Keeping a baby mamono a secret was surprisingly easy. Then again, she shouldn't be surprised. Being a Hero came with several benefits and downsides. The benefits were that most people would listen to your orders. With the power and influence Heroes had, you had to do what they say. Not to mention the fact that they were blessed by their Chief God. This invoked a sense of worship of Heroes. This of course caused a good number of people to be wary of them. Not because they would die but they believed upsetting a Hero would mean damnation.

Eliza found the thought processes silly but didn't say that out loud. She may be blessed, but she was still a human like any other. The benefits of being one were outweighed by the costs. That's what she believed and had seen. Other Heroes would disagree. Right now, she felt no need to argue for her arguments would be moot. She had only been able to keep to herself because of being a Hero. After finding the baby, she had stated that the mission was a success and they were to make way to the grand city of Lescatie. As well, she had given the order to not go near her and that she would be on her way separately. No one argued with her.

So eventually they split apart. No doubt the survivors of their expedition were awaiting a hero's return. A celebration of victory. She had been to many of them. Too many for her tastes. They were always the same. Parading around as if war and battle was something to celebrate. That killing was an admirable quality. She glanced at the baby she had hidden in a basket. The city would have celebrated this child's death with as much glee as a vile murderer. It felt… so very wrong.

She was so glad to finally see her house from here. It was a large and luxurious looking house. Not too fancy but definitely looked like someone with influence lived there. Truthfully, it was far too large for her tastes. There were so many empty rooms, she didn't know what to do with them. This place used to be a house for another minor noble family who wanted to be away from the main city. She had been gifted it after the birth of her daughter.

She was thankful for somewhere to raise her daughter without everyone breathing down her neck. Eliza knew her little Sasha deserved her freedom before the vultures swooped down and took it. They'd come for her eventually and there wasn't much she could do about that though. A few times she thought about running away to neutral territories but that wouldn't work. The Noscrims were a noble family who would hold a grudge and were known to drag heroes back from such lives. A life on the run was no place for her daughter.

She glanced at the basket. It was no place for her new child either. She had to keep him safe. Out here she could do that, if even just marginally. It was all she could do really. She'd eventually train them to take care of themselves. Sasha would probably become a hero and the child… the child she still didn't know where his destiny lied. She just hoped it was a nice one.

The little bit of doubt in the back of her mind was still present. To just kill him and be done with it. His very presence was a danger to her livelihood. She beat down that little voice. Her family would be safe with him around. No baby was dying on her watch just because of a few fears.

Said fears evaporated when she saw the front door of her house open. Her little girl smiled brightly as she raced over. Ah, Sasha. She had her father's hair color and that bright grin was definitely his. Her heart ached just thinking about how he never got to see it. Those aches disappeared as well as she disembarked from her horse. She laughed as she embraced her daughter, who ran into her embrace with gusto.

"Mom!" Sasha cried out in joy, "You're okay. I knew you'd be okay but you're okay!"

Eliza laughed a bit more at that, "Of course I would be." She held her daughter in one arm and booped her nose, marvelling at how cute her giggle was. "I'm a Hero. It'll take more than what they threw at me to take me down."

"I knew that," Sasha said as Eliza put her down on the ground, "My mom's the bestest Hero ever. She can beat anyone."

Eliza rubbed the back of her head, "I wouldn't say that. I'm great but I'm not that good. There are plenty of stronger heroes than me."

Sasha shook her head, "Nope. You're the bestest."

Eliza chuckled and ruffled her daughter's hair, "If you say so. I'll be your strongest hero."

"Yay," Sasha cheered, "Did you get me anything, mom?"

Eliza's smile diminished slightly. How was she going to explain this to her daughter? A part of her thought about lying. It would be rather easy but she knew that wasn't an option. Apart from being very hard to keep a secret, she would not lie to her own daughter. She turned around and opened the basket. Reaching inwards, she pulled out the blanketed baby. Walking back to her now confused daughter, she kneeled down.

"Sasha," Eliza said as she made to unwrap the baby. As she did so, a little magic played over the still form. Her sleeping spell was stopped and the baby started to stir. She could hear Sasha gasp as she showed the baby's face, "I brought us a new member of the family."


Sasha hadn't said anything since the reveal. The silence unnerved her mother. Her daughter was normally a rather talkative child. It was hard to keep her quiet on the best of days. She didn't say anything to her once she got no answer as she knew she had to bring the new child indoors. A dragon he may be, but he was still a baby. Being kept safe indoors was the best option. That and she wasn't sure if someone had followed her. Eliza had a number of 'admirers' and a few had followed her to her home. She had taught them a lesson of course but the threat was still there.

As she entered her room, she could feel the baby rustling about in her arms. A few mewls could be heard. The baby wanted something. They always did. She idly remembered Sasha being a very needy baby. The thoughts brought a bright smile to her face. She put the baby down onto the bed. Before she could take care of it, she would need to get out of her armor.

"Mom," Sasha spoke up in a whisper.

"Yes, Sasha?" Eliza spoke as she took off her armored breastplate. While she had quite a bit of armor on around that area, being a hero had its perks. Being that you could more easily take it off due to strength, spells, etc.

"That's a monster," Sasha said.

Eliza turned to look at her daughter. She frowned as she looked a bit scared and was keeping her distance from the baby. She inwardly sighed. She should have expected this. A baby or not, he wasn't human. Not exactly, "In a sense of the word."

"Why did you bring him here, mom?" Sasha quivered, "He's going to eat us."

