Chapter 128
Chapter 128. Unpleasant
“Hey—”
Lumiafia suddenly turned to Germadios.
“Uh? Yeah, what’s up?”
Normally, Lumiafia would dismiss anything said to her, but her unexpected response left Germadios flustered.
“What do you think about that prince?”
Without holding back, she asked.
“…Well, I guess…”
As if compelled by her words, Germadios glanced out the window at Zilbagias in the banquet hall—his faint smile looked oddly cold, hardly welcoming the prince.
(Well, there’s no way you’d like him.)
Lumiafia chuckled to herself. This man, self-confident and proud, while never satisfied with his current situation—there’s no way he wouldn’t envy the prince, who is being fawned over in place of him.
Germadios is a Count, but lately, he hasn’t been able to achieve as much military success as he would like, causing him frustration. As a rare healer within the Demon Lord Kingdom, the Reiju Tribe is often sidelined in support roles. While simply providing treatment could lead to a promotion to Baron, anything beyond that becomes stagnant.
It’s acknowledged that healing is important, but the prevailing notion among the demon race is that status is based on strength. Unless one can prove their might on the front lines, advancing further is difficult…
In recent decades, the population of the demon race has been on the rise, and with the Demon Lord Army’s invasion moving at a snail’s pace, competition for available slots has become fierce.
Even if one wants to achieve military merits, it’s quite common to not even get the chance to participate in battles.
And yet—word has it that the prince is guaranteed to make his debut in next year’s attack on the royal capital.
For a mere demon like Germadios, that’s certainly infuriating. They’re ready to hand out opportunities for glory without any struggle, right over the heads of people like him.
—Let alone the fact that he’s already earned the title of ‘defeater of the White Dragon’s chieftain’ at such a young age, rising from mere squire to viscount.
“I’ve heard various rumors. They say he single-handedly defeated a chieftain-class dragon, or that he crushed a viscount’s horn in a barehanded brawl?”
With a mocking hands-up gesture, Germadios spoke as if he were merely joking.
“You really believe that? Let’s see for ourselves.”
Lumiafia tilted her chin towards Zilbagias. She herself thought the rumors were dubious after meeting him in person.
While there might be some truth to it, it seemed greatly exaggerated.
Indeed, Zilbagias has a strong magical power for his age. He is on par with her beloved brother, surpassing Lumiafia herself quite easily.
However—if asked whether he could really defeat a dragon’s chieftain alone or crush horns, she would respond—
“That’s a question.”
Germadios tilted his brow in feigned amusement.
“Sure, he probably gets a bit of a boost from his Olgi blood and the ‘pretense,’ but… he’s still just a kid; he doesn’t seem that exceptional.”
With a half-smile, Germadios gazed coldly at Zilbagias.
“Well, he has his position, right? He’s probably just trying to polish his image.”
“Hmm. So you think so too.”
To her annoyance, that was the first moment this man and she had found common ground.
“I think that prince is kind of getting ahead of himself.”
While gazing at the tips of her toes, Lumiafia muttered to herself.
“Sure, he can frolic home with Mama, but he’s acting so high and mighty.”
“…Yeah, I feel that too. The position of prince isn’t something to be taken lightly, but…”
Germadios had a slight crack in his forced smile while staring at Zilbagias.
“Still, it seems he’s lacking a bit in respect towards us seasoned ones. I bet everyone else is thinking the same.”
“Hmph.”
Observing that expression, Lumiafia sensed an opportunity.
“If you… were to teach that prince a lesson—”
With a feigned deadpan look, she sent a meaningful glance towards the man before her.
“I might just reconsider my opinion of you.”
“Oh?”
Like a beast lured by a chunk of meat dangled before it, Germadios leaned in eagerly.
“Sounds good. Honestly, I’ve found his attitude grating too.”
With a serious face, he acted as if he’d thought that way all along.
The man took the bait.
“I’ll teach that naive prince—I’ll show him the harshness of demon society… as a responsible adult, of course.”
With a dramatic flourish, he tossed back his ash-gray hair.
With a flashy wink that was nauseating, Germadios said, “Just wait and see,” before departing with a spring in his step.
Once he was far enough away, Lumiafia snorted to herself and leaned back against the tree trunk.
(How foolish.)
But she thought it amusing.
Let him enjoy the show from the sidelines—whether that man suffers or that prince gets humiliated.
No matter how it turned out, it would be delightful, she thought.
She thought so… until now.
