Chapter 16: Mama!

Alright, let’s think this calmly.

From the prophecy, there are still 4 points that will happen in the future.

Somewhere in the west, I need to free a forgotten race. For this, I first need to know what is there to be found in the west. I also need to know what this forgotten race is so I can free them…free them from what exactly? After that, I’m supposed to slay a demon and save a princess...it’s a typical damsel in distress cliche...but is there a connection to the forgotten race? Maybe the princess is from the forgotten race? ‘Together they defeat the evil...’ who’s ‘they’? Me and the princess? Me and Aeran? Or all three of us? Why do we need to defeat this evil? Does it have anything to do with the demon that captured the princess? Then is the demon that captured the princess a vampire as well?...Then what’s the race that vampires hate enough to imprison? Werewolves? No, there are still werebeasts so that’s not a forgotten race… Receiving the blessings of the Goddess...I have to say, this is the only part in the prophecy that I am looking forward to!

Un, that’s about it.

In short, the forgotten race may have something to do with vampires and freeing them will anger the vampire god, resulting in us battling him…Let’s hope we defeat him just as the prophecy says…

Oh, it seems that the [Dark Church] is also against this prophecy. It seems that they have a connection to Alucard…

But why is there a need for me to become Aeran’s father? From the looks of it, it seems she has extraordinary abilities that I would need to defeat Alucard?

I looked at the little loli still hugging me.

Feeling my gaze, she looked up with upturned eyes full of expectation and happiness.

...Just what did I do to deserve such a child? Who is her mother? Why did she recognize me as her father?

Looking at her eyes full of innocence and worry free, I smiled wryly and patted her head.

“Aeran, can you tell me who’s your mother?”

“Mama?”

Aeran looked around but didn’t see anyone resembling her mother.

Actually, when she paused a bit when she saw Moon and Evie, I felt my heart stop for a bit and prayed to the gods that she won’t suddenly point her as her mama…

Thank the gods who listened! She didn’t do it!

Suddenly, she looked at me and paused again.

...N-no way...right?

“Mama!”

Geh!?

So I’m both mama and papa!!!???

I have a feeling this girl really don’t understand the word mama and papa…

“Aeran, do you know what mama and papa means?”

“Mama is mama! Papa is papa!”

...Okay, this won’t work at all…

“Aeran, do you remember what happened before you were in that forest?”

“Hmmm...I was running and running! Running from big baddie!”

“What does this big baddie look like?”

“Black and white! With sharp teeth! Ah! Also red eyes!”

...Isn’t that a vampire? Is that Alucard?

“Why is he chasing you?”

Or more like, how come he wasn’t able to chase a little girl???

“I don’t know.”

“...Then, do you remember what happened before the big baddie chased you?”

“I was sleeping!”

“...Before that...”

“Sleeping!”

...This girl sure likes to sleep…

“When was the last time you woke up?”

“I don’t remember! It was a reaaaaly looooooong time ago!”

Aeran stretched out her words childishly.

I sighed. In the end, the only thing I found out was that she was chased by a vampire.

But if she was being chased, then when she was found, why is there no vampire that was reported?

Did the vampire give up? Or did something else happen which made the vampire stop chasing?

I sighed again.

“Anything else I need to know about, Agerad?”

I stopped talking to this arch-bishop respectfully since he pissed me so much…

Agerad just laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

“Haha, try buying a wooden stake and silver lined weapons?”

“...Seriously?”

“Hmm...I don’t know about the wooden stake but silver really is an effective weapon against vampires.”

If you don’t know that wooden stakes work, why did you bother saying it!?

“Oh, one more thing. I forgot to complete your quest. Here, your reward for coming here.”

You have completed the B rank quest: [Child of Prophecy I: Letter from the Prince]!

Reward: +1000 Fame, Token of the Church.

Agerad handed me a [Token of the Church]. After appraising it, I found out that it’s basically a VIP pass of the [Church]...didn’t I already got a title for that!? Why is this still needed!?

I sighed again…

“Well, then. Good luck heading west!”

You have received an A rank quest: [Child of Prophecy II: Freedom of the Forgotten Race]!

Following the prophecy, head west and help free the race that was once forgotten!

Reward: +5000 Fame, S rank Active Skill, ???

Can be shared among party members.

Kh-!!!

This time...it’s an A rank quest!!!

Sighing for the nth time, I looked towards Moon and Evie.

“Well, that’s that. Are you guys still following me?”

“Of course! Such and exciting thing, how can I not!?”

“Me too! Ah, but I want to bring my husband! Actually, I already called him over, he’s just right outside!”

Oi! Don’t just call random people!!!

Seriously...these guys…

Without even taking in my consideration, I was dragged by the two to go outside already.

Helplessly, I can only follow and sigh…

“Oh! There he is!”

Evie waved over to a man in a dark hood...as expected from an assassin fanatic, even her husband is one…or maybe he was forced to dress up like one...

