Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Zpheris? So that was the name of this planet—finally, some information. Eying the lady whose appearance seemed younger than the other three heads, I folded my arms. News of the Badlands was surely going to come up, but I didn't think it would be so fast. I wonder if I could use that?

"Oh, forgive me. I forgot to introduce myself." She kindly said, " I am Ryu Tempest."

Not that interested in her name, I simply chose to nod. "So, it's fear. Of being slaughtered, you would join me."

"Join her," The four heads said in tandem, directing their attention to Lilith, sipping tea with a smile on her face.

"Whatever," Waving off their words, I rolled my eyes. There wasn't a difference, I swear. When will people get a grasp on that?

Probably knowing what I was thinking, Lilith giggled, placing down the empty cup of tea; she snatched my cup from my hands, sipping on my cup despite the tea being more bitter with the first infusion.

"Your lucky your eating for two," I whispered.

Her amethyst eyes sparkled as she whispered back, "You're lucky I allow you to keep your whores."

"Bully,"

"Slut,"

"I prefer trophy husband,"

"Trophy husbands don't cheat."

"They do with their tennis instructor."

"Recorded," Said Avar, blinking away as if her eyes were a camera taking photos.

Staring at the robot known as Avar, I sighed, unsure what to do about her. She seemed naive yet, at the same time, experienced, which made it odd to get a grasp on what she wanted and knew. Avar's fundamental interactions were not bad, but they needed some work. It's hard to believe she became an admiral.

She must be good at leading and killing.

"As I was saying, I see no problem in joining forces. It—"

"I think I have heard enough," Astra snapped, clearly annoyed, with a clenched jaw, " This is insane. He is only a realm lord. Even if he is in the middle of everything, his relevance is surely not that great."

"True." The four nodded.

I blinked, wondering where this was going.

"If we join sides with him, we would be joining the demons and devils. Why not choose the side of good? Why not join the angels? Surely they would have a better sense of morality than the demons. We can even stay neutral."

"True," The Four said again.

"Well?" Astra finally finished, "What do you all have to say?"

"We stand by the side of the Queen," Yuu uttered, with the bowing of her head, "We live, and we die to your will, my queen. Nothing else matters. Even if this leads to our extinction, we will side beside you."

Finishing her cup of tea, the air of indifference withered to nothing, leaving only an icy air I hadn't seen in a while. Abyssal qi rippled from the depths of her amethyst eyes, and for a second, I felt the Lilith I knew vanish, leaving only that thing I saw during my cultivation.

"Astra Tempest," Lilith started releasing a soft breath, " I am quite disappointed in you. Is it cowardice? Or your innate sense of responsibility towards the Tempest Clan that would ignore my presence on multiple occasions." Her lips curled up, and her gaze slid to the woman in question. "I wish to know, am I, your creator, so meaningless in your eyes?"

A heavy silence pressured the room, weighing like a blade on everyone's neck. Even me, as I sat in silence beside Lilith.

Sweat dotted the elderly patriarch till it began streaming from her wrinkled brow, drenching her clothing.

I watched.

"Y-Y-Yes"

"Yes?" Lilith repeated." Yes, what?"

"My family is more important,"

Laughter bellowed from my lips, followed by the gasp that exploded out. "This is amazing, isn't it? Is she not a sire of yours?"

Lilith's cold lips arched, and she nodded, " Indeed. No wonder she was so crass to you, despite you being my husband. What generation is she?"

"Seventy-fifth," Kyo said as a matter of fact.

"The youngest of us all," Ryu added, despite looking younger herself.

"I see, so the sire withered a bit around that generation. Interesting. It seems Izavith's work was successful." She said and then paused, touching her chin; she lifted her head up to hold Astra in her sight, " What about my child—"

"NEVER!!! Nothing must happen to the little one!" Astra hysterically said, her back standing like a spear.

So the respect for Lilith, and even the loyalty she holds, while still there, is not as high as the others; however, the child itself seems to have more weight than Lilith, how strange. I'm sure this planet will be purged, and Izavith will run more tests to get the ideal batch to send off to Noctem.

These abyssal fiends are definitely being manipulated into believing the child was more important to limit Lilith's movement and involvement. That has to be it. Lilith was, after all, the manifestation of the Abyss. She was the only being who could probably have a conversation with the Abyss.

"I see," said Lilith, "Well, that's a relief."

"My Queen, I mean no disrespect. You are my queen, but—"

"But this clan is your responsibility." Lilith finished, seemingly understanding.

"My Lady—" The others thought to involve themselves, but Lilith only shook her head, lifting her hand to cut them off.

"It's fine. Astra is entitled to feel how she wants."

Is this my wife? Fuck that! We don't say shit like that? That's for people with fucking empathy? We piss on empathy.

My god, is the baby messing with her head?

Reaching into myself, I connected myself to Lilith, trying to get a feel for her emotion. Still, as I did so, my heart fell into a state of euphoria as I felt the little buns pulse racing through me, the cool throbbing of life slowly being formed, bringing me a sense of accomplishment I never knew I craved. Had I been standing, I would have buckled to my knees.

No wonder Lilith wasn't mad; she is high! High, on baby fumes. No wonder she is always sleeping!

Lilith looked at me, lifting her lips, showing me an expression that said, 'that's right bitch. I feel good.'

"Let's get back to the topic; if you all are going to join, all I will ask is that we gather your people." I softly mentioned, not putting Astra's earlier words to heart. I was sure the others would deal with this traitor; if not, I would. "Show me a map of the world, a map of all abyssal bases, strongholds, cities, and most importantly, a map of Iliah."

I glanced at Astra, " You wish to stay out of this war? Well, I had the same thought, "I said as a blatant lie to anyone who knows me, " For me to protect you guys and keep you out of the war and safe. We need to gather the Leaders all within Zpheris."

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