It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 32

 Chapter 32 :

“...”  

“...”  

“...I’m sorry.”  

“...”  

With a sigh, Ragna looks down at the floor.  

Sitting across from him, Karen lowers her head, at a loss for what to do.  

Neither of them could have imagined things would turn out this way.  

“Aren’t male knights supposed to enroll in the academy?”  

At Ragna’s question, Karen sighs and responds,  

“...In terms of proportion, the number of male knights who enter the academy is actually quite small. In fact, when it becomes known that a man has the ability to pilot a golem, it’s more common for him to marry into a suitable noble family.”  

“Why is that?”  

“The reason is simple. Children born to a male knight have a high chance of inheriting exceptional golem-piloting skills. Though, it’s only for one generation.”  

“So, they’re treated like breeding stallions.”  

“I won’t deny it. And most male knights accept that fate willingly. In fact, it’s considered favorable treatment for them.”  

“Hmm, if they’re born with such power, don’t they ever think of proving they can fight on equal terms with women?”  

Karen shakes her head at Ragna’s question.  

“Some might have thought that way. But they soon realize it’s impossible.”  

“Why not?”  

“Because of the difference in skill. No matter how talented a man is at piloting a golem, he’s still a man. Due to physical differences, the time and skill with which he can operate a golem are inevitably inferior. At first, natural talent might give him a slight edge over women, but men who don’t undergo the coming-of-age ceremony have a limit to their growth. In the end, falling behind women is the natural outcome.”  

Ragna nods at Karen’s words.  

Talent is something you’re born with. But how far that talent can take you is unknown.  

Even so, those with exceptional talent typically rise to higher positions. However, in this world, there’s something called the “ceremony.” Through this ceremony, women can acquire black mana commonly called divine power in this world and this power grows at an astonishing rate.  

“...That ceremony again... What exactly is it?”  

Ragna mutters, furrowing his brow.  

Black mana, a power that didn’t originally exist in this world, is artificially instilled in the body through a ceremony that allows one to generate and manipulate surrounding mana.  

Though it far surpasses the efficiency of the magic circle Ragna painstakingly developed in the past to convert mana into black mana, no matter how much he examines Seria or Karen’s bodies, he can’t detect any trace of a special magical procedure.  

Thus, Ragna can’t help but be curious about what this ceremony entails.  

But at his muttering, Karen reacts sharply.  

“...Ugh! Are you trying to insult me?! How dare you casually bring up the ceremony!”  

She reaches for her sword, as if ready to draw it at any moment.  

Seeing her flushed face, Ragna feels a pang of regret.  

Now that he thinks about it, Karen had mentioned before:  

For women, the ceremony is an intensely embarrassing memory.  

Speaking of it carelessly or bringing it up is considered highly disrespectful.  

Facing Karen, who looks ready to cut him down, Ragna decides to calm her and offer an excuse.  

“...Calm down. You haven’t forgotten, have you? I have amnesia.”  

“Hmm...”  

At Ragna’s words, Karen bites her lip lightly.  

It seems his excuse worked.  

Since that chaotic night, Ragna has been pretending to Karen that he’s a “mage with amnesia.”  

While Karen is somewhat skeptical, she’s largely accepted it.  

And why wouldn’t she? Ragna had sworn on Geas that he has no ties to any kingdom.  

There’s no way a mage of his caliber, wandering as a beggar, would have no affiliations.  

Especially a man capable of piloting a golem.  

Moreover, he keeps asking questions about things any ordinary person would know.  

In explaining these circumstances, amnesia is the perfect excuse. No matter how suspicious Karen might be, Ragna’s behavior consistently shows a strange lack of common knowledge, leaving her no choice but to believe him.  

Just like now, when he brought up the “ceremony” in front of her.  

“Well, it seems to be quite a taboo topic... Anyway, I apologize.”  

“...No, I was too hasty myself.”  

Saying this, Karen reins in her anger and sheathes the half-drawn sword. Seeing this, Ragna wipes cold sweat and breathes a sigh of relief.  

Karen’s skill is enough to cut him down in an instant.  

Even though he subdued her before, it was only because the situation and conditions aligned perfectly.  

Without setting a trap and casting a defensive spell for protection, he wouldn’t be standing here now.  

That’s how formidable Karen’s skills are. The title of White Knight is no empty boast.  

Of course, due to the Geas magic, she can’t harm Ragna. But Geas has its flaws.  

It’s a spell that judges based on mental intent.  

While it seems powerful, it’s not infallible.  

Actions taken in a state of no-mind or accidental mistakes aren’t covered. So, if she were to impulsively cut him down and only realize her mistake afterward, it could still happen.  

‘That was close...’  

Calming his racing heart, Ragna tilts his teacup to hide his tension. The aroma of southern tea soothes his nerves slightly.  

An awkward silence falls.  

Ragna decides to change the topic.  

“...What happened with Seria? Just yesterday, she was causing a ruckus.”  

Upon hearing about Ragna’s arranged marriage, Seria had looked as if the sky had fallen, shouting, “This marriage is invalid!” and making a scene.  

That was just yesterday.  

At Ragna’s question, Karen sighs and responds,  

“I sent Seria back to the academy.”  

“...Is that okay?”  

“Of course. I just returned her to where she belongs.”  

“No, I mean, isn’t there a chance she’ll go wild?”  

“Don’t underestimate the academy’s facilities. It’s not a place where she can just run amok. Besides, I visit daily to train her and check on her condition. There shouldn’t be any issues.”  

Even Seria has no choice but to listen to Karen.  

Having a tiger of an instructor watching her must be unpleasant for Seria, but it’s reassuring for Ragna, knowing it keeps her from causing trouble.  

