THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

The woman removes the gag on my mouth and immediately smiles like the demon she is.

"I must say, I am impressed. Master Veronica kept saying that you would be a huge hindrance in our plans but with this, she will definitively change her plans." Of course, you were one of her spies. But why is she talking as if she doesn't know what is going on. 

"Like you don't know everything already." Are you trying to trick me? I know that everything she said was a lie. So, you must obviously know why I stabbed Farner.

"Well, we do know that the goddess has branded you an accursed one. Though it was unexpected that you would be forgotten and hated by everybody just like this. Is that perhaps why you killed that hero? Do you have a grudge against the goddess for doing that?" 

"You already know everything so stop wasting my time." My shoulder hurts too much to hear your needless rumbling.

"Well, have it your way. But one thing is for sure. You just helped us greatly. Now that the heroes are confused and the church is diminished, our queen can crush them all together without fear that they would rise somewhere else. Soon, the world will be hers and we, the chosen, will be immortal." 

So that was it then. I was really stupid. I couldn't even see something that was right in front of my eyes. The war, Dilt's betrayal and death, the hammer hands…Everything connects. And clearly, with how much the church is destabilized right now, a hero dying was the last thing they needed. And here I have come, like the wind of despair, to smash the last gleam of hope they had. 

"I am the king of Floras…I am the king of Floras…" Amidst the woman's speech, I start hearing a voice. Demether just keeps saying the same thing over and over again.

"Oh, don't worry about him. He went crazy after realizing he was used. He will be excecuted in two days anyway. But for you, I don't know what I should do. Master said that I should proceed as usual but I don't trust you that much yet. Maybe you are trying to deceive us." 

"Deceive…" You guys have deceived me completely, indeed. "How coul somebody as stupid as me could deceive you." I was such a fool. I am not even sure fool would still be enough to qualify me.

"Oh well, maybe. Anyway, I will have to torture you since the hero asked. But I will make sure it last enough for our queen to get ready. So, endure it with me, okay?" 

The woman caresses my cheek then brings out a slim and ling knife. If only what you are doing could bring her back. 

***

"Hey, it has already been thr…What are you doing?" 

Three days later, Roxcia comes back, only to find that woman doing weirds things to me. I don't know what she is trying to do but she has cut the skin of my arm then opened and skewered it as if to make roast. It felt like somebody had put a fire on my arm at the beginning but now, I don't really feel anything anymore. And no matter how painful it is, it cannot be more painful than what Farner felt. 

"Oh, your grace. Welcome." 

"You should clean the blood on your face."

"I am sorry for all this. Had I known you were coming, I would prepare him earlier." 

"Has he said anything?" Roxcia walks to me and looks straight at my eyes. Just like Farner, there is that strange light inside her eyes. Is it really impossible to break what the goddess did? Though, what would how would it help now? 

"No, sadly, he hasn't. he is a very though nut to crack and I wouldn't want to kill him before your grace can obtain the information she needs." 

"Just hurry. There has been a lot more Longinus' attacks recently. Surely, they are trying to take him back." 

"Surely, your grace will prevent that." 

"Of course. The high-commander has decided to launch a small campaign against them for the next month or so. We will be at Syldavie's borders during that time so make sure to report every single day with what you find." 

"Of course, your grace." Now that I think about it. Is Lanuvel okay?

"Lanuvel…Is she okay?" 

"How do you know that name? Is she your accomplice?"

"Just answer." 

"Hey!!" Suddenly, Roxcia turns and screams at nothing. 

Demether isn't here anymore so who is she screaming at? He was brought yesterday to be executed and judging by the amount of screams of joy I heard, it was quite the thing. I would like to say that I wanted to have my revenge for everything he did to me but after killing Farner, what rights do I still have?

A soldier then runs down to us. AH, I see what she is trying to do. 

"Bring me Lanuvel Nikitis. Now!" 

The soldier turns around with the same speed and leaves in a hurry. 

"To think that you had such an accomplice." 

"She is not my accomplice, Roxcia." 

