The child was slumbering on Allric's Arm. Her upper torso rested on his upper arm, and her tail wrapped around his lower arm. Although her breathing was shallow, it was steady, and to Allric, that was enough.
Allric paid no attention as Shilteno and her forces recuperated from the battle.
Shilteno was looking at Allric and the former Sineater Leader, to her a fundamental question rang in her head what in the underworld did he do, where did all the unholy holy energy go
"Ma'am" a soldier spoke
Finally looking away from Allric her gaze turns to the Baphomet Jalvak
"What is the situation and where is Agmaz"
"Ma'am I'm sorry to report that out of the 50 monster squad, you led 20% are KIA and another 10% are MIA, Agmaz was one of the Casultiys"
"Shame, still mother won't be happy, look for those that are MIA"
"You won't find them" Chotan Spoke up
"And why do you say that?" Jalvak spoke
"It's likely that they were corrupted by the Lightwarden or Sineater power, and with the Lightwarden's defeat those corrupted dissipated into the mana" Chotan spoke solemnly
"Even if what you say is true we still need to look" Shilteno Spoke with authority
Footsteps were being heard as those present turned to Allric Approaching
Jalvek raised her Scythe as a barrier appeared around Allric, Stopping him in his tracks
"What are you doing" Chotan shouted
"Miss Shilteno, We must secure these two"
"Explain?"
"As I stated the Human Alleic Seemed to have a high alignment to light but not of holy nature, that alignment has grown as well when he absorbed that mana"
"And the child?"
"I am unsure, That's a monster likely a Shirohebi, but like Allric her mana has changed to that Unright mana If I may, we need to study them properly in Her Majesty's realm but for everyone's safety we must separate the two"
That would have been the worst choice of word Jalvek could have said as Allric's eyes darkened, beyond the barrier anyone with mana affinity could feel the pressure coming from Allric.
He moved to the barrier wall, his eyes focusing on Jalvek. He raised his arm straight to the right, his body angled to keep the child behind him, using his body as cover. In one quick motion, he shattered Jalvek's barrier.
the pressure only got worse as he made his way to Jalvek and spoke
"Do you think that is wise?", "You may lack such ability to hear but throughout the entire fight and before, this child was crying", "And you think it's wise to take this child from me?", "Go ahead", "TRY ME"
He spoke those last words with such venom that it could rival an Apophis, He stood before Jalvek not looking down at her, his face stayed up but his eyes looked at her, eyes with the fury of a Wurm
"Everyone stop!" Shilteno Shouted
Trying to regain control of the situation Shilteno shouted getting the two's attention
"Allric No one will steal that child from you have my word"
"But Ma'am"
"Jalvak!"
This shut her up quickly
"I understand your concern but here are the facts, one! Allric has put his life on the line twice now to aid us against an unknown force, two had he not fought the Sineeater's leader we would not have made it, and three the night sky has returned so if he has that selfsame energy within him and is aligned with said energy, then he must have at least some control over it, so stand down do you understand"
"Understood" Jalvak said
At this point, Chotan spoke up
"So this is what you meant when you said you could contain a Lightwarden's mana"
Allric nodded
"Is that what it was called, Hmph fitting"
Shilteno muttered before regaining her composure
"For now we need to re-group and move the battle is won but something tells me this isn't the end"
With all in Neutral agreement, those that survived looked for any of the MIA's Packed up the remains of the outpost, and headed for the nearby capital
The night was long and most were tired The fight took a lot out of the monsters, the Survivors from the village were positioned at the center of the group surrounded by the soldiers, Allric, Chotan, and the unnamed child were a bit away from the group
"Do you know what happened to her?" Chotan asked
"No," Allric said
"I'll be honest Nothing from the Previous Lightwarden remains after I absorbed them so this is unknown territory for me"
"She seems to cling to you, despite being your enemy"
Chotan spoke, but she could not deny that she was a bit jealous wanting to cling to Allric as well, or rather their children, the mere thought of that caused her heart to race and her face to blush
Allric attention was on the child, not paying attention to Chotan
"It not that she was the enemy, you heard what Jalvak said she's a Shirohebi or to my homeland a variant of an Ananta. Ethier way she was a Monster but something confounds me"
"And why is that?"
