A.N.: Hello. This is 90sOldVibe here with my first fic on this platform. I hope you guys like it.

Tags: WBWL, isekai, Weasley bashing (most of them), Potter's bashing, manipulative Dumbledore, ministry bashing, eventual harem.

Normal people talking "Hello. How are you?"

People thinking 'Thinking on something good.'

Monster or demon talking "*Drool* Hmmm meat~"

Monster or demon thinking 'I want that shiny precious thing.'

Chapter 1: Healing Hands

Once upon a time, far across the seas, in the land of Ruveroa, there lived a man who rose to power in the midst of the golden age of man. He was the dark lord Falz Avel, the bringer of a dark age. Legends speak of his foul and terrifying magic, foul rituals that rose the dead, hordes of monsters that descended on the kingdoms of men. And him, the dark lord himself, blessed in the art of armed combat and magic. No man could defeat him in single combat. All fell before him.

So much was lost under the dark lord's rampage. Arcana, the city-state with the greatest college of magic in the world, the barbarian tribes of Ludmer, the kingdom of Baristein, famous for their trading, the island nation of Oddland and their famous ships… All lost. The people of Ruveroa lived in fear under the rule of the dark lord for centuries. Many heroes rose to challenge him, yet none succeeded, the people lived on without hope.

That was when they came, the Red Hawks. A mercenary army that earned their fame fighting against the dark lord's forces for several years, a beacon of hope in the dark age, one day, their leader, the last descendant of the kings of Baristein declared "The dark lord will fall." So, they marched to the deadlands, fighting against the dark lord terrible beasts, going farther than any other army or party of heroes, succeeding at breaching the magical barrier that protected the dark lord domain, and launching an assault on his very fortress. There, they fought the very man that terrorized the continent of Ruveroa.

It is said that the battle went on for days, the Red Hawks fought valiantly against Falz Avel. Victory was at hand, but the dark lord was not an enemy to be trifled with, as he laid defeated, he howled like a beast, cursing at the very heroes who defeated him and with what remained of his power, he cast a terrible spell at the cost of his life, a pilar of light rose into the night sky, the Red Hawks were no more, so was the fortress and everything within. Falz Avel, the dark lord who terrorized for centuries the people of Ruveroa… was defeated.

Despite mourning over the loss of the Red Hawks, the people of Ruveroa rejoiced, as an era of peace had begun for Ruveroa.

Over one hundred years had passed since the fall of the dark lord…

Scene change

The continent of Selenus had been at war for the last four centuries. The aberrant, monster born from corruption threatened the peace of Selenus. The land of Eostia, was the one to suffer the most at the hands of those creatures. In the beginning, they posed no threat. Yet things changed. One day, a dark fortress rose in the northern lands of Garan. There a foul magic tinted the sky red and killed off all wildlife, it turned the land into an inhospitable wasteland. A hell on earth, yet, a bastion of power for the monster, the dark magic coming from the dark fortress empowered the aberrant tuning them into vicious and dangerous beasts. And so, they marched to the south like a plague of locust. Pillaging and raping. Destroying everything they came across, leaving nothing but dead and corruption.

Everyone knew who was the one responsible. Olga Discordia. Dark elf, and self-proclaimed dark queen of Eostia. Fueled by her magics the monsters obtained an unnatural strength and resilience.

The dark lord was gone, but the world remained the same. And so, like centuries ago a force rose to face this fearsome foe. Under the guidance of the reincarnation of the goddess Laurentia, Celestine Lucross, formed The Seven Shield Alliance to face the darkness that threatened to consume the lands.

The land Eostia was divided in smaller territories, each one deferring to a grand city-state like fortress. There were seven fortresses.

Feoh, the northernmost fortress and the one closest to Garan, led by the Arturus royal family since it's founding. It acted as the first line of defense against the hordes descending from the north. Feoh is known for their knights and the all-female order of the Iris knights.

The next fortress was Ur and the closest to Feoh. It is a land mostly composed of farmlands and and woods. Ur acts as a trading hub for all of Eostia, producing roughly around a third of the food that the people of Eostia consumed.

