Tilea's Worries

Edim's chuunibyou had been a good spice for deepening friendships with Timu and the others.

But this time, it had taken a turn for the worse.

Edim's father pointed his sword at me with a face like a ghost.

Such intense killing intent...

Edim's father glared at me as if I were the enemy of his daughter.

"E-Edim's father, let's calm down. Let me explain what chuunibyou is first."

"Hmph, I was completely deceived. So, you're the one who turned my daughter into this monster."

"N-no, that's not it. It's a misunderstanding. It was a demon named Alkyune who turned Edim into a vampire."

"Tilea-sama, that was in the past. Now, I have sworn loyalty to you as my lord."

Edim, it's wonderful that you've overcome your past trauma. I'm happy that you feel that way.

But, is this the right time to say it?

Look at Edim's father's face. Those eyes filled with hatred are already locked onto me.

The tip of his sword isn't pointed at Edim but at me. He looks like he wants to chop me up right now.

Aaah! I need to clear up this misunderstanding!

"Edim's father, please don't misunderstand. Edim's explanation is insufficient!"

Yes, Edim is just following Timu and calling me his lord as part of the pretend game of the Evil God Army.

"Edim, your way of speaking causes misunderstandings. Correct it."

"I-I apologize deeply. It sounded like I was directly serving Tilea-sama."

"A-anyway..."

"Marano, listen. I am merely a subordinate of Tilea-sama. The fact that you, who can't even handle me, are less than a maggot crawling on the ground."

Why are you making it worse, Edim?

Edim's father is glaring at me with even more malice.

I need to clear this up quickly!

The beginning of Edim's misfortune was being attacked by the demon Alkyune. I need to convey this properly.

"Edim, no, start from the part about Alkyune."

"Understood."

Yes, yes, quickly clear up the misunderstanding. At this rate, Edim's father will think I'm some kind of evil mastermind.

"Listen. I was once attacked by the demon Alkyune and turned into a vampire. As a mere student, the demon was an absolute force. When I was attacked, I trembled with fear."

Yes, good.

You’re conveying the beginning of it well.

Edim's father has at least put down his weapon. He’s listening to Edim.

I want this to end peacefully.

"So what? Even if you're a victim, Edim, if you harm this country, I must cut you down."

"Tch, just listen!"

"That's right. Your daughter is sharing her feelings; listen properly."

"Alright. Continue."

"Having become a vampire, I felt the strength of Alkyune on my skin. I thought I would serve under this person for the rest of my life... but it was different."

Oh, this is good. Edim, your feelings are coming through.

That's right. Then you remembered your friendship with Jessica and regained your human heart.

That part is crucial.

Make sure to tell your father properly.

"Such an absolute force, Alkyune. The person who easily defeated them is here."

"Huh?"

"That person is Tilea-sama. Remember this well. Tilea-sama is the strongest absolute ruler in this world."

Woah, Edim, you're skipping too much!

The part about remembering your friendship with Jessica is the key!

Talking about my cheat knowledge from my previous life is just unnecessary.

Actually, it’s making the misunderstanding worse. It’s increasing the animosity towards me.

"E-Edim, it's true I defeated Alkyune, but that was—"

"Nemesis, devour this demon—!"

What?! Even though I'm still talking, Edim's father is charging at me with a terrifying expression.

A sharp-looking greatsword is coming at me to slice me in half.

I-I’m going to be cut down—just as I brace myself...

"Did you not hear me? Know your place!"

Edim caught Edim's father's arm just as he was about to cut me down.

I’m saved.

Thanks to Edim, I was not cut down.

Edim twisted the arm of Edim's father, who was struggling to slash at her.

"Ouch! I'll kill you. Human scum, demon!"

"Do not act any further in disrespect!"

"Ugh!"

Edim's punch pierced Edim's father again.

Edim's father rolled on the ground, flying dozens of meters.

Is he dead...?

No, he’s twitching. He’s not dead. How tough he is.

Despite being severely beaten by a vampire twice, Edim's father stands up shakily, glaring with full fighting spirit.

Mainly at me...

It’s irrational.

"Tilea-sama, let's either turn him into a retainer or kill him already!"

...Maybe Edim is right. Edim's father is rigidly nationalistic. He won't bend his principles.

It's no use anymore. We have to turn him into a retainer.

We could release him and try to persuade him later, but if we let him go now, he might come back to cut me down. Worse, Timu could be mistaken for a demon and arrested.

I have to make a decision.

"Turn him into a retainer..."

"Understood."

Upon my words, Edim walks toward her father.

Edim's father shoots magic bullets at her, but Edim’s advance does not stop.

Realizing his magic bullets are ineffective, Edim's father enchants his sword with magic and swings at her.

"Too slow, too weak. For a general famed for the Battle of Death's Crow, your sword skills are laughable."

"Ugh!"