The man saw her and quickly jogged over.

“H-hello, I am Assassin-Lover. P-pleased to meet you...”

……………...I don’t even want to retort at that ridiculous name…

“This is Kyle, my husband! See how timid he is!”

...Oi, don’t just drop your real names!

“E-Eve! You can’t just say my real name in the game!”

...Aren’t you doing the same oi!

More like, Eve and Evie are really similar…

But that settles it. There is no way in hell that I’ll call this guy Assassin-Lover! Let’s stick with Kyle…

“Well, my name is Lucas. It’s a pleasure to meet you. This little one here is Aeran. My...ahem. Adoptive daughter...”

“Papa, what’s adoptive daughter?”

“Eh? Uhh, it means...a cute daughter that is-suddenly-found-in-some-forest-who-was-chased-by-a-vampire-and-was-taken-by-you-because-of-some-prophecy. Yep.”

I said that last parts really fast so she won’t understand.

“Uuu...I don’t really get it but yehey! Papa said I’m cute!”

“R-right!?”

I laughed awkwardly but her innocent laughter really stabs my heart…

At the side, both Moon and Evie are looking at me with half-closed eyes.

“Uwah, how shameless.”

“Totally uncool at all.”

I can only do my best and ignore the two glaring at me. Oh wait, I meant ignoring the three glaring at me...the other one is inside and I can still feel her piercing gaze…

Oh yeah, I should get Aeran inside the [World Home]. It’s dangerous outside after all. Fighting monsters and whatnot.

“Aeran, I’ll take you to a beautiful place okay?”

“A beautiful place?”

Aeran cutely titled her head.

Meanwhile, I’m conversing with El.

“El, can I leave her to you and Mei for a while. I can’t take her to fight monsters...”

“...Hmph! I suppose it can’t be helped. This queen will take care of that child of yours!”

“Thanks.”

“...Uuu...”

“Hm?”

“Nothing!”

I thought I heard her say something so I asked but El just yelled at me again...what’s wrong with this girl. It’s not her period right?

Just as I was about to take Aeran to my [World Home], Moon asked.

“Are you talking about your [World Home]? How nice, I want to see it too! Let’s add each other as neighbors!”

“Me too! Me and Kyle have a connected [World Home] let’s add each other!”

Before I could say anything, they already sent invitations so I could only accept them. Anyway, being [Neighbors] doesn’t mean that they can get in my [World Home]. It just means that they can notify me if they want to visit and such.

“Alright! Let’s go see your house!”

“Eh? Wait. That’s a bit...”

“Why? It’s just a house. It’s not like that your real house anyway. Come on!”

“We need to know if Aeran’s living environment is good! Otherwise, she can just live with us!”

Moon insisted and Evie also joined in.

If I was a normal player, then I won’t mind letting them in but…

“El, can you take Mei and hide in your room for now? It’s just a bit...”

“Huh!? Why should this queen hide!? It’s not like you’re going home bringing your wife, only to find your mistress still inside your house! Actually, who’re you calling your mistress!!!???”

No, you’re the one who called yourself mistress…

“Anyway, there’s no reason why this queen needs to hide!”

“...If you say so...but at least dress up properly this time...”

I sighed...seriously, this lady queen...sigh…

I can’t believe how much I already sighed in just a single day…

Anyway, if I don’t let them in, they’ll only grow suspicious and made weird wild speculations...

“Fine...but promise me that you will not reveal anything that you see inside to anyone. Ever. Also, please don’t get shocked too much...your reactions will be too annoying and troublesome...”

“Huh? Just what are you hiding in there?”

“Haha, maybe it’s a girl?”

Gh-!?

T-this is the so called women's intuition isn’t it!? How terrifying!

“*Cough* Anyway, let’s go...hold my hand.”

I held Aeran on one hand and placed my other hand forward for them to stack their hands.

Then...we entered.

“Uwaah! So beautiful!!!”

Aeran’s eyes glittered as she saw the vast blue sky and the open field that stretched to the horizon.

“Heeh, you’re really rich to actually buy this background...”

“Woah! Nice mansion!”

Since I had us enter the world outside the house, they saw the view and the mansion first.

I fear that if I entered the house directly, they will see El and the shock will be too big…

Hearing Evie, Moon and Kyle turned around and their eyes went wide.

“Ohh! You’re right! I didn’t see the mansion at first but it’s actually big isn't it!? Aren’t you too rich!?”

“So rich...”

Well, I didn’t really use my money…

As for Aeran, she looked at the mansion with sparkly eyes.

I smiled and carried her.

“Like it? You will live here from now on...”

“Mama!!!”

“Eh?”

Aeran suddenly broke free from me and quickly flew inside the house as she shout.

...Eh?

...Wait...the person inside is…

El!?

El’s the mother!!!???

Panicking, I ran inside the house and my jaw instantly dropped to the floor.

