Guided by Riorel, the interior of the mansion we entered looked exactly like an aristocratic estate out of a painting.
With marble floors and various ornaments, everything looked luxurious.
Did they say this was one of the wealthiest families in Devil society?
It certainly looked the part.
From the portraits of the Phenex clan heads hanging on the walls to the chandelier suspended above—selling just one of those items would probably be enough to buy a whole house.
"Dear, who are these people...?"
At the end of the hallway, a woman exuding elegant grace appeared.
She had the same blond hair as Riorel and a gentle impression.
She seemed to be the mistress of the House of Phenex.
Her gaze swept over me, Sera and Hwaryeong standing behind me, and even Ophis, wavering for a moment, but she soon regained her composure.
"They are my guests."
"Pleased to meet you. I am the mistress of the House of Phenex, Seren Phenex."
"Uh... nice to meet you?"
Should I use polite language?
No, I must have lived for tens of thousands of years, so aren't I older?
It's a hassle, so I decided to just speak casually.
It was then.
Pitter-patter-patter!
Loud, small footsteps approached from the other side of the hallway, and soon a small girl with golden hair tied in twin drills appeared and clung to Riorel's leg.
"Father! Mother!"
"Ravel...! Didn't I tell you not to run in the hallways?"
Seren's previously gentle voice sharpened in an instant.
"Ah! S-Sorry..."
"To behave like this when we even have guests."
"Ugh... I'm soorrry..."
Ravel Phenex...
That child is one of the original heroines, Riser Phenex's younger sister.
She looks about eight years old at most.
Hmm... Considering Ravel was in middle school in the original story, that means there are about six years left.
More time remaining than I thought.
Ravel, listening to her mother's scolding with tears welling up in her eyes, only then noticed us.
"Father, who are they?"
"Hmm... How should I explain this..."
Seeing Riorel's troubled expression, I stepped forward.
She'll find out eventually anyway; beating around the bush isn't my style.
"Why? Just explain it as it is."
I approached Ravel and crouched to her eye level.
"Hello, kid. I'm the monster who nearly brought your Devil race to ruin."
"...Eh? Ehhhhh?!?!"
At my words, the air in the mansion froze instantly.
Riorel and Seren's faces turned pale white.
What a delicious reaction.
"You'll scare the child talking like that!"
"Why? It's the truth."
"T-Then are you... the Chaos Dragon recorded in the history books...?"
Ravel was surprised, but she didn't burst into tears or run away as I expected.
Instead, she looked up at me with complex eyes, a mixture of fear and awe.
"Probably."
"Whoaaa..."
What's this? Why is she looking at me with such sparkling eyes?
Isn't it normal to be scared?
"Then by any chance! Would you become my servant?!"
"R-Ravel! What rudeness is this!"
Seren stopped her daughter in a panic, but Ravel's gaze was fixed solely on me.
"No, it's fine."
I said, patting Ravel's head.
"You're bold. Didn't you think I might hurt you?"
"You are Father's guest! And if you intended to kill me, you would have done it long before talking like this!"
"Hahahaha! I like it."
I laughed genuinely.
Instead of trembling in fear or showing hatred, she tries to make this power her own.
That's no ordinary gut.
"Good. If you become stronger than me and gain the capacity to make me your servant, then I might consider it."
"R-Really?!"
"Yeah."
Though it will probably be absolutely impossible.
"Wanting strong servants is a good mindset. That greed is what makes oneself stronger."
That's why I created Sera and Hwaryeong, after all.
"If you like, shall I train you? So you can acquire that 'capacity' you want."
"Y-Yes! I definitely want to!"
Ravel answered without hesitation.
I turned back to her parents.
The two still looked unable to recover from the shock.
"...Is that alright?"
Riorel asked cautiously.
"It's fine. Don't worry, I won't let the kid get hurt. She seems to have talent; if raised well, she might be worth a Satan-Class, no? I have to pay for my keep."
"...If you say so. I entrust her to you."
Riorel bowed his head.
And just like that, I randomly became the teacher of the Phenex family's youngest daughter.
At least I won't be bored until the original story begins.
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