The campfire crackled in the night, casting dancing shadows across the clearing where the adventurers had set up camp. Stars twinkled overhead in the vast expanse of the unfamiliar sky, a reminder of how far they all were from home. In this moment of relative peace, Nico's enhanced hearing picked up Momon's quiet words from the edge of camp.
"I will never forget the days I spent with them."
Nico stood several paces away, just out of normal earshot. His lips curved into a knowing smile as he caught the wistful statement.
"It seems Momonga also misses his friends," Nico murmured to himself. The observation triggered unwelcome memories of his own past—familiar faces that had once surrounded him, united only by purpose rather than friendship. His expression hardened as he kicked a pebble with unnecessary force, sending it skittering across the dirt. "Tch, who needs them?"
The pebble disappeared into the underbrush as Nico turned and walked back toward the welcoming glow of the campfire. The Swords of Darkness members were gathered around the flames, with Dyne engaged in conversation with Nico's three "sisters." The firelight softened their predatory features, making them appear almost normal—almost human. Something about the scene stirred an unexpected warmth in Nico's mutated heart.
They're actually kind of nice, he thought, watching the interaction with mild surprise. Maybe being trapped in that damned castle for so many years warps your perspective.
Nearby, Ninya was attempting to console Momon, her young face earnest in the flickering light.
"Mr. Momon... Someday, I am sure you will find allies like them again!" she offered, her voice carrying a hopeful lilt as she tried to brighten the mood that had fallen over the armored warrior.
Momon's helmet concealed his expression, but the flatness in his voice revealed everything. "That day will never come." The words fell like stones, crushing Ninya's optimism instantly. The girl's shoulders slumped as Momon rose to his feet with deliberate slowness. "Excuse me."
Without another glance at the crestfallen Ninya, Momon strode away from the fire's warmth. "Nabe, I will eat over there," he stated, not bothering to look back.
The dark-haired woman rose immediately, her movements fluid and precise. "Then, I shall join you," she responded, her tone devoid of emotion as she followed her master into the shadows beyond the firelight.
A heavy silence descended upon those remaining at the campfire. Lukrut sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I said something I shouldn't have," he admitted, genuine regret coloring his voice.
Ninya shook her head, her eyes downcast. "No, I'm the one who brought up a sensitive topic," she said, guilt evident in her soft voice.
"Yes, something must have happened to him," Dyne agreed solemnly, his large frame hunched forward as he poked at the fire with a stick, sending sparks spiraling upward.
Peter nodded, his experienced eyes gazing in the direction Momon had disappeared. "People who've lost all their comrades in battle give off that particular aura," he observed. "It's unmistakable once you've seen it."
"That's a hard burden to bear," Lukrut remarked before turning his attention to Nico, who had settled on a log with the three girls now gathered around him. "What about you, Nikolaus? Did you have allies like Momon?"
Dyne shifted uncomfortably, the log creaking beneath his weight. "Lukrut, I don't think that's an appropriate topic right now," he cautioned, eyes darting toward Nico.
Nico considered the question as the three girls curled up beside him, their heads gradually finding their way to his lap. The firelight cast half his face in shadow as he answered.
"Allies? No. Partners? Yes."
Peter leaned forward, the flames reflecting in his curious eyes. "What do you mean?"
Nico's gaze remained fixed on the dancing fire, watching as the flames consumed the wood, transforming it into ash and embers. "We were partners. Did everything together, shared a common goal..." His voice grew quieter, more distant. "But we weren't friends. None of us were. After our goal was accomplished... they simply left." The admission brought an unexpected tightness to his chest, a sensation he hadn't anticipated.
"That must've been difficult," Lukrut observed, studying Nico's face through the smoke and flickering light.
"It was," Nico acknowledged, his fingers absently stroking Bela's hair. "But not as difficult as what Momon is experiencing." He gestured toward the armored figure sitting alone in the darkness. "My pain came from the absence of connection. His comes from having it severed."
The crackling of the fire filled the silence that followed his words. Looking down, Nico noticed all three girls had fallen asleep, their faces peaceful in slumber—a stark contrast to their true nature. With gentle movements that belied his strength, he lifted each one and laid them carefully on their bedrolls. The sisters didn't stir as he arranged them comfortably, a testament to their complete trust in him.
