Jost, Vivian, and Lexa were still struggling to adapt to the young boy's strange temperament. One moment he spoke about war, death, and Mythical Beings with complete indifference, and the next he would casually change the topic as though nothing had happened. Yet what unsettled them most wasn't his attitude. It was how casually he referred to their ancestor.
"...that old man."
The soldiers had initially assumed it was arrogance born from ignorance. Now they knew better.
Josten was a Mythical Being, one of the strongest figures on the continent. For someone to address him by name—or worse, as an old man—meant only one thing.
The young elf before them stood on the same stage.
That realization alone was enough to silence any lingering disbelief.
...
The journey back to the Josten Empire passed without incident.
For Jost, however, today had become one of the most incomprehensible days of his life.
His empire had been invaded without warning.
A clash between Mythical Beings—a sight so rare that many would live their entire lives without witnessing one—had unfolded before his eyes.
His subordinate had suffered a fate worse than death.
His kingdom had been reduced to ruins.
Yet somehow...
Instead of being consumed by grief or rage, he found himself trying to understand the little white-haired boy walking ahead of him.
Jost's gaze drifted toward Dante.
The child was quietly chatting with Vexion while she walked beside him, occasionally smiling at something he said.
Every now and then...
His eyes wandered toward Vivian's body , primarily their asses and breasts.
Or Lexa.
Or both.
Jost's eyelid twitched.
"..."
He genuinely had no idea what kind of existence this Mythical Being was.
...
Within the royal palace of the Josten Empire—
The audience hall had been hastily prepared.
Maids moved quietly between the long dining table, carefully placing dishes before the guests while soldiers stood at attention around the room.
Normally the atmosphere during royal banquets was relaxed.
Today...No one dared breathe too loudly. Seated at the head of the table was Josten himself and beside him sat Emperor Jost and Empress Vivian.
Across from them—The white-haired boy. That seating arrangement alone confused everyone present. after all only those whom Josten regarded as equals had ever been offered the seat opposite him.
Yet today... That place belonged to someone who looked no older than 16. The six seated around the table were Josten, Jost, Vivian, Lexa, Dante, and Vexion. As for the soldiers who had betrayed the empire. Their judgement had been postponed and they remained imprisoned beneath the palace under heavy guard until Jost decided upon their punishment.
Unfortunately for everyone gathered...
That wasn't the strangest thing occupying the room.
"...Master."
Vexion gently lifted another spoonful of food toward Dante.
He accepted it without hesitation.
"Mm."
She smiled faintly before using a napkin to wipe the corner of his mouth.
"Chew properly."
"I'm chewing."
"You swallowed half of it."
"...Did I?"
"You did."
"Hm."
Dante shrugged before opening his mouth for the next bite.
Josten nearly dropped his utensils.
Jost wasn't much better.
The image before them simply refused to make sense. Less than an hour ago this same boy had casually discussed massacring kingdoms and negotiating with Mythical Beings.
Now...
He was happily being fed like a child while his beautiful subordinate fussed over him with the patience of an older sister.
Or perhaps... Something even closer.
"Master."
"What?"
"Slowly."
"...You're surprisingly strict."
"You'll choke."
"I don't think Mythical Beings choke."
Vexion stared at him.
"...Master."
"...Fine."
The entire table watched the exchange in complete silence. Jost slowly looked toward his ancestor and Josten looked back at him. Neither of them knew what to say.
Could a Mythical Being... actually choke on food?
Neither had ever considered such a question before today. Meanwhile Lexa quietly observed the two. Her expression differed from everyone else's. Confusion lingered within her eyes.
When had they become this close?
She had seen them together only a short while ago.
Now Vexion naturally fed him, wiped his mouth, and lightly scolded him without the slightest hesitation.
It no longer resembled a simple master-subordinate relationship. Something else was quietly taking shape between them. She couldn't explain it. Nor could she understand why it bothered her.
At the same time...
The contradiction sitting before her left her even more conflicted.
Dante looked calm and relaxed, he even looked innocent enough to make anyone meeting him for the first time assume he was merely a gifted young noble.
Yet Lexa knew better.
Behind that harmless smile hid someone capable of orchestrating massacres with frightening ease. He could speak about torture while eating dinner as casually as others discussed tomorrow's weather and that contrast was almost unsettling. Unable to contain everyone's curiosity any longer, Josten cleared his throat.
"Mythical Lord Dante."
Dante looked up. "Hm?"
"I hope you will forgive my curiosity."
"Depends."
Josten paused.
"...May I ask why you came to our empire?"
Dante blinked once before shrugging. "Simple, Lexa."
Everyone looked toward her.
"She's talented."
Lexa straightened slightly.
"But..."
Dante pointed at her with the spoon Vexion had just handed back to him.
"Her personality sucks."
"..."
"..."
Lexa stared.
"...What?"
Mid chewing he added
"Shes's too nice."
He accepted another spoonful before continuing.
"You've got an overpowered skill and enough potential to reach his level eventually."
He casually pointed toward Josten.
"But if you stayed the way you were..."
He shrugged.
"Someone would've killed you sooner or later. Since Im a very kind person I figured I'd fix that."
Silence settled over the room.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Lexa honestly didn't know whether to feel insulted or complimented. Dante continued as though discussing the weather.
"Then your distress signal reached me. and My father mentioned my cousin would be passing through this region so I connected the dots. And so here I am"
Josten slowly nodded. It sounded absurdly simple. Yet... Given everything that had happened today...
He almost believed it. After a brief pause, he asked another question.
"Then... may I ask why you spared my granddaughter? And the others?. Afterall we elves have carried hatred for generations. Surely there was no obligation for you to interfere."
Dante chuckled. "Because I wanted to."
"..."
"...That's all?"
"Mhm."
He happily accepted another bite before continuing. "And I'm not nearly as old as all of you seem to think." He pointed toward Lexa.
"She knows my real age."
Dante chewed , his eyes occasioanlly glancing at Vexions cleavage and back at the group. "I just came to collect my new subordinate. Im not here for the politics"
He leaned back lazily. "I've got plenty to do."
"Oh." He looked toward Lexa again. "Actually let me ask a question of my own ,you're old enough for Midvest Academy so why aren't you enrolled?"
Josten and Jost exchanged another glance.
Somehow...
They had asked the questions.
Yet they were the ones being questioned instead.