunny shrank her neck a little and called out to him.

Only then did Kiriel relax his expression and lower his gaze.

“Bunny is great, right…?”

“Ah, yeah.”

When Kiriel reached out and stroked Bunny’s head, her face finally melted into a gooey smile.

The voice continued to flow from the crystal. After the words Bunny had conveyed to them ended……

<Save me, save me, save me, save me. Save me, save me, save me, save me. Save me, save me, save me, save me. Save me, save me, save me, save me.>

After that, the endlessly repeating words were pleas to be saved.

Feeling the desperation in the voice, Bunny buried her face in Kiriel’s clothes.

‘A little scary……’

Bunny fidgeted with her fingers.

Kiriel set the crystal back in its place and slowly patted Bunny’s back.

It was warm and cozy.

‘I want to see Luri.’

Luri had always held Bunny in her arms and patted her just like this.

Letting out a soft sigh, Bunny buried her face deeply into Kiriel’s chest.

“What, tired?”

“Yeah.”

“Then sleep.”

“Don’t wanna… Bunny is an adult……”

Yawn.

Kiriel’s expression grew subtly complicated as he looked down at Bunny, who was mumbling softly, nodding off with yawns one after another.

Thud.

At last, her bobbing little head dropped and buried itself into Kiriel’s chest.

Without a word, he patted her back and adjusted his posture. So the child could sleep more comfortably.

Gazing down at the child’s peacefully sleeping face, Kiriel quietly stroked her head.

“Whoa… if that’s real, it’s astonishing.”

“If we discover an ancient elf ruin or the place where they slumber just like this, wouldn’t a new hero be born in the Yudia Ducal Family?”

Kiriel let out a hollow chuckle.

Did they think of him when they said that?

What was this, failing to manage his expression again and worrying the child unnecessarily.

‘Did I… say I’d raise her for no reason?’

Chewing over the words once more, Kiriel let out another hollow chuckle.

Interacting with people was irritating. Humans who demanded so much and expected only others’ sacrifices. His brother, who had vanished that way, and himself, who had been destined to become a so-called hero.

The initial decision to keep the child by his side had been because of the demon energy that bothered him.

He’d wondered if she was approaching him on purpose for some reason.

It would have been easier to leave her entirely to his adjutant, Levon.

Snooze, snooze.

Watching the child sleeping soundly, unaware of his thoughts, stirred strange feelings in him.

She was a child who laughed easily and cried easily, yet surprisingly tough like a weed.

To be honest, Kiriel’s face couldn’t exactly be called kind.

Children he encountered usually froze up.

No matter how handsome he was said to be, kids didn’t like stiff, expressionless faces.

And yet, Bunny approached him without hesitation, as well as his stern, intimidating father, and even Allen, who had cast her out, reaching out her hand.

She smiled brightly. As if she were the happiest person in the world.

In reality, raised in an orphanage without a personal maid or guard knight, she took pride in washing herself alone.

A child starved for a single word of praise, a single bit of attention.

She didn’t hesitate to ask for it.

She wasn’t embarrassed by it. By seeking help from others or desiring their affection.

“Hmm. So what will you do about it? Your Grace.”

At the words of Klein, the Holy Knight Commander, Rudbride crossed his arms and pondered for a moment.

“For now……”

The child’s words weren’t entirely without credibility.

According to records, the ancient elves had completely vanished. Truly disappeared as if by magic.

But what if their habitat had truly turned into a dungeon, leading them to seal themselves away, or they were trapped somewhere beneath it?

It was too specific to dismiss as mere childish imagination.

“Klein, Salame. One of you two take this stone and search the place where it was found. I need to meet the emperor.”

If this was true, it would be a monumental discovery.

He didn’t know what fortune would come from the child… but it would surely bring a new storm.

“For now, the child……”

“I’ll be going then.”

Cutting off Rudbride, Kiriel rose from his seat.

Scraaape. As the chair scraped back, all eyes that had been on Rudbride turned to Kiriel.

“And from now on, don’t call me unless demons actually show up. Same for my child.”

“The meeting isn’t over.”

“There’s nothing for me to do here anyway. I only came because I thought it might be demon-related, what with this strange crystal that seems cursed.”

“Kiriel! How long are you going to……!”

Kiriel Yudia looked at Rudbride with an indifferent, cold face and opened his mouth.

“I’m taking my daughter. Keep it down.”

“Daughter my foot! You’re still spouting that nonsense! Go get married to some woman first! You’re not even the type who can take care of anyone to begin with. If that child needs a guardian, I’ll find someone suitable to look after her, so you……!”

“And who was Father to take care of anyone? If I give up custody… you’ll hype her up as a hero or someone with great powers and push her into the jaws of death to die like my brother, right?”

The room grew icy at Kiriel Yudia’s sharp words.

At his son’s unfilial outburst, Ludbrid Yudia stiffened rigidly, then immediately twisted his face in anger.

“You brat……!”

“I’m going.”

He turned sharply on his heel.

“Custody my ass! You have no custody, you wretched punk!”

Rudbride bellowed through gritted teeth, but Kiriel just scoffed and left the meeting room.