It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 72

 Chapter 72 :

“He can use magic?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…Could you explain in more detail?”

Christine looks at Annerose as she asks this.

Annerose begins to share her thoughts with Christine.

First,

“Even though Karen claimed to have discovered him herself, her attitude was somewhat suspicious. Even if Ragna is under her command, her behavior toward him, a male knight, didn’t seem like that of a typical sponsor,” Annerose says.

“What do you mean?” Christine asks.

In response, Annerose recounts the conversation she had with Ragna and Karen at the Steiner family mansion.

Four consecutive failed marriage meetings.

While it’s certainly an issue worth noting, it’s not something Annerose would typically investigate personally. However, she found it suspicious and decided to intervene.

The reason was that she had decided Ragna’s fate.

This gave her a sense of responsibility and sympathy.

If there was a reason behind it, she felt compelled to resolve it.

Moreover, she needed to check on the matter of Seria, which she had entrusted to Karen.

In other words, Annerose’s visit wasn’t just to meet Ragna but was driven by multiple complex reasons to assess the situation directly.

During this visit, Annerose conducted an “interrogation.”

Karen’s reaction to this interrogation was somewhat strange.

And Annerose found it odd.

Why was Karen protecting Ragna as if shielding him?

“What does that mean?” Christine asks, puzzled.

With a smile, Annerose responds, “Hehe, it’s only natural that Your Highness, who has no interest in men, wouldn’t understand. Generally, a male knight’s failure in marriage meetings is a disgrace for the sponsoring family or leads to an awkward situation. After all, the sponsoring noble family typically aims to secure a marriage for the male knight to form ties with another influential noble family.”

“Hmm… that’s true, but?” Christine responds.

“But the Steiner family has no such need. Though they are a noble family without a fief, the Steiner family holds prestige surpassing that of noble families with large estates. Moreover, their main business and dojo operations continue to thrive. They are in a different league compared to typical sponsoring noble families.”

“I see,” Christine nods.

“Even so, it’s true that Karen personally discovered the boy. If that’s the case, it’s understandable that she feels responsible and wants to fulfill her role as a sponsor to the end. That much makes sense. But…”

“But?” Christine prompts.

“Even so, he’s still an outsider. Someone with no blood ties to the Steiner family, making it hard to consider him a true member. Yet, Karen acknowledges and protects him as if he were part of the Steiner family. Don’t you find that a bit suspicious?”

“Hmm…” Christine muses.

As Annerose speaks, Christine strokes her hair, lost in thought. Then,

“…Now that you mention it, it does feel a bit odd. But couldn’t it simply be because she’s grown fond of him over time?”

“Hehe, that’s where Karen’s strange behavior comes in.”

“Strange behavior?” Christine asks.

“Your Highness, what kind of person is Karen?”

“A stubborn knight. Someone who takes her responsibilities seriously, values honor above all else, and strives to uphold ideals. That’s about it.”

“Hehe, that’s quite a generous assessment for Your Highness. It seems you enjoyed the dance you shared with her?”

“Tch… you saw that? Well, never mind that. Tell me about Karen’s strange behavior. What exactly is it?”

“Very well. Karen’s strange behavior… it’s none other than her defending Ragna, even at the cost of tarnishing her family’s reputation.”

“Her family’s reputation?” Christine asks.

“Yes, exactly. Your Highness, you just said it yourself Karen is a stubborn knight who values honor above all else.”

“Right,” Christine agrees.

“For someone like that to not only fail to uphold her family’s honor but to make statements that could tarnish it in front of a guest especially the lover of the princess, who is the kingdom’s prime minister and acting regent don’t you think that’s odd?”

“Hmm…” Christine ponders.

Christine recalls a part of the conversation Annerose described.

According to Annerose, Karen had said something along the lines of: perhaps the Steiner family’s influence made other families hesitant to form marital ties, which contributed to Ragna’s failed marriage meetings.

“In other words, her statement implies that the responsibility for the failed marriage meetings lies not with Ragna but with the Steiner family.”

“…” Christine listens silently.

“Normally, sponsoring families don’t react that way. Most would point out the flaws of the male knights they sponsor, constantly belittle them, and try to shift the blame. Ultimately, they often send those knights to the academy to avoid responsibility altogether.”

“Right,” Christine agrees.

“But Karen didn’t act that way. Even if it’s her own family, and even if it’s a man she’s sponsoring, he’s still an outsider. There’s no need to accept him into the family or defend him at the cost of the family’s reputation.”

“…Isn’t that a bit of an exaggerated interpretation?” Christine asks, tilting her head slightly.

Annerose smiles and responds, “That’s why I brought up one more thing. I suggested that if that’s the case, why not change his family affiliation? But she rejected the idea, saying, ‘Ragna is already known as a member of the Steiner family.’”

“Hmm…” Christine murmurs.

