The Asmodean
By
Neztro
Chapter 7: The Park Family Inn
Authors note:
I see you have come back for another chapter of the harem anime owl house… thank you and I am sorry for the cringe. Alright everyone here is the chapter that sets up the first arc's overarching plot. Also remember when I said OC's would be added to the harem well here are two semi OC's that are part of canon, we just don't have names for them… yet. Allow me to introduce you to… Minerva and Juno or as u may know them… skara and boscha's moms Let me know what you think of my story on the reviews… please don't be a creep.
The wagon came to a grinding halt in front of a building with a sign that read "park family inn." hanging over head.
"Alright Kids, cloaks up and heads down. We're going to grab a bite." Eda demanded jumping from the wagon and lifting the tarp.
"where are we?" Luz asked, her filled with wonder.
"the park family inn. One of the best places to grab a bite to eat in the entire isles." Eda said, flourishing to reveal the sounds of merriment within.
"ooh, a cute little roadside inn just like where Azura meet her adventuring companions."
"I don't know Edalyn, do you think it's safe for the children to be in such a publich place?" Lilith asked, getting down from the reins.
"I agree, what if the guards come and see us?" Luca asked, looking down the road to bonesborough.
"oh don't be such a worry wart. Mama needs some appleblood straight from the cellar." Eda said rubbing her hands together.
"I swear that addiction of yours is a real problem Edalyn." Lilith groaned, rubbing her temples.
"it's only a problem when I run out. Now let's get to eating." Eda, with a stride in her step, walked into the inn.
Luz, Luca, And Lilith followed.
The inn was a lively place filled with many different patrons. Most sat at the tables near the center of the building, Others sat at the bar with glasses in hand, and the rest stood near the fireplace where a man in red robes was telling stories.
"This looks so cool." Luz beamed, taking a couple steps toward the story teller.
Eda grasped Luz by the collar pulling the teen to meet her gaze. "don't wander off, you and your brother are still in danger after all."
"Aah, okay Eda."
the owl lady surveyed the room and found a table in a corner that was covered in shadow. "Perfect!" Eda led the way and the rest followed her.
The four witches and the demon sat down then looked at the menu.
"Anything look good to you kids?" Eda asked, already setting her's down.
"Uh, I guess I'll take the griffon eggs and a glass of Apple blood." Luca responded picking the least foreign thing he could find on the menu.
"Ooo, I want the basilisk steak with a glass of ecto-cola." Luz said, placing her menu down and smiling.
"Old sweet tooth acting up, aye Luz?" Luca chuckled, "I remember at your 3rd birthday you ate half of your cake and still went for more."
"You know it Luca." Luz confirmed rubbing her stomach. "I just realized I haven't eaten since dinner three days ago."
"Yeah," Luca replied, remembering the last meal he and his family had together.
Luca heard the soft whimpers of someone crying. The boy turned his head to see a chubby man with a beard on his face. His dark skinned body was shaking as he held a poster in his hands. He looked like he had been crying as his eyes were red and puffy.
"what's up with that guy?" Luz asked, "he seems sad."
"ugh, another kidnapping, typical." Lilith responded, rubbing her temple with her left hand.
"Kidnapping?" Luca asked, watching the man nail the poster with shaky arms.
"yeah, women have been going missing for the last two years in great numbers." Eda responded ,glaring at the bounty board.
"why hasn't the empress done anything about it?" Luca asked, what am I saying, she doesn't care about her people. He thought, clenching his fists under the table.
"because child, the empress isn't affected. Her champions are all female and take care of themselves. If she actually wanted to help then she'd send one of them and those girls would be home by now." Lilith gripped.
"Hush." Eda ordered, glaring at Lilith.
"But Edalyn–"
"I said hush," Eda growled, "end of discussion. Now I'm going to place our orders. I don't wanna hear another word of this… understand?" Eda's gaze met everyone at the table.
Lilith lowered her head in defeat. "Yes Edalyn."
once Eda was gone Luca looked at Lilith and placed his hand on hers. "if it makes you feel better I think Eda doesn't consider the empress as big a threat as she is." he said.
Lilith pulled her hand away and turned from him. "thank you child." she said, but Luca didn't see she had a slight blush concealed by the shroud.
"Alright kids, soups on." Eda said carrying a tray full of food. "eat up."
Luca looked his food over and his stomach growled in appreciation. It all looked so good. The eggs were similar to those on earth except that each egg was the size of a small dinner plate and coppery brown inside of yellow, the appleblood smelled strong and sweet.
