Just as everyone was confused, another person walked in through the door.
He had the sa blonde hair as Darkness, neatly swept back, and wore dignified Western-style clothing befitting nobility. His perfect posture was accompanied not by the oppressive aura typical of those in high positions, but rather a warm and accepting gaze as he surveyed everyone in the reception room.
No, to be precise, he was looking at Adam.
He was Ignis Ford Dustiness — Darkness's father!
"Pleased to et you, Lord Dustiness." Adam stood and bowed, "I am Adam Carter, the leader of the Hero party."
"Pleased to et you, Hero Adam Carter. I am Lalatina's father." Ignis replied, foregoing his kingdom title to introduce himself simply as a parent, "Please, have a seat."
As the host, he gestured for everyone to sit, indicating they needn't stand on ceremony.
Having likely heard about these people from his daughter, he chose to overlook their earlier improper behavior.
In truth, the troublemakers of the party had never cared much for appearances, and even Kazuma, who usually knew better, beca unreasonable when Aqua provoked him.
Everyone settled onto the sofa.
The noble young lady sitting across from them kept her head down, unable to et their eyes directly, as if guilty of so transgression.
This gave Adam an ominous feeling.
Sure enough, the following conversation nearly shattered his dependable image before his party mbers.
"May I call you just Adam?"
"Of course. You are Lalatina's father and my elder — it would be my honor."
The response pleased Ignis, and his expression grew even warr.
"Adam, have you co to propose?"
"...Eh?" Adam was stunned, at a loss for how to continue.
"Is that not the case? My daughter Lalatina says she has already privately committed to a man. Is that man not you? Have I misunderstood?"
It was both a question and an assertion.
Looking at his daughter, Ignis seed convinced Adam was that man. After all, his daughter had revealed everything except the na, and based on his deduction, only Adam matched all the conditions.
Naturally, he had concluded it must be Adam.
"Ehhhh!!!" ca three startled voices at once.
Ignis's words had stunned the other party mbers.
"Adam..." Aqua's voice trembled, her eyes welling with tears.
"Adam, are you and Darkness... in th-that kind of relationship?!" gumin stamred in panic.
"..."
How was he supposed to answer this?!
While Kazuma was initially shocked, he quickly saw through it — this must be Darkness's ploy to escape an arranged marriage. She was using their leader as a shield to avoid the matchmaking whirlpool.
Indeed, Adam, bearing the title of 『Hero』, made an excellent marriage candidate. This was clear from the predatory gleam in those won's eyes.
When Kazuma caught Darkness's subtle victorious smile, his heart skipped a beat.
No, he couldn't let this perverted masochist knight's sche succeed. He had to think of sothing!
His eyes darted around as he formulated a plan.
He declared boldly, "Lord Dustiness, please don't jump to conclusions! Our leader's reputation cannot be tarnished, even by you, great lord!"
"And you are...?"
"A pleasure to et you. I am Kazuma Satou, also a mber of the Hero party and a companion to your daughter Lady Lalatina. We ca to bid her farewell after hearing of her arranged marriage. Once Lady Lalatina is married, given our difference in status, we likely won't see her again."
In that mont, his deanor transford completely.
The usually cowardly scoundrel who fled at the first sign of trouble beca a well-mannered gentleman with impeccable social grace.
As if this version of him truly belonged in the party.
But Kazuma's words made it clear that Adam wasn't the man who had privately committed to Darkness. He had denied this on behalf of their leader.
Sharp gazes imdiately turned toward the "Devil" on the left.
Darkness fixed Kazuma with murderous eyes.
Though furious at him for ruining her secret plan, she could only glare at him like he was already dead, unable to act out in front of her father.
The "Ice Beauty" had returned.
A chill ran down Kazuma's spine, dampening his satisfaction at foiling Darkness's sche.
"Why do you say that, Kazuma... may I call you Kazuma?"
"Of course." Kazuma gestured toward the two female party mbers, "Actually, both our Arch Wizard and High Priestess are in love with our leader, and they're already together. There's no room for your daughter!"
"!!!"
Kazuma's words landed like a bomb.
Even Darkness lost her composure, demanding frantically, "Wh-what's going on, what happened in the two months I was away, explain this properly!"
Kazuma waved his hand dismissively, "Well, it's exactly what you're thinking. While you were gone these two months, others got there first."
The fool was so focused on driving Darkness from the party that he carelessly slandered Aqua and gumin's reputations, completely blind to the consequences.
Was he truly this brave, or just suicidal? Did he want to get hit by an Explosion spell?
Perhaps Kazuma thought that, being a great lord, Darkness's father wouldn't allow his daughter to ddle in others' relationships.
"Adam, explain this to !"
"Adam..."
"What's going on here?"
The scene erupted into chaos!
Thanks to Kazuma's reckless move, all three won bombarded Adam with questions before he could even respond.
Even Ignis lowered his head. Though silent, the oppressive atmosphere around him grew heavier, gradually quieting the noisy crowd.
No one dared to speak.
Only then did the party mbers realize they were in the presence of the "Kingdom's Royal Shield" — a great lord and Knight who, despite his friendly deanor, still commanded absolute authority!
Kazuma, sensing the situation had turned dire, appeared to regret his mistake and wanted to fix it quickly.
"Ahem, actually..."
"To think... to think... to think my daughter would..." Ignis muttered repeatedly, seemingly furious at the thought of his daughter interfering in others' relationships.
Just as Adam was about to explain, Ignis spoke.
"Even being a concubine is fine, please marry her."
"..."
"Ehhhhhh!!!!" x5
"Father?!"
✧✧✧
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!
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