Tilea's Worries

Timu has returned.

Her silver hair flowing as always, she looks adorable.

What should I do?

A family showdown between Edim and her father is about to begin. Timu is Edim’s best friend, so leaving her out of this would be unfair. I should ask Timu to help support Edim.

"Tim, I have a favor to ask."

"Yes? Whatever you need, just say the word. For you, Sister, I will exterminate any foe."

"Ugh, never mind."

Right, I forgot...

Timu is a full-blown Chuunibyou. If she gets involved, things will only get more complicated.

I’m sorry, Timu, but I’ll handle the reconciliation between Edim and her father. Timu should stay in her room and focus on her schoolwork. I'll take care of convincing that stubborn man with Edim's help.

But wait, where is Edim?

"Tim, isn't Edim with you?"

"She’s over there."

Following Timu’s pointing finger, I see Edim carrying a huge load. She’s holding something even taller than herself with ease—typical vampire strength.

But isn't that load too much, even for her? She can't even see where she’s going.

"What is Edim carrying?"

"Be pleased, Sister. She has procured mangosteen fish meat, acerola fruits, and various other ingredients you desired."

Wow, that's amazing.

All those ingredients are exactly what I needed for cooking. Their acquisition difficulty is at least a B. I was planning to ask Ortissio to get them eventually.

But Timu, how did you afford such expensive ingredients—oh, Ortissio’s money, of course. Not that I can criticize, but borrowing money so frequently isn’t a good idea.

Money issues can strain friendships.

Also, it's not fair to make Edim carry all that while you walk empty-handed. It looks like a master and servant from the outside.

"Tim, don’t you feel any remorse making Edim carry such a heavy load?"

"Meaning?"

"Look at her. She can barely see where she’s going. Even a vampire might trip over a rock and fall."

"Rest assured, Sister. I have promised Edim to cut off one head for every item she drops."

No, no, no. Where do I even begin?

Tim, people only have one head. And it’s not the food I’m worried about—it’s your friendship. And this isn’t the time for this discussion.

Edim’s father is looking puzzled too. This problem will have to wait. For now, Timu should go to her room. She’ll just complicate things further here.

"Tim, go to your room and do your homework."

"Homework? That is an assignment given by superiors to their subordinates. It does not apply to me. In fact, I am the one assigning homework to my teachers."

"You’re still... "

She must have convinced Jeje to handle it. Edim spoils Timu, and Jeje spoils Edim. If Jeje is her teacher, Timu could probably get away with anything.

Timu really doesn’t want to do homework. She’s quite crafty.

I’ll have to deal with this later. For now, let’s get Timu to her room.

"So, then, prepare for tomorrow's lessons."

"Sister, I’ve been teaching lately. I’m giving the lectures..."

Ah, this Chuunibyou! Always twisting words. No way you’re actually teaching classes!

Wait, if Jeje is her teacher, Timu might really be doing as she pleases.

I need to do a surprise parent-teacher visit soon.

As I ponder Timu’s antics,

"Quite the unique daughter you have."

Edim’s father joins the conversation.

"Who are you?"

"Tim, listen to your sister and go to your room. You don’t want to witness what’s about to happen."

"How dare you speak my name without permission. I will tear that disrespectful mouth apart!"

"Tim, be a good girl and go."

Timu’s neck was grabbed and I dragged her down to the Underground Empire’s staircase. I'll hand her over to one of the weirdos.

While searching for a weirdo to hand her over to, I find Ortissio wandering aimlessly. He'll do.

The family battle could start any moment. No time to be picky.

"Ortissio."

"Lady Tilea."

Ortissio notices me and kneels.

I approach him,

"Take care of Timu."

I hand her over like she’s a parcel.

Ortissio nervously cradles Timu.

Despite being a novice, he should have some experience with women. He’s overly tense. Well, Timu is their idol, so this reaction is expected.

"Um, Lady Tilea, what is this...?"

"Just keep her in a room and make sure she studies."

