Even Though I Defeated the Demon Lord, My Wife and Daughter Treat Me Like Trash ~ I Found Out My Wife's Child Isn't Mine, and When I Confronted Her, She Got Mad and I Was Exiled. The Country's in Trouble Because the Demon Lord Came Back? Sorry, I'm Getting Remarried to a Princess, So I Can't Help. - Chapter 13: The Contract

Chapter 13: The Contract

Emilia isn’t my child…

The truth revealed by Albert was even more shocking than Camilla’s affair. 

For an orphan like me, I had finally gained a family.

But it was all a lie — ten years of deceit.

Yes, it turns out I was the only one pretending to be part of this family.

Albert, pleased by my reaction, continued speaking.

“She found out the truth a year ago. Can you guess what she said? ‘I’m so happy to be the prince’s child!'”

A year ago…

I see. This explains the question that had been haunting me. 

Once Emilia learned I wasn’t her real father, her behavior changed completely.

Of course it did.

It’s obvious to anyone which is better—being the child of an orphan who made it on his own, or of a prince.

In that case… I have no further business in this country for now.

“I understand. Then, I’ll leave this country alone.”

“Ah, I’d love to say ‘go ahead’, but we can’t just leave it at a verbal agreement, can we?”

Albert smirked and pulled out an unused contract from his coat.

“A contract?”

“Yes. I can’t risk you changing your mind and coming back.”

“You’re paranoid.”

“When it comes to you, I can never be too cautious.”

Albert tossed the contract through the gap in the iron bars. I picked it up and asked him a question.

“What are the terms?”

“Never return to this country. In return, your crimes won’t be publicly announced… I can’t stop rumors from spreading, though.”

“Fine, that works for me.”

Since I’m abandoning this country and operating in other nations, rumors are inevitable.

It wouldn’t bother me if my crimes were announced… but keeping it a secret will make my future actions a bit easier.

“For the crime of attempting to assassinate Prince Albert, I, Van Ismir, enter into this contract. After leaving the capital, I shall never set foot on this land again. In exchange, you, Albert, shall forbid the public announcement of my crime. If the contract is broken, a curse that leads to death will befall the violator. Now, swear it, Albert.”

“Tch, betting my life on this, huh… Fine. I accept the terms of the contract.”

After we both swore to uphold the contract, glowing letters appeared on the contract and then burned away. 

Now, the contract was in effect.

“Now I can sleep easy. It’ll be a relief to see you gone. Once the procedures are finished, you’ll be released, so wait there.”

As things unfolded just as Albert wanted, he spoke triumphantly as he began to leave. 

Watching his back, I couldn’t help but smile.

Fool.

You’re the only one who took a risk.

The god governing contracts is powerful.

If a contract is broken, the punishment will certainly manifest.

That’s why I set the terms to “a curse leading to death” instead of just “death.”

Albert doesn’t know that curses don’t affect me.

I only realized this ability after our party disbanded.

And recently, during the battle with Galforne, it was proven that even a curse capable of killing a demigod doesn’t work on me.

A “curse leading to death” has no effect on me.

However, if a curse does activate, Albert won’t escape death.

While contracts can be nullified if both parties agree, in this case, I alone can break it.

Albert and Camilla must be thrilled their plan succeeded.

But I’ve hidden a trap within it.

I intentionally entered the contract to make them let their guard down.

For now, I’ll let them have this victory.

But I don’t intend to leave things as they are.

They stole ten years from me and made a fool of me, and they will pay for it.

The moment I return to this country will be the day you and Camilla meet your ruin.

I know where I’m headed next.

The empire—where Old Man Barnes took me in.

There, Karnak, who retired as a butler, lives.

As a former imperial knight, he probably has some connections.

If I can work my way into the heart of power in the empire, I should be able to influence Albert and the princess’s engagement.

No, any means will do.

This contract is just the first step.

Albert and Camilla—both of you will definitely pay for this.