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Translator: Barnnn
Fuyu grew flustered as Betty laughed.
“You can’t just give vague explanations like that! It’s more like a stepson relationship.”
Patty’s face brightened as she finally understood.
“Well, anyway, here we are!”
The three looked up at the massive Royal Castle of the Devil King — specifically, at its rear gate.
Naturally, even the rear gate had a gatekeeper. Betty approached him, but the gatekeeper only placed his spear firmly on the ground in response.
“Good day, Miss Betty. But I’m afraid I can’t let you through today.”
“Oh, come on, Adolf. I just need to get inside for a bit.”
“That’s exactly why I can’t let you through. We have important guests today! Please come back later!”
“Come on, just let me in!”
“No!”
“Then I’ll have to do this!”
In an instant, Betty lifted Fuyu off the ground.
“Huh?”
Before Fuyu could comprehend what was happening… Betty tossed her over the gate.
“YEET!”
“Wha–!?”
Fuyu landed on top of the outer wall, quickly followed by Patty, who had been thrown after her.
From their vantage point, they looked down at the struggling figures of Adolf and Betty.
“GO ON! I’LL HOLD THE LINE HERE! OHOHOHOHOHOHO!”
Hearing Betty’s theatrically exaggerated voice, Fuyu let out an exasperated sigh.
Patty, despite her racing heart, also could not help but laugh.
“Hahaha… that was kind of fun. Now then… we’re already one foot inside, so let’s just go ahead and let ourselves in, hmm?”
Fuyu tilted her head slightly as she spoke, and Patty nodded in agreement.
They proceeded to use a ladder to climb down the inner side of the wall and headed towards the first floor of the Royal Castle via a staircase.
Along the way, every soldier they passed bowed their heads and greeted Fuyu.
Curious, Patty peered at Fuyu.
“Oh, by the way, I’m actually the captain of the Special Patrol Unit. I’m off duty today, though — so I’m technically not supposed to be here. Hahaha…”
As Patty’s face lit up with realization, Fuyu smiled.
Following Fuyu’s lead, Patty trailed behind her.
Before long, a grand corridor came into view, leading to the audience chamber.
The ornate decorations and numerous statues captured Patty’s curiosity as she glanced around in wonder.
Fuyu watched over her with a smile.
Then, a voice came from behind Patty,
“Who might you be?”
The speaker’s vigilance was low due to Patty being a child, but the tone was enough to startle her nonetheless.
Fuyu stepped forward, passing Patty.
“Oh, Haruhana! Hello! This here is Patty.”
“Fuyu? Aren’t you off duty today?”
“Hehehe… Well, Patty here wants to meet the Devil King, you see.”
“The Devil King? That’s not exactly…”
Haruhana stopped mid-sentence, her attention drawn to the ‘Principles of a Philosopher’ book in Patty’s hands.
“Ah, that explains it. If the book has piqued her interest, then there is no way I can refuse her entry. From here on, I will be her guide — But Fuyu, you must leave the castle immediately. If Warren or Bright were to find you here, you would be in serious trouble.”
“Hahaha… that’s true.”
Fuyu proceeded to draw a Teleportation Spell Circle at her feet and then stepped onto it.
“Well, see you later, Patty!”
The two waved to each other as Fuyu vanished.
Haruhana chuckled softly before addressing Patty,
“The Royal Castle does not usually permit unknown individuals inside. Do you know why you were allowed entry, Patty?”
Patty tilted her head in confusion, prompting Haruhana to continue.
“It was the Devil King’s command. ‘If anyone shows interest in the Principles of a Philosopher, bring them to me at once.’ This is a personal order given to five of his close acquaintances, myself included. Since you were with Fuyu, I assume you have met Tifa?”
Patty nodded.
“That means you have met three of the five so far. The other two are also in the castle. Now, let us proceed.”
Haruhana moved with quiet elegance, and Patty felt more than just surprise — she was in awe.
Everyone turned to watch Haruhana’s graceful progress down the hallway.
As they walked, Haruhana spoke to Patty.
“It is said that only those who understand the book can truly appreciate it. While the Devil King’s friends find it amusing, some readers have demanded refunds… which he actually issued after a certain point.”
