Chapter 577
I got approval from the Emperor to raise evil gods.
Is it even possible for the words “evil god” and “raise” to coexist in one sentence? Yet, it actually happened.
“There are eleven evil gods I have to care for.”
A sigh escaped me. Isn’t the limit for carrying Pokémon just six at a time? Including Titi, I need to handle twelve altogether. I’m not even jealous of Pokémon Masters.
“Master, even though we’re gods who have fallen from grace, we can still speak; isn’t treating us like just regular beasts a bit much?”
“That beast is one of the creatures granted to us by Your Majesty.”
“Well then, he’s of a higher status than me. Thanks for treating me like a peer.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the prideful one’s unusually sharp observational skills.
It’s truly remarkable. The one named Pride could easily declare, “I will never bow to a mere human!” Yet, sporting a chick’s appearance, he promptly surrendered faster than any of the other evil gods. Compared to the way Death still grumbles about things, this one is uncommonly wise.
“But where do we go now?”
At last, the snake, Greed, decided to speak up.
“I’m sensitive to the cold… like this snake.”
“Me too… as a turtle… I feel like I’m dying…”
This time, Sloth, taking the form of a turtle, muttered in a pitiful tone.
Now that I think about it, unlike the other evil gods in mammalian and avian forms, Greed and Sloth are ectothermic animals. They had reacted most vigorously when their divinity was stripped away in the bitter cold.
“Master… you have a lot of money… If we can’t go to the mansion, then let’s at least go to another house…”
“Oh, right.”
“There must be plenty of other houses since you’re a noble.”
At Sloth’s suggestion, the other evil gods began to murmur excitedly.
It’s definitely enticing to think that way. Even among the common folk, wealthy ones might own multiple properties, and as high-ranking nobility, I obviously have estates scattered throughout the Empire.
“Word must have already spread to the other houses.”
But perhaps I won’t be able to go back to the mansion since technically, it’s not in my name. It’s highly likely that information has been shared already with the Count Tailglehen, Count Weiridia, and other familial territories.
Since their foolish husband picked up evil gods and was momentarily banished, they probably warned against letting me in until he repents.
“Did I perhaps choose the wrong master?”
“We’re the ones released from a seal and were punished the moment we came out.”
Hope quickly turned to despair as the evil gods began to murmur in regret.
These insane creatures. If you hadn’t been evil gods from the start, I wouldn’t have been expelled too!
“…There’s a quiet place nearby, so let’s head there to rest for now.”
After gathering the sprawled-out evil gods, I started walking.
It was my father’s hiding spot that I failed to reach earlier. I needed to gather my thoughts on what to do next.
“How can I look more pitiful when begging?”
Maybe I should start with a bow to earn forgiveness…?
*
I sent Cal and the evil gods out of the mansion for a moment.
I still can’t believe it. Evil gods? Of all things, there were evil gods in our mansion.
“Who would’ve thought the term ‘evil spirit’ would be so downgraded?”
I pressed my palm against my forehead with a sigh. Just the idea of picking up an evil spirit was enough to make my heart skip, only to realize that term was a euphemism.
In a way, it’s impressive what Cal did. He managed to personally scoop up beings that send chills down anyone’s spine.
“Evil gods are nothing to fear, huh?”
I found myself strangely smiling. The top swordsman in the continent, Cal, can make even the evil gods submit—now that’s something to brag about—
“No way.”
I quickly shook off that thought.
No matter how proud it felt, I can’t let this slide. I have to make him face consequences for bringing such bizarre beings and deceiving us.
I’ve already reached out to Mother at Count Tailglehen, the head maid at Count Weiridia, and Father at Wulken. I told them not to let Cal in since he’s being a little chastised.
“Only a few hours should be enough.”
Of course, we weren’t going to ignore Cal for long. Regardless of how shocking the presence of evil gods is, he should be able to keep them under control; Cal must have his reasons for making such a decision. He’s not someone to cause trouble without justification.
Plus, Cal’s triumph over the evil gods was an achievement announced by Enen across the continent. What would people think if the hero who accomplished such a feat was wandering outside for day after day?
So, calling him back by dinner felt reasonable. That would give him ample time to reflect and apologize.
—At least that was the plan.
“Waaaah!”
Until Pedi started crying.
“What’s wrong, our Pedi? Why are you so sad?”
I carefully cradled the sobbing Pedi in my arms, trying to comfort him.
