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Chapter 30
Well, of course, Dad, being a man of the Empire, couldn’t possibly be unaware of that person.
“He’s really famous and an incredible person.”
In this world, there is a race different from humans called the “Demons”…
Unlike humans, who are few and can only have a select few become magicians, the demons are all highly skilled in magic.
With their immense power, they frequently invaded and plundered human lands.
Thus, the conflict between humans and demons never ceased.
Ten years ago…
The current emperor, feeling pity for the suffering of the people in the demon territories and surrounding regions, launched a campaign to subjugate the demon realm.
At the forefront of that campaign stood none other than…
Dane Lowswid, the Second Commander of the Imperial Knights.
An unparalleled genius, the youngest in history to reach the Swordmaster level.
Recognized for his talent, he rose to the position of vice-commander at the mere age of twenty.
That same year, he led the imperial army into the demon realm. Despite fighting in disadvantageous terrain, he achieved a series of victories.
However, he eventually fell into a trap during a demon attack.
“In that situation, he reportedly withdrew all his subordinates and stayed behind to face the demons alone, ultimately dying in battle.”
Four years later, during the second campaign against the demon realm, his body was never found, so officially, he was declared missing.
“No matter how great a Swordmaster, if surrounded by enemies alone, it’s safe to assume he didn’t survive.”
In any case, he was dead, but thanks to his victories in the demon realm, the demons’ invasions and raids quieted for a time.
Thus, the people of the Empire honored him as a “hero.”
Just as I am learning in the history books now.
“So, Princess, when you learned about him, what did you think?”
I blinked at Dad’s question.
‘Honestly, I didn’t think much.’
Even though I’m only nine now, my mental age has already surpassed the point of being impressed by historical figures.
‘But a nine-year-old who has just started learning history would naturally admire and look up to a hero, right?’
And putting myself in his shoes…
Choosing to face death to save others is actually quite heroic, isn’t it?
“Amazing person!”
“…Amazing?”
“Yes! He’s strong enough to defeat the bad guys all by himself, saves his subordinates, and is brave enough to die for them.”
That was my honest answer, yet Dad smiled faintly, almost bitterly.
“Vivian, he might not actually be that amazing.”
“Huh? Why?”
“History is written by the victors, so it naturally sides with them.”
I’d heard this in my previous life, but never really pondered it deeply.
“It could be that the demons were actually good, and he was the bad one, but people lied about it. He’s human, like us, so history sides with him.”
Dad explained it in terms I, at nine, could understand.
Even though I already knew this story, I listened carefully, curious about why Dad brought it up.
“But judging others as good or bad just by their race is wrong. Just like there are thieves and bad people among humans, there are good demons too.”
Dad seemed worried that I might develop prejudice by only seeing the part of history written from the Empire’s perspective.
As expected of my dad.
He even thinks of something like this, so thoughtful.
“Dad hopes you, Vivian, won’t hate good demons just because you only see history written from our human perspective.”
“Have you ever met a good demon, Dad?”
I asked, just in case, and he paused—perhaps confirming that this was the right question.
Then, with a distant look as if recalling memories of the past, he answered:
“Yes. Before the demon realm was sealed.”
There are hidden passages connecting the demon realm to various parts of the Empire, but after the war six years ago, they were completely sealed.
‘In the end, the Demon King, defeated in war, sealed the demon realm.’
Thus, now neither demons nor humans can traverse between the worlds.
“At that time, I trusted only what I had learned from history and thought that person was bad. And…”
Dad’s eyes, reflecting on the past, met mine.
The golden eyes, so like mine, softened into a faint smile.
“I regretted it.”
His smile seemed both sad and nostalgic.
He was probably recalling that “good demon.”
Just as I was wondering what that demon was like, Dad continued:
“So I hope our princess won’t make the same mistake I did.”
I gazed at him.
He’s the most mature and kind person I know.
He can admit his mistakes and correct them, even in front of his daughter.
‘I want to be an adult like Dad.’
I nodded resolutely, as if to reassure him.
“Got it, Dad. I’ll judge for myself whether someone is good or bad. I won’t be swayed by what others say.”
Finally, a smile spread across Dad’s face. His large but gentle hand cupped my cheek.
“Whose daughter is this, so kind and smart?”
“Hmm… because I’m Mom’s daughter?”
At my playful reply, Dad chuckled and tugged my cheek lightly.
I smiled, enjoying the gesture.
It was a peaceful evening, like any other.
After dinner, Vivian went upstairs to the bathroom to wash up.
Dias, left on the first floor, washed the dishes, tidied the kitchen, and prepared bread for tomorrow morning, then went upstairs.
By now, Vivian would be at the vanity, drying her hair.
One of his routines was brushing her hair and watching her fall asleep.
“Princess, did you brush your teeth carefully? Did you rinse off the soap… Vivian?”
Vivian, unusually, stood by the window with her hair wrapped in a towel.
Outside that window lay the western forest, which he had repeatedly told her never to enter.
Sensing his presence, Vivian turned to him.
“Dad.”
“Why are you standing there? You haven’t even dried your hair. Is something out there?”
“There is.”
“Hmm.”
Vivian hesitated for a moment, then pressed her lips together and shook her head.
“Ah, no. It’s nothing. Just hurry and dry my hair.”
Yet it was clear she was hiding something she wanted to say.
Having lost her mother at a very young age, Vivian had grown up as a child-adult under her inexperienced dad.
Perhaps that’s why she tended to hide things when she thought Dad would worry.
Dias intercepted her as she tried to escape to the vanity and scooped her up.
Though small, she was not light, and he lifted her with ease.
“Dad?”
“Come on, tell me before I drop you. What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing really…”
“If it’s nothing, then there’s even less reason not to tell me, right, Princess?”
Vivian’s big eyes rolled around, then she sighed deeply and spoke.
“It’s really nothing, but… it might sound weird… I feel like the forest keeps calling me.”
“The forest? You mean the western forest?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s calling you? You mean you hear a voice?”
“No, not anyone. It feels like the forest itself is calling me.”
“…The forest?”
“Yes. Weird, right?”
Dias’ eyes darkened as he looked toward the forest outside the window, the same one Vivian had been staring at.
But he quickly composed himself and, with a teasing tone, addressed her:
“Is it just that you feel like going because Dad told you not to?”
“No! Dad said scary monsters live in the forest! I never thought about wanting to go!”
Vivian’s fervent protest made Dias chuckle.
He seated her at the vanity and began drying her hair, reminding her again:
“Yes. So never go into the forest. Got it?”
“Yes, yes.”
Vivian, yawning repeatedly from sleepiness, replied halfheartedly.
By the time he finished brushing her hair, her eyes were drooping, and she had almost dozed off.
Dias scooped her up before she could fall onto the vanity and carefully laid her on the bed.
He pressed a soft kiss to her round forehead.
“Sweet dreams, Vivi.”
