I Summoned the Demon King and Got a Dad - Chapter 22
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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22. The Price of Sin (1)
Is this how cattle or pigs feel when being dragged to the slaughterhouse?
Theodor was experiencing a feeling he had never tasted in his life as he traveled with Shuria.
When asked what she wanted to do during their promised day together, Shuria had said she wanted to go shopping for clothes and jewelry.
His comment about not buying some last time didn’t work at all.
Why, why, why on earth.
Spring had just begun, so why did she need to buy summer clothes?
All the maids at the manor had unanimously told him this, but Theodor still couldn’t understand it.
It would have been much more comfortable to go sightseeing at the market like last time.
But a promise was a promise, and the two were already aboard a carriage heading to the bustling district.
Since they were traveling in a carriage bearing the ducal family’s crest, it wasn’t like the temple from last time either.
Just thinking about the attention they would draw made him feel tired already.
“Shuri, how about we just buy clothes and go home to play?”
At Theodor’s words, Shuria shook her head from side to side.
“We have to go to the toy store, dessert shop, and bookstore too.”
…Ah.
Those were all things he had mentioned in the past to comfort Shuria.
Why was her memory only good at times like this?
The only thing Theodor could resent was his past self.
The first place their steps naturally headed was, of course, the salon.
Perhaps because it was a salon specializing in young children, particularly girls, he could see frills and lace, and jewelry crafted with stars and hearts upon entering.
The decorations were so flashy they were burdensome, making him feel like even his mental age was dropping.
But Shuria seemed to like those clothes.
Following Shuria as she excitedly ran off to pick out clothes, Theodor resigned himself.
[Still, since Shuria is happy…]
I told you to stop butting in pretending to be my thoughts.
I only resigned myself.
Don’t use that wistful tone.
[Is the tone the problem? Then other feelings are possible too. A father with a story, a daughter-doting father, a tyrant father… Please tell me which you prefer.]
Get lost before I destroy you.
[Understood, you want the tyrant father.]
?
But the Magical Diagram began writing without giving Theodor a chance to stop it.
[Such tasks could have been left to servants. I knew there was no need to come out here and waste time like this. Even knowing this fact, I had no choice but to be with you. Because coming here means I can see you smile.]
Has this thing really gone crazy??
It was so absurd that I wasn’t even angry.
[Do you want a crazy father?]
Theodor finally shifted his gaze away from the Magical Diagram and looked at Shuria.
As you said, I need to play with my daughter, so shut up for a bit.
Then the Magical Diagram disappeared and Theodor regained his peace of mind.
Shuria, who was picking out clothes with the madam at the salon without bothering him, seemed like an angel.
If the Magical Diagram’s goal was to make Theodor treasure his time with Shuria, it was certainly successful.
Because Theodor was watching Shuria pick out clothes with a brighter expression than before.
Right. You’re better than the Magical Diagram.
But it didn’t take long for that thought to disappear.
“Dad, how about this?”
To evaluate it in one word, it was terrible.
There was a pink heart-shaped jewel attached to the center of the chest, a large ribbon tied at the waist, and the rainbow-colored frills layered beneath seemed excessive on their own, but the most infuriating part was the diamonds and pearls decorating it.
At a glance, it seemed like they had recommended the most expensive dress in the salon.
It’s the first time I’ve thought money was a waste.
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything good about that dress.
Lines.
[I didn’t understand the question correctly.]
Lines with a caring father feeling.
[Really pretty, you must have inherited my excellent taste.]
“Really pretty, you must have inherited my excellent taste.”
Despite praising her with some emotion, strangely no response came from Shuria.
Was my answer perhaps too slow?
Or maybe there was no emotion in it?
Theodor braced himself for the coming pain as he waited for Shuria’s response.
“…I thought this outfit was ugly though? Dad has no eye for clothes. Don’t go around saying I take after you.”
Shuria answered with a completely scrunched-up expression, and he should have prepared for mental shock rather than physical pain.
Unaware of Theodor’s desire to grab the back of his neck and collapse right then, Shuria moved away from him saying she would try on other clothes.
[…I apologize.]
The fact that the Magical Diagram, which had never read the room before, was apologizing made it even more miserable.
