The Progenitor and the Heir

"How many days has it been since this brat refused to touch food or water?" one of the demon minions asked the prison guard, his voice stern. He had been ordered by the Demon Emperor to check on her, and today was the tenth time he had received a direct command, despite being just a low-ranking minion who could be killed without warning at any moment.

Today, he had returned to the dungeon again, and the guard had reluctantly allowed him a sip of water from his spare flask out of pity for a fellow demon.

"However, many times you come down, it's always the same. Nothing changes," the guard said, tapping his head with his magic spear, his expression weary from standing watch for many hours. "I've been watching her every five seconds, and she hasn't moved a muscle. Completely still. I don't even know if she's still alive."

"You can't let her die! We'll all be in deep trouble if you do," the minion said, his brow furrowed in displeasure. "This girl is crucial to the emperor's evolution. Otherwise, our demon race will be erased from history forever."

"Hmph! One child causing such a fuss in the entire tower," the demon guard sighed heavily before casting a spell to open the cell door. "Whatever. Go take a look at her."

Anya was tightly bound with iron shackles around her wrists, fastened to the wall to prevent escape. The minion drew his wand before stepping inside cautiously, wondering if the child prisoner would have another outburst. The air inside the cell was thick with the coppery smell of blood. The humidity was high, combined with the stifling heat of the underworld, where flames blazed year-round.

The minion's crimson eyes glanced at the bowl of food brought three hours earlier: mushy boiled oats, dry grilled meat, and garlic soup sprinkled with finely chopped scallions. While not terrible food for a regular prisoner, who usually received only rice and foul water with a small wedge of lime, it was considered quite merciful of the Demon Emperor towards this child.

However, the food remained untouched. Anya still sat with her head bowed, motionless. Only the slight movement of her chest indicated that she was still alive, which brought a small measure of relief to the minion.

"You haven't touched anything, have you? Eat something, or you'll die," he said, his voice stern and slightly threatening. Beautiful eyes of Anya glared at him from beneath strands of pink-highlighted hair that fell across her face, her gaze hard.

"Just let me die here," she replied in a low voice. "He's going to kill me anyway."

"Whatever the case, I've been ordered to keep you alive until the Crimson Moon Festival," the minion replied to the girl, bending down to pick up the bowl of cold, congealed oats before looking at the girl with cold, indifferent eyes. "I apologize for having to do this, but it's the only way."

He yanked Anya's t-shirt, forcing her to sit up, before shoving the oats into her mouth. The girl struggled fiercely, kicking, punching, and biting with all her might. The minion seemed equally determined.

"Eat it! Eat it! Just eat it!" he pressed the bowl harder against her pale face, her nose disappearing into the sticky food, barely leaving her room to breathe.

"Semma Binaza!" A beam of purple light shot from behind, piercing the minion's heart and killing him instantly.

As the minion's lifeless body fell to the ground, the slight figure slumped against the floor, suffering minor bruises. Then, heavy footsteps echoed towards the cell door. Anya wiped the oats from her face, peering through her food-soaked hair at the Demon Emperor... or her father.

She stumbled back to her corner and sat huddled there as before. The tall figure in iron armor entered and sat beside her, picking up the overturned bowl of oats that had spilled. He cast a spell to clean the cell and then levitated the corpse out of the room, ordering its disposal according to demon tradition.

"The cooks almost risked their lives to make this meal," he said softly before wiping a bit of the oat mush from his hand and putting it in his mouth, then spitting it out with a grimace. "Yeah, I

agree. It tastes as awful as you probably think."

"I refuse to acknowledge you as my father," Anya said firmly, her brow furrowed, her eyes fixed on the ground. She hugged her knees, trying to make herself as small as possible, small enough to disappear into the cracks of the brick wall.

He had been so direct with his revelation. At first, she had been so shocked that she couldn't swallow any food for several meals. Even though her mind refused to believe him as the leader of the demon race, a part of her felt a strange blood connection. She chose to reject the truth and clung to a facade of hatred instead. "If you really are my father, I'd rather die in this prison."

"I won't allow that," he said with a slight hint of reproach. "If you agree to become a demon along with me, I'll take you anywhere you want to go. You won't have to languish in this depressing, smelly cell. Anything you want, I'll give it to you. You don't have to live because of that old headmaster's pity money."

"I'd rather die than become a demon like those monsters!"

"Hey! You little brat, watch your language!" a guard's voice boomed from outside, followed by a thud. "You want to die, you little twerp?!"

"P-please forgive me, Your Imperial Majesty! I won't be foul-mouthed again!"

"Don't let me hear it again," the Demon Emperor replied, his voice weary from having to deal with subordinates who weren't loyal enough to die for him, but rather for petty cash.

"If you become a demon, you will become the Demon Empress after me. You just need to open your heart to receive my power," the Demon Emperor said, extending his hand. Black flames appeared above his palm, but there was no sensation of heat. "Demons find only freedom. Your magic power will increase to the point where even that old headmaster can't fight you, not even that corgi of yours."

"Don't talk about my pet like that!" Anya snapped, her brow furrowed, her hard eyes fixed on him as if wanting to tear him apart. "Nappo will find a way to help me and take care of you!" The Demon Emperor sighed before deciding to remove his helmet. The face of a man in his mid-thirties was scarred, his long, jet-black hair falling across his face. The bruises from his last battle were still clearly visible even after treatment with healing potions. His crimson eyes were filled with malice, and his black pupils were vertical slits like a beast's, making him look terrifying.

This was the first time Anya had seen her father's face. She froze, forgetting to breathe, her eyes widening. Her posture relaxed slightly. His face bore a resemblance to hers, the only evidence that they shared blood.

"I've never shown my face to anyone before, but this is a special case, just for you," he said, stroking his shiny black iron helmet. A smile appeared on his face as he looked at his beloved daughter. "Come live with me, okay?"

"I still remember the day you were born..."

"Mom said you were gone even when I was in her belly..." Anya said through gritted teeth, the words tearing at her heart, causing the Demon Emperor to flinch slightly. "You were a terrible husband, and now you're lying to your own blood. You're not my father!"

The Demon Emperor was stunned into silence. He put on his helmet before walking out of the cell without looking back at his daughter, giving strict orders to the guards.

"Don't let anyone in here until I give permission. Only me," he said in a stern voice. The guards responded loudly with fear of their master's power.

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!"

Virgo took only three steps away before stopping abruptly. The guards froze instantly, terrified that they had done something wrong and would end up like the minion from before.

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"I'll bring you better food to eat..."

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To Be Continue Ep.28