The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

At this time, now in the Starlight Region, the sun was dipping low in the sky as Aeric and Delva made their way through the Starlight streets. They could both see the faint golden light casting long shadows over the road, and they knew it wouldn't be long until night came.

However, Aeric still enjoyed the quietness of riding slowly through the land and he especially used this time to once again take an in-depth look at the entirety of the Region.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The quiet villages they passed were a stark contrast to the gleaming metropolis that awaited them, where the hub of life was bustling and the Castle of Starlight stood gloriously.

There were wooden homes leaning precariously, their roofs patched with straw and scraps. With the sound of the hooves of their riding animals in the background, Aeric watched children play in the dirt. Although their brittle laughter would stop the moment they recognized that Aeric was royalty.

He had somehow expected some of them to hurl him a ball of mud or something like that and yell 'abomination' at him. But that wasn't the case, they all just stared.

Passing some villages, he reached the same one which had suffered the effects of a beast raid with knights and left without aid after the fact.

The land seemed to be in a famine. Blackened and charred. Looking to his left, Aeric saw beggars lining the road, some sitting silently while others reaching out with trembling hands.

"It is indeed true!" A hoarse voice called from the side of the road. "There truly is a Son. A... miracle."

Aeric turned to see a man with sunken cheeks and tattered clothes clutching a stick for support as he stared at him with hope in his eyes, eyes that had endured betrayed years of suffering.

Aeric's own eyes widened with surprise as the man's words struck him like a blissful realization. So far everyone had called him an abomination, something that was never meant to be. However, this man had just offered Aeric a new perspective.

He had called him a miracle.

Couldn't that also be the case? Could Aeric not be a miracle? Had he and everyone else been looking at it from the wrong, pessimistic approach?

Thinking about this, Aeric slowed Sylver. Then he reached into his pocket and tossed a few gold coins to the man. The beggar's face lit up with gratitude as he scrambled to catch the coins. "Thank you, young master! May the stars of our Region bless you, and may the Divinity guide you always!"

Seeing this, others followed suit, calling out his name and holding out their hands. Aeric only had a few coins left, but he tossed coins to them as well, their thanks ringing in his ears.

But as they continued, Aeric's mind kept wandering, watching them clamor about in desperation and hunger. These were people of Starlight, and even though they were a minority, he couldn't ignore their suffering and the desolation surrounding him.

The burned-out homes, barren fields, and broken roads. They all painted a grim picture. The stars of the Region had to shine upon everyone unless it would only be unfair.

Aeric frowned, his chest tightening. 'How could Mother let things get this bad?' he thought, squeezing his lip. 'Something must be the issue. She's the ruler of Starlight. These are her people.'

They rode deeper, away from the beggars who began to scurry away in search of nearby stalls to purchase something to eat.

Glancing back at them, Delva's had an expressionless face. She eventually looked forward and her calm voice broke the silence. "The gold you gave them will buy a meal or two, but it won't change their lives, Master Aeric."

"I suppose that is true," Aeric said with a sigh. "But unfortunately, my charity is all I can offer them at this moment."

Delva pouted. "Charity is always temporary, Master. These people have families, young ones. They need more than charity. They need opportunities, resources, and leadership. They are hopeful but their hope could be helped if they saw evidence of change."

Aeric looked at her, cocking his head. "You are right way too often, Delva. Don't let it get annoying."

Delva nodded. "That is true, Master Aeric. I will try not to be too opinionated."

"No, I enjoy your opinions," Aeric sighed, staring at the evening sky. "You've helped me so much in just one day. And what you've said now is true. Gold is a bandage, not a cure."

His mind raced as he thought about what he could do. "I do have an idea, but the only way this can truly work is if I stretch the amount of power and authority I have as Prince of Starlight. See how long it expands. I could order men to deliver grain seeds for farming and building materials to restore their homes? Maybe even dig a well for fresh water?"

Delva regarded him thoughtfully. "It's a noble plan, Master Aeric. It shows your love for your people and a sense of duty. They will remember such acts of leadership."

Aeric smiled faintly, reassured by her approval. "I'm glad you think so, Delva, because you're going to oversee it."

Delva's eyes widened briefly. "Me? Uh... Mast—" But she quickly composed herself. She placed a hand over her heart and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for the honor, Master Aeric. I won't disappoint you."

