Chapter 7

"Just make sure to complete the procedures for the family succession before you leave. When you register as a beastmaster at the Adventurers' Guild, you'll need either a guardian's permission or proof of being the head of the household."

"I, I understand!! I'll write as many guardian permission forms as you want!!"

"That's not it. You don't need a guardian's permission. If I become the head of the household, it will save us the trouble of going through these procedures every time. So, prepare the documents to transfer the headship to me immediately."

"Alright! I'll write them right away! But there's no need for me to leave the house, right!? I promise I won't criticize anything you do! So, please take care of me in my old age...!"

Saying this, Bryce clung to my legs, crying.

"Being kind to an old stepfather who has done no harm won't bring any punishment...! Right, Dio?"

"You were overjoyed when you thought I was dead, right?"

Bryce shook his head vigorously, desperate.

"N-no, that was because I thought you were an incompetent son without any blessings! Now, you are the most important to me! Can't you understand!?"

"That's quite convenient."

"Don't be so mean. Okay? Okay!?"

"It should take no more than an hour to pack your things. I won't wait any longer."

"......I won't leave even if you tell me to!! This house and the family name are the only things I have left!! I won't let them go no matter what!!"

Bryce screamed, scattering tears, saliva, and snot.

He seemed determined to cling to this house, even if it meant making a terrible spectacle of himself.

"Is that so? Then—"

I cast an attack spell from the window of the parlor, targeting the center of the mansion.

The mansion collapsed instantly, leaving only part of the parlor, turning into a pile of rubble.

"Now you can leave without any lingering attachments."

I turned around.

There, Bryce stood, his hair turned completely white in an instant.

◇◇◇

After seeing the mansion blown away, Bryce was completely deflated and stopped making selfish arguments and resisting.

Thanks to this, the succession procedures went smoothly.

Yetti, sensing that the battle was over, returned to the brink of sleep.

Yetti is a species that sleeps a lot.

I checked to make sure the influence of the evil eater hadn't caused any sleep disorders, but Yetti assured me that everything was normal, which relieved me.

Now, back to Bryce.

When we immediately started the succession procedures, it became clear that the Bryce family had no savings at all.

It seems that for a long time, the only assets the Bryce family had were the mansion and the land.

And I had already blown up the mansion.

According to the lifeless Bryce, they had used up the wealth left by their ancestors to maintain the appearance of the mansion.

When Adam learned this, he blamed Bryce and caused a big commotion again.

I didn't care about the family's wealth, so it was a non-issue for me.

"The procedures are all done. Both of you, leave this land."

"..."

"..."

Adam and Bryce remained silent, not moving.

"If you don't move, I'll blow you away like the mansion."

"Ah...!"

"We, we're leaving!! We're leaving, okay!!"

Even as they fled, the two of them continued their ugly arguments.

"Just don't follow me, Dad! I have no intention of acting with you!!"

"What are you saying! It's the eldest son's duty to take care of his father!!"

"No way! You're just a useless burden!!"

"How can I live alone!?"

"Then just die!!"

"How can you say such things to your parents! You!!"

"Ouch...!? Raising a hand to a child is not what a parent should do!! You, you!!"

"It hurts!! It hurts!! Elder abuse!!"

Their pitiful bickering continued until they were completely out of sight.

◇◇◇

Using the proof of headship I took from Bryce, the land of the Bryce family became mine.

On the spot with the best view, Lucy was buried.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you..."

I knelt before Lucy's grave, placing flowers and repeating my apologies, losing count of how many times.

To prevent more sacrifices like Lucy, I vowed never to show mercy to people like those two in the future.

There will be times when I have to make cruel decisions.

"......So be it."

To protect the beastfolk from human selfishness, I need to be strong in both heart and body.

I'm done being a pitiful man who just endures and kills his heart.

—How much time had passed?

"Master..."

Yetti, who had been quietly waiting, called out to me with concern.

Right. I'm not alone anymore.

If I keep displaying my grief, I'll worry Yetti.

"Sorry, Yetti. Let's go soon. —Lucy. Rest in peace."

I gently touched Lucy's gravestone and stood up.

With the resolve I had made to her in my heart, I set out from the town where I grew up, Daphne.

I will post one more chapter today.

Thank you for bookmarking and rating!

If you're curious about the next part or want an update soon,

please scroll down to the ads and change the rating from

'☆☆☆☆☆' to '★★★★★'.

It will boost my motivation for multiple updates, so I would greatly appreciate it...!