# Chapter 90
{Child, we talked.
I will learn the human language.
Right now, the conversation is impossible.}
{…If it’s about learning, the imperial palace wouldn’t be bad.}
{This child understands our language.
It’s convenient.}
{Still young.}
Kiriel, who had remained silent despite Lepha’s stubbornness, finally spoke, making Bernie’s eyes grow wide.
Wow.
Seeing Bernie’s open mouth, Kiriel lowered his gaze.
“Why?
Daughter.”
“Daddy, are you a genius too?”
Daddy is good at ancient language too!
At Bernie’s question, the expressionless Kiriel calmly answered.
“Yes.”
At that shameless response, the emperor let out a short laugh and rubbed his forehead.
“What can we do, Lord Yudia?”
{I will cooperate.
I will give you what you are curious about.}
Hearing Lepha’s words, offering cooperation in exchange for what he wanted, the emperor’s lips curled into a deep smile.
On the other hand, Kiriel’s expressionless face finally showed a crack.
“Just cooperate.
It’s to prevent a greater danger.”
The emperor informed Kiriel and then spoke.
{For now, I understand your intentions.
We’ll coordinate the details separately.}
As soon as the emperor gave his permission, Lepha took Bernie’s small hand and kissed the back of it.
At the cool sensation, Bernie’s eyes widened.
“Huh?”
Clatter—!
The teacup Roel had been holding slipped from his hands and shattered on the floor.
But Lepha, unfazed, calmly spoke.
Save the elf race, young Demon King.>He declared it in front of everyone, but no one understood.
Only Bernie fully grasped the meaning.
It was an elf’s declaration meant solely for the young girl.
The Elf’s Declaration.
People may not know it now, but it carries great significance.
Proud and noble elves only swear loyalty to one person for their entire life.
By offering their own life.
However, the one who receives the Elf’s Declaration must give the elves one thing they desire in return.
Elves, who are proud and nearly immortal, rarely make such declarations.
But Lepha had nothing left except his own body.
He had heard that half-blood demons were extremely weak when they were young.
So, to ensure this child safely reached adulthood, he had no choice but to stay by her side.
“Huh……?”
What I desire is that when you become an adult and awaken fully as the Demon King, you save us.>As Lepha spoke at length, Bernie stared at him blankly.
Even though she was small and young, Lepha could see it—the enormous seed coiled tightly within her tiny body.
“Umm……”
Bernie rolled her eyes around.
Bernie looked at Lepha with a trembling gaze.
Genius Bernie, but Lepha’s words were too complicated for her to fully understand.
‘The elf is a sacrifice, but I have to save the elf now, but I’m a baby Demon King, but when I awaken as the real Demon King, I have to save them…?’
As she repeated Lepha’s words over and over, Bernie’s eyes started spinning in confusion.
Seeing Bernie mumbling, Lepha reached out his other hand— the one that wasn’t holding hers— to touch the child’s forehead and read her memories.
Smack!
Before he could even touch her, his hand was swatted away, making Lepha’s eyebrow twitch.
"Don't touch Bernie carelessly.
It's unpleasant."
Roel, who had been looking gentle, was now staring at Lepha with a cold expression.
Lepha's eyes widened slightly as he met Roel's red gaze.
This time period...>Lepha muttered softly and then reached out to flick Roel’s forehead.
"……?!"
Roel's eyes widened, and he pressed his forehead with both hands.
Lepha smirked and spoke.
{You were born with something precious, young human boy.}
Roel looked confused.
Lepha turned his head slightly and looked out the window, murmuring.
For now, it was decided that the elves would be temporarily placed under the care of Duke Yudia’s family.
Is the young Demon King living here?Well, it's not as bad as I thought.
The world has progressed quite a bit.>
Inside the returning carriage, Bernie, as always, sat on Kiriel’s lap, her small dark face glancing around.
‘Daddy’s face is stiff.’
Then, zap zap.
Bernie frowned as she looked at the elf, Lepha, sitting in front of her.
‘The elf found out Bernie’s secret.’
If Bernie hadn't insisted on taking him along, he might have told the human leader, "This child is a baby Demon King!"
I don't know if you're growing like a human or like a demon.>Bernie tilted her head, stretched out her hand, and spread five fingers.
“Bernie, five years old!”
"Five years old?"
Lepha naturally repeated Bernie’s words.
Elves were a highly intelligent race.
Having lived long lives, they knew many things and learned quickly.
Lepha also felt the need to learn the human language for smoother communication.
Lepha rubbed his chin and murmured to himself.
Bernie quickly nodded.
Kiriel, who had been watching this with disapproval, spoke.
“Bernie, if that guy says anything useless, let me know.
Bad words too.”
“Yes.”
“He’s been mumbling something for a while.
He’s not saying nonsense, is he?”
“Umm…”
At Kiriel’s question, Bernie shook her head.
The dark-skinned elf tilted his head whenever he met Bernie's gaze.
Bernie folded her arms with a serious expression.
‘I followed Luri’s advice, and now I have an elf.’
Bernie looked serious.
If this continued, the elf might learn human language better than Bernie, and then he could reveal to the human leader that Bernie was a baby Demon King destined to become the Great Demon King.
‘Operation: Recruit the Elf.’
Bernie crossed her short arms and pressed her lips together.
She was so focused that her lips stuck out like a duck’s.
‘First, give the elf some choco…’
Once the elf was completely addicted to choco, Bernie would declare, “You, become my subordinate!”
And if the elf refused, Bernie would say, “If not, then no more choco!!”
Then the elf would have no choice but to become Bernie’s subordinate.
"Sob sob, if only it weren’t for this delicious and amazing choco…!
I have lost.
I will be your subordinate."
Bernie nodded in satisfaction.
‘Good.’
Watching Bernie’s face go from frowning to bright to satisfied over and over, a faint smile appeared on Kiriel’s lips.