THE HERO'S SON IS A MONSTER-Chapter 47: Young monster-1

Eresheb’s mission had been assigned by Ariane a task that seemed simple on the surface but held a certain complexity: retrieving Ariane’s lost belongings.

These objects had traveled through time with her, scattered here and there, but to Ariane, their significance wasn’t paramount. Nevertheless, when Eresheb was created, Ariane entrusted her with this mission.

The loss of these items had no direct impact on her, yet they were still things that needed to be found. After all, they belonged to Ariane, and in this strange world where memories and objects intertwined, it was necessary to give them attention, even if only subtly.

Ariane appeared as a young girl, though she was far older than she looked. Her hair was a striking shade of red, reminiscent of glowing embers in a roaring fire. Adding to her peculiar appearance was her full-body penguin-shaped pajama, which gave her a mischievous yet adorable aura.

There was nothing particularly serious about her appearance, and yet, she was the creator of Eresheb—the one responsible for her missions. At her side, Eresheb, despite possessing impressive abilities, remained humble and deeply admiring of Ariane.

As soon as the mission was entrusted to her, Eresheb set out on her search. Most of the time, she left the wandering castle a strange place that seemed to move according to Ariane’s whims.

And while the mission was essential in her eyes, she was never truly alone. Though usually detached and preoccupied with other matters, Eresheb sometimes brought her siblings along on these expeditions. This time, her brother was accompanying her.

They had arrived in a small town where one of Ariane’s lost items was supposedly located. However, Eresheb’s brother was particularly absentminded, and midway through the mission, they realized he had forgotten the authenticator a crucial tool.

Lowering her gaze, Eresheb struggled to keep her composure. The situation was embarrassing.

"So, you forgot the authenticator... and ended up getting tricked into taking a fake instead?"

Shame laced her words. Eresheb didn’t know how to react. She glanced toward Ariane but couldn’t bring herself to meet her gaze. Ariane’s posture, so relaxed and carefree, made the atmosphere feel almost surreal. And yet, despite the simplicity of the situation, it carried deep meaning.

To Eresheb, this mission wasn’t just a task to complete it was a way to prove herself worthy of Ariane’s trust.

Silence fell between them, and a heavy sense of humiliation grew within her. However, despite it all, a small part of her felt joy. Even if Ariane treated this as a mere game, she was still interested in what Eresheb was doing.

After all, there was no deadline for the mission, nor a fixed number of objects to retrieve. From the moment she found the first item, Eresheb had thrown herself into the task with unwavering determination.

This relentless search for Ariane’s possessions had become second nature to her.

But today, it wasn’t just a minor setback it was a real disappointment for Eresheb.

"Lady Ariane, this failure is mine alone. I will accept any punishment you see fit," she declared, her voice steady, though her emotions remained carefully concealed.

Her words fell like raindrops before a coming storm. No matter how much she tried to appear unshaken, she couldn’t entirely hide her guilt. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Ariane abruptly sat up from the couch where she had been lounging, her posture now more upright and authoritative.

Yet, Ariane’s small stature contrasted so much with the oversized couch that it made the furniture seem almost gigantic. Or perhaps it was just a trick of perspective an illusion caused by Ariane’s very presence.

She had a way of making everything around her seem grander, as if space itself bent under her aura. Though she looked small and delicate, her personality was so commanding that the world seemed to shift in response to her will.

"You’re overreacting," Ariane stated, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

She seemed completely detached from the situation, and while Eresheb rarely disagreed with Ariane, she remained silent. Standing there, she felt a whirlwind of emotions clashing within her.

On one hand, she was immensely grateful to Ariane her creator, the reason for her existence.

On the other hand, that same gratitude was tinged with pain.

Why had she failed? Why couldn’t she live up to Ariane’s expectations?

Still seated, Ariane observed Eresheb for a moment. Her eyes held that elusive spark one that could be as soft as a gentle breeze yet as sharp as a blade.

Under that gaze, Eresheb felt vulnerable, even though she knew Ariane would never harm her.

It was a complex relationship a bond woven from trust and admiration but also from mistakes and trials.

Lowering her eyes, Eresheb found herself caught in a storm of conflicting emotions.

She was happy to serve Ariane, but the weight of her failure crushed her. The gaze of the one person she respected and cherished haunted her.

Yet even in this humiliation, there was hope.

"What do you intend to do now?" Ariane asked.

"I returned to retrieve the authenticator. Once I have it, I’ll rejoin my brother. Though your possession is now in someone else’s hands, it’s nothing but a mere count. Destroying the county is also an option, but we want to be certain we retrieve the right item without causing too much interference."

Ariane barely paid attention to the dangerous things Eresheb had just said with such nonchalance. All she wanted was to bring this conversation to an end as quickly as possible.

Ariane remained calm, and since Eresheb had spoken her piece, there was nothing more to say. Silence settled over the lobby.

"I see..."

"Then, can you bring me the child?" Ariane asked. She believed that Eresheb had made the necessary preparations and that she had given her enough time.

When Ariane asked her to retrieve the child, Eresheb’s expression froze for a brief moment. Her fingers, previously still, twitched slightly.

Her posture stiffened further, and she barely inclined her head as if carefully processing each word before responding.

After a few seconds of silence, she slowly unclenched her fists and let out a quiet sigh, regaining her composure.