When the first light of dawn cast its faint white glow across the distant horizon, the stormy passion in the room finally subsided.
Within the pink gauze canopy, Ann's small head rested against Moen's chest, her exposed skin still tinged with a faint blush from the earlier passion.
Moen gently stroked the girl's soft hair, savoring the rare tranquility and tenderness.
“How’s everything at the manor?”
“It’s the same as usual—nothing much has changed. But ever since the master left and the young master went to school, we’ve had far fewer visitors.”
“That’s good. It’s peaceful.”
“Mm.”
Ann responded softly, then, as if recalling something, said,
“I’ve already sent the young master’s grade report to the master and madam. I used the Duke’s exclusive channel, so it should already have arrived. They’ll surely be delighted when they see it.”
“... So quickly?”
Moen was slightly startled. He hadn’t even had the chance to report the good news himself, and the grades had already been relayed to the Duke’s household?
“The grade report was mailed by the academy. At first, I thought someone might be playing a prank, but the academy’s seal is unmistakably real.”
“Is that so...”
“The young master did really well.”
“It’s just average.”
“The young master mustn’t get overly proud; he has to keep working hard.”
“Nonsense! I’ve always been low-key, haven’t I?”
“A person secretly dating two girls at the same time can hardly claim to be low-key.”
“... That was a misunderstanding! Ahem, a misunderstanding!”
Moen laughed awkwardly, sneaking a glance at Ann’s elegant face. Upon noticing that her expression hadn’t changed even when the topic was brought up, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Ann had truly transformed.
The “illness” in her yandere persona had completely been purged. What remained was only the shyness befitting a young girl.
This realization brought Moen a great deal of joy.
If possible, who wouldn’t want an capable and beautiful maid waiting for them at home every day?
“Speaking of which, I wonder how Father and Mother are faring.”
...
...
On the Abyss battlefield at the Empire’s border,
The sky was saturated with blood.
Corpses littered the ground.
Amid the suffocating stench, two colossal armies stretched endlessly, locked in a standoff.
On the human army’s side, the soldiers’ armor was soaked black with blood. Yet under the banners of the Dragon-Slaying Sword and the Shimmering Crown, they stood tall and unyielding.
Hundreds of thousands of men remained silent.
Suddenly, amidst the silence, thunderous laughter erupted.
A man with a beard as wild as a lion’s mane disregarded his subordinates’ protests and leapt from the command tent in the center of the camp.
His piercing gaze swept over the densely packed demon army.
“Old Demon Mount Ma! Step forward and face me!”
The demon army stirred slightly. Then, a towering figure the height of a mountain gradually emerged from the smoke and flames.
“Campbell, are you tired of living?” The voice of Demon Mount Ma reverberated like war drums.
“Ha! So what if you became ‘The Crowned’ decades earlier than me? Strut all you want, you damn relic! Today, I’ll show you that an old turtle is still just a turtle!”
“Wretched fool! Seeking death!”
A ferocious aura surged upward, ripping apart the dark clouds overhead.
Ron Campbell laughed heartily, undeterred. A resplendent crown appeared above his head, while behind him, the crimson figure of a lion materialized.
Taking a forceful step forward, he chose to meet the mighty Mount Ma, renowned for his terrifying physical prowess, with his bare hands.
Boom.
The earth shook, as invisible shockwaves spread out, sweeping across the battlefield like a hurricane.
The clash of these immense forces tore a deep, bottomless fissure into the battlefield’s center.
Amidst the billowing dust and smoke, Mount Ma squinted his eyes, each as large as a millstone.
This strike—he hadn’t managed to gain the upper hand.
What was going on? Ron Campbell had only ascended to the level of “coronation class” over a decade ago, yet he could already challenge a seasoned powerhouse like himself—a veteran of nearly a century?
Something was wrong. His level hadn’t changed since the last encounter, yet Ron Campbell had clearly grown stronger—his aura was significantly different.
Mount Ma’s heart sank. What had fueled this Ron Campbell’s sudden burst of enthusiasm?
Could it be...?
He’d already fallen into Campbell’s trap?
No wonder this guy, who usually hides like a coward, suddenly appeared out of nowhere!
Mount Ma’s senses quickly scanned his surroundings, searching intently.
But... there was nothing.
“Oh, it seems you’re quite curious why I decided to confront you alone,” Ron cracked his knuckles and stretched, clearly exhilarated by the earlier clash. Even the lion behind him radiated a newfound grandeur.
“Well, since you’re so puzzled, I’ll tell you!”
Mount Ma held his breath, intently awaiting the revelation.
“My son scored eighty on his exam!”
Ron roared, his voice like the roar of a lion echoing across the vast battlefield. He seemed determined to shout from the rooftops, ensuring the entire world heard his announcement.
“...”
Mount Ma fell silent.
What did this human just say?
Did he say his son scored eighty on an exam?
Was that... really a reason worth boasting about here?
Or was it that his grasp of human language was insufficient, and the words must carry some deeper meaning?
Perhaps something truly shocking—like revealing that the Leopard Empire’s emperor’s son was secretly a gay or something?
“Haha! Eighty! That’s eighty points! And it was in magic theory, the course our Campbell family traditionally struggles with. Back when I was a student, I didn’t even pass!”
Ron once again leapt furiously, soaring like a meteor to strike at Mount Ma.
“Do you have any idea how thrilled I am?”
“Do you have any idea how delighted I am?”
“Eighty! My son scored eighty!”
“My son scored eighty!”
“My son scored eighty!”
“My son scored eighty!”
Punch after punch, Ron seemed to draw strength from endless reserves, each punch cratering the earth like meteor impacts.
“Enough!”
Barely fending off the wave-like force of Ron’s relentless assault, Mount Ma roared furiously, as though he had finally reached his limit with this torturous repetition.
“I understand your son scored eighty points, but can’t you say something else for God’s sake?”
“Something else?”
Ron paused for a brief moment.
Then, after pondering briefly, he resumed striking and bellowing:
“My son scored excellently!”
“My son scored excellently!”
“Are you mad with envy that my son can score excellently?”
“... Damn you!”
Much like a bull-headed demon tormented into madness by monk Chanting, Mount Ma inwardly swore a harsh vow at that moment.
If he ever encountered Ron’s son, he would tear that boy apart, piece by piece.
And damn your eighty points!
...
...
The Campbell estate.
In the peaceful countryside manor, a graceful woman reclined in a chair, reading the letter sent via the Campbell family’s special expedited channel.
The letter was identical to the one Ron had received.
However, unlike Ron, Moen’s stepmother, Noyce Campbell, wasn’t delighted.
Instead, her still-charming brows furrowed slightly with worry.
“From three points to eighty points, in barely over a month’s time. Little Moen, have you been eating properly during this period?”
“I honestly preferred your carefree, relaxed self from before.”
Through the dense grapevine leaves, Noyce gazed at the clear sky, resting her hand on her belly, where a slight bulge had already begun to appear. She murmured affectionately,
“Did you hear that? When you grow up, don’t become like your brother.
As long as you stay out of trouble with the royal family or the church, the Campbell family can ensure you grow up happy and well.”
