I will strive beyond this cursed bloodline!

She woke up surrounded by darkness, it was fluffy and comfortable, it was as if someone had made a bed out of dark clouds and then placed a blanket atop her, it wasn’t cold nor too warm, it was the right temperature. And while she wanted to go back to sleep again something at the back of her head nagged at her, it told her that she wasn’t supposed to be sleeping, she was doing something important. Something relevant…but what?

 

“[Mistress? Are you okay?]” The voice of one of her most loyal minions spoke to her, it was Nyx. He was standing atop her…? No, that was only his face. It was bigger, this was the same form he had shown before, the one that seemed closer to a young drake and not his hatchling form. “[Do you feel pain anywhere?]”

 

What was he going about?

 

“I’m fine Nyx, just sleepy. What happened?” Elizabeth asked as she stretched under the shadowy blanket. She finally noticed the true identity of her bed and blanket. The bed was Nyx’s body, and the blanket had been one of his wings, she had been sleeping atop Nyx.… So this form had its advantages too huh?

 

“We suddenly felt your presence getting cut from us. We couldn’t contact you, but the [Soulscape] was stable Mistress.” A girl’s voice spoke, Aura. “We followed your last known location while preparing everything for anything.”

 

Elizabeth turned around trying to look at the purple-haired maid.

 

“And then we found you here Mistress.” A third voice spoke, Beatrice. “With Grandmother…”

 

Oh right, she was speaking with Rossie’s Mother…Why was she sleeping then? The last thing she remembered was using her [Appraisal] to try and find what her [Origin] was about…And then…

 

“So, can you…remove these now? Elizabeth is fine as you can see.” Lizbeth spoke, and so, Elizabeth finally remembered everything, how she had used her skill to find out about herself, the information she got. The original path she was supposed to follow…How she had sent the vestiges of another life in the direction of her missing [Shift]...And how she had made a new [Minion] just for that mission…

 

“Oh…So this is what passing out because you used more [Mana] than expected feels like…” Elizabeth said aloud as she looked at her mana remaining, it was trickling up…but slowly. It seemed the [Minion] she had sent was still using her mana…That was troubling. Not as troubling as what Lizbeth Singh was going through.

 

“Mistress, what should we do with…this woman,” Aura spoke once more, pointing her weapon at Rossie’s mother.

 

It was quite interesting, she hadn’t expected Aura to be a dagger person, she was a mage after all, but here she was, with a dagger pointing at the belly of Lizbeth Singh. The girl knew where to put her weapons to pacify someone.

 

Granted that wasn’t the only weapon pointed at Lizbeth, no sir. She was surrounded by most of her free remaining Knights and she could feel the [Assassin] hidden within the woman ready to pounce. So while Lizbeth knew that she had a very dangerous maid with a weapon pointed at her child.

 

She also had several knights with spears and swords pointed at her, all the while Beatrice in full battle regalia was hovering nearby, ready to attack.

 

And Elizabeth? She was surrounded by the remaining [Shadow Minions - Tank] and with Nyx in his young drake form protecting her. This made a girl feel special.

 

“Let her go, she helped me find some information that I needed and clear some doubts,” Elizabeth said, not a second went by after she said those words before all the minions sank into the shadows as if they had never been here.

 

All but Nyx, Aura, and Beatrice of course.

 

“That is a fine show of power, and quite the interesting one, usually a [Minion] can’t act without input from the [Summoner], be careful with that, people may find out about how your [Minions] have [Souls] if you don’t take care of those details,” Lizbeth said as she sat back, she tried to not make it obvious. But Elizabeth noticed how the woman’s right hand passed above her belly.

 

And a faint pulse of mana was released by one of her fingers, her [Eyes] told her that it was a diagnosis spell, one of those that Rossie liked to use, it returned all green, but Elizabeth didn’t say anything, nor did Aura or Beatrice.

 

“Apologies Grandmother, but our Mistress security comes first.” Beatrice said as her armor disappeared and she returned to her normal dress, “I shall return to Mother. Mistress, please call me or Aura should something happen.”

 

And like that, the little girl disappeared in a wisp of shadows.

 

“Nyx, you can return now. Sorry for worrying you.” Elizabeth said as she turned to her dragon, she tried her best to not look too impressed by the smug shadow dragon. She still liked more the huggable form, even if this form had a bed and blanket included in the deal!

 

She wouldn’t be deceived, Nyx surely added those functions to entice her!

 

“[As you wish Mistress.]” Nyx said as he started sinking into the shadows, soon he too left the place, but even so, his voice resounded from within the shadows one more time, “[Aura, remember to take care of our Mistress, neither I nor Beatrice can remain as long on this world yet, so you are in charge.]”

 

Aura nodded and then turned to her, “I will return to my duties to Mistress, I need to make sure all the minions receive the information about canceling the attack.” And then started walking towards the exit.

