Here is the translated text, with paragraphs fixed for better flow:
***
**Trial Tower Ruins**
The tower, once built by the Demon King and his confidant to inflict trials, was no more. Where it once towered, not even its silhouette remained; only scattered rubble lay everywhere. Hmm… While I did aim for it, it truly collapsed spectacularly. Mel, who rushed here immediately after the battle finished, healed me, and by some miracle, I stayed alive. My neck was throbbing painfully. And as for Gustav…
“Whoa…”
“He’s been cleanly split in two.”
Melfina described it with perfect accuracy. Gustav’s upper and lower body, which seemed to have fallen separately from mid-air, were buried under the rubble. Still, the fact that he was breathing normally was a testament to his title as King of Demons. I wondered if two people healing him would be enough to fix him.
“—Are you trying to kill me!?”
As Mel and I were healing him with White Magic, my father-in-law suddenly sat up, shouting. Well, I did intend to kill him to some extent, but it was somewhat mutual, so I’d appreciate some leniency. You see, I’ve perfectly healed his body, which was split into upper and lower halves. It’s flawless work with absolutely no scars.
“Um, good morning?”
“…Tch.”
Ugh, he clicked his tongue the moment our eyes met. After all, this man, no, this demon. This demon is definitely Bel’s father. His way of clicking his tongue and then averting his gaze is exactly the same. However, I’m in a very good mood right now. I’ll laugh and forgive. Fufufu.
“To awaken from a long-lost dream only to be greeted by this face… Honestly, am I lucky or unlucky?”
Gustav let out a deep sigh while facing away from me. That sigh felt directed at me, making me feel inexplicably uncomfortable despite having just had my wounds healed. Fufufu.
“Your Highness, let us cease smiling in our minds now. No matter how exhilarating the battle was, you should read the room.”
…Fufufu, Melfina told me off. Yes, I will. I want to improve my relationship with Gustav eventually. So, I decided to try talking to him.
“When you mention a nostalgic dream, do you mean something from the past?”
“Indeed. It’s likely a memory from long before you were born, far more so than now.”
Oh, he actually answered normally. I’m a little touched.
“Back when I was the Demon King, no matter how I tried to recall it, I couldn’t remember this precious memory. Upon being resurrected by Bel and freed from its curse, I can finally recall it. But why at this timing— Damn it! I can’t break my promise with Eliza!”
Still facing away, Gustav clenched his fist and began to tremble. W-wait? Father-in-law, Father-in-law? Blood is already coming from your fist again—!?
“Hey, you!”
“Y-yes! What is it!?”
Suddenly, he pointed at me, calling me by name. His finger was so forceful it looked like it could crush rocks.
“You fought me when I was consumed by wrath and survived. Is that correct?”
He’s confirming my survival. Since I’m alive right now, I suppose I did survive. In our final clash, my face was turned in an unnatural direction after taking a punch head-on, and I think I saw something like the Sanzu River, or maybe not. Mel’s blessing didn’t seem to have activated at all. Ah, but if Melfina’s healing had been even slightly delayed, I would have been in danger. Apparently, I was foaming at the mouth. Still, no matter what, I survived.
“Yes. I somehow managed to survive.”
“Tch, is that so. It’s a shame your head didn’t fly off. Truly! A shame!”
“Please don’t say that twice…”
“I am honest with my emotions. Therefore, I am not good at hiding them. You endure it.”
Ah, I see. He’s truly a tyrant. Even setting aside my situation with Sera, is he always like this?
“And so. I am displeased, but I will consider this a passing of the trial. You have the qualification to marry Sera and Bel. Ah, I’m getting irritated. Can I punch you again?”
“Usually, confirmation involves waiting for a response.”
Gustav swung his fist again as he was about to utter “again.” Compared to the speed of our previous battle, it was at a level I could easily evade. I wasn’t injured, but if it had hit, my face would likely have caved in. My father-in-law is quite clumsy.
“Tch. From here on, it’s not about qualifications but a dialogue from me, as a father. Answer sincerely.”
“Understood. Before we begin, I must state that I’m only dating Sera. I’m not in that kind of relationship with Bel. I thought you might be mistaken, so please consider that—”
“—So, you were just playing around with Bel…?”
N-no! That’s not it!
“Hmph, I know! It’s hard to understand what girls her age are thinking, but I can tell if they’re lying just by looking at their eyes. Sera never lies, but the shy Bel often averts her gaze!”
“Ah, is that so…? Um, knowing that, you tried to kill me?”
“My daughter’s boyfriend is her father’s enemy! This is a universal truth. Even if Bel is different, you, who received my blessing for Sera!”
“Don’t throw punches in the middle of a conversation!?”
My father-in-law’s fist once again missed its mark. So, he has no patience.
“Huu, huu…”
“Haa, haa…”
We continued to evade his successive fierce attacks for several minutes. Being still recovering from our injuries, we were quickly exhausted.
“You damn brat, you damn brat… But, decisively make Sera happy! This is a king’s command! Do you understand!?”
“Of course! I’ll definitely make her happy!”
“Shut up, bald man!”
“I’m not bald, you long-bearded old man!”
It devolved into an argument (?), but grudgingly, my father-in-law seemed to have accepted me. Alright, one of my objectives is complete. Now, for Sera—
“Oi, I’ve been wondering about this since earlier— Is that woman your ally? I feel a power that is the opposite of mine…”
“Ah, are you talking about Mel? Um, Mel is…”
As I hesitated about what to answer, Mel placed her hands on both my shoulders and replied with a broad smile. It was that line that had become almost her catchphrase.
“Your principal wife♪”
“Hey, Mel!?”
“Hoh, you. Of all people, did you intend to make my beloved daughter Sera a concubine instead of the principal wife…? Tell me honestly, hmm? Come on, I won’t get angry.”
I don’t think those are the words of someone whose face is turning into an Oni.
“It seems I must settle the score with you once more. Come, take up your sword! Wield all your strength! Your opponent is I, the great father-in-law! Don’t think you can overcome this with half-hearted resolve!”
“—! Yes, I understand! Here I go!”
I drew swords in both hands from Kuroto and faced my father-in-law, who created a bloody Crescent Moon Blade. How could I, as a Battle Maniac, be satisfied with the previous fight? To redeem my honor, I’ll work even harder here!
“Um, what is the current situation?”
“Oh, oh, members of the Four Heavenly Kings of Demon. …Sir, are you alright?”
“Guh, hah! B-, Bel-sama. So deep in… Ahh… Guh…”
“It’s a chronic condition, so please don’t worry about it. Hmph—!?”
In the background, Victor, carrying Sebastian Del, was talking to Mel. And then, my father-in-law, alerted by Sebastian Del’s drowsy remark, charged straight towards them.
