NOVEL NEXT Chapter 551: The City of Evil
"Hana~ look at your aunt isn't she pretty?"
Yumiko's low voice resonated through the large garden where several women gathered together after Asmodeus left. She sat at the head seat, with Serena beside her holding Tsukihana in her arms, the cheeky and mischievous fox looking around with her little tail smacking her thighs.
"She's too energetic, will my little one be able to keep up?"
Serena and Yumiko became closer since they linked the castle at Vel'Ashera and the northern Fortress Zar'Kaleth with a portal.
Thanks to the mana-enriched lake, which has now reached the level of a river. The water reached the far north and the central demon plains within a few months using the method Asmodeus discovered.
He then ensured that farmers and the members who believed him could create this magical water.
"Oh, don't joke around with me~ You'll be fine, the love he gives you, and how fierce the little thing kicks. Don't worry."
Yumiko, Yuina and Serena became closer after the battle settled, while the more combative women also formed a small group, right now Levia, Erika and Velvet were playing with Aurelia and Velmina, the growth of Beastkin was nothing like humans... after a few months their bones and minds already began development that took 2-3 years for human children.
Then, they add the genes of their father, a demon.
That amplified their growth further, with Aurelia and Velmina now able to crawl and toddle around after 3 months, though their speech hadn't quite started. The cute little cunning beasts already knew how to use their big eyes to con the older women out of child-safe snacks and toys.
"Phew... my back is killing me." Velvet complained on all fours, pushing her hands against her buttocks until a deep crack sounded. "Nn... that's the spot."
She rolled back and sat against the wall, legs crossed, while watching Levia hugging Velmina close to her chest. The pair looked like mother and daughter due to their dark hair and similar facial structure.
"Mina, we're going to run fast!"
"Aga~~" Velmina gripped the paladin's hair, curling it around her fingers and pulling gently.
Aurelia and Erika were picking flowers together, and Erika created a small crown of flowers for the pretty blonde beastkin.
"This is nice..." Velvet muttered, throwing herself back against the soft grass, the sweet scent of earth and cooling breeze blowing over her exposed stomach. "I'm so happy right now."
A life as a witch, constantly fighting and forced to avoid the public eye.
Of course, Velvet didn't mind, because she loved her family and the kingdom they protected, but decades of suffering brought her to the limit. It was then she met Erika and Ryuji... at the time, she thought he might just give her a break.
'Never did I imagine I would end up knocked up by the brat...'
She touched her abdomen, stroking the still firm bumps. "Me pregnant? How amusing."
"Velvet, are you sure you're okay to leave?" A soft and lovely voice... the goddess who sacrificed everything to save their future and protect their collective paramount called out to the former witch who rolled over with a strange grin.
"It's better for me to leave, our beloved man is a little careless when it comes to his safety."
"Fufu, you're right... he trusts his power too much, or maybe he just treasures us more than he needs too."
"Maybe, but when looking at Tsukihana and the other two... I cannot say he's wrong to treasure us that much."
Velvet's cheeks flushed red when speaking to Serena, but talking to a woman who used to be a goddess was still difficult for her. "I will take Erika... is that alright?"
Before Serena answered, Yumiko suddenly called out. "Can I come?"
"Eh?"
"Did you want to leave for Baltimore, Yumi?" Serena also seemed shocked, but then her eyes widened and she touched her mouth. "I'm sorry, because you feel so natural, I forgot you came from his world too... and were his first."
Although they gave Serena the title of Head Consort because none of them wanted to fight for the first wife seat, she didn't expect Yumiko to wish to go back. No... maybe it was just her jealousy, knowing that being powerless right now, she was the only one who couldn't join him. That's why she tried to steer the conversation away from such topics.
'I never noticed...'
"Sorry... I never."
Yumiko smiled and placed her hands on Serena's knees, moving in close and hugging her. "I cannot understand how you feel after losing everything, but... We don't blame you for anything. Serena."
"I... It's just..." Her eyes watered, but Yumiko wiped the tears before they could fall.
