The Man Who Remained — His Second Life Began with a Humble Bow of Apology. - Chapter 48: A Day of Celebration (Part Two).

A Day of Celebration (Part Two).

Cross had gotten quite used to life here and was now able to live rather comfortably. However, this was still the Demon Lord’s castle – the very heart of the Demon Lord’s domain – and its solemn, imposing atmosphere continued to pervade every corner.

Standing there in such a place was a woman whose appearance was, in every sense, perfectly suited for the setting.

The first thing that caught the eye was her attire.

Or rather, calling it attire was generous – it was a bikini so revealing that she was practically half-naked.

Even Cross, a man who loved such sights, felt a pang of worry about whether that outfit was appropriate here.

Still… her beautiful, firm figure inevitably drew his gaze far more than her striking golden hair or well-proportioned face – a natural reaction for any man.

Next to draw attention were the two massive fish she carried in her arms, each well over three meters long.

Cross couldn’t help but wonder how she managed to get them through the door. The gigantic fish seemed like they could start moving at any moment… in fact, their tails were twitching slightly.

They appeared to be freshly caught.

Aura and Gryul watched on with dry, detached expressions, while the woman wore a radiant smile, forming a vivid contrast.

Recalling stories he’d heard from Aura and Gryul in the past, Cross quickly understood what position this woman held.

“Um… let me introduce her. This is my mother—”

Before Aura could finish, the woman cut her off flawlessly.

“Hey, hey! Is this a matchmaking meeting? Is it?! Is this my Raffy-chan’s youthful romance? Oh, how wonderful! Or is this Mer-chan introducing her boyfriend? Either way, this is just too interesting! Or maybe… a love triangle?! That’s right, love is war! Oh, who should I root for… No, these things depend on how the people involved feel! So, what’s the situation here?!”

She cheerfully babbled on, shaking the enormous fish above her head as if it weighed nothing.

With each rise in her excitement, the light gradually faded from Aura’s eyes, leaving Cross feeling unbearably awkward.

“Philia. Calm yourself. He’s neither of those things… not yet, at least.”

When Gryul spoke up, the woman called Philia’s eyes lit up with delight.

“I see… not yet. How wonderful. So then, someone please introduce me to this handsome young—oh my, he really is young. Please, tell me all about him.”

Aura let out a strained smile and nodded.

“This is my mother, Philia Raul. As you can see… she’s quite a free spirit.”

“I’m Philia, Raffy-chan’s mama. Whether I become your mother-in-law is entirely up to you.”

With that, Philia gave a sharp, confident wink.

For once, Cross could only respond with a troubled laugh.

“And this here is Cross-san. To put it simply, he was one of the victims of the previous Demon Lord.”

“…So, you’re the one.”

Philia murmured softly, a fleeting sadness crossing her face.

“I’m sure Raffy has already offered her sincere apologies, and I don’t sense you’re looking for an apology, so I’ll say this instead. Welcome to this beloved world of monsters. Let’s enjoy it together! And if you can’t enjoy it… then I’ll make sure you do!”

She extended her hand towards him, and Cross took it firmly.

“Thank you. Though honestly, I’m already enjoying myself quite a bit.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. Now… this is very important, but… Cross-kun, which one do you prefer? I’m dying to know! Oh, but I’m off limits, of course – I belong to my darling.”

Philia twisted her body teasingly as she spoke.

“Haha… sorry about this, Cross-dono.”

Gryul, too, now wore an expression as vacant as Aura’s.

“For now… Mother, could you please put some clothes on?”

“I won’t until Cross-kun answers~!”

Both Aura and Gryul’s gazes turned cold as they looked apologetically at Cross.

“…I’m greedy, so I really love both. Cute Aura and beautiful Mercurius alike.”

Seeing Cross answer with such a straight face, Philia let out an impressed “ho~” and placed her chin between her thumb and forefinger.

“So… you’re aiming for a harem.”

“Dream big, right?”

“I like that attitude… though it’s not an easy path. Well, as promised, I’ll go get changed. Raffy-chan, prep this fish, okay? I get the feeling it’ll be delicious steamed.”

With that, she threw the fish onto the table with a loud thud and glided gracefully to the back of the room.

“…Sorry about my outrageous wife,” Gryul muttered, shoulders slumping.

“If it were someone else’s family, I could just laugh it off… ha… Anyway, I’ll start preparing this.”

Aura let out a dry smile, bowed, and used magic to levitate the fish towards the kitchen.

“Good for you, Master. You’ll get to eat a dish personally prepared by Her Excellency. She’s quite a skilled cook, you know.”

Mercurius’ words were utterly sincere, not intended to lighten the mood.

“…I used to think I was the weird one. But… yeah… I’m actually pretty normal, aren’t I?”

“No, you’re not.”

Mercurius replied flatly to Cross’ mumble.

Philia reappeared, now clad in a dazzling dress that radiated an air of noble dignity.

Seeing her like that, Cross’s first feeling was relief.

If she had come out in another strange outfit, he honestly wouldn’t have known how to react.

