The Player is a Part-Timer

Chapter 7: Damsel in Distress

So insisting and curious, the man couldn't really say "no" to him or his wife without fearing the consequences.

Had he spoiled him too much? His wife often said this to him. He was just too lax with the boy. And just now the man feared, what will be the case if he accidentally begets a second heir? He already feared the day!

"It is that bad...?" asked the boy with red hair, still innocently watching his father, some worry mixing in his face.

"No, not in a peremptory way... but foggy, it will only make your head hurt if you try to interpret it. Even the wisest can't...." shutting the thick book, then placing it on the table, a red rune appeared on its surface right away, sealing the book once more, making the boy's eyes shine with want!

"Woah! Can I read it?" The boy was giddy, too enthusiastic for his own good. But before the crimson devil could say his final judgment, the door opened, revealing a shapely woman.

"Absolutely not!" came the sharp voice of a female from the other side of the room, the judge herself wearing a nightgown with nice cleavage. Her hair brownish flaxen, eyes violet. Like usual, no human could compare to her devilish beauty. Yet, a stern expression visible on her face all along, slightly startling both devils in the room.

"But, mama!"

"Sush! Sirzechs! How many times do I have to say, do not disturb your father in his study!"

"But..."

"No buts!" the woman glared at the young boy, and the little devil looked at his father for help. Indeed, from the two, the mother was always the strict one!

"It is fine..." the head of the house once more brushed the hair of the youngster, making him look up at him.

"I would have finished soon, anyway. Let him stay..."

"So I can read the book?" his eyes shone once more, awaiting the moment.

"Sirzechs!" his mother still glared, but the father raised his hand.

"Maybe, when you are older. Until then, I will show you something more exciting!"

"Really?!"

"Really..." the older devil looked at his wife, who just sighed reluctantly. "Fine... but he needs to be in bed in ten minutes. Not more, no less! Am I clear?"

"Yes, ma'am!" both agreed, like good doggies they were, and the woman sighed, shaking her head disapproving as she left. Sometimes, living with these two was tiring.

"Yippee!" and thus, the young devil followed his father, only glancing back at the dark, leather-bound tome, with writing, even he can't describe.

He will read it one day! Surely! He will recognize why his father's expression was so worried! He will protect them if necessary! He will do his best!

...

This happened more than a hundred years ago, and now, sitting in his own study, the boy, grown into a handsome man, held the same tome his father held back then.

"I see... indeed a confusing part. It makes your head hurt..." he smiled somber, remembering clearly that day, looking out from his window. Now, as he read it, he understood his father's worry.

The tome, just like back then, was heavily worn, many rows unreadable, even with magic, impossible to restore. It was from an age preceded the ages of gods and devils, made by an ancient civilization, melded by them, using magic even the strongest devil can't replicate or break.

The text it contained was foggy and ominous, too ill-omened not to be worried about it. Some of the parts referred to the "Red Princess" made Sirzechs even more concerned.