While doing so, I quickly ran through my mental checklist. I just fed him, his diaper seems dry, and he has no fever or injuries. No matter how I thought about it, there was no reason for him to cry.
I was confused. Since Pedi started crawling on his own, he only cried when hungry or needing a diaper change. If he ever needed anything else, he’d wander around the mansion to alleviate his boredom.
And now, he was suddenly crying without any apparent reason.
—Screech…
“Titi?”
As I was devoted to checking on Pedi, Titi appeared with a cloth in her mouth.
…Wait a minute.
“Titi, can you give me that?”
—Woof!
As soon as I said that, Titi dropped the cloth and began to wander around me, as if concerned about the visibly distressed Pedi.
It was an adorable gesture, but I couldn’t even give her a pat on the head. I was too dazed by the cloth she brought.
‘That’s definitely…’
The cloth tied to the evil gods’ tails. The same one we used to run around the mansion with Pedi on it.
“Waaaaah!”
While I was lost in thought, Pedi reached for the cloth while crying even louder.
No, it can’t be. Surely not. That can’t be it.
‘Is he… crying because the evil gods are gone?’
I wanted to deny it, but all the signs led to that very conclusion.
Pedi was crying because his new evil god playmates and animal friends had disappeared.
*
There wasn’t a soul around at the hideout my father informed me about.
Thank goodness. It’s a fishing spot shared among the members of the Imperial Council, so I was worried I’d have to awkwardly greet someone I knew.
‘A fishing spot, huh.’
In any case, finding a quiet, picturesque lake, I settled myself on the lakeside. Since I was at a fishing spot, I might as well catch something to make the visit worthwhile.
Of course, since this visit wasn’t planned, I had no fishing rod.
“Over there… two more… go…”
“Okay, let’s catch one properly.”
I tossed Sloth, the turtle, into the lake to drive the fish toward me, while Greed, the snake, served as my fishing line.
Perfect division of labor! Waiting for a fish to bite is fishing, right? Instead, I’ll have the line do the biting. What a marvelous technique!
“Three more… go…”
“Got it? Keep it up.”
My words seemed to trigger some bubbles on the lake’s surface.
Perhaps that was a desperate attempt to reply.
“Isn’t this just water torture?”
“Turns out there’s an even worse creature than evil gods.”
I ignored the dreadful slanders coming from behind me.
I understand. They haven’t fully shaken off their evil god habits yet. I can overlook minor rumors with an open heart.
“Huh?”
As I kept tossing the fish that Greed snagged to the other evil gods, my comms device in my pocket vibrated briefly.
[ Cal, have you regretted it enough yet? ]
It was a message from Mar.
[ We understand why you had to hide the evil gods. We don’t plan to make you release them, so come back whenever you want. ]
That was a message full of kindness.
“Sloth, you can come out now.”
“Hmm…? I could still catch more…?”
“We’re going home.”
Hearing that, Sloth surfaced from the water with speed I’ve never seen.
Greed, who was fighting with a fish, must have heard my voice too, as he swiftly coiled upward to the surface.
“Home! We’re going home!”
“Finally heading back!”
“Waaah, once we go in, we won’t come out again…!”
The evil gods behind us tossed aside the fish they had been devouring and cheered joyously.
In that moment, we truly became one.
As soon as we entered the mansion, I banged my head on the ground.
“I will be more cautious in the future…”
I meant it sincerely. There’s nothing more pitiful and daunting than wandering around without a place to go. Especially not accompanied by eleven beasts.
“Pedi!”
“Pedi?”
At my heartfelt apology, Pedi, in Mar’s embrace, waved his hands around.
I was moved. Is my little Pedi truly missing his father after such a short absence?
“Did you want to see your daddy, huh?”
But something felt off. Pedi’s gaze and hands were directed not at me but at the floor.
‘No way.’
With trembling hands, I lifted the stingy and envious ones off the ground. These two were the ones who had taken Pedi for a ride around the mansion.
“Baaa!”
As soon as that happened, Pedi gazed at them with sparkling eyes.
Wait, he’s greeting them, not me…?
‘Is this a dream?’
Yeah, it must be a dream. There’s no way this is reality. There’s no way I’d get outdone by mere evil gods.
“Cal.”
“Ma, Mar…”
As I caught a glimpse of Mar looking at me with pity, I gently shook my head.
This was even more painful than when we were expelled from the mansion.
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