Chapfer 38 - Parenting

Astoria's POV

I watched as Sarah, Adelaide's maid pouring herself a glass of drink before taking it all with one gulp.

"That's a strong alcohol." Sarah gave me a look.

"With the mission you gave me, this is not enough." I took a seat on the chair while watching Sarah getting herself settled.

"I did what you told me to do. I pretended to be a noblewoman and infiltrated the neighbouring kingdom's high society and spread rumours about the fall of Tempest. What's next?" I smiled.

"Let me ask you a question, Sarah. What makes an empire great?" Sarah shrugged.

"It's allies. So I want you to enter Grodic Kingdom high society, be invited into one of its annual royal ball and show them how frightening the empire we are building right now. Can you do that?" Sarah nodded.

"Yes but why Grodic? That kingdom doesn't have anything  worth fighting for. Even if they get to be part of our alliance, what can they bring into the table? They are the poorest kingdom among the rest." I leaned back to my seat and smiled.

"They may be the poorest but they have the strongest military power compare to us combined. The North may be the expert when it comes dealing with monsters, but the Grodic knights are masters in strategic warfare. Our new empire needs them. I'm sure Adelaide with understand the reason why I'm going behind her back." Sarah seems speechless as she looks at me.

"So this is what you've been doing behind my back?" My eyes widen when I heard Adelaide's voice.

There is a reason why I kept this hidden from Adelaide- and that's because she is a menace to everyone.

"I can explain." Adelaide smiled before she takes a seat.

"No need to explain. I can see where this is going. Besides, I trust Sarah's judgments. She wouldn't agree if she didn't see any benefits to it. But I do appreciate it if you would tell me these sort of things in the future. Okay?" I nodded.

Somehow I felt rather uncomfortable as Adelaide place her hand on my shoulder. Is she angry? But her expression doesn't show any sort of emotions. It's too nonchalant for me to understand.

"Now, I heard something about Grodic Kingdom. Are you aiming for its military power?" I nodded. Adelaide hummed before she takes a seat.

"The location where Grodic Kingdom is quite strategic for trade. If we could control Grodic, we could gain access into its mountain range and used them as trade route. The reason why that kingdom is the poorest is because they decided not to make used of their geographical benefits." Huh?

"Milady, don't tell me you've been eyeing Grodic Kingdom as well." Adelaide smiled.

"Yes. I've never consider its military power so thank you for reminded me. We are building a new nation from ashes of the past. We need strong reason for others to come and explore our new empire. Not everyone are eager for a change. The nobles of other nations are probably laughing at us for being so bold." I see.

It's been five years since the fall of Tempest. Adelaide has been doing her best while I support her in terms of dealing with the remaining enemies. The burden this woman carried are vast. But never once I saw her fade.

"Oh- I was looking for you for another reason. The twins are looking for you. They probably at the training field with Moloch." Huh? The twins? I got up from my seat and excuse myself.

"Astoria- just be careful." Why would Adelaide warn me to be careful? I nodded with a smile and leave the two alone to see the twins. As I made my way towards the training field, I could sense such a strong demonic aura coming from the field.

This isn't moloch's power- so who does it belong to?

"Ah, the greatest monster hunter is here." Huh? Who is this person? I turned to Moloch who shrugged his shoulder.

"Where are the twins?" I asked.

"Over there. We are performing summoning magic but instead of low levels monster, the young master and mistress summoned a high level demon instead. Right now I am trying to speak sense into her dull mind." I see. The twins seems fine.

"Mama- are you able to fight this demon off?" Huh?

"I don't know."

"We would like to see you fight this demon, mama." Huh?! Why would I-

I jumped back as the demon suddenly attacked me.

"I do not recommend that kind of approach, new born. The countess is a skilled close combat attacker. And even if you tried using your sub par magic, the countess would easily absorb them with her fairy blood. Children, watch carefully as you're about to see a fight that would leave you breathless." Moloch said and explained to the twins what is happening. It's a good thing the twins are taking notes but why am I the scapegoat here?

"Can we absorb magic as well?" Astor asked his teacher.

"Unfortunately, no. But your fairy power is rare and that is to see the future. For Astrid, you could heal any sort of death threatening wound which is a good thing too. The countess could regenerate from her injury but she couldn't heal them properly. But- regeneration power is something only exist in myth. Yet again the countess possessed such a rare power too. Even if you tried to cut off the countess head, she would generate a new one instantly." Moloch- I don't think you should say that to the kids though.

"Would we be able to see that?" Sometimes I think the twins wants me dead. Moloch hummed.

"I don't think that new born demon can do that. Even though she is a high level demon, she is still a child compared to the countess." The blows this demon gave me are getting harder and tougher to parray.

"Are you trying to kill me? Because if you do, you're not doing a good job." The demon suddenly stop attacking me and just smile.

"Moloch, you won the bet." Huh? What bet? Moloch laughed as he clapped his hands.

"I told you. You wouldn't be able to fight this human. She is stronger than any average human. And you can't even used your hypnosis to trick her. She has a Will of a iron fortress. It's impossible for any demon to make use of her." Just what are the demons talking about.

I turned to the twins and give them a glare.

"Astor, Astrid- explain."

A few days later,

Adelaide had been staring at the twins for a quite some time now. The twins kept their head low and remain silent.

"What you did was really dangerous. Summoning a demon at your age- your teacher has explained to me and he tried to cover your action up but I know very well he wouldn't teach you such a dangerous act. You two been wandering into the forbidden library again, right?" The twins remained silent.

"Speak the truth now!" Adelaide raised her voice.

"We did." The twins said simultaneously.

Forbidden library?

"Forbidden library is where my parents kept their treasures. And those treasures are cursed object. Among them are forbidden books in which could be used to summoned unforeseen things such as demons." Adelaide explained.

"And it seems these two used their powers to summoned a demon without their teacher's supervision." I see.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Adelaide asked me. I shake my head no.

"It's been done. So I don't see why we should be mad at them." Adelaide's mouth ajar open.

"Astoria, come with me for a minutes. And you two, stay here." I followed Adelaide to the next room.

"You should have supported me." Huh?

"I do. What do you mean?" I stopped immediately when Adelaide suddenly turned around to face me. I was this close to collided with her.

"The twins did something dangerous. We as parents should have punish them so they wouldn't do it again in the future without any supervision. You should have yell at them for endangering themselves and everyone close to them!" Oh- I should huh.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." Adelaide hummed.

"It's fine. Just follow my lead. And Astoria, if you keep letting the children do as they please, they will someday grow into a person like Victor. Do you want to have a child like that bastard?" I shake my head no.

"Exactly. Now come with me." I feel like I'm walking into a large pit of fire whenever I'm with Adelaide. The aura she exude as she walks into the room made eveyone choke on their own saliva.

The twins however- they don't seem feel any remorse at all.

"Astoria, what should we do to these naughty children?" Huh? Me?!

"Huh? Well—- give me your hands." The twins did as told as I reached out for a cane.

"Your grandmother used to do this to me whenever I did something awful and dangerous." the servants look away while Adelaide just stare at us.

"It's going to be painful but you two deserve them for breaking the rules and almost kill me." I have each hands five hits with the cane before putting it away. Adelaide seems satisfy and the children are about to cry.

"I hope you two learnt your lesson well." The twins were being led by the servants out from the room. As I turns to face Adelaide, she seems avoiding eye contact.

"Did I do something wrong?" Adelaide shake her head no.

"You look rather sexy when you were holding that cane. Body body feels hot." Huh?