Next was the fortress of Geofu. Geofu is known for their templars and paladins. The Levantine family rule this fortress.

Ken, the white capital and central fortress of Eostia. It's the seat of power for the Holy church, and where Celestine Lucross, the goddess reborn lives.

Rad, the fortress of the halflings, they produce weapons of high quality and supply all of Eostia with weapons and armour.

Ansur. Most of the nobility lives in this fortress. It is also where the adventurer's guild headquarters is located, which draw travelers from all corners of Selenus. This was the place where all adventures seeking fortune came to. Ansur did not have a proper army per say, instead, it boasted of hiring mercenary bands to keep the city protected while the nobles, hired their own guards.

And finally, the fortress of Thorn. Compared to the other fortress, Thorn was a new addition to the lands. This goes back to a few decades ago, back when the first citizen of Thorn came from the far east to settle in what would one day be Thorn. Thorn boasted of having unique produces not seen anywhere else in all of Eostia, fine silks, spices, rare plants and flowers, and even unique cuisine. This was a favorite destination for traders who sought exotic goods.

These were the fortresses that the people of Eostia lived in.

Thorn

And old rotund man using a cane and wearing simple farm working clothes walked with a limp across the streets of the fortress of Thorn, the third fortress of the Alliance. Compared to the other fortress, Thorn looked foreign, like a city of feudal Japan. Wooden houses with paneled doorframes, red wooden tori gates and cherry trees blooming everywhere.

After walking for a few minutes, the old man reached his destination and sighed in relief. "Burakkū~eru-sama, are you here? Burakkū~eru-sama." He asked walking in the building. This was the hospice of perhaps the only doctor in all of Eostia.

The building was rather modest, if not spartan, with a hallway leading to different rooms to keep some privacy. As always, the place gave off a pleasant scent of freshly cut grass.

Hearing footsteps drawing closer, the old man turned to look at the new person approaching. "Taro-san we talked about this, please, call me Blackwell, or Hadrian, if you can't, just call me doctor. Hearing you butcher my name dampens my mood." Said the new comer walking in the man's line of sight.

The newcomer was a fair skinned young man with long black hair tied in a low ponytail, he was tall, taller than the old man, roughly around 1'80 meters tall with a lean figure. He had an angular face, bare from any facial hair or any blemish with a thin upturned nose, high cheekbones and thin lips, his most characteristic feature, though, were his eyes. Two mystifying green eyes that seemed to glow on their own, currently, hidden behind thick eyeglasses. He was wearing a long-sleeved pale green robe embroidered white vinelike designs, grey baggy pants under it, and a pair of handcrafted black leather shoes embroidered with the same vine like pattern and ending on a curled tip.

His clothing was foreign, no one in Thorn had seen anything like it before, it was quite the novelty, and had many wondering from where did he get them.

The young man looked at the old man, green eyes behind thick glasses peering into the old man black eyes. "What can I help you with today, Kotaro-san?"

"My foot, again." Said the old man. The doctor named Blackwell took a glance at the older man's left foot and grimaced, thanks to the old man's wooden sandal he could see the inflammation and swelling of the man's toe and the pus oozing out.

Rubbing his eyes Hadrian sighed exasperatedly. "We have been over this, Kotaro-san. You have gout." He said looking at the old man foot. "I told you. You need to cut on the fatty foods. I believe I gave you a list of foods you can eat frequently and foods you cannot."

"I have tried to do like you told me, but, it's not as easy as you say, I try to follow this diet thing you told me about, but sometimes I can't just help myself. How could I, Boar stew is just delicious, I just can't help myself." Complained the man. "The medicine you gave me helped, but now it's back."

Groaning, the young man walks over one of the cabinets and start to rummage through it. 'I'm running low on elven sprig and asphodel. I will need to order some more.' "Hm…" Noticing a vial with some blue substance he picked it up and read the label. 'Here it is.' Nodding to himself, he closed the cabinet and offered the vial to the old man. "A glass of water, two drops. One after lunch and another after dinner."

The old man looked at him with a doubtful look. "That's it?"

"Yes, this should help treat your condition. Oh, and no more fatty foods, come visit me again in a few days to see how your foot goes." said the young man.