At this moment, Aeran was currently burying herself in the bosom of a woman.

At the side, another woman was looking with a dumbfounded expression. Completely frozen in place.

As for who these women are...well…

The one frozen is El so that means the one Aeran is hugging right now and shouting ‘mama’ is...Mei!?

Eh? Eh? Ehhhh???

“A-Aeran...that...”

“Master, who is this child? Why is she calling me mama?”

Mei asked as she laid down the ladle she was holding and stroked Aeran’s head.

Hm? Was she cooking?

Ah! Maybe it’s like that!?

“She’s a child that I...ermm, sort of picked up. Anyway, it looks like she recognized you as her mother because you were cooking. She probably mistook you for her mother.”

As I said that, I kept glancing at El who had already unfrozen herself and relaxed but she was still pouting.

Seeing that, I also relaxed...before I knew it, I had already thought that it would be bad if she misunderstands and became angry again...

“I see. Little girl, I’m not your mother okay. But you can call me big sis!”

“Not mama?”

Aeran blinked for a while and sniffed twice.

Afterwards, she looked disappointed and uttered “Oh…”

Just when I thought she’s about to cry, she suddenly realized something and became excited again.

“Big sis! I have a big sis!”

“Hehe, that’s right. I am sis Mei. Okay? What’s your name?”

“Aeran!”

“Then, little Aeran, are you hungry? Wait for a bit, I’ll be done cooking.”

“Un!”

Aeran nodded and climbed down from Mei before looking at El next.

Suddenly being stared at by the little girl, El’s body shook and looked nervous.

“Also big sis?”

“U-un! Right! But you can call me milady queen!”

“Hey! Don’t teach her weird stuff!”

It seems El’s still a bit shaken and said something ridiculous so I hurriedly scolded her.

“Milady queen!”

“Don’t do what she said!”

After a lot of persuading and explanation, I finally managed to correct Aeran on how she should address El.

I sighed in exhaustion...seriously...I just want to sleep and hope everything was just a dream…

“...Say, is the love comedy done?”

...I forgot Moon and the others are still here.

They’ve been watching us for a while now…

“A-ah...This is Mei and Elena, they’re...my friends...guys, these are Moonlight, Evie, and...Kyle.”

“P-please use my in game name!”

“No...that...I’m not gonna call you Assassin-Lover...”

“...”

Kyle sighed.

“A pleasure to meet you, miss Moonlight, miss Evie, and mister Kyle. I am my master’s servant, Mei.”

To this introduction, it was obvious to say that I got plenty of glares from the girls.

“...This queen is Elena Shenxue. Lucas’...hmph!”

Not knowing how to introduce herself, El harrumphed and turned her head, refusing to speak anymore.

I sighed.

Now then...how am I supposed to explain all this?

Moon and Evie’s looked at me weirdly.

“So this is why you didn’t want to let us in. You were hiding girls!”

“And what’s this master servant play!? Also, queen!? So you’re both an S and an M!?”

Moon’s eyes looked at me in disgust.

“That’s not it! There were...uhh...circumstances! Anyway, you’ve seen enough. Let’s just meet up in [Phantasm] City tomorrow! Bye!”

“Ah, wait!”

However, I didn’t mind them anymore and directly had them leave.

Phew, for now, I was saved. But no doubt that I only delayed the inevitable.

Tomorrow, I will be faced with questions...but at least that’s better than them suspecting why I didn’t let them in and think I’m a pedo who will do weird stuff to Aeran with the weird stuff in my house…

That was the main reason why I let them in in the first place...also cause El was being...well, queen-y…

“Now then...let’s get you a room first, Aeran.”

“No need! She can stay in my room!”

El suddenly declared and took her upstairs without waiting for my response.

I stood then in confusion for a while before looking back to Mei who laughed seeing the scene.

“Hehe, master. Miss Elena had been quite worried about you lately.”

“I-is that so...”

For some reason, my heart skipped a bit for a second there.

Maybe it’s Mei’s smiling face, or the fact that El was worrying for me. I really can’t tell...or maybe I’m just confusing myself…

“...Master.”

“Hm?”

“...No, it’s nothing. Dinner is ready.”

“Oh...”

Hm? Did I say something weird?

I looked at the back of Mei who’s now heading upstairs and wondered.

Status

Name

Lucas

Level

12

Race

Human - Dragon

Gender

Male

Class

Wanderer

7

Stamina

8975

Mana

9025

Qi

100000000000

Spirit

1840

Cultivation

Peak Martial Emperor

STR

123

INT

121

SPD

122

DEX

120

VIT

119

LUK

207

Fire

56

Earth

17

Water

234

Wind

16

Light

271

Dark

66

Ice

12

Lightning

12

Holy

68

Space

16

Fame

24000

Rage

0

Titles

Light Hero of Darkness

Sealed

Elena Shenxue