The Villainous Family Loves Me Too Much!

“Just what exactly are you?”

When Liam shot him a wary, piercing gaze, Robben immediately reverted to an affable expression, waving his arms disarmingly.

“Oh my, I mean you no harm! Just give me a moment.”

Robben abruptly scooped up Lily and headed towards the door leading to the yard.

“Dear, could you keep Lily outside for a bit? I need to have an important discussion with our guest.”

“Yes, of course. Please, take your time.”

After ushering his wife and young Lily outdoors, Robben hastily shut the door.

“Phew, now we can converse properly.”

However, Liam remained guarded, eyeing Robben suspiciously.

“Your family is unaware of your true identity, I take it?”

“That’s a rather ungracious attitude towards your life’s savior.”

Robben had nonchalantly approached the dining table, plopping down on a chair without any trepidation.

Despite claiming to converse, neither spoke a word initially.

An eerie silence stretched between them.

The only sound pervading the house was Liam’s crunching as he gnawed on the potatoes.

“You asked about my identity, didn’t you?”

As Robben spoke up, Liam paused mid-chew, muttering through mouthfuls:

“You certainly don’t seem like an ordinary human.”

Leaning across the table, hands clasped, Robben replied:

“Couldn’t the same be said… about you?”

Then Lily’s giggles rang out from the yard.

“Mommy!”

“Lily, come here!”

Robben’s wife chased after the frolicking Lily in a game of tag.

Liam turned to observe them through the window, a wry smile crossing his features.

“That woman is human, at least.”

Sensing Liam’s covetous gaze, Robben rose and swiftly drew the curtains shut.

“…Try anything foolish, and I’ll slay you on the spot.”

“Harsh words for your own kind, when so few of us remain.”

With muscular, burly arms folded imposingly like a former knight captain, Robben advanced on the seated Liam.

His intimidating physique drew no reaction from Liam whatsoever.

“So, what is it you wish to know from me?”

Intrigued by Robben’s response, a faint smile played on Liam’s lips.

“It seems your daughter too is of our kind. How is that even possible?”

* * *

With evidence confirming Liam’s attack on Felosite territory, we could no longer leave him be.

If he still lurked within Felosite, who knows what defenseless victims might suffer?

Hence, all Felosite household members, knights, and nobles convened to discuss countermeasures.

This compelled us to publicly disclose the previously doubted existence of ‘humanoid monsters’.

“A humanoid monster, you say? I thought those were mere rumors?”

“Indeed, a humanoid monster.”

The very mention of that term prompted murmurs among the nobles.

Understandable, given my grandfather’s efforts deploying every resource and authority to dismiss ‘humanoid monsters’ as preposterous fantasy.

“The first humanoid monster to appear in Felosite was Mackeon, formerly of the knight order. A human gradually transformed into a beast over an extended period by the witch Colin Piaget.”

Sylonne was entrusted to deliver this profound revelation on our behalf.

-Since our failure to identify Mackeon was the knight order’s oversight, I’ll take responsibility as the captain.

As the presentation progressed, the nobles’ eyes and mouths widened incredulously.

The Great Demon Beast’s identity as Prince Liam, the prophecy scrolls, the tales of God’s fragments –

Though this was undoubtedly a fictional fantasy realm, even they found such revelations astonishing.

“For now, shall we withhold this from the imperial family?”

Lucian quietly consulted my opinion.

The imperial knights lacked jurisdiction within Felosite territory regardless.

Involving them would only complicate matters with protocols and procedures.

It could needlessly prolong Liam’s evasion while achieving nothing.

“Yes, I’ll discreetly update Gabriel on our progress.”

I whispered in agreement, and Lucian nodded.

“Based on intelligence gathered by the knights so far, we have compiled the predicted movements of Prince Liam… no, the Great Demon Beast.”

At Sylonne’s gesture, Gebino and another knight unfurled a massive map on the wall.

Meticulously detailing Felosite’s domain and surrounding facilities.

“First, he doesn’t appear to have infiltrated the city center around the Felosite palace. He encroached upon the relatively unguarded outskirts instead.”

“What are the current casualty reports?”

“3,500 cows from the Kenoch County estate, 7 farmers in the outskirts, and 10 additional livestock casualties.”

“Understood. Ensure proper compensation for the victims’ families. Cover all funeral expenses as well.”

“Yes, sir.”

Though issuing instructions impassively, Lucian’s furrowed brow betrayed his vexation.

“But I have one question.”

Among the seated nobles, Jonathan raised his hand.

“Go ahead, Count Jonathan.”

“In some cases, humans become humanoid monsters, but others are simply devoured. What accounts for that difference?”

No one had considered this aspect, exchanging perplexed looks as if awaiting someone else’s explanation.

Yet none present could provide an answer.

Not I, Sylonne, nor Lucian had discerned that distinction yet.

“I believe I can offer some insight on that matter.”

“Master!”

Gebino Augusto rose to respond on our behalf.

“May I take the lead in explaining further, Captain?”

With courteous decorum, Gebino bowed politely towards Sylonne.

“Proceed.”

Sylonne promptly yielded the floor to Gebino.

Projecting an upright, holy aura befitting a devoutly pious youth, he addressed the nobles.

“I am Gebino Augusto of the knight order. I was once a paladin as well.”

Quite the dashing figure too, admittedly.

“Having received the grace of God’s fragment, I was once bestowed divine powers, though I have since lost them upon being severed from that connection.”

All listened intently to Gebino’s every word.

“When channeling God’s fragment, I would receive prophetic visions through dreams. One crucial vision concerned the birth of the Great Demon Beast.”

He seemed to reference the cave incident.

I too recalled that day Gebino first encountered and nearly perished against the Great Demon Beast.

“The witch Colin is the one capable of creating those beasts. Truthfully, I am uncertain if the Great Demon Beast wields such power as well. However, our investigations so far suggest the Great Demon Beast must consume multiple humans at once to accumulate energy. Moreover, he devours not just humans, but… fellow beasts as well.”

* * *

Having apprised the nobles of the Great Demon’s threat, Lucian commanded their private militias to intensify patrols and vigilance.

From that very conference, Felosite effectively declared a state of martial readiness against the Great Demon Beast.

After the conference adjourned and attendees dispersed, someone called out to Lucian as he made his way back.

“Lucian.”

It was Heinrich, the former Archduke and Lucian’s grandfather.

Addressing Lucian by name, with such solemnity and earnestness, was unprecedented.

Rendering the situation somewhat awkward and uncomfortable, understandably.

“This old man feels just as awkward. But what can be done? I have words for you, so follow me.”

Heinrich abruptly turned and strode towards the receiving room.

Though bemused, Lucian followed after him.

“The lady should come along too.”