Lucia was leisurely drinking her morning coffee in the living room.

‘As expected, the treatment is different when he becomes the heir.’

Salem rented an entire mansion, not a room.

It is also a very luxurious mansion.

It’s safe to say that it’s believable even if it’s the king’s villa.

“Is this a leisurely life… … .”

As Oz said, Lucia didn’t do anything except organize the minimum necessary information.

There is not even a cumbersome escort mission.

Oz goes out alone every day and returns alone. Apparently, an escort had been found to replace her.

The car I was enjoying so much leisure.

“Haam… … .”

Prina appeared from one of the mansion’s many rooms, rubbing her eyes.

“Is it too late to wake up? If you want to carry out your studies from next year, you’d better live a decent life, Prina.”

“… … Haven’t you done it yet? What time do you get up, Lucia? It’s 6 o’clock now… … .”

3 am.

Lucia’s morning is early.

It’s really fast.

She wakes up naturally at this time because she repeats the life of falling asleep due to hard work every day and waking up like getting up in a swamp.

It has become a pitiful nocturnal animal.

“It’s strange to say that I’ve lived without contact with people all along, but I think Lucia should live a more proper life.”

“I am living a full life.”

“Aren’t you too faithful?”

“that’s right… … .”

Prina has never seen Lucia rest. I’m obviously saying it like a vacation, but I’ve never seen him stay still for a single moment.

As evidence of that, Lucia was holding a document in one hand even at this moment while enjoying her morning coffee.

something you don’t have to do.

But Lucia couldn’t accept herself being still.

“But who is he?”

Prina muttered as she stared at the room where the door was left open.

“The Prince of Oz? why? Are you interested in The Prince of Oz? would it be better to quit? There are not one or two people who are aiming for that human end.”

“… … Nope. It just seems like you’ve been busy with a lot of things lately. Since he said he was the successor, is he too busy with work?”

Lucia shrugged and answered Prina’s innocent question.

The position of [Successor of the King of Darkness] is a position in which duty precedes responsibility.

“A king of wizards must, above all else, use magic well. So, he said that he who is in the position of successor can prioritize self-discipline over work.”

“is that so?”

“yes. So what I’m not here right now isn’t work, it’s because I’m reading a book. Recently, there are rumors that it is stuck in a library that is only open to elder level mages.”

“It’s a rumor. When the hell did you hear that?”

“Well?”

Lucia put down the cup she was holding with a meaningful smile.

Prina did not yet know that Lucia belonged to ＜Tenebris＞, the empire’s intelligence agency.

It was clear that she had some kind of ability as she accompanied Oz to assist, but it was not polite to ask.

“Rather than that, is it a library… … .”

Prina licked her lips as if regretting that word. she likes books It was natural.

Because while living in the ice castle, she learned the world through books.

Reading was her hobby, daily life, and even life.

“I want to go too, but it’s probably impossible this time, right?”

She has yet to formally rise to the position of an elder-class mage.

Her talent has been proven for a long time, but it seems that it will take some time before the qualification is issued.

It was said that it would take a month at the earliest, so she couldn’t formally call herself an elder-level magician yet.

Lucia laughed at Prina’s appearance. Apparently, she seemed to show it all on her face.

Lucia smiled and said at that blatant regret.

“Isn’t the library only there? Spellerge’s library is a city of wizards, so it’s bigger than an empire in terms of scale. Shall we listen to it for once?”

“Are you okay? Just because of me… … .”

“Well, since this is also a vacation.”

“Miss Lucia… … .”

Prina, perhaps moved by Lucia’s kindness, nodded her head and expressed her gratitude.

For Lucia, it was natural for her to maintain a good relationship with Prina, who had become an elder-level magician at a young age.

Moreover, it was much more comfortable than dealing with people like Eleanor or Oz.

“Then, why don’t we go to the library a bit later and have a cup of coffee now?”

“Ah yes! Then I’ll have a drink… … .”

The two were building a relationship smoothly.

