Chapter 24

Raul and Camilla were immediately thrown into a fierce battle with enemies as soon as they woke up. Even though we could easily take down the demon army, we were no match for the hangover.

“Raul, I brought breakfast! And for the guest too!” We wanted something to soothe our stomachs, but reality was harsh.

“I got some good butter and cream from a nearby farm! Toast with lots of butter and stew with rich cream!” “…You should eat it. We don’t have much appetite today.”

Except for pork and onions, I wasn’t picky about food, but greasy food after drinking was a no-go. Camilla seemed the same, turning her head away. She was also weak to hangovers, and there was a slight chance she might vomit just from looking at it.

“I’d rather fight that weird bird again than eat that.” “…Don’t even joke about that. I still vividly remember getting cursed by that strange wind.”

The weird bird was one of the demon army’s main forces and an exceptional sorcerer. Just a touch of the wind from its wings would curse you with some bizarre spell.

Though those memories are now just fragments of the past, fighting that horror again was out of the question.

“By the way, back then, His Majesty and Her Majesty were in trouble, and you were…” “That doesn’t matter, but you were the only one who could defeat it. So don’t bring it up again.”

“It was fun teasing you though.” Camilla always found joy in teasing me, making it one of her life’s pleasures.

“Speaking of your maid… where did you pick her up?” “The butler found her wandering the streets.” “…No way. I thought I’d seen her somewhere, but it can’t be.”

Camilla’s reaction was unusually lukewarm. Her personality was usually either hot or cold, so this was surprising.

“Anyway, my stomach still feels terrible.” “…I’ll have to get something for you.”

I pondered what to make for her. She was quite picky about food.

While debating between quail soup, stew, braised quail, quail salad, or grilled quail, someone loudly knocked on the mansion door.

“…Come in.” “Excuse me.”

It was Cecilia, holding a pot, which looked awkward.

“…Is that pot a new weapon?” “What kind of joke… No, it’s not.”

I was serious, but she seemed to take it as a bad joke.

“I heard you drank too much last night, so I made this. It’s for when your stomach feels bad after drinking.” She brought a clear soup with tomatoes and other ingredients.

“…Thank you.” “No need to thank me. It’s just a small repayment for saving me that day.”

“Perfect timing. I’m not much of a cook, and my friend’s cooking… could melt your insides.”

Camilla glared at me, annoyed, but she couldn’t deny it. The Minister of War and His Majesty had nearly died from her cooking. I also lost consciousness for half a month after eating it.

“I see. Your friend seems a bit inexperienced in daily life. If needed, I could teach her.” I grabbed Camilla’s wrist to stop her from lashing out.

“It’s surprising. I didn’t think someone could reach this age without basic life skills.” I felt an electric current through my arm and needed to get Cecilia out fast.

“Thanks. I’ll visit you soon. I have something to discuss about that guy who was flirting with you.” “…Then I’ll take my leave.”

As she left, Camilla sighed, trying to calm down.

“That girl’s sharper than she looks… Coming back with two words for every one I said.”

While Camilla vented, I served the soup. It was a bit bland but had a deep flavor, which surprised me.

Even Camilla, the pickiest eater in the empire, was impressed, so it must have been objectively delicious.

“…I hate to admit it, but she’s good at cooking.” “Living alone probably made her skilled.”

I admired her. Despite being younger, she supported the village with a strong stance and excellent life skills.

“She could rise to a higher position.” “So could we.”

“……”

“Now, we can have anything we want and be anything we want.”

Once, we surpassed human limits to protect the country, but after the war, we were just troublesome monsters.

The Emperor spread rumors about us, and most gullible citizens believed them.

Her Majesty the Empress was even dishonorably labeled a prostitute just for losing her virginity.

“……The food will get cold.”

I changed the subject to avoid negative emotions.

“But it’s really good. I’d like to eat it every day if possible.”

“…Are you going to marry her or something?”

Her voice turned cold, but I answered calmly.

“You know better than anyone that won’t happen.”

“Right? You have a fiancée…”

“With a body that won’t last long, getting married would be a nuisance. And.”

There was a more fundamental reason.

“I don’t understand the concept of marriage.”

“Wait, are you…”

“Camilla. You’ve seen it too. How foolish it is. How it transformed the Demon King.”

The Demon King was once a wanderer, helping anyone in need, even humans. He dreamed of a world without war.

But marriage and humans changed him.

After marrying, he sought true peace, sending his wife as an envoy to the empire.

But the Emperor raped her, imprisoned her, and lied to the Demon King.

When the Demon King learned the truth, his wife had already taken her own life.

This turned the peace-loving Demon King into a being filled with hatred, leading to war.

“And as we saw, the Demon King became…”

“A mad monster. I’m still scared he might appear in my dreams.”

I felt the same. His blood-teared face as he swung his sword was still vivid.

‘I don’t care about winning or losing this war! If I can etch her existence into this world, that’s enough! I love her! This is my pure love for her!’

His attacks were like a storm, even I couldn’t fully block.

I don’t even remember how we defeated him.

“If losing a loved one can transform even a peace-loving being…”

If there’s even a slight chance I could become like that.

“I won’t let that seed grow. I don’t want to become such a monster.”

By not marrying, I avoid that fate.

“So, I plan to ask her to break off the engagement. It wasn’t for marriage anyway.”

“…About that breakup request. Can I deliver it?”

“It’s fine, but I’d like to know the reason.”

“Probably the same reason that idiot Emperor is attending your sister’s inauguration as family head.”

I couldn’t guess the reason, but selfishly, I wanted to reminisce about the past instead.

Even though I should focus on them, my selfishness pointed to the shining memories of the past.

Even though I should look after them.

My eyes were fixed only on those glittering memories.