Rock sighed as he looked at his reflection in the shattered glass.
Not the Emperor, but the stubbornness and ugly appearance of a father.
He had put a choker, a mark of a married man, around his precious daughter whom nothing in the world could replace, and shared a bed with her.
He recalled various atrocities he had committed, despite having gone too far.
‘Looks like our Pina has found a pretty decent guy.’
Just like a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.
He liked the sight of the creature shedding its gloomy demeanor and revealing its wolfish fangs to him.
Rock Grancia got lost in thought as he watched the floating shards of glass.
In that sparkling treasure, a girl with pure white hair was reflected.
“Why… are you like this? Won’t you fight anymore?”
It laid bare the emotions of a boy.
Trembling hands, a bound left arm.
Even if he had controlled his strength so as not to kill, it was hard to imagine getting up in such a state.
“…Surprisingly so, Black Knight.”
A Hero from another world.
He had expected him to give up easily.
They were actually travelers. Once their goals were achieved, they often returned to their original world.
The Hero Church was like that too. Chosen representatives by the Gods to capture the Demon God.
However, due to their fall into Demon Kings while trying to capture the Demon God…
He had seen Heroes with bodies and souls different from their original ones pretending to be the original owners.
And he had seen Heroes obsessed with the past they had lost while crossing through the temporal axis.
Because of this, Rock Grancia felt an urge to test the man named Lee Soo-hyun.
The Eye to see souls.
For some bizarre reason, Lee Soo-hyun’s soul was a deep, dark color.
It felt like it would be tough to judge him easily.
“I guess I’ve become an old man. All that age has left me is stubbornness.”
Rock slowly looked down at him while speaking.
Had he been too overconfident in his vision? He was missing something important.
Right now, a white star was shining within Lee Soo-hyun’s soul.
“You should live long, Your Majesty.”
A light like a shroud reflecting the dark soul he had just seen.
This was enough to pique Rock’s curiosity.
“Ah, all these glass pieces represent our daughter.”
Clearly, there was mutual affection. How had they been so frustratingly distant?
He felt a twinge of disappointment at his own thought of not being manly enough, tightening his grip on the axe handle.
“Indeed, Your Highness.”
Seeing the awkward smile on the naive face soothed his heart.
That innocence was a privilege only they could enjoy. An old man shouldn’t interfere in young people’s love.
“If Bellin finds out, I’ll get an enormous scolding….”
Rock, who had opened his palm to catch the glass shards, said bitterly.
Crackling like snow melting. Not cold, but rather warm.
Having Celestial Demons as comrades during war, he understood.
The heart’s intention is like painting one’s emotions onto the world.
“Black Knight, have you ever passed Tar-dun’s trial?”
Rock began to speak while observing Lee Soo-hyun’s state. A person of this caliber should have easily passed.
“How do you know that?”
The condition for other races to be recognized as the Inrang Tribe was surprisingly simple yet difficult.
To love only one person for a lifetime.
If he couldn’t keep that condition, they wouldn’t be in this situation.
“I just noticed. Your soul has wolf ears and a tail growing out of it, Black Knight.”
In stark contrast to Pina, the appearance of a black wolf-like soul flickered within him.
If he had permitted him to pair with Pina without having such qualifications, it could have led to great trouble.
The Inrang Tribe can become stronger or weaker than anyone for the sake of their loved ones.
If Lee Soo-hyun were to return to his original world leaving Pina behind…
She might end up crying for life and perhaps go insane.
‘Many Inrang tribesmen had done just that….’
It was common for them to make the extreme choice of ending their own lives following their partner.
Rock had experienced the same.
When he felt Bellin was in danger of falling into the Hero Church, he had become capable of cutting through wind pressure with a hand axe.
He should’ve discussed this more.
“What does our Pina have that you like so much?”
“Ah, well… First of all, her smiling face is beautiful….”
Lee Soo-hyun seemed to be inhaling sharply, but whenever it came to Pina, he forced himself to speak brightly.
It was absurd. He should be feeling resentment.
“Who asked about such a common thing? Lee Soo-hyun.”
The Emperor withdrew his anger and slowly approached Lee Soo-hyun.
A sphere of light formed in his hands.
“Now, let’s have a proper conversation.”
Four pure white wolves created from Divine Power rushed in and began to lick Lee Soo-hyun’s wounds.
“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Where has that boldness from earlier calling me father-in-law gone?”
The Black Knight’s body was quickly returning to its original state, much like Pina’s magical circuit.
The pack of wolves seemed to look like a family.
