The Hero Who Became a Monster Girl Will Never Fall to Evil

“Mom, why aren’t you eating?”

Jasmine lifted a dumpling with her fork and held it to Vieya’s mouth. Her tone was gentle, but her gaze was faintly cool.

She didn’t understand why Mom always seemed blind to her love.

She didn’t understand why Mom said she loved her, yet kept setting her aside... Was it because she still wasn’t doing well enough?

She had clearly already abandoned her past at the Demon King Castle and decided to live properly with Mom.

A family of two was already perfect—yet Mom always wanted to add a third person to their home.

Could it be that Mom finds nights too lonely by herself?

Jasmine frowned.

When she attended classes at the magic academy before, she would occasionally see upperclassmen entangled together, kissing and hugging.

At first glance, it felt curious and exciting, her face flushing—but Jasmine would quickly look away shyly, condemning such shameless behavior in broad daylight in her heart.

Later, one day, Maixi told her, “When you grow up, you’ll be like that too—finding a partner and being lovey-dovey all day, XXOO.”

Back then, Jasmine had looked at her with disdain and even spoken harshly, saying Maixi was also a shameless woman, still so young yet already just like... those bad adults who only thought about lewd things.

Maixi didn’t really care about Jasmine’s rejection. She just laughed and teased her for being an ignorant little brat, saying adults nourished by love were magical—exhausted to death one moment, then fully revived the next.

Thinking of this, Jasmine’s thoughts snapped back on track.

Mom had come back so late, and empty-handed. That meant Mom hadn’t gone to see a doctor to prepare medicine like Isabelle had said.

And Mom didn’t look tired at all—instead, she looked energetic and refreshed, just like Maixi’s so-called “fully revived.”

Very suspicious.

Had Mom found someone new again?

But hadn’t Mom just last month asked her to call a strange, golden-haired woman—someone she didn’t even know—“Second Mom”?

Could Mom really change her heart that fast?

On top of that, Jasmine had heard rumors at the training grounds these past few days—those awful elves were actually slandering Mom, saying «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» she had some kind of lewd relationship with Sister Aislin.

Jasmine didn’t believe it.

Before she met Mom, Mom had already known Sister Aislin. If there really were that kind of relationship, with Mom’s personality, she would have made her call Sister Aislin “Mom” long ago.

Just like that golden-haired woman!

Thinking of that proud, unfamiliar blonde woman, Jasmine clenched her fists.

When I get stronger, I’ll definitely drive that annoying woman away from Mom’s side!

—

On the other side, Vieya had no idea what was going on in Jasmine’s mind. She was even fantasizing about reviving Flaviel and having the whole family together, neat and harmonious, making dumplings side by side.

She took the dumpling Jasmine offered and chewed carefully. It was red bean and sesame filling—very sweet.

......

The night passed quickly.

While accompanying her daughter in magic practice, Vieya also silently calculated the dates corresponding to Aislin’s various evaluations. Whenever she had free time, she would also go talk with the Elf Queen about other matters.

She had to admit—chatting with the Elf Queen, a long-lived being, brought her a great deal of information, including quite a few secrets she had never even heard of before.

At the same time, the Elf Queen would have Phoenix accompany her in training, forbidding her from using the Holy Sword. Instead, they focused on honing genuine technique and learning the elves’ special combat arts.

Sacred teachings were not lightly passed on. That rule applied just as much in the elven royal court.

“Oh my, you little junior—you’ve really run into some good luck. Do you know how many elves want me as their teacher and I’ve never taught? Today, you’re the one benefiting from it,” Phoenix said with her hands on her hips, completely unconcerned about having been knocked down dozens of levels by Vieya’s sword just days ago.

Since someone was genuinely willing to teach her something, Vieya naturally didn’t refuse. Facing Phoenix, she even became quite polite.

“Then I’ll trouble you, senior.”

“Tsk.”

Phoenix wasn’t quite used to this suddenly courteous Vieya, but she still set aside the small grudge between them and poured all her combat experience into teaching her without reservation.

In the training arena, more and more elves gathered around—some to watch for fun, others to secretly learn techniques.

Vieya’s learning speed far exceeded Phoenix’s expectations. Many moves only needed to be demonstrated once before Vieya could reproduce them eight or nine times out of ten.

“Haha, I didn’t expect your physical combat talent to be this outstanding. Being a sword cultivator almost feels like a waste of your potential.”

At that moment, Phoenix wore a fiery red feathered cloak and stood suspended in midair, valiant and imposing like a seasoned general.

She had been born in the icy northern lands, yet possessed extremely powerful fire-based divine abilities. Under the name [Immortal Phoenix], she even had a group of devoted believers atop that heavenly mountain visited by countless pilgrims.

“Can there be more?” Vieya mulled over the recent exchange, replaying Phoenix’s every move in her mind, and felt it was even worse than she’d expected. “This isn’t enough.”

Compared to the intensity of the battles she’d faced when she was still a Hero, this was far too lacking. Combat of this level wouldn’t bring her much progress at all.

“Huh? Still not enough?” Phoenix looked over in surprise. “You look petite and cute, but I didn’t expect you to be so competitive at heart—a true devotee of combat.”

“No wonder you didn’t say a word that day before going straight for the kill, striking my vital point and almost ending this old life of mine with a single sword.”

Vieya shook her head awkwardly. “I’m not that kind of person...”

Hearing that, Phoenix suddenly laughed. Then she changed the subject, speaking cheerfully,

“People in this world divide strength into nine major ranks, from one to nine... but honestly, that kind of division is troublesome and not reasonable at all.”

Vieya blinked in confusion. This system had existed since ancient times—what was unreasonable about it?

Seeing her expression, Phoenix continued, “For anyone who steps onto the path of cultivation, this world really only needs three realms.”

“Huh?”

Vieya didn’t understand. The elves gathered below the arena also exchanged puzzled looks.

Phoenix smiled and explained, “Those weaker than me are in the ant realm. Those equal to me are in the friend realm. And those stronger than me are in the senior realm.”

“So I really don’t care at all about you attacking me last time.”

“So what you’re saying is that I’m your senior?” Vieya shot back. “I was originally planning to call you a bargain-bin teacher.”

At the same time, the elves watching below began to whisper among themselves. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Phoenix: “......”

Damn it. This brat really doesn’t listen to good or bad, does she?

......

After leaving the training arena, Vieya returned to her room to take a bath.

She adjusted the water temperature to just right, filled a large tub, then stripped and sank in contentedly.

In an instant, the slime—with a little yellow duck perched on her head—was healed by the warm water, sinking down happily and blowing bubbles.

Over the past few days, Phoenix would invite her to special training whenever there was time—nine times out of ten, it was probably at the Elf Queen’s instruction. Was she planning to have her team up with Aislin in the final martial contest?

The slime blew bubbles while thinking.

The other candidates had all chosen their own partners as well. First, an elf who would inherit the throne had to have a partner. Second, acting as a pair better tested teamwork.

After all, an Elf Queen could not be a lone wolf.

These little trials aren’t a problem for me. The key is...

Knock knock knock!

The bathroom door was suddenly knocked on.

Vieya’s thoughts were interrupted. She frowned and asked, “Who is it?”

“...Mom, it’s me,” Jasmine said softly from outside the bathroom door.

“Hm? What’s wrong?” Vieya’s voice softened as she replied patiently. “But I’m taking a bath right now. You’ll have to wait a bit.”

Jasmine: “...Mom, I want to bathe too.”

“Huh? Well... okay.” Vieya sighed, reluctantly standing up from the tub. “I’ll make room in a moment.”

“Mom,” Jasmine added quietly, “I want to bathe together with you.”