# Chapter 58
What kind of being could have demonic energy within?
Until now, it had been a subtle and ambiguous feeling, but just earlier, it became unmistakable.
As soon as the divine power burst forth, it was as if the balance had been shattered, and demonic energy became palpable.
Anyone with a certain level of skill would have noticed it.
So much so that Kiriel, after being questioned about the state of things by Rudebrit and Klein, instinctively shielded the child with his divine power and hurriedly retreated to his room, leaving them behind.
Especially after using divine power earlier, the demonic energy had grown even stronger.
It felt as if all divine power had been drained from the body, leaving only the demonic energy behind.
Why?
He couldn’t help but ask himself.
The fact that this much demonic energy was leaking out meant that there was something wrong with the child.
And yet, instead of revealing it, why had he rushed into his room with the child?
‘How can someone with demonic ties use divine power?’
Magic and divine power are like oil and water.
Let alone the black magic used by demons, which is akin to waste.
It cannot mix with divine power, nor should it.
It’s impossible for them to coexist, so how could this child, whose body exuded demonic energy, use divine power?
Moreover, she had even summoned a divine beast.
Not just any divine beast, but a Phoenix.
A Phoenix is a symbol of sanctity.
It is considered the greatest of all creatures created by the gods.
The idea that two incompatible things could coexist seemed utterly unbelievable.
Kiriel rubbed his face in silence, feeling overwhelmed with confusion.
‘Should I stay away from her?’
If the child was truly connected to demons… then Kiriel would have to kill Bernie.
Or take appropriate action.
At the very least, he would have to expel her from the mansion.
The Udia family is the last stronghold of the Empire.
No matter what happens, nothing that defiles sanctity should be allowed to contaminate this place.
Why had the Udia ancestors made the foolish decision to only create an army from their own bloodline?
It was to ensure that even the smallest evil could not invade.
In the event that the heavily fortified capital fell, the Udia stronghold, which could raise a massive barrier, would be the safest place.
Thud.
When Kiriel pressed his finger against the child’s soft cheek, it sank in gently.
The chubby face was still full of baby fat, and it was undeniably cute.
“…She can’t be a demon.”
If she were, she wouldn’t be able to use divine power.
Could it be that she had been cursed by demons when she was young, similar to what had happened to him?
Her eyes weren’t red, and her hair wasn’t black, so that didn’t seem likely.
Or perhaps she was a demon’s contractor?
Such a small and delicate thing?
Impossible.
Kiriel chuckled softly at his own thoughts.
The most likely explanation seemed to be that the child had been cursed by demons.
After reaching that conclusion, Kiriel sighed briefly, roughly swept his hair back, and then lay down on the bed.
As Bernie snuggled closer, seeking warmth, Kiriel gently patted her back, closing his eyes.
The child’s body temperature felt a little lukewarm.
***
“…I’m sorry.”
In the greenhouse, bathed in warm sunlight, Bernie, who had just finished a great meal and was about to take a bite of her sweet chocolate pudding, tilted her head when Kalvad Udia suddenly spoke.
Kalvad, who had bandages and gauze wrapped around his body and face after some unknown event that had happened overnight, apologized, though his expression remained stiff.
Kiriel’s gaze narrowed as he slowly scanned Kalvad, who stood before him.
“Kalvad, did you have another spar with your father?”
“…Yes.”
Kalvad answered obediently, his expression softening as he glanced at Bernie.
His face had darkened significantly, and Bernie blinked slowly.
“What are you sorry for?”
Alan, who had been quietly eating a snack with a peaceful expression, threw out the question with a blunt tone, causing Kalvad to flinch, his cheek twitching.
“You…!”
What kind of being could have demonic energy within?
Until now, it had been a subtle and ambiguous feeling, but just earlier, it became unmistakable.
As soon as the divine power burst forth, it was as if the balance had been shattered, and demonic energy became palpable.
Anyone with a certain level of skill would have noticed it.
So much so that Kiriel, after being questioned about the state of things by Rudebrit and Klein, instinctively shielded the child with his divine power and hurriedly retreated to his room, leaving them behind.
Especially after using divine power earlier, the demonic energy had grown even stronger.
It felt as if all divine power had been drained from the body, leaving only the demonic energy behind.
Why?
He couldn’t help but ask himself.
The fact that this much demonic energy was leaking out meant that there was something wrong with the child.
And yet, instead of revealing it, why had he rushed into his room with the child?
‘How can someone with demonic ties use divine power?’
Magic and divine power are like oil and water.
Let alone the black magic used by demons, which is akin to waste.
It cannot mix with divine power, nor should it.
It’s impossible for them to coexist, so how could this child, whose body exuded demonic energy, use divine power?
Moreover, she had even summoned a divine beast.
Not just any divine beast, but a Phoenix.
A Phoenix is a symbol of sanctity.
It is considered the greatest of all creatures created by the gods.
The idea that two incompatible things could coexist seemed utterly unbelievable.
Kiriel rubbed his face in silence, feeling overwhelmed with confusion.
‘Should I stay away from her?’
If the child was truly connected to demons… then Kiriel would have to kill Bernie.
Or take appropriate action.
At the very least, he would have to expel her from the mansion.
The Udia family is the last stronghold of the Empire.
No matter what happens, nothing that defiles sanctity should be allowed to contaminate this place.
