Chapter 104 – The Chairman’s Story

“Welcome back. My youngest.”

“I have returned, Father.”

“…”

Upon hearing the greeting, Duke Chester’s face visibly hardened.

Nepherti sighed at the sight. She knew all too well the reason for it.

In the end, she was forced to offer a different greeting in place of the one she’d given moments before.

“I’m back, Father.”

“Welcome home, my youngest! Welcome, welcome!!”

The other children had all come of age, and each had married and departed the family estate.

The eldest son, the heir apparent, naturally remained, but even seeing his face these days was a rare occurrence due to his demanding work.

The Duke himself was slowly preparing to step down, so it couldn’t be helped.

Therefore, this enthusiastic welcome for Neferti, returning to the main house, was only to be expected.

“So, you’re in your fourth year now, yes? And you still hold the Student Council presidency?”

“Yes. I originally intended to pass it on to the younger students, but they asked me to stay on. Not just the underclassmen, but the teachers as well.”

“That’s rather unexpected. Everyone is usually wary of setting a precedent.”

The Duke tilted his head, and Neferti echoed, “That’s what I thought too.”

“I was worried about that myself, but they said replacing someone who has actually fought against a demon in the position of Student Council President after only a year would be too much of a loss. Even the previous Student Council Presidents came and insisted that an exception had to be made, you know?”

“Still, one has to be careful. Especially given your origins.”

Neferti was the daughter of a Duke. Even if the Academy professed to be blind to social standing, it wasn’t entirely without its biases.

Rumors could easily spread that now that the Duchess was due to step down as president, those with an eye for opportunity would try to curry favor because of her status.

“I know I need to be more careful. And work even harder.”

“Is it even possible for you to work harder than you already do? From what I hear, you’re training every single day.”

“…How did you know about that?”

The Duke cleared his throat, feigning a cough at his daughter’s narrowed gaze.

He quickly changed the subject, revealing the practiced smoothness of a politician.

“Speaking of which, I heard you came with Deus. Why isn’t he here?”

“You mean junior? Ah. He came with me, but he told me to enjoy some quality father-daughter time. He figured since it had been a while since I’d last visited, he’d give us some space.”

“Hoo. He’s more considerate than his appearance suggests, then.”

“Please, don’t mention his appearance in front of him. He might pretend he doesn’t care, but he seems rather sensitive about it.”

He looks frightening whether he’s smiling or expressionless. He even looks frightening when he’s sad.

There’s a reason Astaroth avoids making eye contact with Deus, even when they’re fighting.

There’s a reason Javis makes him practice making comfortable expressions whenever he has the time.

According to Luciel, even the Emperor himself flinched!

Deus laughed it off, but there was a hint of hurt in his eyes.

It was as if he wanted to say, ‘It’s not like I asked for this.’

“Good. Very good.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“What do you mean, ‘what’? I mean that I think it’s a good thing.”

“I’m sorry, but what is a ‘good thing’?”

Neferti’s question caused the Duke to tilt his head and look puzzled.

Neferti, even more bewildered, stared back, thinking, ‘Is something going on that I don’t know about?’

“Wasn’t it?”

“Wasn’t what! If you keep omitting the subject of the sentence, how am I supposed to know what you mean!”

“Well… both when you first arrived and now, it seems like you’re rather fond of this young man, Deus.”

“Me?”

‘Where did that come from?’ Neferti gave a disbelieving smile.

“Why would I be fond of Deus, my junior? I’ve only ever looked after him as a senior should.”

“Doesn’t seem that way to me. Not then, not now. The way you speak about that young man… it’s just different from how you talk about anyone else.”

“It’s not like that, I tell you?!”

“Alright, alright. If you say so, then that’s that. Understood.”

Duke Chester chuckled, waving his hands dismissively.

However, his words sparked a ripple in Nefertiti’s heart, which until then had been calm. Or rather, appeared to be calm.

*

‘Me, fond of my junior? Ha! Preposterous.’

Looking after him was simply her duty as Student Council President. That was all.

Deus, in turn, looked out for her because he was impressed by her diligence.

So, it wasn’t some mutual attraction, just a case of seeing each other in a favorable light.

Good physique, sure. His appearance might be a bit intimidating, but he wasn’t a bad person.

Subtly considerate, and above all, he couldn’t ignore someone who put in the effort.

