Chapter 73

This is a translation of the provided text:

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It is a matter of guiding a guest who has not been called.

"Father!"

Finally, my father, who had called my name, looked at me, and my joy overflowed.

His clothes were worn and torn from a long expedition, his ash-brown hair was disheveled, and he looked a bit dusty—something I had never seen before. But as long as my father was safe, I had no complaints or worries.

Even though I knew it was improper, I couldn't stop my racing heart, my dancing spirit, or the fluttering hem of my dress.

I pinched my dress slightly and, almost falling, hurried to my father.

I tried to embrace him, but my father did not open his arms as he usually did. Instead, he held out his hand to stop me.

"It's not good, my Alber. I'm dirty and have been drenched in blood many times. I've cleaned myself with magic to some extent, but I'm not clean enough to hug you."

He took off his gloves, discarded them on the spot, and put on new ones.

My father extended his hand, now covered in white gloves.

This hand alone, I could touch. I didn't care about that; I really wanted to hug him. However, I couldn't ignore my father's consideration and suppressed my desire deep in my heart.

I enveloped the hand he allowed me to touch with both of my hands and knelt before him, clinging to him.

"That's not true! It's a trivial matter! Father, you have worked hard for the country and its people!

I am proud of Father, who has dedicated himself, and I may worry, but I could never shun you!

This stampede, if anyone other than Father had faced it, the damage would have been unimaginable!

At worst, the entire army could have been swallowed up, and the former soldiers, turned into cursed puppets, could have attacked nearby villages and towns, increasing in number and advancing on the capital!"

The audience murmured, but I ignored them.

Father, who is the best and most outstanding in combat in the country, even in a very disadvantageous situation, was forced to take a defensive stance. Even Father, who is well-versed in magic, is in this state. If anyone else had faced it, the situation would have been even more gruesome.

Father's destructive power is the best in the country. Moreover, Father, who does not show mercy to anyone except me and Mother Christina, must have ruthlessly eliminated those he deemed enemies.

If anyone other than Father had faced this situation, it would have been a nightmare, with a half-baked and dangerous magical biohazard.

"I am so relieved that you are safe, Father... Alber's greatest joy is that Father has returned alive.

Your safe return is more precious than any gift or souvenir."

If Father didn't want to be touched, I pressed my forehead against the only hand he allowed me to touch and poured all my magic into it.

A faint blue and green phosphorescence danced and shone around Father. It contracted, causing a gust of wind and then disappeared. At the same time, Father's wounds vanished.

...Or so it seemed. I couldn't see any visible injuries at a glance.

"Father, I used magic without permission, but are you still in pain?

I am a novice in magic, but I will do my best to assist you."

"Your kindness is what makes me happiest. Thank you, Alber."

Gazing into his gentle, soft aqua-blue eyes, I finally felt I could breathe.

Father... You will be busy from now on, won't you? That ominous curse that parasitizes people... The Duke of Bear, for example, seems to be purely physical.

Father has seen the real thing and has deep knowledge of magic.

Father had signs of injury but showed no signs of being affected by the parasitic creature.

Hmm, are there conditions for parasitization? Was Father not fatally injured enough to be parasitized? Or was it Father's resistance and resilience?

Either way, as long as Father is safe.

Father's hand, which caressed my cheek with a sweet, gentle voice, felt so soothing that I closed my eyes in contentment.

At that moment, the surroundings murmured again.

It was annoying.

Interrupting the emotional reunion of a father and daughter, or rather, spoiling the moment with unnecessary spectators, made me irritable.

"Let's go home, Alber. The mansion is a bit far, so let's rest at the capital's residence today.

Ah, to be so worn out... Can the palace not even accommodate my daughter?

This girl is a duke's daughter and my beloved daughter.

The palace people must have tried to manipulate Alber at will, judging by her appearance, and pushed her to her limits? It must have been terrifying... Being locked in a place without me, Latine, or Kishtria, a sensitive girl would have been deeply troubled.

That's why I didn't want to bring her here."

Father smiled at me while looking at me intently.

However, with his words came a fierce anger. While I was showered with kindness, a blizzard of diamond dust seemed to be blowing around.

No, it wasn't actually snowing, but the faces of the people around us were turning pale.

Because it was true.

I, who had been brought here against my will, had reached the peak of rejection and activated a barrier.

I had built an absolute rejection zone, except for a few people, including the maid Anna, with whom I had lived for years.

Yes, my rejection was severe. I am not cut out to be a royal. I don't trust the nobles, ministers, prime minister, or the council of elders.

If Father were by my side, I might be able to compromise and nod if he asked, but it would be a stretch.

Father's persuasion would be even more difficult.

If that's the case, it would be better to flee the country!

Of course, I would take the entire Duke Latitch family and the household staff with me!

Some people tried to argue with Father, but they swallowed their words and stepped back at a glance from Father in his "demon king mode."

