The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads - Chapter 101

***

An emergency meeting was immediately convened.

According to the knight’s report, the sacred artifacts installed in each village were no longer functioning.

“What on earth does that mean!”

Bang!

Unable to contain his frustration, Lakius slammed the desk forcefully.

“They were functioning well just a few days ago. There’s no reason for them to suddenly stop working…!”

At that moment.

Lakius stiffened his shoulders abruptly.

“Wait. Since when did the sacred artifacts stop working?”

“W-well, according to the reports, it’s been about two days…”

The knight answered nervously.

Hearing this response, Lakius let out a hollow laugh, unable to hide his dumbfounded expression.

“It’s been exactly three months since the previous priest last inspected the sacred artifacts and left.”

Sacred artifacts are usually maintained once every 3 months, with each change of season.

It had also been about two months since the new deputy priest was appointed here.

This means that the deputy priest had been given two months to maintain the sacred artifacts until now.

But now the sacred artifacts have stopped functioning…

‘Then that means the current deputy priest hasn’t taken any measures for the sacred artifacts since his appointment?’

A chilling silence fell.

“….”

“….”

After a moment.

Cesar, who had been listening with his arms crossed, broke the silence with an icy voice.

“Really, I can’t believe the timing could be this bad.”

And for good reason, today was the very day Cesar was supposed to inspect the sacred artifacts himself.

Cesar added, furrowing his brow.

“It seems there’s only one person who can answer this problem.”

***

The problem, however, was that the summoned deputy priest couldn’t provide any solution to the current situation.

“I’m sorry!!”

The deputy priest could only bow his head so low that it touched the ground.

Let alone a solution to the current situation, he couldn’t even give a reason why he hadn’t even maintained the sacred artifacts until they stopped functioning.

“I, I really didn’t mean to…!”

After listening patiently to the string of excuses that followed.

It really was just incompetence and negligence…

“We specifically assigned a deputy priest who could maintain the sacred artifacts, if only for their management.”

Cesar stared at the deputy priest with a cold expression.

“It seems the deputy priest has been in a position far beyond his capabilities.”

“H-High Priest!”

The deputy priest raised his voice, almost screaming.

“I, I didn’t know the situation was this serious.”

To that protest, Cesar asked back without batting an eye.

“And?”

“P-pardon?”

“I already know well enough that you’re incompetent without you sniveling and whining about it.”

Cesar continued with a disgusted look.

“In the end, to put it bluntly, I’m in a situation where I have to clean up after an incompetent fool who’s well past his prime.”

Such an outrageous insult that it was hard to believe it came from a priest who always kept himself pure.

The deputy priest stared at Cesar with a bewildered face.

“H-High Priest?”

“That fool is you. If you’re incompetent, you should at least be perceptive. Why do you keep calling for people?”

Cesar retorted irritably, glancing at the deputy priest who was trembling like a mouse before a predator.

“So from now on, you’d be better off keeping that mouth of yours shut. And I swear before God.”

Cesar looked at the deputy priest as if he were looking at an insect.

“Know that I will have not only your head but also the heads of all those who recommended you for the position of deputy priest.”

“….”

Faced with the barrage of harsh words, the deputy priest closed his mouth with an expression like he was about to faint.

Completely ignoring the deputy priest, Cesar turned to Lakius.

“Lakius.”

“Yes, Master.”

“It seems it would be fastest for me to cast a divine barrier over all of Caro. In the meantime, summon the priests and have them restore the sacred artifacts.”

What?

For a moment, I was shocked.

“W-wait a minute!”

When I came to my senses, I had already raised my voice to call out to Cesar.

In an instant, everyone’s eyes turned to me.

‘Oh no.’

I had been trying to stay quiet so as not to disturb the meeting, but now it was all ruined.

But what Cesar had just said was simply impossible to let slide.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt the meeting.”

After apologizing first.

I bit my lip nervously.

“But that’s too…”

My head was in complete chaos.

I tried to speak as calmly as possible.