Luz chowed down on the food. Shoveling it into her mouth like a man possessed. "Thank you Eda."
"yes, this is the best food I've eaten since I arrived." Luca spooned the eggs and let out a loud moan at the taste.
"I mean, I cook pretty good too." Eda replied, crossing her arms.
"I will say what I've eaten of yours is very well prepared."
"Thank you,"
"Edalyn, we must discuss the children's training regimen. It won't be long until the empress finds out we're harboring a fugitive." Lilith stated, eating her food in a prim and proper way.
"Later sis, now is the time to eat." Eda replied taking another huge bite out of her food which was a turkey leg the size of an actual turkey.
"Barbaric Edalyn, why can't you eat like a lady?"
"Oh what, you have a problem with the way I eat? Asked with her mouth full
Lilith grimaced "for the love of that's decent Edalyn don't talk with your mouth full. What would mother think?"
a strange stillness came when Lilith completed her sentence. Lilith clasped her mouth in shock.
Eda meanwhile just stared and placed her food down.
"Edalyn I'm sorry."
"Save it," Eda said defeated. "just… enjoy your meal Lilly."
"well with that I'm going to the bathroom." Luca said lifting up and going to the bathroom.
"Okay, I love you Luca." Luz called out once Luca had gotten half way to the bathroom.
Luca slowly turned and just smiled at Luca. "I know Lulu, I'll be back."
Eda noticed this and leaned into the girl's ears. "that's kinda rude isn't it?"
"what do you mean?" Luz asked, confused.
"I mean, when you tell someone you love them, it's customary to say it back. What's with this I know garbage?" Eda asked, agitation clear on her tone.
Luz scratched her head and just did a goofy grin. "Luca, has always had a problem with expressing affection… even when we were in our own home as a matter of fact."
Eda crossed her arms, "still, what a jerk move especially since I took him for a heart on his sleeves kinda guy."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because when he came to my house, he had you on his shoulders panting from exhaustion. He didn't trust me to be alone with you and stayed by your side for the whole process. To add to that he say next to you and made sure you were okay all while you were asleep."
Luz's eyes widened. "woah, Luca did all that?"
"he sure did, which is surprising since he can't even say I love you."
The door to the tavern swung open with a crash.
"Attention patrons of this establishment. I have a decree from the empress herself." A man dressed in white and red robes said, a crow mask on his face. He was flanked by four guards in a chainmail tunic and similar masks.
"Oh great, an empresses elite guard." Eda groaned.
"What are they doing here? Did esdeath send them?" Lilith asked.
"Obviously not Lilly, there here to put a wanted poster up for Luca and Luz. Which is going to make our life harder."
"Her excellency the empress of the boiling isles, wishes to inform you all that the asmodean has arrived. This day of rejoice was interrupted by insurgents who kidnapped the poor boy and took him from his place. The empress offers a one million snail bounty on the safe return of Luca. She also offers ten thousand snails for the head of the insurgents who are imprisoning him." the messenger decreed, making his way to the notice board.
He and his soldiers marched on and saw the picture In the center. Without hesitation he ripped it from the board "Nail and hammer, now!" he ordered holding out his hand.
"Sir, please stop." the voice of the dark skinned server.
"What is it server?" The messenger asked, his facial features indiscernable through his mask.
"Please, can't you please the Bounty outside somewhere. The poster you just tore down was of my baby girl. She's been taken and we need to find her." the man begged.
"so you think your daugther's needs are above the needs of our empress? is that it?" the messenger asked, menacingly.
"No, of course not." the man said, stumbling over his words.
"then why is your daugthers poster more important then the asmodean's?" The messenger sneered, tilting his head.
"My daugther is just a girl who doesn't have control over her magic… isn't the asmodean supposed to be all powerful… does he really need saving?" The man asked.
"Blasphemous swine." the messenger kicks the man in the gut sending him to the ground. He then proceeds to kick the life out of him as he screams.
"No! Please! I'm sorry." he begs, holding his hand over his head.
"I will smite you for your heretical words fool." the messenger raised his fist but was stopped by someone grabbing his wrist.
"what the–"
A fist connected to the messengers jaw sending him to ground.
Standing between the messenger and the man was a boy in a cloak. It was Luca, head bowed.
"leave this man alone or I'll make you." Luca said, his voice like gravel.
"Insolent fool, kill him!" The messenger directed his guards.
"Stop!" Another figure dressed in a cooks outfit ran out. The pale skinned witch stood between Luca and the messenger.