Edim's father's sword only slices through the air...

Yet he doesn't give up. He swings his sword wildly. But Edim dodges all his attacks effortlessly.

"Your speed and power are laughable. You're lacking in every aspect. To think you're a commander... humans are truly a low-grade species."

"Huff, huff, damn it!"

This is overwhelming.

Edim's father, a renowned military man, can't even touch Edim. Vampires are truly strong.

"Damn it, such strength. Take this!"

"Your resistance is futile."

Edim swipes away Edim's father's greatsword with one hand and grabs his neck. She brings her fangs close to his neck, causing him to scream in agony.

"Consider yourself honored. You will be reborn. You will no longer think of that worthless royal family."

"I'll kill you. You are the cancer of the Alhas family."

"Do not resist. Accept it. It's for your own good."

"Stop it!"

"Being directly bitten by me is an honor. You will become my first retainer and lead my vampire squad."

"I will never become a demon's servant!"

"Hmph, Marano, because you were once my father, I am being lenient."

Edim's father strains every muscle to escape Edim's bite.

...It's only a matter of time.

Edim seems calm and collected. There's no way her father can escape her fangs.

But is it really okay to turn Edim's father into a retainer? I’m starting to have doubts.

"Uh, excuse me..."

"What is it?"

"Well, if you turn Edim's father into a retainer, he’ll be all 'Ah, great Edim-sama!' right?"

"In short, yes."

"And he might even go 'Ah, ah, Edim-chan, you're the best! Let me lick your thighs,' right?"

"W-well, that's..."

"Isn't that possible?"

"I-I cannot deny the possibility..."

"Wouldn’t that be awkward for you, Edim? Your real father acting like that?"

"Y-yes."

"So, can we make him a retainer while keeping the parent-child relationship?"

"That’s difficult. Without establishing a master-servant relationship, he will remain loyal to the country."

I see. Is there a way to change Edim's father's extreme nationalism...?

Wait, I’ve got it!

"Then, can you make him pledge allegiance to the Evil God Army instead of you?"

"I see. So, he’ll pledge allegiance to the Evil God Army instead of me personally."

"Yes, can you do that?"

"I have never tried it before, so I cannot predict the outcome. But I will try."

"Please."

Yes, if he pledges allegiance to the organization instead of Edim personally, it won't be too much devotion focused on Edim. It would be bad if Edim's father starts fawning over Edim like that.

Having a parent-child relationship with a master-servant dynamic is odd.

And, pledging allegiance to the Evil God Army should mitigate Edim's father's extreme nationalism. He might even forgive Edim for becoming a vampire.

"By Tilea-sama's command. Are you ready?"

"Damn it, I was careless. To think such a blonde girl is the mastermind of demons..."

"Marano, I will make sure you can no longer speak ill of Tilea-sama."

"Damn you... ugh!"

Edim bites Edim's father's neck, sucking his blood.

One minute, two minutes... three minutes.

This is taking longer. It didn't take this long when Jeje was turned into a retainer. The special condition might be causing this delay.

Four minutes, five minutes... six minutes.

Is he okay? Edim's father isn't going to die from blood loss, right?

After seven minutes, eight minutes... nine minutes.

Isn't this too much? Maybe I should stop Edim soon.

And then...

Edim finally stopped drinking blood. She wiped the blood from her mouth, and her father collapsed to the ground.

After a little while, Edim's father slowly got back on his feet.

So, what’s the result?

"Edim."

"Marano, how do you feel?"

"Absolutely wonderful. Edim, you’ve done it. I must have been out of my mind to pledge allegiance to such a worthless country."

"Finally, you understand."

"Yes, from now on, I will dedicate my life to the glorious Evil God Army."

"Good, it was worth the effort. I’m glad."

"To think I was about to harm you, who work so admirably for the Evil God Army, it’s utterly shameful."

"Exactly. Father, you really caused some trouble."

Oh, they’re having a normal conversation!?

They’re both smiling and chatting peacefully.

Well, setting aside the content of their conversation...

Is everything resolved now?

"Ahem, Edim, that’s great, right?"

"Tilea-sama, I apologize for showing you such a disgraceful scene involving my family."

"No, no, I’m glad you could reconcile with your father."

"Thank you. From now on, both my father and I will pledge our loyalty to you, Tilea-sama."

"Uh, well... sure."

"Marano, now properly greet the Supreme Commander of the Evil God Army, Tilea-sama."

Prompted by Edim, her father approached me and knelt down on one knee, bowing his head.

"Tilea-sama, I apologize for my previous rudeness. I am Alhas Marano. I vow to serve the glorious Evil God Army with all my might."

"Uh, well, just do your best."

"Tilea-sama, as the leader of the nation, such casual remarks could affect the morale of the army."

Yeah, it seems like another troublesome person like Jeje has been added to the group.