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Chapter

485. Weekly Tradition

※ “Zilbagias ranked 4th in the paperback category of the Next Light Novel Awards 2022! Thank you once again to everyone who supported us!”

【Previous Summary】

Demon Lord (Odigos is gone… what should I do…)

Sister Spi: “Father, how about we go to lunch together today…?”

Demon Lord: “…Sure, it’s been a while since I showed my face.” (Feeling warm)

Chef: “Huh!? The Demon Lord is coming today!?” (I was planning an over-the-top menu for a competitive eater)

――――――――

The long-awaited dinner gathering I attended after a long time tantalized the tastes of the Demon Lord with its unchanged quality. Recently, it had only been Spinethia attending, but the chef’s daily efforts allowed him to adapt to the sudden presence of the Demon Lord…

The appetizer was fig wrapped in prosciutto with cream cheese, and a cracker topped with fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables. The bold flavors were quite pleasant, presented like jewels on a large white plate, making it an eye-catching and appetizing dish.

…However, that was the case for the Demon Lord’s plate. By the time I arrived, Spinethia had already started eating… She was boldly dipping piles of cream cheese into chunks of prosciutto (before they were sliced), stuffing figs into her mouth between bites of ham—it was a shockingly extravagant style.

Even during the era of the [Sanctuary], the Demon race would never resort to such a savage way of eating. The Demon Lord was somewhat taken aback. Surely, even the ancestors would find it a bit shocking.

Moreover, this cooking style seemed far too casual for Spinethia, who was supposed to be royalty. The Demon Lord felt dissatisfied, but…

Watching Spinethia gratefully shred the prosciutto while perfectly plated dishes that resembled the Demon Lord’s were quickly disappearing, he understood. The supply simply couldn’t keep up. Spinethia’s appetite and eating pace seemed to have sharpened even more lately.

(The Demon Lord was unaware, but it was the backlash from the appetite-suppressing Bon Dayji.)

Next came the soup—a clear golden consomme. Though it was a small portion, the rich flavor extracted from meat and vegetables was concentrated wonderfully, creating a taste that thrilled the tongue. It was a masterpiece that whetted the appetite even more for the main course.

…By the way, Spinethia was downing it from a bucket-sized container. When I heard “More, please!” even the Demon Lord fell silent. I’d read that excess salt is bad for one’s health, but I wondered if Spinethia was okay. And now that I was becoming aware of such things, I realized I had aged a bit.

(No good, no good, being weak.)

Rubbing his iron-like abs, the Demon Lord shook his head just as the long-awaited main course arrived.

A luxurious meat pie made with the finest meat turned into ground meat, wrapped in crispy pastry and baked to perfection. It was stuffed with herbs, boasting a rich flavor without being too overwhelming, and practically seemed to disappear into the stomach—it was like magic!

…Indeed, it was a dish that made the Demon Lord eat as if it were inhaled. There was no need to describe Spinethia’s eating habits; it was…

A mountain.

She was eating a mountain…

The Demon Lord was surprised to learn that such a huge oven capable of baking such large and numerous pies existed in his palace.

Completing the main course with deep satisfaction, dessert of fruit sorbet and post-meal coffee arrived.

“Hmm…”

Satisfied. That was the extent of it.

“Ahh…”

With a belly comically swollen, Spinethia scratched it and finally seemed content as she slowed her pace with the sorbet.

(I surprisingly enjoyed this…)

Watching Spinethia scoop up the sorbet like a snow shovel from a huge container, the Demon Lord thought…

Perhaps it was because he knew that Zilbagias was lively in the allied territory. Of course, if the information about poisoning was accurate, there would be no room for complacency…

(That being is beyond my expectations. Whatever happens will happen.)

With the renowned night elf agents accompanying him, he felt certain that even a little poison wouldn’t finish him off.

It was an unusually optimistic thought for a Demon Lord.

――Yes, optimistic.

Having this time to relax and enjoy meals was necessary for the Demon Lord.

And the meal gatherings with the children played that role. Amidst the pressures of politics, tired of family disputes, and worrying about the tensions between clans, the Demon Lord found solace during these moments, forgetting all the political entanglements—even if it was merely a silly family game.

(Yes… after all…)

It was just a play. The illusion of a harmonious family had crumbled utterly. Emelgias’s death, Zilbagias’s exile…

The Demon Lord was surprised at how deeply these losses affected him. He began to skip the family meals, and with the Demon Lord not showing up, Aiogias and Rubyphia stopped attending too. Only Spinethia remained, continuing to eat heartily every week.

Yet, it was thanks to Spinethia that—

This gathering was maintained.

“…Spinethia.”

“Huh?”

Startled as her name was called, Spinethia froze with a spoon still in her mouth.

“Thank you.”

She blinked in surprise at the Demon Lord’s murmured words.

“Um, well… I’m honored?”

Not entirely understanding why she was being thanked, she tilted her head while responding, sending the Demon Lord into laughter.

At least Spinethia wasn’t the type to pretend to be deep. It seemed she merely sensed that the Demon Lord was feeling down and invited him for a meal.

Her straightforwardness—her pure goodwill was heartwarming.

(If this was known to others… I would lose influence overnight.)

