The Final Villain Has Fallen to the Lust Demon - Chapter 2.20

However, the perspective on the incident differed depending on which prince they were pushing for the position of Crown Prince.

‘The newspapers in this country are always about factional infighting.’

Newspapers supporting Frid covered the active role of the Holy Knights while belittling Demian, who appeared late to the scene.

Some newspapers pushing Demian as the Crown Prince criticized the incompetence of the Holy Knights, who allowed demons to appear in the capital despite capturing signs of anomalies.

However, the thing to note was that there was no mention in any newspaper of the Transcendent-grade Lust demon that appeared before Demian and me.

‘His ability is truly something.’

I expected Demian to block any useless talk from leaking out, but I didn’t know he would handle things so perfectly.

As expected, surviving in the Imperial Palace without a powerful backing and even forming a solid support base is not something just anyone can do.

Even after flipping through several pages of the newspaper, there was no talk of the Transcendent-grade demon.

Only then could I feel relieved and scan through a few more pages.

My heart sank when I saw a story about how a demon hiding in the Academy had damaged part of the dormitory building.

“Look at this, Ayla. You would have been hurt if you had stayed in the dormitory.”

“You’re right…… though, I suppose it would be impossible even for the Holy Knights to completely subdue the demons hiding in that vast Academy in just a few hours.”

Why was it? A slight disappointment toward the Holy Knight Order was audible in Ayla’s voice.

Before Ayla’s disappointment could spread to Frid, the leader of the Holy Knights, and cause the original story to go off track, I quickly spoke up.

“Just in case, why don’t you stay at the Heron mansion for a few more days?”

“Huh?”

“I heard a report from the butler on my way here. About the lawsuit regarding your inheritance. It looks like it will be concluded with a victory within a week at the latest.”

“Really?”

Even though I had assured her several times that she would win since the circumstances of her being unfairly victimized by her uncle were so clear, Ayla’s eyes welled up with tears as soon as she heard those words.

It must be because she had been gaslit and treated like the world’s most useless parasite all this time.

I continued speaking as I popped a fat macaron into Ayla’s mouth, she looked like she was about to cry at any moment.

“You can stay here until you finish the inheritance after winning the suit and take over a decent mansion.”

“Levi…….”

“It’ll be much more comfortable and safer than the dormitory, right? As soon as you win the lawsuit, your uncle will be penniless, so you won’t have to fear him anymore.”

Ayla was the type of person who considered sacrificing herself for others as natural, yet hated being a nuisance to others.

Knowing she would surely feel a sense of rejection if I told her to stay at my house when we weren’t very close, I hadn’t brought it up until now, but since we had spent a considerable amount of time together, it was worth mentioning.

“Thank you, but I can’t do that, Levi. What if an angry Uncle Luge comes to this mansion and causes you harm?”

“I told you, I’m the only one who hears that I’m a defective product. The Heron family isn’t breached that easily.”

It was dangerous to go straight back to the dormitory, but Ayla still seemed to fear her uncle.

Thus, I changed my strategy to appealing to her emotions.

“Actually, it was my dream to invite a friend to the mansion for about a month and play together, Ayla.”

“…….”

“Nobles do that often, don’t they? But as you know, my body is weak…… so you are the first friend I’ve been able to invite.”

When I evoked her sympathy, the angel-like Ayla was greatly shaken.

“I thought it would be fun to have a picnic in the back garden together, call a jeweler to match similar accessories, and things like that. We can chat every time we have a meal, too.”

As I whispered in a subtle voice, Ayla’s eyes sparkled. It seemed her desire to rest with me at the Heron mansion had overcome her fear of her uncle.

“……Then, shall we do that?”

“Y-yes. I told you, it’s my wish. Having a friend stay over.”

Friend. Ayla, ruminating on that word, wore a soft smile.