"..."
Now ooobviously I'd like to handle this in the least violent way possible.
I mean, even if the Demon-Lord Supreme is a little cruel...
Charles Xhaka Rov is still my and Maria's father.
So, despite what the system says, I will not prioritize one of my parents over the other.
Perhaps this is why, after I had fortified my resolve, the system seemed to recognize it by assigning me quests that allowed me to strategically increase my power in the Demon-Lord Supreme's Royal Court.
Granted, more than a few people were dissatisfied with the young lord's sudden involvement in the political affairs of the royal court.
But that doesn't really matter, does it?
I mean if there's anything that actually chaps my hide it's all the freaking chess lingo with this thing.
Like... Stop the 'Queen' of Ashgate's coup?
The only way this makes sense is if the system was referring to Landrose as the 'Queen' chess piece in, you know, the game.
To which, permit me to politely and publicly state that I completely disagree with that assessment.
At best, that sloppy player resembled a headless knight...
Though, that doesn't particularly matter either, does it....
*Sigh...
In any case, I should really be enjoying my ascent in the court right now. A few more months of this, and perhaps...
Aaaaahhh who am I kidding?!!!
Ever since I began to make moves in the royal court father has been on me like a hound.
And don't even get me started on the number of the unreasonable requests too...
"Kasper... Enemy mages have cast a deep sleep spell on the Head of the 'Mining Beast Kin.'"
"Go to the 'Yggdrasil Mines' and demonstrate the proper technique to the newly recruited beast kin miners."
...sigh...
There are times when I question whether he is genuinely wary of me or if he is just teasing me, like really....
Well, whatever the case it's becoming more and more apparent to me that I'm going to need more allies.
Especially now that a new hero has emerged...
*BAM!!
"Ah--"
"Hm?"
Kasper's room is bathed by the warm orange glow of the hallway candles when his door unexpectedly swings open.
"...eh"
A high-pitched feminine tone elicits an exclamation, which causes Kasper to fix his gaze on the door and look directly at Maria, his younger sister.
"..."
Before he looks down at Sariel, who is still in his embrace, her cheeks steaming bright red!
"Aa-aah haha this-this isn't what it looks like Maria."
The young lord giggles awkwardly to his younger sister as he springs off Sariel.
"S-Sari?"
"Eep... Milady?!!!"
Sariel's blush intensifies before she gives a quick bow and melds into a nearby shadow!
"Ah."
The young lord exclaims shook when he is suddenly abandoned!!
"..."
"Kasper."
"L-Like I said Maria... I-i-its not what it looks like..."
Kasper claims, scratching his hair uncomfortably and creating a wall between them.
"..."
"Kaaaaaaaaaaasper."
The fiery young lady of Ashgate growls angrily, removing her long gloves one by one before beginning to charge at Kasper?!!
"Ah... Maria... What are you doing?"
"Wa-wait Maria... Wait... Wait... AAAAAAAHHHH..."
*Smack!!
"..."
-A Short While Later-
"..."
"Geezzz... I can't believe you Kasper...."
Maria says, sulking and putting her nose up in dismay.
"I-I told you it was all a misunderstanding..."
The young lord responds, carressing his now beet red cheeks.
"Yeah, yeah save it for the court you stupid brother of mine."
She says, throwing her long black hair to one side.
"aaahhhh..."
{Maria Rov}
Since Maria is the youngest of the Demon-Lord Supreme's children, she could have easily been confused for another pampered spoiled brat from a wealthy family.
But, despite her prominence in the Demon-realm, Kasper's sly sixteen-year-old sister is actually an introvert who enjoys working behind the scenes to find solutions to the castle's problems.
Do not be fooled by her glossy big crimson eyes and long black hair. This five-feet-five social misfit might be the most cunning demon in the entire realm.
"..."
-silence-
"..."
*Sigh... "So? Did you successfully expel Landrose from the royal court?"
Maria inquires, changing the tone of the conversation as she settles in on the window sill next to her brother.
"I don't know... What do you think?"
Kasper responds, still bitter over the misunderstanding.
"You're the one with all the information after all..."
"Why you little--"
In a lighthearted conversation between the siblings, Kasper braces himself for another smack for his remark, which fortunately for him, never materializes.
"..."
-silence-
"..."
*Breaths out... "Yeah... I did."
Silence ebbing, Kasper gives a quiet response to her query before averting his eyes and returning them to the starry sky.
"...And?"
Maria inquires, wanting to know more than just an abridged version of what happened.
"And what?"
Her brother answers questioningly but is hesitant to divulge further information.
*smack!!*
"Did you get your way? Stupid!"
