Chapter 76

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It's time to disinfect the filth.

Even though Father knows Julius is just a guard, his murderous intent is intense.

"Father, Julius is not a cockroach."

"Then he's a gnat. A lowly insect that preys on my beautiful gem flower. His lack of self-awareness is quite similar."

"Father, why are you so mean to Julius?"

His words are harsh.

When I look at Julius, he is standing there like a loyal servant, his head bowed. His expression is as calm as usual, and I can't read his emotions.

Julius, who has been a troublesome but loyal servant since childhood, is a precious presence who indulges me when I throw a tantrum about wanting to recreate items from my previous life.

Moreover, he is actually kind. Despite his sadistic tendencies hidden behind his cruel words, he never does anything I truly dislike.

When I am in trouble or weak, he becomes incredibly gentle—though when I told Anna this, she looked shocked and said I was being deceived. Why can't she believe me?

Father looks at me with a loving gaze, but he only snorts at Julius.

"Hehe, Alber is so kind. He's completely different from certain others.

—Now, step back. It's not over yet."

As soon as he says this, Father lightly pushes my shoulders.

Before I can resist, I am easily moved away. Julius, as if expecting this, supports me.

Behind Father, a large boulder rises, pushed up by something. At the same time, a magic sword appears in Father's hand.

A powerful magic swirls around him, enveloping his body. The main current of the highly refined magic circles the magic sword.

"Enough talk."

Father strikes with terrifying speed.

The strike, wrapped in magic, becomes a high-output blade of lightning and assaults what was once human.

Kain, if that's what we should call it, writhes in pain.

As the magic swirls around it, Kain's movements are frozen. Seizing the opportunity, a red-hot sword pierces the now sluggish Kain.

I recognize that mithril sword. It was Mikaeris who got close and thrust the blade into Kain.

"Mikaeris, step back! It's coming again!"

"Persistent, isn't it?"

As Kishataria warns, Mikaeris flies backward.

At the same time, Kain blows away the frozen surface of its body and breaks free from the ice that was about to bind it. It smashes the floor around it with tentacle-like appendages. The wound from Mikaeris' sword is sizzling and emitting a foul odor, but it gradually heals and disappears.

Kishataria tries to freeze Kain with small pieces of ice, but Kain resists the ice magic while moving irregularly.

"Have you taken care of the split bodies?"

"Yes, Father. They are all gone."

"The split bodies don't seem to have parasitic abilities... However, the shock to those who were attacked is severe, and the control is quite disrupted."

Kishataria and Mikaeris, who are supposed to be high-ranking nobles, are glaring at Kain without a moment's hesitation, one with a magic bullet in hand and the other with a magic sword.

Why are they so battle-hardened?

Even the soldiers and knights in the audience chamber are quite shaken.

"I'd like to blow it away with a high-power advanced magic, but it would be troublesome if it escapes to the town below."

"If Father uses his full power, the castle will collapse."

"Of course. I won't do that unless Alber is in a safe place... but it would also be troublesome if it escapes to a place I can't see."

Is it normal for the supposedly sturdy Sandis Castle to collapse?

Is Father's magic that destructive?

Kishataria looks at Father with a tense face. I've never seen Father's full-power magic, but it must be incredible.

"Ah, Father. I can use barrier magic..."

"Albertina, you are forbidden to use any more magic.

You will rest in bed for three days and stay in your room for a week. You are not to use magic for a month.

You will be examined by Sebastian or Zephir until Dr. Latitche arrives. You are not to see the royal physician."

I was immediately rejected.

Is my condition really that bad...? I have a headache, but I can still manage!

But, as if anticipating my resistance, Father touches my forehead with his finger, as if to say "no."

"No—really, interrupting a conversation between parent and child is so unrefined."

Suddenly, a wave of heat rises, and a wall of flames rises.

With a sizzling sound, the shadow that tried to attack is burned.

"All magic seems to have some effect, but there doesn't seem to be anything that works particularly well. It might be that all attributes except light and holy magic are ineffective."

"What should we do?"

Kishataria's attributes are the four major elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. Mikaeris is supposed to be fire.

Fortunately, there are no ineffective attributes, but it's unsettling not knowing the weakness.

"At this rate, we'll be in a losing battle. It would be better to strike all at once."

"That's true. Mikaeris can only use one attribute, so it would be best to burn it with fire.

The castle might burn a bit, but we have no choice.

I will target the main body. If it tries to discard its current form, it will be troublesome. Surround it, and if it tries to break through, burn the form preemptively."

As Father says this, white flames, not red, rise in his hand.

The flames look more like they are glowing than burning.

Even though they are just floating in his hand, the concentration of magic is so intense that it makes my skin tingle and my heart race with instinctive fear and tension.

Kishataria and Mikaeris are also generating flames with their magic, but I can tell that Father's is far more powerful.