"Out of the way, this boy has assualted an imperial officer, that is a crime punishable by death." the messenger instructed grasping for the weapon at his belt.
"please, forgive my son, he is just upset that his sister is gone. Please forgive him and I'll give you each a round of hard appleblood for your troubles… free meals as well."
Messenger scratched his chin and considered his offer. "very well citizen, we accept the penance for your kin's wrongdoings."
"Now back to the kitchen… both of you!" The pale skinned man ordered pointing his finger to behind the counter.
Luca nodded and helped lift the dark skinned man. He let the poor man lean on his shoulders as they stumbled to the kitchen.
When Luca arrived the sweet smell of good cooking entered his nose. This was just like the times he and his mom would go to fancy restaruants, back when Luz was a baby.
"it smells wonderful back here." Luca said, looking around at the boiling pots and the hanging cutlerly.
Luca saw a woman crying in the corner. She was dark skinned and her black hair was in a pixie cut. She was comforted by a tall woman in a servants dress with pink skin and three eyes.
"there, there dear. I'm sure she'll be found." The three eyed woman cooed patting her back.
"I just can't believe this would happen. My poor skara, my little baby girl… gone!" she wailed.
"another two women who've lost their daugthers." The pale skin man said, shaking his head. The man turned toward Luca. "thank you for saving my husband, I'm Peonie." he said holding out his hand.
"Luca, Luca nocenda… or as I guess I'm known here… the asmodean." Luca removed his hood. "and I'm not kidnapped."
The group gasped and immediately bowed before him "Please my lord, forgive us for not recognizing you." Peonie asked.
"No, it's fine, I'm not special… I just want to live my life. But tell me are there any leads in finding the lost girls? Any suspects?" Luca sweated due to the intense heat of the kitchen.
"no my lord, the empress men have found nothing. It is as if these kidnappers are undetectable." Peonie replied.
"Please my lord, I humbly request you bring my baby girl back home. I beg you please." The darkskinned woman said crawling to him and grabbing his shirt with tears in her eyes.
"I -i don't know if I can?" Luca said but looking into her saddened eyes. "But I'm going to try." A smile cracked on Luca's face.
"Bless you, Bless you my lord."
"Stop with the lord stuff. It's Luca, just Luca." the boy explained.
"very well Luca. This is Ullex my husband." Peonie directed to the burly darkskinned.
"Peonie, it's going to be okay. The asmodean will brign our baby back home." he said grasping Luca in a bear hug.
"the woman who is a nervous wreck is Minerva and the pink skinned three eyed girl is named Juno." Peonie explained, "Ullex put the poor boy down, he is going to suffocate."
"sorry," Ullex dropped Luca.
"my girl's name is skara… she is dark skinned and has beautiful eyes like her mother." Minerva said through her sobs.
"my babies name is boscha and she looks like me but shorter." Juno replied coldly.
"Don't mind her, Juno is a bit of cynic." Peonie said, patting Ullex's back.
"well do you blame me? This has been going on for two years and still nothing has come of the empresses investigation. I bet her guard are taking kick back from the kidnappers." Juno said, arms crossed.
"well none of us have to worry… the asmodean will save our children." Peonie points to Luca.
"Hey server!" The messenger shouted. "I demand service, now!"
Peonie sighed as he rolled up his sleeves. "Back to work everyone."
"I guess I'll be going." Luca replied walking toward the inn.
Peonie placed his hand to his mouth and whispered, "use the backdoor." raising his thumb to direct Luca to where it was.
"Thanks,"
Luca ran toward the backdoor to see Luz, Lilith, and Eda waiting for him.
Eda had her arms crossed, tapping her foot. "well I hope you're proud of yourself young man. You had me worried sick."
"I'm sorry Eda."
"well you should be, I swear it's like you don't think."
"I just wanted to help that man."
"and what would you have done If the guards actually fought you… burn them with your little light balls."
"I know. But can't we help these people. There children are going missing."
"I don't care Luca. The only children I care about are mine… which includes you." Eda said grasping Luca in a hug. "Don't scare me like that again."
Luca returned the hug and patted her back.
"Now let's go home. You two have some chores waiting on you and then we'll start learning new kinds of magic theory."
Luz let out an excited screak and skipped toward the wagon singing a song.
Luca looked back the tavern and remembered the crying woman on her knees begging for his aid. I'm gonna help those girls, if it's the last thing I do. He thought filled with determination Luca followed Eda and his sister to the cart.