Moving through a bustling city filled with skyscrapers and high-rises, traffic honked and roared all around. People hurried to and fro on the sidewalks. Amidst the crowd, two—or rather, three—naive individuals stood, marveling at the towering structures around them.
"This is incredible. See how tall those buildings are? It's like they're meant to touch the skies," Reggie said in awe.
"Look at all these humans—the handsome men! Holy grace, I can't get enough of this," Nivea said, starstruck.
As they walked through the city, their horns and other demonic features were no longer visible—they were hidden.
"Uhm, Reggie!" Nivea called.
"Yes?" Reggie responded.
"Tell me why I'm the one carrying Iode while you're just strolling around unburdened?!"
"You're a strong lady. Carrying an old man who weighs like sixty to sixty-five kilograms is nothing to you," Reggie replied casually.
"You're the guy here. On Earth, guys are the ones who do the heavy lifting. Do you see how the humans are staring? They're probably wondering why a beautiful lady like me is carrying a grown man while an able-bodied guy like you just flexes!" Nivea huffed.
"I don't care what their judgmental eyes say," Reggie shrugged.
"Why don't we switch? You're just as strong as I am," Nivea said.
"Nah," Reggie objected.
"You!!!" Nivea yelled.
Behind Nivea, a sleeping gentleman—none other than Iode—rested on her back like a baby. As they continued walking, Reggie spotted a silver-colored vehicle in a large parking garage. It was a limousine—sleek, silver, with tinted windows and six doors. It had the bold, robust appearance of an SUV.
"Ooooh, Nivea! Look at that! That vehicle looks slick and beautiful. This is one of those automobiles the rich use," Reggie said. He ran over to the car, touching it all over, feeling its texture, inhaling its fragrance, and peering through the window.
From the driver's seat, a middle-aged man opened the door and stepped out.
"Hey there, lad. Please cease your impudence this instant. It's downright degenerate to touch someone else's property like that. Do you even know how much this vehicle costs? How much it takes to maintain it?" the man said with a posh accent.
He had perfectly groomed grey hair and an M-shaped mustache. He wore a black tuxedo and trousers.
"Uhm… nope," Reggie replied.
"It takes approximately six hundred dollars just to change the oil. A middle-class brat like you couldn't possibly earn that much in a month," the man scoffed.
"I'm sorry. I just couldn't help but fawn over this beauty. My brother told me so much about these cars back home. Can I just… see the inside for a sec?"
"Nay, kid."
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please with a potato?"
"Potato? Well—no."
"Pretty please with puppy eyes?"
"Just stop, kid. Carry on with your sister and the man she carries. Get away from these premises. I assure you, if the madam sees—"
"Sir Aone, what's all the ruckus? Who are these kids?" A middle-aged woman, likely in her sixties, approached. She wore sunglasses and a blue dress, and carried a small, shiny silver purse. Her curly blonde hair reached down to her shoulders.
"Nothing of importance, Madam Begonia. They're just strays who don't know where they're going."
"So what are they still doing here? Chase them off! I can't stand their ugly—well, on the contrary, they are quite good-looking. But nonetheless, they reek of poverty. Just look at their clothes, especially the one the lady's carrying. So rough, so undignified. I'm not paying you to just stand there."
"Now leave, you two. I've had enough of your shenanigans," the chauffeur snapped.
"Let's go, Reggie," Nivea said, tugging him by the arm.
But Reggie's expression darkened. He leaned toward her and whispered:
"That woman just said we—we, royal demons—reek of poverty. And Methuselah, back in his world, was an honorary noble. None of us are lacking. How about we show her exactly who we are?
She's rich. Why don't we use her arrogance as an excuse to live extravagantly here on Earth? To be rich means an endless stream of suitors, comfort, luxury, and spending. Everything humans can offer."
He grinned.
"Can you pull it off? Will your powers work? If not, let me handle it," Nivea said, matching his grin.
"You've done enough, sis. Let me handle this."
"What are you two whispering about?! Move it!" Sir Aone pushed Reggie away from the vehicle—but Reggie didn't budge. In a flash, he pushed Sir Aone to the ground and dashed toward Madam Begonia.
His eyes turned black, his green pupils shimmered, and his horns emerged. He grabbed Madam Begonia by the neck. He moved so fast that Sir Aone didn't even realize what had happened until he found himself on the ground. Madam Begonia hadn't seen Reggie approach—only felt his grip.
She tried to scream, but her voice caught in her throat. She seemed to be in a trance.
"Madam Begonia Raubenheimer, from this day forth, I, Reggie Valier, together with Nivea Valier and Iode de Pandavatton, are your newly adopted children. You saw our beauty and Iode's pitiful state and decided to help us. From today, I am Reggie Raubenheimer, she is Nivea Raubenheimer, and he is Iode Raubenheimer. Now, Mom, let's go home," Reggie declared.
His eyes returned to white, his horns faded, and he withdrew his hand.
' I hope Saboteur's Gloom worked. It should've sabotaged her memory and replaced it with my words ', Reggie thought, watching for her reaction.
Madam Begonia stood still for a while. Reggie turned to do the same to the chauffeur—but saw that he too was in a trance.
"Worry not. I've dealt with him," Nivea said.
"You used Black Vein Flame to wrap his memory? Wow, you've gotten so skilled."
"Well, you could say that. I just burned a few neurons," Nivea replied. Reggie smirked.
"Reggie, Nivea… what in the world happened? Why is Iode unconscious?" Madam Begonia asked.
"He's just sleeping. He was tired, that's all," Reggie replied.
Madam Begonia frowned. She approached Reggie and smacked him on the back.
"Ouch! What gives?!" Reggie yelped.
"You're such a jerk! How could you let a beautiful and fragile lady like Nivea carry him? What's wrong with you?!"
She smacked him again. Nivea now had her best puppy-dog eyes on, looking even more delicate than usual.
"You see—"
"Not another word! You're getting an earful once we get home!" she snapped.
"But Mom—!"
"No buts!" she said, twisting Reggie's ear as he cried out. Nivea's face was lit with laughter...