Even while creating a barrier, Father can simultaneously generate such high-output magic in a short time. I am in awe of his skill.

He will likely release the magic as soon as the barrier is removed.

Three high-level magics will be released simultaneously.

Just thinking about it makes me shudder. Julius wraps his arms around me protectively, as if to shield me.

"...A tremendous heat wave and blast will occur. Keep your face pressed against my body and do not lift it.

I have a protective amulet, but I'm not sure if it can withstand the aftereffects completely."

Whispering this, I freeze.

I press myself tightly against Julius. The thought of being blown away by the blast and turning into a rag is terrifying.

Father has forbidden me from using not only barrier magic but all magic. Besides, I am so exhausted that I can barely use magic.

"—It's coming."

As Julius says this, something cracks.

For a moment, the surroundings brighten, but Julius presses the back of my head, and I can't see.

...I hope my face isn't imprinted on Julius' clothes.

For a while, the sound of strong winds and creaking can be heard. Is the amulet's effect failing?

But, I gave Julius a lucky amulet, so even if the worst happens, it should reduce any injuries. It's a substitute type, a disposable reverse doll.

...But in this situation, I have no choice but to use Julius as a meat shield.

Ah, I should have taken a potion immediately. I could have recreated the barrier.

I didn't know, but Julius' lucky amulet had already been rendered useless by Father's whims.

After crouching for a while to make it easier for Julius to shield me, the noise subsides.

"...It held."

A relieved voice, tinged with relief, falls. It's Julius. He strokes my head a few times as if to confirm and then stands up.

"Miss, we will move a little. Stay still and quiet."

I nod.

Something hard cracks.

When I stand up, I see a space filled with dust and debris. The once grand and luxurious audience chamber is now a ruin on the verge of collapse.

"Miss, don't raise your face too much. The air is too dusty and can be harmful to your body."

I peek out cautiously. Julius quickly covers my mouth with a handkerchief and presses me against his shoulder.

His words are soft, but he is scanning the surroundings with a sharp gaze.

At that moment, a shadow falls from above. Or rather, neither I nor Julius noticed it until it emerged from the dust.

Startled, I stiffen, and Julius immediately picks me up and lifts me. He holds a knife in his hand, ready to strike.

"...Is Albertina safe?"

"...Yes, she is safe."

Bear! No!

Though I didn't say it out loud, I could feel my hair standing on end.

It's Duke Fortuna, my nemesis. Clinging to Julius, he strokes my back soothingly. The knife is no longer in his hand.

Clutching Julius, I look at Duke Fortuna.

Without reprimanding my suspicious response, Julius also looks at him with a sharp gaze. There is no sign of respect for a high-ranking noble. He just holds me a little tighter.

Duke Fortuna's dull eyes look at me.

"...If she's safe, that's good."

He says this and steps back, looking somewhat dejected.

I was prepared to confront him with full alertness, but I am surprised by his quick retreat.

When I look at him curiously, Julius is smiling. A slight, twisted smile. A seductive, yet cold and eerie smile.

...Julius is male, but he has a certain charm. It's a cold kind of charm. Different from Mikaeris. According to the maid, Kishataria is also quite charming, but I can't sense it. He is a cute, doting younger brother who is usually reliable but sometimes acts spoiled.

At that moment, something shiny is pressed against Julius' neck silently.

"How long do you intend to touch my daughter, Julius?

If you're done, step back."

"Sorry. Miss, be careful of your footing."

Cold, murderous words. Julius gives me a look. I am gently lowered to the ground and stand up cautiously.

Father is the one pressing a magic sword against Julius' neck.

Father, Julius was just protecting me!

Julius kneels before Father, his head bowed. Father presses the tip of the magic sword against Julius' neck. A few strands of Julius' hair have fallen...

Father looks down at Julius coldly, as if he finds it boring.

Despite the weapon at his neck, Julius remains calm and obedient.

"Father, please don't be too hard on Julius."

"......Does he have any value to protect?"

Father, please don't be so resentful. Don't be so sulky. I think you're cute when you're like this, but that doesn't mean you can bully your servants!

Why is your murderous intent so high?

When I am troubled, Father seems to sense my feelings and lowers his sword. However, a red line appears on Julius' white cheek. You did that on purpose, Father...

"More importantly, Father, are you hurt? That was quite a wind just now."

"Yes, I'm fine. It was a bit troublesome to burn it without destroying this room too much.

My dear Albertina, are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you, Father."

Father, now in full daughter-doting mode.

This should stop the bullying of Julius for a while.

Somehow, Father's treatment of Julius seems particularly harsh. Why is that? Father usually appreciates capable people... but he has always been strict with Julius.

Finally, I can be close to Father. My father complex is acting up.

Looking up at Father with pleading eyes, he smiles and opens his arms. Without hesitation, I jump into his arms.

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