Chapter 281: *The End*

[Third Person's PoV] 

5 years later… 

In the Shadow Empire Capital, the Kingdom of Superbia—ruled by Pride—a girl with long, flowing purple hair walked through the grand, ornately decorated castle. She wore a training suit, a sword resting across her shoulders, and whistled to herself as she wandered. Suddenly, a shadow flashed behind her.

She sighed, tilting her head back with a groan. "UGHHHHHH!"

Kneeling behind her, a tall, muscular young man with golden hair and twin cat ears bowed with his fist to the ground. "Princess Celeste, your father, the Lord, demands an audience with you."

Celeste, a five-year-old with a grown-up attitude, clicked her tongue and narrowed her eyes. "Uncle Zeto, can't you see I'm running away? I thought you were my personal guard. Where does your loyalty lie—with him or with me?"

"With him." Zeto answered without hesitation, his expression blank.

Celeste groaned again. "Do I really have to go? I despise physical training."

Zeto smirked. "If you keep skipping it, your younger siblings will surpass you. And then, your title as Crown Princess will be taken."

Celeste froze, then started grumbling. **"Ugh, as if! There are seven other kingdoms! I'm not even the princess of this one—Loriel or Lorion is. Mama Alpha's heir rules Superbia.

Then there's Luxuria, where Mama Beta's son, Kuzan, is the Crown Prince.

Avaritia belongs to Mama Gamma's daughters, Vyomi and Ophis.

The Kingdom of Ira is still ruled by Mama Delta, and that's a complete mess since she has five boys and five girls—all potential heirs with how she runs things.

Invidia is Mama Epsilon's, where her three sons—Zamir, Mozart, and Ludwig—live.

Your sister, Mama Zeta, oversees Gula, and her son and daughter, Simba and Aurelia, are the heirs there.

And finally, Acadia, which Mama Eta supervises… rarely. Her daughter Alora is in line for that one.

And that's just on this Earth! Mama Alexia and Mama Rose are both pregnant, and they rule different worlds!"

Celeste paused, then blinked at Zeto. "…What was my point again?"

Zeto chuckled. "Honestly, I lost track, too."

"Oh, right! I was saying, I'm not even the official princess of this kingdom." She placed a hand on her hip and sighed. "They really don't understand the concept of moderation… Things got really bad five years ago, didn't they?"

Zeto's expression turned awkward. "Well… you have to understand, after winning the war and defeating the main source of their suffering, they… celebrated. A lot."

Then he smiled. "But I get what you mean. Since your mother doesn't have an official kingdom, you won't inherit one either."

Celeste shrugged. "Exactly. So why should I fight so hard for a title?"

Zeto's tone turned serious. "Because, my lady… you aren't just your mother's heir. You're also your father's—the Monarch of Shadows. You're his firstborn, meant to inherit everything once he's ready to retire. You won't just inherit a kingdom. You'll inherit an entire universe. And if you're not prepared for that responsibility, it will all be taken from you."

Celeste's shoulders slumped. "…Fine. I'll work hard. At the very least, I'll make sure my old man gets to retire early. He's earned that much." She turned toward the courtyard.

Zeto watched her go, his expression wary. 'Only you, Princess, would call the Lord an old man… He's literally only 21…'

---

Celeste sprinted through the halls, her sword in hand. She kicked the training ground doors open and charged at the man standing in the center, surrounded by children of all ages, each with distinct features.

The man held a small boy with dark onyx hair, purple eyes, and twin devil horns, secured in a baby carrier strapped to his chest.

"AHHHHHH!!!" Celeste shouted, sword raised.

Cid, the Monarch of Shadows, stopped her attack effortlessly—by lifting his foot and blocking the blade's tip. The impact sent Celeste's sword spinning into the air. Before it could hit the ground, a golden-haired, purple-eyed young man—Lorion, now older—snatched it mid-spin.

He twirled the weapon in his hand and glanced at her. "What was your plan, exactly?"

Celeste rubbed the back of her head. "…Injure him so I could skip training?"

Kuzan, a boy with snow-white hair, purple eyes, and small elf ears, smirked. "If you really want to injure him, aim for the balls next time. That's where it'll really hurt."

Cid deadpanned. "You know I'm right here, right? You don't have to plot my downfall in front of me."

The other children, however, eagerly surrounded Celeste, offering their own suggestions.

"Aim for the shins. That'll make it hard for him to move."

"Shatter his kneecaps."

"Cut his Achilles tendons."

Cid sighed, his eyebrow twitching. "You all realize I could consider this an act of rebellion, right?"

The children simply turned to him, stuck out their tongues, and burst into laughter.

Cid glanced down at the baby strapped to his chest. "You won't turn against your daddy too, will you, Asmodeus?" He asked his son with Claire. 

Asmodeus stared blankly, his expression unreadable as he remained strapped to Cid's chest. Not a single trace of emotion flickered across his gaze.

Cid poked his son's chubby little cheeks, sighing dramatically. "Come on~ At least react a little! I'd even be happy if you turned against me—at least that would prove you have some emotions."

Without warning, Asmodeus opened his mouth, revealing rows of razor-sharp, shark-like teeth, and bit down on Cid's fingers.

"Ah! You little sh—! No biting your dad!" Cid yelped, yanking his hand away.

A smug smirk tugged at Asmodeus' lips.

"You're definitely your mother's son," Cid grumbled, shaking his hand.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Claire's voice cut in as she walked up to them. She looked older now, having filled out in all the right places.

"Both sadists who enjoy seeing people in pain," Cid said flatly.

Claire's lips curled into a proud smile as she scooped Asmodeus into her arms. "Hey, he has your face. The least he could do is inherit my personality," she said, raining kisses down on his cheeks.

One by one, the others arrived—Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, and Eta.

"Mommy!!" The younger children ran up excitedly.

The women laughed, crouching down to greet them with warm hugs.

"Have you all been on your best behavior?" Alpha asked, kissing both Lorion and Loriel on the tops of their heads.

They all nodded in unison.

"Don't lie, you little brats. You were staging a coup d'état," Cid scoffed.

The children snickered, not even bothering to deny it.

Just then, the rest of the wives stepped into the large outer yard. Alexia and Rose walked together, their hands resting on their noticeably large bellies. Sherry's pregnancy was becoming more prominent, Elizabeth's stomach looked nearly due, and Yukime's wasn't far behind.

Aurora followed closely behind them, stepping toward Cid and whispering something into his ear.

His eyes snapped to her in shock. "What? Another one?"

"What!? I'm getting another sibling?!" Celeste exclaimed, overhearing the exchange.

"What are we? Chopped liver?" Ophis, Gamma's daughter, muttered, rolling her eyes. She had long, straight blue hair, small elven ears, and twin infinity symbols shimmering in her pupils.

"You know what I meant," Celeste huffed.

Aurora chuckled, ruffling Celeste's hair. "Yes, sweetheart. I'm pregnant again, which means you're getting a new little brother or sister."

Cid exhaled, running a hand down his face as a smile grew on his lips at the news, "Anyways, what are you all doing here?" 

The lighthearted moment was cut short when the atmosphere shifted. A heavy silence fell over the gathering as Alpha's expression turned sharp.

"They've started to make their move…" she announced, her eyes glinting with a dangerous light.

Cid sighed, rubbing his temples. "I had a feeling those bastards wouldn't sit still for long."

"Who are you talking about, Dad?" Kuzan asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

The rest of the children turned toward him, waiting for an answer.

Cid closed his eyes, his usual carefree demeanor fading. As a father who never lied to his children, he answered solemnly:

"The Outer Gods."

THE END