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 5: The Abandoned Castle

Chapter 5: The Abandoned Castle

Galforne’s hideout, as discovered through the investigation, was an abandoned castle near the border with the Empire.

It had been abandoned for hundreds of years, ever since people stopped living around the area. 

What used to be a major road was now overgrown with trees, turning the castle into an isolated landlocked island, cut off from the rest of the world.

Unlike the castles of today, which are built on flat plains for ease of transportation, both the Kingdom and the Empire once built their fortresses in hilly or mountainous areas for strategic defense during times of war. 

This abandoned castle was one such relic of the past—a perfect place for someone on the run to hide.

To avoid being detected, I used stealth magic once the castle came into view.

Thanks to the magic, I blended perfectly into the surroundings. 

Not only did it make me invisible, but it also silenced any sound I made, from footsteps to breathing.

Ever since we defeated the Demon Lord and disbanded the party, I’ve mostly operated alone, though I sometimes used people for investigative work. 

I’ve grown used to using stealthy magic like this.

There’s no shortage of groups wanting me to join them, but to be honest, anyone other than the “Four Heroes” would just slow me down.

Our leader, Prince Albert, is now busy with his duties as the next king, and my wife, Camilla, has focused on taking care of the household since giving birth.

As for my magic mentor, Old Man Barnes, he’s already passed away.

“Heh… when I think about it, I’m the only one who hasn’t changed.”

With the comfort of knowing no one could hear me due to my stealth spell, I muttered to myself with a hint of self-mockery.

I’m the only one still running around, fighting battles everywhere.

Nothing’s changed since the days of fighting the Demon Lord.

I barely know how to live at home or how to connect with my family, but when it comes to cutting down enemies with my sword or blasting them with magic, I’m still the best. 

The one thing I’m confident about is knowing how to kill. 

And honestly, I can’t help but enjoy it.

They call me the “Hero Who Saved the Nation,” but the truth is, I’m just a blood-soaked killer.

No wonder my daughter treats me coldly.

I shook my head at my own self-deprecating thoughts as the gate of the abandoned castle came into view. 

It was rotting away, no longer serving its purpose of keeping the outside world out.

According to the blueprints I studied earlier, there didn’t seem to be any royal escape tunnels or secret routes. 

So sneaking in from the sides wasn’t really an option.

Looking at the state of things, even if there were hidden passages, it would take days to find them. 

While there could be traps, I decided to enter through the main gate.

My wife told me to take my time, but honestly, I want to spend more time with my family.

I don’t want this job to drag on longer than it needs to.

The abandoned castle, left without a master for centuries, had fallen into ruins.

Any valuable-looking items had likely been looted long ago, as nothing of note remained.

For adventurers, treasures found in old castles like this can be a nice bonus, but it didn’t look like I’d get lucky this time. 

What I did find, however, were signs that people had recently passed through. Fresh footprints—several of them.

There probably weren’t any traps where people come and go frequently. 

Following the footprints left in the dust, I proceeded deeper into the castle.

I matched my current position with the blueprint of the old castle I had memorized beforehand. 

The footprints seemed to be leading toward the throne room, so I followed them inside.

Sitting on the long-abandoned throne, surveying the room with a commanding presence, was a new master.

Galforne, one of the Demon Lord’s Four Generals.

She was draped in black robes, her skin pale to a sickly degree.

A striking beauty, no doubt, but her aura was cruel and unforgiving.

To reinforce her chilling presence, more than twenty headless bodies were arranged before her as if bowing in submission, like loyal subjects to a queen. 

These corpses—of mixed ages and genders—were likely the people reported missing from a nearby village not long ago.

The air in the throne room reeked of blood, thick and suffocating.

I deactivated my stealth spell, revealing myself. 

There was no point in hiding anymore; at this range, someone like Galforne wouldn’t be fooled.

Indeed, she showed no sign of surprise upon seeing me.

“Playing queen over a bunch of corpses, huh? Galforne.”

At my sarcastic remark, Galforne’s face twisted in irritation.

“Hmph. You took my king from me, Van Ismir.”

“That’s right. And now it’s your turn… time to die properly.”