"But I-"

Hadrian lifted an eyebrow looking inquisitively at the old man. "Do I need to talk about your treatment with your wife?" He asked.

"Wha-NO! I will do this diet stuff, I will. You got my word, no need to tell the wife." Old man Kotaro hurried to say. "The last thing I want is to hear her say 'I told you so'." He shook his head. "She may be old but she still slaps really hard." he said rubbing the back of his head, nursing some phantom pains.

"Come on, it's not so bad."

"Excuse me, Burakkū~eru-sama? Are you here?" Asked a petite woman with black hair and eyes wearing a dark blue kimono, she walked in with a toddler in tow. "I'm here for Kenta's checkup."

"Fumiko-san? Oh, right, you were coming today." Hadrian said. "Please, wait a second." He said before turning to look at Kotaro. "Remember, two drops." He repeated as the older man grumbled to himself, giving a small bow to the woman and walking out.

"Hello, little man." Said Hadrian grinning. "How is my patient today?" he said shaking hands with the child. The child giggled as he shook hands with the man. The doctor showed them to a table with a pair of chairs so they could sit. "Alright, take a seat."

For a few minutes, he performed different test on the boy, and jotted down what he found.

Looking over the results, Hadrian gave the child a reassuring smile. "Well, you passed, you are as healthy as any other four years old boy." He turned his head to address the mother. "Little Kenta here is going to grow big and strong. He will live well and in good health, as any other child." Hadrian said ruffling the boy's hair.

The mother sighed in relief. She already knew about the child's recovery. She tried not to cry. She already cried before, back when everyone was telling there was no hope for her son, back when Hadrian gave her hopes, promising to cure the child, and finally, when the doctor succeeded at healing the child, it was… gruesome. She wanted to stay with the child as . "Thank you for your time, Burakkū~eru-sama." The mother and son due thanked Blackwell and left.

After they were gone, Hadrian sighed and smiled. "Glad to see that kid in good health, seems like the surgery was a success. All is as it should be, a little kid, able to enjoy life like any other child." He remembered the first time he met the kid and the mother. Back then, the kid was going blind from one eye. Some mass was forming in the cornea of the child's eye that was slowly rendering his eye useless. His last checkup showed no permanent damage, for the time being, the child would lead a normal life. Sighing satisfied with the outcome he filed the medical file and stashed it on a drawer.

After that, there were no more visits. The day went on slowly with Hadrian just doing rutinary work, filling medical records, only stopping to eat his lunch and to drink some tea in the afternoon.

The evening came and Hadrian hurried up to close the hospice for the day, he did not think there would be an emergency and even if there was, they would know where to find him back at his house.

He stopped to purchase some veggies for dinner. Finally, he arrived at a modest looking house, no different than the other houses, with enough space for a family, it was of eastern design, just like the others around Thorn. Sighing he walked in and took off his shoes. "I'm home." He got no answer. Walking further in, he arrived at the living room and found it empty. 'She is not here yet?'

"May as well start to make dinner." He went to the kitchen and set the bag where he carried the vegetables. He started with the fire. Throwing in some firewood in the fireplace he hanged an iron pot filled with water, he then added a pinch of salt right before lighting a fire. With that done, he moved on to peel off the potatoes, washing them and then throwing them into the pot when the water started to boil, soon followed by carrots cut in pieces, thin pieces of chicken meat, and leeks. He stirred the pot with a wooden ladle. This continued until the vegetables started to soften and thicken the broth. 'It's starting to smell good. Let's hope it doesn't get stuck at the bottom and burns.'

A little while longer, after tasting a spoonful, he deemed it to be ready.

"I'm home." Announced a cool female voice. The sound of soft footsteps drew closer. "Ah." Said a female voice, from behind him, the female looking over his shoulder at the steaming pot. "I see you made dinner."

There was a change in the air when Hadrian turned to look at the newcomer.

She always had that effect on people.