 

“Attack?” Lizbeth asked, “Wasn’t I the only one attacked?”

 

“Only you?” Aura scoffed, “Our Mistress was in danger while under your care, of course, we wouldn’t settle for only one pesky Human. No, thank whatever god you pray to Lizbeth Singh, had our Mistress not woken up intact…We would have leveled this place to the ground and salted it. You are alive under the premise that our Mistress allows you to live.”

 

And like that she left, leaving Elizabeth with a very awkward silence.

 

“...You have very enthusiastic followers Elizabeth Starbright.” Said Rossie’s Mother. “I am not too sure about if you should let them act with such impunity.”

 

Was she angry at her?

 

“I’m not a tyrant. They follow me of their own accord, and I merely ask them to do some work for me from time to time. Aura knows she can leave, and Beatrice is aware that I don’t mind her prioritizing Rossie over me.” Elizabeth answered, as for the other minions…

 

Well, most of the normal Shadow Dragons didn’t even have intelligence of any type, and to be honest, the ones that had intelligence seemed to be happy living in her [Shadow Haven], case in point, her Royal Mages seemed happy enough playing around in the deliric laboratories, and her Knights were happy enough practicing on the deliric military compounds.

 

“Fair enough…I was going to ask you for a detail of [Minions] for my protection, but… after this, I am not sure I would want them.” Lizbeth said while shuddering, “Was anyone hurt? Besides me.”

 

Elizabeth turned inwardly and a report was already waiting for her, her Royal Mages were quite fast it seems, “No, the other minions just took positions to incapacitate and terminate any opposition in the area, they didn’t even report to Rossie yet…” Elizabeth said she spread her senses across her shadows…and sure enough, most of her minions had moved from their positions, more than half of them returned to her [Haven], and the only ones that remained on this world were those that had patrol duties.

 

Or Aura, who didn’t seem to have any problems moving around, she needed to check on that. Was Aura able to move around like nothing because she had a physical body? Or because she had been [Human] before?

 

“Good, we don’t need to make this bigger than needed. So anything else?” Lizbeth asked, she didn’t even look like someone who had stared at death a minute ago! Rossie Mama was built differently indeed.

 

“No, I just wanted to make sure you were okay with me dating your daughter. Even though I could potentially turn her into a slave to my will.” Elizabeth said it in one go. She wanted to make sure it was okay after all. “And I can’t trust Rossie to make the right decision here…I love the girl, but she…”

 

“Is way too happy letting other people decide for her.” Lizbeth finished her phrase, “I know, Agatha sent us a notification about Rossaline wanting to make a [Sacred Vow] with someone and almost turn herself into a dominated one.”

 

Agatha did what? Wasn’t that stuff private?

 

“She didn’t tell us with whom, or the opinion of the other side. That is why we were wary of Watanabe Rena and not you.” Lizbeth said after, “But as her Mother… I would like to respect her wishes, and since you seem to care for her and as far as I can tell you don’t want to slave her. So yes Elizabeth, you may date my daughter.”

 

“VICTORY!” Elizabeth screamed, only to cover her mouth half a second later, “I mean, thank you…”

 

“That is okay, just be responsible, sign the papers that will make your firstborn into a Singh and also the papers that stipulate that you will accept the real state we will assign to you so you don’t live on the streets.” Rossie’s Mother said as a few folders were put in front of Elizabeth, “You may read them at your convenience, show them to Rossaline if that makes you happy.”

 

…She was not looking forward to doing either, but she didn’t need to.

 

“[We will look into it Mistress, we have one of us assigned to study the local Law already, but this seems to be too hard. Can we advise you to increase the number of civilians on our side?]” One of her Royal Mages spoke as the folders sank into the shadows.

 

More Civilians? Why not, “Sure, I will summon them after breakfast…Actually, do you know if the Soul that Beatrice used in the arena had a family? Find them and prepare them for Summoning. I would like for them to be safe and away from the frontlines.” Elizabeth said to her Royal Mage.

 

She felt the acknowledgment and moved on “I will have my Lawyer look them over.” Elizabeth said nodding to Rossie’s Mother, it seemed as if the woman wanted to say something but wasn’t sure of how, she had this silly image of a shadow dragon dressed in a suit holding a suitcase and papers with some weird laws going to defend a case.

 

It was quite hilarious if she was honest.

 

“Okay, we can sponsor you a lawyer if needed. Or let you use one of ours. Either way, for now, shall we go to eat? Nothing gets you hungry like the sense of impending death at the hands of your daughter-in-law.” Lizbeth Singh said as she stood up and started walking towards the door.

 

Yikes, Rossie Mama was angry at her for that?

