197 Abusing Sterfens Vast Knowledge (1/2)
”The relationship is complicated between those two. Out of respect for my wife, I'll give you the briefest of explanations. When she was made a demihuman, Halmut had indeed adopted her and gave her everything she could ever ask for. Yet, in the end, it turned out that he didn't care for her, but only cared about the strength she added to his group of influence. I think you already understand that part.”
”Right, that's pretty obvious if he would hold her child hostage and then toss it aside like it was nothing.”
”But do you understand why Halmut tossed away the egg instead of helping it hatch?” asked Sterfen.
Thinking about it, Jack shook his head. If it were him, he definitely would've wanted it to hatch.
”It's because our daughter will already be a demihuman. She'll never have to agree to anyone's terms to become one since both of her parents are already gods,” stated Sterfen. ”You'll need to conceal her title, but don't worry about that too much. She has my blood, meaning that she can conceal anything with just a thought. It will take a legendary item stronger than your cloak for them to see the truth.”
”Do you have any other questions?”
”Hmm… I'll have to think about it,” replied Jack. ”Do you know how long it will take to hatch the egg?”
”Probably a couple of days. Please, make yourselves at home in the meantime,” Sterfen said as he looked at Jack's party. ”And since you all are his wives, I guess that mean's your my daughters-in-law. What are your names?”
Maura was hesitant to say anything, but Eliza was too excited to keep her mouth shut. ”My name is Eliza Dyrshire, Jack's second wife. It's a pleasure to meet you, Father-in-law.”
”You adjust quickly, I like that,” laughed Sterfen. ”And you, you must be Maura, right?”
She nodded her head, ”Y-yes, I'm Maura. Sorry, I'm just nervous to meet someone of your caliber.”
”Don't be nervous, we're family from now on. You'll be my daughter's big sisters, so you'd better treat her well.”
”Of course!” Maura and Eliza bowed, both happy to get that over with.
”And what about you two, has my son not yet made you his?”
Jack suddenly choked on his tea, almost coughing up a lung as he cleared his throat.
Before Keela could answer, Eliza spoke up, ”Actually, Jack still hasn't made either of us his woman yet. I think we should have the rights to be his first since we're already his wives.
”Really?!” Sterfen glanced at the nervous Jack. ”You're just full of surprises. I never would have pegged you as such a straight shooter when it comes to women. Just make sure to take care of them, because if you neglect them for too long, they'll come to neglect you too. And in a party, you can't have that happening.”
”I'm never said it wouldn't happen, I'm just against going so far without any true emotions behind it,” stated Jack, defending his romantic ideology.
”Really?! I'll hold you to that!”
”Me too!”
Both Eliza and Keela immediately spoke up, committing Jack's statement to memory. If Jack was being honest, then it was only a matter of time.
Maura and Daliea said nothing, but they both gave Jack a meaningful look, causing the hero to blush and look away.
Sterfen kept quiet for a moment, but he wasn't laughing or smiling. He was staring at Daliea, who only noticed after the commotion about Jack subsided.
She felt uncomfortable as if Sterfen was able to see right through her. Since he said nothing, she eventually asked, ”Umm… Are you against me, a shadow goblin, being here?”
”Not at all, but I think you've got the wrong idea,” Sterfen chuckled and looked at Jack. ”Do you understand what I'm talking about, Jack?”
”No… I don't think I do…”
”Hmm, that makes sense, I guess. It did happen before the time you were a hero, after all.”
Jack's curiosity was instantly piqued. ”What do you mean? What happened before I was a hero? You mean, before I was an ancient hero?”