The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 59

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 59
What manner of being possessed the aura of the Demon Clan?
Until now, it had been ambiguous at best, but just moments ago, I felt it with absolute certainty—the instant my divine power erupted, the demonic energy became palpable, as though balance itself had shattered.
Anyone with even a modicum of skill would have sensed it.
Which explained why Kiriel, abandoning both Ludbreed and Klein as they inquired about my condition, had almost reflexively shrouded me in his own divine power before retreating to his chamber.
Particularly since I had wielded that divine force, the Demon Clan’s aura had grown exponentially stronger—as though every trace of divine power had been drained from my body, leaving only the demonic essence behind.
Why?
I could only ask myself.
For the demonic aura to leak so profusely meant something was fundamentally wrong with the child.
Yet why had I chosen to flee into my chamber with her instead of exposing this truth?
‘If she is connected to the Demon Clan, how can she possibly wield divine power?’
Demonic energy and divine power were oil and water.
The black magic wielded by the Demon Clan was nothing but refuse—something that could never mingle with divine power, something that must never mingle.
Their coexistence was fundamentally impossible, yet how could this child, whose body emanated the Demon Clan’s aura, possibly channel divine power?
And she had even summoned a Divine Beast—not merely any Divine Beast, but the Phoenix itself.
The Phoenix was the embodiment of sanctity.
It was revered as the greatest of all divine creations, yet the impossible had become possible. I could scarcely believe it.
My mind spiraled into chaos, and I found myself silently rubbing my face.
‘Perhaps it would be wiser to keep my distance.’
If the child truly was connected to the Demon Clan, then I would have no choice but to end Bunny’s life.
Or take appropriate measures. Failing that, I would at minimum have to expel her from this estate.
The Udiah Duchy was the Empire’s final bastion.
It was a space where nothing that would defile sanctity could ever be permitted to intrude, under any circumstance.
Why would the predecessors of the Udiah Duchy have conceived such a foolish notion as to build an army solely from their own bloodline? It was to prevent even the smallest evil from breaching these walls.
In the remote possibility that the heavily fortified Capital should fall, there was no safer place than the Yudia Territory, where a great barrier could be erected.
Tap.
I pressed my index finger against the child’s cheek, and the soft, plump flesh yielded beneath the touch. Her face, still bearing the roundness of infancy, was endearingly precious.
“…She couldn’t possibly be of the Demon Clan.”
If she were, she could never wield divine power.
Then perhaps she had been cursed by the Demon Clan in her youth, much as I had been?
Though her eyes were not crimson, nor her hair black.
Or could she be a contractor of the Demon Clan?
Something so small and fragile?
Impossible.
The absurdity of my own thoughts drew a hollow laugh from me. The most plausible explanation remained the curse theory.
Having reached this conclusion, I exhaled a brief sigh, ran my fingers roughly through my hair, and reclined diagonally upon the bed.
As Bunny wriggled closer, seeking warmth, I gently patted her back and closed my eyes.
The child’s body temperature felt oddly lukewarm.
* * *
“…I’m sorry.”
In the greenhouse bathed in warm sunlight, I finished my meal contentedly nestled in Father’s arms and received a sweet chocolate pudding as a reward. But before I could even take a bite, Kalvad Yudia’s abrupt words made me tilt my head in confusion.
Something had happened overnight—Kalvad Yudia stood before me wrapped in gauze and bandages across his body and face, offering me an apple, yet his expression remained rigidly stern.
Kiriel’s eyes narrowed slowly as he surveyed Kalvad standing before him.
“Kalvad, did you have another sparring match with your father?”
“…Yes.”
At Kiriel’s question, Kalvad Yudia, who had been looking at me, softened his expression and answered obediently.
At his deeply darkened expression, I blinked slowly.
“What are you sorry about?”
At Allen’s blunt question—thrown while he ate snacks with a peaceful expression among the family—Kalvad’s cheeks twitched as if he might cry.
“You…!”
Kalvad, his lips twisted, clenched his fists and took a sharp step forward.
“Kalvad.”
A flinch.
At the voice that came from behind, Kalvad’s body trembled greatly.
Kalvad’s face instantly became frightened as he clenched his fists tightly.
“You still haven’t apologized?”
“…I have.”
Klein Yudia, who hadn’t been there moments ago and was now dressed in formal attire, narrowed his eyes suspiciously and turned his head to look at Allen.
“Did this foolish boy apologize properly?”
Allen glanced at Kalvad, then after a brief silence, slowly nodded his head.
“Yes.”
At Allen’s affirmative answer to the question without further comment, Kalvad’s face flushed with shame.
As Kalvad clenched his fists and trembled, my head tilted slightly. Klein remained silent, watching Allen, then nodded.
“Good, then that’s fortunate.”
“Yes.”
“You seem to find the father game quite entertaining too. Youngest.”
At Klein’s words, my lips puffed out stubbornly.
Allen, who had glanced away then noticed my protruding lips, slightly furrowed his brow.
“You go on out and study in your room. Pathetic. Can’t you live properly? For someone of direct lineage, you’re worse than those children.”
“….”
Just as Kalvad bit his lower lip and nodded, about to leave.
A bounce.
I leaped down from Kiriel’s lap, and Toto bounded after me as I planted myself firmly in front of Klein with a decisive step.
“Mister, stop.”
“…Mister, what…?”
“Mister! Bunny doesn’t like this. You’re not close, so mister!”
I pointed my small finger at Klein as I spoke.
At the words spilling from this tiny creature, Klein burst into a hollow laugh.
“Why are you saying such mean things to the young master?”
“Because he did something bad, so he needs to be scolded.”
“I was startled, so why won’t you pat me? Pat, pat?”
“There’s nothing to praise you for.”
“That’s not the little one’s fault. Kiriel is much bigger than me. Since he’s so big, Father should help him—so why won’t you?”
Klein Yudia’s brow twitched slightly at Bunny’s words, delivered while her small frame blocked the doorway.
It was cute at first, but this persistence was beginning to grate on him.
“You’re too young to understand such things. Tsk. Youngest, go find someone else to play with.”
“Why do you keep calling it play?”
Bunny puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.
“It’s not play. Father eats every meal with me and Allen, pats me, and comforts me. Even when I can’t do something, Father says it’s alright. That’s what a real father does.”
Kiriel found himself pausing at the child’s words.
“….”
Klein Yudia’s jaw tightened. The small creature’s tone sounded as though she were reproaching him.
“Father is Bunny’s father. You’re not my father.”
Bunny tilted her head back, meeting Klein Yudia’s gaze directly as she spoke.
Klein Yudia felt an inexplicable sting at those pink eyes staring straight through him—as though his every secret had been laid bare.
“Luri said children need to be loved to grow big and strong. But potatoes that only listen to themselves stay small.”
Bunny seized Kalbad’s hand, which hung frozen at his side, and pulled The Boy toward her.
“What—what are you doing?”
Kalbad stumbled forward, drawn along by Bunny’s grip.
Bunny led Kalbad to a spot behind Kiriel, who sat at the dining table.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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