The Damned Demon - Chapter 865

"UWAHHHH!!"

Ravina's cries echoed throughout the camp, her voice reaching a high pitch as tears streamed down her flushed cheeks.

Her tiny, bare feet dug firmly into the muddy earth, leaving deep trails as she pushed forward with stubborn determination, dragging Silvia and Sabina helplessly behind her.

"Papaaaaa! Ravina wants Papa!" she wailed louder, her little fists clenching tightly, small sparks of dark-green flames flickering around her tiny hands.

Sabina's eyes widened in disbelief, gripping Ravina's slender arm with all her strength. "Did this little brat already get stronger? How is this even possible overnight?!"

Silvia, straining equally on Ravina's other side, gasped softly, "She...does seem to have—nghhh—grown a bit taller as well. If only Isola and Merina didn't leave to see Callisa..."

Sabina groaned, almost slipping as Ravina surged forward again. "Dammit, Silvia! This she-devil is literally dragging us! I can't believe she's stronger than me already!"

Silvia looked helplessly at Ravina's teary face, forcing a soothing tone despite the strain. "Haiiii, Ravina... please don't cry. Papa is... he's a bit b-busy inside right now," she stammered awkwardly, a flush tinting her cheeks at the implications.

"Nooooo!! Ravina wants to see Papa now! Papa!! Uwaaahhhh!" Ravina's voice rose to an ear-splitting shriek, her little frame trembling with stubborn determination, causing both consorts' feet to carve muddy trails deeper into the ground.

Silvia glanced around desperately, noting how the nearby people had paused their morning chores to watch the spectacle with amused expressions, biting back smiles or chuckling softly.

Embarrassment crept across her face, and she pleaded again, softer this time, "Nghhh....Ravina, your aunts are asking nicely. Everyone is looking at us funny. Can you please...wait for just a bit?"

Fortunately, most of the people were sleeping from the hangover of the celebration last night while the rest who were watching this spectacle was not only amused but shocked that their little princess was terrifyingly growing strong to the point that even two powerful consorts were struggling to hold her back.

Yet Ravina's cries only intensified, ringing through the crisp morning air, "PAPAAA!!!"

Sabina's teeth gritted in frustration as sweat beaded on her forehead. She glanced over her shoulder, spotting her mother Esther, who was silently watching the spectacle unfold from a short distance away.

Irritated, Sabina shot her mother a forced, overly sweet smile, "Mother! Some help here?!"

Esther who was busy studying Ravina with a peculiar curiosity was startled slightly, surprised at being called out.

She cleared her throat, quickly regaining her dignified composure as she stepped forward hesitantly, her eyes uncertain despite her naturally cold demeanor. "You...want me to control her? I'm not sure if—"

Sabina groaned dramatically, cutting her mother off, "Oh please, Mother, since when did you become such a softie for kids? I know you can handle this unruly brat...unngghh!"

Esther sighed softly, approaching Ravina slowly. "Little princess, please calm—"

Inside the tent, oblivious to the chaotic scene unfolding just outside, Asher tossed restlessly, his brow furrowing deeply as a grim nightmare overtook his dreams. An unfamiliar yet achingly familiar voice echoed hauntingly in his mind.

"Father...please...you have to do this," the weak voice whispered desperately, carrying a weight of unbearable sadness and exhaustion. "It's the only way to release you from this curse..."

Asher twisted, brows knitting tighter. "Curse? What curse? Who are you? Answer me! Please!" His voice, even in his dream, was urgent, anxious.

Just as he awaited an answer, Rowena's voice gently pierced through the shadows of his mind, pulling him swiftly into consciousness. "Asher, wake up..."

He jolted awake, gasping softly, heart thundering against his chest. His dark yellow eyes blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the haunting echoes as he met Rowena's gaze, her expression soft yet concerned.

"Were you having a bad dream? Your face was quite pale," she whispered softly, clutching a silky sheet modestly around her curvaceous naked form.

"UWAAAAAH!!!"

Asher took a shaky breath, steadying himself. But before he could answer, Ravina's piercing cries filtered into the tent, tugging instantly at his heartstrings.

He glanced quickly toward the tent's entrance, worry flashing briefly across his face.

Rowena's expression softened, a gentle smile lighting her face as she nodded toward the commotion, "We can talk about it later. First, go calm down our daughter. She's dying to see you," With a hint of amusement in her eyes, she added, "Looks like she somehow sniffed you out right after you woke up."

Asher grimaced lightly, guilt flashing briefly in his gaze, quickly replaced by fond amusement. "Damn, I can't believe I overslept...I had planned to meet her before she woke up," he murmured, quickly slipping off the bed to wrap a robe around his broad shoulders.

Hearing how deeply Ravina missed him, filled him with warmth despite his lingering unease.

Outside, sensing Esther's imposing presence, Ravina peeked briefly through her tears, noticing the intimidating, icy expression of this cold-looking aunt approaching.

A primal instinct told her that this particular aunt might actually manage to restrain her, effectively ending her mission to see her Papa immediately.

Her heart racing with urgency, Ravina summoned every ounce of strength in her tiny frame, determination blazing fiercely in her golden eyes. With a thunderous cry, "PAPAAAA!!!" she suddenly surged forward, mana channeling instinctively into her legs.

"Ravina, no—!" Silvia and Sabina cried simultaneously, their grips loosening as an unexpected force burst from the child.

The earth trembled violently beneath Ravina's tiny feet, spiderweb cracks racing outward in all directions, surprising everyone around.

Sabina and Silvia were hurled aside, landing awkwardly on their backs, eyes wide with shock.

Ravina shot forward through the air like a tiny projectile yet leaching behind a powerful shockwave, her face beaming with a triumphant smile as she headed straight toward the tent entrance.

