Chapter 77
"You… why…?"
"Papa… Papa…!"
Gale’s wife, Yukari, and their daughter, Rin, had woken up. Both clung to the petrified Gale, tears streaming down their faces. It was only natural—their husband and father had turned to stone.
We had no idea what to say, so we simply watched the scene unfold.
(Lord Albert, are there any curse practitioners besides the Foster family?)
(They aren’t nonexistent, but in this era, few can wield curses—and none compare to the Fosters. Besides, I don’t know any curse practitioners skilled enough to break a petrification curse cast by them.)
The Foster family specialized in curses, monopolizing nearly all advanced techniques in the field. Nothing of their craft ever leaked into the wider world. I wanted to do something for Yukari and Rin, but it was hopeless.
(So our only options are to defeat the Fosters or convince them to lift the curse?)
(That’s about it. The chances of them negotiating are slim. Which means, inevitably… we’ll have to kill them.)
So we really had no choice but to kill the curse casters. I’d already steeled myself, but the weight of it still pressed down on me.
"Thank you for saving us. If not for you, we’d have been in danger too."
"Thank you, big sis, big bro!"
"Please, don’t mention it. We’re just glad you’re safe."
Yukari and Rin expressed their gratitude. We hadn’t done much, and we couldn’t even restore Gale, so their thanks only made me feel guiltier.
"As Yuka said, there’s no need for gratitude. If anything, we owe you an apology for failing to restore your husband."
Lord Albert bowed his head. I followed suit. Yukari shook her head in response.
"No, we’re already deeply indebted to you for your help. Asking for more would be greedy."
"...I see. As a small apology, please use this mansion. Your own home has likely been seized by the Supreme Demon Cult—returning now would be far too dangerous. Stay here until we reclaim it."
"Are you sure? We wouldn’t want to impose."
"It’s fine. Consider it part of our apology. Don’t worry about it."
"Thank you again. This is a tremendous help."
"Thank you, big bro!"
And so, Yukari and Rin began living in the mansion.
Early morning. I was in the middle of my usual pre-work routine—jogging, strength training, then magic, martial arts, and spear drills—when Yukari approached me. I stopped and turned to face her.
"Lady Yuka, correct? Allow me to reintroduce myself—Yukari Rogel, wife of Gale Rogel. Before marriage, my name was Yukari Isara. Forgive my forwardness, but… are you Japanese, like me?"
"Yes, I am. I met Lord Albert, we got engaged, and now I live here in this in-between world."
"I see. We’re the same, then. Are you, perhaps, one of Lord Albert’s familiars?"
"An Archdemon, yes. Are you a familiar as well, Yukari?"
"Yes. I’m a High Ogre. Not skilled in magic, but my physical abilities are… exceptional, apparently."
"A High Ogre? I’m embarrassed to admit this is my first time meeting one."
"And this is my first time meeting an Archdemon. My husband mentioned that fewer humans nowadays become Archdemons or High Ogres—most end up as Blessed instead. He said many lack the talent for either path."
Blessed referred to humans who, when turned into familiars by a demon’s power, lacked aptitude for both magic and physical prowess. They remained human in race but gained enhanced strength and mana compared to ordinary humans. To demons, however, they were fragile—half-baked existences.
"By the way, changing the subject… I heard you and Lady Yuka are planning to destroy the Supreme Demon Cult. Is that true?"
Yukari’s expression turned deadly serious as she asked. A flicker of unease passed through me, but I swallowed it and answered.
"Yes. Without a doubt."
"I thought so. In that case… I have a request."
"Would you allow me to help you destroy the Supreme Demon Cult?"
It seemed my bad premonition had been right. Now… what to do?
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