Rising to his full height, Nico stretched, his silhouette elongating against the trees. His gaze drifted toward the forest's edge, where darkness pooled between ancient trunks.
"Would you mind watching over my sisters for a moment?" he asked, his voice slightly unsteady. "I need some air."
Without waiting for a response, he strode into the forest, disappearing among the shadows. The cool night air enveloped him as he moved deeper into the woods, away from prying eyes and curious ears. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, creating patches of silver light on the forest floor. Birds and small nocturnal creatures fell silent as he passed, instinctively sensing the predator in their midst.
Once deep enough among the trees, Nico halted. Emotions he'd suppressed for too long bubbled to the surface. With a sudden, violent movement, he drove his fist through a tree trunk. Wood splintered around his hand, the crack echoing through the silent forest. Sap oozed from the wound in the tree, coating his fingers with sticky sweetness.
"God, why does it hurt so much?" he whispered fiercely, his voice raw with emotion. Tears threatened to spill as he leaned his forehead against the damaged trunk. "There weren't any meaningful ties between us... so why do I feel this emptiness?"
He sank to the ground, back against the wounded tree, head in his hands. The forest seemed to close in around him, a witness to this moment of vulnerability.
"Creator? Is something troubling you?"
The familiar voice resonated through the Hive Mind connection, startling Nico from his momentary weakness. He wiped his eyes hastily, composing himself even though no one could see him.
"It's nothing... Moreau," he replied, forcing steadiness into his mental voice.
A pause followed before Moreau spoke again, his tone gentle. "You know, Creator, I don't have any familial ties with Mother Miranda... but I still consider her my mother."
Nico straightened, leaning back against the tree. "What are you trying to say?" he asked, curiosity overtaking his emotional turbulence.
"Even without formal bonds, you still shared experiences with them," Moreau explained carefully. "That creates connection, whether acknowledged or not. I believe the other Creators feel similarly."
"Really?" Nico's voice held a note of hope that surprised even himself.
"Really," Moreau affirmed, warmth evident in his response.
A small smile formed on Nico's lips, visible only to the silent forest around him. "Thank you, Moreau. You're a dependable son." Through their mental connection, he sensed Moreau's emotion at being called 'son'—surprise followed by profound happiness. They exchanged farewells before Nico severed the Hive Mind link.
As he sat in the darkness, Nico reflected on his terminology. He had always referred to them as subjects, not his creations. Only Alcina and her daughters truly belonged to him. But perhaps if he had formed bonds with the other Creators, even briefly, they deserved inclusion in what he considered family.
The thought settled comfortably in his mind as he gathered himself and collected dry branches from the forest floor. By the time he returned to the campfire, his composure was fully restored. The women were engaged in quiet conversation, their voices a comforting murmur in the night. He added wood to the flames, watching as they eagerly consumed the fresh fuel, before lying down beside Daniela. The day's emotional revelations had drained him more than any physical exertion could, and he surrendered to exhaustion under the watchful stars.
▲▼▲▼▲
Dawn arrived with a chorus of birdsong and the gentle warmth of early sunlight filtering through the trees. The camp stirred to life as adventurers packed their gear and prepared for the journey ahead. The tension between Ninya and Momon lingered, though less pronounced than before. Nico might have called Momon dramatic, but after his own emotional episode the previous night, he decided to withhold judgment.
The morning air carried the scent of dew and distant wildflowers as the group set out along the worn path toward Carne Village. Nico walked with purpose, his three sisters following closely behind him like perfectly trained bodyguards. Their eyes constantly scanned their surroundings, missing nothing.
"Did you sleep well, girls?" Nico asked, glancing over his shoulder at them.
They nodded in unison, their eyes bright with excitement despite their reserved expressions. For all their deadly capabilities, this was their first real adventure outside the confines of their castle home, and they were clearly savoring every moment of freedom.
The path wound through gentle hills covered in swaying grass. In the distance, mountains rose like ancient sentinels against the clear blue sky. Sensing the lingering awkwardness from the previous night's confrontation, Lukrut attempted to lighten the mood.