'What a pretty woman, she's way above my level. It's no wonder that idiot is crazy about her.' Yumiko sighed long while looking at the graceful woman with ten fluffy tails drooping. "Don't worry, all of us would have acted the same."
The others watched, but no one interrupted... each had feelings, but the most important thing right now was protecting what they loved. Not the world or people, but this little family and all of them nodded as Serena looked around.
"Really? You're all too soft, aren't we supposed to be fighting?"
"Haha~ we only fight in the bedroom!" Velvet chuckled.
"Haha! That's right." A cheerful voice came from above, before two women landed with their long wings flapping.
Riel and Sariel brought the girls food and some toys for the three girls.
"Au~ Au!" The little girl squealed with her arms raised into the air, her little arms reaching for the sky for Riel. Yukihana enjoyed flying around with the demon knights and other women.
Auriel looked at Sariel, who carried a small basket, and her eyes lit up, shimmering with a faint light. "Gibe!"
Meanwhile Velmina's shadow grew longer, and a small hand slipped from behind Riel and took a small, rusk biscuit that the children loved to suck on because of it's sweet, creamy taste and soft texture when wet. The little hands pulled it down, and then they vanished, appearing again in Velmina's lap.
"Hm?" Sariel noticed the action but only smiled, taking the basket from Riel, who walked to Tsukihana.
"Well, it seems to be busy around here. Have I missed anything?" This time, Asmodea was wearing a short red sundress and a stack of documents in her hand, as Alice followed.
"Asdea!" The little fox girl yelped, waving at Asmodea, while she sucked on her biscuit, leaving crumbs all over the grass.
"Oh, is everyone having a good time?"
Asmodea smiled at the cute children, snapping her fingers to create small flowers that cushioned the ground, to keep them safe. Alice sat beside Yumiko with dark rings under her eyes.
"What's up, you're lookin' dead?" The succubus poked at the tired girl's cheeks.
"Don't touch me, succubus..."
The duchess seemed to have a slight grudge against Sariel, who used her tail once to tamper with her sensitivity, causing her to urinate while having sex with Asmodeus.
No, she held a grudge and became wary of their powers.
Sariel however just smirk, and turned to the children and other women.
Meanwhile, Asmodea checked with Serena for the progress of the fortress and if any issues arose while she was away.
"How about the water?" She asked, looking over the paperwork while stroking Tsukihana's soft cheek and long ears.
"Perfect... I'm surprised that it has so many effects on us..."
Serena noticed the benefits of the water first... the mana-enriched water stopped her morning sickness, the pain in her lower back dulled, and the biggest change was the swelling in her breasts that caused a sharp pain when she tried to squeeze the excess milk changed. It became easier, more comfortable, and the milk carried the mana enrichment...
"Do you think that's why the girls are so smart?" She added.
"Well... no idea, but I wouldn't be surprised."
They talked a little longer before Asmodea turned to the other women, who all looked up at her with serious expressions.
"There is trouble in Grigor, after visiting my father and hearing reports from the knights, it seems that something big is happening in the south, Velvet, Erika... we need to move fast to support our dear husband." Asmodea looked at both women, who nodded.
"Yumiko, you will go with them. I also have a little gift for our husband and our stupid uncle."
"About Yukihana..."
"I'll take care of her, Yumiko... our bodies are almost identical genetically, if anything, I could technically be called your mother." Serena chuckled... "If we said this to Asmodeus he'd be excited to have knocked up a milf, fufu." Her laughter turned into a giggle as she poked her finger against the younger woman's nose.
"Be safe and take care of Ryuji... make him understand the consequences of not taking care of himself."
"Understood..."
Asmodea then handed the documents to Velvet. "You guide them, take half the demon knights, leave the warriors. They cannot face that man, he will dominate their minds."
"Understood, I'll keep them all safe. Our beloved troublesome husband too."
Some called the City of Zar'Kaleth the city of evil, but in reality it was now the fortress where the demon emperor and his beloved family lived.