They healed his wounds this time, unlike the situations Lee Soo-hyun had previously endured.
“…Wolves are inherently solitary creatures.”
Rock helped the boy, who could barely stand while holding his sword, back to his feet.
“I didn’t want to leave such a world for my precious daughter.”
Rock Grancia took a deep breath. He now bore a look of genuine determination.
“As long as the Demon Kings are alive, this world won’t be easy. Even after my death.”
Wolves are creatures that require one to be the leader of the pack.
They live by sacrificing the individual for the family, gradually losing their emotions.
They must calculate and move meticulously, eating the weakest animal in the prey they have marked.
For someone who had lived his entire life like that, Lee Soo-hyun was unique.
“Why are you worrying about such things already, Your Majesty?”
He resembled him but still retained a level of innocence that would embarrass anyone who looked upon him.
“I was deeply injured while fighting the Demon King of Might. It seems I’m not in great shape anymore.”
Rather, Rock was able to honestly share his weaknesses.
“Does Pina… know that you’re injured?”
“No, never let her know.”
He grimaced while continuing. The Emperor, who couldn’t show pain even in agony.
“So, do you want to marry our Pina knowing all this?”
It was a side he would never have seen if those craving the omnipotent throne had looked away.
“Even with such a hot-headed father like me. Your son-in-law.”
Two wolves with scars on their faces.
Rock met Lee Soo-hyun’s eyes as he spoke.
“…That statement.”
It was still impossible to pass on the lonely throne to his daughter.
Then, isn’t it permissible to put someone else upon it?
“If you capture all the Demon Kings from the Hero Church, I shall permit the marriage.”
As soon as those words were spoken, vitality sparkled in the eyes of his son-in-law. Not despair or defeat, but a glimmer of hope.
“Really…?”
“Of course, but first our daughter needs to recognize her feelings for you.”
Rock nodded while encouraging gently.
Like Pandora’s Box, the feelings of the princess couldn’t be confirmed until opened.
No one knew if it was love, affection, or jealousy.
*
[Lee Soo-hyun ♡ Pina Grancia 35% ‘NEW!!’]
Looking at the affection level of 35% displayed in the status window in front of me, I felt it was strange.
Even after receiving permission to marry, it was only 35%.
Unlike Nex. Was it because Pina didn’t truly like me?
A relationship of more than friends, less than lovers.
The affection level had jumped by nearly 20%, but being human, a sense of regret lingered as I sighed.
“What’s wrong all of a sudden? Are you perhaps sad about not finishing the battle with me?”
Rock spoke as if he acknowledged me. It seemed like he had tested if I was suitable as Pina’s match.
“…It’s nothing.”
I shook my head. If I fought that man twice more, there’d be nothing left of me.
Come to think of it, had the relay race turned into a useless endeavor?
The purpose of holding the sports event had disappeared. It was meant to hide me from Rock Grancia.
Still, I suddenly wondered if Pina would be disappointed if I couldn’t win here.
‘…Pina has a strong competitive spirit.’
I recalled the droopy wolf ears and tail as if drenched in rain.
I picked up the Pandora’s Box that had fallen beside me again and confirmed the lid was slightly open.
“…What’s this?”
A golden light emanated from the black box. A buff that could be obtained with a 1% probability was displayed.
「Last Hope.」
Strength surged in my muscles. My body felt lighter than a feather, and my heart was racing as if to leap out.
Hope sprang to life at the thought that if I ran like this, I could reclaim the lead when LaPlace’s voice resonated.
[Just now, the second runner of the Helio team has started!!]
Kainel had taken the lead. Damn, was there no method?
[Oh, how strange! Licht isn’t visible!!]
Even if I ran like this, even if I handed the box to the next runner, it would be slow.
“I guess I’ve been a burden.”
A deep voice sounded beside me. Rock Grancia was watching the obstacle course ahead while speaking.
Right, he was here.
“Father, can you throw me far away?”
It sounded crazy, but it was possible. I hadn’t broken any rules since I fought him in the obstacle course.
“…You really don’t value your life, do you.”
“If I lose this tournament, Pina will be sad.”
I dislike seeing the kind-hearted girl, who is kinder than anyone else, with a face of sorrow.
“That’s a satisfying answer.”
Rock presented the blade of his axe sideways, signaling me to hop on.
Whoosh!
When I climbed up, the tremendous strength with which Rock swung me—
I flew far ahead. The forest I had passed by was rapidly zipping by.
“..Licht?”
“Pina!! Catch!!”
I quickly passed the box I had been holding to the pure white Glass Knight.