“If she truly believed her own words and thought the Steiner family’s influence was causing the marriage failures, it would be logical for her to accept my suggestion. Conversely, if she genuinely considers Ragna a member of the Steiner family, that’s also strange. He’s just a common laborer from a lumberyard, far beneath the Steiner family’s status. For someone as rigid as Karen to acknowledge him as family is out of character.”

“…” Christine falls silent.

So that’s how it is… Christine mutters to herself with a wry smile.

From the conversation Annerose described, Christine had sensed that Annerose was probing with some intent, but she hadn’t realized Annerose was reading so deeply into Karen’s motives.

“…I’m starting to suspect you’re a fox in human skin,” Christine remarks.

“Hehe, you flatter me,” Annerose replies.

“If that’s the case, it feels like there was some ulterior motive in your other actions as well. Why did you try to pair me with that boy?”

“That was to confirm whether Karen truly intends to keep Ragna, the male knight, by her side. And if she’s unwilling to let him go, is it because she’s disregarding his wishes, or is there something the two of them are hiding?”

“And the result was the latter, wasn’t it?” Christine asks.

“Yes, exactly. They both looked visibly troubled. Normally, they’d jump at the chance to make it work, no matter what. Speaking of which, it seems you got rejected in the process, didn’t you, Your Highness?” Annerose teases.

“Hmph. I’d reject a guy like that first,” Christine retorts.

“Hehe, I know. But even so, for an ordinary noble family, they’d typically welcome the opportunity with open arms. Yet those two desperately refused, coming up with all sorts of excuses.”

Annerose pauses briefly, stepping back from Christine as if her throat is dry and heading toward a water pitcher.

She pours a glass of water, takes a sip, and hands it to Christine.

Christine takes the glass and quenches her thirst.

Annerose continues, “If that’s the case, it’s only natural to think something’s going on. And the reason likely lies with Ragna, the male knight, rather than the Steiner family. At that moment, something occurred to me.”

“What’s that?” Christine asks.

“As I mentioned earlier, my visit to the Steiner mansion wasn’t just to meet Ragna. It was also to check on the progress of Seria Brandsburg’s situation and the results of her stay there, as well as the issue of her commuting to the Steiner family. But there was one more critical reason for my visit: to investigate the groundbreaking healing method Karen reportedly discovered.”

“Healing method?” Christine asks.

“Yes, exactly. According to the information I confirmed, the main reason Seria Brandsburg was allowed to commute to the Steiner family was because they found a revolutionary method to heal the wounds she sustained during sparring.”

“Isn’t that just because they hired a healing mage?” Christine suggests.

“I thought so at first too. But upon investigation, there were no traces of a healing mage visiting the Steiner mansion. Moreover, this healing ability surpasses that of a typical healing mage—it’s a magic with exceptional restorative power.”

“…Could it be?” Christine’s eyes widen.

“Yes, exactly. I thought it might be possible to use this magic to heal Her Majesty, Queen Minerva.”

“...!” Christine’s excitement surges.

Queen Minerva, the former queen, has been bedridden and unconscious for about four years.

Though healing magic has kept her alive, she hasn’t regained consciousness. But this situation is problematic. She hasn’t yet designated a successor to the throne.

Christine’s position is strong, but as long as the former queen remains alive in this ambiguous state, her ascension to the throne will continue to be delayed.

If Minerva were to awaken, everything would be resolved.

There’d be no need to worry about Seria’s issue—it would all be settled in an instant.

“So, what is it? Is this healing magic something we can use?” Christine asks eagerly.

“No, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem so. When I asked Karen, she said it’s a magic that enhances physical regeneration, merely a technique using a magic circle.”

“Hmm…” Christine frowns, letting out a disappointed groan.

If the magic could restore both physical and mental states, it would’ve been an easy solution.

“…So what does that mean? A magic circle is interesting, but if Karen knows about it, what’s the big deal?” Christine asks.

“No, Your Highness. The one using this magic and the one who set up the magic circle is none other than Ragna, that male knight.”

“What, that boy again?” Christine exclaims.

“Yes, exactly. According to him, it’s a technique he learned from an old man while working at the lumberyard.”

“Hmm,” Christine mutters, frowning at Annerose.

Annerose, still wearing her enigmatic smile, continues, “Suspicious, isn’t it? And the fact that he used a magic circle specifically raises questions. If we think about it, there’s one logical conclusion.”

“…That Ragna, the boy, can use magic?” Christine ventures.

“Yes, exactly. Though the possibility isn’t very high,” Annerose confirms.

“Hmm…” Christine falls deep into thought, still not entirely convinced.

“…I understand why you’d think that. But even so, there are still many things that don’t make sense. No, more importantly, isn’t there a critical issue here?”

“You mean that those who wield aura cannot use magic,” Annerose says.

“Exactly. That’s the issue. Those who wield aura cannot use magic. And because of that, the Magic Tower is currently in a state of decline. You know this as well, don’t you?”

Five hundred years ago, the emergence of magical beasts forced humanity to retreat eastward.