"This area has such a magnificent view!" he exclaimed, gesturing broadly at the panorama before them. "Is walking in formation really necessary? We should be enjoying this!"
Peter's hand remained close to his sword hilt, eyes constantly surveying the terrain. "It's important to remain vigilant," he countered. "Beautiful landscapes often hide dangers."
"Absolutely!" Dyne agreed firmly, his deep voice carrying across the open ground. "Carelessness is our greatest enemy."
Ninya adjusted her robes as she walked, her scholarly mind never at rest. "A dragon could attack without warning in territories like these," she added matter-of-factly.
Nico's attention snapped to her words, his mind immediately racing with possibilities. A dragon mutation!? In my ranks? Glorious! The thought nearly made him salivate. Dragons possessed incredible regenerative abilities and resistance to both physical and magical damage—perfect candidates for his experiments. He needed to locate a demi-human village to test how the Virus affected different species.
His daydreaming was interrupted by Lukrut's skeptical laugh. "Come on, Ninya, do you seriously think that could happen? Dragons are rare even in legends!"
Ninya adjusted her robes, unperturbed by his dismissal. "Around E-Rantel, legends speak of a dragon with mastery over nature. And north of the Azerlisia mountains," she gestured toward the distant peaks that dominated the northern horizon, "several frost dragons supposedly dwell."
Dragons~ Nico's mind wandered again, imagining the possibilities of such powerful creatures transformed by his virus. The visual was so enticing that he didn't notice his sisters exchanging concerned glances before they collectively shook him back to reality.
Ahead of them, Momon had slowed his pace to fall alongside Ninya. "Do you know the name of this nature-controlling dragon?" he inquired, his tone cautious as he addressed her for the first time since their uncomfortable exchange.
Ninya startled at being directly addressed by Momon, her eyes widening. "Oh! No, I don't," she answered, tension evident in her voice. "I can research it when we return to town."
"Would you? Thank you, Mr. Ninya." Momon's simple request brought a relieved smile to Ninya's face, the earlier tension dissolving like morning mist under the sun.
"O-Of course, Mr. Momon!" Her enthusiastic response made her seem even younger than her years.
From the front of the group, Nphirea pointed excitedly toward a rise in the distance. "We're nearly at Carne Village!" The young herbalist's pace quickened noticeably, eager to reach their destination.
"Will we convert this village into J'avo too?" Cassandra whispered to Nico, her voice too low for human ears to detect.
"Not yet," he murmured back, watching Nphirea's enthusiasm with mild amusement. "But perhaps someday."
As they crested the final hill, an unexpected sight greeted them: what had once been a simple farming village was now surrounded by a sturdy wooden palisade. More surprising still were the sentries standing guard—not humans, but goblins, armed and vigilant.
"Aren't those goblins?" Lukrut muttered, instinctively drawing his bow, the string creaking as he nocked an arrow.
"Who are you people?" a goblin sentry demanded, mirroring Lukrut's action with surprising discipline for a creature typically known for chaos.
The tall grass around them suddenly came alive as more goblins emerged, brandishing various weapons with clear intent. The sunlight glinted off spear tips and sword edges as they formed a loose circle around the travelers.
In an instant, Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela formed a protective triangle around Nico, their postures shifting subtly from human to predatory. Their fingernails lengthened almost imperceptibly, ready to transform into deadly weapons at the slightest provocation.
"Lower your weapons," one goblin ordered, his voice carrying surprising authority. "Look, we don't want conflict if it can be avoided."
The goblin's eyes narrowed as he assessed the group. "Especially the fully-armored one!" He pointed nervously at Momon. "You radiate danger... and those three girls as well!" His finger shifted to indicate Nico's sisters.
They didn't even mention me? Nico thought, somewhat insulted by the oversight. Had his efforts to appear harmless been too successful?
"What's happening here?" Peter demanded, raising his shield while scanning their surroundings. The metal gleamed in the morning light as he positioned himself protectively near Ninya.
"Mr. Goblin, what's going on?" A young female voice called out from the direction of the village.
"Boss!" The goblin straightened immediately, his demeanor changing from threatening to respectful as a girl approached from the gate.