* * *

While Lucia and Prina were flexing their lives, I continued to negotiate with Salem.

“What the hell do you want?”

“You are the one who wants something.”

“No, I knew that I needed the fruit of the World Tree in the first place, so I showed it to you!”

“That’s right too.”

Salem nodded meekly.

Through Ulla, he told me that he had the fruit of the World Tree. It also meant that they were willing to do business with me.

Something about my identity?

I gave up on that at the point where the other person didn’t even care.

I said everything clearly.

Still, Salem considers me to be ‘Oz’. So now it has become irrelevant.

So that’s not the problem now.

What matters is… … .

“Then stop f*cking talking and say the terms!”

“You have a quick temper.”

“You’ve been doing this for over two weeks already!”

The point is that Salem does not even want to stand at the negotiating table.

Even if you ignore most of what I say and open your mouth, when you wake up, it turns into insignificant content.

What’s even worse is that it was a topic that had no choice but to attract interest in the beginning.

“Come to think of it, it’s a qualification test for your party’s elder-level wizards.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Your skills are good.”

“Then why did you bring that up!”

“Aren’t you still in the position of successor? Knowing the talent is important.”

“that’s… … .”

“Of course, you’re doing that, but I don’t know if you’re really worthy of a king.”

It’s like this.

It is a topic that has no choice but to answer, and it raises and turns people’s minds.

“Hmm… … . It’s about time.”

“no.”

“I have a meeting in the afternoon, so I’ll wake up first.”

“We’re not done talking yet… … .”

It was before I even finished talking.

As always, Salem used [Teleport] to leave.

“… … .”

got hit

Only that thought pops into my head.

It’s already been 2 weeks since I suffered in the same way.

Even though I am being treated the same way every time, I have no choice but to be helpless. This motherf*cker knows all too well how to get people’s attention.

Not too long ago, the Vatican was talking about the anecdote of the only god known only to Salem, but when he came to his senses, it turned into the story of a woman named ‘Marlene’ who runs a flower shop in the 4th block.

Marlene is researching magic to improve flowers to create a new variety of flowers, and it is said that she became an elder-level wizard.

usually say something like this But how do you get away with it?

It looks so damn fun to me!

“Whoa… … .”

It was when I was about to leave the restaurant, sighing in frustration.

“Hey, heir?”

“What?”

“I don’t have the calculations for today.”

“… … .”

Who is this motherf*cker? Hit it like this?

I was vigilant as there were no problems for 2 weeks. I should have guessed from Salem’s attitude… … .

“By trauma.”

“Yes? Our restaurant is not traumatic… … .”

“Then can’t we put it under the name Salem Sudra?”

“hahahaha, even kidding.”

“… … hang on.”

Feigning as much leeway as possible, he took out a communication tool from his chest.

Okay. I forgot my wallet, but I’ll call Lucia.

“… … .”

About 2 minutes for the communication port to make several ringing tones.

Lucia didn’t ask if she was walking around with Prina, or if she was sleeping on her own.

hahahaha, this got really difficult.

“there… … .”

“wait a minute.”

I didn’t want to write in this situation, but I can’t help it.

I took another communication tool out of my pocket. I never thought I would be able to use it in this situation.

I hear a ringing sound like that.

Shortly thereafter, the other party came on the phone.

“Yes, Mr. Oz. What are you doing?”

“… … I came to the restaurant and now I have no money? If you don’t mind, could you lend me some?”

“… … .”

Communication was lost.

“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

You bastard, Shuren.

When you say you’ll follow me, when do you stop losing me so quickly?

* * *

After trying to persuade Shuren, who had cut off communication, over and over again, he finally came to the restaurant.

“I thought it was voice phishing.”

“Is there such a word here too? no, that’s not it… … . How did you find me anyway?”

“Didn’t you drop the communication tool…? … I thought so, but I came here because I thought that if that was the case, I should rather retrieve it.”

In general, voice phishing that picks people up in this way is dangerous, but Shuren is an elder-level wizard.

He would have been confident enough to subdue a few criminals in an instant.