In the process, the Magic Tower lost countless knowledge, as its main archive was located in the west.

The tragedy didn’t end there.

Magical beasts were too powerful for ordinary humans to face.

The only effective means humans had was magic, the most powerful tool available.

As a result, countless mages went to the battlefield for humanity’s sake—and lost their lives.

But exceptional mages aren’t easily produced.

With even the mages responsible for training the next generation dying on the battlefield, the Magic Tower’s decline accelerated.

The final blow came with the existence of golems.

Humanoid weapons that convert mana into aura. Thanks to them, humanity could finally counterattack against the magical beasts.

But for the Magic Tower, this was a death sentence.

To use magic, mana is required.

However, knights, as they’re called, convert mana into aura.

And it’s common knowledge in this world that aura cannot be used to cast magic.

Moreover, this world is dominated by women.

Most, if not all, women undergo a coming-of-age ceremony through the Holy Kingdom, choosing the path of aura.

Only a rare few, like Annerose, choose otherwise.

Thus, only a small number of men—those with low social standing—choose the path of magic.

In such a situation, the Magic Tower regaining its former glory is a distant dream.

But,

“If a method were discovered to use magic with aura, what do you think would happen?” Annerose asks.

“It would cause a huge uproar,” Christine replies.

“Yes, exactly. Until now, it’s been common knowledge that magic cannot be used with aura. But if it became known that magic could be used with aura, it would cause a massive stir.”

Ragna was showing a glimpse of that possibility.

Magic using a magic circle.

Though he claims it’s just that, the knowledge he’s revealed isn’t something casually passed down—it’s detailed and coherent.

Moreover, while he says it’s a simple magic circle, it produces magic that surpasses the effects of standard healing magic.

Is it really so easy to replicate a magic circle with such power? More importantly, where did the knowledge to create such a circle come from?

And if he possesses such knowledge, it’s reasonable to assume he has more than just the ability to draw that magic circle.

“Furthermore, that boy enrolled in the academy and demonstrated his ability to handle golems, proving his potential as a knight. He’s talented enough to fight on par with Hazel Granstig. That means the power in his body is undoubtedly aura. Yet, he can use magic… This could be an opportunity that surpasses Seria’s issue, one that could solidify your foundation, Lady Christine.”

“…Indeed. If your theory is proven true and Ragna can use magic with aura, it could empower our kingdom’s knights. No, it could go even further…” Christine says, a grin spreading across her face.

She continues with an intrigued expression, “…Perhaps it could cause a stir at the next ranking tournament. That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it, Annerose?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Annerose replies, nodding.

Christine lets out a light sigh at Annerose’s response.

“I can’t keep up with you. You’ve been orchestrating this whole thing with that in mind?”

“Hehe,” Annerose chuckles.

“But even so, there’s still a problem. If the boy’s words are true, wouldn’t that mean we’ve put Karen through unnecessary trouble?”

“That’s not an issue. As I said, that boy is a highly talented male knight. In that case, capturing him and making him a pillar of Shreid would be advantageous.”

“So, no matter how it plays out, your strategy ensures no loss?”

“Exactly,” Annerose confirms.

“That’s a terrifying thought… If I were caught in your schemes, it’d give me chills. Even the kingdom’s greatest knight is just a pawn in your hands? I’m starting to worry I might be one of your chess pieces too,” Christine says.

“Hehe, even if that’s the case, Lady Christine, you’re not an ordinary chess piece you’re the king. The one I must protect no matter what, even if I have to become a chess piece myself,” Annerose replies.

Christine smiles at Annerose’s words.

“…That’s why I can’t help but love you. You dare to call me a chess piece, standing above me, yet you’re ready to sacrifice yourself for me with pure devotion. How could I ever reject you?”

“Hehe…” Annerose giggles.

As Christine strokes her hair, Annerose leans into her embrace. Christine, holding Annerose’s bare body, begins to tease her again.

Then, as if a thought suddenly strikes her, Christine says, “But even so, wasn’t your request a bit too much? Your scheme must’ve caused Karen quite a bit of frustration.”

“I’m aware of that, Your Highness. But she will surely carry out my orders faithfully.”

“Why’s that?” Christine asks.

“Because Karen is a rigid knight. She proves herself by fulfilling the tasks given to her, following her lord’s commands. Such a person could never refuse an order from above, no matter how unreasonable it is.”

“I see. So this, too, was part of your calculated strategy. Even the renowned White Knight is just a puppet in your hands,” Christine remarks.

“I won’t deny it. And Your Highness, you are the sole master holding the strings,” Annerose replies.

At that, Christine smiles, pulls Annerose into an embrace, and begins to playfully tease her body.

Soon, the room fills with soft moans.

_____

But the two of them didn’t know.

The truth Ragna is hiding is far greater than they imagine. And Ragna is not someone who can be controlled by others—he is a being destined to rule.

_____________________________________

Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id