Chapter 62: The Uncle’s Visit and a Reluctant King

“Go with you? Why?” Before Lamia’s arrival, they had indeed established a disguised family relationship. Lilith, who proposed the idea, took on the role of the elder sister—after all, with her appearance, who would believe she was the younger sister?

Kaze, Lamia’s most trusted guard, became the younger brother. Kaze was youthful in appearance and indeed belonged to the younger generation of demons, making him a natural fit for the role.

As for Orlan… he was originally just a hypothetical ‘uncle.’ The initial thought was simply to have an ‘elder family member’ role, and Great General Orlan was naturally the most suitable candidate for such a position.

The reason for ‘uncle’ instead of ‘father’ likely stemmed from Kaze’s remark: “How can a mere general presume to stand above you, my lady, and act as your father? Isn’t that a bit presumptuous?”

It was clear that Kaze disliked Orlan. Lamia had saved him once, and true to his character, he would be entirely devoted to the Demon King. Orlan, who had consistently suppressed the Demon King, was undoubtedly detested by Kaze, who would even snipe at him over trivial matters.

Kaze was likely one of those demons who embody the phrase ‘a newborn calf fears no tiger.’ As a truly hot-blooded Flame Demon in his prime, he would certainly not show Orlan any deference.

Later, Lamia agreed. Based on these arrangements, her temporary family was formed, with the four of them each fulfilling their designated roles. Oh, rather, their family now consisted of five members, for Wade was also present as her husband.

Lamia had originally made Orlan her uncle merely as a contingency, solely to complete the family background of her disguised persona. This ensured there would be an elder to mention when discussing family, and if this ‘uncle’ were truly needed for anything, they would simply say he was busy with work, unable to return from out of town, leaving Lilith and Kaze to handle the necessary family duties.

To her surprise, Orlan actually claimed the title of uncle himself, even using this identity to visit Lamia at her home.

“Because you are clearly unsuited to life here. The food lacks flavor, and demonic energy is often scarce in human territories. You will be quite uncomfortable here.”

Orlan pointed out what Lamia “should” be feeling, yet his words sounded more like an excuse for her to leave with him.

“I can manage such trivial matters. I am not a demon who cannot survive without the leyline’s demonic energy, Orlan.”

“Of course, I know, Your Majesty, but…”

“—Lamia.”

Hearing Orlan’s address, Lamia finally couldn’t hold back, repeating her current name.

“This is human territory. I now have a human disguised identity. You cannot keep addressing me that way. Just call me by my current name, Lamia.”

Lamia’s words made Orlan raise an eyebrow, the emotions in his eyes impossible to discern.

He had always been such a serious demon, his thoughts hidden deep within. Trying to fathom his intentions was an almost impossible task.

“Lady Lamia…”

“Lamia.” Lamia shook her head. “No reinforcements.”

****

Lamia’s words caused Orlan to fall silent for a moment once more, though this time his expression was even more unreadable than before.

“Are you willing to abandon your demonic identity?”

“This isn’t abandonment, Orlan, this is a necessary disguise. What I’m doing now is proceeding very smoothly. You saw yesterday that the White Knight has already begun to awaken due to my actions. If he hadn’t fled so swiftly yesterday, I could have severely wounded him.”

“—Then why don’t you seize the opportunity to kill him, Lamia? You’ve had every chance to kill him, for a long time now. Why are you still engaged in such pointless trifles?”

A series of questions all pointed to the same underlying issue. This time, it was Lamia who first fell silent.

‘Kill him?’

‘Yes… yes, there was an opportunity.’

‘She could even threaten him with the ordinary people in this mansion. As the White Knight, he would surely abandon his resistance.’

‘But—’

“It’s not time yet, Orlan.”

She shook her head.

She disliked doing so; she disliked it from the bottom of her heart.

Schemes, assassinations—she disliked all of it.

Although humans immediately associated the word ‘demon’ with ‘evil,’ Lamia, as the Demon King, did not like this perception.

‘Why?’

‘Was it because she felt it would be a waste to simply kill him?’

‘She felt such violent actions were not what she wished to employ.’

‘Was it because she held an inexplicable empathy for Wade?’

‘Or perhaps… was it that she couldn’t fully confirm her ability to kill him? Was that the reason?’

Perhaps this was the only plausible reason. The White Knight’s growth had been astonishingly rapid; now in the prime of his youth, he was at his most powerful. She couldn’t be one hundred percent certain she could utterly destroy him.

If complete annihilation wasn’t guaranteed, provoking an all-out war was something Lamia absolutely wished to avoid.

‘So—it must be this, it must be…!’

‘I still… don’t want to kill him—’

*Knock, knock.*

Just as Lamia’s words trailed off, a knock sounded from the reception room door.

After knocking, Wade opened the door and strode in, bold and unreserved.

Of course, he had to be; after all, he was the master of this house.

“I heard we had a guest? My apologies, I was out handling some matters and just returned.”

Hearing Lilith’s words, Wade had rushed back at the fastest possible speed. He had actually found an empty alley and taken a shortcut across rooftops to return.

By the time he reached his doorstep, he had taken several deep breaths to stabilize his breathing, ensuring no one could discern his anxiety.

Theoretically, Lilith and Lamia were on the same side, so this so-called uncle should also be allied with Lamia.

Yet, inexplicably, upon noticing a fleeting seriousness in Lilith’s expression, he had a bad premonition.

It wasn’t that he was anxious about Lamia and her uncle plotting something; rather, he was simply… worried about Lamia.

Although at that moment his mind grumbled, ‘I’m actually worrying about a Demon King?’ this unease still urged him to hurry home, leading him to the reception room as guided by a servant.

Knowing he was about to enter a reception room where two demons awaited, he had naturally concealed his demonic energy upon returning home, ensuring they wouldn’t detect his presence. This allowed Wade to overhear that very phrase: “I still… don’t want to kill him.”

‘Was “him” referring to me?’

‘I was initially wondering if they were plotting something, but… it was *that* phrase?’

As for Lamia, upon seeing Wade, the man who should have been her enemy, she actually… let out a sigh of relief.