"I don't think I'll have to worry about you ever disappointing me." Aeric tugged on Sylver's reins to move faster and the beast obeyed.

The desolate villages gave way to ones with more flourishing families, there were beautiful and comfortable homes, crops thriving, and villagers bustling about.

Some of them waved at Aeric as he rode past, others pretending not to see him, while some even scurried into their homes fearfully as they had been told that the abomination carried bad omen.

Aeric didn't really blame them. In fact seeing families living fairly comfortably lifted his spirits slightly, but then his gaze shifted to the horizon.

Above some small hills, there was something that resembled a blot of darkness against the vibrant fields. That was the village overtaken by monsters that Delva had talked about. Aeric tightened his grip on Sylver's reins.

The monsters in that village posed a real threat because if they eventually killed all the people in that land, they would certainly move on to the families and homes that he had just passed which would only cause more destruction and death to the Starlight netizens.

It would be wise of him to do something quickly in order to stop that from happening. So many lives could be saved.

"That village," he said grimly, after thinking about it for a while. "I was thinking. Perhaps I should lead an army of knights to clear it out, you can come to of course. The beasts have to go before everyone there is dead and the beasts decide to expand their devastation."

Delva's expression darkened with determination. "A splendid idea, Master Aeric. I've followed knights into battle before, but... Master Aeric, don't you—" She hesitated, her voice softening. "Don't you think this might be too dangerous for you? You're young and untested. Beasts are not forgiving foes."

Aeric chuckled, though the sound lacked humor. "I know being protective of me comes along with being my friend. But don't worry about me. I can handle myself. Besides, I could use the beast cores for my new Weapon Crafting system." Your next read is at empire

"I could slay the beasts and retrieve the cores for you, dear Master Aeric."

Aeric smirked. "Killing them myself grants me other rewards as well. I understand you are not Awakened so you probably are not accustomed to things like this."

Delva frowned first, eyes lowered as she tilted her head and nodded tentatively. "That... is true. Very well. If you're confident, then I'll trust you, Master Aeric. But I'll keep an eye on you, regardless."

"As a good friend does," Aeric remarked.

They finally arrived at the Castle of Starlight and the gates opened, welcoming Aeric and Delva to the grounds of the illustrious building once again.

Aeric was surprised to see his mother, standing by the gate, her elegant figure poised on the grass.

Mother Guinevere was smiling beautifully as she noticed that Aeric seemed brighter and better today, knowing that her strategy with getting him a friend had worked.

"Mother," Aeric regarded her with a curious smile.

"My special son," the Queen greeted, her voice gentle. "You look brighter today. And it's good to see you getting along so well with Delva."

Aeric dismounted Sylver, offering a small smile. "She truly is a splendid girl and a wonderful person. But where are you off to at such a late hour."

Guinevere's smile softened. "Oh, Aeric. It is only the business of a God's wife."

Aeric instantly frowned. 'A God's wife?'

"I have an important political meeting to attend alongside the other Mothers. I might not return this night. But oh, yes! Before I leave—" She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I've arranged for a trainer to teach you how to fight, just as you requested."

Aeric frowned, blinking in confusion. "I asked for that?" He searched his memory before it hit him, and he remembered he had briefly mentioned it in passing over dinner, though he hadn't expected his extremely enthusiastic mother to take it seriously.

"Yes, you did," Mother Guinevere said with a knowing smile. "She's waiting for you at the stables." With that, she climbed onto her majestic Lionhawk, the creature's burning feathers blazing the pale evening with orange. "Be good, Aeric," she called as the beast took flight.

Aeric turned to Delva as they made their way toward the stables. "She? I wonder who it could be," he mused.

His curious steps slowed as they approached the stables, and then his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

He recognized that figure. He recognized that hair.

'No way.'

The woman stood near the fence, testing a blade with expert precision. She sliced the blade left and right through the air with a faint whistle. Then, she sheathed the sword and turned, her sharp eyes locking on him.

At first, her face registered confusion, but then her expression shifted to stunned recognition. Her eyes widened.

Aeric also could not believe what he was seeing, and his heart had already skipped out his chest.

The trainer was Alzera the Fierce.