Kaguya, the head Priestess of the Odd Faced God sect, was a beautiful young woman of eastern descent, with unblemished pale skin, shoulder length luscious black hair stylized in a bob cut, hazel eyes that regarded him with a mix of stoicism and aloofness, soft looking cheeks, a small button nose and soft pouty lips. Currently she was wearing her shrine maiden outfit, consisting of a kosobe, a bright red robe that hugged her figure, not hiding the swell of her C-cup breasts, a white transparent shawl hanged from her shoulders going all the way down to her knees. Further down, she lacked what Hadria deemed proper clothing, not having the typical hakama pants he had seen back at some temples during his travels around the world, instead, she was wearing only a fundoshi, with a tag at the front, this tag having inscriptions and spells that he had yet to decipher. Following down she was wearing thigh-high white stockings, reaching her ankles she was wearing white tabi. Normally, she would be wearing wooden sandals, but since she was at home, she did not, neither was she wearing her ceremonial crown.

She sniffed the air. "Hm? I must admit it smells good, but if you asked, I could have my handmaidens cook us something."

"True." Replied Hadrian. "But then I would not be able to spoil my cute wife with food."

"Hadrian." Started Kaguya pinching the bridge of her nose. "We are only married by name. I remain faithful to my faith. I will never lay with you. So, stop pampering me. It will amount to nothing. Our marriage is a fluke."

"Well, you are not wrong about our marriage being a fluke." Hadrian conceded.

He did not fully remember the day in question, or how he came to be married to her.

What he remembered was the happenings before and after.

He settled in Thorn about a year ago, and had been serving the people as a healer, or a doctor as he defined himself, for a few months, proving himself to be a reliable healer in which everyone could always rely on.

One day… one night, there was a festival. A very old festival, music, games, food stalls, and alcohol, lots and lots of alcohol. He decided to live a little and joined with everyone in the celebration. However, this festival had many costumes and traditions, traditions that had been preserved for centuries and where respected if not enforced by both their religious leaders and their nobility. One such tradition was that on the eve of this festival, any man, any man. Could propose to any woman they desired. Any other day, it would be a normal occurrence of both parties agreeing on such a union or not.

Not that day.

According to tradition, the would-be bride, would issue a challenge, if the man proposing were to fail, he would be publicly shamed, making them a pariah, and difficult for them to find a wife in the future. However, if the man succeeded, then, they would be taken to the nearest priest or priestess and were married right away.

It was on that day, that a drunk Hadrian stormed in the middle of an important ceremony screaming he wanted a wife. To humor him they asked him which woman he wanted to marry.

He pointed a finger at Kaguya and replied 'I want her.'

Annoyed by his outburst Kaguya accepted and she threw in her challenge. She asked him to write her name on a grain of rice. She was assured of her victory, that would teach a lesson to the annoying doctor that dared to storm in one of their most sacred ceremonies. Perhaps then he would learn some humility.

There was no way a drunk fool could write her name, he even seemed to be close to pass out.

So, imagine her shock when the very drunk doctor, managed to write her name, with an ink dipped toothpick of all things. When she looked through a lens, and saw her name written on the rice, she almost fell like fainting back then and there.

In a fit of transitory insanity, she tried to strangle him. Only to be held back by several monks and shrine maidens.

The next morning, when he woke up, he woke with the biggest headache he ever had, and a shrine maiden sitting by his futon seiza-style, looking at him with an aloof expression and claiming they were married.

Finally coming back from that memory trip, he chuckled. "You know, if you wanted me to fail, you should have asked me to sing. Last time I did, I got the dogs of several hamlets barking and howling for hours. The townsfolk even had the audacity to say that hearing me sing was torture." he shook his head.

For a moment, her lips twitched upwards. "Oh, that's nice to know, perhaps next time I will challenge you with singing me a ballad, perhaps in the next life?" she replied with sarcasm.

"Until death do us apart." He quoted filling a bowl with broth and handing it to Kaguya.

Accepting the bowl. "It could be worse, I suppose." Said Kaguya. "At least you are not a brute who would demand of me to fulfill my marital duties at the bedroom." Taking a spoonful of broth, she took it to her mouth and swallowed it. "You are also not bad at cooking."

"Well, thanks. Sis taught me how to cook." Replied Hadrian.

"You have a sister?" questioned Kaguya. This was the first time she heard about any family member even though they had been married for four months.