She was perhaps sixteen years old, with blonde hair tied in braids and a simple dress that marked her as a village girl. Nothing about her suggested she should command the respect of goblin warriors, yet they deferred to her without question.
Thank goodness this isn't some twisted scenario, Nico thought with relief, his creative imagination having briefly conjured far darker possibilities for goblins inhabiting a human village.
"Enri!" Nphirea called out joyfully, his face lighting up at the sight of the girl.
"Nphirea!" The girl's expression mirrored his delight as she pushed past the goblins to greet him.
"That must be the girl," Ninya whispered to Dyne, recalling Nphirea's conversation from the previous night.
"Indeed," Dyne confirmed, watching the reunion with a knowing smile.
Nico observed the interaction with keen interest, his analytical mind working. A human commanding goblins? Curious... Momonga, is this your doing? He studied the armored adventurer from the corner of his eye, searching for any reaction that might confirm his suspicions.
"These goblins are adorable!" Cassandra whispered, her eyes gleaming with an entirely different sort of interest. "Would they taste better than the ones we killed in the hive?"
Nico's hand shot out, delivering a swift tap to her head that would have fractured a normal human skull. Cassandra merely blinked in surprise.
"You don't consume anything but humans without my explicit permission," he admonished quietly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "These creatures might interact unpredictably with the Cadou or Uroboros in your system."
The tension gradually eased as introductions were made and explanations exchanged. The goblins, it seemed, were now protectors of the village—a bizarre arrangement that raised more questions than it answered. The group dispersed—Nphirea and Enri retreating to a nearby house for privacy, the Swords of Darkness settling on the grass to rest their legs, and Momon and Nabe heading purposefully toward the forest edge.
Nico's eyes narrowed as he watched the pair depart. "Let's follow them," he instructed his sisters quietly. Without hesitation, the three women dissolved into swarms of flies, their transformation so swift that anyone watching would have sworn they simply vanished. Nico himself manipulated the mold that composed part of his being, bending light around his body to render himself effectively invisible to the naked eye.
Silent as ghosts, they tracked Momon and Nabe to a hillside overlooking the village. The vantage point offered an unobstructed view of the settlement below, where villagers moved about their daily tasks with surprising organization. Most notably, several groups were engaged in archery practice, their arrows thudding into crude targets set up along the interior of the palisade.
Concealing themselves among the trees, Nico and his sisters listened intently as Momon surveyed the activity below.
"They show promise," he observed, his armored helmet tilting slightly as he watched a villager hit a target. "Their technique is rudimentary, but until ten days ago, these people had never held a bow."
The breeze rustled through the leaves above them as Momon continued, his voice taking on a solemnity that seemed at odds with his warrior persona. "Their loved ones were slaughtered. Now they train diligently to prevent such a tragedy from recurring. Their determination deserves respect."
So this was his foothold... established ten days ago? That means he arrived before me. How? Nico pondered the implications of their different arrival times, mentally recalculating his understanding of the timeline of events.
"I apologize for my shortsightedness," Nabe bowed contritely, her perfect posture indicating military discipline beyond that of a typical adventurer.
The sound of labored breathing and hurried footsteps interrupted their conversation. "Mr. Momon!" Nphirea called, hurrying up the hill. Both Nico and Momon turned toward the approaching youth, whose face was flushed from exertion.
"Do you need something?" Momon asked, his tone neutral as the boy caught his breath, hands braced on his knees.
When Nphirea straightened, his expression was serious beyond his years. "Mr. Momon... are you Mr. Ainz Ooal Gown?"
The question landed like a thunderbolt, startling Nico so badly that his cloaking momentarily faltered, his form flickering briefly into visibility before he hastily reestablished the camouflage. His mind raced. How had this boy connected Momon to Ainz Ooal Gown? What else did he know?
"Thank you for saving this village, Mr. Gown!" Nphirea continued earnestly, oblivious to the invisible observers. He dropped to one knee in an awkward gesture of respect. "I am forever in your debt!"
"You're mistaken. I'm—" Momon began, his usually confident voice betraying uncertainty.
"I understand you're concealing your true name," Nphirea interrupted, still kneeling. "Even so, I wanted to express my gratitude for saving Enri—for saving the woman I love! Thank you!"
