Chapter 32 - New Lifes

Astoria's POV

I stood in front of the last remaining monster while holding my sword. I am out of breath, my muscles are sore but it seems this final fight could only be faced by me who has experience dealing with a witch before.

"You've been slaughtering my children without any mercy. It pains me to see them die without having the time to enjoy their life. It's time for you to die, human." I can see a surge of strong mana coming from the witch but there's nothing I haven't faced in this long and tiring war.

"What's your purpose?" I asked as I got myself ready for any sudden attack.

"My purpose? Does any action require purpose? The North seems the perfect place to breed monsters. That's all I care about. And, I was told that the North has no significance. So I was tasked to destroy that land and make it my own." Huh?

"You were tasked?" The witch smiles.

"It's funny really- that your own kind would order a witch like me to destroy you and whatever is left of you. It's a pity to think now, is it?" Someone ordered this witch to do what she's been doing?! My comrade who died in vain without ever seeing their unborn child, my knights who died protecting the borders for the sake of the North- they all died because someone ordered this monster to attack us?!

"Whoever your master is, I will make sure to bring justice to the atrocities you've caused me and my knights. I have lost many of my closest comrades because of you. To avenge their death, I need your head and parade it all the way to the North." The witch laughed.

"You may try, human."

I didn't wait long to launch an attack towards the witch. She remained calm as my sword made contact with her wand. Even though a witch is a long ranged attacker, this particular one seems to be an experienced close combat fighter.

"You must have been surprised by how well I've been caring so far, right? Even a witch could train its body like a knight would." I smiled before grabbing my dagger with another hand and stabbed the witch right in her chest.

"How dare you! What happened to the law where knights should always fight fair?!" I smirk before twisting the dagger even deeper into the witch's chest.

"When did I ever say I will fight fair?" I let go of my sword before grabbing the witch by the neck and slammed her back on the ground. The impact made a fairly large crack on the ground.

"You bitch! You'll regret this!" The witch grabbed a hold on my neck and started chanting. She seems a bit surprised since her spell didn't work on me.

"You- you're not human, are you?" The witch asked.

"I am part human and part fairy. But I guess spending a lot of time in the battlefield made the fairy blood in me dominant against my human part. Any sort of spell will never work on me. But you- you're going to rot and die a painful death." The witch finally realized something as I kept pushing the dagger deeper into her chest.

"What have you done?! That dagger!" I watched as the witch choked on her own blood.

"A good demon friend of mine told me secrets about the witches and their weaknesses. You will experience such excruciating pain that will force you to beg for me to kill you." The witch's eyes turned white as the poison started to make its course into her bloodstream.

Moloch and Augustus came running towards me as they finally managed to take control of their end. This war is ending but-

"Tell me the name of your master." I whispered into the witch's ear.

"Never."

I sighed and pushed the dagger deeper into her chest.

"Your children are all dead! Even if you survive this, your master won't be given a second chance. What's the point of being loyal to such a master?" The witch chuckled.

"Ramona,"

Ramona? Isn't that the name of the empress dowager?! I turned my head to Augustus who was shocked by what he heard as well.

"The empress dowager?!"

The witch chuckled.

"To think I live the day to see a demon allied with the humans- life must have been very dull for me." Moloch made his way to the witch and smiled.

"Good to see you again, Felicity." Moloch placed a hand on my shoulder.

"It's fine, countess. Let me handle the aftermath." I got up from the witch and let Moloch do his thing. Both Augustus and I watched as Moloch placed his hand on the witch's head and summoned a fire spirit to engulf the witch with its flame.

"You will become my faithful servant, Felicity. Your vast knowledge in monster breeding is important for my master." By master-

"How the hell did Adelaide make this demon become her servant?" Augustus' question made me wonder as well. All I did was threaten Moloch but somehow Adelaide managed to turn this demon into her servant.

But what surprised me even more is that not even one of the demons tried to persuade him not to.

"Anyway, with the witch gone, it's safe to say we have won this war. But this is far from over. The one who instigated this monstrosity is still out there. But for now, let us all go back to the North." I agreed with Augustus.

"Let's."

Two months later,

It's been a long journey home. But I could see the silhouette of the Northern Castle from where I am. I couldn't help but to feel excited to come home. Normally I wouldn't be this happy because I know there is a lot of paperwork and things to do after every war but this time it's different.

My mother and Adelaide are waiting for me. That alone was enough to drive this far. I-

"It seems the people have heard of our victory and they are here to greet us, countess."

Hearing the sound of people cheering and welcoming us back made my heart flutter. And it seems under the care of Adelaide, the Northerners seem warmer as well. What sort of sorcery did Adelaide do to my people? And where did they get those warm clothes from?

Our journey to the castle was supposed to be a short trip but with the people cheering us for our victory, it took longer than it should have. At last, when we finally arrived at the castle, the first person I saw was my mother carrying a child with her. And standing next to her is Adelaide also carrying a little child in her hands.

I was confused.

I unmounted my horse and made my way up the stairs to greet my mother and Adelaide. My mother smiled and began bombarded me with questions I decided not to answer. My eyes then landed on the black hair child she's holding which reminded me of myself when I was a child.

Did my mother have an affair when I was away? But then who is the child Adelaide is holding? It looks exactly like her. The child has white hair and golden eyes just like- wait,

"Is this your child with the emperor?" Adelaide was surprised by my question but she laughed in the end.

"Astoria, what happened to saying hello? It's been over a year since we last met and that's your first question upon meeting me? And I miss you too, honey." Adelaide gave me a kiss on the lips.

"And these are your children. Don't you think Astrid looks just like you? And look at Astor here, he has my looks. Did you forget about that one time when you were tricked by Moloch?" Oh- I remembered now.

Wait- how is that even possible? I turned to Moloch who only smiled at me.

"On some occasions, the spell works like a charm." Was that the only explanation you could give me?! What am I supposed to do? I- I—

"You were pregnant when I went to the borders?! Why didn't you tell me in any of your letters?!" I can't believe I let her deal with the pregnancy alone. Wait- how am I supposed to process this?!

"It's best if we let Astoria get herself clean and some rest." My mother intervened.

"Yes- come. Let me explain what happened while you were away." Adelaide and my mother made their way inside leaving me dumbfounded. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry for not telling you. Adelaide told me to keep it a secret. The reason why I went to the borders was to make sure you make it safe to see the twins. What do you think? Astrid and Astor are the children you made with Adelaide. I guess there is some merit in alliance with this demon here." Moloch smiled when we turned to him.

"Let me know if you two wish to have more children. I'll make sure that you two make triplets next time." Moloch laughed while hitting my back.

I- I am speechless.