The Little Demon King is Too Bothered by Her Brave Dads - Chapter 88

“Oh.”

Kirios, who had rounded his mouth, soon curved his eyes in a smile.

“Hey, Siegfried. You occasionally say things I like?”

“I thought you’d go on about maintaining dignity this time too, but I see you in a new light.”

Cesar also gazed at Siegfried with an appreciative look.

‘Really, those damned guys……’

Siegfried, who let out a deep sigh, raised his head straight and continued speaking.

“However, there’s one thing I must make clear.”

“Wh-what is it?”

“His Highness the First Prince is our one and only disciple.”

“Grand Duke Orleans, what is this…!”

Not only Marquis Philomel, but all the other nobles were also shocked.

But no one was more surprised than Lakius.

‘Master.’

His red pupils trembled slightly.

Of course, it was true that the three heroes cared for Lakius in their own way.

But this place is the grand council chamber.

A place where each opinion of the three heroes could be politically interpreted.

Lakius knew how careful his masters usually were with their behavior.

That’s why he was so surprised and also.

‘……Thank you.’

Grateful for his masters who were defending him without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Siegfried continued speaking without hesitation.

“Therefore, mocking the First Prince’s opinion is the same as mocking us who educated him.”

“Wow, since when did you start saying only the right things?”

Kirios chuckled and agreed with Siegfried’s words.

At the same time, Cesar turned to look at Lakius and slightly moved his lips.

‘Don’t be discouraged, say everything you want to say.’

Lakius took a short breath.

He closed his eyes tightly and then opened them.

His red pupils had already sunk as cold as ice.

“Carolingian blood indeed flows in my body, but still, half of my blood is from Decartes.”

Lakius, who started like that, stared at Marquis Philomel with an expressionless face.

“It seems that Marquis Philomel has forgotten that I am the legitimate heir of Decartes.”

“Y-Your Highness, the First Prince. I……”

“My opinion is always the same. For the safety of both Decartes and the Carolingians, and furthermore, all of humanity.”

Lakius paused for a moment and took a breath.

After that.

He concluded with emphasis.

“I believe we should investigate this issue with the magic tools in detail.”

“By the way, we share the same opinion?”

Kirios raised his hand demonstratively and quipped.

Cesar smirked.

“Although it hurts my pride to agree with Kirios…… I concur for now.”

“Hey, this guy always has to add something extra, doesn’t he?”

Kirios rolled his eyes.

Siegfried also quietly nodded his head to express his agreement.

Even the always solemn old Grand Duke Orleans,

“I also think His Highness the First Prince’s judgment is correct. The demon race is humanity’s greatest enemy, and we can’t be too careful.”

showed his support for Lakius’s opinion.

‘Damn it!’

Marquis Philomel inwardly cursed.

To think the three heroes would openly support the First Prince like this!

My plan is to trample the First Prince and highlight the Second Prince as much as possible……!

‘Wait.’

Suddenly, Marquis Philomel’s eyes lit up.

There was still one method left.

A way to crush the nose of that arrogant First Prince.

“My, I didn’t know His Highness the First Prince cared so much for humanity. You truly are a role model for all.”

The Marquis opened his mouth with a vile smile.

“Then, how about we do this?”

……What nonsense is he about to spout?

Lakius eyed the Marquis suspiciously.

And then.

“We make the old Carolingian territory the First Prince’s direct jurisdiction, and have His Highness personally take care of it.”

What?

Not only the three heroes and the old Grand Duke Orleans, but even the other nobles wore expressions of disbelief.

But Marquis Philomel’s words weren’t over yet.

“Carlo, which was the capital, would be appropriate. It’s a place bordering the demon realm, so wouldn’t that land need His Highness the First Prince’s benevolence even more?”

Imperial direct jurisdiction.

Unlike the territories ruled by nobles, imperial direct jurisdiction was a territory directly governed by the imperial family.

Usually, they would appoint and send down a mayor, but if it became the First Prince’s direct jurisdiction, Lakius would go down as the lord.

Of course, if the direct jurisdiction prospers, its lord would gain considerable political standing.