Eliza finally got out of the last of her armor. Now she was just wearing her cloth undergarments which covered enough to be modest, "Eat us?" She sat by the baby and picked him up in her arms. The baby mewled in happiness, "Babies are very hungry creatures but meat is the last thing he'll need right now."

"Mom," Sasha pointed at the baby, "He's a monster."

"He's a dragon," Eliza pulled more of the blanket away, causing her daughter to gasp. "That is what he is. Not a monster. Not even in the slightest."

"But he's not human," Sasha tried to say.

"And that is what makes a monster?" Eliza sighed, "I've honestly let you spend far too much time listening to the ravings of the local priests. That is my fault but I will let you in on something. Your species does not make you a monster. It is your actions. Have I not told you before about monsters?"

"Monsters are bad creatures that hurt people," Sasha said.

"That is correct," Eliza looked down at the baby, "Is he a monster?" She leaned down to show the baby to her, who was gurgling a bit and waving his arms around.

Sasha frowned, "He's a baby… but he's a monster, mom."

"Do babies hurt people?"

Sasha shook her head, "No."

"Then he's not a monster," Eliza stood up, "If I had killed a baby, what would that have made me?"

Sasha's eyes widened, "You'd never kill a baby, mom. You're a hero! The bestest ever. Only bad people hurt babies."

Eliza smiled, "Exactly. He may not be human, but it is my job as a hero to protect the innocent. If the innocent aren't human, then I shall protect them nonetheless."

It felt odd saying that. For all her life, the mamono were the enemy. They stole men. Corrupted women. Did so many vile things. Some of that was what she had been heard and taught. Some she had seen. Was what she had seen false? Some of it. She was sure there were still bad mamono she had to stop but… She was still a hero. She would not go down the path of others and kill those simply for being non-human. Not anymore. With this act, she had to set that for herself. She would not be a hypocrite even though she knew she would still have to commit vile acts now and again for the sake of the city nobles and priesthood. She scowled just thinking about them.

"So…" Sasha frowned, "What are we going to do with him?"

"Keep him safe," Eliza said, "You must not tell anyone about him, Sasha. A lot of people would hurt him if they knew."

"But then they'd be monsters," Sasha frowned, "People can't be monsters, right mom?"

"You'd… you'd be surprised," Eliza frowned as old heartache hit her.

That's when the baby started to mewl. She recognized it and thankfully had a spell for this case. She put him down on her lap and held a hand to her chest as she cast it. Quickly unbuttoning her shirt, she freed one of her breasts and brought up the baby. The spell was one for lactation. A spell she had learned while taking care of babies in an orphanage.

Sasha cringed, "Mom, do you have to feed him from there? That's gross."

"All babies are fed this way," Eliza hummed in delight as the baby started to suckle, "I fed you the same way when you were a baby."

"Yuck," Sasha wiped her tongue with her hand, "That's gross. I don't want to see gross things." She turned around and crossed her arms.

Eliza laughed, "Well you'll have to in order to grow up." She looked down at the baby, "Now what to call you… Hmm, how about… Draco."

"That sounds like a good name," Sasha said.

"It does," Eliza said, "A very good name for him. Try and remember it since you'll be taking care of your new brother."

Sasha quickly turned around, "So… I'm going to be a big sister?" Eliza nodded. Sasha smiled, "Yay~ I'm a big sister. You hear that, Draco. I'm your big sister so you have to do what I say from now on."

"Just don't let the power get to your head," Eliza chuckled, happy to know that her daughter was on board. Perhaps this wouldn't be so hard after all.


The commander of the expedition was ecstatic for his victory until now. Before he was just drinking himself into a stupor due to a bet. Yes he had lost men but he had won and no doubt would be greatly rewarded. Yet he was nervous and his joy had turned to fear. He was not in a bar anymore. He was standing in the office of one of the most powerful people in the local kingdom.

Priest Noscrim. The Noscrims were already a powerful family. They had been for generations and held sway over the kingdom. Some said they had more power than the actual royal family of Lascetie. You couldn't say that out loud. The king would probably gut you or the Noscrims would discredit you. You didn't talk about how power was thrown about in this city.

He was a stern looking man in decorative robes befitting his status as the High Priest of the Chief God. His very gaze made him shiver in fear.

"I came as soon as you called, sir." The commander said, hoping he kept his fear out of his voice.

"You did," Priest Noscrim nodded, "Very expedient of you. I expect nothing less from someone who's fought as much as you have, Mr…"

"My name is-"

"Nevermind," Priest Noscrim waved his arm, "It's not important. I'm just glad you were able to destroy that nest of monsters. It would have been troublesome if they were able to enact their scheme, whatever it may be."

"Happy to be of service," the commander said.

"Now," Priest Noscrim said, "Were you able to locate any artifact? I was informed that the Witches had been working on something."

The commander shook his head, "No, sir. They may have taken it. What we found was destroyed and most likely the artifact was amongst them."

"So you don't know," Priest Noscrim frowned. He sighed, "Well it can't be helped. We can only hope it is gone for good. Thank you for this."

"You're welcome, sir." The commander said and then remembered something, "How is your wife?"

"Due any day now," the Priest half smiled, "I'm sure the child will go places I could only dream of. Speaking of children of extreme importance, I imagine our local hero left for hers."

"She kept her distance," the commander said, "She didn't really talk to us either. It seemed she didn't want to be with us at all."

"She is a bit of a loner," Priest Noscrim nodded, "But she usually does like to talk to the common folk. If she didn't want to socialize, perhaps she saw something," he rubbed his chin, "I'll go talk with her. You are dismissed."

The commander sighed in relief and left. He didn't notice Noscrim's grin growing behind him.