He was also willing to sacrifice himself, even going so far as to save the world from demons…

“…Wait a minute.”

Why was she suddenly singing Deus’s praises?

Nefertiti jumped up, waving her arms frantically and shaking her head.

I truly have no feelings for him. Truly, truly.

Deus is just a reliable, good junior. That’s all…

“Umm…”

He showed me a new wind and show how to move forward. Show how to go about the desired way, the path. He dedicated himself to help me and made it possible for me to achieve my goals.

He might have a slightly rough edge, but he’s also a hero who bravely stepped forward and drove out all the demons.

How could anyone not have at least *some* liking for someone like that?

Or wait, wasn’t that interest the reason I’ve been by his side until now?

Did I really endure such a difficult path solely out of curiosity about the buff?

‘What is this? Why all of a sudden? Ugh!’

If she hadn’t become aware, nothing would have happened. It would have passed unnoticed.

But once recognized, the realization was instantly engraved deep within her heart, an indelible mark.

Was she truly indifferent? Really? Could she be certain?

“….”

Nefertiti sat for a moment, then leaped to her feet.

She was the Student Council President, and a top student in her third year, now aiming for the top spot in her fourth.

And she was the type who, once her curiosity was piqued, never backed down.

If she was curious, she investigated. If she wasn’t sure, she sought confirmation. That’s how she’d always been.

So, intending to do just that this time, Nefertiti went to find Deus.

“…Eep.”

The scene that unfolded before her eyes was that of a massive monster. No, a man, working out.

Every muscle in his body rippled as if about to explode, so impressive it was almost frightening.

“President?”

Deus, sensing Nefertiti’s presence, bounded over to her.

He looked no different than usual, but could it be my imagination that he seemed strangely dashing today?

‘Lost your mind, truly.’

I slapped my own cheek, trying to pull myself together.

It seemed that Deus perceived this gesture in a different light.

“Is something the matter? Perhaps something unpleasant has occurred?”

“Pardon?”

“Did you perhaps clash with the Duke again?”

Deus was already well aware of the Maenheim Dukedom’s tragedy.

Not now, but just a year ago, the Duke was trying to restrain his daughter.

Having lost one child, the apple of his eye, he couldn’t bear to lose another.

Deus hadn’t been able to speak for a moment after hearing that truth.

“Ah. It’s nothing like that, Junior.”

“Really?”

“Truly.”

“…If that’s the case, I’m relieved.”

More than anything, Deus reacted quite sensitively when it came to family matters.

Even that fearsome aura of his vanished, if only for a moment, and Nefertiti couldn’t help but smile.

“President?”

“Junior. Shall we take a little stroll?”

“…Very well. I’ve nearly finished my workout, as it happens.”

A lie. There were still things to do. But I couldn’t bring myself to.

We’d finally caught all the demons, and I was preparing for the next chapter.

If something were to happen to Nefertiti for some reason amidst all this, it would be a grave matter.

Especially since she came to the main house looking like this; from Deus’s perspective, it was understandable to worry.

“Junior. I have a question for you.”

However, the words that left Nefertiti’s lips were completely unexpected.

“Perhaps… truly, I’m just asking out of curiosity…”

“Yes, President. I’m listening. If something is truly amiss, you can tell me anything…”

“Have you ever had a woman you admired? Or perhaps have one now? Or perhaps plan to in the future?”

“…Huh?”

Deus unconsciously retorted. He looked quite flustered, even making a foolish expression.

That made Nefertiti think it might be alright to ask a little more earnestly.

“I suddenly became curious. When I think about it, Junior, you are the Empire’s strongest ability user and its greatest hero. Now that everyone knows your name, surely there must be noble ladies throwing themselves at you, no?”

“Well, looking at my actual value, it might not necessarily be so…”

“It might be, though. Or perhaps, on the contrary, you might approach someone first.”

“When I approach people, they tend to run away in fear.”

Ah, really. This foolish Junior of mine.

“Never mind. So, do you have any ideal type or anything?”

Then, Deus scratched the bridge of his nose and said,

“Just… uh… pretty. Not afraid of me. Occasionally working out together. Something like that, I think.”

“Alright. That’s enough for now.”

This, I’d wager, is either easier than I thought. Or much, much harder. One of the two.