My Dad, the Demon King, Is a Big Problem

Chapter 28

Knock knock.

Meteor lightly rapped on Crescent’s door.

But if she hadn’t woken up yet, wouldn’t his knock go unanswered?

After a moment of hesitation, he tried turning the doorknob. However, the door wouldn’t budge—it seemed to be locked from the inside.

As he jiggled the handle a few more times, a voice called out from within.

"Who is it?"

"!"

It was Crescent’s voice, clear as day.

Had she finally come to her senses?

But Crescent had run forty-two laps around the training ground yesterday. How she had managed that was a question for later. For now, Meteor was concerned about her condition—she must have barely woken up, and she couldn’t possibly be in good shape after such exertion.

She likely hadn’t even been able to eat.

If she went back to the mansion without recovering properly, his mother would be distraught. And knowing her, she would surely hold him responsible for not taking better care of the child she cherished like a little sister.

Just imagining the reprimand gave Meteor a headache. He sighed and responded.

"It’s me. Meteor."

"Meteor?"

The sound of Crescent’s voice was followed by the creak of the door slowly opening.

Should I take her to the infirmary right away? Or maybe even to one of the top-tier hospitals outside the Holy Palace?

Could she even walk at all?

After running forty-two laps, there was no way she could move properly. Meteor’s thoughts shifted to whether there was a place in the Holy Palace where he could borrow a wheelchair.

And then he saw her.

"What brings you here? I was just about to head out."

"...?"

Meteor blinked.

Crescent stood there in her training uniform, her hair tied up neatly. Her complexion looked completely normal.

He glanced past her into the room. The bed was perfectly made, and the air was fresh, as if she had recently ventilated the space.

Everything seemed completely fine.

Meteor felt a bit disoriented.

"Are you... alright? I heard you collapsed yesterday and hadn’t woken up until now."

"Huh? Who said that? Did someone come by to check on me?"

Crescent tilted her head, confused, before something seemed to click.

"Oh, I did sleep in today. I even skipped breakfast. Guess I was tired after the first training session."

"First training session aside... is it true that you ran forty-two laps around the training ground yesterday?"

"Oh, that?"

Oh, that?

Could Lucas have gotten it wrong?

It didn’t seem like it, but Crescent’s nonchalant response made Meteor doubt himself. After all, for him, running forty-two laps was nothing short of a hellish ordeal.

But "Oh, that?" — her tone was far too casual.

These were fellow trainee knights, but they seemed to view me as some sort of saint.

Most of the children blessed with divine power were from noble families, and if their parents knew they were trailing after me, they’d likely throw a fit.

“Lady Crescent, you’re amazing as always! Let us join you and help with your training!”

“No, I prefer training alone.”

“Then how about we just stand by and watch over you?”

“...What?”

I turned to look at the trainee knights, baffled by their unnecessary suggestion. Their eyes sparkled with admiration, as if they were looking at their idol.

Shaking my head, I descended the stairs. That’s when I noticed someone at the bottom of the staircase, looking up at me.

It was Adrian, a knight two years older than me.

He had neatly groomed black hair and striking features, standing there with one hand behind his back.

Adrian was a Sapphire-ranked Holy Knight, the second-highest rank of divine power, and was reportedly quite popular even outside the Holy Palace.

As he brought his hand forward, a lush bouquet of flowers came into view.

“!”

The sight made me take a small step back in disbelief.

“Hey, Crescent Dallas,” Adrian called out.

“Yes?”

“Take this. It’ll look nice in your room.”

“I don’t like flowers,” I replied bluntly.

“Really? Then what should I bring next time...?”

Panicking at the thought of a "next time," I quickly shouted, “You don’t have to bring anything!”

“No, I can’t do that. Not for someone I want to marry.”

“...?”

Wait. What? Marriage?

“Crescent, as you know, Holy Knight families must have many children. The more people with divine power, the stronger the force to protect the world. If you, the first female Holy Knight in 150 years, and I, a Sapphire-ranked knight, get married, our children would be unstoppable.”

“Oh, for the love of—”

I clutched my head in exasperation, muttering under my breath.

I couldn’t take it anymore!

Putting on my most stern expression, I addressed him in the firmest tone I could muster.

“I didn’t come here to find a fiancé; I came here to train. If you all keep this up, you’re just getting in the way.”

“Crescent...!”

“But,” I added, “you’re always welcome to challenge me to a duel instead of giving me flowers. If you keep pestering me like this, though, I won’t even consider sparring with you!”

“Oh, I see,” Adrian said, flustered, as he tucked the bouquet behind his back. The other trainee knights, now silent, nodded sheepishly.

Without sparing them another glance, I spun on my heel and headed down the stairs.

While I briefly wondered if I’d been too harsh—they were only trying to be nice—I quickly dismissed the thought. I really didn’t want to be distracted from my training.

"Hiya! Hyaa!"

That day, I threw myself into swordsmanship training, raising my levels significantly. With none other than Sylvester, the former pope, offering advice on my form, there couldn’t have been a better teacher.

The first group training retreat was only days away, and I was too excited to feel tired.