Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son-Chapter 523: Mendonca Dukedom.

[Mendonca Dukedom.]

[Pargoina Empire.]

It’s been years since I last visited the Human Empire.

So much time has passed that a lot of things that once represented it have changed.

As I floated high in the sky with Christina in my arms, I couldn’t help but notice the statue.

The statue of Ethan with wings and a sword in one hand while he held a demon’s head high in another, like he was showing it to the world.

"...Is that?" Christina whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Yep." I mumbled, smiling slightly. "That demon head is mine."

I shook my head and began to glide away from the place.

Christina turned her head to keep her eyes on the statue.

Her hand moved, and I sighed. "You don’t have to."

"Pardon my rudeness," she replied, in my ears. "But I don’t like that statue."

A burst of pure mana sent a shock wave, breaking the statue into pieces.

The wings snapped first, then the sword, and finally the demon head.

I slowed in the air, glancing back once.

"...That was excessive," I said.

Christina didn’t look guilty. If anything, she looked relieved. "I warned you."

We crossed over the outer districts of the Mendonca Dukedom, the buildings growing wider and more spaced apart.

I descended slowly, landing on a quiet hill overlooking a large estate.

The Mendonca crest was still there.

I set Christina down gently.

She adjusted her cloak, her eyes fixed on the estate.

"...This is it," she said.

"Yes."

A soft pulse of mana rolled outward from my body, knocking out the soldiers who guarded the place.

Christina took a small step forward. "Qais... if he—"

"I know," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Let me talk first."

She nodded, though her fingers tightened around the fabric of her cloak.

I walked first and moved towards the main gate of the estate.

When we passed the front garden, the memories of my childhood began to freshen up.

I used to play a lot here with Christina, Shyamal, and Arianell back then.

The memories, though foggy, still made me feel nostalgic.

This place has so many memories that I don’t want to forget.

"...You’re smiling," she said softly.

"Just remembering things," I replied.

We continued forward.

When we reached the main door, I drew in a deep breath and knocked twice on the door.

It took a few seconds before the gate was opened by a maid.

She blinked, looking between me and Christina while she gasped slightly.

"H-how can I help you?" she stammered, her voice soft.

"...We’re here to see the Duke," I said calmly.

"W-what?" she said, her voice panicked. "I don’t think the Duke had any appointment—"

"Whose is there?"

A voice echoed from the inside, making the maid flinch.

She slowly opened the door wider and a teenage boy came into our view.

He had all the features of the Mendonca, with short blue hair and blue eyes.

He was Alan, her younger brother.

He looked at me and tilted his head. "Who are you?" he asked. "How did the guards allow you in?"

I waved my hand at him as I smiled. "Hey, brother-in-law."

Alan stared at me like his brain had stopped working.

"...Brother-in-law?" he repeated slowly.

Christina seemed like she had stopped functioning while Alan’s eyes widened instantly.

He took a step back and immediately began to run inside.

"Father!!"

His voice echoed within the hallway.

Now, we all stood awkwardly as the maid slowly tried to close the door.

I stopped her as she let out a groan in protest.

In just a few seconds, an angry old man walked towards me furiously with Alan behind him.

His hair was still the same but with some white patches, his beard had grown by a lot.

Despite it being three years, he seemed to have aged almost ten years.

’Damn, he looks really angry.’

David immediately grabbed my collar as he snapped. "What are you doing here, bastard!?"

I didn’t resist when he grabbed my collar, I just looked at him calmly.

"Let go," I said.

His grip tightened instead.

"You have some nerve," David growled. "Showing your face here after everything you did."

"Father," Alan said from behind him, panicked. "Wait—"

Christina stepped forward as she grabbed his hand.

"Who dare—"

David was about to snap, but his voice halted.

Christina tried to muster the best smile she could muster. "Father... it’s me."

His fingers were still twisted in my collar, but all the strength drained out of them.

"...What?" he whispered.

