My Dad, the Demon King, Is a Big Problem

Chapter 48

“That’s one expensive trip. I’ll make sure Dad’s little vacation ends qui―”

I couldn’t finish my sentence.

Once again, my body was flung through the air, hitting the ground and rolling several times. I glared at the figure responsible, unable to even feel the pain.

The Demon King had returned.

“Damn daddy’s girl.”

His red eyes burned so dark and menacingly that they looked black. He was angrier than before, as if our earlier, endearing conversation between a doting father and daughter had thoroughly soured his mood.

Dusting myself off casually, I got to my feet, brushing away the dirt on my clothes. It was almost laughable—someone who had just shown such tender concern for me had now thrown me aside like a ragdoll.

What a bizarre experience, the kind you couldn’t buy even if you wanted to.

But more importantly, I was starting to grasp the Demon King’s current condition.

“Judging by this, it doesn’t look like you have the strength to kill me, even as the Demon King.”

If he tried to kill me, Dad’s soul would resurface and take control of his body.

Though Dad couldn’t stay in control for long, he seemed to be able to seize the upper hand during critical moments.

For now, at least.

I continued speaking confidently.

“The one who stopped Aldred from killing me just now was my dad, wasn’t it?”

The Demon King stepped closer, his fury intensifying.

“Silence. That fool daring to use my body without permission ends today. He’s grown weak because of you, overextending himself to the point of foolishness.”

His voice dripped with mockery, as if it was all going according to plan.

But I refused to be swayed, responding nonchalantly.

“Really? My dad seemed pretty strong to me. He’s not someone who’ll go down easily. He might bend, but he’ll never break. Right now, he’s just lying low. Ignore him, and you’ll regret it.”

The Demon King’s brow twitched with irritation.

I seized the moment.

‘Now’s my chance!’

Spinning around, I hurled Pinky at Aldred with all my might.

I had picked it up earlier, near where I had landed when the Demon King first threw me.

One absolute rule of dungeons: killing the dungeon’s master is the only way to return to the human realm.

The blade pierced Aldred swiftly, exiting through the other side of her body. Her figure slumped lifelessly to the ground.

Aldred had lost consciousness.

Though the intent had been Dad’s, the Demon King’s strength had taken her by surprise, leaving her defenseless.

Attacking someone unconscious might be cowardly, but I had no choice.

Survival came first.

The Demon King’s narrowed eyes flashed with irritation as his brow furrowed. Yet, he made no move to save her—clearly, he had no interest in rescuing a mere demon subordinate.

Taking advantage of the moment, I sprinted toward where Meteor had disappeared.

“Meteor!”

Frantically, I dug into the soil. Soon, I uncovered Meteor, buried under a mound of dirt. Though unconscious, he was still breathing.

Relieved, I began clearing away the skeletal bindings that had ensnared him.

“Get lost, you filthy things!”

Meteor had to survive—he just had to!

Despite the urgency, the Demon King didn’t come after me like before.

Was it possible that Dad’s interference was bothering him more than he let on?

At that moment, a nearby exit appeared. With Aldred dead, the bones no longer attacked us.

I was effectively a magnet for high-tier Magi now.

Anyone near me could be in danger at any moment.

After a brief pause, Rearwin finally responded to my words.

“S-something like that happened... Quickly, move Meteor inside! Summon potions and the healing priests too!”

“Yes, Madam!”

At Lady Rearwin’s command, the servants scattered.

Miles hurriedly carried Meteor in his arms and rushed off.

Rearwin looked between me and Meteor before speaking urgently.

“Father, please take care of Centi. She also needs treatment—bring her to a room right away.”

“....”

Reuben didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on me. His eyes lingered on my neck.

Had the Demon King left visible marks from choking me?

Most likely, the wounds were unsightly.

In the meantime, Rearwin had followed her husband and disappeared from view.

Reuben remained silent, studying me for a moment before asking softly.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. This saved me.”

I showed him the family heirloom he had given me and added.

“Thank you for it.”

The blade shimmered with a faint pink glow.

He had given it to me just this evening during dinner.

Though it hadn’t been long, thanks to my practice with Meteor, I had managed to adapt to the heirloom quickly.

Reuben must have deduced as much.

“Good. The important thing is that you both returned safely. Go inside and have yourself examined. We’ll talk more once you’ve recovered.”

“Understood.”

I answered lightly, forcing myself to sound calm, and started walking.

Reuben slowly walked alongside me.

Being alone with the cardinal felt a little awkward.

“Are you sure you can walk? After all you’ve been through, your appearance is quite... rough.”

“Well, you know. A demon tossed me around a few times.”

“....”

Reuben fell silent.

Had I been too blunt about the rough treatment I’d endured from the Demon King?

For someone as seemingly delicate as me—at least outwardly—it really was excessive abuse.

As the awkward silence dragged on, I cleared my throat.

“...You might have broken a bone or two,” Reuben muttered.

“No way! I’m fine,” I replied quickly, waving both arms as if to prove I wasn’t injured.

Even if my bones were cracked, I was determined to act as though they were completely intact.

Then, unexpectedly—

“Get on my back.”

“Pardon?”

Before I could fully process what he’d said, Reuben crouched in front of me, turning his back.