CHAPTER 606: A NEW LIFE!?

He awoke to a sharp roar, the sound of Serena groaning while clutching her swollen stomach. The sight sent jolts of electricity through his body. His eyes snapped, and he rushed to her side.

"Serena!?" His voice cracked with a dry shout, golden hair falling loose.

The room soon filled with commotion. Yumiko bolted upright from the distant bed, her eyes bright, listening to Serena’s laboured breaths. Velvet stood in the doorway, already calling for them to fetch midwives. Levia, typically a composed woman, dropped beside the bed, grasping Serena’s hands while casting healing spells.

"Her contractions have started," Alice said, despite her trembling voice as she wore an apron and fetched towels from the cupboard. "She’s going to give birth!"

Serena gasped while choking for air, sweat dripping down her forehead as she glanced at Asmodeus and clung to his wrist while digging her nails into his flesh.

"Ryuji.... don’t.... don’t leave me... It hurts.... and I’m scared."

"Like hell I would!"

Asmodeus leaned close, his hand covering hers, while the other stroked her cheek, wiping the sweat from above her lips.

His heart hammered in his chest so hard it shook his chest almost visibly. Memories flashed through his mind, not seeing his children born and how he regretted that. He wouldn’t lose this chance, not again.

The sound of rushing footsteps filled the corridor as servants scrambled to prepare hot water, linens and various potions. Despite this, Asmodeus could barely hear them. His entire world narrowed to the woman trembling in his arms.

Yumiko placed herself on the other side of the bed, her tails curling protectively around Serena. "Breathe, sister. Nice and steady. You’re strong. You can do this." Being a mother herself, she tried to support Serena.

Serena gave a strained laugh between breaths.

"Thanks.... I appreciate it."

"Hey, what are we here for, sister?" Yumiko’s ears twitched, her face pale with worry, but her voice softened as she stroked Serena’s hair. "Just hold on, we’re all here for you."

Velvet stormed back into the chamber with three midwives and a pair of priestesses in tow. "Clear the room of anyone unnecessary. No distractions. Levia! Focus on her pulse, not her magic levels. Alice—time her contractions."

Although used to helping give birth, Serena wasn’t normal, but a former goddess.

"What about me?" Asmodeus asked.

"Let her bite, pinch, insult and slap you all she likes!"

Velvet grumbled, trying to remember the birth of Vinea and Asmodea when the queen insulted the king and spat in his face.

"I see..."

Asmodeus looked up at her, startled.

However, Velvet’s commanding tone and her confidence allowed no argument, and for once, he didn’t try. She was right. This wasn’t a battlefield for him to lead, but one for him to be of use.

He sank beside Ser,ena letting her grip his hand tightly.

"I’m here, Serena. I’ll never leave your side."

Serena’s eyes fluttered shut, her lips curving into a faint smile even as another wave of pain made her cry out, almost tearing his reinforced flesh apart.

How can an almost mortal woman have this much strength!?

***

The chamber smelled of herbs and hot water, the air thick with incense and steam.

Each midwife worked quickly as if part of a single person, laying out cloths and heated stones. At the same time, the priestesses whispered prayers to steady the flow of raging mana within Serena’s body.

Asmodeus also helped, his eyes focused on his sweaty lover, using his divine aura to keep her body in a pristine state, desperate to protect her and the baby. One massive hand cradled her smaller one. Her nails dug into his flesh enough to draw blood, but he didn’t flinch. His focus remained on her safety.

Serena thrashed and arched against the pillows, sweat streaming down her temples, silver lashes fluttering as another contraction wracked her body. Her grip tightened suddenly, making Asmodeus’s knuckles pop.

Eh!?

Why does she suddenly have immense Divine power!

"G-god damn you Asmodeus!" she screamed, eyes filled with brilliance despite the tears. "If you ever cheat on my again... so help me goddess... I’ll chop them off!"

Asmodeus felt his balls tighten.

The room froze for a heartbeat as Yumiko’s ears flicked up straight, Alice coughed into her sleeve, and Velvet cracked into laughter.

Asmodeus blinked, caught between panic and amusement. "S-Serena, this isn’t the time—"

"Shut up!" she snarled, her voice trembling. "This is all your fault! Look at me!"

He squeezed her hand gently, his golden hair sticking to his forehead.

"I know. I know... I’m sorry. I’ll never leave you, I swear it."

