Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

"..."

In the silent study, the father and son faced each other without a word.

Kordi furrowed his brow tightly, staring at his father, his expression a mix of confusion and disappointment.

Meanwhile, Duke Silver Wing appeared very calm, his deep gaze fixed on his eldest son's expression.

After a long silence, Kordi took the initiative to break it.

"Father, I never thought you would look at me with such eyes…"

He clutched his fists in pain, pounding his chest forcefully.

Thump!

"When Herbert encountered that incident, I was also deeply pained!"

"Have you forgotten? It was me who took people to the prison to bring him out! If it weren't for me, he would have suffered more in the jail!"

"I was the one who argued with the Third Prince! I made him believe Herbert wasn't that kind of person."

"I also investigated the truth of the matter! Found unusual aspects about that maid's identity!"

"I did all these things!"

"And now, you suspect me? I..."

When he spoke to this point, his emotions were a bit intense, he took a choking deep breath, and said solemnly: "I understand, now, no matter what I say, you won't believe it."

"But regardless of whether you believe it or not, my thoughts won't change, nor will my actions!"

"Father, the current priority is not to dwell on that past incident!"

His gaze sharpened, glaring at Duke Silver Wing, and he said slowly: "I know you had some thoughts after hearing about that matter."

"They say Herbert has returned and possesses astonishing strength."

"But, I want to remind you, he hasn't returned to the Duke's Mansion, and no one can confirm his identity, whether someone uses his face to do those things, it's still unknown."

"And even if he really returned, with his character, he couldn't be a qualified heir!"

Kordi took a deep breath, vigorously shaking his head, throwing away all emotional expressions on his face, and calmly returned to his previous composure.

He said:

"Father, you should wake up."

"We must act now! Duke Silver Wing must stop this chaos, or... it'll be too late."

After saying this, he stood up straight, bowed to his father, and then strides toward the door, slamming it shut.

Bam!

The study door was slammed shut, adding a touch of loneliness to Duke Silver Wing's expression.

"..."

Not long after Kordi left, Duke Silver Wing let out a weary sigh, murmuring to himself: "Not involved?"

"If you really weren't involved…"

"Then why do you know which incident I'm referring to?"

His voice was extremely low, with an almost imperceptible pain.

Then he turned to look at the oil painting hanging in the study, his gaze somewhat distant.

The painting depicted a young boy with black and white hair playing happily with another white-haired child.

After a long while.

Duke Silver Wing closed his eyes in pain and smashed the solid wood desk with his fist.

Crack!

.

.

Crack crack crack…

With the sound of mechanical gears turning, the heavily guarded Kordi passed through layers of guards and entered the suddenly appearing secret room.

He waited in the dark for a while, only continuing forward after the last door opened.

Opening this door meant he had passed the test, confirming that he had no suspicion.

Tap tap tap…

Kordi quickly walked inside, entering the final room, and looked at the elegant young man reading books in the candlelight.

"Prince Terence!"

Terence Olivia.

The most powerful young man in the Kingdom at this moment, although close to thirty-five years old, his strength had reached the late High Tier, making him the most likely to become Legendary and inherit the title of [Dragon Slayer] among the royal members in the future.

"Hmm? You're here?"

Prince Terence came to his senses after hearing the greeting, glanced over at Kordi, and smiled, jokingly saying: "Why are you dressed like that? Did you do something guilty?"

"Your Highness! Now is not the time for jokes."

But compared to Terence's relaxation, Kordi appeared extremely anxious, far from the calmness he showed before his father.

"Duke Silver Wing has no intention of stepping in! I don't know what that lunatic is thinking, does he really believe that guy will spare him when he returns?"

In his words, there was no respect for his father, only irreconcilable hatred.

"Lord Kordi, what are you worried about?"

Terence laughed, shaking his head: "Even if the 'culprit' is truly that child, he still wouldn't target you, right?"

"Besides, if he were to take action against Duke Silver Wing, wouldn't that be just right?"

Kordi was stunned, not understanding what he meant.

"You mean..."

"Yes, if Herbert really takes action, then someone like him who commits patricide definitely won't become the next Duke Silver Wing, right? That means this position will just fall into your lap, won't it?"

Kordi blinked, thought for a while, then his eyes suddenly lit up, seemingly trying to say something, but soon shook his head.

"No, there is still danger in this matter! Once he learns the truth, I'm doomed."

He bit his lip forcefully, angrily said: "Damn, how did he become like this!!?"

Where did he acquire his strength!

What did Mist Monastery give him?

I already arranged for those people to target them inside, how did it come to this?

Did they betray me?

They…

Kordi took a deep breath, seriously looked at Terence, and said solemnly: "Your Highness, you may not care now, but I must remind you—once this matter is exposed, we will both be in danger!"

"The Witch Association cannot be trusted, he didn't fulfill his promises! That bitch Philia has been secretly targeting our businesses since she returned from her mother!"

Thinking of those destroyed slave businesses, unbridled anger surged in his eyes, craving to consume their flesh.

"Your Highness, act quickly!"

"Once you become the new king, then it will be he who needs our support to maintain his position in the Witch Association, not us relying on him for status!"

"The situation is urgent, there's no time to wait!"

Kordi spoke for half a day, suddenly noticing the prince's continued silence.

"…Your Highness? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Feeling strange, he looked up to find Terence looking at him with a subtle expression.

Hmm?

Noticing his gaze, Terence laughed, softly saying: "My dear Lord Kordi… haven't you really noticed?"

Thump thump!

At this moment, Kordi's heart raced, and a fear unlike any before surged in his heart.

"Dis-discovered what?"

He slowly backed away, attempting to escape, and found his feet firmly anchored to the ground.

!!?

"Discovered…"

Terence chuckled, the flesh on his face started to grotesquely wriggle, and his golden hair gradually changed color.

He said:

"That I'm actually not him…"