However… there was one thing that caught his attention nonetheless.

She now had animal ears growing from her head.

They hadn’t been there earlier, so part of him wanted to ask about it. But at the same time, it might be a delicate topic, making it hard to bring up.

After pondering for a moment, Cross decided to ask anyway.

“Lady Philia, um…”

“Just Philia is fine, Cross-kun. Or if you prefer, you can call me Mother-in-law—”

Seeing Aura quietly pull out her paper fan, Philia quickly crossed her index fingers over her lips in a “no” gesture.

“In that case… Philia-san, about those ears…”

“These? Aren’t they cute?”

As she spoke, Philia wiggled her ears back and forth.

“Well… yes, they’re quite cute.”

Hearing that, Philia gave a wide, delighted grin.

“Aren’t they~? They’re adorable, right~?”

“Um… are you, by any chance, a beastkin?”

“Eh? Oh, no. These are just movable accessories.”

She declared it so nonchalantly that Cross blinked.

“Cross-san,” Aura interjected with a wry smile as she placed a large plate on the table, “if you start paying attention to Mother’s antics, there will be no end to it.”

On the plate lay the same fish from earlier, now steaming gently as it rested in its full glory.

“Well then, shall we eat, darling?” Philia said sweetly.

Gryul nodded at her words and clapped his hands twice.

“Sorry, but could someone bring white wine for everyone? Bring out the good stuff from the back.”

“Kya~ as expected of you, darling. You always know exactly what to do~”

Saying this, Philia pressed herself against Gryul, rubbing her cheek affectionately against his. Gryul looked slightly embarrassed, but he didn’t seem entirely displeased either.

“You two seem close,” Cross commented.

“As their daughter, I’d prefer they refrain from such displays in front of others,” Aura replied with a resigned smile.

They spent the next several dozen minutes enjoying Aura’s steamed fish and savoring the wine Gryul had prepared, their conversation flowing lightly as they deepened their rapport.

Perhaps thanks to the alcohol, Cross and Gryul in particular grew unusually close.

After the drinks had flowed generously and everyone’s mood had settled somewhat, Gryul turned to Cross and spoke in a more serious tone.

“Now then, let me ask you something a bit more serious. Cross. What do you plan to do from here on out?”

Swirling his wine glass happily, his demeanor was light, but there was a sincerity to his question.

Cross took a moment to think.

“Well… I’m hoping to focus on the adventurer’s trade—a life with some freedom and a touch of romance. But first, I want to live outside for a while. I feel bad always relying on others, and I don’t want to cause trouble by being stubborn either.”

“I see. So in other words, receiving such support means… you’re planning to leave here.”

“Yeah. I’ve been thinking it’s about time I became independent, little by little.”

At those words, Philia let out a surprised cry.

“Eh!? Cross-kun, you’re leaving? But we were finally getting along so well!”

“Well, I can’t just keep imposing on you all forever…”

“Ehh, you should just keep staying here. Or better yet, why not marry Aura and become the Demon King yourself?”

Both Cross and Aura wore troubled expressions at that remark.

“I wouldn’t mind that outcome either… but our prospective son-in-law might find it overwhelming,” Gryul chuckled.

“Don’t call me son-in-law, Gryul-san.”

“Haha, just the ramblings of an old man with not long left to live. Forgive me.”

Gryul laughed good-naturedly, took a sip of his wine, and then muttered softly.

“Though, I suppose I’m immortal, so saying I don’t have long to live is nonsense.”

“Hey, come on,” Cross retorted, breaking the sentimental mood with a small smile.

“By the way,” Philia chimed in brightly, “despite how I look, I’m actually the older wife here.”

She said this proudly, and then she and Gryul high-fived with matching grins.

“…I apologize for my drunken parents,” Aura murmured in embarrassment. Despite being the Demon King—someone who should have been the most dignified being in this world—she seemed to shrink in her seat, ashamed.

“Well, at least they get along,” Cross replied. “So, Gryul, is there something about my future you wanted to confirm?”

“Mm. Just checking in, really. Mercurius, what about you?”

Mercurius, who had switched to drinking straight from the bottle partway through, set it down gently at Gryul’s question.

“Is something the matter with me?”

“Cross plans to leave here. What will you do?”

“I serve as my Master’s maid, but ultimately I am someone who answers to His Majesty. I attend to His Majesty’s guests, but only to that extent. In other words, if Master leaves, I simply return to being His Majesty’s maid.”

Cross nodded in agreement beside her.

“Don’t you feel any attachment?”

“None at all.”

Mercurius’s tone was flat, conveying only simple truth, and Gryul gave a disappointed sigh.

“…Hmm. Gryul, you and Philia-san are very similar. Aura too, for that matter.”

“Eh!? Am I really that reckless!?”

Aura jumped to her feet, protesting indignantly.

“Reminds me of that tomboy Raffy the other day…”

Aura quietly averted her gaze.

“Well, it’s not like living in a prepared house with provided funds counts as real independence anyway. So for now, I’ll continue relying on Aura for a bit.”

