“Yeah yeah, I will put you guys head on a pike ter, let’s go”

  I walked into the portal created by my so-called sister, bracing for impact and expecting the worse. You never know what might be a trap, it wasn’t at least I don’t think, we were teleported to what seems to be the ruins of what used to be a town, and-

  “Cold!”

  “Oh did we forget to mention it? We’re in Frosthelm, an isnd up north with perpetual winter, the snow never stops”

  “Lovely pce, it looks straight out of hell, more so given the absurd castle in the distance, I’m guessing that’s where we're going?”

  “Correct”

  “Then why teleport here, was it not easier to head straight inside?”

  “The castle is special, no one can use teleportation near the throne, no one but lord Maldi that is”

  Sounds in line with what I heard of him so far. Honestly, if given the opportunity, I too would not allow teleportation near me, it can be dangerous for surprise attacks, which is perfect, if he’s wary of such a thing, then that means he’s not completely immortal! He can bleed~

  “Let us not idle out here any longer, surely a hike of this size is not much for you princess? we can carry you if needed however”

  “Are you mocking me? This much shouldn’t pose a problem!”

  I said, jumping up the mountain towards the castle, the two ‘not covered anymore’ siblings followed behind me, they followed behind me without any issue. If they’re also part of the demon lord's bloodline, I may have underestimated their power a bit, since it all comes from the same source.

  We jumped across the snow, only touching the floor to jump up again, kinda reminding me of a popur ninja show, and while the thought eased my mind for a second, the feeling of uncertainty in my chest was too much to ignore.

  My instincts are all telling me to run away, if I had any body hair, they would be standing on edge, I get goosebumps and a rather primal urge to run away for some reason, but I power through. I don’t like where I’m going however, I can’t put my feelings into words, it’s a weird mix of dread and anger for some reason.

  It took a moment, but after a few minutes of snow pelting my face as we jumped. We finally arrived at the castle, where rows of maids greeted us while bowing their heads down at the elegant entrance and hall.

  “Follow us, we’ll head towards the throne room”

  “Right...”

  I feel my heart pounding in my chest and my hands shaking with each step we take. I simply squeezed my fist to ignore my fears. But the moment I id gaze on the man that cims to be my father, all my optimism was thrown out of the window.

  Never had I felt so hopeless in this dream! just at a gnce, I can tell just how much more he surpasses me just in raw power alone. Forget killing him! If we fight I would die in a matter of seconds! I looked to my sides and both siblings were on the floor, doing reverence to the man sitting at the throne. I however, did not yield to the pressure of doing the same.

  I still have my pride and at the end of the day, my integrity is the only thing I can hope to preserve until the bitter end!

  “Marisa, I am so gd to finally get to meet you in person!”

  “Unfortunately, I can’t say the same”

  “Hope, Aaron, out of my sight, I wish to speak to my daughter alone!”

  ““Right away sir!””

  And without skipping a beat, both of them disappear, they didn’t teleport nor use magic, simply legged it out of the room so fast, it was almost impossible to catch a glimpse of them leaving.

  “What a way to talk to your children”

  “Those two may share my blood, but I do not think of them as family. They are servants, nothing more, nothing less”

  “Is that so, not doing a great first impression are we”

  “Unfortunately. I’m well aware that since the moment you took a step in this room, all the feelings you had of me were those of hate and disdain”

  “Are they now? What gives that away? the fact you’ve been messing with me ever since those two came into scene, or was it my ‘not friendly’ face”

  “Both? We don’t have to be so stiff, take a seat. Can I offer you something to drink, or maybe some sweets baby?”

  He mentioned and after a swing of his hand, an eborate and ornate table appeared out of thin air, the so-called ‘demon lord’ doesn’t strike me as ruthless, I know he’s a monster beyond words and yet, I don’t feel a trace of hostility. In fact quite the opposite, I feel a certain friendliness in his gesture, implying his offer was genuine.

