Black Summoner – Chapter 616

“I’m tired…”

“Y-yes, you are. Good work, Older Kel…”

The checkpoint was a disaster. While our luggage and identification were checked without issue (though they still looked at us with unusual fear), the carriage carrying my father-in-law was problematic.

“What was Papa thinking, getting so worked up? Honestly, he should consider his age. I’m embarrassed as his daughter.”

“Well, a father’s position can be quite complicated. But still, he should choose his moments carefully.”

This was after our carriage had cleared the check and it was time for my father-in-law’s turn. Just as I let my guard down, thinking it would be fine, the door of my father-in-law’s carriage suddenly burst open. A massive, out-of-proportion figure appeared with a BAM (sound effect), radiating an intimidating aura with his disgruntled expression. The surrounding people became flustered, and even Rudo, the coachman of our carriage, and his comrades were stunned. I, too, was left speechless, wondering what was happening.

“G-Gustav-sama? W-what are you doing…?”

“I am confirming the security measures. I am entrusting one of my precious, impossibly, world-cutest beloved daughters, Bel, to your care. If I cannot personally witness the extent of your protection against external threats, I will worry myself sick and be unable to sleep at night. This would harm my health and, consequently, cause Bel to worry about her Papa. Then, I would be enveloped in overwhelming joy and further driven to insomnia by excitement. …Hm? Perhaps that wouldn’t be so bad either? No, but I cannot put an unnecessary burden on Bel. I will engrave this scene into my memory, even at the cost of my life…!”

With that, my father-in-law remained standing like a statue. Coming from the same parents, his posture was very similar to those Sera often struck. However, while Sera’s pose exuded elegance and grace, my father-in-law imposing it transformed the area into a living hell. My father-in-law, the most fearsome among demons, was darting his eyes in every direction. It was too terrifying to look at directly. Even the Lumiest gatekeepers, who were supposed to be conducting the investigation, unconsciously averted their gazes. Getting any closer was out of the question.

“It’s a good thing Bel quickly scolded him with her words right after, and he returned to the carriage obediently. If it had escalated any further, it would have been quite troublesome.”

“With just a word from Bel-chan, he returned surprisingly smoothly…”

“But he looked quite shaken. Is he alright? I mean, his physical condition…”

“It’s just his usual self, so you don’t need to worry. He mentioned some procedures, right? Well, he’ll probably stay put until they’re finished.”

Surprisingly, Bel was the first to act as a brake on my father-in-law’s bizarrely intense inspection. She leaped from the carriage faster than I, whose eyes had returned to normal, and with a graceful leap, delivered a powerful heel drop to my father-in-law’s head. He was sent crashing down, kissing the ground with great force. The gallery was left stunned, as were we who remained in the carriage— Then, Bel proceeded to barrage him with heart-wrenching words, leaving my father-in-law in a state of irrecoverable defeat.

“A father cannot win against his daughter. That’s common to all races, huh…”

“Papa, did you say something?”

“No, just remarking that Kuromel is as cute as ever.”

“Ehh? Oh, Papa!”

Kuromel tilted her head cutely, so I broke into a smile and replied honestly. Father-in-law, I shall overlook this incident for now. All in the name of love…!

Although I received a sharp, disgusted glare from Bel, the previous commotion did have consequences. With Rudo’s negotiation skills and the authority of the Four Great Nations, we somehow managed to pass through Lumiest’s entrance. However, as expected, we drew a little too much attention. Our original plan included some sightseeing in Lumiest while waiting for the admission procedures, but after such a disturbance, that was no longer possible. As I mentioned before, creating a negative impression on Rion and the others before their admission was strictly forbidden. Therefore, we needed to retreat from the scene and disappear into the Academy City before the memory of the commotion took root in people’s minds. Rudo is currently trying his best to take us to the Academy building in the center of Lumiest, where the procedures will take place, as inconspicuously as possible.

“Looks like sightseeing will have to wait a little longer?”

“That might be for the best. But first, we need to get the procedures done properly! Let’s do our best!”

“Doing your best is good, but the paperwork is for the guardians, isn’t it? It’s no use for Rion to build up her spirit.”

“No, it’s fine. That encouragement will be a strength to the guardians!”

It would be mentally uplifting, and with Kuromel’s strength, I’d be at my physical peak. Bring on Serge or Pritia-chan! …Well, considering how the gatekeepers reacted earlier, perhaps it’s best not to. Stop, please don’t come today.

“Kelvin-danna, I regret to interrupt your enthusiasm, but we’re about to arrive at the school building. We’ll be using the visitor’s gate, not the main one. And, well, another checkpoint is scheduled, so, you see—”

“—If you are worried about Papa, you need not. I swear I will disown him if he makes the same mistake twice.”

A demon… No, an evil god.

“Uh, yes. That seems to be the case. I’ll be ready to respond immediately, so Rudo, please focus on the checkpoint.”

“Y-yes, understood.”

I was about to sigh at the prospect of another checkpoint, but it meant security was thorough. Looking at the wall surrounding the school building, it seemed a barrier extended into the sky. My father-in-law, who had been worried about such things, seemed rather dejected now, so I’ll explain it to him carefully later. He’ll be a little more at ease, I think.

—And so, after passing the checkpoint without incident, we entered the academy grounds. We entrusted our carriage to Rudo and were about to head to the registration counter when—

“Ah, p-please wait a moment…! The Principal is coming immediately, so please wait here for a bit.”

The gate guard stopped us, informing us that the Principal would be coming.

“N-no! First, we will guide you to the guest room! The Principal will also be heading there! K-Kelvin-sama and Gustav-sama, right!? P-please, come this way!”

“…Please don’t trouble yourself.”

It wasn’t long before a frantic woman in a uniform rushed out from the school building and began leading us to the guest room. The guard was tense, but this woman seemed even more so.

“Whoa!?”

Did we arrive a bit too early? Did we move our plans up from the city and they’re rushing because of the schedule change?

“Ow!?”

No, I wasn’t told we’d be meeting the Principal, and our arrival wasn’t *that* much earlier. It’s okay, miss. This Demon King is a nice Demon King. Or rather, a former Demon King. The Northern Continent and S-Rank Adventurers… I’m not scared, not scared at all.

“Oof…!”

But of course, my inner thoughts wouldn’t reach her. By the time we managed to get my dazed father-in-law to the guest room, the woman had stumbled and fallen three times, in classic fashion. …All face-first, over nothing.