We returned to the mansion after we confirmed the villagers’ safe return.
Grandfather and grandmother, who accompanied the villagers, are with us.
"Welcome home! … Oh my, father and mother were with you."
Mother greeted us at the mansion.
Grandfather and grandmother are with us, she's surprised.
"Ah, just when we were about to return, Sai village was about to be attacked by demons, so we dealt with it. Apparently, everywhere else has been almost cleaned up."
"Yes, the people who went on a patrol reported that there were no demon sightings."
"Well, that's right. The cause should have been removed, so it's alright for now."
The cause?
After all, there is a reason why so many demons appeared?
"Now, let's get a room Lillina and Ricardo. Of course, Liza as well."
I, brother, and mother were called by grandfather and headed for his room.
Sorry, Sana and others, but you'll have to wait.
Grandmother prepared tea when we entered the room.
"Phew, the tea brewed by Leafia is delicious. Now that we took a breather, let me explain what caused the outbreak of demons. I think Liza is aware, but this time was caused by the southern country waging a war against the western country."
Yup?
Caused by the southern country waging a war against the western country?
What do you mean?
"Hmm, Ricardo and Lillina don't seem to be getting, but that's no surprise. I didn't explain why demons occur. Aren't you curious? Why do the demons only appear in this territory?"
Well yeah, I didn't mind it, but certainly the demons occur only in this territory.
It's strange.
"This thing has been known for generation among our margrave family's successors, their families, people they trust, and only few people from the other countries. A demon is born in this province when a person's negative emotions rise."
"Grandfather, I've hunted plenty demons in our territory and not once have I seen the moment it appeared."
Brother asked grandfather a good question.
I thought of that as well.
"Hmm, that's right, I've never seen it either. According to the one theory, monsters are quietly born in unpopulated places. It's been a custom for generations to hand over the position of margrave when the heir is young to go on a journey, the reason being adjustments of each country. When a conflict emerges, the negative emotions of people increase, and demons are born. We’re visiting other countries to prevent it. In other countries there are people who cooperate, like the royal families and some others. This time, we were supposed to halt the southern country from going to war with the western one, but it didn't go well… The southern country's royal family is still foolish. They haven't changed since a long ago. This time Prince Chris suffered quite a lot, he was quite foolish."
So that's what happened.
It's hard to believe such a grandiose story.
It's easier to believe Princess Sumire likes me.
But grandfather cannot lie… It's true, isn't it?
"Grandfather, can't the demons leave this territory?"
"Demons basically don't leave this territory. It seems a special technique was used although it can't be normally seen. I don't know the details because it happened a long time ago. However, they can't be left alone. Apparently, if a certain number is exceeded they'll leak out. A big war took place 200 years ago and the fighting took place in various parts of the words, more demons than ever have been born, and when they appeared in other countries it was a catastrophe. Since then, there's been an implicit rule between the countries that no big battles shall take place. But still the patrols are necessary to keep an eye on the situation."
Phew, such a remarkable thing.
So there was such secret.
I wonder if it's my ancestors' blood that makes me so crazy about hunting demons.
Knock knock
I heard a sound of knocking on the door.
Who's this?
"I am sorry to interrupt your talk. Christopher-sama has arrived. What would you like to do?"
It was Sana's mother, Sally, who called from the outside of the room.
"Oh, Prince Chris has arrived. Let's go meet him now."
Grandfather replied, but the outside became noisy.
The door opened when we tried to leave the room.
"Sorry, but I don't need a greeting. I apologize, but I came because I couldn't wait any longer. Oh, Lillina! Good, are you unhurt?"
As he was saying that, I found myself in Chris's arms.
Huh? Huh? What?
"I was worried to hear a large amount of demons appeared. I've already beaten the southern country's royal family so it's all right now. I wonder if the sea creatures demons appeared? Apparently, the demons that appear are from the area of people experiencing negative emotions."
Chris-sama doesn't relax his arms while talking.
It's not painful, but it's embarra.s.sing~.
"Ah, um, Chris-sama. I'm not injured anywhere. Um~ this position is getting embarra.s.sing…"
To my words, Chris-sama smiled with a beautiful face and said.
"That's no good, Lillina. I want to touch Lillina a little more now that we've met after such a long time. So, let's stay like this for a while longer?"
Eek~~, impossible~.
I'm so embarra.s.sed I want to hide in a hole.
Because, even brother is watching with lukewarm eyes!