Two Wrongs Make a Right Ch.47 (Patreon)

I stir awake gradually, becoming aware that I'm resting on top of something warm and soft that rises and falls with a steady rhythm. As I open my eyes, I find Sienna peacefully sleeping beneath me; her face silently telling me she is having peaceful dreams.

Right. I spent the night with Sienna, seeking comfort since I've been occupied and emotionally drained after Ozma's crushing revelations about Atlas's true military power.

Initially, I wanted to spend time with Ilia but she had been occupied with intensive combat training under the Pods' instruction, and I didn't want to interrupt her focus or burden her with my troubled emotional state when she's working so hard to improve. Sienna, on the other hand, happily accepted my presence without questions and let me unload my troubled silence onto her without demanding explanations.

That left us a night with her screaming my name repeatedly until exhaustion.

Sienna is a hopeless romantic even if she vehemently tries to deny it with scoffs and dismissive gestures, it only makes her more adorable to my eyes. That's precisely why I'm here now, held securely between her arms in the guest room which has practically become her permanent room at the Belladonna manor.

I can only sigh heavily, my mind immediately turning back to the crushing news from my meeting with Ozma.

It's been a couple days since those devastating revelations about Atlas's true industrial scale, about the impossible odds we face, about how thoroughly and completely fucked the entire situation really is. And I still haven't discussed it with anyone else; not Kali, not Ilia, not Sienna, not the Albain brothers or any of my advisors.

Because there's no point in sharing it yet. Or more accurately, it would be severely detrimental to morale which right now is at an all-time high.

If that information almost crushed me despite all my mental defenses and training, then it would utterly destroy everyone else's resolve, hope, and will to continue fighting. They'd see the raw numbers and give up entirely before even trying, convinced that resistance is pointless and suicidal.

So I've been working privately and obsessively on how to solve this impossible puzzle, how to find unconventional angles and leverage points that might make a difference despite the overwhelming disparity in military forces and industrial capacity. At the very least, I need to gradually explain to my inner circle the stakes are considerably higher than they initially expected; ease them carefully into the reality so when I finally drop the full truth, they'll be mentally prepared to handle it.

I let out another quiet sigh and closed my eyes, consciously trying to enjoy more of Sienna's warmth. Her body has the perfect softness too but I focus on the sound of her calm, strong heartbeat, which is surprisingly soothing to my troubled mind.

Except...

I hear TWO distinct heartbeats overlapping.

My eyes snap fully open, my entire body going still as my enhanced senses focus on that sound.

There's Sienna's strong heartbeat and beneath it, faster, lighter and fragile heartbeat.

The baby.

Without conscious thought, I quickly but carefully shift my position. I move lower on the bed and gently press my ear against Sienna's stomach, being careful not to apply any pressure that might cause discomfort.

And yes; with all my enhanced senses focused completely and exclusively on that single point, I can definitely hear it clearly now. That tiny, rapid heartbeat inside her belly, undeniable proof of the new life growing there.

A life I helped create.

My child.

And I cannot even begin to describe how profoundly, overwhelmingly happy I feel at this moment. All the impossible problems plaguing my thoughts become suddenly, completely secondary to this single beautiful truth.

There's a child growing inside Sienna. A child who will call me father. A child who deserves infinitely better than the broken, corrupt world they're inheriting.

A child I will protect with everything I have and everything I am.

"A-Adam?" Sienna stirs awake, rubbing her eyes sleepily with a small, adorable yawn. "What are you doing down there?"

"There's a heartbeat," I reply immediately, my voice thick with a new happiness which I don't try to hide as it swells in my chest. My hand moves instinctively to gently caress her stomach with reverence. "I can hear the baby's heartbeat."

Sienna perks up immediately, all traces of sleep vanishing instantly as her amber eyes go wide. "Really?! You can actually hear it already?" Her hands move quickly to cover mine, pressing them more firmly against her belly. "What does it sound like? Tell me everything!"

"Fast," I answer, listening intently to that precious rhythm. "Strong. Healthy." I pause, my throat tightening. "Perfect..."

