Reincarnated in the Astral World
Chapter 116: Predator's Rest

Arthur spends his entire day in his bedroom with Nyx and Margaret. They enjoy themselves in various ways before he finally falls asleep, embraced by the two beauties—this slumber proving to be one of the most delightful in his two lives so far.

He wakes up in the early evening and plays with little Eve before they all gather in Josephine's dining room, along with her, Oliver, and other Drummonds.

Arthur has Margaret seated on one side of him, Aria on the other, and Eve on his lap as they enjoy a splendid dinner. Yet, he's also curious about the status of the nobles in Lakeview, and he inquires with Josephine about it.

"How did the public assembly go?"

"As expected," Josephine explains. "Everyone is afraid, yet their thoughts first turn to what they might gain from it…" She sighs, disappointed with her own kind.

"That's just how nobles are," Aria remarks in a mocking tone, though her expression remains friendly as she looks at Josephine. "Well, almost all of them."

Arthur notices a slight tension between his mother and Josephine, but he opts not to meddle in their relationship. "What about the guards? Any clue about what happened?"

"Absolutely nothing," Josephine can't help but look at him with an admiring expression. "The Winfreds are supporting the guards, but they have no idea what happened."

Arthur can't prevent a proud glimmer from appearing in his eyes, which also seem to grow hungry. "So the Winfreds have taken the lead?"

"Temporarily," Josephine quickly responds. "They hope to figure out what happened before Count Whittlee arrives, to curry his favor, of course."

"What's this Count like?" Arthur asks, curious.

"The Count?" Josephine wears a thoughtful expression. "I've only seen him a few times in my life... It's hard to say, to be honest. He's ambitious and ruthless, but unlike Emilio, he isn't predictable and doesn't waste his time on trivial matters."

The dark glint in Arthur's eyes becomes even more pronounced, accompanied by a small golden sparkle. "How strong is he?"

"A Hero-rank warrior and he's also recently become a Spearmaster, from what I've heard," Josephine speaks, noticing Arthur's intense gaze, and growing quite curious. 'Is he really targeting even Emilio's father? A man he's never met…'

"I see," Arthur comments nonchalantly. He's aware that in terms of cultivation, he's still only at the second step of the foundation, but now that he's begun to hunt, his hunger only grows along with his desire to become stronger.

Aria notices that desire in his expression and also because she knows him so well. 'Don't worry, darling; Mommy will help you become so strong that no prey will be out of your reach, fufufu~'

Arthur also notices his mother's determined and loving look. 'It's as if we understand each other so well she could read my mind…'

'But only Margaret and I can do it now,' Nyx speaks in his mind with a tempting tone. 'You know what you need to do to give her such a useful ability, too, right? Just mark her as yours!'

Arthur feels his whole body craving for that, but at the same time, it seems like an impossible goal.

'Are we sure it would happen the same way with Margaret?' He wonders about that since they don't fully understand the abilities they share yet.

'It doesn't hurt to try…'

'Yes…'

Dinner continues with various exchanges of glances between Arthur, Aria, and also Josephine, all aware that such a peaceful moment will probably be followed by another massacre.

Arthur uses that quiet moment to play with Eve and also casually chat with Oliver, but after dinner ends, he returns to his bedroom. This time, Margaret goes to the other room with Eve while he and Aria stay alone.

She summons her magic boxes and takes out of them again the assassin's toolkit that Arthur used last night.

"I have made some improvements," Aria comments as she shows the daggers with runes in the form of ancestral symbols on the blade. "These should penetrate the magical barriers of any mage below the Master rank with ease."

Arthur approaches Aria, and when she tries to hand him the curved dagger, he first touches her arm and then slides his fingers over her hand until he touches the dagger.

"It looks great, thank you, Mom..." Arthur's voice sounds heavy with so many emotions, all positive, naturally.

Aria smiles lovingly, but her lips tremble as she feels chills running through her body due to Arthur's gentle but teasing touch.

"You don't need to thank me; I'm your Mommy, after all, fufufu~" She giggles charmingly.

"But it's precisely because I have such a good Mother that I'm so grateful..." He brings his fingers back along her arm, slowly sliding them up her soft and silky skin. "I have to reward you in some way..."