"This kid is doomed," Nico muttered under his breath, watching intently for Momon's reaction. Exposing a player's true identity was dangerous enough; interrupting one was practically suicidal.
"Raise your head," Ainz commanded, his tone shifting from Momon's affected warmth to something colder, more befitting a ruler. Nphirea complied immediately, perhaps sensing the change.
"Yes, Mr. Gown. There's something else I've been keeping from you," the boy admitted, his honesty either brave or foolish depending on how Ainz might react.
"Nabe, leave us for a moment," Momon requested, evidently wishing to speak privately with the herbalist.
"Understood," she replied without hesitation, turning away from the pair and moving directly toward Nico's position.
The air seemed to chill as Nabe approached. Nico sidestepped to avoid collision, confident in his invisibility. To his surprise, Nabe halted, her dark eyes narrowing as they fixed precisely on his supposedly invisible form. Without warning, she drew her sword in one fluid motion, the blade gleaming in the dappled sunlight.
"Clever girl," he remarked as she lunged, the sword aimed at his throat with deadly precision. He dodged with minimal movement, the blade passing close enough that he could feel the air displaced by its passage.
Before she could recover from the missed strike, Nico seized her arm in an iron grip, pulling her close and covering her mouth with his mutated hand. The mold spread slightly, ensuring no sound could escape as he leaned close to her ear.
"You mistook me for a mere human, didn't you?" Nico whispered, his voice carrying a hint of genuine amusement at her overconfidence.
Her eyes widened in shock as he casually snapped her arm with a quick twist. Emotion finally broke through her stoic facade as she screamed silently into his hand, her face contorting with pain. She thrashed desperately, her movements fueled by both pain and the sudden realization of her attacker's true nature.
Around them, the air filled with the faint buzzing of flies as Nico's sisters materialized in their human forms. They circled Nabe like wolves around wounded prey, their nostrils flaring as they inhaled deeply. Their expressions suggested curiosity rather than hunger—this prey was something unfamiliar, something not quite human.
"No, girls," Nico instructed, noticing their interest. "She's not for consumption. She's too... exotic to serve as mere sustenance."
They sighed disappointedly, their inhuman eyes reflecting momentary disappointment before they obediently reverted to their fly forms, dispersing into the surrounding forest like living smoke.
"Release her, Nico."
The command cut through the clearing, radiating authority. Momon stood at the forest's edge, his swords drawn and ready. Sunlight reflected off his polished armor as he advanced slowly, eyes fixed on Nico through the slits in his helmet.
"So Lord Momonga finally noticed me," Nico remarked casually, removing his hand from Nabe's mouth but maintaining his grip on her injured arm. Pain kept her from attempting any foolish heroics.
"Forgive my carelessness, Lord Ainz," Nabe gasped through gritted teeth, her eyes downcast with shame despite the agony she clearly felt.
"Ah yes, you've adopted 'Ainz Ooal Gown' as your new title. I should address you properly," Nico said conversationally, transforming his free hand into a blade that he positioned delicately against Nabe's throat. The transformation was seamless, flesh and bone liquefying and reforming into lethal steel in the space of a heartbeat.
"Let her go," Ainz demanded, his voice dropping an octave as he readied his twin swords. The weapons caught the light filtering through the canopy, casting brief rainbows across the forest floor.
"I had intended to maintain this charade indefinitely," Nico sighed, unmoved by Ainz's threatening stance. Birds fell silent around them, instinctively fleeing the area as two predators prepared to clash.
"That wasn't necessary. I've recognized you from the beginning," Ainz revealed, shifting into a combat position that betrayed professional training. "I simply wasn't certain if you were aware of me."
The forest seemed to hold its breath as the two players assessed each other, decades of gaming experience informing their every move and countermove.
"We've been dancing around each other, haven't we?" Nico laughed softly, genuinely amused by the situation. "I should thank young Nphirea Balear—without his intervention, we might have continued this pointless deception indefinitely."
He pressed the blade closer to Nabe's neck with each step Ainz took, drawing a thin crimson line across her pale skin. A drop of blood formed, suspended momentarily before tracking down to stain her collar.
