“Why is the nymphobic demon roaming around the mansion…? This is a violation of the butler and chief, Sifnoi’s authority…!”
Sifnoi was really upset.She didn’t seem to approve of the demon Astarosa freely moving around the 「Junk Mansion」.Of course, Astarosa didn’t care.
She was digging a moat in the garden with Cecily, Naru, and Hina and filling it with goldfish one by one.
“Wow, holy shh…! So many goldfish…! Naru rembers raising goldfish before…! They flopped around and then evolved into a Gyarrdos…!”
Naru babbled about incomprehensible things.What was a Gyarrdos?What did the goldfish evolve into?
“Naru Style, ruthless splashing!”
Splash— Splash—Naru ruthlessly splashed the water.The goldfish followed her hand back and forth, interestingly.But because of all the splashing, Astarosa, who had been releasing them from the bag, beca soaked and scowled.
“… You brat! I’m all wet!”
Snatch—Astarosa lost her patience and pulled at Naru’s cheek.
“… Hiiik!”
Naru wriggled about.Then Cariote, who had been watching, stepped forward.
“Dina.”
“She splashed first!”
“You mustn’t recklessly spank or bully the children. If you do not comply, you’ll have to drink the ditch water.”
“… Fine. I’ll let her go.”
Astarosa released Naru like she had no choice. Naru sniffled while holding her cheek that was red from the pinching, and Brigitte who had been watching from afar asked .
“Is it alright to leave Astarosa like that? She’s a demon. What if she harms the kids?”
It was an absolutely sound argunt.To others, it would seem like I had released a starving lion into a kindergarten class.
But I was sowhat certain after going to Pandemonium with Astarosa 3 days ago.Astarosa was called a demon but she wasn’t actually that different from when she used to be known as Cariote’s sister, ‘Dina’.
Just a being with horns and a tail prone to bad intentions.Yeah, just a regular human.
“When she’s around the kids, it neutralizes so of the evil karma. Letting her play with them is better for her, actually.”
More importantly, it was a peaceful scene.
Enough so that ti flew by just from watching.
3 days since Molumolu had transcended and beca a deity.The past 3 days had been confusing yet peaceful.
No more experints.We could only wait leisurely for the ti that was sure to co.Unhurriedly.Like slowly digesting what was left of this ordinary life.
“Hina! Finish your science howork!”
Tap—Right then, Salo jumped down from up high.Salo pulled Hina’s arm as she was playing, and Hina mumbled while looking at the goldfish swimming in the garden’s pond.
“… Goldfish.”
“What about the goldfish? You know you have finals in two weeks. After science howork, we’ll work on math and essays. Then….”
“Then play with Naru! Hina likes playing with Naru!”
Naru happily raised her arms.Of course, Salo snorted like there was no chance.
“Hina doesn’t like playing with you, Naru. Right?”
“... Hina is….”
Hina mumbled.Seeing this, Salo butt in.
“Hina needs to be in the top 10 for finals. She doesn’t have ti to be playing like this so, Naru, don’t disrupt her studying. Do you understand?”
I recalled my past at that mont.When I was still in elentary school.
There was a friend who had hung out with every day but then his grades dropped from all the playing so that friend’s mom got angry and scolded us, “No more playing together!”Salo also seed to be preventing Naru and Hina from playing with each other.
“Then may I, Cecily, play with Hina?”
Cecily, who had been dipping her feet in the cold pond, asked Salo. Salo looked her up and down then shook her head.
“No. You’re no different from Naru.”
“That’s because we’re sisters.”
“That’s right! Naru and Cecily are like each other. And Hina is like Naru, too! We are the three sisters who are alike, called Naruberus!”
Cecily and Naru enthusiastically raised their hands.Seeing them, Hina giggled but Salo frowned like she was unimpressed.Swoosh—Just then, Hina looked at .
Her sparkling eyes were likely requesting my help.I didn’t want to get nagged by Salo, but…. I suppose I should do sothing.
“Salo, when you’re young, everything is a lesson. There are lots of things that you can only do as a kid. This is the ti when playing might be more important than studying.”
I recalled my own childhood.There were lots of tv ads for places like Evaland and Lotti World which had made want to go.They ntioned having things like festivals and parades.
Of course, my mom and dad had said that they were too busy and never took to those places.I got to go with friends after I had turned 20, and it had been pretty fun.
Every ride had a long wait, but I was still impressed, thinking, “Wow, there are such fun places in the world–”Yet I wondered what it would’ve been like if I had got to go when I was younger.If I had experienced such things when I could have enjoyed them as a child.
Then I might have not have turned out to be a thief.… Wait, maybe not?
Anyway.Hearing my argunt, Cariote also nodded.
“Childhood experiences are important. Studying and learning to hunt is necessary, but so is having playti. I also played when needed.”
Her words had everyone falling quiet.Sensing the strange silence, Cariote shrugged.
“… Why do you look at that way?”
At Cariote’s question, Brigitte replied.
“Well, it feels out of character that you had any playti. Your idea of playing seems like it’d be knocking over stones with rocks. Or hunting rabbits.”