Why had the Udia ancestors made the foolish decision to only create an army from their own bloodline?
It was to ensure that even the smallest evil could not invade.
In the event that the heavily fortified capital fell, the Udia stronghold, which could raise a massive barrier, would be the safest place.
Thud.
When Kiriel pressed his finger against the child’s soft cheek, it sank in gently.
The chubby face was still full of baby fat, and it was undeniably cute.
“…She can’t be a demon.”
If she were, she wouldn’t be able to use divine power.
Could it be that she had been cursed by demons when she was young, similar to what had happened to him?
Her eyes weren’t red, and her hair wasn’t black, so that didn’t seem likely.
Or perhaps she was a demon’s contractor?
Such a small and delicate thing?
Impossible.
Kiriel chuckled softly at his own thoughts.
The most likely explanation seemed to be that the child had been cursed by demons.
After reaching that conclusion, Kiriel sighed briefly, roughly swept his hair back, and then lay down on the bed.
As Bernie snuggled closer, seeking warmth, Kiriel gently patted her back, closing his eyes.
The child’s body temperature felt a little lukewarm.
***
“…I’m sorry.”
In the greenhouse, bathed in warm sunlight, Bernie, who had just finished a great meal and was about to take a bite of her sweet chocolate pudding, tilted her head when Kalvad Udia suddenly spoke.
Kalvad, who had bandages and gauze wrapped around his body and face after some unknown event that had happened overnight, apologized, though his expression remained stiff.
Kiriel’s gaze narrowed as he slowly scanned Kalvad, who stood before him.
“Kalvad, did you have another spar with your father?”
“…Yes.”
Kalvad answered obediently, his expression softening as he glanced at Bernie.
His face had darkened significantly, and Bernie blinked slowly.
“What are you sorry for?”
Alan, who had been quietly eating a snack with a peaceful expression, threw out the question with a blunt tone, causing Kalvad to flinch, his cheek twitching.
“You…!”
As Kalvad twisted his mouth, clenching his fist tightly, he took a step forward.
"Kalvad."
He froze.
At the sound of the voice from behind, Kalvad’s body shook violently.
In an instant, his face turned pale with fear, and he clenched his fist even tighter.
"Aren’t you still apologizing?"
"...I did."
Just a moment ago, there was no sign of him, but now, Klein Udia, dressed in full military attire, narrowed his eyes suspiciously and turned his head toward Alan.
"Did this idiot really apologize properly?"
Alan, who had been watching Bernie eat her snack peacefully, glanced briefly at Kalvad and after a moment of silence, nodded slowly.
"Yes."
At Alan’s response, Kalvad’s face turned red with embarrassment.
His fist clenched tightly, and his body trembled.
Bernie tilted her head slightly, puzzled.
Klein, after silently observing Alan, nodded as well.
"Well, then I guess that’s a relief."
"Yes."
"You seem to enjoy playing the role of a father, huh, little one?"
At Klein’s remark, Bernie puffed out her lips in a pout.
When Alan, who had momentarily diverted his gaze, spotted Bernie’s pouting lips, he furrowed his brow slightly.
"Alright, you can go out and study in your room.
Pathetic.
Can’t you live a little more properly?
You’re supposed to be direct blood, yet you’re worse than those kids."
"......"
Kalvad bit his lower lip, nodded, and was about to step away.
Suddenly, plop!
Bernie jumped down from Kiriel’s lap and dashed over to block Klein’s path.
"Hey, uncle!"
"...Uncle?
What...?"
"Uncle!
Bernie doesn’t like you.
We’re not close, so uncle!"
Bernie pointed her little finger at Klein and said, her words sharp and defiant.
Klein chuckled at the words coming from such a small figure.
"Why do you keep calling me ‘uncle,’ kid?"
"Because you did something bad, so you should get scolded."
"You scared me too, so why don’t you pet me?
Why not?"
"Because you didn’t do anything good."
"That’s not the fault of the uncle or the little one.
You’re way bigger than me, and since you’re big, your dad should help.
Why didn’t he?"
As Bernie blocked the door with her tiny body, her words caused Klein Udia’s eyebrows to twitch.
At first, it was cute, but now her persistence was starting to get a little annoying.
"You don’t understand some things, kid.
Tch.
Little one, move your playmate."
"Why do you keep calling it ‘play’?"
Bernie puffed out her cheeks with a sulky expression.
"It’s not ‘playing.’ Dad always eats with me and Alan, pats us, and even gives us a little ‘good job.’ Even when I can’t do something right, it’s okay."
Hearing the words from the child made Kiriel pause without realizing it.
"......"
Klein Udia’s expression hardened.
The little one’s words almost sounded like an accusation aimed at him.
"Dad is Bernie’s dad.
Uncle is not dad."
Bernie raised her head high, staring directly at Klein Udia.
At the feeling of the pink eyes staring right at him, Klein Udia couldn’t shake the feeling that his innermost thoughts had been laid bare, causing him to unconsciously scowl.
"Luri said that children need to be loved.
Only when they’re loved do they grow up strong and big, to become someone great.
If you only listen to bad words, you stay small."
With wide eyes, Bernie grabbed Kalvad’s hand and pulled him, tugging on the boy’s hand.
"What... what are you doing?"
Kalvad, pulled by Bernie’s hand, awkwardly took a few steps.
Where Bernie led him was behind Kiriel, who was seated at the dining table.