"You’re not sorry! Look at that face.... horny dog.... bad guy, it hurts... it really hurts!" She sobbed once and growled at him before burying her forehead against his chest for strength as the next contraction hit.

Levia’s hands hovered just above Serena’s stomach. Because she was a demon paladin, her holy magic helped greatly when dealing with Asmodeus’s children. She used her divine and demonic aura to stabilise the energy flow. "Her body is enduring extreme levels of both demonic and divine resonance... the children are forcing their way into the world."

"Then let them," Velvet snapped, standing like a sentinel at the foot of the bed. Her wings twitched as she ordered the midwives, "Push when I say. Wipe her brow. Don’t let her falter."

Serena gasped, her teeth grinding as she bore down, her voice tearing through the chamber. "Asmodeus! I hate you, I hate you—ahhh—!"

He leaned close, his lips brushing her damp forehead. "Then hate me with all your strength. Use it. Bring them into this world."

"Idiot! Stupid! Bastard.... Ahhh!!! I hate that I love you!"

Her body trembled, her legs braced as Yumiko’s tails wrapped around them to keep her steady. Alice muttered a countdown, her tone cold but her hands shaking as she recorded the contractions.

"Now, Push!" Velvet yelled.

Serena screamed again, her voice hoarse but unyielding. A pressure, heavy and wet, filled the room—and then the sharp, shrill cry of a newborn pierced the silence.

The midwife lifted the child carefully, her eyes widening.

"A boy...!"

Asmodeus’s heart lurched as he caught sight of the infant...

Tiny threads of blonde, soaked in mess, and a small glimpse of blue, ocean blue eyes with two little black bumps on his forehead. A demonic aura clung to him; dark mist danced around him like a second skin.

Serena collapsed back against the pillows, tears streaking her face. "M-My baby...."

However...

There was no rest. Serena’s head suddenly slammed back as she felt another painful contraction, stronger than before, as if demanding her attention. Her hand crushed Asmodeus’s, breaking his wrist, as she shrieked, "You bastard, there are two of them!?"

The midwives scrambled back into position, one of them shouting, "Another child is coming! My Lord, brace her—!"

Asmodeus looked stunned, his head slowly turning from his first son, then to the ugly yet beautiful form of Serena, who scolded and insulted him in pain. He couldn’t help but smile, a deep and blissful smile.

Asmodeus wrapped his arm around Serena’s shoulders, his chest pressed to her ear.

"You can do it, call me anything, break my bones. Just one more, Serena."

"I’ll never forgive you!" she sobbed, her legs straining as she pushed again, voice cracking.

"You handsome bastard!"

"Now!" Velvet’s command rang once more.

The chamber filled with another cry—higher, softer, carrying a strange resonance that made the wards around the chamber shimmer.

A girl.

The midwife raised her high, jet black hair like the night sky clinging to her tiny head, her small fists clenched as if grasping for the world, a soft glow radiating from her, divine and pure.

Serena slumped into Asmodeus’s embrace, utterly spent, yet smiling through her tears.

"Both... a boy and a girl..."

He stared, stunned, at the twins—his twins. One bathed in demonic shadow, while divine light wrapped around the other. Asmodeus couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion. He ignored his broken wrist and fingers and just watched the midwife holding both children; the boy cried, and the girl remained calm after her initial wail to prove she lived.

Asmodeus reached out with trembling hands, taking both of them into his arms. The boy’s wails shook his chest, fierce and demanding, while the girl nestled quietly against his heartbeat, her black hair glimmering faintly under the ward’s glow.

Serena weakly touched his arm, her lips curled in exhaustion but also triumph. "Don’t just stand there, idiot... introduce yourself to your children."

His throat tightened. "I am your father," he whispered, voice rough. "And no matter what, I will never let this world take you away from me."

"Hello my cute babies, I am your mother and this fool is your dad, I know... it’s hard but Mom will make up for, come to me~ You’re both so cute and pretty."

There was no doubt that because of their parents, they would become beautiful in time.

Asmodeus kissed their foreheads, his eyes burning with love. He felt that if he talked to his father now, he might understand his words and actions.

Although he loved Aurelia, Yukihanan and Velmina, this moment felt special. His heart still raced as if fighting Darius.

When Serena held them, a faint warmth filled the room as her aura changed. She gasped, and then, with a groan, Asmodeus noticed it instantly. Serena’s divine core reappeared, although weak; it was there.

She looked up at him, holding their children, with a radiant glow on her cheeks.

"Honey... can you feel it?"

"Ah, of course I can."