Maria snaps, slapping his shoulder.
"Ooowww!!!--"
"--The position of Minister of Ashgate."
The moody little princess declares. Changing the tone of her questioning to a serious one for this part of her interrogation.
"Where did you hear that?!"
"Heh. I am the one with all the information, remember?"
Maria gives a smug little smile while Kasper tries to gather himself.
Crafty little fellow this one...
"..."
Kasper watches his sister silently brood over the events, swinging her feet causually as she awaits his response.
"...no"
The young lord replies softly.
"Father delegated the position to some woman named Asmodeus."
He says, gesturing to her that Asmodeus may not be 'all there' upstairs.
"..."
"Well... That's new."
The young lady of Ashgate ponders aloud...
"What is?"
"You not getting your way."
She says staring out into the open doorway.
"The Great Kasper Rov, foiled for what I believe is, the first time?..."
"... I didn't say I couldn't use this to my advantage..."
"Yeah... Yeah..."
*Hup!
Maria mocks him before jumping back down from the window sill.
"Kasper, you better not take Daddy too lightly."
"To this day, he remains the only Demon-Lord to have vanquished a hero after all..."
She says, dusting herself off and starting to walk away.
"...I know... I know."
Kasper echos her.
"Tsk."
"This guy..."
Maria clicks her tongue.
"Whats-her-face too... I suggest you keep your eye on her she might be a dangerous one."
"Right."
The young lady of Ashgate says to a sharp response right as she reaches the door.
"..."
"I'll dig up what I can and be back tomorrow, Kay."
"Hm."
"Night Big Brother."
Maria gives a single wave back and continues on her way out, leaving Kasper alone in his dark room with his thoughts.
"..."
#DING!#
*System chimes*
"Hm?"
{Main Quest}
•Capture the King of the Demon-realm and Defeat the new hero of Per Sempre
(-Reward-)
•Return to your past life and exact revenge on your killer(s)
"Well this is just the..."
[Optional]
•Capture the Bishop of Hatchett.
(-Reward-)
•Bishop of Hatchett Cathedral.
•Chaos Shadow Magic Level Two.
•Art, 'Simulate' Level One.
"..."
"Simulate??..."
Kasper muses aloud as he looks at the new side quest that has just appeared and the strange 'Art', 'Simulate', Next to it...
-The Following Morning-
In the Demon-realms Castle Ashgate, the birds greet the day with a fresh song as dawn breaks.
But while the majority found it difficult to wake up from the warmth of their covers...
It appears that the young lord of Ashgate has been up all night.
His eyes glued particularly on the window in front of him and the new side quest the system appears to have presented him with.
"..."
"Hm."
"If what I am thinking is correct, then..."
Kasper ponders, hands beneath his head and elbows on the table top for support as he gives the window a longing glance.
*Yawns... "Sari..."
He calls out as he observes the groundskeepers of the castle tend to the greenery outside his window.
"Yes master..."
Slowly emerging from his shadow behind him, Sariel bows slightly and waits for more commands.
"S-please schedule a meeting with my father right away."
"It appears that we should start working on this as soon as possible."
Evidently suffering from extreme sleep deprivation, Kasper speaks softly.
"Yes, Master."
The deep purple-haired subject replies... Taking a moment to analyze her master's state before melding with his shadow once more.
"Hatchett Cathedral..."
Kasper mumbles to himself, sleepily...
-Later that day-
[The Royal Court]
*Yawns*.... "Hey, Sari, is it just me, or is Father later than usual?"
The young lord says to his aide, who stands beside him at the big round table.
Donning a sharp three-piece suit with a maroon jacket, Kasper appears much more prepared for the day.
A quick glance at the bags beneath his eyes, however, and the smoke and mirrors vanish.
"Perhaps your Majesty is taking his time to adequately prepare for the day."
Sariel answers, her slight hint of sarcasm expressing her dissatisfaction with Kasper's choice to forgo his sleep.
*Yaaaawns... "You think he is--"
*Bam!
"Hm."
When the doors to the royal court swing open and a delegation of four enters the room, Kasper cuts his comment short.
"..."
The young lord remains silent as the group enters and settles at the head of the table.
"Tsk."
"Pay it no mind."
He mumbles to his aide when he hears her click her tongue beside him.
"... To what do I owe this honor?"
The sharply dressed young Lord of Ashgate inquires.
"Asmodeus."
Kasper says, facing the demon directly opposite him at the head of the table.
Who crosses her legs seductively while matching his gaze!!
"..."
"Hmmmm."
The red haired woman exclaims causually, smirking playfully through her red lipstick...
"..."
"..."
-To Be Continued-