Aria's eyes shine, and instead of retreating, she smiles confidently and moves her own hand to his face, touching his cheek and then stretching her thumb to touch his lips.

"Would that be a reward for me or you~?"

"Why can't it be something good for both of us?"

"Oh, my~! You are so confident." She laughs but can't hide a proud and even expectant expression.

Arthur slides his fingers down Aria's arm to reach her hand on his face, then he uses his fingers to caress hers and begins to rub his lips on them.

"You smell so good..." He whispers and slowly pushes her fingers into his mouth, using the tip of his tongue to taste her.

"What are you doing, darling~" Aria replaces that quite weird, but at the same time, she can't back away, letting Arthur lasciviously suck her fingers.

He maintains eye contact with her, his expression increasingly turned on, as well as hers.

"Tasting you... Mom." He whispers and starts sucking her finger more vigorously.

Aria bites her lips to prevent some moan from escaping, and Arthur smiles. But then her expression changes to embarrassed, and she quickly pulls her hand back.

"Mom?" Arthur is confused.

Aria looks at the door, and Arthur hears Nyx complaining in his mind.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Arthur? Aria?" Josephine's voice sounds from the other side of the door. "Can we talk?"

Arthur ignores Josephine's call and continues looking at Aria with a loving smile.

She sighs and then smiles at him before going towards the door and opening it, replaceing a curious and slightly apprehensive Josephine on the other side.

"My apologies," the old lady bows respectfully and with a friendly expression. "I didn't mean to disturb you; it's just that..."

"Come in," Aria signals for Josephine to enter and then closes the door behind her. "The house is yours; we are merely guests."

"Dear friends," Josephine quickly remarks. "Part of the family, I would say," she pauses and looks at Arthur with grateful eyes. "Even my own family wouldn't do so much for me and Oliver..."

Arthur merely nods to Josephine with a friendly expression, but Aria maintains her sharp gaze.

Josephine notices the dagger in Aria's hand and the assassin's toolkit on the bed. "Whoah! This kit is impressive."

"Yeah," Arthur glances at Aria. "It's perfect."

A slight blush appears on Aria's cheeks, but her expression turns serious and curious as she looks at Josephine. "What's bothering you, Josephine? Don't tell me you came to ask us to spare your kind?"

"No," Josephine quickly shakes her head. "I'm sorry if our earlier conversation was a bit awkward..." She pauses and again casts a grateful look at Arthur. "Emilio and Dmitri tried to harm my family, my son... I am very thankful for your help."

Arthur and Aria remain silent, just listening to Josephine continue. "Everything you did to Emilio and his family was deserved, but if anything makes me uncomfortable, it's the fact that only you two are getting your hands dirty while I can't do-"

"That's not a problem," Arthur interrupts her. "My hands will always be stained with the blood of my enemies."

Josephine sighs and then nods at him. "I understand… So you're heading to the Winfreds' now, I suppose."

"Yes," he nods, his expression a mix of eagerness and excitement. "Yesterday, they came here to support Emilio against us. Tonight, they will be my prey, and tomorrow, they will no longer be a problem for your family."

Josephine simply nods as she pulls a piece of paper from her pocket and hands it to Arthur. "A map to facilitate your job. I wish I could help more—"

"It's fine," he smiles amiably. "Leave everything to us."

"Alright, but before," she hesitates yet speaks up. "I don't doubt your abilities, but the house is surrounded by alert guards on the captain's orders, all for our protection, of course…"

"That's good," Aria comments confidently. "They won't see us leaving, but they'll ensure that tomorrow's reports state that no one left the house, keeping you out of suspicion."

"That's really great," Josephine smiles as she leaves the room. "The Winfreds' house will also be well-protected, but I know that won't be a challenge for you. See you when you return?"

"Sure, it should be before the sunrise," Arthur responds, and then Josephine finishes exiting the room, closing the door.

Arthur turns back to Aria with a loving smile. "Where were we?"

Her smile becomes loving as well, but it appears more teasing. "Heading out to hunt."

"Oh?" Arthur feigns a bit of disappointment, but the expectant gleam in his eyes makes it clear otherwise. "That's good too."