Christina took another step closer, her hand still holding his wrist.

Her smile wavered, but she didn’t pull back.

"It’s me," she said again. "I’m here."

For a long second, David just stared at her face like he was looking at a ghost that refused to disappear.

Then his hand fell away from my collar.

"No," he said, shaking his head slowly. "This isn’t funny. This is a sick joke."

"It’s not," she replied, her voice trembling now. "I know I look different. I know it’s hard to believe."

Tears began to fall from her eyes. "It’s really me."

David stared at her for a long second as he took a step forward.

His hand reached out to touch her face.

"...Warm," he muttered.

His fingers slid up to her hair, blue strands slipping through his rough hand. His breath hitched.

"You’re... warm," he said again, louder this time.

Christina nodded, tears rolling freely now. "I’m alive, Father."

Something broke in him.

David pulled her into his arms so suddenly that she gasped.

He held her tightly, like he was afraid she would disappear if he loosened his grip even a little.

"You stupid child," he whispered hoarsely. "Do you have any idea what you put us through?"

"I know," she cried into his chest. "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry."

Alan stood frozen for a second, then rushed forward and wrapped his arms around both of them.

"Sister..." his voice cracked. "You’re really here."

The hallway filled with quiet sobs.

I stayed where I was, silently watching them.

Though my gaze shifted towards the sky as I felt a shift in fate.

’What is happening?’

---

[Island of Sunset, Unknown Location.]

[Oliver’s POV.]

Oliver sat on a branch of a large tree, with a bucket of chicken wings in his hand.

His eyes looked down on an enormous estate that covered almost all of the island.

The island that belonged to the Hisoka family.

Oliver bit into the chicken as he kept his eyes on the buildings.

"So this is where they will perform the ritual." He mumbled, his voice soft.

[These stupid mortals will never understand their place.]

Lilith’s grumbling voice echoed in his head and Oliver couldn’t agree more.

"But why are they doing this?" He asked, his voice confused. "Summoning a devil."

[I don’t know.] She mumbled. [But I don’t like their involvement in this.]

The powers that belonged to the goddess Lilith worked differently.

Even though she is the mother of all demons doesn’t mean all demons want to work for her.

There are demons who are completely against her and want to snatch her place.

The only thing that was stopping them is a contract that they signed with her.

The contract was ancient.

Older than most kingdoms, older than most gods that still walked the world.

It bound demons to Lilith’s authority, forced obedience even when hatred burned in their cores.

But contracts could be bent.

And rituals like this were how cracks were made.

Oliver wiped his fingers on his coat and leaned forward, eyes narrowing.

"...They’re trying to bypass you," he said quietly.

[Yes.] Lilith replied, her voice colder now. [...And I don’t like their idea.]

Oliver nodded as he understood the greed of these beings better than anyone.

"...Still." He mumbled. "Why summon ’that’ devil?"

He couldn’t understand why they would summon the devil that is known for his hatred for mortals.

[...I don’t understand that as well] She replied. [But I don’t think it will be for any good.]

Oliver nodded his head as he leaned back slightly.

"Do they have something against Adam?" He asked curiously.

[Yes.] She replied. [The first head of the Hisoka family was well-known for hating both Azrael and Adam.]

Oliver grew even more curious. "And why is that?"

[...Because Adam humiliated him.]

Oliver raised an eyebrow. "That bad?"

[Worse.] Her voice carried grim intent.

[The first Hisoka was once chosen as a candidate. Not a vessel, but close enough to taste it.]

Oliver shifted on the branch, interest fully caught now. "Let me guess, Adam was against it."

[Yes.] She replied. [Adam crushed him publicly and Azrael broke his soul completely.]

Oliver let out a low whistle. "That explains the grudge."

[Keep a close eye on them.] She said. [These beings are worse than cockroaches.]

Oliver nodded his head as he stood up. "Let’s see how good their preparation will be for the party."

He took a step forward and fell down.

But before he could touch the ground, his body vanished.