"Like I said Light-Wardens do not retain their forms after I absorb them but this child does more over the remaining Sin-eaters Disapatied, Leading me to think that Because there was a Monster LightWarden."
"Sin eaters can exist in monster territories"
"My thoughts Exactly" Allric conforms
"But what happened to her?"
"Your guess is as good as Mine"
The Child muttered in her sleep resting her head on Allrics chest
"Whatever the case she deserves rest she's been through enough as it is"
Cho giggled
"You have a fondness for children"
Allric, his unmoving face, flinched a little, acknowledges their claim
"My friends have told me the same"
Cho moved closer to Allric and tried to grab their hand but just as she reached out Allric moved his hand, to move hair out to the child's face causing Chotan to pout
The dawn had finally come, as rays of light lit up the plains it was then that the group stopped moving
"It seems they are stopping here"
Allric said
"Everyone's tired Considering that some monsters died last night it hasn't been easy on them I suspect" Chotan responded
"then we rest as well"
As Allric said this the child began to stir, letting out a big yawn
"It seems like someone waking up," Chotan said
"I'll go see if they started handing out food"
Allric nodded as he tended to the Child and Chotan left
As Chotan entered the campsite, everyone was on edge. It made sense given what had happened last night, but the fear was evident in everyone. Some soldiers were glancing up into the sky, fearing another Lightwarden. Chotan found the mess tent and made her way in.
Most were sitting at the table and picking at their food. Some of the village's survivors were there as well, but she didn't see the sister or Luno and her mother, Shaking her nerves, she got in line. Most of the soldiers were keeping to themselves in quiet mourning. Her father told her that after a battle, most soldiers didn't speak, still processing what had happened before.
She placed down three trays on the rail when the chef spoke up.
"Only one tray per person Lizardman"
"Oh one is, the other two are for Allric and the child," Chotan said
When she did the quiet room went silent and all eyes were on her
"Is there a problem?" she asked
"I'll tell you the problem!" a soldier spoke up
Chotan Turned to face the Monster Youko
"Do you have ANY idea what that bastard has done!"
"I recall that he fought the Lightwarden and saved us all, Before that he put himself at risk to save a child, and before 'that' he fended off a hoard to save what villagers remain i failed to see what your reasoning is?"
"Of course, you say that, but let's face it he aint human"
"Your senses must be off, he emits the mana of human man"
"that's just a fucking trick, I seen him absorb all that 'Mana' there's no fucking way he's human for all we know he's one of those things!"
Chotan has been trying to stay calm given to circumstances of thing, but those words crossed a line
"Don't you dare insult my Mate" Chotan said sternly
"Allric is many things, Cold, brunt, distant, but he has never been cruel, malicious, or evil nor is he a Sineater let alone a light warden."
Chotan stepped forward to the Youko
"You claim he one of them, have you ever considered the fact that he saved us of his volition, some twice now?, he put himself between us the Light wardens Croupt mana"
Again Chotan stepped forward to the Youko
"That 'Mana' would have killed us all, had it reached us, you, me, even Lady Shilteno"
Another step
"He has shown nothing but care and devotion to our safety and I ask you at least give him that respect"
Chotan was now standing in front of the Youko, the monster was a head higher than her so it didn't give the intimidation that Chotan was trying to put up at the Youko
"Listen brat, I have seen what those things could do to us, and if you think that man is anything human you are sorely mistaken"
The threat of a fight was about to break out when another voice rang out "Enough of your shouting"
The voice belonged to Sister Batya who came into the mess tent, though the two were still at odds they backed off from each other
With a deep breath, Batya continued
"I know things are dire, everyone and I know there's no going back to how things were, but we can't fight amongst ourselves,"
Batya turned to Chotan
"Listen, child, you know that they are scared even no those adept with mana can feel that wicked, mana,"
"I know that but"
Chotan was then bonked on her head by Batya's cane
"No buts you need to remember about the world doesn't see through your eyes, you coddled child"
"Sorry sister" was all Chotan could mutter
"AND YOU!" Batya turned to the Youko who was grinning at Chotans beratement before losing that smirk when Batya was speaking with her
"That good man has time and time again put his life on the line for us, despite being blessed by the Omnipotent he has not once but twice saved us from a threat we don't understand, so befor you go off blaming people think,"
Batya then got closer to the Youko
"Do you understand"
"Yes sister" was all the Youko could mutter
"Good," Batya said before turning to the chef, "If you would kindly prepare food for the three I very much appreciate it"
The chief nodded and started fixing the trays as the Youko sat back down
Chotan then spoke up
"Um Sister Batya, if I may, how are the Luno and her mother?"
