Surviving In My Novel 98 Masterful

On one particular adventure, Simon went looking for Jack, only to find the latter getting beaten up by some hoodlums in a decrepit alleyway. Of course this would not do. Simon came to Jack's rescue beat the hoodlums up until they fainted. Since he did not want to scare an 8 year old Jack, Simon spared the hoodlums and left with a now content Jack.

From Jack's point of view, he saw a shining hero with cool horns that he could only dream of having. Sure Simon was a devil, but as an 8 year old kid, Jack liked cool stuff. Horns are cool, so Simon is cool. Simon even helped him take care of the guys that were beating him up, naturally Jack admired Simon's power. It was like staring at a boundless ocean.

Now, Simon stood in a large and open room with many kids playing around in various age groups. Whether they were training or socialising, they all seemed rather satisfied with their current circumstances. The palace was well decorated and whatever Simon taught was always something that could improve their general ability. There was nothing to lose by being here and everything to gain. If they could learn earnestly under Simon for at least a year, perhaps the kids could become more powerful than their parents before they even become adults.

"Hey, Simon are you doing okay over there?" Simon asked Simon as Simon was being constantly pestered by Michelle.

"Huh? What? I am doing fine! Master, I am doing fine, don't worry about me." Simon tried to laugh Simon off as if nothing was happening.

"Are you sure? Jack is worried that Michelle is bullying too much. Should I seperate her from you?" Simon grinned teasingly.

"No, I will stay here!"

"Why though?"

"...Uh... So I can become stronger through emotional hardship!" Simon used as a blatant excuse to shoo Simon off.

"Okay, fine by me. Just make sure to train hard, as long as you show results, I will be happy."

Simon left Simon and walked over to Dahlia, who was chasing a bunch of other kids through the room, shouting cheerfully as she tagged other kids.

"Dahlia! I'm cooking dinner for everyone, are you coming?" Simon asked with a warm smile as he approached Dahlia.

"I'm coming papa! But is mama coming?" Dahlia responded with a cute and gentle face.

"Yes, mama is coming."

"Yey!" Dahlia jumped into Simon's arms as let out a shout of happiness.

"Everyone! Dinner is in 10 minutes! Last one in the dining room is a rotten egg!" Simon yelled as he dashed out of the room.

Immediately, all of the kids began rushing towards the door in hot pursuit of Simon and Dahlia, as if a treasure had just started running away from their very eyes. It was like a swarm of ravenous insects as they began chasing their prey. Such a strong will that all of the kids shared. The will to eat Simon's food.

Today Simon had planned to cook spicy noodles for everyone. Of course he had already long since prepared the food and only needed to finish cooking and then the noodles would be ready to serve. Everything had been planned out so he would not have to rush the dishes like and absolute madman.

"Dahlia, papa is going to give you a sneak peak at all of the food today! You get to see everything 5 minutes before everyone else!" Simon energetically announces to her as he took a left and headed for a set of steel double doors.

"Yey! Papa loves me!" Dahlia cheered with joy as she held on tight.

BANG

Simon jumped through the door and began running around what seemed to be a huge kitchen, pouring ingredients into bowls and adding soup to them all. In the blink of an eye, Simon successfully finished preparing everyone's dinner.

"Come on Dahlia, papa is going to let you have a sip of my spicy soup before anyone else okay."

This would become one of the many memories Simon forged with Dahlia and his disciples across his lifetime. Whether it was events such as these or basic training and lessons, Simon always maintained a reasonably warm relationship with his disciples. They admired him and he wanted them to continue being like such.

He knew that he would have to leave soon enough to take care of more pressing matters and that would also mean that there would not be many eyes and ears he could trust in the realm. Sure he had the Blood Guardians and Light, but he wanted fresh blood. He needed young followers that would be eternally loyal and look up to him rather than fear him. If he could have his disciples become powerful and reasonably upright people, it would be easy to manage the realm and he could finally leave for extended periods of time without having to worry about coming back to a massive war zone.

He of course cared deeply for their wellbeing, although not as much as he did for his daughter, he still cared for his disciples well. In response, the kids liked Simon a lot, thinking of him as a big brother as well as their master. The big brother being the first thing that came to mind.

Since devils physically mature at age 10 and stop aging from then onwards, they could basically pass off as young adults for the rest of their lives. The only distinguishing factor was the length of their horns, which grew until age 100 and then it would become a game of guessing. Age would then be more about wisdom and insight.

In all actuality, Simon had already made some arrangements for several different herbs and alchemical devices to be purchased in bulk for a certain purpose. 

Simon started at Malece and smiled. "It is true that humans cannot live nearly as long as devils. So I used some of our funds and research the old methods of our ancestors. I found many interesting things and I am here to tell you that I am about to do something that cultists can only dream of."

"Darling, what is it that you have planned." Malece asked out of curiosity.

"Blood Rite Ceremony." Simon answered with a straight face.

"When they all reach the 8th rank of visionary, I will take them to Hell and safely guide the willing ones to a special spot where they can kill demonic pests as they wish. Once they all manage to kill 1000 each, I can begin transforming them into devils."

"Doesn't that ceremony require a Devil's blood? The recipient would also take on the lineage of said devil, wouldn't they?" Malece confirmed, knowing about the ceremony beforehand.

"Yes, it would require a devil's blood, but only a drop. And the one giving blood has to be willing, otherwise the blood rots and the recipient dies horribly. Is there a better way to raise a mighty force? I do not think so. Before I go to the higher realms, I will produce the most powerful disciples known to the realm."

"I think I will give some of my blood to a certain someone. He has been working extra hard lately; above and beyond. His sparring partner is also working extraordinarily hard. Whatever the case, those that work hard will be rewarded." Simon finished.

"Those that work hard will be rewarded?" Malece repeated with a grin.

"Is this what you are talking about?"

Malece stared at Simon who was lying next to her in bed. It was a long night, and she was exhausted.

"This is the only thing you ever want. This is the only thing I can give you. I cannot go any further than this for now. I appreciate your efforts in raising Dahlia and I appreciate your sincere apologies."

"While I cannot forget, I will forgive. That is all. Just remember one thing." Simon looked straight at the ceiling and did not move an inch.

"I give you my trust now, but I will not forgive you if you try ANYTHING. So please prove that people can change. I am willing to go this far for Dahlia's sake, so do not take advantage of this." With that, Simon got up and left the room.

Malece gave a smile and a tear drifted down her eye. She felt some self-loathing for a while now, but it all changed when Dahlia was born. Malece could only thank Dahlia for all of this. At the very least, She could slowly work her way into Simon's heart correctly. She did not know if Simon would ever be that magnanimous, but it did not matter.

A goal is not something she can give on.

This is why she was the sole Blood Monarch.

Chapter end