Hadrian nodded. "Yes. Marie Blackwell, she raised me and the others at Blackwell's orphanage."

"Blackwell's orphanage? Then you are… an orphan" she said, her eyes softening. "But… your last name."

"Oh, that. The orphanage was a bit special. Once we reach adulthood we have to leave the orphanage, but they do give us all the last name of Blackwell as a parting gift."

"That's… uncommon, I don't know of that many orphanages, but I have never heard of this practice either."

"It was a very special orphanage. It had another tradition. Most of the kids, ended up being abandoned as babies at the front door of the orphanage, not even having a name of their own. So those kids are given a name at the time they get registered, boys get named after weapons, mostly. Girls, on the other hand, are named after flowers." To Kaguya flower names sounded lovely for girls to have, but she creased her brow at the idea of naming boys after weapons.

"But you are not named after a weapon." Kaguya pointed out before taking a sip from her spoon.

"I was already named. The lady that dropped me at the orphanage was not my mother, but she did give me a name." he exhaled after a spoonful. "I must had been… six years old by then, she was kind, she… rescued me from a bad place and took me to Blackwell's orphanage, promising me I would live well in there. That they would take care of me. And she did good on her promise. While I was never adopted, I grew up happy at the orphanage and I made a lot of friends… many lasting friendships. It was a shame I had to leave."

"I take it that was when you reached adulthood." Replied Kaguya.

Hadrian shook his head. "No. there was… an incident. We had to leave." Hadrian cleared his throat. "Sorry, that's not a pleasant topic we should be discussing over dinner, perhaps some other time."

"Very well." She agreed to avoid that topic for the time being. "Mind answering me a question?"

Hadian rose an eyebrow. "Sure."

"You are from Ruveroa, right?" getting a nod she continued. "How is Ruveroa one hundred years after the fall of the dark lord?"

"Mostly peaceful." Replied Hadrian. "There is… the occasional monster, and the orc warbands are still around. Either way, it is still better, a thousand times better in comparison with the Ruveroa of old, back when Falz Avel was still around."

Kaguya stared at the broth. "I see that the dark lord is still taboo in those lands."

Sighing Hadria took a moment to explain the weird relationship the people of Ruveroa had with the fallen dark lord. "Don't get me wrong, the dark lord left quite the impression on the people of Ruveroa. 'May the spirit of Falz Avel curse you.' It is a ruveroan curse." Clarified Hadrian. "There are… even sects that worship the dark lord to this day. Whenever we like it or not, the reign of the dark lord is part of ruveroan history. Olga Discordia most likely will be a part of the history of Selenus, even if you do defeat her."

Blinking she gained a thoughtful look as she thought over what Hadrian said. "I haven't thought about that. Hm… that's something to ponder, I will address this topic with the other princess knights at the next meeting of lords."

After some idle chatting, they finished their dinner. Kaguya left to take her bath while Hadrian waited for his turn.

After she was done. He went next.

After bathing, he headed for his bedroom.

If there was one thing that stood out compared to the other houses at Thorn was the bed. Instead of sleeping at futons or bedrolls, like the people of Thorn did, Hadrian had a canopy bed made out of sturdy solid wood with black drapery and fluffy pillows. It was the only luxury he indulged in.

Once again, Kaguya was no in his bedroom, preferring to sleep on her own futon in another room. "Perhaps one day…" he sighed blissfully before going to sleep.

Flashback

He looked at his own hand being held by hers, the woman walked with him across a field of green grass under a clear blue sky. Her white hair and long black dress were willowing in the wind, her dress, akin to the design of the Victorian era, made her look like she was dressed for attending a funeral.

"Harry. From now on, your name will be Hadrian. Understand." Declared the woman turning to look at him with a soft gaze, she was a pale skinned woman with long white hair and icy blue eyes. She was a woman of unearthly beauty. Harry… Hadrian, came to call her the pale lady.

"Hadrian." Repeated the boy. "What… what will happen with me? won't I get in trouble? You said that some people may search for me in the future. What if they find me? Will they take me back there? Back to the pain?" The thought of being taken back scared him to no end.

