Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son

[Segyal household, Akasha.]

The glaring sun shone softly over the now empty city of the Segyal Highbloods.

The streets remained empty, the place's happiness had been lost in time.

Since the battle of Red Crown, the whole city had been like this.

Above the stillness of the city loomed an ancient-looking tree.

Its Golden Leaves floated in the sky, making it look eternal.

Nuaria, the tree which was cultivated by the first head of the Segyal family.

The only thing that was keeping the Akasha alive and making it habitable.

And…

Under the shining tree, stood a lone woman.

Her red hair fell down her shoulders while her golden eyes filled with spirals remained unfocused.

Mariam stood there for a while as she stared at the tree.

There was a peculiar emotion on her face that couldn't be understood.

Was it, pain? Regret? Anger?

Mariam herself didn't understand what it was.

She slowly raised her hand and gently pressed her palm on the bark of the tree.

A pulse of mana echoed within Nuaria then returned back to her.

Her lips trembled. "…No way."

"What are you doing?"

Mariam removed her hand from the bark as she looked back.

Another elf walked towards her, gazing at the tree.

With golden-olive hair tied in a braided ponytail, she looked regal and mature.

Mariam frowned. "Nerissa? Why are you here?"

"I was called." The elf replied, glancing at the tree. "It's been a while since I saw it."

During the last few months, Nerissa had rarely visited Akasha.

Most of her time was spent on Lumina helping Pasithea in the war.

Mariam gave her a look as she asked. "Did 'he' call you here?"

Nerissa nodded in response. "Yes." She replied. "That bastard said he can save the elves."

Despite the clear mockery in her voice, her face couldn't help but tense up.

Elves were already in worse condition in the war and if possible she would like to help them.

…Even if that means getting in contact with their nemesis.

"Did something happen?" Nerissa asked, looking at the tree. "You had a weird reaction just now."

Mariam's hand trembled slightly as she lowered it.

There was so much to say but she couldn't bring herself to explain it in words.

"I don't know," she said quietly, her voice sounding more unsure than she intended. "It feels like the tree is uprooting itself."

Nerissa frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I can't understand it as well." Mariam said, looking down at the ground. "It's like something terrifying is inside Akasha."

Since Mariam had become a middle-ranked demigod, a lot of new things had begun to make sense.

In Lumina, the more one grows the more they see things that others can't.

Just like how Mariam now had an inkling feeling of something always watching them.

Like a heartbeat always beating just at the corner of her ears.

Mariam closed her eyes as she softly 'gazed' at the sky.

Only, to feel an invisible tug on her soul.

'Is this what Sir Mortis always feels?'

Being the strongest demigod she knows, Mariam had a feeling that he should have an idea about it.

'Maybe I should talk to him about it.'

She let out a sigh as she glanced at Nerissa who stood on the side.

The more Mariam looked at her the angrier she became.

"You are doing a terrible job at being a mother." Mariam said, looking at her. "Why send your daughter to the war?"

"I can do whatever I want with my daughter." she replied quietly. "And I don't want a lecture on motherhood especially from you."

Mariam glared at the elf. "Mind your words—."

"I wouldn't have sent my daughter to war had your son not been here!?"

Nerissa suddenly snapped, her voice raising louder.

"All I am doing is preparing her for the inevitable death that her father will bring."

Mariam clenched her hand tightly as she slowly walked towards her until she could stare into her eyes.

"I won't let him kill Nymeria." Mariam said, "I will protect her with my life, I can promise that."

Nerissa didn't back down as she looked into her eyes.

"Like you promised to keep my son safe?" She asked, her voice venomous. "Or like my father who died or like your stupid husband—."

"Nerissa!"

A sudden yell from the demigod made her quiet down.

Even though the air around her tightened she still didn't back down.

"You are a failure of a mother, Mariam." Nerissa said, glaring at her. "Even worse than me and that says a lot because I am the worst mother out there."

Saying so, she turned around ready to walk away.