"We have two options, Ainz," Nico stated, his voice hardening. "Either we postpone this confrontation and preserve our anonymity among humans, or we risk everything we've built here."
The leaves rustled overhead, sending shifting patterns of light and shadow across Ainz's armored form as he considered the ultimatum.
"Humans are inconsequential to me," Ainz replied, advancing another step. The undergrowth crushed beneath his armored boot, the sound unnaturally loud in the tense silence.
A faint buzzing filled the air as flies swarmed around Nico, coalescing rapidly into three formidable women—each with inhumanly perfect features and eyes that held the cold calculation of apex predators. Their presence altered the dynamic instantly; even in his warrior guise, Ainz would face serious difficulty against all four opponents simultaneously.
"They matter to me," Nico countered, his tone hardening. "If our true nature becomes known, I'd be forced to infect the entire population. This world would become as lifeless as the one we left behind."
His words gave Ainz pause. Resurrection magic couldn't restore mutated undead—a fact they both understood all too well. Ainz needed to choose his next move with extreme care, weighing immediate victory against long-term consequences.
"I understand your fear, Ainz—other Players!" Nico pressed his advantage, noting Ainz's hesitation. "But that's not my concern. You're well aware that magic has a limited effect against us."
To emphasize his point, Nico made a shallow cut across Nabe's throat as Ainz took another step. Blood welled immediately, bright crimson against her skin. Her stoic expression wavered momentarily as pain registered.
"What will it be?" Nico demanded, forcing the issue. "Nuclear fallout or cold war?"
The metaphor hung in the air between them—mutual destruction or strategic containment. Seconds stretched into an eternity as Ainz weighed his options, the forest deathly silent around them.
"C-Cold war," Ainz conceded reluctantly, lowering his swords fractionally.
Nico's face broke into a satisfied smile as he released Nabe, shoving her toward Ainz with enough force to make her stumble. "Stand down, girls," he commanded. His sisters pouted visibly, their predatory instincts roused by the prospect of combat, only to be denied satisfaction.
Like the historical Cold War—a conflict waged through proxies rather than direct confrontation to avoid mutual destruction—they would engage in indirect struggle. The unspoken agreement hung between them: open hostility would remain hidden, their battles fought through subterfuge and manipulation rather than outright conflict.
"Let's end this encounter before others discover our true identities," Nico suggested with a wink before reverting to his adventurer persona. The transformation was instantaneous—the dangerous predator receding behind a carefully constructed facade of humanity.
His sisters waved playfully at the pair, their movements deliberately provocative, before following their Creator. Their forms blurred and shifted as they departed, human one moment and swarms of insects the next.
Nico chuckled to himself as they moved away from the confrontation, having established a temporary détente between the two guilds. In truth, he had little desire to infect everything—a world populated solely by mindless creatures would not entertain, no challenge.
"Excellent restraint, you three," Nico praised as they entered a sunlit clearing some distance away. The sisters preened under his approval, their expressions brightening. "Though I doubt you could extract any blood from him anyway."
He laughed at their confused expressions but did not explain, enjoying the rare moment of having knowledge they didn't share. The mystery would keep them curious, which in turn would keep them engaged.
Settling on a sun-warmed boulder, Nico absorbed the scenery—clean air, gentle breeze, birdsong—experiences long extinct in their former world. The simple pleasures of untainted nature were a luxury he hadn't appreciated until it was too late. Here, in this new world, such experiences were commonplace, yet all the more precious for having once been lost.
"Sit, girls," he gestured to the grass beside his perch. "Why not connect with your mother through the Hive Mind while we rest? Tell her of your adventures."
The suggestion was innocent enough on the surface, but Nico's slight smile betrayed his awareness that Alcina would likely scold them thoroughly for the risks they had taken. Sometimes, a creator needed to establish boundaries through other means.
As the girls settled into meditative poses, their consciousness reaching across the mental network that bound their kind together, Nico established his own connection.
"Deborah? How is the farm progressing?" he inquired, reaching out to one of his more practical-minded creations.
"Exceedingly well, Creator," Deborah reported, her mental voice carrying notes of pride and satisfaction. "Using the agricultural knowledge you shared through the Hive Mind, we've converted most available space into productive farmland. The spring planting is complete, and early crops are already showing promising growth."