As soon as that word leaves me I move away, shifting positions to lie beside her and pulling her completely into my arms. I hold her close; not to rough or go as far to grab another part of her, but with an overwhelming protective urge that I cannot suppress or deny, arranging us so that Sienna is cradled securely against my chest, completely safe in my embrace where nothing and no one can possibly harm her or our child.

Sienna doesn’t resist but giggles at my sudden actions, a sound of pure joy and delight that I rarely hear from her. "Someone's feeling particularly g-grabby this morning," she teases, trying desperately to maintain some semblance of dignity and independence even as she melts completely into my embrace. I can hear her beginning to purr, that deep rumbling sound that betrays any words. "I'm not made of fragile glass, you know?"

But I don't particularly care about her protests or her attempts to maintain her fierce independence and prove her strength. I just hold the mother of my child closer, one hand splayed protectively across her stomach where our baby grows and develops.

I just want to be there for both of them, now and always.

I want to protect them from everything that could harm them, every threat and danger.

And I want to be there to see our child grow, to see them laughing and playing and living the life they deserve.

"Adam?" Sienna's voice is considerably softer now, her teasing tone fading into something more tender. "Are you... are you okay? You seem different."

"I'm perfect," I say quietly. "Right now, at this exact moment, everything is perfect."

She shifts slightly in my arms to look up at my face properly, studying my expression with those amber eyes. "You didn't look anything like this yesterday. Or the day before. You've been stressed."

I simply lean down to capture her lips in a long, deep kiss that conveys everything I'm feeling, causing her ears to perk up sharply and her purring to intensify.

She quickly pulls away after a moment, her face flushed a deep red that extends down her neck. "Y-You can't just—! That's not fair—!"

"The world is far more broken than I initially thought," I admit, my voice carrying a different tone. “But now I have another reason to keep fighting, to keep pushing forward no matter how impossible it seems."

Despite her outburst her hand moves to rest on her stomach, covering mine. "This little one is counting on us both. Counting on you." She pauses, biting her lower lip. "And I believe; no, I know that you'll find a way through this, Adam. You always do. You always will."

I feel something tight in my chest loosen at her words, at her unwavering confidence even without knowing the full terrifying scope.

Unable to hold back, I hug her tightly again, gently biting her sensitive ear in the way that always makes her melt.

"I will." I manage to say despite my mouth full. "Whatever it takes, however long it takes, whatever sacrifices are necessary."

Sienna merely accommodates herself more comfortably in my embrace and continues purring contentedly, that rumbling sound filling the quiet room.

"W-Why do you always say these kinds of things?" Her voice wavers. "Don't you know how much it affects me? H-How it makes me…?" But she doesn't finish that sentence, cutting herself off.

I tighten my embrace, one hand moving to gently stroke her hair. "Because you deserve to hear them. Because they're true."

"S-Stop it," she protests weakly, but makes no move to pull away. "You're going to make me say something embarrassing."

"Then say it," I encourage softly. "There's no one here but us."

And the walls are soundproof... I think.

Sienna is quiet for a long moment, and I can feel her heart racing. And after some more teasing she finally speaks up. "I never expected this. Any of this." Her hand traces absent patterns on my chest. "When I proposed this arrangement, it was supposed to be political. A quick solution to unify the factions and bring stability to the coalition."

She pauses, taking a deep breath. "But somewhere along the way, it stopped being that. And I don't know when it happened, or how, but..." She takes a shaky breath. "You make me feel things I thought I'd buried years ago. Things I convinced myself a leader couldn't afford to feel."

I don't interrupt, just hold her closer and let her continue at her own pace.

"Every time you look at me, when you h-hold me..." Her voice breaks slightly. "Every time you show me gentleness when you could demand obedience... Every time you make me feel protected instead of just tolerated..." She buries her face against my chest. "It terrifies me, Adam. Because I'm falling for you, and I don't know how to stop, and I'm scared that—"

I cut off her spiraling thoughts by tilting her chin up and kissing her again, slower this time, more tender. When I pull back, I rest my forehead against hers.

"You don't have to stop," I tell her quietly. "And you don't have to be scared. Not with me."

"But what if—"

"No what-ifs, not right now. Right now, we're here, together. That's enough."