Patty’s eyes widened in surprise, and Haruhana laughed softly.
“Today, dignitaries from various countries are here incognito… Oh, by the way, this book also mentions a few of them. For example, from ‘Chapter 278 – A New Era…’: ‘It seems that talent does play a part in one’s physical strength as well. Annotation: Irene has been physically strong since childhood.’ Because of this line, Miss Irene from the War Demon Nation once came directly to the Devil King’s room to complain.”
Patty clapped her hands in realization.
“Indeed. Miss Irene is here today as well… Oh, I shouldn’t have mentioned that. But for some reason, I feel compelled to speak freely with you. Hehehe… I wonder why?”
Patty merely tilted her head in response.
“Ah, so the suspicious person report was about you,” came a strong yet beautiful voice.
“Oh?”
Haruhana turned to see an elf with pale blue eyes.
“Hello, Miss Lylia. This is Patty.”
“Understood.”
Lylia nodded and began walking ahead of Haruhana.
Haruhana leaned down to whisper in Patty’s ear.
“She is one of the remaining two I mentioned earlier.”
Patty looked at Haruhana, smiling with a sense of recognition. Haruhana smiled back.
“You know, the Principles of a Philosopher contains a whole lot of intriguing content. But despite that and the fact that it constantly circulates in the market, few possess it. Why is that? Perhaps…”
“…We believe it is due to the influence of Giorno the Hero.”
“Maybe it’d be more appropriate to say ‘divine intervention.’ Many discard the book immediately, while a rare few, like you, hold onto it. That’s the way it is.”
“Perhaps one could call it… filtering.”
Listening to Haruhana’s words, Lylia groaned in agreement.
“Heh, this book is meant for those who can shoulder the future. Perhaps that’s why only certain people can read it.”
At that moment, Patty realized — It was not just the Devil King’s command that brought her here.
Everyone had recognized her potential, and that was why they had led her this far.
“Or perhaps to keep people from seeing the past…”
Picking up on Haruhana’s words, Lylia added,
“From ‘Chapter 286 – An Oath’: ‘No point in agonizing over what’s already past. What’s important now is figuring out our way of life in this… ongoing past. Annotation: These words wouldn’t have been strung together if I hadn’t lived through the past. Readers, try using the Space-Time Transmission spell to visit the past’… Is that how it goes, again?”
“Yes, that is exactly it. The past is dangerous to revisit without proper measures. Those who forget the accumulation of time and experience are prone to be forever stuck in its pitfalls.”
“From ‘Chapter 294 – The Welcoming Door in the Rock’: ‘One does not achieve the title [of Philosopher] in a single day. Annotation: One becomes closer to a Philosopher through the daily accumulation of adjustments and refinements’… Right.”
Haruhana laughed softly.
Patty listened in admiration, following closely behind Lylia. Suddenly, the two in the lead halted. Patty quickly stepped back, looking up at Lylia.
“Beyond here is the audience chamber. Patty, I must take my leave. I have an interview with a new recruit you see. Miss Lylia will take you from here.”
Haruhana bowed and watched as Patty and Lylia proceeded.
Patty bowed back deeply, then gave a small wave.
As they walked down the long hallway, a massive, imposing door came into view. Lylia stopped before it.
A man stood guard by the door. Despite his stern expression, a gentleness lay in his eyes.
“Lady Lylia, what brings you here?”
“Ryan, we need an urgent audience with the Devil King.”
“Very well. However, he is currently with guests… Are you sure this cannot wait?”
“It cannot.”
With that, the conversation between the two ended.
Ryan stepped aside, allowing Lylia and Patty to approach the door.
The only thing in Patty’s way now was, indeed, this door. But she found herself hesitating to take another step forward after Lylia.
Lylia turned, crouched down, and placed a reassuring hand on Patty’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry. There’s nothing to fear.”
Patty felt a surge of confidence from Lylia’s smile.
Something stirred within her — a feeling she could not quite identify. But she knew it gave her the courage to take that crucial step forward.
Lylia chuckled before standing back up, then she proceeded to open the door and walk inside.
Patty followed, her face tense with anticipation.
