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 35: Twisting

Chapter 35: Twisting

The unauthorized use of the Contract of Oath was the final straw, and Albert was finally imprisoned. 

He would likely be officially disinherited after the necessary procedures.

Sitting in his cell, his thoughts shifted between the man he despised and the woman he loved.

This is all Van’s fault.

What does Galforne think of me now, after such a disgrace?

His feelings wavered between resentment and fear.

Gradually—Albert’s thoughts began to turn more positive.

If Camilla has revived the Demon Lord and this country is attacked… even if I couldn’t kill Van, I was the one who drove him out. 

Without him, things should be easier for the Demon Lord.

If I can spin that properly, there might still be a chance.

And as for Camilla, even though the king rejected the marriage on his own, she still loves me.

Once my father is out of the way, we can still marry. All I need to do is tell her that, and it’ll be fine.

Yes, I’m not finished yet.

I need to show Van and my father exactly what I’m capable of.

But first, I have to get out of here.

Just as Albert resolved himself, he noticed a commotion among the guards.

Before long, the king himself appeared at Albert’s cell.

“Albert, the situation we feared has become reality.”

“The Demon Lord…?”

“Yes. He has attacked the capital, leading dozens of demons. The knights are holding them off at the city’s entrance for now, but it’s only a matter of time.”

“Unfortunately, there aren’t many who can stand against that Demon Lord.”

“Indeed. That’s why, Albert—you will fight the Demon Lord. Even if you fall, it will at least restore some of your honor.”

Albert immediately understood what his father meant.

In other words, his father was telling him to buy time against the Demon Lord—and die.

If he were to die in battle, the contract would be nullified, and they would be able to summon Van.

No way.

It would be safer to stay here and wait for the Demon Lord to take care of his troublesome father.

“I refuse.”

“…What?”

“Even in an emergency, making exceptions sets a dangerous precedent. Rather than restoring my honor, what I need most is to reflect on my crimes and serve my sentence.”

“…I see. So that’s your answer?”

“Yes.”

“Albert.”

“What is it?”

“I am your father. But before that—I am the king.”

Leaving behind those ominous words, the king departed.

As Albert remained in his cell, he started to think.

Wait… instead of refusing, I could have agreed to fight the Demon Lord, gotten out of this cell, and then taken care of my father before surrendering. That would’ve been the smart move.

Yes, that’s it.

In this castle, I’m the only one capable of fighting the Demon Lord. They’ll come back and ask for my help again. I’ll make my move then…

Crack.

“Huh?”

A sudden sound was followed by searing pain shooting through his left thumb. 

In a panic, he looked at it… His thumb had twisted unnaturally, with the nail facing inward.

“W-W-What… what’s happening? It hurts!”

Crack.

Next, his index finger twisted in the same way.

“Arghhh! What is this!? It hurts! It hurts so much!”

Crack. Crack. Crack.

One by one, his fingers twisted painfully.

“Stop it! Stop it!”

Crack. Crack.

The twisting traveled up his arm, starting at the wrist, then the elbow, then the shoulder. 

The agony climbed higher through his body. When his left hand was fully contorted, the twisting moved to his right hand.

“Hah… hah… hah…”

Even breathing hurt.

After his right hand, the curse spread to his left leg.

Unable to bear the pain any longer, Albert collapsed to the floor, staring up at the ceiling.

His thoughts were scattered by the intense pain, but he began to realize—

(This… a curse… a curse… leading to death… could it be…?)

There was no doubt about it.

It was his father.

After leaving the cell, his father must have publicly announced Van’s crimes, forcing the contract to take effect.

In other words—he had prioritized Van’s rescue over the life of his own son.

Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack!

“ARRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

An unbearable wave of pain surged through Albert’s lower back. 

And then—

Crack.

Though he had been staring up at the ceiling, the sound came, and suddenly—his head was forcibly twisted to face the floor.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

“After the king publicly declared Sir Van’s crimes, he quickly retracted the statement. Upon confirming the death of Prince Albert in his cell, he immediately sent me here.”

I see.

The king chose the kingdom over his own child.

…Still.

“Even so, there aren’t many precedents for breaking a contract of oath. Just because Prince Albert is dead, we can’t be sure that Van can break the contract without consequence.”

The knight lowered his head at the emperor’s words.

“You’re right… we didn’t consider that fully.”

“In fact, one could argue that with Prince Albert’s death, the chance for mutual agreement to nullify the contract has been lost.”

To annul the oath, both parties need to meet face-to-face.

Though, personally, I don’t need to worry about breaking it.

But still—

Even with my hatred toward Albert and Camilla, I can’t just leave the people in the capital to suffer.

There’s the tavern I frequented, the craftsman who maintained my weapons, and the shopkeepers I favored.

I owe many people there.

And most importantly, what about Emilia?

Her father died in prison, and her mother is now serving the Demon Lord…

Even though she recently learned that I’m not her real father, I doubt she’d be happy to see me now…

But still, perhaps I should go?

“Van, I understand how you feel, but wait for now.”

As if seeing through my thoughts, the emperor called out to me.

“First, we’ll organize a relief army. Messenger, we need permission for the imperial forces to enter your kingdom.”

“That’s… not something I can decide on my own…”

That makes sense. Historically, when foreign armies are allowed to cross borders, it often leads to conquest and occupation. 

It’s a complicated issue.

“If that’s not possible, then this conversation ends here.”

“…Understood. As a diplomat, I will take full responsibility. Proceed as you see fit.”

“Good. You’ve spoken well. Also, we’ll be using death row prisoners to test the effects of the contract of oath. The kingdom will be required to replace the used oath document afterward.”

“Understood.”

I see.

They’re planning to use this opportunity to closely examine the effects of the contract of oath, which isn’t something they can easily test otherwise. 

A clever political move.

“The army’s organization will be expedited… but it will still take about a week. In that time, we’ll resolve the various pending issues.”

Mariabelle’s birthday party is coming soon.

Which means, by then, they plan to reveal my background before taking any further steps.

It’s frustrating, though.

At the same time, I can’t risk disrespecting the emperor, who has supported me ever since my exile.

What should I do?