"No. They will never take you back there. That I promise." She said gently. He caressed his face. "You have suffered so much. And until now I could do nothing but watch. But it was thanks to the malice of that… man. I could save you."

She could remember how she came to the child. A child locked in a cupboard under the stairs. Beaten to death by a foolish man who could not understand that at his core, the so-called freak he tried to get rid off was just an innocent child. Then she came, to perform her duty, she came seeking to take a life, and for a life she came. She was not happy about it. No child should suffer unnecessarily. But then, an idea struck her, she came for a life, indeed. Harry James Potter was not supposed to live any longer. He was dead to the world. But what is he was no longer Harry Potter? What if he did not take his life and instead took something else? With her decision made, she bent the rules. She took the leech out of him. A life she took, a fragment of a soul that was no more. With this, she healed the child and took him to another world.

Away from those monsters in human skin.

Away from that manipulative old man.

Away from that foolish boy pretending to be a dark lord.

Away from those negligent parents.

Away from his spoiled pig of a brother.

And away from all the sheep that was wizarding Britain.

If they could casually discard him like that to die, then they clearly did not deserve the boy, prophecy or not.

"What will I do from now on?" the black-haired child asked.

Sighing she gently squeezed his hand. "Hadrian, you can do whatever you want." Replied the pale lady. "This is a whole new world for you to explore. A world of wonders and magic, where every single person possess the same gift as you. You are no longer defined by your natural given gifts. You are no longer bound by fate. You are free… free to be whatever you want to be."

The child kept walking with the woman. They reached the top of a hill that overlooked a town in the distance. "Are we going there?" The child's green eyes glinted with wonder seeing what appeared to be a town out of the renaissance period.

"Yes. I know someone in there who will take good care of you until you are old enough to be on your own." Said the pale lady.

Soon they walked into town, the townsfolk looking in concern at the state of the child clothes and bruises. They already had a good idea of where they were headed. After a few minutes, he noticed there were less houses around, until they reached the edge of the town, there was only a road heading to a manor surrounded by tall wall and a reinforced iron gate.

Hadrian could see the large manor beyond the wall, it was a really big manor. Strangely enough, he could heard other children laughing and shouting.

The pale lady knocked several times on the gate. Instantly the slot in the gate slid to the side and baby blues eyes peeked from the other side. "Who is it? What do you see, Rose?" said a children's voice from the other side."

"Hey, don't move, or I may fall." A girl's voice shouted. The blue eyes darted around before focusing on the pale lady. "Erm. Who dares to approach these gates?" asked the girl disguising her voice trying to make it appear deeper.

Chuckling the pale lady leaned down to stare at the eyes of the other person peeking through the slot. "Hi sweetie, I am here to talk with Marie. Could you go get her?"

"Hm. Ok. Ralph, go get sis."

"Wha-No! You go get her!"

"I am busy, so you go get her."

"You go get her!"

"Children!" Shouted a female.

"Sorry sis!" shouted the children running away.

"One second, let me open this." The gates opened and a woman wearing a long dark purple dress greeted them. The woman had a very thin build with pale skin, long chocolate brown hair and dark brown eyes. Her eyes widened as they landed on the pale lady. "You are…"

"Hello Marie, dear. It's been a while." Said the pale lady making the younger woman stiffen and become guarded.

"Yes. You are not here… to take anyone, right?" Marie said getting ready to fight her, if the situation called for it.

She shook her head. "You know it does not work like that. Your grandfather was a special case. That's why I had to come in person."

"So, what are you here for?" Asked now noticing the boy besides her, which made her expression soften and smile at the young boy. "Hello, little one. What's your name."

Before the boy could answer the pale lady put a hand on his shoulder. "His name is Hadrian, and he is like your grandfather."

"Truly?" Asked Marie regarding the boy with wonder. "Where are you from?"

"E-England, Surrey." Stuttered Hadrian.

"England. Just like grandpa. Ok, I think I understand the situation. You want me to take care of him." Marie stated looking at the boy with a warm look.

"Would he be a bother?" asked the pale lady.

"Never. He is welcomed here, as anyone else." Marie stopped to look at the pale lady. "Did you grant the child any boon?"