“Please do. Also, I’ll keep this room open for you, so you’re welcome to visit anytime.”

“Mm. If you come back, I won’t mind serving as your maid again either,” Mercurius declared with unusual confidence, before tilting her bottle back and downing the remainder in one go.

The way she emptied the large bottle in just a few seconds was reminiscent of a snake swallowing an egg whole.

“It’ll be tough out there, I’m sure. But if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. If these old bones can be of use, I’ll gladly lend a hand.”

Gryul spoke to Cross as a friend, his tone warm.

“Count on it. Maybe when I feel like having a drink.”

“Haha… what a monumental occasion that would be. But leave it to me. I’ll come running and prepare a feast whenever you like.”

They both drained their glasses in unison, refilled each other’s drinks, downed them again, and then burst out laughing together.

Aura let out a dramatic, exaggerated sigh laced with playful annoyance.

When Aura announced she would head back to rest, Cross decided to take his leave from the drinking table as well.

Certainly, part of the reason was that the alcohol had hit him harder than expected. But in truth, he simply didn’t want to get any more drunk than he already was.

The sake was so delicious it was almost frightening – if he kept drinking, he feared he’d lose all memory of its taste.

Tonight, more than getting drunk, he wanted to savour the lingering aftertaste.

Even so, perhaps because the sake was just that good, Cross realised he had drunk far more than he intended. He found it difficult to walk in a straight line. Seeking some fresh air to clear his head, he made his way to a bench on the second-floor balcony nearby and sat down.

A cool breeze caressed his flushed skin, so comfortable it made him want to drift off right there.

It was peaceful, gentle, yet not lonely.

He felt so pleasantly light that he almost felt like singing a song under the night sky – a sign, no doubt, that he was far drunker than he thought.

“Master. I wouldn’t recommend showing that goofy smile to people. It ruins your image.”

A voice called out, and Cross turned towards the doorway.

There stood Mercurius.

“Oh, hey. What’s up, Mercurius?”

“What do you mean ‘what’s up’? I am still your maid, you know.”

With that, she held out a glass to him.

“…More sake?”

“It’s water, you fool.”

“Oh… thanks.”

He accepted it gratefully and downed it in one go.

The cold liquid sliding down his heated throat brought an indescribable sense of relief and bliss to his body.

“Ahh… why is it that something as simple as cold water can taste this good?”

“Who knows. As long as I have alcohol, I have no interest in water.”

Saying that, Mercurius sat down heavily beside him with an air of casual superiority.

Cross didn’t hold back either, sprawling out comfortably on the bench as he gazed up at the sky.

“Ah… the sky hasn’t changed at all.”

“…Compared to before?”

“Yeah. Compared to before. Everything about me has changed – my environment, my body, everything. But the sky is still just as beautiful as ever.”

“…Even so, some things never change. Like your heart, Master.”

“I think that’s changed too. It feels like my body is dragging my heart along with it…”

“…Are you troubled by it?”

“…I don’t know. Maybe. But… I’m not afraid of change, at least.”

“I see. Well, it’s just my impression from our short time together, but… I don’t think your core has ever wavered. You are who you are. The core of ‘Cross’ has never changed. I didn’t know the old you, but I doubt I’m wrong.”

“…Yeah. Maybe you’re right. It feels that way.”

With that, Cross fell silent, tilting his head back to look up at the sky. Mercurius followed his gaze.

The starry sky, so vivid it felt as though the stars might tumble down upon them, was breathtakingly beautiful – enough to send a chill down his spine.

“Soon, I will no longer be your maid.”

“…Yeah.”

“Do you feel… any regret about that?”

“…If I’m honest, yeah. A little.”

“…Do you… want me?”

“I’d be lying through my teeth if I said I didn’t. You’re… far too attractive to ever say that.”

“…If that’s how you feel… well, I suppose I’ll allow myself to hope a little. As I’ve said from the beginning – if you want me, become stronger. Defeat me… and become my hero.”

“…Ah. That wouldn’t be so bad. But… who knows when that will be. Mercurius… you’re probably far stronger than I could even imagine, aren’t you?”

“Indeed. I am likely many times stronger than you think.”

“In that case, I can’t ask you to wait for me. But… if I ever become strong enough to challenge you, and you’re still free then… let me challenge you properly at that time.”

“Yes… that would be acceptable. I may find someone else in the meantime, so I can’t promise anything… but I’ll wait, for a little while at least.”

Saying that, Mercurius gently rested her head against Cross’s shoulder.

“If that day ever comes… make me take you seriously. Let me call you my hero… and my master.”

Her translucent white skin was tinged with a faint blush unlike anything he had seen from her before.

Seeing that, Cross realised – he was not nearly noble-hearted enough to remain unmoved by such a sight.

“Ah… I’ve got yet another reason to become stronger.”

Honestly, what a simple man he was.

Thinking that to himself, Cross savoured the sensation of the small silver-haired head resting against him, the breeze against his skin, and the endless starry sky above.