While Aavig's claw was perilously close to Daniel's neck, his gaze was fixed on Be, as if seeking to challenge her, provoke her. Be, she looked defiant, but helplessly, she knew that any wrong move would put Daniel in danger. Poryac remained seated with a calm countenance as if he didn't care what was happening, but under that calm he was aware of how tense the atmosphere was, he knew he had to do something to save Daniel. Instead Daniel knew that he couldn't die due to the blessing he had so he didn't care if he gave him a fatal cut, what really worried him was the pain he might feel.
— Be! — Cer's sweet voice was heard from between the stalls — We finally reached you, tell me why you ran so suddenly, what happened?
— You left very happy and you didn't tell us anything, which was what they said — continued Ro
Shaking, gasping for air, Cer and Ro arrived.
— Do not approach! — Yelled Be — This is a problem, that bastard is threatening Daniel.
— Why so much hostility? — Aavig asked mockingly — If I'm just giving this guy a friendly hug, besides…. Now that I have a good look at it, I wonder what a human is doing walking so calmly through the market? He behaves as if it were his house, that fills me with more curiosity.
The claw sank a little deeper into Daniel's throat. Due to the pressure it exerted, he was breathless and little by little, drops of his blood began to come out of the wound, leaving red trails on his neck.
— I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE IT! — Desperate cry Be. Without hesitation, he arched her back, pulling her body back, accumulating enormous tension in her little legs, readying her little claws, staring at her target and showing her fangs, prepared to attack.
Neither Cer nor Ro knew what was happening, nor why Daniel was in such a dangerous position, what they did know was that Be was blinded by fury, ready to kill Aavig. Ro knew he had to stop her but before he could run to where her sister was, Aavig's claw suddenly moved away from Daniel's neck and raising her hands Aavig surrendered. Along with the great breath that Daniel took the tension disappeared.
— It's always the same with you, Be, you only know how to resort to violence — continued Aavig haughtily — if you're not more careful, I might come to think that those outbursts are the way to show your impotence and frustration at not being able to overcome me.
—What did you just say?— Be answered challengingly.
— Just as you hear it, you're frustrated that you can't be better than me and you're just looking for any excuse to try to attack me. Or what else would you be furious about? You don't really care about this simple, pathetic human.
Humans are simply raw materials in this world. That is why no one knows about Daniel's special case, only a few like Ukosok and Lepaula knew about the nature of the new father of the judges but had no idea who it was. The townspeople had heard the rumors but they didn't know who he was, much less expected that he was a mere human. The people in the market only knew that Lucifer had withdrawn and that someone was in charge of the judges.
— And what does that matter to you — Be continued in a more relaxed way — if it's important or not, it's a matter that has nothing to do with you. Besides, get over you? that you already forgot that we already surpassed you.
Cer and Ro approached Be showing their support and unity.
— Like this?... no, no, no... when will you understand that you have no chance of beating me. This is momentary they are only a novelty with their "fine cut", but you know with time everyone will forget about it. The dismemberment, the viscera, the blood, the violent, that is what they like, it is deeply rooted within our being, that is our nature. Over time the demons will realize that yours is just something temporary, boring, irrelevant and when that happens you will return to where you belong, to the forgotten corner of this market.
— w... we — with difficulty I raise my voice Ro — we will show them...
— Show what Ro? — Aavig interrupted — Don't they get tired? The only thing they have shown so far is that they cannot stand out. Every time you try something, you are easily outmatched. That is why the only thing that the merchants do is greet you happily as if you were great, but you know that the only thing that is great about you is that your father is Lucifer, but outside of that you are worthless. Everyone here knows it and while they smile on the outside, inside they are all disappointed because they are nothing compared to the previous Judge. Being honest and analyzing better I think I'm your only friend in this whole place, because I tell you the truth up front. You are…
— That's — Poryac tried to interrupt.
— Some… — I continue attacking Aavig.
