Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 90 - Quest In The Burning Dungeon, Part 8

Around eight years ago...

"Attention!" A commanding voice echoed, sharp and unyielding. The young feline-halfling's ears sprang upright, her tail curling in response as her gaze snapped forward. She stood rigidly among her ten older siblings, all of whom towered over her like giants.

The source of the voice, their imposing mother, strode forward. Her regal figure exuded authority, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. In her grasp was a human clad in black-metal armor, limp like a ragdoll. Without ceremony, she tossed him to the ground at their feet, the heavy clang of his armor reverberating through the room.

"This human fodder managed to sneak into my quarters," she began, her piercing gaze sweeping over the group. "Pathetic, suspicious—but amusing. He will stay here as your training dummy." Her tone made it clear there was no room for argument. "I don't care if you kill him in the process."

"Yes, Mother!" the children replied in unison, their voices a chorus of obedience. The queen turned on her heel, her feline tail flicking dismissively as she walked away, leaving the siblings to assess their new "toy."

They all turned their attention to the armored figure sprawled on the floor.

"Of all things, a human dummy this time..." one of the brothers muttered, scratching his chin. "Mother usually just kills them outright. What did he do to make her spare him?"

"Maybe she thought killing him wasn't worth the effort," a sister chimed in, her gaze skeptical. The youngest sibling, Ami, peeked out from behind her elder sister's leg, her wide, curious eyes locked on the human. A faint unease stirred in her chest, but she couldn't tear her gaze away.

The human shifted, groaning as he raised his head to look at them.

"Hm." His hum startled the group, their ears twitching in unison as his voice broke the silence.

"It only makes sense that a beautiful woman would have beautiful children," he said flatly, his expression unreadable as he glanced at the siblings from the ground.

"What...?" one of the brothers blurted, tilting his head in confusion.

"Is he insane?" an older sister grimaced, taking a step back in disgust. "Did Mother take pity on him because he's lost his mind?"

Ami remained hidden, peeking at the human as he slowly sat up.

"Hey, human," one of the sisters growled, stepping forward with a sneer. "If you think you can charm your way into—"

"I'm not a pedophile. Don't worry," Van cut her off, his tone dry.

"...Pae...do...file?" one of the brothers murmured, furrowing his brow in confusion. "What the hell is that?"

"It's a slang word," Van replied casually, raising a hand and waving it dismissively. "Anyway, I'm not here for children. I came for your mother. She said if I could train you well, she'd agree to my marriage proposal."

"MAR—MARRIAGE PROPOSAL!?" one of the sisters stammered, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Hey, you human bastard!" one of the brothers snarled, his tail lashing behind him. "Watch your tone! You don't sound a day older than me!"

"So, let me get this straight," another sister chimed in, folding her arms. "You snuck into Mother's quarters, proposed to her, and now you're here to... train us?"

"Pretty much. Greet your new father," Van said nonchalantly, earning a chorus of laughter.

"This guy's a riot!" one of the brothers bellowed, clutching his stomach as he laughed.