NOVEL WEB Chapter 28
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Receiving a warm welcome from the servants, Latte and I entered the mansion.
When the servants offered to carry our luggage, Latte handed hers over, but I declined, insisting I could handle it myself.
Since we’ve lived in the Imperial Palace, I should at least give them a gift.
“Sebas, where’s the family?”
“The Head of the Family and Lady of the House are currently in the back of the mansion. A new family member has joined while Young Master Zech is away.”
“Family? Don’t tell me I have a younger sibling now?”
I asked in disbelief, based on the butler Sebas’s words.
My parents have always been lovey-dovey; my brother and I have been adults earning money, but they still act like that.
“Hehe, unfortunately, that’s not the case. It would be faster for you to see for yourself, so let me guide you.”
“Phew, that’s a relief. I appreciate it, Sebas.”
I was worried if I really did have a younger sibling at this age, but thankfully that didn’t seem to be true.
Anyway, Latte and I followed Sebas to the back of the mansion.
As we walked among the beautiful flowers, we soon approached the rear of the mansion.
– Ah, they drink tea so elegantly?
– Honestly, they don’t look like kids at all!
Hearing the voices of my parents softly, I quickened my pace with a smile.
And when we finally reached the back…
“Father! Mother! I’m here!”
I announced my presence with wide-open arms.
“Oh, you’ve arrived?”
“Welcome!”
“Wow, the second son finally returns from being trapped in the Imperial Palace, and this is the reaction?”
As I found my parents’ reactions disappointingly normal, I spotted a little girl elegantly sipping tea between them.
“…Who’s that kid?”
“I found her.”
“No, Father. Is it really that simple to say?”
She clearly did not seem human with those black horns sticking out.
“If my eyes aren’t fooling me, those horns on her head…”
“You’re right: horns. She’s not even a beastkin.”
“Then she’s a Demon Race?! Hero, look at that!”
Startled, I grabbed Latte’s wrist and pulled her closer.
Huff!! Cough cough!
Suddenly, my father, who was casually sipping his tea despite having a Demon Race nearby, unexpectedly spat it out.
“Cough! Yo, a Hero?”
“Is that really important right now?! The Demon girl next to you is more-”
“What’s important is that she’s a real Hero—she’s real?!”
The Demon girl seemed unfazed, while my father stared wide-eyed at Latte next to me.
“Oh my, I’ve read in the newspaper that our son helped the Hero, but I didn’t expect you to bring her!”
“Why didn’t you say something?! Damn it, we need to prepare a grand dinner tonight… Sebas, tell Head Chef Balrog to make dinner more delicious than ever!”
“Understood, Head of the Family.”
With my father’s command, Sebas vanished immediately.
‘Am I the only one not getting what’s happening right now?’
Isn’t it possible to have a Hero next to me? I should be more surprised about having a Demon Race around.
“..Ack!”
– Smack!
Right then, I got slapped hard in the face.
‘What the hell, being with Latte has totally messed up my thinking!’
After watching all those anime, webtoons, and web novels back on Earth, I forgot how absurd it is to be with a Hero.
‘In this world, treating a Hero is equivalent to or even higher than an emperor. So I’m technically bringing an emperor to a barony now?’
This was definitely messed up.
“But still, having a Demon Race at home is already surprising and weird.”
Monsters might exist.
They keep coming out of nature and dungeons.
But a Demon Race? That’s different.
“Why is there a Demon Race here when the Hero has killed the Demon King? I’m more surprised that you just brought her back.”
It’s not like she’s a slime or a goblin; you just brought back a horned Demon.
“Well, ahem, first, come and sit down. I guess I overreacted.”
“…Could you please explain it in a way I can understand?”
Thus, a conversation opened between my father, who brought home a Demon, and the son who brought back the Hero.
***
“So first, this child’s name is Metida.”
“I see.”
“I was out for a stroll in the woods with your mom when we heard some rustling in the bushes right before a kiss, so I went to check and found her.”
“I’d rather not hear about your lovey-dovey stories, so could you skip that part?”
“I thought, she has horns so she must be a Demon, so I brought her.”
“Wait a minute, stop right there.”
What the hell is this nonsense?
“Father, do you really think it makes sense to see a Demon and think, ‘Oh, a Demon, let’s bring her home’?”