— Enou... — Poryac kept trying.
— ENOUGH! — Daniel's voice was heard loud and clear.
Since Aavig started making fun of them, Daniel stared at his daughters and son, he couldn't help but notice it, Be clenched her fists helplessly, Ro lowered her gaze in defeat, Cer pressed her lips containing her desire to cry, the three of them they simply accepted Aavig's words as absolute truth. He also knew the position Poryac was in, he clearly couldn't say anything, he is the leader of the merchants so his position has to be neutral and no matter how much he appreciates and values the judges, he can't let his feelings get out of hand. influence their opinions. With pain he had to accept that Aavig's words, despite being aggressive, were true, so he could not raise his voice in favor of the judges arbitrarily. Saying something that places him on one side could indicate that he favors certain groups, the social pressure to which he would be subjected could put his position at risk. Daniel had seen the truth behind all this theatrics, that was clearly what Aavig wanted, he was just waiting for a mistake to be made, something that he could take advantage of to take Poryac's place. It was an absolute truth of this world that demons are always fighting for power. All this was clearly seen by Daniel, which is why he began to understand the position of each of the characters in this story, the prize: the title of Market Leader. The means: The weakness of the current Judges. The rivals: Aavig and Poryac.
But even if Daniel understood it, it was clear that he is only a human, with limited knowledge. According to his human ideals, it would be strange for an adult like Aavig to be haughtily reprimanding some children, since that is what Cer, Be and Ro appear to be, and that an authority like Poryac did not act implied something, here it is still the law of the strongest, everyone has to defend themselves with their own nails. Daniel had to remember that this is hell, that the rules are different and that he can't possibly do anything.
"You are going to be their new father, you will take care of them and guide them to become the demons they should be", Lucifer's words echoed in Daniel's mind. He does not know how hell works, nor his rules, but that did not matter, even so, he had his children there, powerless before Aavig's grievances and as his father he could not allow them to continue being treated like this. . The memory of a text appeared in front of his eyes, "Children are always going to have problems in the social circle in which they develop, so it is correct to let them solve these conflicts themselves, for parents to dedicate themselves to solving them. It will have long-term consequences, but it must not be forgotten that due to their immaturity they can worsen these conflicts, reaching wrong solutions, so it is also important that you, as a father or mother, intervene at the right time to show your son, based on the example, the correct way to solve the problem they are facing, thus demonstrating that you trust that your son will be able to solve his problems, but also that you are there when he needs your help, that you will always be a support for him."
— ENOUGH! — Daniel exclaimed, while he walked in the direction of the triplets — Be, Ro, Cer, let's go home, it's late.
— What happened? You have to go, go ahead, the truth has been told and you have no way to contradict it — Aavig continued mockingly
— It's true Daniel, I can't leave this like this I'm going to show him that he's wrong — Be continued furious.
— Come the 3 — Daniel said seriously - look at me and answer why are you angry? Why are you nervous? Why are you crying? Do they really fear being scorned that much?
— You have no idea how horrible it feels, to be singled out, to be mocked for not meeting the expectations they have of me, I don't want to feel like this anymore... now... now — Cer said almost on the verge of tears.
— Of course I don't know — Daniel interrupted as he leaned towards them — I'm going to tell you something, neither I nor anyone here has the slightest idea of how they feel, of the anger they have, of the pain they keep let alone your reasons to cry, that is why no one will feel compassion for you.
The three of them just stared at the ground, clenching their fists to the point of hurting themselves, squeezing their lips almost to the point of bursting them, their breaths were slow and strong, their eyes as moist as if they were under a pond of water. With each word that Daniel had said to them, the three of them felt as if a painful and poisonous arrow pierced their hearts.