"Yeah! Walk away like you always do!" Mariam snapped, staring at her back. "I can't believe your father and son died for a woman like you!"

Nerissa froze mid-step.

The words hung in the air like poison.

Slowly, she turned around. Her face was calm, but her eyes were blazing.

"Say that again," she said, her voice low, almost dangerous.

Mariam didn't flinch. "You heard me."

A sword slowly began to curve on her hand as Nerissa walked towards her.

But before she could even make a move—

"Am I interrupting something?"

A voice echoed within the place.

---

[Kallistar, Akasha.]

"Urgh!"

My body felt stiff as I walked out of the teleportation portal.

It's been a long while since I had been in the place as the change in atmosphere was clear.

"Why am I dragged with you?"

I looked to my side where Aimar was standing, an ashen look on his face.

"Why should you not be?" I asked, wrapping my hands over his shoulder. "Or do you like spending time with the twin mosquitos."

Aimar gave me a look but didn't reply; instead, he removed my hand.

"Stop with your bullshit."

"Bitch, tell me." I said, walking along with him. "Do you have a thing for them?"

"Shut up."

"Tell me—."

"I said shut up."

I kicked his buttocks as he kept on ignoring my question.

Aimar barely stabilized himself from landing face first, he turned to glare at me but I was already prepared.

"She did it." I said, pointing at the random lady.

Right now we both were in disguise so the woman didn't seem to be bothered with us.

Aimar sighed, clearly tired of my antics. "I hope you get molested."

"The fuck?"

"Nevermind." He replied, walking out of the place. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Back to the Segyal household." I replied, falling into step beside him again.

"Besides, what happened to you? You've been way too serious since we came back from Hell."

Aimar said nothing as he kept on walking further away.

"Is it because of Oliver?" I guessed and he immediately stopped.

Aimar let out a sigh as he looked at me. "Is it necessary?"

I blinked. "What?"

"To fight a literal god." He replied, his voice tired. "I mean, why are you doing it for him—."

"He was as much of a brother to me as he was to you." I cut in his words. "I would do what it takes to bring him back."

Aimar stayed silent for a moment, his eyes flickering with something unspoken.

Then he looked away, his voice lower now. "What if he comes back as an entirely different person?"

"That won't happen." I replied, smiling softly. "Oliver will always remain Oliver unless he meets a girl that can cure his gayness."

Aimar let out a chuckle as he began to walk once again. "…Yeah."

We walked in silence for a while until I noticed her.

The blonde elf who stood at the side of the parking area.

I quickly walked towards her and Aimar followed just behind me.

When she noticed both of us walking towards her, she blinked.

"Himmel?"

I smiled. "It's been a while, Daina."

I still had my disguise that I immediately took off as soon as I was close to her.

Daina blinked and took in my face for a while before she shook her head.

"You look great." She replied, opening the car door. "Let's go."

I frowned. "Where?"

"Back home." She replied, her voice serious. "There is a… guest waiting for you."

My brows knit together but I didn't wait for long.

I sat inside the car and so did Aimar.

Daina began to drive us without saying anything else.

---

It took us just a few hours to arrive at the empty city of the Segyal household.

The place was as empty as the first day I saw it.

Even though the reputation of the elves had grown a lot because of me…people still have a fear of the previous battle.

Aimar was behind in the car because Daina insisted but I was walking along with her inside.

The old tree of the first head loomed over us as we grew closer and closer.

Finally, passing the patches of old grass we arrived at the place.

My eyes first landed on Mariam then at Nerissa who stood in the corner.

Finally…

My gaze shifted towards the third person.

The man who looked young despite his age with red eyes and raven black hair.

His name left my mouth. "Edwin."

The head of the Vampires smiled showing his canine. "Himmel, it's been a while."

I felt a weird sense of uneasiness as I looked at him smiling.

Whenever he smiled it was bad news for me.

I slowly turned to look at Mariam. "Why is he here?"

Before she could reply, Edwin moved towards me.

"It's time to complete the promise we made."

He said, patting my shoulder with a smile.

"My grandson-in-law."