"All I did was healing him of his ailments. Your grandfather needed more boons as a compensation for what happened to him. Everyone has magic in this world, regardless if you choose to practice it or not. Your grandfather did not have any magic, so I granted him the gift of magic, and, since I felt generous, I brought him his family library alongside some books that came after he left for this world. A gift that you too have come to love." The pale lady smiled in amusement. "If I remember correctly, I seem to recall a cute little girl that had her nose always stuck in that first edition of the Hobbit."

Marie glared at the pale lady. "Yes, well… come on in. just mind yourself." She said allowing them to pass past the gate. There were several children playing and laughing, some stopped to look at them, some even waved their hands at him, greeting him.

They walked into the manor, he soon came to realize this was one of the orphanages his uncle used to threaten him with sending him to a rat-infested orphanage, but this orphanage was a far cry of what his uncle described… he kind of like it. It was not dark or dirty. The place was clean and smell like flowers. He noticed some wooden toys and stuffed dolls lying around.

Marie crouched down and picked a doll. "Sorry for the mess, you know how some children are." She said placing the doll on a shelf.

She led them to her study room. "So…" she started. "Your name was Hadrian." she said writing that down in a paper. "How old are you Hadrian?"

"I'm six." He answered making her pause.

"He is quite small for being six years old." She said giving the pale lady a questioning look.

"He was… in a bad place. The people there did not treat him well. I have fixed most of the damage. He is bound to grow up soon."

"With who…" she asked though her clenched teeth. "With whom did you live with previously?"

"With my uncles. U-uncle V-vernon and a-aunt Petunia." Replied Hadrian.

Her eyes softened. "I see." She glanced at the pale lady.

"Well, from now on you will be under my custody until you are adopted or you become of age." She explained to the boy. "This orphanage will be your home and their residents your family, that means you will have to behave and be nice to the other children, regardless of what they look like, understand? It does not matter if they are succubus, elves, catfolk, wolfkin, dwarves, demons or any other species. Everyone here is family. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes." Replied the boy with a look of fear. "P-please, don't hit me."

For an instant the face of Marie was replaced with that of a snarling demon. 'If I ever get my chance to get my hands on those monsters I will wring their necks.' She stood up and approached the boy making him close his eyes in fright waiting for the pain that did not come. Instead, he found himself in the arms of Marie. "There, there. Everything will be ok."

That broke the dam. Hadrian cried on her embrace until he fell asleep.

"I will take care of him." She promised, looking down at the child in her arms. The pale lady nodded and vanished in black smoke. She lifted the child who was awfully light for a child his age and carried him to what would be his room from now on, alongside three other kids. She laid him down on the unowned bed so he could sleep. "Sweet dreams, Hadrian. You have gone through some hardships, but I promise you, everything will get better." She said closing the door and leaving to inform the kids that they will have a new member in their big dysfunctional family.

Present Time

Hadrian woke up hearing the chirping of birds. 'It's been a while ever since I had that dream. I miss those days, playing with them, laughing, always getting in trouble with sis after pulling a prank or getting all covered in mud. I wonder what became of them.' "Well, today is a new day. Better make the most of it."

Kaguya woke up not long after, finding Hadrian sweeping the hallway with a broom. Sighing heavily, she gave him a stoic look. "My handmaidens can do that."

"Good for them, let me finish in here. Oh, I left you a bento, take it with you when you leave." Said Hadrian with a pleasant smile.

She narrowed her eyes, glaring at her husband. "You are insufferable." She said. "Go get yourself a mistress to fawn over and leave me alone."

Hadrian grinned. "Would you get jealous if I got myself a mistress?" He asked giving her a wink,

She narrowed her eyes. "No." She replied. "I could care less if you get one."

"Ouch." He joked. "You are breaking my heart over here." He said putting his hand over his heart.

Kaguya nodded. "Good. Hurry and divorce me."

"So cold. What will the people say?" Asked Hadrian.

"I do not care about what the say about our marriage." Said Kaguya fixing her clothes and leaving.

He sighed as he got a glimpse of her 'Heavenly bottom'.