— But also — Daniel continued with a soft voice — none of us know the effort you've put into it, the hours of practice you invested, nor do we know the sweat you've shed, so you have nothing to prove to others . Your achievements, your victories are yours alone and the only ones you have to prove to and what to overcome is yourselves. No one has the right to judge your victories or to reproach your defeats, you three are unique and not because you are judges, you are my precious daughters, my great son and from now on I am your father, you will no longer have to carry everything alone, because I am here for you.
The three of them stared at Daniel's happy and proud face, they were so stunned by those words that they could not understand how from that mouth, from which those hurtful words came, now beautiful healing words had come out. Their tears that they kept so much began to flow calmly like a drop that crosses a cruel desert, appeasing the pain they felt, tears that they had not felt before, tears of joy, of peace, of relief. Without thinking twice, the three of them pounced on Daniel, who, due to being squatting, could not maintain his balance, so he ended up sitting down, with his three children wiping their tears against his arms and his chest as they screamed, releasing their frustration.
— But what is this stupid scene — Aavig spoke. Daniel's calm and collected look totally changed as he looked up at Aavig. In its place you could see a look with courage and fury.
— Aavig, right? — I'll tell you this only once, if you make fun of my children again I won't forgive you and I won't hesitate to finish you off.
They could be considered as empty words since they came from a mere human who didn't have any power, let alone a special combat ability. But despite that, Aavig was paralyzed, Daniel's gaze was like a gloomy shadow. He didn't understand it, he was a human, a simple and helpless angry human, but his most primitive instincts warned him, they shouted at him that something was not right, that he had to get away as fast as possible.
— Is everything alright Daniel? — Ro commented surprised.
— Huh? Yes, yes, everything is fine — I answer cheerfully Daniel — We better get out of here, you know! What do you think if we go for something sweet to forget about these bad times.
— Yessss! — The triplets and Poryac shouted in unison.
— Huh? And why do you add yourself?
— Oh I know! - continued euphoric Cer - let's go for some ice cream.
— That's a great idea! — Everyone approved.
— But not you, Poryac — Daniel said.
— Of course I'll go, so I can tell you how ice creams are prepared in this world, from how the flavors are achieved, to the milk used in its preparation hehe hehe — Poryac continued euphoric. Daniel's look of concern did not need interpretation.
As the happy family left, Aavig's nervousness slowly began to fade and a slight grimace crept into his face.
— So it's his father — Aavig spoke to himself — It was a strange feeling, maybe it was just my imagination, maybe I was just surprised that a mere human acted so arrogant, but now that I can think more clearly I realize that This has become interesting, ha ha ha, very interesting… Now I know what to do to end all this once and for all and that "Father" will be the key to everything.
That same night.
Are you going out Daniel? — Be claimed — But what privileges do you enjoy?
— How what? I am his father so while I go out for a moment, I want you to clean everything that was dirty from dinner — I answer. Despite the complaints, Daniel left the house to take a walk.
The road was little traveled, only a few beasts roamed the street. The place was only illuminated with a few lamps, and it was also a bit steep because the mansion was in a privileged area near the hills. When Daniel reached a viewpoint he was finally able to take a break.
— if you can see much of the city, thousands of lights illuminate the dark and strangely quiet streets. Being locked up for so many months had deprived me of such a great landscape, although I still can't believe that that's not a moon, well, although now that I pay more attention there isn't a star in the night sky — Daniel spoke calmly to himself thus seeking to analyze everything that happened — After today I will no longer go to the market and even less to look for Poryac, because of him I could not enjoy the delicious ice cream. He didn't stop bugging me about where the ingredients come from.
Daniel didn't say anything else, he just leaned his forehead against the gazebo railing, thoughtful, simply staring at the ground.
— Ahhh — Daniel took a deep breath — I think it's time to go.
Just as Daniel turned to go back, a huge figure blocked his way.
A plate slipped from the hands of a nervous and trembling Cer. Although Be and Ro were upset knowing that Daniel would scold them for the broken plate, Cer felt it in her heart, this meant only a bad omen, something very bad was about to happen.