 

What are some daggers and spears in a family spat…? Surely this wasn’t the first time she was threatened like this because someone fainted and their subordinates almost started a war to defend the honor of their Mistress… Surely this happened before, or to someone else…right? No?

 

Dang it.

---

The walk towards the dining table was quiet, Lizbeth no longer said anything and just walked as if it was the most normal thing ever, Elizabeth followed suit behind her, and then, behind Elizabeth was a pair of maids. No one spoke, no one even tried to say anything, and if Elizabeth was seeing things right, most of the people in their way moved out before they even saw them. Elizabeth suspected that the two maids behind them were relaying their position and route to the people so they would make sure everything was in order.

 

How did Elizabeth think this? Well, because she could hear at the back of her head the voice of Aura complaining that they hadn’t thought about doing the same for her. And now she had the voice of that girl screaming at the shadow scouts to make sure everything was in order too. It was a meaningless order since her scouts were checking the surroundings anyway. So nothing really changed for them. Instead, they just made sure everything was in order before the servants of the Singh Manor got there. If anything they made the work of those easier.

 

“Oh Mother, Eli-Eli. Welcome.” So when Elizabeth heard the voice of Rossie she felt herself relax and release a sigh she didn’t know she was holding. The fact that Rossie’s Mother had approved of their relationship meant more to Elizabeth than anything.

 

Even after she found out about Rossie’s circumstances. And how bad it could go, the fact that she was willing to trust her, a total stranger, was a sign of something Elizabeth needed to live up to.

 

“Rossaline, manners. We must always remember them, first stand up to speak if you must, or wait for the other party to sit up.” Lizbeth said before seating herself at the side of Rossie’s Father, “Hello darling, was everything okay on your side?”

 

“Yes, Rossie was quite vocal about how Elizabeth wanted to keep everything strictly platonic till they came out of age.” Rossie’s Father said this made Lizbeth nod as if she had expected this.

 

As for Elizabeth, she almost missed one step and fell to the floor (She didn’t fall only because her shadows helped her keep her balance), and blushed furiously as she wasn’t quite sure how to react.

 

“ROSSIE!” So she decided for the normal response and screamed and pointed at her girlfriend, “No smooches for you today!”

 

She said delivering her judgment, that cheeky smug girl wouldn’t get any kiss today! And it was final!

 

“So tonight we will not snuggle?” Asked the pink-haired girl as she took a sip of her cup of tea, like a lady of some high noble house.

 

“Of course, we will, smoochies are smoochies and snuggles are snuggles!” Elizabeth answered as she sat at the side of Rossaline, without anyone pointing her there.

 

“I see. Well, I’m sorry Eli-Eli, but Father was quite insistent in knowing the degree of my relationship and feelings towards you. So I obliged.” Rossie said, the girl grabbed hold of the hand of Elizabeth under the table and gave her a squish. “And I made my decision too, with some input from Father and some of the Maids that had their [Links] broken and remade.”

 

…Oh right, she had offered that to Rossie.

 

“I will respect your decision as I said before.” Was all that Elizabeth could say.

 

But…who would get to keep Beatrice? She didn’t want to take away the little girl from her Mother…But would Rossie’s Soulscape remain in her [Shadow Haven]? It had settled there before their [Link], so surely it would remain…

 

But what if Rossie didn’t want to stay around? What if she found another lover? Would she get replaced by another man? No wait, was Rossie into women or men?

 

Elizabeth was aware that she liked both, she had fantasied about being [Shadow Pact]’s wife at some point… But had Rossie done that? Did she have a famous crush?

 

“Eli-Eli? Can you return from your musings?” Aaaand the angelic voice of her girlfriend brought her back to the world of the living.

 

“Oh sorry, was thinking about something. What is the matter, Rossie?” Elizabeth asked, shelving that line of thought for later, she would need to ask Rossie about her interest later. She suspected that the other girl was more interested in females than males. But she didn’t lose anything by asking.

 

If she wanted a man…Well, she had a highly personalized [Shift], surely she could work something out, and she should have some template about Alexanders around…So at the very least, she should be able to [Shift] into something more androgynous. She wouldn’t go fully into the other gender, lest she risk some type of identity crisis.

 

But a half point was doable…At least till she was sure about what Rossie wanted.

 

“My father was asking if you would be willing to lend some of your minions and Mother was saying that perhaps that wouldn’t be wise. I for one, don’t see any problem with your Minions helping us, they are quite industrious after all.” Was what Rossie told her.

 

Oh no, had she ignored Father-in-law?!?

“I don’t mind lending them, should they wish to help. But I doubt one of the simpler ones would be useful, and the more sentient ones are currently busy…Aura.” Elizabeth said snapping her fingers, she wasn’t quite sure why the finger snapped, but it felt right.

 

“Yes, Mistress?” And by the fact that the purple-haired girl appeared at her side without any type of complaint…It seemed that she was correct, if anything the girl oozed smugness through their link. “What can I do for you?”