Hehe, the Demon Lord self-deprecated.

Just losing a son or two shouldn’t make me feel this down. I’d be made fun of for it.

One rare comfort for the Demon Lord was that the struggle for succession would occur after his death. …In other words, he could avoid facing the conflict. He thought so.

But the death of Emelgias made him aware of how wrong he was.

When he realized it, he was astounded at his own weakness and fragility…

It was only natural for the Demon Lord to feel self-deprecating.

However, if his son had fallen in battle with the allied forces…

The Demon Lord probably wouldn’t be as hurt. After all, that’s a conclusion that a warrior might face. He could shift the sorrow into anger against the enemy. He could fight the funeral battle.

But dying from internal strife felt… utterly hollow. A funeral battle? It was just an endless chain of fratricide…

(Perhaps I received too much influence from my father’s teachings…)

The first Demon Lord, Raougius, lamented until the end that the Demon race should remain barbaric. Goldgias, who inherited that ideology, might harbor excessive disgust towards killing within their own kind.

And experiencing the ugly conflict for the “Demon Lord’s Spear” only intensified that…

He lost beloved brothers and sisters, ended up fighting close comrades over clan differences, and one by one, both family and friends went missing, culminating in blood-soaked spears.

He could still clearly recall the moment he inherited the “Demon Lord’s Spear.”

――Finally, it was over.

With no sentiments or sense of accomplishment, that was all he thought.

Though the succession battle for the Demon Lord’s throne left everyone wounded and bleeding, Goldgias—the single winner was surely not an exception.

However, once he became the Demon Lord, he must be stronger than anyone else. There was no room for showing weakness.

Moreover, in the Demon Lord Kingdom—there was no longer anyone capable of “healing” the absolutely invincible Demon Lord.

Just as the first Demon Lord died in vain despite the desperate treatments from the Reiju tribe.

Goldgias too…

“……Father?”

Spinethia’s suspicious voice snapped the Demon Lord back to reality.

He seemed to have been staring at his daughter’s face without knowing it.

“……Hmm. I was just thinking about how you’ve been eating well as always.”

“Um… I’m sorry.”

Thinking she was being teased for her binge eating, Spinethia shrank back from the spoon, causing the Demon Lord to panic.

“Ah, no, I didn’t mean it in a bad way! In fact, I find it favorable. Watching you eat like that makes me impressed and even gives me peace of mind. It’s like watching a famous warrior wield a spear on the battlefield.”

“……Um, that’s an honor…?”

“Besides, they say kids who eat grow strong… especially you. I think you’ve grown a bit stronger, haven’t you?”

“Well, somewhat. After all, I’m eating this much…”

Spinethia forced a smile. Neither of them realized, but her self-deprecating grin was oddly reminiscent of the one Goldgias had worn moments ago.

That aside, the truth was that Spinethia’s magical power continued to grow. Though her growth was gradual, it was significant, especially for someone in her twenties, boasting noble-level magical capabilities.

The late Emelgias had also struggled to rise from noble-level in his thirties (just when he finally broke through, he died), and countless demon races end up living out their lives never reaching even viscount level.

Gossips abound that if Spinethia is just feasting, then it must be a good life to grow stronger without breaking a sweat forging in training. Indeed, it might seem unfair.

However, there was also the second son who was even worse, claiming that just “having intimate relations with women boosts strength,” so it wasn’t like Spinethia was particularly cheating. Besides, the Demon Lord knew that Spinethia not only feasted but was also putting in the necessary training.

The Sauroe tribe was famed among the Demon races for their spear mastery.

“You’re doing well.”

The Demon Lord unusually complimented out loud.

Since it was just the two of them, there was no worry about eavesdropping.

“I know that you’re struggling and putting in effort,” he said.

Spinethia’s eyes widened. She opened her mouth instinctively, trying to say something, but no words came out.

“So—become as strong as you can. You can do it.”

Even if you get caught up in the next succession battle, be strong enough to survive.

The Demon Lord secretly wished for her.

“……If there’s ever a shortage of food, don’t hesitate to say so. As a Demon Lord, I can’t offer extreme favoritism, but preparing food for my daughter is something I won’t object to.”

“……Ahaha, thank you.”

Then, feeling the tension ease with the joking words from the Demon Lord, Spinethia too relaxed and laughed.

“Well, at this weekly meal gathering, I think I have more than enough to eat.”

“Yes.”

That much was true… the Demon Lord nodded solemnly. He had no objections.

“Once again, thank you, Spinethia. It turned out to be unexpectedly good for my mind.”

“I’m glad.”

Spinethia smiled. It was clear that her father looked much more relaxed. It seemed her bold invitation had indeed been worthwhile.

“……Shall we eat together again next week?”

“Ah!”

However, Spinethia made a slightly awkward face at the continuation of her father’s words.

“Um… Father, I’m heading off to battle starting next week.”

The Demon Lord pressed his lips together, and of course, his sharp mind was pulling up certain reports.

“I see… the joint front with the Sauroe and Korvto tribes.”

So you’re coming too.

“Yes.”

Spinethia nodded.

“The Northern Dwarf tribe is troublesome, you see.”

――Northern Front.

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