"Don't call my name, worm!" Roxcia slaps me with the strength of a gnoll. She is clearly not holding back anymore. "Could it be that her children are also yours?" Children?

"C-children?" Lanuvel had children? 

"Hm…Are you pretending not to know. Well, no matter. We will know once she comes here." 

Almost an hour later, soldiers arrive with Lanuvel, her mother and two children. Rose is the one carrying them while Lanuvel is restrained by the soldiers. Though they are just holding her arms, it doesn't look like the are hurting her. She doesn't seem to be resisting as well. She seems to have gained weight as well, though not too much.

"Lanuvel, d you recognize this man?" Surely, she won't, right?

"Yes, I do, Roxcia." Eh? Wait, for real? Your memories weren't erased?

"And who is he to you?" No, Lanuvel. Don't tell her. Even if you know, it is better not to say anything now.

"The same he is to you. The one who killed your sister, our hero. I was at the trial, you know?" And here I was worried. 

"But still, this man called your name earlier. That is highly suspicious. Are yu sure those children aren't his? Bring them over." 

A soldier tries to take away one of the children from Rose but he immediately starts crying.

"Waahhh!! Wahhh!!" 

"Hey! Stop! You are hurting him!!" 

Rose prevents him from taking the child and the one behind her raises his hand as if to strike her from behind. But before I can say or do anything, Lanuvel has moved already and grabs the man's hand in midair. 

"And what do you think you are doing?" 

"Lanuvel, don't try to resist. You are only complicating things." 

"You want me to watch as they hurt my children? Are you crazy?" 

"How dare you-"

"Shut up." The atmosphere becomes more and more tense as a soldier tries to speak but is immediately shut down by Roxcia herself. 

In the middle of all this commotion, I had a chance to see it. That child's hair is silver. That alone is enough. And also, somehow, I am able to feel it now.

"Cissa, is it even possible?" 

"Since they are your children. It is perfectly logical for them to have a draconic soul as well. Though, they aren't sharing your soul so even if you die, they will live." 

"So, they are half just like me? How come they aren't sharing my soul? Should they not be like Dilt?" I can't say their draconic power is that strong. I had to concentrate a bit to feel it even though they are this close.

"Not really. I would say their potential won't reach more than thirty percent of what you have. Though, now, it depends on how they developed it. But one thing is for sure, they will be naturally stronger than most humans of this world. As for why they don't have their own dragon's soul, I would say that it is because your soul is not restricted, unlike My brethen." 

"What are you even thinking, making bring my kids here. They are barely one month old." Finally, the tension in the air settles down as Lanuvel's mood improves somehow. 

"I just want to make sure." 

"Well, now I hope you are. Because I know no idiot who would do something as cruel as killing a woman without any kind of warning." 

Lanuvel looks at me with great anger. But her eyes, they aren't like the others. There isn't that weird light in them. Or maybe it is because she is too far. 

"What do you mean?" 

"Nothing really. I am just surprised you haven't executed him yet." 

"There is a need to make sure that he doesn't have any accomplices." 

"And you are?" Lanuvel looks at the woman who is taking care of me with even more anger. 

"Nicky. I am in charge of his questioning." 

"What kind of questioning involves hurting him like this?" 

"This is just-"

"Wahhh!!! Wahh!!" Suddenly, the two children start crying. Breaking off the conversation that was going on.

"No, no. Don't cry, okay? Mommy is there." Rose who hasn't said anything until now tries to comfort them while Lanuvel looks at me a last time.

"Let's go, mom. They must be hungry. Arthur didn't want to eat this morning after all." 

"I see. That's why he was munching on his sister's finger like that."  So, there is a boy and a girl then. And apparently, the boy is called Arthur. Surely, Lanuvel gave him her family's name.

"Ruth surely won't like that." And the girl is named Ruth. Arthur and Ruth… This, this feels weird. To learn that I am a father just like that. 

Lanuvel leaves with her mother and the crying children.. They are soon followed by Roxcia and the soldiers, leaving me with Nicky once again.