Sienna's eyes glisten with unshed tears. "You're not making this easier, you know."

"I'm not trying to make it easier," I admit with a small smile. "I'm just being honest with you."

She laughs shakily, and I feel her completely relax into my embrace. "You're impossible. Completely, utterly impossible."

"So I've been told."

We lie there in comfortable silence for a while longer, just holding each other.

"Have you... have you thought of a name yet? For the baby?"

The question catches me off guard, and I immediately remember the conversation I had with Kali not long ago about this exact topic.

I pause, considering carefully. "I have some thoughts. But I think we should make a decision together."

Sienna looks up at me with interest. "So?"

“I'll choose if it's a boy. You choose if it's a girl."

She considers this for a moment, then nods slowly. "That's... actually fair. And traditional in many cultures." A small, almost shy smile crosses her face. "I like that."

"So?" I prompt gently. "Have you thought about it? What would you name our daughter?"

Sienna's expression becomes thoughtful, almost distant. "I have, actually. I've been thinking about it quite a lot lately." She pauses, her hand moving protectively over her stomach. "If she's a girl... I want to name her Rani."

I blink in surprise. "Rani?"

"Yes," Sienna says with growing conviction. "It means queen. Every human who hears it will know exactly what she is; and what she will demand because a child does not need a long name to carry a long future."

I think about it for a moment. The name is certainly bold, and it fits Sienna's ambitions, and carries the weight of authority. A child named Rani wouldn’t be overlooked or underestimated.

"It's perfect," I say honestly. "Strong. Unmistakable. Fitting for the daughter of a tiger."

Sienna beams at my approval, her purring intensifying. "And if it's a boy? What name have you chosen?"

I think carefully, considering the weight and meaning behind the choice. Then I lean close to her ear and whisper softly, "Arslan."

Sienna's eyes widen slightly. "Arslan," she repeats, testing the name. "A king."

"Exactly," I confirm. "A name that carries strength and nobility. A warrior's name, but also a leader's name." I pause. "And it honors both our legacies."

Sienna is quiet for a moment, then a radiant smile spreads across her face. "Rani or Arslan," she says those names affectionately. "Either way, our child will know love."

"They'll know," I promise, pulling her close again. "I'll make certain of it. Every single day."

Sienna nestles against me, her purring a constant, contented rumble. "W-Why do you make me so happy?"

"Get used to it."

She laughs softly. "I don't think I'll mind too much."

I quickly grab the covers of the bed and cover us both. I don’t care about duties or work, I only want to share this moment with this new mother.

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I pretty much lost an entire day completely doting on Sienna, unable to pull myself away from her; not like she was complaining either with her legs and arms locked tightly around me. I couldn't fully explain why I let myself go like that, abandoning all my responsibilities and duties, but... it's my kid. Our kid. I seriously couldn't help myself, and I don't regret it one bit.

So now I need to do something productive to make up for that lost time... Okay, that's an exaggeration because I'm way ahead of schedule on most projects, so missing a single day doesn't actually affect much, if anything. And that's precisely why I'm currently meditating in the middle of Menagerie's dense jungle, far from any settlements and distractions, including my good boy Brutus, who I left sleeping at the manor.

But as soon as I hear a distinct rustle in the thick undergrowth nearby, I immediately stand up and unsheathe Leviathan's Fang. The big bone longsword which I wield properly with both hands, adopting the stance that Pod showed in his simulations.

I told myself I needed to train more seriously with new weapons; training specifically to deal with behemoths since I knew they would be a more active threat but I haven't been dedicating enough time to mastering this new weapon or combat style. So now I'm fixing that critical oversight.

Trial by fire. Because thanks to my martial talent, I can learn a lot faster from direct combat experience than just training in controlled environments.

And soon enough, I find myself surrounded by Grimm emerging from the thick jungle foliage.

Are those Beringels?

No, these definitely don't look like the typical Beringels I'm familiar with. These are gorilla-type Grimm certainly, but with glaringly different anatomy: giant round heads similar to hippopotamuses, and bodies that appear rather fatty and bulbous rather than the lean, heavily muscled build of gorillas. 

