My Dad, the Demon King, Is a Big Problem

I locked eyes with the Duke of Dimensions for a while.

It seemed like the first time I’d stared into a demon's eyes for this long.
Somehow, Prima’s words felt a bit more meaningful. His calm, steady blue eyes also played a part in that.
For a moment, it felt like I was looking into the eyes of a human, not a demon.

Was it because he resembled Meteor?
“If Baal’s soul dies, the Demon King will disappear. That’s the Demon King’s greatest essence. If that happens, your father will return to his original form. But there’s another path for you and your father to choose. Your father could absorb Baal’s soul and become a complete Demon King.”
“...”

“Unfortunately, there’s a trap in the first option. It’s impossible to kill Baal’s soul while leaving his body intact. If you try to kill Baal’s soul, you’ll end up harming his body as well. If that happens, Lloyd won’t survive either.”
“...”
That was exactly the part I had been worrying about for a long time.

I need to kill Baal’s soul but save my father’s body and soul.
How could that be possible?
I couldn’t see how it would work with who I was now.

I was still so lacking.
If I grow stronger, will I be able to find the way?
I absolutely have to…

“In the end, there’s only one path left for you and your father. Lloyd will have to overpower Baal and become the Demon King. Then, you’ll have no choice but to follow your father and become a demon.”
“That sounds pretty convincing.”
I laughed bitterly to myself.

“Must be the demon in you, speaking so temptingly. Your goal isn’t to kill me, right? What is it? A rebellion against the Demon King?”
That bastard dismissed my hope as something impossible.
Why is it impossible to kill only Baal’s soul and save my father?
I haven’t even tried yet.

If I try and fail, then that’s when it becomes impossible.
The Duke of Dimensions smiled seductively, as if enjoying himself.
“My goal is for Crescent, you, to eat the next course.”

“!”
The sound of clattering dishes filled the air.
Before I could even blink, Prima had replaced my soup bowl with another.

“You bastard. Demon-like demon bastard.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
With a leisurely smile, the Duke of Dimensions moved the fish dish onto my plate.

When will he send me back to the human world?
I really wanted to hit him.
***

Meteor finally left the reception room.
His family didn’t ask him anything further.
What were his parents and grandparents thinking?

Even if they didn’t show it on the outside, they must be feeling something like this:
“I trusted you, Meteor, but you have feelings for your younger sister? Are you out of your mind?!”
“Even though you’re not related by blood, that girl is our daughter, our granddaughter. Your sister! Do you really want to stay here, where Crescent is? You’ve disappointed us too!”

Such voices seemed to be echoing around him.
The family members he knew would probably be feeling nothing but pity for him.
But all he could feel was the weight of their condemnation.

Meteor couldn’t think of anything except the excuse of having confessed to Crescent.
To admit to his parents and grandparents that he had feelings for his step-sister was something he couldn’t do with a sane mind.
Each word he spoke in the reception room felt like his soul was splitting into pieces.

Suddenly, Meteor looked up at the night sky.
How much time had passed?
The dark night sky, painfully still, was scattered with stars.

‘Crescent.’
She was probably still by the lake, alone.
Had she left by now?

She must have gone back to the dormitory. Her divine power had surged, so she must have taken several potions and fallen asleep.
But what if she hadn’t...?
Suddenly, a chill ran through his chest.

He shouldn’t be worried about her, but the worst scenario played out in his mind.
He shouldn’t care whether she lived or died, but his heart sank.
‘Please, snap out of it, Meteor.’

She’s the Demon King’s daughter.
As the Demon King’s daughter, he should hope she’s dead. He shouldn’t worry about her.
Meteor steadied himself.

The sound of his feet brushing against the dirt floor rang loudly in his ears.
He turned toward his room.
One step.

Then two, as he moved toward the mansion.
Three steps, and his direction changed.
His body moved against his intentions.

No thoughts filled his head. His body just followed his heart’s pull.
If he could, he’d want to instantly travel across space, he moved so quickly.
The forest, which had felt long just moments ago, now felt short.

In the center of that forest, moonlight shimmered gently.
‘Crescent.’
Meteor hurriedly gasped for breath as he found the place where she had been.

The lake stretched out quietly.
Nothing was visible.
He looked around again, but it was eerily silent everywhere.

She had left.
The realization washed over him, and a feeling of emptiness overtook him.
Where had she gone?

There was only one place Crescent could have gone.
Meteor ran again. It was late, too late to return to the Holy Palace, but that didn’t matter.
Just as he dismounted from his horse...

“Ah? Meteor!”
A familiar voice called out.
He turned around to see Lucas running toward him, looking thrilled.

“You’re here already? It’s supposed to be tomorrow, but you came early!”
“Sorry, Lucas.”
Meteor hurriedly passed by Lucas. He heard him calling from behind but didn’t look back.

He headed straight for Crescent’s room.
The path wasn’t confusing.
Finally, reaching his destination, Meteor pulled on the doorknob.

Click, click!
But the door didn’t budge.
‘It’s locked.’

Should he break it down?
Is she sleeping?
Meteor tried the handle again. That’s when his body was suddenly pushed back. The doorknob came off in his hand.

He looked between the door, now wide open, and the doorknob in his hand.
‘What the hell? Did it break?’
It was embarrassing.

Soon, the door, now without its handle, creaked open weakly, revealing the silence inside.
In that moment, he realized.
There was no one inside.

Meteor pulled the door open further, and indeed, the room was empty.
Crescent hadn’t returned to the temple yet.
Where could she be?

Considering the time, she should have arrived at the dormitory by now...
Meteor weakly closed the door.
Creeeak...

But the broken door made another squeaking sound as it opened again.
He had no idea where she could have gone.
The next day, Crescent still hadn’t returned to the temple.

***
“Ah, I’m so full.”
I lay back on the Demon Realm’s bed and rubbed my stomach.

How much did I even eat?
Fish, steak, noodles, rice dishes, and on top of that, dessert and drinks—I stuffed myself completely.
It’s crazy how full I feel after all that food, but I can’t shake this disgusting feeling.

I ate, sure, but it felt like I had been forced into being pampered like some kind of pet, and it made me uncomfortable.
Ding!
<‘Dragon Slayer Sylvester’ says he’s relieved that you’re safe after all.>

“Is that really the case...?”
Right.
I passed out and collapsed by the lake.

If no one had taken me, I probably would’ve caught a cold.
I would’ve just slept there in the grass, using it as my bed.
It’s not like the Duke of Dimensions saved me or anything. Nothing would’ve gone wrong if he hadn’t picked me up.

Why did he have to just take me, someone who was happily sleeping?
And then, forcing food on me like that.
Ding!

<‘From Maid to Saintess—Astina’ says this sounds completely like, “After being kicked out of the Duke’s house, the Demon Realm’s top guy is obsessing over me.”>
What did she just say?