“I played skip rope with elastics. With my sister, Dina.”
Cariote played with elastics like a regular girl. As I tried to imagine the scene which was hard to picture, Astarosa nodded.
“Yes, there were tis like that. Cariote had long hair back then and wore dresses.”
I see.Everyone looked contemplative except Salo who seed unconvinced. At this rate, Hina will still have to study.I guess there wasn’t a choice.
Swoosh—I pulled out a stone from my shadow.Not just any stone but one that shined in 4 different colors.
“This is the Snake Dragon’s Gem that was left behind after defeating the Grandmaster. I’ll hide it sowhere in the mansion so the first one to find it, keeps it.”
If an accessory is crafted from this gem, then it could increase the possessor’s princess level. It was such a good treasure that I was contemplating which kid to give it to, but in light of the situation it seed best to offer it as a prize.
“It won't be easy to find. But moms can help out. Naru with Brigitte, Cariote with Cecily, and Salo and Hina will be a team. Alright, here we go.”
Swoosh—I put the gem back into my shadow.The shadow will be able to hide it well within the mansion.It’ll be sowhere hard to find.
* * *
“Naru, how about we stop with the pond and check inside the mansion?”
Splash— Splash—Brigitte suggested to Naru who was splashing the pond water.Of course, Naru kept going.
“Naru likes playing with water! It would be nice if Molumolu was here, too. Molumolu, where is he now?” He didn’t co ho for dinner yesterday, either….”
Naru paused her splashing and slumped.She looked over at Molumolu’s food bowl that I had prepared in the garden.
The bowl contained acorns, crunchy biscuits and such, but it looked untouched.
“Molumolu….”
As Naru was missing Molumolu, Brigitte spoke.
“Naru, don’t you want to find the treasure? If you find it, then Molumolu might be attracted to its shininess and co back.”
While saying this, Brigitte’s eyes were on Salo and Hina who were wandering around the mansion.Salo and Hina were searching quite determinedly, making them fairly strong candidates.Brigitte clicked her tongue.
“Salo, didn’t you say you needed to help Hina study? Is it okay to let her play like this?”
At her question, Salo shouted her response from the window.
“I won’t let the Snake Dragon’s Gem fall into anyone else’s hands. That gem belongs to Hina. And most of Judas’s possessions will eventually be hers, too!”
I see.There seed to be a bit of competition between Brigitte and Salo.The Snake Dragon’s Gem was a pretty aweso item so of course they’d be fighting over it.
Swoosh—Just then, soone approached .It was Cecily.
Tug— Tug—Cecily pulled on my pants leg.What is it?
“What.”
“Hurry and reveal where you hid the gem…! The brilliant gem of 4 colors…. If it’s cut into a bracelet…. Then I can catch everyone’s attention at the princess’ upcoming birthday party….!”
I see.She wanted to ask about the location of the treasure.Tackling it head-on, I suppose?
“If you tell the location of the gem, then I will especially let you pet this Cecily’s head. This isn’t a chance that cos often.”
An aweso chance.Of course, I already had my answer.
“No.”
“... Not even for the honor of having on your shoulders…?”
“No.”
“Guuuuh…!”
Cecily’s face beca tearful.With tears in her eyes as if she was about to cry and hands fisted into her dress, she looked imnsely frustrated and vexed.However, I was different from other doting dads.Why did the world have problems?My theory was that it was because they all raised their daughters like princesses.
When those preciously-raised children beco adults and enter society… then the world will surely turn into a stage for a cruel ga of thrones by those haughty princesses…!
—Oh, holy shh…! I am 25-years-old Naru…! I do whatever I want…! Because I am the Back Alley Princess…! Naru Style, ruthless massacre…!—You must imdiately present cake and bread to this Cecily Von Ragdoll…! And I allow you the honor of kneeling at my feet…!—Hina… studied too much and beca overwheld…. The world… I’ll destroy it…!”
I could picture it clearly.Hence I sought to maintain a level of strictness with all of them.For world peace.
“━━──.”
Just then, Cecily dropped her mouth open.She exploded into tears.To think that Cecily would cry.
Tap—At that mont, Cariote landed next to .Had she been searching the mansion’s rooftop and ca down in search of Cecily?
“Cecily, why are you crying?”
“Judaaaas, won’t, let Cecily, on his shoulders, uwaahuwaaw.”
Cecily cried very sorrowfully.But I fully explained the situation to Cariote.
Babble— Babble—
“And that’s what happened.”
“I see. Cecily tried negotiating but she failed. Cecily, a noble lady mustn’t show her tears easily. Tears are the ultimate weapon to use as a last resort.”
Stroke— Stroke—Cariote expertly petted Cecily’s chin and head.As she did, Cecily slowly cald down, and taking that mont, Cariote whispered into my ear.
“I won’t ask where the treasure is. But for a hint, I can offer sothing appropriate in return. An opportunity to touch my hand.”
An opportunity to touch her hand.It was hilarious that Cariote herself was saying this like it was a great privilege to hold her hand. How should I put it, it was similar to the way Cecily talked.
“Alright. I’ll give you a hint. Everyone, co /genesisforsaken
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