CH 292

“Fuh …… I still can’t believe that it’s just like you said ……”

“Yeah. I’m sorry, but Varnish is not father’s child. But you don’t seem to plan on abandoning him, it’ll be hard from now on.”

Lux and Varnish climb the basement stairs, supported by his shoulders. Varnish shakes his head and asks Lux a question, to which Lux responds. 　

“No, Lux …… you’ll come back, right?”

“It’s impossible, I’m going to call my sister and have a face-to-face meeting with her, then I’ll tell her I’ve solved the problem and we’ll go straight to another town. Besides–“

Lux looked at Basleigh-sensei for a moment and continued.

“My father will be removed from his position as a lord for causing such a ruckus. Even though it was Sonia who did it, she almost assassinated a messenger from the castle, of course. You don’t seem to be involved, though.”

“…… You’re right ……”

Varnish finally understood the magnitude of his mother’s crime, and his shoulders slumped. And then Basleigh-sensei followed up.

“Well, Lux is right, Zanbia-san will no longer be the Lord. The crime of not being able to stop his wife and the attempt on his life will be a little lessened, so two-thirds of his property will be confiscated …… equals, Lux-kun will also lose his right of succession, so he will become a commoner. If you have any savings other than taxes, you will be able to live a safe life.”

“Father and Lux will be both gone …… W-What am I supposed to do ……”

“Come live with me someplace quiet. I don’t know whose son you are, but I’m pretty sure you’re one of my sons who grew up here.”

“Father ……”

It looks like a good story, but I’m not convinced. Considering his attitude towards Lux, his own son, and what he has done so far, he should be talking to Lux rather than Varnish.

“Zanbia, do you have anything to say to Lux? He’s been harassed by Sonia and Varnish for as long as he can remember, and you’ve treated him like dirt.”

“I know. I plan to talk to them when Naja gets here, looks like I made you worried, Lars-kun.”

“It’s fine if you know what you’re doing.”

I called out to Zanbia from the back of the line, and he replied without hesitation. He seemed to have made up his mind, but it would have been a shame if he could have done it a little earlier.

“Too much has happened, I’m tired. Do you mind if I wait in the office, Lux?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right back.”

“Basleigh-sensei, you wait here too. Makina and I will follow Lux and meet up with Fath-san.”

“Well, I’m tired myself, so I guess I’ll do that.”

Basleigh-sensei said with a smile, and when Zanbia opened the door–

“Hello, you’re late. I’ve waited long enough.”

–Orff was sitting on the couch, a subtle presence that seemed to blend into the scenery without any sense of discomfort.

“It’s Orff! Did you bring sister here by any chance?”

When Lux called out to him in surprise, Orff opened his mouth with a big smile …… instead of his usual weak smile.

“Yes, that’s right. Look, here she is.”

“!?”

Orff pulled out from behind the sofa a bright red dress wearing Naja. Orff sits down on the couch and turns his head toward Lux. But his face is lifeless, and his limbs are thrown out. As we wondered, Orff began to speak while moving Naja’s arms and legs.

” ‘Oh my, Lux, you solved the case, didn’t you? I’m so happy for you. Because you’re finally free of that damn stepmother.’ “

“What …… Orff, what the hell are you–“

” ‘From now on, we can all live together, your father, Lux, and Varnish …… in the afterlife.’ “

After saying that, Orff would look at us with those disgusting eyes, and his mouth would twitch into an ugly grin. At that moment, Makina grabbed my sleeve and shouted.

“Lars! No, that, that red dress, that’s not dye …… that’s blood!”

” “What!?” “

“Fufufu, correct. Oops, I got some dirty blood on me. I don’t need this anymore.”

“Orfffff!”

“Wait, Lux! …… No, I think I should take advantage of this!”

When Orff pushed Naja and rolled her on the floor, her mouth started to bleed. When Lux saw this, his blood rushed to his head and he hit Orff. I wanted to stop him, but I was worried about Naja’s condition, so I ran to rescue her.

“What do you mean by this, Orff! How dare you lay a hand on your lover!”

“Hold him Just like that, Lux. She’s still breathing, .”

“Oops, so you can use healing magic. That’s not good.”

” “Uwah!?” “

He countered Lux’s attempt to hit him and blew him towards me. The reaction to catching Lux sent me tumbling to the floor, while Orff pulled Naja to his side.

“I forgot that you’re my precious, precious hostage. Isn’t that dress made of blood beautiful?”

“Orff ……!”

“Orff? Oh, I wondered who you’re calling, so it’s me! Orff, huh, he’s already gone.”

“What do you mean ……?”

When Lux stood up and asked him back, he laughed, sticking out his tongue as if he had been waiting for us, and then told us in astonishment.

“It’s because I killed him. He’s probably being fed to the monsters by now? Hahahaha! This lover will soon follow, I’m sure he won’t be lonely. You guys too, together, right? Now, are you wondering who the hell am I–?”

“I don’t care what you are, give Naja back! At this rate, she will really die!”

“M-Me too! Let’s do this, Sephiro.”

“!!”

“Be careful, everyone. From what I can tell, this guy is ……”

I grabbed him, and Makina went around him. As Lux moved to hold him in between us, that someone with the face of Orff grabbed his own hair and pulled him up, and underneath was the face of a blond man I’ve never seen before. 

“Phew …… I’m a person who’s part of the Gospel’s Descent that you won’t stop loving so much. I could have just tucked my tail and run, but I thought I should thank you for ruining my hard-earned plans. You know, It makes you cry to see someone you care about gradually dying, doesn’t it?”

When I saw the man rubbing his cheek against Naja’s pale face, my anger reached its peak.

“If you want to do this, I’ll give you what you deserve. Be prepared to lose all your limbs.”

“Hoh~ ……?”

That smirking face, I’ll make you regret it in a heartbeat!

I posted something in the wrong place.