The ministers and council of elders, who were initially loud and powerful, but whose true strength was unknown, were indeed powerless against Father.

...I'm glad I had the barrier. Otherwise, who knows what they would have done to me.

"Let's go, Alber."

"Yes, Father..."

At that moment, the audience chamber shook.

A tremendous vibration came, and I instinctively knelt on the shaking floor.

Something wet and heavy rolled beside me and hit one of the nobles nearby.

What was it? Looking towards the entrance of the audience chamber, where the initial boom had come from, I saw fallen soldiers and silver-armored knights. The door, which should have been the symbol of the kingdom, was shattered as if it had been torn open.

The force required to destroy such a heavy door was terrifying.

At that moment, a blue object flickered at the edge of my vision. I lifted my head, and there was Father's back.

"Wh... What..."

My mind refused to understand.

Beyond Father, something sinister was there.

It was hard to describe—something sticky and viscous, moving and writhing.

It had a thin, oily sheen, like enamel, and was constantly in motion.

I had never seen such a creature in my past life or this one.

Not in any encyclopedia, mythology, or UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal) book.

A loud explosion, and a blinding light burst from Father's hand, striking the monstrous creature. The creature stiffened and was thrown back, hitting a large white pillar.

"Vaa..."

A dull, groaning sound was heard.

Shock and tension spread through the crowd.

"How did it get to the palace..."

"Father... What is that?"

"It's the result of the parasitic curse. It must have had a host with a lot of magic power."

Father's voice was more exasperated than fearful.

He had mentioned that the notable ones were the ones he had defeated, right?

But why would such a creature appear in the capital?

If it had come from outside, wouldn't the town below be in a panic?

Why hasn't a messenger arrived? Even though Father had just given orders, the timing was suspiciously off.

How long had this creature been in the palace? It should have been noticeable in such a form. And the fact that Father was facing it made my legs weak.

My mind was in chaos, and I swayed. Someone behind me picked me up.

"Your Grace, shall I take the young lady?"

"Protect her with your life."

"As you wish."

The voice, which I recognized without turning around, was Julius.

Someone passed by. Behind Father, Michaelis and Kishtria followed, each holding a mithril sword and a magic ball, with stern expressions.

As Julius carried me back, the distance between us naturally increased. No, Father. I don't want to be separated.

"Father, Father... No! We just met! Let me go, Julius!"

"It cannot be, please forgive me."

"No! Father, Father!"

Father was tired.

He had been fighting for so long and had just returned. Even though I was calling for him, he didn't look at me. This added to my despair.

I wanted him to say it was okay and to tell me to run because it was dangerous. My mind was a mess of conflicting thoughts.

I couldn't even see him fighting. Julius quickly turned me around and faced away.

I tried to resist by hitting his back and shoulders, but Julius didn't budge.

Meanwhile, a tremendous sound came from where Father and the others were.

The people in the audience chamber were in a state of panic. They were begging for their lives and running around, but the entrance was blocked by the creature, and those who could fight were facing it.

The only other exit was a special one for the royal family. Of course, it was crowded. The nobles ignored the knights trying to lead King Lauses and pushed their way in. Princess Mesaline, Princess Ophelia, and Princess Elmedia were screaming that they should go first.

King Lauses, despite his pale face, was watching the battle from his throne. Prince Leold, beside him, was trying to persuade him to flee, his face tense.

Several knights and Duke Fortuna were protecting the king. Duke Fortuna, with a gaze sharper than I had ever seen, suddenly raised his greatsword and ran towards me.

Julius, who must have understood, didn't change his expression and dodged the greatsword while still carrying me.

The sword's trajectory went through the spot where Julius had been a moment ago.

"Huh?"

The sword then embedded itself in the creature that had been facing Father.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Where is Father?

Where is Kishtria?

Where is Michaelis?

"Be careful! If you are injured, you will be absorbed! This thing multiplies!"

The warning, like a roar, caused further panic in the audience chamber.

The knights, pale but determined, responded to Duke Fortuna's voice. However, some were overcome by fear and fled.

"Let me go, Julius! It's an order!"

"I cannot."

"Are you not my servant!?"

"Do you not understand!? It is targeting you!"

I gasped at Julius's unexpected words.

Targeting? Me? Why? My vision spun, and I struggled to calm myself and take deep breaths.

Was the creature facing Father because it was targeting me and Father was standing in its way?

Why did Duke Fortuna raise his greatsword?

Why is it targeting me?

As a host? To parasitize? If it's about magic power, Father and Kishtria are stronger.

If it's about power, King Lauses is the ruler of the country.

"Alber... Kill, kill, kill..."

The creature groaned and writhed.

A dull, strange, and layered voice, like multiple dissonant notes.

The voice calling my name was filled with resentment, making my skin crawl.

"A, a, aaaaaa! Renaria..."

A scream, like a monstrous wail, echoed.

Thank you for reading.

The next part will include combat.