Yes, we have a child.

To be honest, Lucia’s current state was already a bit beyond Vivian’s comprehension.

Though she couldn’t grasp what kind of environment one entered after death in this world, no matter what, only a few months had passed since Lucia’s death.

And in that short time, she had comprehended the power she sought?

Unheard of, utterly inconceivable.

But on second thought, Vivian felt relieved—Lucia was, after all, the game’s designated favorite daughter. Vivian quickly accepted the reality.

No helping it; you can’t reason with a talent monster.

Vivian rolled her eyes inwardly, decisively giving up on probing deeper—

For her now, practical benefits mattered more.

Though Lucia wouldn’t help Vivian against humans, at least having her by her side brought unparalleled peace of mind and security!

No matter what, she was a Demon Lord with definite strength. In the human camp, what Vivian feared most was precisely Lucia’s terrifying power.

With her at Vivian’s side, it at least meant no one else could 【summon】 Lucia as an angel again.

This equaled the Holy Church losing one of its greatest trump cards.

As the saying goes: if I don’t have it, you can’t either. That’s the point.

Conversely, Vivian could even disregard other internal demon factions and Demon Lords—except the unfathomable Demon Emperor.

“Phew… alright, that’s settled. Let’s head back.”

After witnessing Lucia’s current power, Vivian exhaled a turbid breath. She exchanged a bit more, confirming details like the mana cost to sustain her existence, rough activity range limits, and properties of her new “harmless Holy Light.” Then she decided to openly return to Evernight City with this renewed “old acquaintance.”

In the night, two figures of starkly different styles walked one after the other toward Evernight City.

Vivian in dark Demon Lord attire, Lucia enveloped in a gentle milky-white glow, silver hair flowing, wings lightly spread—strikingly conspicuous in demon territory.

Sure enough, upon entering the city, countless wary, uncertain gazes followed.

Demon residents stared dumbfounded at the glowing being trailing their Demon Lord, whispering among themselves. But awed by Vivian’s authority, none dared approach to question.

Lucia curiously surveyed the rebuilding streets, the busy demon craftsmen, newly reclaimed fields. She frowned slightly, unable to resist asking:

“Hm? Is this… your former Demon Lord city?”

Her tone carried uncertainty and confusion—memories blurred, but the rough outline didn’t match.

“…What do you think?”

Vivian shot her an exasperated glance, too lazy to explain in detail.

This woman had the nerve to ask!

“No, right?”

Lucia strained to recall. “I remember… I only destroyed the core structures of your Demon Lord fortress. The surrounding districts and outer defenses shouldn’t have been too affected…”

She seemed quite confident in her attack precision.

Vivian finally couldn’t hold back. She stopped, turned, and glared, her tone laced with helpless gritted teeth: “My lady, if you don’t want to piss me off, talk less. You know demon territories revolve around the Demon Lord. With the Demon Lord dead, naturally everything collapses.”

Vivian replied irritably, then paused, gesturing around: “What you see now is the new Evernight City I rebuilt bit by bit from ruins and chaos after returning! Understand?”

“……”

Lucia was choked by the barrage, blinking her azure eyes. Only then did she seem to realize her sword’s consequences were far graver than imagined.

She lowered her head sheepishly, muttering softly: “…Oh, I see—that… must’ve been hard on you, haha.”

Seeing Lucia’s rare flustered look, Vivian’s lingering resentment dissipated somewhat.

Though Vivian reminded herself a thousand times that the true targets of hatred were the 【Players】 possibly lurking behind, altering the game’s history—but seeing Lucia like this, she still couldn’t help feeling irked.

She huffed, said no more, and continued leading the way.

Soon, the two returned to the Demon Lord’s tent at the city center.

Inside, the little succubus Luna anxiously guarded the cradle. Seeing Vivian return, she sighed in relief—but then jumped at the radiant “harpy” behind her.

“D-Demon Lord! You’re back! This is…?”

Luna asked curiously yet warily, eyeing Lucia.

“Hm, back. This is… an… old acquaintance of mine. No need to worry—just a mutated harpy. Looks shiny, but still a harpy.”

Vivian introduced vaguely, signaling Luna could rest.

Though brimming with curiosity, Luna sensed no threat or sting, so she obediently withdrew.

After Luna left, the tent quieted, leaving only Luna’s even breathing from the cradle.

Vivian approached the cradle, her expression unconsciously softening—she leaned down, gently lifting her soundly sleeping daughter. The little one smacked her lips in dreams, instinctively snuggling into her mother’s embrace.

Only then did Vivian turn, looking at Lucia—who had been standing dazed since entering.

Her gaze was fixed, with incredulous shock, firmly on the tiny bundle in Vivian’s arms.

“V-Vivian…?”

Lucia’s voice trembled noticeably. She even instinctively stepped forward twice, pointing at Luna. Her azure eyes brimmed with immense astonishment.

“This child… is…?”

Watching Lucia’s ghost-seeing expression, Vivian felt an inexplicable mischievous satisfaction, plus a complex sentiment she herself hadn’t noticed.

She deliberately said flatly: “Oh, forgot to introduce. This is Luna, my daughter.”

She paused, gazing meaningfully at Lucia, a faint arc at her lips. “By the way, per human reckoning and timing… she’s your daughter too.”

“My… my… daughter???”

Like thunder exploding in her mind, Lucia froze completely!

Her beautiful eyes widened, pupils contracting sharply. She stared at the exquisitely carved infant in Vivian’s arms, exuding faint demon aura and… a strange life fluctuation. Her mind went blank.

She hadn’t anticipated it! No, hadn’t even dared imagine!

In her fragmented, blurred memories, she only recalled “capturing” Vivian back to human territory, sharing a period of “harmonious” time in the castle? But specifics grew hazy.

How could she… have a child with a Demon Lord?!

Seeing Lucia thoroughly petrified, worldview shattered, Vivian finally couldn’t hold back—she chuckled lowly.

Seemed saving this “bombshell” for last worked perfectly.

But Vivian hadn’t expected—Lucia truly hadn’t foreseen this?

Looked like back then, she’d just been playing around, never imagining those quirky little spells actually worked?

Vivian thought darkly.