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 38: A Life-or-Death Oath

Chapter 38: A Life-or-Death Oath

After finishing the conversation with Emilia, I made a contract based on the conditions the Demon Lord had mentioned. The mirror conference ended, and at the same time, fine cracks appeared all over the surface of the mirror.

It must have been a highly taxing magic.

“Well then, Lord Van, I shall take my leave. I’ll be waiting for you at the royal castle… no, ‘the Demon Lord’s castle.'”

“Alright. Let him know I’ll come once I’m ready.”

“Understood.”

After the demon left, the Emperor looked at me, seemingly exasperated.

“Van, what are you thinking? Walking right into the Demon Lord’s trap… or do you have some kind of plan?”

“Not really. There’s hardly any information to go on, so I’ll be winging it.”

“You’re ready to throw your life away… for that child?”

“…If it comes to that. But if I die, Emilia won’t be saved either. I’ll handle it somehow.”

“In a situation like this, I can’t let you go alone…”

“Well, I’ll be going alone, but… if someone happens to follow me after, there’s not much I can do about that, right?”

I chose my words carefully to avoid breaking the contract.

The Emperor responded with a simple “Hmm.”

Even if I defeat the Demon Lord, the liberation of the royal castle would require wiping out the demon forces.

After a battle with the Demon Lord, I’m not sure if I’d have the strength left to do that. We’ll need a backup plan.

“I’m not acting recklessly. I made a promise to my daughter. I don’t plan on throwing my life away, but I am prepared to risk it.”

“…”

The Emperor said nothing more. 

It was probably because I had quoted the words of my late father.

Mariabelle, who had been watching our exchange, seemed somewhat dazed.

It must have felt unreal to her.

After all, from her perspective, we were just about to announce our engagement at her birthday party, and now here I was, doing something completely unexpected. She was probably more shocked than angry.

“Mariabelle, um…”

“I-I’m sorry, Lord Van, it’s just that you were so cool earlier, and I realized how much I really, really love you… I was too overwhelmed to speak.”

“Uh, well, thanks…”

“But…”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Mariabelle hugged me tightly, her body trembling as she spoke.

“It would be really uncool if you died. I’d end up hating you, so… you must come back alive.”

“…Yeah.”

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Two days later, I arrived at the royal capital.

Thanks to the contract, I wasn’t attacked by enemies along the way.

It seemed the contract with Albert had indeed been nullified. I can’t be affected by curses, but I can still sense when they are activated.

The royal capital was in ruins.

Judging by the devastation, the number of casualties must be high.

I made my way to the castle and ventured inside.

Along the way, I encountered an undead creature. It didn’t seem to be one of the Demon Lord’s subordinates, though.

It was a grotesque sight, unlike anything I had seen before.

Its head appeared to have been twisted off near the neck, and its entire body was contorted.

Its heels faced forward, making it difficult for the creature to walk as it staggered along awkwardly.

Disgusted, I burned it with magic.

When I reached the throne room, the Demon Lord was there, with Emilia by his side.

“Dad… why did you come, you idiot!”

As my daughter shouted, the Demon Lord noticed me and laughed, amused.

“Hahaha! So you really came alone. That’s what I’d expect from the ‘Hero.’ Now then—if you want your daughter freed, you must choose your own death.”

…Of course, that’s what it comes down to.

He knows he’s the strongest, yet he doesn’t boast about it.

He has no pride in battle.

And if I refuse, he’ll kill Emilia without hesitation, just to rattle me.

“It depends on the conditions.”

“If you die, I will release your daughter.”

“There’s no point in negotiating when there’s a chance you’ll kill the hostage even after the ransom is paid. My child’s life is more important to me than anything, which is why I can’t take a gamble on this. So, I’ll use this.”

I presented the contract of oath that the Emperor had gone to great lengths to prepare for me.

The Demon Lord simply responded with a “Hmm,” considering the offer.

Demons tend to value logic. They might lack empathy for emotions, but they highly respect reason. 

And above all, they are efficient.

Even if they believe they can kill their opponent in a fight, if there’s a way to do so without injury or effort, they will choose that path.

If there’s a gamble, it’s that.

“Hmm, very well. Let’s form a contract… and will you then quietly accept death?”

“Depending on the terms, you can have my life.”

So far, everything was going as planned.

The Demon Lord’s goal was singular: for me to die in place of my daughter.

He probably believed he had the upper hand in a one-on-one fight, but considering the seal on him had only just been broken, he wouldn’t be at full strength yet.

“Then, for five years after your death, no harm will come to your daughter. Does that sound fair?”

Hearing his condition, I shook my head.

“That’s not enough. No matter how strong the contract is, you could easily break it within hours.”

At my remark, the Demon Lord laughed, clearly amused.

“Kukuku… you saw through it, huh? Fine, name your conditions.”

“After my death, you must leave Emilia within 30 minutes. The location must be outside the royal capital. If you harm Emilia in any way or fail to leave in time, the penalty will be your re-sealing.”

The Demon Lord paused to consider my proposal before nodding lightly.

“Hmm… that should be acceptable. Van, you may die with peace of mind. In exchange for the life of Van Ismir, I, Demon Lord Gairoklast Sraal Ajayndros, hereby make this contract. If he offers his life, I shall not harm or injure Emilia, and I will leave the capital of Rasiarnrose within 30 minutes. Should the contract be broken, I will be bound once more by the seal.”

As the Demon Lord declared the terms, glowing letters appeared on the contract of oath I had prepared, and then it burned to ashes.

The contract was now in effect.

“Is this acceptable?”

“Yes, but before that—just one thing for Emilia.”

“I suppose that’s fine.”

I smiled at Emilia as I spoke.

“Emilia, your homework reward is in my bag.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

Yes, this will do. Everything is in place.

“Daddy, no… you can’t… I-I…”

Before she could say anything more, the Demon Lord pulled her away, interrupting her.

“It’s about time, isn’t it? Now… die, Van Ismir.”

“You don’t need to tell me.”

With that, I drove the dagger sideways into my own neck.