  He’s obviously plotting something, I shouldn’t let my guard down in the slightest.

  “I’m good thanks, I will only take the seat since you clearly wish to speak”

  “Don’t be so wary, I want to make it up for all those years and the inconveniences I’ve caused these past couple of months”

  He mentions while casually sitting down at the table, compared to the ‘regal’ way of carrying himself moments ago. He seems to be acting rather casually, even his slouch while sitting is different than when on the throne.

  “Like I can trust the words that come out of your mouth”

  “Are your skills not simir to mine? I heard you were able to tell when people lie”

  “Can you do that as well?”

  “If you don’t believe me, let me tell you a lie”

  “Shoot then”

  “I will kill you with my own hands~”

  ...It’s a lie, I can tell as much, not only because my senses picked it up as one, but also because doing so would bring no merit, he would’ve done so already if he wished to.

  “I will still reserve my own opinions to myself. On whether what you say is a lie or not”

  “Well I can’t force you, it’s a benefit of having free will after all”

  “Whatever, I doubt you made me come all the way here just to say hi, spit out what you want”

  “I want to talk, at least at first, get to know each other, maybe connect. We are family after all”

  “Didn’t you say your children are simply servants?”

  “Those two are, you are different baby. You’re the only one I would call my daughter while holding my chest with pride!”

  “I know I’m astounding. but pretty words will get you nowhere, especially after the rumours I heard from you”

  “Oh really? What rumors have you heard?”

  “Like you killed all of your pregnant lovers for example”

  “That’s not entirely baseless but it is a btant lie. Although it’s true most of the woman that I have leave pregnant have died, so I guess I can see where the rumor spread”

  “You’re gonna tell me it’s not true?”

  “I didn’t kill them, you kids did. My past lovers could simply not withstand the child and perished, despite my warnings to the would be mothers”

  “If you’re so dangerous, maybe you shouldn’t be going around sleeping with so many woman”

  “Oh you can’t bme me for that, we’re pretty simir in that regard or so I’ve been informed~”

  “Creep”

  What things are you implying while casually serving yourself tea! This just helps me to worry even further, how much does this man know of my personal life to begin with!?

  “Ahem! I offered them to get rid of the child but they themselves decided to carry out the term, I simply could not go against their wishes. And I must admit, even I had a certain hope in my heart every time it happened...”

  I really don’t understand him, but that’s neither here nor there, I don’t think I’m gonna get anything from continuing on this topic.

  “You can say I’ve been ‘demonized’ over the years~”

  “Ugh...”

  The man mentioned with a dumb smile that I can’t tell if it’s real or not, either way it’s gonna make me cringe myself into leaving.

  “Hey, I heard doing terrible puns was a father’s job, I guess you don’t like them?”

  “I can do without them thanks”

  “I see, anyways enough about me, what about you Marisa, what do YOU wish for?”

  “Me? Mind your own business”

  “Don’t be like that, I want to get to know you better, maybe spend some time together, what do you say?”

  “No thanks, the least we interact the better”

  “Hmm, I heard you like ruling, and have pns of conquering the world, no? How about we do so together, or I could do so for you even, would you not like that?”

  “Yeah right, nothing is free in this world. As if you’ll go that far and just hand it over like it’s nothing”

  “I would, what’s wrong with getting my daughter the doll house she wishes for?”

  ...this guy gets on my nerves so badly, but at least I’m picking bits of info from his personality.

  “Then how about romance? I heard you have quite a few love interests, I could get you a harem so big, you could easily swap girls every day without worry! Although, thinking it through. Maybe you’re not in it so much for the physical skinship”

  “Let’s leave it at this, there’s nothing that I want that you’d be willing to give me, simple as that”

  “Sigh... that’s unfortunate”

  Maldi got up from the chair and walked across the carpet to sit back on the throne. He looked genuinely defeated and dejected. I need him to talk about himself, if he focuses on me I can’t draw much info, or at least not much that would be useful.