"Noooo!!" Silvia cried helplessly, lying stunned in the mud, not wanting to imagine the forbidden sight Ravina might see in there.

But,

A neatly dressed Asher swiftly stepped out of the tent just as Ravina was soaring towards it like a tiny meteor.

His eyes widened slightly in amusement as he stretched out his arms, catching the energetic little projectile firmly yet gently against his chest.

"Papa!" Ravina squealed with pure joy, instantly wrapping her tiny arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. Her little heart beat rapidly against him, excitement radiating off her small, warm body.

Sabina and Silvia stopped mid-stride, shoulders sagging with relief as they both exchanged exhausted yet amused glances.

"That little...all that crying and now she's smiling and laughing in an instant. She's even more sly than me, fufu," Sabina mumbled, brushing the dirt off her robes with an amused smirk.

Silvia chuckled devilishly, giving her a gentle nudge, "See? Told you that a meanie like you would meet your match one day, hmph!"

"Meanie who?"

"Ow, ow! Silvia mispoke!"

Asher looked down into his daughter's wide, sparkling dark golden eyes, seeing a reflection of himself so clearly it momentarily took his breath away.

Ravina's soft, raven hair gently brushed against his cheek as she squeezed him tighter, her small face burying itself affectionately into his shoulder.

"You really missed me that much, huh?" Asher softly asked, his voice tender and gentle, eyes softening as he carefully held her closer. It was the first time he properly held his daughter, and it felt surreal—his heart swelling with overwhelming warmth and tenderness.

For a second, it felt as if his heart was lighter than ever.

Ravina lifted her head, gazing into his face earnestly with big, innocent eyes. She cupped his face with her tiny, soft hands and nodded fervently.

"Ravina missed Papa more than anything! Mama said Papa is the strongest. Ravina always knew Papa would come back for her!"

Asher's heart ached sweetly at her words, melting completely under her adoring gaze. He gently smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her elongated elven ear. "Of course I would. How could I ever stay away from someone as lovely as you?"

Ravina beamed, her smile bright enough to rival the morning sun. "Papa thinks Ravina is lovely?"

Asher laughed softly, the sound warm and rich, a rare moment of pure joy on his usually serious face. "More lovely than anything Papa has ever seen."

Ravina happily giggled but then she pointed at Sabina and said with a pout, "But Big Aunt calls me a little devil when she loses to Ravina."

"Brat, you are getting cocky already, huh?" Sabina asked with a half-smile as she crossed her arms.

Asher softly chuckled as he said, "She calls you that because you are too strong."

At that moment, Ravina's expression turned deeply serious as she whispered conspiratorially, leaning in close. "But...Ravina wasn't strong enough before those evil monsters. Ravina was worried. Scary monsters took Ravina away and hurt Mimi."

"Ravina...I am sorry that I let that happen to you..." Asher felt his heart clench as he caught sight of the darkness that lingered in her eyes.

He knew that a child shouldn't have gone through all that, especially not someone so young as her.

Even if she looked 4-5 years old, he knew practically she was born a little more than just a week ago.

He would have personally hunted down the responsible Mindlsayers if not for Valeria cleaning up for him. And he could guess that Valeria was probably keeping an eye on Ravina the entire time, even when she was kidnapped but chose not to act under Skully's orders.

He still didn't know if he should feel angry or grateful towards Skully after everything that happened.

Ravina's eyes suddenly lightened up as she added, "But Ravina knew Papa would come and punish them!"

Asher's expression was darkened by his previous thoughts, but seeing her innocent eyes staring so trustingly at him softened the sharp edges of his anger.

He gently brushed her cheek with his thumb, soothing her worries. "Papa will always protect you. Those evil monsters won't ever hurt you again, okay?"

Ravina nodded vigorously, eyes glowing with absolute trust. "Papa really is strong! Can Papa teach Ravina to be strong like you?"

Asher chuckled warmly, deeply charmed by her enthusiastic curiosity. "Of course. But for now, you should let Papa carry you around a bit and rest. You've already shown everyone how strong you are."

Ravina pouted adorably, her little cheeks puffing up slightly. "But Ravina is already big and strong! Ravina wants to protect Mama and Papa, too!"

Sabina rolled her eyes lightly from a distance, crossing her arms with a gentle smirk. "Fufu, she sure got his stubbornness in a worse way. Poor us."

Silvia giggled softly, leaning against Sabina with a fond expression. "It's adorable though, isn't it?"

Asher smiled at their banter before turning back to Ravina, who was eagerly tugging his robes, trying to draw his attention again. He kissed her forehead gently, his voice full of warmth. "I know you're very strong. But even the strongest little princesses need their Papa to take care of them sometimes, right?"

Ravina paused thoughtfully before nodding slowly, conceding with an adorable sigh. "Okay... only because Papa said so."

Asher smiled gently as Ravina's small fingers began tracing his face carefully, as if memorizing every feature.

"Papa has Ravina's ears!" she exclaimed excitedly, fascinated by their similarity as she poked at his sharp, elongated ears. Studying him more closely, she felt even more happy to know how many similarities they shared.

"More like you have Papa's ears," Asher corrected gently, enjoying her curious exploration as he tickled her delicate, elongated ears, making her giggle uncontrollably, feeling tickled.

The entire camp watched the scene from afar with gentle smiles, warmth filling their hearts. Even amidst tragedy and loss, witnessing this pure, heartfelt moment between father and daughter was a powerful reminder that hope was finally returning to their broken world.

But-

*BOOOOOM!*

Asher's eyes widened as he immediately turned around and looked up, his face darkening as he saw something he had never seen before in his life.