Volume 3: Chapter 015: Thor – Hit Me, Please!
Author: かっぱ同盟／友麻碧
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3862be/
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
Gumihou: Made the dramatic narration more dramatic
The story began a little over 2000 years ago.
Within a snowy country on the Northern Continent, a pair of princes were born.
The princes were twins, identical and handsome with a head full of chestnut-coloured hair.
The older twin was clever and precocious and the younger always found trouble wherever he went. Their mother, the queen, praised the older for his wisdom and scolded the younger for his mischievousness. Still, both were her children and she loved them both.
One day, the older brother’s hair and eyes turned black.
In this northern country, black hair and eyes were considered bad luck. Children born with these traits were bringers of disasters and were hated as children of the devil.
The queen grew to hate the older child and turned all her love towards the younger.
It was a bias most unfair.
Eventually, the older prince was imprisoned, kept out of sight of others and eventually declared dead.
This was the story of the one who would one day become the Black Demon King.
A story of the one who brought misfortune to his people even before the awakening of his power.
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“Sir Thor, Sir Thor… are you alright?”
I woke up in a hotel room.
Beside me was a sobbing Princess Lulu.
Memories of last night’s incident went through my mind. The hotel was attacked and I activated a Magic Fortress against the Blue General. Well, a construct of the Blue General at least.
After the other demon king class mage disappeared, I collected the remaining demons and magicians, intending to hand them over to the authorities when blue flames erupted around the demons and burnt them to ashes.
In short, the best evidence for Hermedes Federation’s interference had been destroyed. It was quite vexing to see the important evidence literally go up in blue flames before my eyes.
Not to mention, the [Kingdom of Shadows] did not have many physical elements and therefore should not pose much toll on me. However, the Blue General must have tempered with the magic formulae because after I cancelled out the spell, I immediately coughed up blood and collapsed.
That was the end of my recollection.
“Aaah~ Sir Thor~ I was so worried. I didn’t know what to do and… how are you feeling?”
“Not good,” was my blunt reply.
At this, Princess Lulu paled and called for her maids, “Hurry! Fetch a doctor!”
[1] “No need,” I said. “I am physically well. There is nothing the doctor can do for me.”
Princess Lulu looked puzzled, “I-is that so?”
[1] “Do you call for a doctor when your head hurts from oversleeping?” I asked instead.
[2] “Ah… ah! Oh but-”
The princess went on talking, but I ignored her.
Something else occupied my mind. A dream.
A dream that I did not wish to see.
A dream that reminded me of the memories I had before I became the Black Demon King. Did the dream happen because I had been thinking about that fellow lately?
“Oh, Thor’s awake!” Captain Dante entered the room with a flourish. “I thought I heard your voice. Well? Are you well now? The princess had been with you ever since you collapsed yesterday.”
The Captain’s voice sounded a little odd at that.
[1] I endeavour to ignore it. “Is that so? I thank the princess greatly for her care.”
“No, no, I merely worry for Sir Thor…” said the Princess in a breathy voice. She had a hand over her mouth and was blushing. [3] Her eyes were also shining brightly… This was not what I had in mind when I told her to ‘regain the sparkle in her eyes’.
[3] Unsettled by the woman, I got out of bed, pretended I saw nothing, heard nothing and did not notice the strange looks from Captain Dante.
[3] Princess Lulu protested at my leaving, but I cited work and left the room immediately to find Aide Urban. Better to confirm things with the most objective person in the party.
Through him, I found out that the magicians I captured were from Esta. However, they were basically disposable pawns who did not know much. Looks like the more prominent mages have left town before I activated the spell.
“Our faction is still not strong enough to go after the Esta clan.”
“I heard from one of the men that the Terziers had joined forces with Hermedes to bring His Excellency down,” I said.
“A man?”
“Indeed, though he has the skill to escape us, he still openly admitted the matter. It’s unclear what he was thinking…” [1]
“Hmm,” Aide Urban adjusted his glinting spectacles as he murmured ‘well, well…’ under his breath. [4] “Even if the Terziers were truly cooperating with Hermedes, I believe there should be a hidden reason beneath it all…”
“I thought so as well. It’s best not to take them at face value,” I said. [4]
“As expected of the Magic Advisor. I now understand why His Excellency Lord Raymond is so determined to have you come with us. Haha.”
“It’s still annoying,” I sighed. Then, a thought occurred to me and I said, “Speaking of which [1], how do you plan on explaining this incident to the princess?”
“Rebels working against the royal family. Traitors etc,” said Aide Urban. “Naturally, I shall refrain from mentioning anything about mothers.” [5]
“That’s… sounds about right,” I sighed.
The naive princess would be devastated if she realised the truth. Just yesterday she had been happily saying how she could someday meet the queen so long as she worked hard on her princess duties.