  “Look, Marisa baby, I’m sorry. Genuinely sorry for the past couple of incidents, but I realize that pleasantries will not get us anywhere. So I will stop them and talk like acquaintances, would that be better?”

  “Oh you can act however you want, does it bother you that I’m so cold?”

  “...So that’s how it is”

  Maldi simply smiled for some reason, averting his gaze and staring at nothingness, he was starting to open up which was perfect for me, now what!?

  “You know, I must admit that I was always intrigued by your actions, in a way, it felt like you were just like Hestia and yet, I can’t deny that both you and I are so simir, it’s like looking at a mirror”

  “What are you trying to imply?”

  “Nothing baby, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, is all. Honestly it’s a bit endearing if anything!”

  “I’m nothing like you, of that I’m certain”

  “How can you tell? you don’t really know me”

  “That is true I don’t, why don’t you tell me more about yourself then?”

  “I’m a huge softie, would that not be enough for you? Actually, let me get straight to the point”

  Tch! He was just about to talk about himself, I don’t believe he gives a shit about me as a person, and pying along would not be very believable, which is why I didn’t bother. If he can tell when I lie, then pying dumb would not have worked.

  “Marisa, I need you for something, and while I would love for us both to connect, I feel like a business partner is a good compromise for us two at the moment no?”

  “I knew you needed something from me. I don’t entirely dislike the approach. We’re demons, let us negotiate as is our instincts”

  “What? Anyways, I need a certain ring, something that only you can get in the whole world”

  “A ring? Do you mean this?”

  I said taking the ring Celestial gave me from my pocket and showing it to him, if this much is the thing he wants, then I will apologize to Celestial ter, it's a good price for peace all things considered.

  “Wow, I did not expect Celestial to give you that ring, unfortunately no, those are the replicas made by your mother, the twelve rings are something completely different”

  “Is that so, I think Celestial mentioned a 13th ring once, but I didn’t pay much attention to be honest”

  “Are you in the mood for a history lesson? Or would you rather have the abridged version?”

  Ugh, The idea of hearing him ramble for longer is annoying, but I came here for information and well, better than nothing, if I can at least get his motives, it’s a good start!

  “Hit me with the full version, I have the time”

  “Alright, have you heard of the relics of the past?”

  “Never”

  “It’s very simple, a long time ago there existed a race of people so advanced, they created 7 devices capable of altering reality itself. No one knows what was of the ancient race, some said they went extinct, others simply mention that their bloodline lives in the different races of the world, the devices were ter called ‘relics’ by historians. If legends are to be believed, these devices were inexhaustible mana sources. infinite mana means infinite possibilities, simple right?”

  “Oh great, and let me guess, you’re trying to collect them all”

  “That would be impossible. The relics are a mystery, no one knows who created them, but it is known who destroyed them, a mage of old called Elise. You might know her, she was your ancestor after all”

  “Never heard of her, so the relics doesn’t exist then”

  “From the original seven only one remains, and that is the ring that was once in Hestia’s possession, and I need to get my hands on it”

  So he’s after a mcguffin of all things, seriously?

  “Hmm... What do you pn to do with the ring once you have it? And also, why is it still around when they were all meant to be destroyed?”

  “I have a hunch that it’s not that they didn’t want to destroy it, they simply couldn’t. As for what I want to do with it, that’s a much more difficult question to answer. I guess the first step is to make it work, no one has been able to actually use it in recorded history, no one but the aforementioned mage”

  “And you’re sure that it’s gonna be different for you, cssic. You still didn’t tell me what you pn to do with it, honestly getting you such a thing sounds like the worst idea imaginable”

  “I... there is something I need to do no matter what, let’s just say it’s a surprise, I will look for you again if I succeed if you want”

  Haa! I stretch in my chair before slouching on it. The man already conquered the world once, and he doesn’t seem too interested in doing so again. Honestly I’m imagining that he’s pnning on something cartoonishly evil, but for now I’ll just py along.