I quickly count a pack of six circling me with predatory intelligence, showing that their movements are coordinated. They all possess sharp, wickedly curved claws that look more than capable of tearing through armor, and strangely enough, they all sport a single horn protruding from the top of their heads.

I close my eyes for a moment and visualize all the combat stances I studied meticulously from Pod's training data.

The first Grimm lunges with surprising speed for its bulk, and I respond with a powerful diagonal cut that slices it cleanly in half, passing through its body with minimal resistance despite the monster’s size.

That signals the start.

Unlike my usual acrobatic, mobility-focused combat style with Wilt and Blush, this longsword demands a completely different approach. The weapon's weight and extended reach require me to stay grounded, planted firmly with each strike. No wild leaping or spinning but calculated positioning, precise footwork, and devastating cuts.

I pivot smoothly on my heel as another gorilla charges from my left, bringing the blade up in a rising diagonal slash that catches it mid-leap. The longsword's momentum carries through completely, bisecting the creature from hip to shoulder. I don't stop the swing's natural arc; instead; I let the weapon's weight guide me into a smooth transition, rotating my entire body to deliver a horizontal sweep at waist height that drives back two more.

The grounded stance feels restrictive at first, limiting compared to my usual freedom of movement, but I'm beginning to understand the advantages. I'm controlling space, dictating the flow now instead of reacting..

A fourth Grimm attempts to flank me from behind as I can hear its footfalls and respond with a quick backward step before executing a rapid thrust that pierces through its chest. The weapon point punches through bone and tissue.

I withdraw the blade with a sharp pull and immediately transition into an overhead guard position as the fifth monster launches itself at me with outstretched claws ready to eviscerate me. I meet it with a rising vertical cut, the longsword's edge splitting it from groin to arm.

The final one hesitates, which makes me raise a brow as grimm are reckless due their desire to kill all living things but now it's showing limited intelligence recognizing the threat I possess. But Grimm rarely retreated once engaged.

It finally seems to gather courage before it roars and charges fully intending to tackle me, and I respond by planting my feet wide, lowering my stance, and delivering a devastating upward swing that nearly bisects it vertically from hip to skull. The blade's momentum lifts the creature off its feet before gravity reasserts itself.

Only then do I lower the bone weapon, controlling my breathing as I assess the aftermath. The weapon despite my many enhancements still feels heavy but not uncomfortably so, but noticeably different from my usual weapons. Each swing carries tremendous power, but requires commitment, I simply cannot do a feint anymore or try to change trajectory mid swing, every attack is final.

I sheathe the longsword back into its sheath mounted on my back with a satisfying click.

I can see why Pod designed this style and how it would work effectively against behemoths; each properly executed swing has the weight and momentum to cut deep through thick hide and dense muscle tissue. I would cause actual damage to them instead of pinpricks if I used Wilt and Blush.

I definitely need more practice, or a way to speed things up besides just fighting day after day.

However, as I glance back at the Grimm corpses littering the jungle floor around me, something immediately strikes me as wrong.

They aren't dissolving into black smoke like normal Grimm do after death.

All they are doing is stay there, black blood pooling on the ground beneath them.

Clearing my head from the initial confusion, I approach the nearest corpse; the one I cut cleanly in half and crouch down to examine the body.

Furrowing my brows, I cautiously touch that black liquid and find it warm, viscous. And at first glance it is just like the Gulping Terror’s corpse. I can see the organs, muscle tissue, actual bones with marrow... a complete organic biological system.

And still not dissolving.

What the fuck is going on? No, I think I know the answer already but I need more confirmation.

"Pod, I need you at my location immediately.”

"UNDERSTOOD, COMMANDER. ARRIVING NOW."

Moments later, a red portal materializes nearby and Pod floats through smoothly.

"Pod, I need you to analyze these corpses thoroughly. Complete scan."

"UNDERSTOOD, COMMANDER. INITIATING COMPREHENSIVE BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS."

I wait with growing impatience as Pod hovers over the bodies, multiple scanning beams and sensors playing across the remains.

After what feels like an eternity but is probably only a few minutes, Pod speaks up.