Since governing a city itself is a miniature version of governing a country, it was tantamount to proving one’s ability.

However.

‘It’s that Carlo.’

The nobles exchanged glances.

The city that most fiercely resisted the demon race’s invasions was completely destroyed as a result.

Thus, currently the most underdeveloped city in the empire.

The imperial family had judged that Carlo had no possibility of revival and didn’t even send down a mayor.

Moreover, wasn’t this in a situation where traces of the demon race had been found?

Although the demon race is quiet now, we don’t know when they might invade again.

“Even so, His Highness the First Prince is only fifteen years old……”

“Isn’t it too much to entrust an entire imperial direct jurisdiction to him?”

Nobles who couldn’t overcome their conscience whispered softly.

But Marquis Philomel raised his voice, mercilessly crushing those faint murmurs.

“His Highness the First Prince said we should be wary of the demon race, so shouldn’t he naturally be at the forefront against the demon realm to uphold his own words?”

The Marquis’s eyes gleamed maliciously.

“Now that things have come to this, how about His Highness the First Prince directly proves his abilities?”

“……”

Lakius’s expression sank coldly.

Sometimes, to confirm the capabilities of an heir to the throne, they are sent to govern an imperial direct jurisdiction, but…

Usually, a strong heir to the throne is just kept in the capital to continue receiving imperial education.

Meanwhile, Marquis Philomel inwardly laughed sinisterly.

If Lakius refuses the proposal for direct jurisdiction, that in itself would be losing face.

And if he accepts the direct jurisdiction……

‘There’s nothing more foolish than that!’

Isn’t it embracing a huge, underdeveloped city that even the current Emperor couldn’t revive, in a moment of rashness?

‘Haha, how about that!’

Marquis Philomel gazed at Lakius triumphantly.

‘You should know your place and just be a supporting actor for His Highness the Second Prince. Why try to act all high and mighty!’

And then.

“Very well.”

A calm voice resonated.

‘What?’

Faced with this completely unexpected answer, Marquis Philomel’s face went blank as if he had been hit on the head.

He had intended to mock Lakius who would be in a difficult position, but what did he just say?

“Y-Your Highness the First Prince!”

“You mustn’t do this!”

“This isn’t a decision to be made so lightly!”

Other nobles, unable to stand by, frantically tried to stop Lakius.

However, the three heroes were looking at Lakius with inscrutable gazes.

As if they had expected this answer from the beginning.

“No, this isn’t a decision made lightly.”

A cold sneer appeared on Lakius’s lips.

“Until now, no one has ever taken responsibility for the Carolingians, have they?”

“……What?”

At that moment, the Emperor’s eyes flashed sharply.

They had turned a blind eye when the Carolingians were destroyed by the demon race.

That incident had long been a burden on the conscience of the Decartes imperial family and a political weakness.

Lakius, looking straight at his father, calmly concluded his words.

“So, as the eldest son of this empire, I intend to take that responsibility.”

“Lakius!”

The Emperor let out a roar.

However, Lakius paid no heed.

He simply stared straight at the Emperor with an unwavering, calm gaze.

“Ha, fine!”

The Emperor snapped in an agitated voice.

“If you’re so determined to leave for Carlo, how can I as a father refuse you?”

Facing his son who stood with a straight back, the Emperor raised his voice again.

“I’ll give you three days. Leave for Carlo. If I see you in the imperial city after that, I won’t forgive you!”

“I humbly accept your command, Your Majesty.”

Lakius bowed respectfully.

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively.

“Get out of my sight!”

“I shall take my leave.”

With that final greeting.

Lakius turned and strode out of the grand conference hall.

Cesar, who had been staring at Lakius’s retreating figure, addressed the Emperor with a radiant smile.

“You must be truly delighted to have such an excellent son, Your Majesty.”

“……What on earth do you mean by that?”

“It seems that His Highness the First Prince is the only one here who has learned to fulfill his responsibilities and duties.”

The Emperor’s face suddenly turned red.

“Are you insulting me?!”

“Hmm, I wonder.”

Cesar seemed to roll his eyes for a moment, then curved them into crescent moons.