"She forgot the bento. *Chuckles* Well, I will see it as an excuse to visit her at the temple. Bet she will get mad." He chuckled imagining her flustered face when he arrives at the temple. Oh just from giving him the cold shoulder he was going to pamper her in front of everyone.

He finished cleaning the house before locking the house and leaving to visit his wife at the temple, he came to the conclusion that he could spend some time at the temple teasing his wife. Getting a bit late to open the hospice? A small price to pay in exchange for teasing Kaguya.

Scene change

A young man advanced through the dark tunnels of a cave.

He was a bespectacled man with shoulder length dirty blond hair wearing a dark grey tunic, white pants, brown leather boots and a purple cloak over his shoulders.

Two red imp like creatures followed after him, they flapped their wings to keep themselves airborne.

He illuminated the area with his staff emitting a soft light. Anyone else would get lost in these tunnels, but he knew exactly where he was going. He had ventured in these tunnels many times before. Finally, he reached his destination.

As he left the tunnel several torches lit the cavernous room with ethereal blue fire. This room deep beneath Selenus was a Sorcerer's dream, I had a large library touching on topics that ranged from spells to runecraft and alchemy. It had also a high-quality workshop with rare ingredients for alchemy and potion brewing. And even it possessed a small armory to outfit a mage.

But he was not here for any of that.

He advanced to the very end of the room, there atop a throne sat a figure wearing a worn down black amor with spiky shoulders and a tattered cape. His helmet had a several spikes that were arranged to look like a spiked crown with a yellow gem attached to it.

Through the joints and tatters on the sleeves. One could see that whoever it was the one wearing the armor was long dead, since anyone could see only bone beneath the armor.

"W-what is that thing?" hissed one of the imps seeing the armored figure. There was something disturbing about that figure on the throne. He could feel it, the imps instincts were telling him to run away and never return. "That- What is that?!"

"Oh." Started the young man. "Right, I forgot to tell you exactly why I needed you." He swung his staff, casting a ball of fire that hit the nearest imp.

The imp squealed in pain as he was burned alive.

The other imp seeing he was in danger tried to fly away, but he was also struck down by the mage. "T-traitor." Hissed out the imp before dying.

The mage did not say anything, he closed his eyes in meditation, and started to weave his arms in circling motions. Glowing magical circles appeared under the imp remains that seemed to combust in raw dark blue energy. Said energy floated around the mage as he controlled it before with one last gesture commanded the energy to strike the skeleton.

The was absorbed by the skeleton. Then silence reigned. Before a raspy breathing could be heard.

"This is your tribute?" hissed a voice that shook the room. "This pathetic amount?"

"I'm sorry master." Apologized the young man.

"Hm. It's been a while Keane. So, tell me, what brings my apprentice back here? What do you want? Is this about your boss?" Asked the undead tilting his head to the side.

"Yes." Replied Keane of the kuroinu mercenary army. "I have an invitation form my boss. He asks you to join us in our conquest of Selenus."

A raspy laugh came from the skeleton. "All of Selenus? What about his dream of conquering Eostia?"

"What can I say. That was the Vault from a few years back. Now he has bigger goals. After all…" Keane grinned as he stared at the slits of the helmet. "You were his inspiration."

"And what do I gain by assisting your… boss?" Asked the undead with skepticism.

"Sacrifices. Enough sacrifices to restore you to your full might."

"I can do that on my own." Hissed the undead.

"That's true, you are in no hurry" conceded Keane knowing his master was one who played the long game. "But what about obtaining the magic of two powerful elves? A powerful dark elf sorceress and a high elf who is the current incarnation of the goddess Laurentia. There is also a sect of monks and shrine maidens from the far east, perhaps that would interest you?" Said Keane knowing this would interest the armored undead.

"That's indeed a tempting offer. Their combined magics would be useful." Admitted the undead. "I will think about it. Now leave. I tire of you."

Keane nodded and turned around. As he left, he allowed a wide grin to appear on his face. 'Vault will be pleased to know that he is considering on joining us. If he joins us, we will conquer all of Selenus in a few years. The people of Selenus won't know what hit them when the kuroinu march to war with a dark lord on their side.' Thought the apprentice of the dark lord.

Chapter End