“Even if you’re the High Priest, you can’t cast a divine barrier over the entire city. It’s too much of a strain on your body.”

Divine barrier.

It’s literally a barrier created with divine power.

You can understand it as the priest essentially taking on the role of the sacred artifacts.

‘Currently, there are… a total of six sacred artifacts placed in Caro.’

These sacred artifacts resonate organically, forming a barrier that prevents the invasion of magical beasts.

Of course, high-ranking demons can break through this barrier, but such high-ranking demons were extremely rare.

Therefore, the sacred artifacts have effectively protected Caro until now.

Anyway, the important thing is.

‘Casting a divine barrier means that Dad will be shouldering alone the burden that those six sacred artifacts have been bearing.’

I glared at Cesar in front of me with sharp eyes.

“I agree with that as well.”

Just then, Lakius chimed in to support my words.

“Even if we summon new priests to restore the sacred artifacts, it will take time. Surely you don’t mean to maintain the divine barrier alone during that time?”

“That’s right.”

Cesar shrugged his shoulders lightly.

“Surely the newly summoned priests won’t be as incompetent as the deputy priest.”

At those scathing words, the deputy priest stiffened his shoulders as if he had been struck by a whip.

“In about a week, don’t you think the summoned priests could manage to restore the sacred artifacts? Well, I think I can hold out alone for that long.”

But any longer than that would be difficult to guarantee.

Cesar added calmly.

His tone was as casual as if he were saying, ‘Drinking warm milk before bed helps you sleep well.’

“No, do you think you’re made of steel or something, Master?”

Lakius, unable to contain himself, burst out in anger.

“Even if it’s you, Master! You could really be putting your life in danger!”

“Lakius.”

“I’ve endured all the incredible scolding from you Masters until now, and now you want me to nurse you back to health too?!”

“…It seems like some impure intentions are slipping in there.”

Cesar narrowed his eyes and glanced at Lakius, then continued in a soothing tone.

“I’ve fought and won against the Demon King, so there’s no need to worry so much about a mere divine barrier.”

“Still!”

“Besides, this way is more efficient.”

“….”

At those words, for the first time, the red eyes shook violently.

Cesar continued calmly.

“I’ve also considered the option of restoring the sacred artifacts myself… but that’s realistically difficult.”

For a moment, Lakius flinched.

“To do that, I would have to move directly to where the six sacred artifacts are located.”

Cesar stared at Lakius with cold eyes.

“How would we protect the people in the territory who would be ravaged by magical beasts in the meantime?”

“B-but.”

“Isn’t it better to buy time with a divine barrier while other priests safely restore the sacred artifacts?”

Cesar concluded calmly.

“One side bears a bit more burden, but in exchange, we can save all the people of Caro.”

Lakius couldn’t argue against those words.

Cesar gave a bitter smile.

“Why are you making that face? It’s not like I’m going to my death.”

“…Master, how can you joke even at a time like this?”

Lakius, looking devastated, gritted his teeth and glared at Cesar.

But Cesar only retorted mischievously.

“How could I joke about such an important matter? I’m not Lakius, after all.”

Then he skillfully proceeded with the work again.

“We should move quickly. After all, it’s a massive barrier covering the entire city, so there’s a lot to prepare. First, let’s contact the temple and have them dispatch priests urgently…”

…As if he were quite accustomed to this kind of thing.

I stared blankly at Cesar.

‘Dad really intends to cast the divine barrier. For a whole week, no less.’

Unable to suppress my rising emotions, I clenched my fists tightly.

But Cesar’s face remained completely unfazed.

An expression that suggested it was only natural for him to risk himself for everyone’s sake.

And I found that so…

‘Infuriating.’

I abruptly stood up from my seat.

Cesar and Lakius, as well as everyone else, turned to look at me with surprised faces.

“Miss Tati?”

As soon as I heard Cesar’s concerned call, my emotions boiled over uncontrollably.

“…I’m sorry.”

Leaving only that suppressed response behind.

I rushed out of the room.