293. Father and Daughter
When I opened my eyes, I stood in a vast void. My feet softly touched the fractal base of the stellated dodecahedron of space that shielded from the encroaching emptiness of the fold between planes. Objects floated in the darkness, frozen in space, unchanged from the state theyd been in before they were ripped into this place.
A giant golden disk hovered above , an accretion of matter that sent waves of scintillating light to illumine the empty room. I glanced over at the other figure who was with .
My Dad had teleported us back into his ho after the Matriarch Centinel of the Bloodied Gulf challenged us. I couldnt even see its Subspecies or its level, but judging by how even Sal reacted to it, it had to be far stronger than even an [Ancient Centinel].
Level 200 or more.
I glanced over at the Devil as he let out a chuckle.
That was scary, wasnt it? Good thing I got us out of there, otherwise things wouldnt have been pretty.
What was that?
Hm?
He gave a blank look, and I crossed my arms.
That thing what was that? My [A Hunters Sense] blared in my head. I wouldve died in an instant if I fought it.
Ah.
My Dad shrugged as the space around flickered, changing shape into a cuboid.
Shes the [Progenitor of Secelys Centinels]. I t her once, a long ti ago, back when her Species was driven out of the Endlands. She was quite cute when she was young. Now shes a bit of a bitch though, if Im being honest.
And it has just been hiding underground all that ti?!
I gaped at him.
And you sent to the Bloodied Gulf knowing that it could co out at any ti and kill with the flick of its wrist?
I an, you had the Breastplate of Alexander.
He waved a hand off dismissively as he leapt onto a couch that appeared out of nowhere.
And the Matriarch Centinel doesnt really co out unless one of her children dies, which I honestly didnt expect to happen. I fully thought you were going to be killed by that Corrupted Centinel, mind you.
My lips curled into a frown as I glared at the Devil.
So youre saying that you were just going to watch die to that Corrupted Centinel?
Of course.
He cocked his head, but I continued.
Your only daughter you werent going to step in and help her if she died in front of your eyes?
Uh
My Dad hesitated, and I thrusted a clawed finger at his face.
Youre a bad dad.
What? I an, co one, Salvos youre just kidding about being mad, right? Youve never even had a parent before, so you cant possibly say whats a good or a bad dad!
Well, I have one now.
I gave him a sidelong glance as I turned away from him.
And I can say hes pretty bad at being one.
The Devil deflated. His shoulders went slack. I harrumphed and walked away as he tried to weakly protest.
I stepped in to save your life from the Matriarch Centinel, didnt I? That should count for sothing, right?
Nope! I wouldve been long gone if you didnt show up and start chatting with . That was your fault too.
I didnt face him, even as he tried circling around . My Dad waved his arms exasperatedly, but I ignored his argunts. Until, finally, he sighed.
Is there anything I can do to make it up to you, my daughter? Please. Your old man is very sorry for what he did. Hes a bit old and senile, you know?
I quirked a brow.
Hmm, well
There were a lot of things I could ask for from the Devil he was a very high-leveled individual who lived for tens of thousands of years. My eyes lit up as I raised a hand.
Could you kill Belzu for ?
Sal blinked. Then he scoffed.
Of course not! Why would I do that?
Aw, co one, please?
I stared at him with round eyes, but he wouldnt budge.
No ans no, Salvos. First of all, I like Belzu. Hes not my son, but honestly I consider him to be a nephew. Maybe a distant cousins son. And Im not going to kill him just because you ask to.
But I hate him!
So, go and kill him yourself.
The Devil wagged a finger at .
If you really dislike soone, you should take it upon yourself to kill them. You cant just, I dont know, rely on others to kill them for you. It makes you lazy. And youre not an Archdemon of Sloth, are you?
I scowled, averting my gaze.
no.
Exactly. Youre an Archdemon of Pride. Now puff up your chest and kill your dads distant cousins son with your own two hands.
Ugh, fine.
I kicked the ground as the room changed once again. It was now the shape of a diamond. I stood there for a mont, grumbling as my Dad watched awkwardly from the side. He scratched the back of his head, and my eyes darted up.
But, Dad, since youre not going to help kill Belzu, can you at least do sothing else for ?
If its reasonable
I leapt at the opportunity and spun to face him.
Can you bring to the Netherworld?
His eyes narrowed, although he didnt reply just yet. I continued, trying to explain my intentions.
Ive just been working to get back for the longest ti but I still cant even with [Long Range Teleportation], and since you can travel between the planes without a problem, I was thinking, why dont you just bring there for ?
I clapped my hands together, excited at just the thought.
Ive been led around and around and around the Mortal Realm for years, barely making any progress. Each lead I find is always a dead end. Even now with my Class, I still dont have a definite way back to the Netherworld. Can you help with this, please?
Although, my Class advancent was soon. I was quite excited to hit that.
For whatever reason, my Dad didnt seem amused by my request. He made no quip, nor did he laugh at my request like I expected him to. Instead, he prodded further.
Id do this for you, my dearest daughter, but I only have one question: why do you want to return to the Netherworld?
This ti, I was the one to cock my head.
What do you an why would I want to return?
Well, the Mortal Realm is a lot safer than the Netherworld. With your currently [Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion], you can passively transform to any Species without a problem. Its not like you have much of a reason to worry about there.
He pointed at my left arm which was still injured from the battle with the Corrupted Centinel. My flesh was torn, flaked off due to the damage I had taken when the single arm had been transford into a pair of clawed hands. It wouldve been nice if my body could regenerate whenever I transford between forms, but there was always residual injuries.