Nico could almost see her gesturing expansively across fields of tender green shoots, her normally serious face softened by genuine enthusiasm. "And the Baker family? Are they adjusting to their new circumstances?" he asked, concerned about the human family they had integrated into their community. Such experiments in coexistence could prove valuable if successful.
"They're wonderful people, Creator," Deborah answered, joy evident in her voice. "Jack and his family regularly stroll through the growing fields with grandmother Eveline, admiring how everything is flourishing. The children particularly enjoy helping with the simpler tasks."
Nico could picture the scene—the elderly Eveline Baker leaning on her son Jack's arm as they walked between rows of vegetables, the human family finding purpose in their new life despite the unusual circumstances of their adoption into his community.
"Excellent!" Nico's smile widened genuinely. "What about Lucas? How is he faring?" Lucas was... a special case, his mutation having taken an unusual path that left him with greater independence than most.
"Brother Lucas is thriving like the others," Deborah replied, a knowing tone entering her mental voice. "He frequently communicates with Miss Bela through the Hive Mind. Their conversations have become quite extensive."
Nico raised an eyebrow at this information. "Excuse me momentarily, Deborah," he said before disconnecting from the communal consciousness.
Turning to Bela, who sat with her eyes closed in meditation, he cleared his throat pointedly. Her eyes snapped open, a faint blush already spreading across her cheeks as if she anticipated his question.
"A little bird tells me you've been spending considerable time conversing with Lucas," Nico said, his tone light but knowing.
Bela's face flushed deeper crimson, the color vivid against her pale skin. "Not this discussion again, Creator," she protested, hiding her face behind her hands in a surprisingly human gesture of embarrassment.
"There's no need for embarrassment," Nico assured her, gently lowering her hands to reveal her flustered expression. The sunlight caught in her eyes, highlighting their inhuman beauty. "As I've said before, I have no objections to such connections. Now go enjoy time with your sisters—or continue your conversation with Lucas if you prefer."
Relieved by his understanding, Bela rose gracefully and joined her siblings, who had abandoned their meditation to explore the clearing. Nico watched as Daniela and Cassandra spotted a rabbit at the forest's edge and immediately gave chase, their movements a perfect blend of human grace and predatory efficiency.
"Such innocent girls," he murmured fondly—until Daniela caught the creature with inhuman speed, impaled it on her transformed hand, and bit into its head with a sickening crunch. Blood spattered her pale face as she offered the twitching remains to her sister.
"I retract my statement," Nico sighed, witnessing their savagery with a mixture of pride and exasperation. They were his creations, after all—predatory instincts were embedded in their very being.
"Hey!" he shouted, rising to his feet. "What did I tell you about consuming unfamiliar organisms?"
The sisters exchanged guilty glances before dropping the rabbit carcass and fleeing, their laughter trailing behind them like music. Their movements were too swift for human eyes to follow properly, blurring between human and something else entirely as they dodged between trees.
"You'll face serious consequences once I catch you!" Nico called, pursuing them with equal speed. The chase was performative—he could have caught them instantly had he truly wished to—but the play served to strengthen their bonds.
Bela watched the chase with undisguised amusement, delighted to see her Creator bonding with her siblings. The sunlight dappled her features as she laughed openly, the sound carrying through the forest clearing like crystal bells.
After a brief but energetic pursuit, Nico herded the girls back to the clearing and delivered a thorough lecture about dietary restrictions and the potential dangers of consuming unknown species in this world. Their chastened expressions were comically exaggerated, a clear attempt to manipulate his emotions that he found endearing despite himself.
Lecture complete, Nico returned to his spot beside Bela and reclined on the grass, allowing the warmth of the sun to seep into his modified body. The sensation was pleasant, reminiscent of human comforts long forgotten.
"Deborah? Are you still available?" he called mentally, ready to discuss practical matters now that the family drama had been addressed.
"Yes, Creator," she responded immediately, her mental presence attentive and ready.
"With our current agricultural production, could we potentially establish an export business?" Nico asked, watching clouds drift lazily across the azure sky above. "The currency system here differs from