"You're Rouzelli?" asked Sanguinius, remembering perfectly the creature disguised as a maid, near the child.
A former member of the demon king's weapon.
A dragoness.
'I entrusted this woman to Wolbach, but after...'
He had neglected the role of the remaining members of the demon king's weapon, whom he had spared.
However, Administrator hadn't wasted this precious submissive workforce.
He had gathered them into a secret unit, tasked with preserving or defending the demonic race against humans too zealous in their hunt for the demon king's treasure.
A situation that also explained his prolonged absence from Axel.
Officially, he had been delayed because of remnants of the demon king's army causing trouble in various places across the continent.
This public information was extremely credible, thanks to Wolbach and her subordinates.
Of course, she was assisted in this task.
Ordinary clones had appeared under Sanguinius's identity before an audience, to fight a monster or major demon.
A wandering hero.
Thus, Administrator never lied to Sanguinius's women.
"I'm happy that you keep a pleasant memory of me despite... my humble appearance during our encounter," she said humbly.
'She's way too submissive, despite my victory back then... Does this have something to do with bloodline?'
Among magical creatures, there are certain descendants of mythical creatures.
These tend to follow their parent, who possesses a purer and more powerful bloodline.
A hierarchical relationship carved into DNA, difficult to overcome.
Sanguinius remembered this was a recurring phenomenon among undead like vampires, or among dragons with Drakes.
Although he wasn't completely a dragon, Sanguinius had draconic blood much more powerful than what flowed in Rouzelli's veins.
"Haha, you gave me enough reasons not to forget you, don't worry," he said, half-jokingly.
The maid's draconic eyes hadn't missed the subtle glance the manor lord had cast at her cleavage.
"Now I'm reassured ~"
Of course, she had her academic analysis.
Despite the pleasant atmosphere, Sanguinius's mind hadn't forgotten the urgent question troubling him.
"This child... is he my boy?"
The little boy seemed troubled by the stranger's statement in front of him, and instinctively hid behind the maid.
At first, he was observing Sanguinius with curiosity.
Now, he was looking at him with a glimmer of caution.
'Why is he looking at sister Rouzelli like that? I don't like it.'
He didn't understand this feeling yet, but something was deeply bothering him.
The draconic instinct, which drives a dragon to protect what belongs to them, had already partially awakened in him. And this, long before he became aware of it himself.
Fortunately for the little one, Sanguinius hadn't used "suspicion" or "divination" on him at that moment.
Rouzelli had seen the child's discomfort, but also Sanguinius's slightly depressed expression at the boy's behavior.
"Y... yes, he's Lady Wiz's son."
"What?!"
'Yet, it was only about Luna being pregnant...'
Immediately, he examined the child with "Divination," then "Suspicion," in a meticulous investigation.
He wanted to know if Administrator had missed a potential NTR during his spying on these women's schedules.
'...I see... undead, draconic and angelic.'
Sanguinius scrutinized the kid's entire life and the maid's without the slightest embarrassment.
He then understood why he was unconsciously repelled by the little boy's nature.
He was an anomaly, a bug, an element overturning the natural order of things, just like him.
"So, little guy... what's your name?"
The child hesitated to answer.
Not out of shyness, but because the subject seemed to touch a sensitive chord.
"Unlike Lady Luna with her daughter, Lady Wiz refused to give the young master a real name without your explicit presence... He's just nicknamed 'Black'"
'Damn, I screwed up.'
He had concentrated too much on Wiz while exploring Black's memories, to the point of not taking time to observe the elements concerning the young boy in detail.
...
"Thanks dad, this is awesome!"
Even though they'd had a complicated first meeting, Sanguinius had quickly managed to win the little boy's favor.
He had simply had to make a few concessions.
'His mother's gonna kill me...'
Wiz isn't mean or aggressive, but there are certain limits not to cross if you want to avoid the worst scenarios.
Among these, her deep attachment to her son and his education.
While going through the young boy's memories to find a way to improve their relationship, Sanguinius discovered his love for magic.
After all, Sanguinius never forced Wiz to stop using her magic at the cemetery or in activities related to her shop.
The young woman loves helping wandering souls find their way to the afterlife, while continuing her commercial activities.
However, Wiz didn't agree with this path for her son.
Like any mother, she wanted what was best for her child, and his safety remained her absolute priority.
She categorically refused to let the little boy access magic, fearing he might accidentally hurt himself or others.
"Yeah, magic is awesome... but not a word to mom and don't show it"
The little one nodded with a happy smile.
'Weird... I feel like I'm with Thrax.'
Instinctively, Sanguinius placed his hand on the small head with black hair.
The child didn't push him away, while he made small light orbs float like fireflies.
A peaceful spectacle, especially in the manor's garden.
"Rouzelli, when are Luna and Wiz coming back?"
He really wanted to stay near the boy and teach him some interesting things, but he was really starting to miss his women.
Rouzelli was about to give him an estimate, but things sped up.
"Honey ~"
"You're back!"
Two women immediately appeared in the garden and tackled the angel to the ground with abnormally high strength.
'What strength... It's like they're gripping me to prevent me from fleeing...'
"Sorry... I've really been too busy."
No response from Wiz and Luna, but the pressure of their arms around him grew stronger.
"Mommy... is this daddy?"
During their embrace, a little girl with black horns and reptilian eyes was watching them with curiosity.
Unlike the little boy, this child already had a name, and she had inherited all the best aspects of both her parents.
Claire.
(Image)
"Come here, treasure. Daddy's back after saving lots of people."
Luna invited her to approach.
The little girl didn't hesitate.
She even seemed very enthusiastic, while observing Sanguinius.
Her eyes cast brief glances toward his head, as if she could perceive through the illusion hiding his halo.
"Hi Claire, I'm... your daddy."
Sanguinius gently patted her head, but the little girl immediately threw herself into his arms.
'...T-this time, it's real... not a dream.'
Unlike with Black, he had used the Divination and Suspicion skills from the beginning.
Reading his daughter's memories and thoughts, he felt even more guilty.
Unlike Black, who simply perceived his absence as regrettable — even annoying because of his mother's condition — Claire deeply felt this void.
The two children had radically different perceptions of things.
"Now that you're home, we're finally reunited..." declared Wiz emotionally.
Everyone nodded without hesitation to Wiz's words, except one person, caught in the embrace of the three.
'I should never have assimilated Administrator...'