★22
THIRD POV
Later that day, Asteri made his way to the ground floor, accompanied by Issei and Ryota. Laughter echoed through the wide corridor long before they reached their destination.
The children were gathered in an open space, sitting and running about freely as they played with Ellie, whose cheerful voice rose above the rest.
For a moment, Asteri simply observed from a distance, his expression unreadable, yet his presence subtly altered the atmosphere, as if the space itself had grown more attentive.
Stepping forward, he gently cleared his throat, careful not to sound imposing.
"Hey, kids. Sorry to interrupt your fun."
He said, his voice calm and measured.
The children froze mid-play. A ball rolled to a stop, and a few of them instinctively pulled closer together.
One by one, they turned to face him, wide-eyed and curious. Despite his composed demeanor, there was something about Asteri that made them instinctively quiet down not fear, but an unspoken sense of importance.
"My name is Asteri."
He continued, offering a faint, reassuring smile.
"You already know me... but I'd like to know yours too. What are your names?"
For a brief moment, silence hung in the air. The children exchanged glances, some shy, some excited, others cautiously studying him. Then, as if reaching an unspoken agreement, they straightened up, ready to answer, their earlier laughter giving way to anticipation.
"Nice to meet you, Asteri-san... My name is Anna."
The girl said politely, giving a small bow despite her young age. There was a calm maturity in her eyes, as if she had learned early how to be careful around adults.
"It's Tobi."
The boy beside her added curtly, hands tucked into his pockets. He tried to sound tough, but his gaze kept flicking toward the others, betraying his unease.
"M-my name is A... Aoi,"
The smallest girl said, her voice trembling. She clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, shoulders drawn in as though she were trying to make herself smaller. Her fear was obvious, not loud, not dramatic, but quiet and fragile.
"Just Levi."
The other muttered, rolling his eyes with exaggerated indifference. The attitude felt forced, like a shield he had worn for so long that it had become second nature.
"Hamilton. Call me Hami for short."
The last boy said with a crooked grin, trying to lighten the mood, though even his smile wavered at the edges.
Asteri listened to each of them carefully, committing their names to memory.
"Nice names, and it's good to meet all of you."
He said gently. Then his tone shifted, growing more serious.
"You'll be living here from now on. I'm sorry... but there's no way for you to go back to where you came from."
The words settled heavily over the group.
Aoi's eyes widened, instantly filling with tears.
"I... I won't be able to see mama anymore?" She asked, her voice breaking halfway through the sentence.
Asteri felt something tighten in his chest, an unfamiliar, uncomfortable sensation. These were children whose lives, freedom, and families had been stolen from them long before they ever understood what that meant. He lowered himself slightly, meeting Aoi at eye level.
"I won't lie to you. There are things I can't undo. But here, on Star Island, you'll be safe. You'll be cared for. You'll never be hurt like that again."
He said softly.
It wasn't a perfect answer. But it wasn't enough to replace what they had lost. But as he looked at their faces, fearful, hopeful, guarded, broken, Asteri made a silent promise.
If he couldn't give them back their past, then he would give them a future worth living for.
"Some children are summoned here as well. Some grow old, some get married, some even start families. You know... human things."
Asteri said calmly.
Aoi looked up at him, her small hands clenched.
"But why? Why would they summon us?"
She asked softly. The question struck deeper than it should have.
She deserved an answer.
Yet the truth that only Demon Lords could perform such rituals, that children were never meant to be part of them, was a secret far heavier than her fragile heart could bear.
Asteri remained silent for a moment before replying.
"When you're older, you'll understand."
He said gently.
Perhaps she wouldn't. Perhaps she would grow into this world instead, learn its skies, its laws, its warmth and slowly forget the one she was taken from. If that happened, maybe it would be kinder that way. Forgetting could be peaceful.
"For now, meet Issei and Ryota. I hope you all get along."
He continued, shifting the mood.
Issei raised a hand enthusiastically, grinning. Ryota followed with a small wave.
"Come on, guys. Let me show you something."
Issei said, already turning away.
<
Asteri blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Issei hadn't even settled in, yet he already had something to share, something he believed was worth showing. The aura these children carried... it really was worth testing.
"You won't believe it, I was surprised too. Come on."
Ryota added with a quiet chuckle.
Curiosity sparked instantly. One by one, the seven children broke into motion, laughter and hurried footsteps echoing as they chased after Issei, leaving the Palace halls behind.
Asteri watched them go.
He saw Hinamatsuri from a distance, silent, thoughtful, and oddly protective, while the children disappeared into the vastness of Star Island.
"It looks like they're having fun."
Ellie, one of Elfaria's maids, spoke up.
"Yes. Take care of them for me, Ellie."
"I will, your highness."
"By the way, the kids will relocate to the second floor."
"But... there's no space sir."
"Go and check again."
She stepped through the portal, the corridor folding around her in a familiar shimmer. Before the echo of her departure had even faded, the air rippled again. Less than a minutes, she emerged back on the other side, unharmed and steady on her feet.
"I don't know how, but another room was added."
"Good, that'll be their new room. Find someone and get it prepared."
"As you wish."
Ellie ran off & finally Hinamatsuri approached me.
"You did that right?"
"I can change the structure of the palace at will. However, it's best to restrain from doing so frequently."
"You're full of surprises."
"It's natural for my kind.... Come to think of it, I need to establish a bridge that leads to this island. Just because I'm a Demon Lord doesn't mean I will keep you all locked up."
"That's a good idea."
"Some people are merchants so they need an entrance and exit. Will you come with me?"
"Heh? To where?"
"To the edge of this island."
"S...sure."
Asteri teleported them to the edge.
"To the north is the Frozen Continent, It's too far. Besides, I can teleport if I want to visit Guy. To the East is Farmas, South is Ingrassia and west is the Holy Kingdom of Ruberium. What do you think, Hina?"
"It's a great idea but we can't just create a bridge to these countries without the leader's approval."
"That's the problem. Ruberium is Valentine's domain, the rest are Human nations which I have no connections to."
"So what will you do?"
"Honestly, I don't know....it'll be best to make contact with the leaders but can't."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think the humans will want any association with Demon Lords?"
"N...no."
"See, my only option is Valentine but they won't recognise me as Demon Lord yet because I'm not one."
"Yeah you're right."
"I need to make progress soon enough. Let's go back shall we?"
"Um."
They left back to the palace & were walking together.
"I have to visit Queen Raja too"
"Queen?"
"Yeah, the kingdom Shinn and Eto saved."
"Oh.."
"Atlas, Elaine, Shinn and Eto!"
They all responded to his summon and came immediately.
"Young master."
"Your highness."
"My Lord."
"Great One."
"Shinn, Eto, accompany me to the kingdom of Raja."
"Ok sir."
"Um."
"Atlas and Elaine, you two stay here, we'll be back soon."
"Done."
"Sure."
"Wanna tag along, Hina?"
"Um... sure."
"Good. I leave the island to you."
"Safe journey, Master."
"Sure."
To be continued...