DSB 60

But the moment Edmund opened his mouth, Lebel’s anticipation vanished like air escaping from a punctured pipe.

“The demonic beasts that invaded the territory last time, and the report says that quite a few beasts have woken early from hibernation.”

“Does that mean they have already started to move actively?”

Yutis asked with a serious face that showed surprise, and Edmund nodded as he spoke.

“It’s an anomaly. The beasts that appeared in our territory and others seem to have awakened early. So we have to go and assess the situation.”

Lebel naturally lowered his head and his eyes met Karon’s.

“Fortunately, there’s been no report of casualties, but hungry beasts could attack the villages at any time. We have to find out why they woke early. And we’ve also detected strange movements. It’ll take time to understand the situation.”

Karon flinched and scratched his ear roughly with his hind leg.

He hadn’t considered such a side effect.

Karon had led the beasts all the way here. On top of that, he had issued the command to invade the Empire. In that process, many beasts had awakened and moved together, so for the North, which suffered direct effects from their behavior, this was not something they could overlook.

And winter still hadn’t ended. Even though the beasts had woken early, there was no prey and no food, so there was a high possibility they would attack human villages out of hunger.

He had told the beasts Karon brought not to attack humans, but the other beasts would likely run wild.

“But didn’t you say a snowstorm was coming soon?”

“That’s why it’s even worse. The hungry beasts will attack people while the snowstorm rages.”

“Ah…”

As expected, the situation was turning complicated.

There was surely more food in the Empire than here. They might as well go south quickly.

Wait a moment. Yutis wouldn’t stay out of something this serious.

“Does Yutis have to go too?”

“I’m sorry to separate you two so often when you’re newlyweds.”

“…It’s fine. That’s my duty. And Father is going too.”

It seemed Yutis had no choice but to go. It would take a long time before the situation settled. Lebel clicked his tongue.

Even if he said there was no need to worry about the beasts’ movements, they wouldn’t believe it.

My husband is certainly a busy man. Ah, since my strength has returned, should I go with them? Now that they know I can control beasts, I’m also a useful force.

“Should I go too?”

“Go? Absolutely not!”

Damian shouted in alarm, and Edmund also stopped him.

“That’s right, daughter-in-law. It’s not a place for you to go.”

“I’m a mage. You all know that?”

He had already shown them his power, so they should know this strength would help, but they all refused.

“I’ll go alone. My wife should wait in the fortress.”

“Yes, you have to guard the fortress. It’s not completely safe here either. Another group of beasts might attack like before.”

Lebel looked quietly at the three of them. He knew beasts could invade here too, but it was obvious they were exaggerating just to keep him from going. That made him even more displeased.

They knew he was a mage and could control beasts, yet instead of using that power, they only wanted to keep him in a safe place.

He didn’t know if he should call them foolish or stubborn.

[Lord Lebel, why do you want to go? You don’t need to handle such dangerous work!]

…Was it like when he had been in the Demon Realm?

But many things were different now. Lebel looked at Yutis with irritation. Yutis only worried, without understanding what he really meant.

Who would be the one most anxious if we were separated?

“Ah, right. Daughter-in-law, is there anything you want?”

At that moment, Edmund gently asked. Asking what he wanted instead of asking for help was ridiculous.

Lebel had almost no desire for possessions. With Yutis always bringing him what he needed, he had even less. Naturally, there was nothing he wanted or wished for.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing comes to mind? If you think of something later, tell me.”

“Why?”

“As a token of gratitude. You saved our territory.”

“If it’s about the demonic beasts, it’s fine.”

After all, those beasts had come for him. So rather than gratitude, it was Lebel who ought to apologize. Because of Karon, the territory had suffered damage.

“Tell me. I want an excuse to do something for you. You could even see it as an apology.”

“…An apology?”

“The servants said they went to you and apologized.”

“Well, they did.”

“It was thoughtless of me. We weren’t very welcoming to you at first, so think of this as our apology for that.”

It was fine anyway. He hadn’t cared much about it.

“If there’s anything you want, just say it. Father will do anything he can.”

Yutis didn’t stop his father, but instead encouraged him from the side.

“I’ve already received more than enough from you.”

Then he suddenly had a good idea.

“Ah…”

“Something came to mind?”

To be precise, he thought of something he wanted to ask of them.

“There’s something I want to request.”

“What is it?”

“You said Yutis has to go on campaign. Does he really have to go?”

There were many reasons Lebel had wanted to follow. The biggest one was Yutis. His recent instability bothered him, and it would irritate him if Yutis returned injured.

Everyone looked surprised at Lebel’s unexpected question.

“He has to go to investigate the beasts’ disturbance, and once the snowstorm ends, there’ll be even more work waiting.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Whether you believe me or not is your choice, Father-in-law, but the beasts that have awakened probably won’t attack the villages.”

If they had woken under Karon’s command, they would be heading south. If they were slowly moving toward the Empire, there was nothing to worry about.

“They won’t attack? Do you even know how many villages beasts have attacked before? Hunger has no master.”

Damian laughed in disbelief. Lebel paused for a moment.

He couldn’t exactly say that Karon’s order overrode hunger.

“If a snowstorm is about to hit, the beasts will look for shelter. They won’t attack villages.”

“Well, that does make sense.”

“I’m not doubting my wife’s words. But there’s still a chance, so I must go.”

Lebel frowned. Who do you think I’m saying this for?

“You said you don’t want to be away from me.”

“Huh? Uh…”

He might dig himself into a hole again if left alone, so he had to be kept close.

Edmund watched the situation unfold and glanced at Yutis. Yutis’s large frame contrasted with his face, which was turning bright red.

“When rumors about my ability spread, you’ll start feeling anxious again.”

“You shouldn’t talk about that here…”

“You saw it, right? My husband gets very anxious when he’s apart from me. I did my best to show affection, but he still said he’s afraid I might leave.”

“Wife!”

“For his peace of mind, it’s better to keep him by my side for a while.”

For as long as possible. Lebel held Yutis’s hand tightly as if he refused to let him go. Yutis couldn’t shake off that hand and lowered his head, his earlobes turning red.

Damian gaped at the scene.

“Isn’t it true? You told me not to leave you, so why are you the one leaving my side? Stay with me.”

Lebel openly said what he desired. Yutis’s face was red, and he tried hard not to laugh from happiness.

Damian looked back and forth between them dryly laughed.

“…Edmund, you handle this. I don’t know anymore.”

“Well… I’m fine with it.”

It was usually Yutis, not Edmund, who went on many campaigns. He only returned to the castle during his rut and went back out afterward.

Yutis had vented the heat of his unresolved rut through battles with demonic beasts.

But now that Lebel was here, he didn’t need to.

Edmund knew better than anyone how much difference it made to have or not have an omega to share the rut with.

The beasts’ movements were concerning, but nothing serious had happened yet. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Yutis to stay and guard the territory in case demonic beasts attacked again.