“And what about you saying, ‘Hero, would you like to come home with me?’ – does that make any sense?”
“Okay, let’s just agree to disagree.”
I was at a loss for words.
“So, is she going to attack people or something?”
“If that were the case, your brother would have already twisted her neck.”
“Yeah, he’s in the estate right now.”
‘As long as she doesn’t attack people…’
“Then it’s fine. So long as she doesn’t cause any trouble.”
‘I’m okay with it for now.’
The problem is Latte next to me.
“Hero, are you okay living with a Demon Race? Is PTSD going to kick in or something?”
To my question, Latte calmly set down her teacup and replied.
“I’m fine. PTSD…? I don’t know what that is, but she doesn’t seem powerful at all, so I can take her down easily.”
“Wow, that’s so Hero-like of you.”
Since it seems like Latte is okay with it, I stood up and approached the girl.
Maybe it’s because she’s sitting down, but she looked really small.
When she stands up, her head might reach my waist.
“Your name was… Metida, right?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry for showing such a sight from the first meeting. I’m just surprised since it’s my first time seeing a Demon.”
“It’s okay, Young Master Jeck.”
‘Did my parents teach her my name?’
“Yeah, you seem young and your heart is big too, and you speak so nicely.”
I thought she was better than I expected.
When I heard Sebas’s words, I was worried about having a younger sibling, but now it seems like I’ve gotten a capable younger sister, and that’s not so bad.
‘Well, if I think about it, there are often kind Demon characters in stories, right? Even the Demon King is often portrayed as a girl like her, like a love story.’
“Father, how long will Metida be staying at our mansion?”
“From what I heard, it seems she doesn’t have family or friends, so I told her to stay as long as she wants. Treat her like your real sister.”
“Hmm.. Well, why not? Let’s give it a try.”
I gently set my hand on Metida’s head between her horns and stroked her softly.
“I’m Jeck Hypno. Think of me as your older brother.”
“Yes, Jeck oppa.”
She looked up at me with her red eyes, and it was super cute.
“You’re adorable. I can see why you brought her home.”
“It was a good decision to bring such a child wandering alone in the woods home before being captured by a slave trader.”
“Great job! Oh, speaking of which, I got so lost in my thoughts that I forgot to give you a gift. It was something I got while trapped in the Imperial Palace…”
***
“Now, since the Hero is here, our Head Chef Balrog has prepared something special! Enjoy!”
“Haha, you really don’t have to go to such lengths…”
“How could I not?! I have to express my gratitude to the Hero who saved the Empire, so don’t hold back and enjoy!”
“Right, you’re the Hero, after all?”
“Ah, I get it… Well then, let’s dig in.”
Latte shot me a pleading look, but with a playful smile, I turned down her request.
As a Hero, you should receive this kind of treatment.
“Come on, eat up, Hero!”
“You too, author! Got it! I’ll make sure to enjoy it!”
While Latte sent me a resentful glare, she took a bite of the steak in front of her.
“Mmm! This is delicious! I’ve never tasted anything like this at the Imperial Palace!”
“Oh, I’m glad to hear you like it.”
“It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve had this. It’s reminiscent of… the steak I had 300 years ago. That one was the best.”
“Oh my, really? If our Head Chef Balrog hears that you praised it, he’ll be thrilled.”
“It’s truly that good.”
“Oh man, I should definitely pay Balrog more money later. Ah, Hero. Let’s serve you some wine made from our territory’s specialty!”
At that moment, one maid who was waiting poured wine into Latte’s glass.
“Hmm.. It’s been a while since I had alcohol, but I’ll gratefully take it.”
“Jeck, you should have a drink too!”
“Should I?”
Before long, everyone at the table, except Metida, raised their wine glasses.
“Mmm..! This seems like some rare wine; the taste is incredible.”
“You noticed? It’s valuable wine that has been aged for quite some time.”
“Huh, maybe it’s just been so long since I had it; it tastes even better now.”
“Exactly. It would be nice if Zick could join us, but he refused because he made dinner plans with his girlfriend.”
“Isn’t this the perfect time? Heh…”
“That’s true. Oh, speaking of which, Jeck.”
“Yes?”
“Are you getting along with the princess? Because of you, I was promoted to a viscount.”
“..Really?”
Looks like we have a lot to talk about during dinner.
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