After that, Shuria came out wearing several more dresses.
Thanks to the madam, who felt sorry for Theodor’s sense of style and selected only pretty dresses, he was fortunately able to give compliments without the Magical Diagram’s help.
Having loaded the carriage full of dresses, Shuria opened her mouth with a smile, seemingly overjoyed.
“Now, where are we going?”
There were still three places left to visit.
Normally he would have found them all terrible, but now Theodor could answer without hesitation.
“The dessert shop.”
If he didn’t stuff sugar into his mouth right away, he might destroy the Empire.
“Yeah, good!”
Fortunately, Shuria succeeded in saving the Empire.
The two entered a nearby dessert shop, were shown to their seats, and received menus.
Theodor quickly scanned the menu.
To overcome this stress, he needed the sweetest drink possible.
“Strawberry chocolate frappuccino with added strawberry slices and whipped cream, grind the chocolate chips so I can feel the texture. Add caramel drizzle too, and strawberry cake for dessert.”
After finishing his order, when Theodor looked at Shuria, she pondered for a moment before speaking.
“I’ll have chamomile citrus tea and pecan pie, and agave syrup for the tea too!”
If you’re going to do that, just order a sweet drink.
“Make sure to add the syrup at least twice.”
Theodor thought this while naturally adding syrup to Shuria’s tea.
Unless it was milk tea, Shuria would need at least three additions of syrup to feel a satisfying sweetness.
The waitress who received their menu order quickly ran to her friends.
“Hey, hey, what do you think? Is she his daughter? His sister?”
“I’m not sure. His face is insane. You really need to see him up close. He could slap a theater actor five times.”
“I want to do the serving!”
The young female employees had been captivated by his appearance, not even knowing he was a grand duke.
They made the drinks and desserts much more carefully and quickly than usual.
The waitress who put the completed drinks and desserts on separate plates calmed her racing heart and approached Theodor and Shuria.
“Here are the drinks and desserts you ordered.”
Then Theodor’s gaze turned to her, and the waitress who met his deep, dark eyes felt her legs go weak for a moment.
She had never seen such a handsome person in her life.
This is crazy.
How can such beauty exist?
Did he receive a blessing from a priest?
Or did he defeat a Demon Lord in a past life?
The waitress tried her best to stay calm as she set down the chamomile citrus tea and pecan pie in front of Theodor.
It was absolutely because his appearance didn’t match someone who would order a strawberry chocolate frappuccino with added strawberry slices and whipped cream… and all that.
When she placed the strawberry chocolate frappuccino and strawberry cake in front of Shuria, Theodor, who had been quietly watching, opened his mouth.
“I ordered the frappuccino and cake.”
With a face that looked like it would have espresso in the morning, rare steak for lunch, and chew on a glass of wine and solitude for dinner, he was eating such sweet things?
Wow, damn.
…That’s incredibly cute, really?!
The waitress bowed, trying not to let such thoughts show on her face.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
If she weren’t working right now, she would have immediately run off and punched her pillow about five times.
“It’s fine.”
Theodor said this while looking at the frappuccino with a small smile.
It was possible because he was in a state of happiness just from watching.
But the impact of that smile was tremendous, and the waitress had to stagger away.
From now on, that woman would never be able to think any man was handsome, no matter who she looked at.
Unaware that he had shattered one person’s standards of beauty, Theodor began eating the frappuccino with a long spoon.
He thought the waitress had simply mixed up the orders, and didn’t feel much shame about having ordered such a drink and dessert.
Delicious.
With that much calories entering his mouth, he felt as if his stress was being relieved all at once.
The moment Theodor satisfyingly finished eating all the cake as well.
Shuria, who had likewise demolished all her pie, came over to his side and acted cute.
As soon as Theodor’s heart grew cold and he thought anxiously, Shuria grabbed his arm and acted cute.
“Daddy, let’s go to the toy store now!”
“…Alright.”
Had thinking his stress was relieved been an illusion?
It felt like all the calories that had been injected were draining out at once.
Still, thanks to the power of the frappuccino, Theodor was able to continue shopping with Shuria without destroying the Empire.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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