  “And if you’re so powerful and mighty, why don’t you get the ring yourself”

  “I would if I could. I know where it is, even if it took milenia to find where Hestia hid it. and it was pced on a seal only the elven royal family can dispel, that is where you come in baby”

  “I see, and why not just break the seal mr. ‘I can do all’”

  “I’m not omnipotent, there are things even I can’t achieve unfortunately, at least right now. But you will not walk away empty handed, if it’s within my possibilities, I will make any wish you have come true”

  “Oh really, if I get you the ring, will you kill yourself?”

  “If only I could, as there is but one way for me to die. And that is something that is not possible in this world, not anymore...”

  “Want to try?”

  “We could, a fight would be pointless for us both, just as I can’t die, there is no way for you to perish either. Violence will only hurt each other for the pleasure of it”

  “Are you telling me I can’t die?”

  “I had my doubts, but I realized it when you entered. You’re just like me, and that means that even if you were turned to dust, your body would simply regenerate eventually”

  Well he doesn’t seem to be lying at all, but I can’t trust him, nor do I pn to test his theories at the moment.

  “So you can’t die or be killed”

  “Not that I’m aware of. At least in a way you could achieve anyways, sorry but even if you could, I’m not ready to give my life away. Not yet at least, something else in your mind?”

  “Hmm, I feel like we won’t get anywhere, I just can’t fork over something that sounds clearly dangerous to an already dangerous person”

  “Sigh... I understand you don’t trust me, please save me the hassle of having to retort to threats. Would it not be better if we both profited?”

  “Was this whole interaction not instigated by threats to begin with?”

  “Would you have come if I simply showed up and asked?”

  “...fair enough”

  Well it’s true, I simply would not have showed up, but if he didn’t wish for hostilities, then what were all the interventions with the siblings?

  “I promise to fulfil my end of the bargain, so let’s negotiate proper”

  “Fine, if you want my help that badly, start with your intentions, why do you need that ring?”

  “Sigh... I need it to overcome the only hurdle that has been impossible my whole life, I will not go into more detail but what I can do is promise you that it doesn’t affect you negatively in the slightest”

  “Hmm, actually that’s a good start, if I get you the ring, I want you to never interfere with me or those I hold dear, would that be a good start?”

  “Well I can’t promise that entirely, but if the pn of the ring works, you will never hear of me ever again, unless you seek me out yourself that is”

  “Ok, that sounds like a first agreement, and since we’re on it, give me back the pendants you stole from Celestial”

  “Of course, I wouldn’t hand them to anyone in the world but you, take them”

  At his words, he swung his hand again and they appeared from thin air right in front of me, floating gently above the ornate table. I take them and sure enough, there’s no strings attached that I can find, they’re the real deal.

  “They’re important to me as well, they’re proof when your mother and I exchanged wedding vows, if someone deserves to keep them for prosperity sake’s, it’s our daughter~”

  “I don’t consider you my father, so don’t say that”

  “As you wish, anything more?”

  What else? I cross my arms and start thinking. He’s really adamant on giving me stuff it seems, riches and women, those are things I can get by myself, plus I don’t think he would get them in a non violent manner and that simply won’t do. I guess if there’s one reason that I’m unable to steamroll this situation as I have many others, it would be that.

  “Power, enough power to guarantee that in the worst case scenario, I could kill you with ease”

  “That would be difficult since I can’t die, but if you wish to be as strong and even stronger than me, it’s definitely possible. You have something I ck, and that is the ability to adapt at rather accelerated speeds, something you inherited from your mother I’m sure”

  “Then?”