 

“Is any of the minions with a conscience free? Father-in-law wishes to know if any of your brethren wishes to work with him in some…business.” Elizabeth said, unsure if she should say that the work would be illegal.

 

“Hmm….The only ones that could fit the type of criteria Master Singh wants of us are currently busy, we may need to increase the size of our armada before being able to grant Master Singh a dedicated one…” Aura said slowly, turning her eyes from her to Rossie’s Father, and then…to Rossie’s Mother.

 

The woman seemed to shudder for half a second before controlling herself, “See? We can’t impose on Elizabeth’s goodwill to accommodate us, you know how hard it is to increase the number of Summons. We can’t burn her talent just because you want to spy on your political enemies.” Rossie’s mother said.

 

This seemed to hit a spot in the older man’s heart as he sighed, “Fine…But if she ever turns to [Villainy] again I want her to work for me from now and then, did you give her the papers?” Rossie’s Father said.

 

“Yes Albert, I gave her the papers I asked you, so I could give to the girl.” Rossie’s Mother said in a pedantic tone, “And she didn’t sign them without reading, but will in turn read them, check with a lawyer, and then decide if she should sign them. See, the girl is smart.”

 

“What papers? Eli-Eli?” Rossie said turning to her.

 

Elizabeth for her part turned inward and sure enough, a rough draft of a report was ready for her, “Your parents are giving us a few properties to choose from, some have a business, some are houses. We can keep either two small ones or a small building. It’s so we can live on our own.”

 

Wait what? She was getting real state? For free?

 

“...Will you accept them?” Rossie asked.

 

“Do you want me to? If you want it I will accept them. I am only getting it because of you. These are for your future.” Elizabeth answered, “I will not let [Pride] make me reject a way to make your life easier. If it means that you can have a roof over your head and a warm bed to sleep at night. I will bow my head and say thanks.”

 

And that was the crux of the matter, Elizabeth didn’t know if she even had a home, or what state was her house in [Avalon].

 

“...What do you want in exchange? The Singh would never give away something for no reason.” Rossie said turning to her parents, “Not even for family.”

 

“...We want honest answers…Well, I was planning on asking these questions, but Elizabeth already answered most of them, before we could even ask them.” Albert Singh said as much, then turned to another folder and put it on the table. “We have these properties, they have been passed around by most of the people in high ranks…No one knows why, but we can’t do anything to them, nor inspect them. We all just have this feeling that we should sell them.”

 

Elizabeth took the folder and opened it, sure enough, these were the documents that held the ownership of some plots of land, a house, a building, and some stocks. All under the same name.

 

“And? You want us to investigate it? To see if it has some type of magic? Do you want to make sure they are safe for the Singh to own? Send Eli-Eli’s minions to check?” Rossie asked as she read the papers.

 

Elizabeth was too busy reeling at the information provided.

 

“What do you want for these? Who do you want me to kill? I will put all my [Minions] under your command if that is what it takes, but I want this.” Elizabeth said as she hugged the folder close to her chest.

 

“Do you know anything about these?” Asked Rossie, noticing the state Elizabeth was in.

 

“Yes, this is my home…These are the documents of all the terrains my parents had in [Avalon], and the address to my house…This is all that my parents left before ascending.” Elizabeth wasn’t sure how or why. But it seemed that her former house had remained intact, and had been passed along by people…At least till it got to the Singh…

 

And in turn to her.

 

“Father, I know what I want for all those birthday gifts you have been asking me about.” Rossie bless her lovely heart spoke.

 

“Sure, and don’t worry Elizabeth, we would never blackmail you. Just make sure you make Rossaline happy.” Albert Singh spoke, not as a counselor, not as a politician, not as the head of a rising clan. But as a father who wanted to make sure her daughter was happy.

 

“Thank you…” So Elizabeth totally didn’t cry as she hugged the folder, that was one less concern for her, “...thank you so much.”

 

And as if waiting for a signal the maids brought them the food, Elizabeth wasn’t sure what it was, nor why it was Aura the one to bring her plate, or why Beatrice brought Rossie his plate and then sat in a raised chair at the side of Rossie to eat. She also wasn’t quite sure what she ate, for she was too busy seeing the pictures of her home, and the report on the buildings, no one had been able to enter in them, nor record how they looked, did they know they weren’t valuable. Nor why would someone cast so much protection magic in them.

 

To be honest, they were more trouble than they were worth. But for Elizabeth? They were more of a reminder of her childhood. So she now knew what her next step would be. But for now? She just smiled and thanked Rossie for this gift. She wanted to kiss the girl (and would do so) after this. What? She said no smooches?

 

Well, this wasn’t a smoochie, but a kiss. This was this, and that was that.