"ANALYSIS COMPLETE, COMMANDER. CONFIRMING VISUAL OBSERVATION: THESE GRIMM ENTITIES POSSESS COMPLETE BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING CIRCULATORY, DIGESTIVE, RESPIRATORY, AND NERVOUS SYSTEMS; IDENTICAL IN STRUCTURE TO BEHEMOTH-CLASS SPECIMENS PREVIOUSLY ENCOUNTERED AND CATALOGUED. CROSS-REFERENCING WITH REMNANT ENCYCLOPEDIA DATABASE AND HISTORICAL RECORDS..."

I hold my breath as I wait for Pod's definitive confirmation.

"MATCH FOUND. SPECIES IDENTIFIED AS 'FOUL-BREATH' CLASS BEHEMOTH, WHICH CORRESPONDS TO DOCUMENTED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CONGALALA SPECIES FROM OLD WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA RECORDS. HOWEVER, THESE SPECIMENS ARE CONSIDERABLY SMALLER THAN DOCUMENTED ADULT SIZES—APPROXIMATELY 60% SMALLER THAN MATURE SPECIMENS. CLASSIFICATION: CONGA. COLLOQUIAL DESIGNATION IN REMNANT HISTORICAL RECORDS: 'FUMERS.'"

Fumers? That's a weird name in my opinion, though I suppose it makes references they make toxic gases since Remmant wouldn’t call it foul breath for no reason.

"ADDITIONAL DATA, COMMANDER. THESE ARE JUVENILE SPECIMENS. IMMATURE MEMBERS OF THE FOUL-BREATH BEHEMOTH SPECIES. BIOLOGICAL MARKERS INDICATE AGES BETWEEN ONE YEAR AND TWO YEAR."

"What?" I straighten up sharply, my mind processing that revelation. "Juveniles? You mean young ones that were recently born?"

"AFFIRMATIVE. ANALYZING FURTHER..." Pod goes silent for a moment as additional scanners activate. "HYPOTHESIS FORMING BASED ON AVAILABLE DATA AND BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE: AN ADULT FOUL-BREATH BEHEMOTH HAS SUCCESSFULLY REPRODUCED. THESE JUVENILE SPECIMENS REPRESENT OFFSPRING FROM THAT REPRODUCTION EVENT. ALTHOUGH CURRENT DATA CANNOT DEFINITIVELY DETERMINE IF THIS WAS ASEXUAL OR SEXUAL REPRODUCTION."

"What?!" I shout, my voice echoing through the jungle. "Even if they are now alive, how can behemoths; who are fundamentally still Grimm, actually reproduce?! That completely contradicts everything we know about Grimm biology!"

I know that I could suspend some of that understanding but some rules were still universal, despite the outliers.

"EVIDENCE STRONGLY SUGGESTS THIS CONCLUSION IS ACCURATE, COMMANDER. PRESENCE OF MULTIPLE JUVENILE SPECIMENS OF IDENTICAL SPECIES EXHIBITING COORDINATED PACK STRUCTURE AND SIMILAR DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES INDICATES SUCCESSFUL REPRODUCTION EVENT WITHIN PAST TWELVE MONTHS. THIS REPRESENTS SIGNIFICANT AND UNPRECEDENTED DEVIATION FROM STANDARD GRIMM."

I stare at the corpses with growing horror as the implications cascade through my mind. I had initially theorized that behemoths were just ancient Grimm that were exceptionally lucky enough to survive and naturally evolved biological systems over centuries or millennia. But if they can now actively reproduce and grow naturally like any other living being, then that would mean...

"How many behemoth species have we identified in Menagerie territory so far?" I ask urgently, dreading the answer. I remember assigning him this mission after all.

"CURRENT COUNT: NINETEEN DISTINCT BEHEMOTH SPECIES CONFIRMED THROUGH DIRECT OBSERVATION, AND CROSS-REFERENCED WITH OFFICIAL RECORDS OF REGISTERED BEHEMOTHS IN MENAGERIE ARCHIVES."

Nineteen species. Potentially all capable of reproduction.

"Then we were never dealing with a static population of ancient survivors," I finish grimly, the terrible truth settling over me. "We're dealing with an active, self-sustaining ecosystem. Fuck, how could I not see this earlier? I even explicitly told Ozma about them being integrated into the ecosystem, and being part of an ecosystem inherently means being capable of reproduction!"