  “Sure, but it will take time, things like experience and maturity can’t be taught. But if you wish to be stronger, I can train you for a while. and if you’re really adamant, I’m sure in a couple of years you can be as strong as I am”

  “Years!? I don’t have that kind of time! Give me the abridged training”

  “Hmm, I will see what I can do, maybe I can write down all that I know and impart it to you? you’re smart, I’m sure you’ll figure things out at your own pace”

  I don’t want to spend years here, but how can I make sure he’s not just gonna write complete bogus and swindle me, I rack my brains but it’s clear that it’s a losing battle, I need a failsafe in case things turn for the worse again.

  “I still need a sort of guarantee, promises are mere words”

  “True, there’s no guarantee in this world however, how can I trust that you’ll hand me the ring once in your possession? A trade is based on trust. Trust that the parties will uphold their promise”

  “Well, it’s still not enough, what can you offer me to ease my worries? Or you won’t earn my trust”

  “I can offer many things, but I doubt anything will make you cease your paranoia. There’s no hurry, I waited millenia, a couple of days or years mean nothing, why don’t we leave it here for today, think it with the pillow”

  Maldi then simply cpped and a couple of maids entered the room, holding what seems to be a crown and clothing.

  “It’s freezing, feel free to change into more proper attire, oh! And the maids and everyone in the castle with the exception of Hope and Aaron will follow every order you give them without hesitation, so feel free to ask”

  “Your sves or something?”

  “They’re homunculus, artificial lives created by me and don’t have much brain power or goals. if it eases your mind they do have free will, but ck a lot of feelings that would make them really alive”

  I get up and look at the two maids straight into their eyes.

  “You two are ok with him talking about you like that?”

  “Yes”

  “Is it wrong?”

  ...not a lie, again thanks to my senses, heck I can’t even see the gleam of life in their eyes, it seems that once again, the creepy old man was telling the truth.

  “So they’re just your puppets”

  “In a sense”

  Hmm, well, at least it takes away some of the pity I felt towards them but the longer I think about it, the weirder it gets, so I’m not even gonna question it anymore, I took the attire and it seems to be a dark red dress, quite elegant and fancy, no way I’m gonna wear something that he gives me though.

  I looked inside of my backpack for clothes, and using teleportation spells, I pced it under my current dress, and stored the one I was wearing back into the backpack, this could be like a quick change spell, it was quite cool looking if I say so myself, maybe I should patent it as a spell. Anyways, it’s true that it’s cold, so I picked my favorite, the dress that is on fire.

  “Wow, is that a dress made by Gruel? I love his clothing, so durable and functional that even to this day I conserve some of his work, shame he passed away so long ago”

  “I have no clue what you’re talking about”

  “He was the royal tailor of your family, I guess that’s a line of work that went extinct probably, cherish the dress, it’s one of a kind”

  “I guess if you pn on giving me time to think things, I’ll take it, but I won’t be here for long”

  “That is fine, rest, tomorrow I will help you train to be stronger, and I’ll start writing those encyclopedias for you”

  “You’re really adamant huh?”

  “I am serious about our retionship, whether family or business, I think it’s a good idea that we get along”

  I gave a wry ugh and an exhale.

  “I seriously doubt it”

  And so I headed outside, and immediately in the hall outside the throne room I fell to my knees panting.

  Sweet lord, he does not py around, it’s not like Celestial that’s constantly restraining her power and presence, he’s just balls out in the open, the pressure was starting to get to me, another reason why I took the chance to leave.

  The maids look concerned, but I simply gave myself a couple of sps on my cheeks, yes the one on my face, and got up, this might be more difficult than I thought, for now the 2 maids took me to a room that had a very fancy carpet, an absurdly rge bed with canopy, and furniture that looked like they were carved by literal wood masters.

  Not only that, inside lined up were a dozen or so other maids, I call them maids because they have the thing on their head, but in terms of uniform, it’s erotic lingerie, leaving nothing to the imagination I can see everything from them.

  “Midy they will take care of everything for you, from mundane things like cleaning, to bathing, clothing, feeding you and even sex if midy wishes for it, just give the word and we’re happy to comply!”

  “Right...”

  This is gonna be a headache huh?

  Joanne_carper