Still, there was no way she could remain ignorant forever. As more and more incidents happen, she would have to one day face the fact that her own mother wanted her dead.
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On the final day of the expedition, we inspected the Velette shopping district and port with the Terziers serving as our guides as though nothing untoward had happened. Even so, I could tell that there was something unnatural about their expressions. Still, that could also be due to my own suspicions since I know what really happened.
As for the Princess, she was doing her best to complete her duties.
That evening, we returned to Miradreed by carriage, spending just one night in a town between Miradreed and Velette for one night before speeding back to the Capital the next morning.
Now that I have returned to the Royal Capital, there is something I must do first.
No, it was not to report to His Excellency Lord Raymond, nor did it have anything to do with my job as the Princess’s knight.
I had broken a birthday promise. Makia’s birthday promise.
Therefore, I must apologise to her. Not that it was a sin that could be resolved with a simple apology. Before that could even happen, I may have to take a punch in the face and hand over the earrings I had bought for her.
The door to Makia’s room looked like the gate to both heaven and hell.
I desperately wanted to see her, but for some reason, I was also covered in cold sweat.
“Right…”
Show some manliness, me!
Let’s break down the door!!
I stepped forward and knocked politely.
The door opened suddenly and Makia stepped out.
“… …”
“… Ah.”
A moment of silence later, Makia’s eyes widened. Was she surprised to see me? But then, her eyes narrowed and her expression soured.
“Makia, I’m so sorry. I won’t make any excuses so just hit me!” I declared, trying to look Makia in the eye and do my best to appear as sincere as possible.
“… …”
“Hit me!”
Important things should be said at least twice. However, Makia’s expression remained unchanged.
“Who are you?”
Eh?
“To suddenly come to someone’s door and ask to be hit. What’s that about? Are you a pervert? I don’t know you.”
“… …”
I don’t really get it. Why Makia is so incredibly angry? Well, I know why she is angry, but why is she treating me as if she doesn’t know me?
“W-wait, Makia! I know you’re angry, so hit me. Hit me as hard as you like!”
“Ugh, eww, no way. What’s wrong with you?”
Makia made a disgusted face and attempted to close the door. However, I sacrificed one arm and managed to stop her from closing me out.
“Why are you doing this?” I protested. [4]
“You’re being weird! Go away, you weirdo!”
Thanks to all the racket we were making, Lepis stepped into the room. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at us. Then, a young boy came in from the other side of the room, his expression was blank as he stared at us.
Suddenly, Makia let go of the door, causing me to sprawl to the floor. While I was trying to regain my balance, Makia rushed into the room and hid behind the boy.
“Noah, an unknown person is trying to get me to hit him. He must be a weirdo with weird hobbies!”
“…?”
“Oi oi oi oi!!’” I protested.
What the heck are you saying to that child?
“What are you two doing…?” Lepis said as she looked between myself and Makia. She was still calm despite the odd situation, as expected of my descendant.
Even so, there was something odd about the way she looked at me…
“Sir Thor, so you have returned.”
“That’s right, I’m here to apologise to Makia…”
In that short moment I looked at Lepis, Makia had darted away. [6] She had slipped out of the room and was now darting down a long corridor.
As I stared at her rapidly diminishing figure, Lepis continued, “Ah, it would appear that Lady Makia wishes to forget about you for a while.”
“What was that?”
“Lady Makia knew that you would be coming here to apologize. It would appear that her revenge was to not allow you the opportunity to do so. She also said something about how a Buddha’s patience has its limits…”
“… …”
“Isn’t this good? Lady Makia will remain angry for a while. I’m sure that Lady Makia will forgive Sir Thor one day, so long as Sir Thor does his best to earn her forgiveness.”
“… …”
After that, Lepis and the boy called Noah disappeared after Makia.
Now and then, Noah would glance back and look at me with concerned eyes.
As for me, I just stood there, stunned.
Is this for real? I can’t even force a bitter smile on my face. What the heck? Just… what?
It took Makia treating me like a suspicious stranger to finally make me realise the true extent of her anger. The realisation left me feeling empty and lonely.
I would rather be beaten up than feel like this.
[Gumihou: Well, well, well]
[1] Thor-like dialogues that are free from cute stutters and unnecessary twee
[2] Princess [De]Lulu’s style of dialogue
[3] Thor-like thoughts that reflected his past as a harem owner. Surely he won’t be precious about women showing him attention? Seriously?
“No, I just worried about Lord Tooru” said the princess, putting her hand on her mouth and taking a relieved breath, with a rosy cheek. Come to think of it, haven’t the princess’s eyes been sparkling lately? It could just be that her eyes are simply moistened.
The heck was that?
[4] Unclear dialogues galore. Haahh….
[5] Crafted pithy dialogue per Aide Urban’s way of speaking as a reference
[6] Unclear details. Fixed.
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