Leaving Timu with Ortissio, I rush back up the stairs.

As I return to the restaurant, Edim and her father are facing off.

Edim’s father looks at her with a grim resolve. Edim, meanwhile, looks at him with apparent annoyance.

Their conversation is audible.

"Edim, I wanted to believe it was a mistake. But that strength... you really have become a vampire."

"Sigh, one problem after another. Well, I guess it’s expected since I wasn’t replying to letters..."

"Edim, I’m a soldier. I must eliminate those who threaten the kingdom."

"Alright, alright. I’ll kill you later. Just wait until I put these groceries in the fridge."

"What!? Don't mock me!"

Edim’s father, enraged, grabs her shoulder.

"Tch. What if I drop the groceries!"

Edim’s fist slams into her father’s face, sending him flying out of the store like a rag doll.

What a powerful punch!

Well, he did say he’d kill her. That probably made her snap.

"E-Edim..."

"Sorry, Lady Tilea, for the scene."

"Never mind that. Is he okay?"

You did hold back, right? He flew out like he got hit by a truck. He might be seriously injured.

"My apologies. Freshness is crucial for the ingredients. I’ll put them in the fridge immediately."

No, not the groceries—your father!

Edim, still misunderstanding, heads to the Underground Empire’s fridge. She shows no concern for her father.

Edim...

She’s clearly avoiding her father. Understandable, knowing his stubbornness. She’s probably given up on reasoning with him and is ready to fight.

I can’t let this turn into a bloody family battle.

First, check on her father.

I run outside to find him trying to stand, holding his bleeding head.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes..."

"Please lie down. I’ll treat you. I’ll use a handkerchief as a bandage—"

"No need."

"But you’re bleeding..."

"Leave me be!"

"Oh..."

"Tilea, thank you for your concern. But I won’t drag you and your sister into this."

Edim’s father remains unyielding. He’s really going to punish her.

"Do you seriously intend to kill your own daughter?"

"I do."

"Damn, I understand your pride. But is it worth destroying your family?"

"You wouldn’t understand. A soldier must protect the kingdom."

"You’re wrong. You’re a father first!"

"Someone has to do it. If my daughter is a threat, it’s my duty as a soldier and a father."

"But it’s still wrong."

"Persistent, aren’t you? Keep this up, and I’ll have to charge you with treason."

"Ugh..."

"That’s enough. You’ve shown great loyalty to my daughter. I don’t want to kill you."

No...

We’re at an impasse. I can’t convince him.

"Tilea, you and my daughter have faced danger together. Despite that, you never abandoned her. As a parent, I’m grateful."

Edim’s father, tears in his eyes, draws his sword and heads to Edim.

Damn stubborn man!

If only Edim could escape—oh no!

Too late...

Edim is back after putting the groceries in the fridge.

The showdown between father and daughter begins outside the store.

This is the worst-case scenario.

There’s no stopping them now.

"Edim, I’ve heard enough. You’ve been through hell. I’ll end your suffering soon. Forgive me. I’ll follow you shortly."

"Lady Tilea, what should I do with him? Kill or turn him?"

Edim’s tone is cold, as if she feels nothing. She’s pretending to be emotionless. Deep down, she’s hurt. She believes reconciliation is impossible.

Edim, don’t give up!

Maybe you can melt his stubborn heart.

"Edim, try to reason with him."

"Do you mean without turning him into a servant?"

"Yes, it’ll be tough, but try."

"Lady Tilea, I know him well. He won’t betray the kingdom."

"Tilea, it’s pointless. Even if my daughter begged, I wouldn’t bend."

Both father and daughter reject coexistence.

You know each other well, so find a way to reconcile!

"Edim, don’t give up. Try."

"Yes."

Edim looks at her father anxiously.

She doubts she can convince him. But I believe in the bond between parent and child.

"Marano, listen. You don’t need to pledge loyalty to that dusty old royal family. If you join us, we’ll grant you a fitting position. Consider yourself honored."

Edim, that’s the wrong approach!

