"It's raining hot water!!" one of the werewolves screamed while sprinting for his life, his paws skidding against the trembling earth.

Azel genuinely had to stop himself from slapping the hunter across the back of the head.

"It's lava, not hot water!" Selene corrected sharply, her voice raised as she pumped more mana into the wind she was sustaining.

The sudden gust blasted them forward with greater speed. "I saw it in a book from the town… lava is hot enough to melt stone! It'll burn through people instantly if it touches them!"

Right on cue, a sheet of molten rock crashed against the barrier overhead with a violent hiss, splattering across the shimmering surface before dripping off in blazing chunks.

Each drop exploded into sparks when it hit the ground.

Behind them, Rudigas's scream echoed like someone strangling a flute.

"Did you all abandon me?!" the floating skull shrieked as he tumbled through the air, his cape flailing wildly behind him.

He narrowly dodged a falling glob of lava that splattered inches from his jawbone. "ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!"

"I've got him—" Selene muttered, flicking a hand backward.

A burst of wind slammed into Rudigas, catapulting him forward like a meteor until he smacked into Vargan's waiting palm.

The werewolf caught the skull casually, as though saving a ball from rolling away.

Vargan peered down at the trembling Lich skull with a smug, toothy grin.

"Ooh… were you scared?" he asked in a teasing, almost gentle rumble.

Rudigas sagged like a wet rag. "Terrified, you damn mutt…"

But even fear couldn't overshadow the relief he felt being held by the brute instead of navigating a lava storm alone.

The group finally escaped the mountain zone, stumbling out onto a rare clear patch of ground.

Still within Lycas territory, but far enough away that the rain of burning rock no longer reached them. Behind them, the volcano spewed molten rivers across the rocky slopes, consuming everything with a deep, guttural hiss.

Azel stopped with hands on his hips, watching the disaster unfold.

"This…" he muttered, dragging a hand down his face, "…will really be a pain in the ass."

He exhaled and turned toward the hunters. "We got a lot of bird meat, right?"

"Yes, my lord!" two werewolves barked in unison, giving overly enthusiastic salutes. "Enough to feed the entire town for a whole month!"

"Good." Azel nodded. "We'll raid that place some other time. For now, let's head back."

As they began walking, he sighed inwardly.

'I have no idea how to deal with a monster that erupts an entire mountain whenever there's noise. That's a problem for Future Azel… Present Azel needs breakfast.'

…

Azel sat at the long dining table inside the Lord's mansion, finally able to relax.

The large hall glowed warmly under lantern light, and the smell of cooked fish drifted through the air. It was comforting and a hundred times better than volcanic ash.

Selene sat beside him with her back straight and her tail trying and failing to remain still.

Every time Azel brushed her arm, even accidentally, her ears twitched.

Irene entered the room carrying a tray piled with steaming dishes… golden fish steaks, spiced roots, and a fragrant sauce drizzled across everything.

"I wasn't aware you were coming today, my lord," Irene said, setting plates down with practiced grace. "If I had known earlier, I would've prepared a bigger feast… but I still managed to cook some fish that Selene hunted yesterdy."

"There's no need to worry." Azel offered her a tired smile. "I won't be staying long."

Selene's shoulders drooped instantly. Her expression flattened into quiet disappointment, though she tried to hide it by looking at her lap.

She wanted him to stay. She always wanted him to stay. But every time, he vanished again like smoke.

'Just once… take me with you…' she thought. But she lacked the courage to say it aloud.

Azel picked up his fork and at that exact moment, a small flash of mana appeared on his lap.

Lillia materialized right on top of him.

"Huh—?!" Selene jumped, Irene gasped, and even Azel blinked in surprise.

"Papa, I'm hungry." Lillia announced in her usual cute, matter-of-fact tone.

Azel chuckled and stroked her soft hair. "How are your tutor and Feng doing?"

"Well," she answered proudly, "Tutor Alvinus taught me a bunch of fire spells and one wind spell. And Big Brother Feng learned he has the lightning element, so he was given scrolls."

"That's good," Azel said, cutting a piece of fish and holding it near her lips. "Show me all the spells you've mastered later."

She opened her mouth. "Ah—"

He fed her.

She chewed, swallowed, and her eyes sparkled.

"Ooh~ This is tasty~"

Irene flushed, flustered and pleased. "I-I'm glad you like it…"

Azel took a bite himself and yes, Irene's cooking was as good as always. The fish was delicate, perfectly seasoned.

Selene watched him with soft, longing eyes.

"You like children a lot…" she murmured.

Azel swallowed, then nodded easily. "Of course. They're really cute. I don't mind having a lot."

Selene froze then turned completely red.

She looked away, voice tiny. "I'm cute… you're handsome… if we had a child… they would definitely be cute…"

Before her imagination could spiral, Lillia suddenly stood up on Azel's lap.

"No new kids yet!" she declared with the authority of a queen. "We're still expecting another!"

Selene blinked. "Expecting… another?"

"My other mama has a baby in her belly! I'll have a little sister soon! And after she's done, I still have other mamas! You can have your own baby after."

Azel's soul left his body for a moment.

Selene's eyes widened as if she had been handed the world's greatest revelation.

'I knew it. He does have multiple wives… and one is even pregnant… which means… I HAVE A CHANCE!' she thought, her tail wagging wildly. 'If I have his baby… I can secure my position!'

"Lillia, sit down," Azel muttered, pulling her down and feeding her again before she said anything even more world-ending.

Just then, Feng and Alvinus staggered into the dining room, panting and exhausted. The moment they smelled food, their eyes regained life.

Azel inspected them briefly before nodding. "Alright, it's time to go."

Both men let out a synchronized groan.

"You'll eat on the other side," Azel clarified.

Lillia teleported off his lap and onto the ground. Azel rose from the table and turned toward Selene.

He rested a hand on her head fondly.

"Take care of yourself," he said softly. "We'll see each other later."

Her heart fluttered and her tail whipped the air making her nod shyly as they all walked upstairs toward the teleportation point in the Lord's room.

When they disappeared, she stood alone with Irene.

Selene took a deep breath as her cheeks tinted pink.

"Irene… I have a question."

Irene smiled pleasantly. "Yes, my lady? Ask anything. I'll answer to the best of my ability."

Selene leaned closer.

Her face was determined.

"How do you… make a man want to impregnate you?"

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