"Actually, you could have used your full strength."
Atofe stood and sheathed her blood-red greatsword at her waist.
"No need. Even if I had gone all out, the result wouldn't have changed."
"My transformation can only boost my Battle Aura and strength. There's still an overwhelming gap in speed. I lost, and that's that. I'm not like that cowardly grandson of mine, who only knows how to run away."
"Is that so? You really do have the makings of a Demon King. Thank you for your hospitality today, Grandma. I hope you won't take what happened this morning to heart."
Cain smiled faintly and set a jug of fine wine on the stone table as an apology. Then he waved, turned, and headed toward the group waiting below.
"Grandma?"
Atofe froze. She blinked and stared blankly at the black-haired boy's retreating back.
Muya hurried over and bent close to whisper a few words in Atofe's ear.
"Raibak! No wonder I sensed something familiar about him! We're blood relatives! What is that idiot Alex doing? Why has he never told me something this important?"
Atofe muttered a few complaints, then picked up the elegant wine jug and held it to her nose. Her eyes lit up.
"This is... the wine those people brought when Kalman and I got married?!"
Atofe's mouth watered. She tipped her head back and took several great gulps. For some reason, her eyes grew wet. She cupped her cheeks, utterly entranced.
"That rich flavor... Delicious! It tastes exactly the same!"
Outside the gates of the Demon King's Castle.
"Lord Cain, are you sure you won't stay the night? Lady Atofe would be delighted."
"No, no. I have something extremely important to attend to. This visit was enough. Thank you for telling me about my family, Muya."