Oh, right...

Edim feels abandoned by her father. She’s filled with anger, suffers from Chuunibyou, and knows well how stubborn her father is. Anger, Chuunibyou, and resignation—Edim is experiencing all these emotions at once. There’s no way she can just cry and restore their family bond.

I need to step in.

"Um—"

"Edim, what do you think of the royal family? Even as a vampire, you’re still a proud member of the Alhas family. You’ve lived off the kingdom’s bounty; have you no shame?"

My words were drowned out by Edim’s father’s booming voice. He’s so furious, his face is turning red.

"Hah! The royal family? Why should I feel any gratitude towards such a weak, worthless state?"

"Edim, you’ve become a monster both in body and soul."

"Of course. I’ve evolved beyond humanity. I’m a superior being, unlike a fool like you."

"I see. My daughter died during the demon attack. The person standing before me is no longer my daughter but an enemy of the kingdom."

Oh no, Edim is self-destructing.

She’s saying things she doesn’t mean, like being glad she became a vampire and calling her father a fool.

Edim, get a grip.

And Edim’s father is just as bad. He’s taking her words at face value. What an idiot.

Edim just wants you, her father, to accept her as a vampire! Of course, she’s going to rebel if you call her an enemy and say you’ll kill her!

You’re handling this all wrong.

Shouting "Traitor!" Edim’s father swings his sword at his daughter.

There’s no holding back. He’s dead serious.

Poor Edim.

"Edim’s father, don’t you understand your daughter’s feelings? This is too cruel!"

I yell at Edim’s father, letting my emotions take over.

But he’s focused on the fight and only spares me a glance. No reaction.

Fine, then!

I step in front of Edim’s father.

"Why can’t you just believe in your daughter?"

"Tilea, you and your sister have been deceived. She is no longer my daughter. She’s something else, a monster!"

"You..."

That’s the worst thing a parent could say.

How hurt Edim must be...

"Lady Tilea, there’s no convincing him. We should turn him or kill him."

"Wait. There has to be another way..."

"Lady Tilea, even though he holds a relatively high position in the royal family, he’s not that useful. There’s no need for you to cling to him. Even if we turn him into a spy—"

"Enough, monster! Don’t speak such crimes with my daughter’s voice and face. I can’t forgive this!"

Edim’s father charges at her, using both magic and sword, fully intending to kill.

"You stubborn fool! Why are you going this far? What’s more important, your daughter or some king or country?"

"Can’t you understand? It’s because of the country and the royal family that the people can live their lives. I will cut down anything that threatens that."

"You’re such an idiot! The country? The royal family? What’s so great about some noble brats born into power? You’re an idiot, a complete idiot!"

"What?"

"Huh?"

Something I said must have hit a nerve. Edim’s father shifts his killing intent from Edim to me.

"Are you really a citizen of the Alqudas Kingdom? I don’t sense any respect for the royal family, which every citizen should have."

"Well, that’s... a result of post-war democratic education, perhaps, or a flaw in it..."

"Your thinking is dangerous."

"Is it? I’d say it’s peaceful. Deciding everything by bloodline is what’s dangerous. Think about it. No matter how stupid, a king’s child is still a king. No matter how talented, a farmer’s child is still a farmer. Isn’t that absurd? Oh, how about we elect the king? If you care so much about the country, why don’t you run for it?"

"Are you telling me to rebel against the king?"

"No, that’s not what I meant."

"You’re no ordinary commoner. Wait, didn’t Edim call you Lady Tilea?"

"That’s... because of her Chuunibyou..."

This is bad. This is really bad.

Edim, help me out here!

I look to Edim for help.

"Of course. Lady Tilea is my lord. Scum like you have no right to speak to her as an equal. Kneel and apologize, then submit to the Demon Lord's army."

Oh, Edim, that’s not helping!

"So, you are an agent of the demons?"

See? Now he’s got the wrong idea. He’s mistaken me for some kind of demon lord’s minion, just like Jeje.