A long, crimson carpet stretched out before them, leading to her parents seated at the far end.
Everyone in the room turned to look at Lylia, then at Patty by her side.
“Nyah–!? Patty!?”
“Oh? You know Melchi?” Lylia promptly asked.
In reaction, Melchi nodded almost a hundred times over the span of a few seconds.
“Yes, yes, yes! Of course she does! This child is none other than my beloved daughter!”
Lylia’s eyes widened in surprise.
After sharing a brief moment of astonishment with the others, she turned to Patty.
“…Oh, I see.”
Embarrassed by the attention, Patty covered her face with the Principles of a Philosopher. The sight drew knowing smiles from everyone, including Melchi.
“Oh-ho, I see she’s one of those who choose to keep the book…”
A man with long black hair stepped forward.
“Now this is quite interesting…”
A black-haired boy with a similar aura followed suit.
“Hahaha! That’s right! See, Warren, Bright? My kid is quite capable!”
Melchi’s laughter rang out beside them, while Gaspard sighed deeply, clearly exasperated.
Then, two more individuals moved forward.
“So, the reason we’re here today is because of this girl…?”
“Exactly, Gaston! Isn’t it wonderful? Well, I mean, I didn’t know this myself, though!”
“Melchi’s daughter, huh? She seems sharp. Must take after her father.”
“WHAT!? My blood runs stronger, Irene!”
Melchi’s voice echoed through the chamber, leaving Patty blushing furiously, her face lowered in embarrassment.
“Well, anyway… Can we talk to the Devil King now?” Lylia asked, cutting through the banter.
Everyone proceeded to step aside, revealing a man seated on a comically small but undoubtedly regal throne.
“What, you’re on substitute duty again, Leon?” Lylia sighed, exasperation strong in her tone.
Leon could only manage a wry smile.
“Hahaha… Yes, I’m afraid His Majesty isn’t here today…”
“…Where is he?”
The Devil King had summoned Irene and Gaston here, yet he was nowhere to be seen — Lylia could not imagine why this was the case.
Irene crossed her arms, while Gaston groaned, both looking equally perplexed.
“Ferris is searching for him right now– Oh, it seems she’s back.”
Ferris walked in through the door, shaking her head at Bright.
“Hmm, came up empty, I see. My Telepathic Calls haven’t been getting through, either…” Bright shrugged.
Warren spoke up,
“But if His Majesty isn’t here, he must have his reasons. Let us believe in him — he told us to wait, and that is what we will do.”
As Ferris stepped aside, the door opened again.
“Lina? What’s going on?”
The Devil King’s first student entered, drawing everyone’s attention.
Blushing slightly, Lina scratched her cheek nervously.
“Umm… The one who wasn’t supposed to be here today is…” Lina began, then paused as she noticed Patty standing beside Lylia, holding a copy of the Principles of a Philosopher.
A warm smile spread across Lina’s face as she quietly walked over.
Then, crouching down to Lina’s eye level, she proceeded to say,
“…It’s you, right?”
Patty looked up into Lina’s gaze, seeing joy, brilliance, and love reflected to the brim in those eyes.
To Patty, they were the most beautiful jewels in the world.
Lina extended her hand to the bewildered Patty, who took it instinctively.
“Come on, let’s go!”
As they started walking together, Irene’s voice cut through the air, halting their progress.
“Lina! What is this about!?”
Her tone held a mix of confusion and a hint of anger. Without turning around, Lina responded.
“The Devil King, Sir Asley, has summoned her.”
Melchi and Gaspard exchanged shocked glances.
Considering Lina’s usual demeanor, this behavior was completely out of character.
But precisely because they understood her nature, they knew this action was, while unusual, entirely expected.
Facing Irene, an international guest despite her covert visit, Lina avoided eye contact. She understood that meeting Irene’s strong gaze would make it impossible for her to proceed. Lina acted based on her understanding of her character; she had no other choice.
Everyone silently watched Lina’s actions, realizing the gravity of the situation.
[…What is he even thinking?] Irene pondered, directing her suspicion not at Lina but at the Devil King, Asley.
Yet no matter how much she thought about it… the answer eluded her.
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