My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

”You are quite adorable, aren’t you? You almost look like someone I know.”

”Ma’am, please. I understand I’m cute. There’s no need to get touchy.”

Ric sneered.

Terra’s expression twitched before she slowly looked toward Damon.

”He’s just like you.”

”Is that a compliment?” Damon grunted.

Inwardly, however, he was relieved.

Ric looked a little like Xander, and the fact that Terra hadn’t picked up on the resemblance was a relief.

Emilia watched as Ric walked toward her and raised his hand.

The moment he did, she immediately pulled him into her arms and pinched his cheeks.

”You are the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. You’re so adorable!”

”Ahh! Let me go! Master! Master, save me!”

Ric cried out as Emilia was suddenly overcome by a burst of maternal affection.

After several minutes, Ric finally gave up trying to escape her clutches.

Damon smiled as he watched the two of them together.

”You know, if you want him, I can sell him to you for a million Zeni. He’s a pain to keep around, honestly. Always getting into trouble.”

When he said that, Emilia smiled and nodded.

”Sounds like a deal.”

”What? No! I don’t want to be sold! At least several billion! I know my worth!”

Ric finally squeezed his way out of her grasp, his expression filled with indignation.

He wasn’t angry about being sold.

He was angry about being sold so cheaply.

”I know my worth! I’m priceless! At least put in a good amount!”

He continued ranting about his actual value, listing his skills, his talents, and even how good he looked in expensive clothes.

Emilia and everyone else couldn’t help but laugh.

For the first time in many years, Emilia felt her heart lighten.

She genuinely smiled.

She genuinely laughed.

There was something about this child that brought warmth back into a place inside her that had been empty for years.

’Godric would be around this age too.’

She looked at Ric for a moment longer.

’I wonder if he is as lively... or happy.’

She imagined her son trapped somewhere cold and dark, surrounded by terrible and terrifying things, afraid and waiting for her to save him.

Her poor baby.

Ironically, that image wasn’t entirely far from the truth.

Ric had been raised in a tomb, although most of the terrifying beings there were the ones who ended up being tormented by him. With plenty of backing behind him, he had never been afraid for a single day. He lived like a king, ate whatever he wanted, and did whatever he pleased.

Although sometimes he had to go to bed early because Lilith or Renata would ground him.

His master, at least, was a rather chill guy.

Although his master had also been called irresponsible on more than one occasion.

So perhaps that wasn’t saying much.

There was joy to be found in children.

The other children all referred to Ric as their boss, and they seemed quite charming as well.

Emilia closed her eyes for a moment before gazing toward the distant Anarchy Mountains.

”The sun shines with divine power over the Anarchy Mountains,” she whispered, repeating the words the mysterious voice had once spoken to her.

Did that mean she would find some peace here?

Riddles had always been difficult for her to solve, and that voice seemed to love speaking in riddles.

Damon was slightly relieved.

It seemed Ric was getting along well with Emilia.

In a happier world, he would simply give her the son she had been missing and walk away into the sunset.

But the moment he did that, he would violate the contract.

And the Unknown God would make him pay dearly for it.

’Sorry, Ric. Just enjoy this for now. In a few years, you can go home to your mother.’

Lilith sighed as she watched Damon.

She knew this wouldn’t end well.

But Damon didn’t want to be tormented by the knowledge that his actions could ruin Ric’s life.

He would rather suffer himself.

He had promised her that he would not regret whatever came next.

Just as Damon was about to say something, Abellona walked up to him and leaned closer, lowering her voice.

”You’re really good with children.”

”Yeah. I had some trouble at the start, but I think I’ve come a long way.”

”That’s good. I’m glad you like children...”

Abellona paused, then glanced at him from the corner of her eyes.

”Are there any specific types of children you don’t like? Say, ones with horns, or claws... or maybe wings?”

Damon scoffed and glanced at her.

”Abellona, I like children. Sure, as a kid I hated them because of how cruel they were, and because the kids in my village gave me a bad impression, but I love the little rug rats.”

She nodded, then turned toward him with a serious expression.