Then a specific memory resurfaces sharply in my mind; when I watched Pod's recording of two behemoths facing each other in that territorial dispute. Yes, there were the two massive creatures, but both of them were surrounded by smaller versions of themselves. And with this new information, that means those smaller Grimm weren't just mutated followers; they were young offspring developing under their parents' protection...

Even that Gulping Terror I encountered months ago; it had a pack of similar-looking Grimm, just significantly smaller in size, exactly like these gorillas...

"Pod, drop all current tasks immediately and redirect all available Pod units to assist you in this mission" I give the order first. "We must map and properly define all behemoth territories across Menagerie and get estimates of their actual numbers; both the adult behemoths themselves and their offspring!"

"UNDERSTOOD, COMMANDER."

I look back at the corpses scattered around me.

If what I learned about Atlas's overwhelming military wasn't enough of a crisis, this is another bomb dropped directly on top of me.

"COMMANDER TAURUS," Pod speaks up again. "SUGGESTION: PRESERVE SPECIMENS FOR DETAILED BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND MATERIAL HARVESTING. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS HAS SHOWN PROMISING RESULTS REGARDING POTENTIAL MATERIAL APPLICATIONS."

Right. I forgot about that.

"Good thinking. I'll transport these bodies back to our research facility..." I pause, the absurdity of those words hitting me. "I mean, the forge at the manor. We don't actually have a dedicated research facility yet." I shake my head. "And Pod? Keep this information confidential for now, but create a summary of the most important points. I didn't think I would need to contact Ozma again so soon, but he needs to know about this immediately and mobilize his Huntsmen to investigate this matter across all kingdoms."

He should be recovered to full health by now.

"UNDERSTOOD."

I summon my solar surfer and begin carefully loading the intact corpses onto its surface, securing them for transport. The ones that were cut cleanly in half, I sent directly to my pocket dimension.

I could use Brutus to load them on his back but I think he would eat them instead.

However, I force myself to focus back on the immediate problem at hand.

Training.

I need a lot more training with this longsword if I'm going to use it effectively against behemoths in real combat situations.

Almost on cue with my thoughts, the White Invasion Orb materializes in my hand, its single unblinking eye looking up at me with that familiar eerie intelligence. Yes, this could be a way to cover the gap fast; the PvP invasions could provide exactly the kind of intensive, life-or-death combat situation I desperately need for my martial talent to go into overdrive. Real opponents with unpredictable tactics. I could fight exclusively using the longsword instead of relying on the anti-materiel rifle's advantage.

But I freeze mid-thought, frowning deeply as cold reality reasserts itself and cuts through my initial enthusiasm.

No.

If I die in that invasion; which is entirely possible, perhaps even probable given my complete unfamiliarity with this weapon style and the fact that my credit value has increased considerably, which makes the matchmaking system pair me against harder opponents. And I never can forget that if I die in those invasions, I would be gone for an entire week.

Seven days I cannot afford to waste sitting on the sidelines.

I can't take that risk right now. Not with everything happening simultaneously.

I lower my hand, dismissing the idea entirely and sending the orb back to my pocket space. The training would be invaluable, but the potential cost is simply too high given current circumstances.

But then another thought strikes me with sudden clarity, and I snap my fingers in realization.

Wilma had mentioned something during one of our previous conversations; something about some contractors playing Helldivers but in full immersion game mode. Which means the hub almost certainly has training facilities, or simulation chambers, or at the absolute minimum, access to knowledge downloading technology that could directly upload combat skills and techniques to my brain.

I have the heritage access for that capability after all. Before I asked for physical books before because they were cheaper, but perhaps that's a false economy when time is the limiting factor.

Also, I need to look for more options to speed up our kingdom's development and military capabilities even further, since we desperately need every advantage we can gain.

So I summon the green orb instead, its greedy eye looking at me. 

Okay, but first I must drop these bodies at the forge and lock the doors so Brutus doesn't eat them.

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AN: How convenient that Pragmata was released and this chapter being about paternal love. Also keeping it short this chapter to speed up the cycle, sorry if it felt short.