I shuffled to the left, covering my injured arm.
Its still dangerous for . Im a Demon, and most Humans hate .
But you have friends, dont you?
I do but most of them think Im a Human. Only my companions, a couple of Elves, Cyclopes, Kobolds, Spirits, monsters, and Rachel knows that Im actually .
I weakly gestured at myself. It kind of hurt knowing that most of the people I had t werent actually aware that I, Salvos, was not a Human.
And is that really it? You want to go back to that empty, desolate hellscape because Humans are mostly idiots?
Well, thats not all
I trailed off. My eyes closed as I rembered the first person who ever recognized for who I was. My original companion. A Demon with crimson skin and black and yellow hair.
Opening my eyes, I faced the Devil and answered his question.
I also want to find Haec. Hes soone important to . I was separated from him when I was pulled into the Mortal Realm. I know hes waiting for , sowhere in the Netherworld.
I looked down at the palm of my hand, speaking softly.
I want to make sure that hes safe.
My Dad stayed silent as I finished. He said nothing, his gaze darkened. His brows arched on his forehead, casting shadows over his face. I wasnt sure what he was thinking; he was the Devil an unpredictable trickster who always kept you guessing. But he was also a callous, tiless soul who was apathetic to the lives of others.
I feared that I had made him upset once again. He despised it whenever I did anything that involved others. He wanted to be as entirely selfish and self-reliant as he was, even if I was not him. I waited with bated breath for the reprimanding that was sure to co, and his mouth opened.
Aha! I knew it!
Um, what?
I stared at my Dad, blinking slowly.
It was about a boy. Of course it was about a boy. Youre, what, eight years old?
He gesticulated wildly as he paced back and forth. I responded to him with a tinge of uncertainty in my voice.
I dont actually know, honestly. Maybe?
Yes, youre not even ten years old. And here you are, thinking about boys! Its always a boy! Dont you know? Boys will use you and throw you away without a second thought.
Im pretty sure this isnt what you think it is.
Look
My Dad clapped his hands together, coming to a halt.
Im just saying, why cant it be a girl for once? Theres nothing wrong with girls getting together! Its completely fine! Dont you think so?
I dont know if I care?
The point is: why?
Sal t my gaze. I could tell he hadnt really been serious beforehand, but now his expression changed. It was hard to tell an incredibly minor shift in tone with barely any change to the look he gave .
Why go through all these lengths for this Haec?
Because I want to.
I replied simply.
I already gave you my reasons. Its the sa as before, Dad. I dont want to repeat this stupid argunt with you again.
His eyes flickered, and he nodded.
Fine.
I watched as he drew back, massaging his temples while speaking in an annoyed tone.
Again, Salvos, Id love to help you, but it really doesnt make sense for to step in. In fact, it makes even less sense in this scenario since youre very close to achieving your goal. Youre like ninety percent of the way there. You cant just give up and let soone else take over when you only have ten percent of the way left to go, can you?
I an, it would be convenient
I tapped a finger on my chin as the Devil shook his head.
Youre an Archdemon of Pride, rember? You cant expect to grow stronger if you keep pushing your responsibilities onto others. Seriously, thatd be very much helpful as an Archdemon of Sloth, but not for you.
I just want to make sure hes fine
I pursed my lips, and Sal rolled his eyes.
Id do anything for you, my dearest daughter, as long as itd benefit you. I guess this wouldnt really hurt you other than making you overly-dependent on which, Id actually love. Dote on more. Its cute.
He reached over to pinch my cheeks, but I slapped his hand away.
Are you really sure you want to do this? There really is no reason for you to rush your way to the Netherworld. Haec is fine. Hes quite high-leveled too. So, you really shouldnt be worrying this much.
I was about to give him my affirmation when I paused. I found my left eyebrow raising as I peered at my Dad.
Wait, you t Haec?
I did. He works for the Demon King or sothing. I dont actually know if hes fine or not I barely paid attention. I was too busy watching you.
But hes alive, right? Haec is alive?
The Devil backed away as I inundated him with these questions. He pushed back and nodded.
He is. I told you hes with the Demon King. So, unless I was talking to his walking carcass as a [Succubus] used ventriloquism to speak through him Im pretty sure hes alive.
My eyes widened as my Dad finished. I slid to my knees, placing a hand on my chest.
Im so glad
Haec was alive.
My cheeks squeezed tight as I couldnt help but smile, beaming from ear-to-ear.
Hes really alive.
I was worried I had left him to die alone in the Netherworld. If he found others to keep him safe and if he was still alive I knew I could delay my return for just a little longer. Still smiling, I looked up to my Dad.
Take to Centina and the others. I need to make sure theyre safe, then Ill kill Belzu.
I spoke simply, and he furrowed his brows.
Wait, what happened to returning to the Netherworld?
Haec is alive. You said it yourself. I dont need to worry so much anymore. Ill get back to him through my own strength, once Belzu is dead. As you said, Im an Archdemon of Pride, right?
The Devil studied . He ran a hand through his goatee before finally shrugging.
If you insist. Ill bring you back to your monster friends instead. Theres no need to worry about the Matriarch Centinel. She probably went back to sleep beneath the Bloodied Gulf after we left.
And with the snap of his fingers, the world flashed. I found myself hurdling through space as his voice echoed around .
Ill see you next ti, my beloved daughter.
When I got my bearings back, I was no longer in his ho. I was back in the Mortal Realm, standing amongst monsters.
Reviews
All reviews (0)