“...Still, I didn’t expect you to come along.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“Well, you were so attached to your position as a White Knight. Why did you give it up so easily?”  

Ragna asks, casting a sharp glance at Karen.  

In response, Karen sips her tea quietly and says,  

“...You’re misunderstanding. I don’t care much about personal honor, even if it’s as a White Knight.”  

“I don’t get it. Didn’t you get furious before when you felt insulted?”  

“That was because it concerned my homeland. I was in the White Knights for my country. And now, I’ve left for the same reason. That’s all.”  

“Seria?”  

“Yes.”  

At Karen’s response, Ragna lets out a soft “Hmm.”  

It’s not an unreasonable explanation. Ragna knows well enough that Seria’s talent is genuine.  

If Karen, one of Shreid’s top fighters, guides Seria’s talent, her joining the White Knights isn’t a far-fetched dream.  

Still, doubts linger. Even with her patriotism, it’s hard to believe Karen would so readily make a decision that could harm the kingdom.  

“Hmm... Even so, wasn’t that decision made too quickly? You could’ve taken more time to discuss it.”  

“The matter has already been approved by Her Majesty. I’m simply following her decision. If she deemed it acceptable, that’s enough for me.”  

A sound argument. She consulted her country, and they deemed her judgment reasonable. Thus, there’s no issue, especially given her patriotism. But—  

“...”  

As Ragna tilts his head, deep in thought, Karen glances at him, her look probing.  

As she said, Seria’s talent is undeniable. But that alone wasn’t why Karen made this decision.  

In a sense, Ragna’s question hit the mark.  

Even with Seria’s talent, it doesn’t justify sacrificing the benefits Shreid gains from Karen’s position in the White Knights.  

Raising a talented individual is like scratching a lottery ticket.  

Predicting how she’ll grow is like a blind person describing an elephant by touch.  

For someone as conservative as Karen, staying in the White Knights to benefit Shreid would be the logical choice.  

However—  

“...”  

For Karen, Seria isn’t the only issue. There’s an even greater danger right in front of her: Ragna himself.  

A mage who’s lost his memories.  

Yet the magic in his mind is nothing short of absurd.  

It’s the kind of magic that could upend the world’s common sense.  

And on top of that, he can pilot a golem.  

Normally, using divine power for magic is considered impossible.  

Thus, Ragna’s ability to wield both divine power for golems and magic makes him an extraordinary exception.  

If possible, she’d want to restrain him and force him to reveal all his knowledge.  

But she can’t lay a hand on him.  

Due to the Geas magic, she’s unable to do anything that would harm him.  

Moreover, revealing his abilities or identity would also harm him, making it impossible to seek help from others.  

In such a situation, Karen’s best option is to stay as close to him as possible, waiting for an opportunity.  

To that end, she took the drastic step of leaving the White Knights a choice she wouldn’t normally make. But in the process, she overlooked the issue of Ragna’s treatment.  

“...It would’ve been nice if I’d at least written, ‘Enrolling him in the academy is the best choice,’ in the letter.”  

“...My apologies.”  

As her mistake is brought up again, Karen visibly panics and lowers her head.  

Seeing this, Ragna chuckles.  

He has a rough idea of what Karen is thinking and why she left the White Knights.  

The fact that she’s letting him stay at her family’s mansion, of all places, provides enough clues.  

Thus, Ragna is mischievously poking at her mistake, enjoying her flustered reaction.  

This blonde knight may seem stern and gallant on the outside, but deep down, she’s as unhinged as she was when she attacked him that night.  

Poking at that weakness makes her squirm, which gives Ragna a small sense of victory, easing his frustrations.  

After all, dwelling on this issue any further is pointless.  

“So, what happens now? Am I going to be thrown into a room full of noble ladies or something?”  

Ragna quips, referencing the idea of being treated like a stallion in a harem. At his words, Karen straightens her expression and replies,  

“...As if we’d use such a method. You’ll meet them one by one, of course.”  

“Hmm, how so?”  

“It’s an arranged marriage ordered by the king. Word of you has likely already spread among the nobles. From the candidates who apply, a few will be selected for you to meet.”  

“Hmm... How and where do these meetings happen?”  

“You’ll meet each candidate privately for a conversation. Typically, the noble family acting as your sponsor hosts the meeting. ...No need to worry. The Steiner family will be your sponsor. As a result, your name will officially be ‘Ragna Steiner.’”  

“Oh, I see. Hmm, Ragna Steiner... So, does that make you my older sister, Karen?”  

Ragna muses, stroking his chin with a strange feeling. Karen, however, reacts oddly.  

“...”  

“Hm? What’s wrong?”  

“N-nothing!”  

Hiding her flustered expression, Karen turns her head. Ragna tilts his head at her sudden change.  

“...By the way, does that mean the meetings will happen in this mansion?”  

“Most likely. If you prefer another location, that can be arranged.”  

“No, this mansion is fine. I like it.”  

“...Is that so? That’s fine then...”  

“Oh, and if possible, I’d like the meetings to take place in this room.”  

“That’s fine. This reception room is suitable enough for a royal arranged marriage.”  

“Really? ...Oh, one more thing I want to ask.”  

“Hm, what is it?”  

“Well, about these arranged meetings—  

—Is it okay if I sabotage them?”  

“...”  

At Ragna’s sudden question, Karen flinches, her shoulders trembling. With a stiff expression, she moves her lips, asking in disbelief,  

“...You’re not seriously planning to ruin the meetings, are you?”  

“...”  

Ragna doesn’t answer.  

He simply gives a deep, knowing smile,  

As if he’s plotting something,  

And nods lightly.  

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id