“Not everyone gets to experience redemption… or to learn from it.”

***Outer Rim***

***Antioch***

“So they know of us,” I conclude after listening to Martin's report.

“No. I think that the chance that they got any information from us is very low. The scout-ships are all equipped with our best electronic warfare tech and only a single drone managed to enter the ship. It's very likely that it didn't share the experience with anyone.”

I shrug. “We should operate on the assumption that they know what the ship was, no matter how the situation turns out in the end. Alert all forces and make sure that the region in which the encounter took place is well observed. I want to know well in advance if anything is on its way to our larger colonies. Additionally, I want Tartarus and the other shipyards within the threatened area to begin their wartime production.”

“Aren't we overreacting? We are losing a lot of potential economy that way. Let's assume that they indeed got nothing more than a good look at the hull. What else do they know for sure?” Martin furrows his forehead. “That the ship had a high tech-base? Their drone touched the hull, so they should have that info at least.”

I nod. “That's a given. Something else are our capabilities and the usage of antimatter. They surely noted they lost the connection to their drone. Another point is our psychology. I doubt that there are many species whose members are willing to blow themselves up, just to deny the enemy some information. The Cyber will put one and one together sooner or later.”

I get up from my throne and step down the six stairs which lead up to it. The throne room is empty, except for Martin and me. It would be different if there were others around, but with just Martin, I don't feel like playing king.

“They will ask themselves who or what in this empty region of space has the technology to challenge them. And even if they don't immediately come to the conclusion that it's us, they will at least investigate the origin of the strange vessel. We should expect some sort of reaction at the very least, a scouting force.”

“I don't dispute that,” Martin affirms. “I just don't think that they will react with their full power. A scouting mission in strength at most, but not a full out mobilization of their powers.”

“Can we afford not to react with everything we have?” I ask. The question is rhetorical as far as I am concerned. Better to overreact with all our forces than to be sorry afterwards. “We may lose some economy, but seeing to it that what we have is well protected comes first. Our sphere of influence is growing, and it will still be growing, even if we take this step now. I want to ensure that we aren’t overrun by a scouting mission.”

Martin sighs and takes some notes to issue my orders after the meeting.

We keep talking for a while, but most of it is boring stuff like the increasing birth rate! When didn't our birthrate not grow? An outsider might not understand my frustration, but Tartarus is bursting with demonlings. The little pests are like a plague. We can't build enough ships to get rid of them.

I sigh. “Is there any chance to issue something like birth control?”

Martin's raised eyebrows say everything I have to know. “If you are the one who will talk to Jenny about it, be my guest. The Blue know, I would be all in for something like that. Yesterday, I opened my wardrobe and was buried in demonlings. Nina stuffed one of her clutches in there and forgot about them.”

She forgot about her eggs? “I thought that you could break it to her. You are her-”

“Ah!” He raises his hands. “Don't go there. I am their prisoner. Their vibration toy. Jenny's gang has the upper hand and I won't do anything to complicate our relationship.”

I hum and study his expression, but it doesn't seem like he is joking, or trying to run away. “You know, you have really changed since we first met.”

He sneers. “Of course I changed. I had to! First, do you have any idea how many babies I have with them?”

“Ahem, but they are just demonlings? It's not like they are real childr-”

“That's what I am talking about! I am a lying, philandering bastard, but I wouldn't leave a real child of mine behind.”

“You and your girls have real children?” I clap my hands. “That's perfect! You could let them play with Siegfried. I was worried that we wouldn't find any playmates for him.”

But when Martin groans, I have an inkling that something is afoot. I know Jenny and the gang well enough to tell the reason for Martin's discomfort. If one of them went ahead to have a real child, the others would see it as competition and join the game. There is only one real question. “How many?”

“Nine! They are just eggs, but I am looking ahead to pure misery.”

“Wow, that's... quite the number.” I try to imagine Siegfried times nine, but totally fail to grasp the utter horror of it. Demonlings are nothing like real babies, and I have the misfortune of speaking from experience. They may need a few days to get their bodily functions under control, but after that, they need only very little care.

He nods. “You know how I am. I am a free spirit, destined to woo the fairer sex and to cause their hearts to flutter, to spread love wherever I go.” Swaying, he presses the back of his hand onto his forehead. “This society is the total antithesis of everything I stand for. It's the gang's way of taking revenge on me. Do you remember what I told you? That the most important thing about my way of life is keeping everyone happy, juggling their interests like an amorous harem king? It's the thrill of the hunt, of persuading them!

“That's totally impossible in this society! Even if I didn't have my hands full with the gang, there is absolutely no thrill in pursuing new conquests! Do you have any idea what happens if you snatch a random demoness from the corridor?”

I shake my head.

“Well. You tell them to bend over and they do it! No questions asked! Not even your name. Unless she is already in a happy relationship, but I am not one to come between two lovers. This is the devil's land I tell you!”

“We are demons...” I try to point out. “Though, what you describe sounds really edgy. Are you speaking from-”

“Of course I am speaking from experience! And thanks to that, I even found out why they are all so eager for it. Did you know that they get a whole skill point for each clutch!? And we get nothing, nada! It's just unfair!”

I blink. “A full skill point!?” I didn't get one of those in a while. “Now I understand. For a full skill point, I would also lay eggs like a factory!” Normally, they are rewards for long and hardy quests. One moment, how many clutches did Silith already have? “Our women must be fucking overpowered by now! We have to find a way to catch up!”

“Who is overpowered?” Jenny's voice causes the both of us to freeze.

Martin turns slowly to the throne room's second entrance, the smaller one which is usually used only by the staff. “Hi, dear. We were just talking about... stuff.”

She nods and smiles. “I heard about the 'stuff'.”

My friend presses his lips together. “How much?”

“Enough to make sure that you won't get any stupid ideas in the future.” She smiles. “But you know me. I am very good at managing the family. If you behave, the others will never learn about your missteps.”

Martin laughs, but it sounds more desperate than relieved.

Jenny points at the ground next to her. “Come on. I originally came to get you for dinner.”

He visibly deflates and ambles to Jenny's side like a well-trained puppy. Martin then proceeds out the door and out of my sight.

Turning to me, my beloved assistant flashes a brilliant smile. “Sorry to steal him like that, but you know how it is with family.” She turns but halts to give me a parting advice. “Don't allow this idiot to get any stupid ideas into your head. The Trio won't react well should such a misstep become public knowledge.”

“The Trio?” Haaah, today I am asking way too many questions.

“Yeah, Sil, Lis, and Fi. The demon queens,” she states. “While I think that Lis would be hurt, and Fi very mad, I guess that Silith would be capable of killing you... a few times.”

“Silith, killing me!?” She would never! Or would she? If she found me with someone other than her or Fi or Lis...

Jenny nods. “Yeah, brutally so. She gives off a certain vibe, you know. The one of a serial killer in disguise. And she is way too attached to you. When I came too close to you a few years ago, she cornered me afterwards and it wasn't a nice experience. Just make sure not to set her off. I would hate to lose a king. There aren't many who would put up so well with the job.” She turns and leaves.

I gulp after considering her words and everything I know of Silith's character. “It isn't like the three of them aren't enough for me… besides, I would hate to find poison in my food.”

Or would she use a knife?