No, but this… … .

“You mean you didn’t believe me until the end. Are you a little upset? You mean you don’t know my voice?”

“My voice is broken because the communication tool I am using is an old model.”

excuse… … doesn’t seem to be

Since Shuren is from a slum, he must have the habit of being a miser.

And it must be clear that I, who is borrowing money for food at a high-end restaurant from such a person, is human trash.

“Anyway, thanks for coming.”

“no. All of us Zanbul decided to serve Oz, so this level of support is nothing.”

“… … Let’s not call it support. I will definitely pay you back for this money.”

“Yes.”

Shuren nodded with an expressionless face and replied.

It’s not like I believe it.

that i don’t have money

“How are you today?”

“No, not at all. I came back today with nothing but trivial chatter.”

Shuren has been interacting frequently to escort me lately.

It feels like they come to me and escort me when I call.

It’s a little bit embarrassing, but wasn’t it surrounded by ‘small flames’ just the day I met Shuren?

I couldn’t say there was anything similar. Because there are a lot of idiots in this world who have good brains, but the other side is markedly bad.

It’s like giving Lucia a vacation longer than necessary… … .

“I don’t know what the purpose is. What does he want to do?”

“I’m sorry, but would it be all right if I said something?”

“Are you even guessing?”

“No, that… … .”

Shuren narrowed his brows as if he was sorry, then spoke cautiously.

“Is the small talk itself the purpose?”

“Why the hell… … ?”

“I heard that the relationship between the two of you was not bad in the past. In fact, there were even rumors that they were not rich. So, wouldn’t His Highness, the King of Darkness, still be friendly with Oz-sama?”

“… … .”

An idea I hadn’t even thought of.

Why didn’t I think of that?

The rumors Shuren mentioned are not simple rumors. Aren’t Oz and Salem actually father and son?

Moreover, since he decided to regard me as Oz… … .

“… … I’m starting to think that maybe that’s right.”

When I saw that Salem didn’t care about my existence and called Oz, I thought the father-son feeling had long since passed away.

He is too. The son’s body has been taken over by another soul.

But Salem called me Oz. I thought it had nothing to do with the soul, but with appearance, that is, social status and talent.

But what if that’s not the case?

“… … Shuren, are you married?”

“Yes? Ah yes. I did. Thanks to Prudence, I have been able to live a decent life.”

“Then what about the children?”

“I have a daughter, even though I am not yet able to speak.”

I nodded once and asked carefully.

“This may be a bit rude, but may I ask?”

“Yes.”

“If that child grows up and tries to kill you, what do you think?”

“… … .”

Shuren wanted to think seriously about my question, but then replied with a wry smile.

“I’ll know when the time comes, but… … . I probably won’t be able to do anything. If you do well, you will only get out of the position by subduing it.”

“yes… … .”

It’s hard to imagine that all parents are like that.

But what if Salem is?

What if he was just a clumsy father who tried to have a conversation under the pretext of negotiations?

“What do you think your child is?”

“Isn’t it a proof left by me and the person I love?”

“… … .”

Maybe a guy named Salem Sudra.

He was the one who loved passionately more than anyone else, and he may be the one who loves the traces of his wife.

He said that he had sent Janus back without killing him.

Me too.

They kicked them out to ＜Skientia＞, where they couldn’t even enter without Tia’s permission.

To prevent contact with Janus.

That might be the best Salem can do. Both of them are family, so I couldn’t take my hands off of it.

“… … I think I know a little bit thanks. Thanks, Shuren. Thank you for answering questions that could be rude.”

“Fine.”

Salem wasn’t trying to negotiate.

I just wanted to continue small talk using the fact that I was looking for the fruit of the World Tree.

Even if it was only a physical body, to Salem, I might have been the legacy of my beloved wife.

However, I was only clinging to one purpose because I was using the excuse that Salem was busy.

When the path is blocked by a huge wall.

Finding a way to get through it isn’t the only skill, so sometimes you have to know how to get around the road.