"Alive, but scared out of their minds, I was coming to collect food for them, Young Crimson lost her husband and we thought her child as well, I can not pray thanks to the Dark one enough for that mercy, only to be nearly lost to us soon after had Allric not succeed in deflecting that attack"
"I hope they recover," Chotan said
"I fear they never will, tho we are monsters death comes for us all, they'll be scarred for life now," Batya said Somenly
Chotan said nothing but as they stood in silence the room stood up soldiers were saluting to the Monster that entered the camp
"At ease," the voice said,
"my, Did the meeting go smoothly?" Batya asked cheerfully
Turning around Chotan saw it was the Baphomet Jalvek
"No I'm afraid, I was hoping to find Allric here"
"He's still away from the camp itself said something about not stressing the Group any more than they have been through," Chotan said
"Understandable considering all that has happened"
"But why do you need to need him"
"Because Her Emminince requested his presence immediately"
This shocked Chotan but she tried to keep a calm attitude
"May I ask why?"
"No, you may not this a private matter"
"If I may" Batya spoke up
"Chotan is Allric's mate, if the matter involves Allric then it involves Her as well"
"With all due respect sister, she hasn't begun the process of transforming him into an Incubus if that was even possible let alone laid with him "
"so no she may claim herself as his mate but she isn't in the eyes of the high ranks"
Chotan was insulted but Jalvek wasn't wrong, as she was now, she was an associate to Allric in the eyes of the supreme court
"I understand," Chotan said "I'll take you to him, but if he'll go is another thing"
Jalvek said nothing as Chotan turned around and grabbed two of the trays
"grab the tray if you want to get on Allric's good side you have to prove that you mean no harm to them, the child I mean"
Jalvek said nothing as she followed Chotan's lead, taking the tray and following her, to Jalvek it was demeaning to someone like her to be the servant but Her grace demanded to speak with them so she did what she was told.
As they made their way past the camp Jalvek found Allric interacting with the Shirohebi, Allric Wasn't paying attention but from Jalvek's and Chotans point of view the Shirohebi was smiling
As they drew closer Allric noticed their approach but when he noticed Jalvek Alrek got defensive, instinctively ready to protect the child
"I'm not here to cause problems," Jalvek said
Allric of course said nothing when Chotan spoke up
"You have been summoned Allric, Her Eminence wishes to speak with you"
Allric raised a brow
"Shiltneo?"
Jalvek spoke up "No her mother the Demon Lord"
This caused his attention to Jalvek
"Why"
"Lady Shilteno gave her the rundown of the situation and the events that have transpired, Her mother wishes to speak with you"
"And I take it's not a thank you talk"
"You would be correct"
"Why should daddy go?"
This shocked both Jalvek and Chotan with Chotan speaking up
"What does she mean by Daddy?!"
"She's been calling me that since she woke up, I don't know why"
"Because Daddy is Daddy!" the child proclaimed
"And does this child have a name," Jalvek said
"She said she doesn't remember so I gave her the name Shmi"
"It's the best name cause daddy gave me that name!" Shmi proclaimed
"I think it's a wonderful Name" Chotan proclaimed
Shmi just smiled at her, nodding enthusiastically
"You still haven't answered her question Jalvek" Azem said
"Because" Jalvek paused before sighing and continuing "Her Emminince has just gotten reports that Around the world skies are alight with burning white"
Allric and Chotan Froze in shocked
"You mean there's more of them," Chotan asked,
"Of course, it wouldn't be that easy" Allric stated
"Daddy, what does she mean?" Shmi asked
Allric tried to look at her with a comforting face
"It means Daddy still has work to do"
"You mean stopping the bad men"
"Yeah stopping all those evil men" Allric conforms
Chotan and Jalvek looked confused
"I'll explain later for now we need to go meet with the Demon lord this just got complicated", Allric said
Taking the loaf from the tray Jalvek was holding and started to head to town, taking a piece of it and handing it to Shmi as she eat readlly, with Jalvek and Chotan following right behind