Demonic Po*nstar System Chapter 783: Unexpected Newcomer

Kaiden reached out with his Dungeon-Master bond, seeking confirmation, and the signature felt warm and familiar. The dungeon only recognized that signal for those he had personally claimed. It was a blonde, quietly capable household figure who absolutely had no reason to be anywhere near this dangerous location at this moment.

’No...’

...

The Skyfiends transported them across the vast cavern in under a minute. These evolved forms were a stark contrast to the dog-sized hunters previously used for traversing such distances; they were broad-winged and horse-backed, with ridges along their spines perfectly designed to seat a rider comfortably. The instant the Skyfiend's talons touched the stone of the Safe Zone, Kaiden slid down from its shoulder.

Alexandra was ascending the incline toward the pathway leading to the Abyssal Cavern, her progress fueled by sheer determination and leg strength alone.

Two canvas duffel bags were slung across her shoulders, the straps biting into the fabric of her simple maid uniform. A third bag was held tightly under her right arm, while a fourth was hooked over her left elbow. A woven basket, covered with a cloth, was carefully balanced against her hip. Two more bags, recently set down at her feet for a brief rest, hinted at their contents through their bulges, suggesting pots, ladles, and actual cooking utensils.

Her usually neat hair had begun to come undone, and her cheeks were flushed from the physical exertion.

"Alex!"

Breaking away from the group before anyone else could fully process the scene, Alice’s dark, halo-like form dissolved into her usual shape as her boots met the ground.

"Let me help you!"

"Alice..." Alexandra let out a breath, relief flooding her features. "Thank you."

Alice was already pulling one of the duffel bags from Alexandra’s shoulder. Kaiden covered the remaining distance with a steady walk, effortlessly lifting the basket from her hip and the bag from under her arm in a single fluid motion. He then took the straps of a third bag she hadn’t even managed to set down.

A long, audible sigh escaped Alexandra. Her shoulders visibly dropped by half an inch. She placed a hand on her lower back, offering both of them a small, somewhat embarrassed smile.

"Thank you both."

"Alex, why are you here?"

Alexandra looked up at him, her eyes questioning.

Then, with manifest bewilderment:

"Why... am I here?"

Her brow furrowed slightly.

"This is my home too... Kai, you told me that yourself. You said I was part of the household."

Her blue eyes widened in alarm.

"...Have you changed your mind about that?"

Tears welled up in the next instant, her expression shifting to one of raw panic.

"...Am I a burden?"

Kaiden’s silence stretched for half a second.

"No, absolutely not... But this place is about to face an attack from a monster the world has never witnessed before. Within a few hours, this will undoubtedly be the most perilous location on the entire continent. That’s precisely why I’m asking."

Alexandra gazed up at him.

The tears still glistened in her eyes, yet a quiet resolve settled within them.

"I am aware of all that, naturally. I may not possess genius-level intellect, but even I comprehend the gravity of the situation."

She spoke the words softly at first, then repeated them with increased firmness.

"That is why I am here. My friends are preparing to fight for their lives and their liberty. They will require every ounce of support they can possibly receive. Who can possibly know how long this conflict will endure? A single day, perhaps a week, or potentially months on end..."

She straightened her posture, placing both hands firmly on her hips. The unmistakable aura of a resolute caregiver, one who does not entertain negotiation, radiated from her entire being.

"Who will be preparing your meals?"

Kaiden blinked in surprise.

"Who will be handling your laundry? Who will ensure you all return to a home rather than a tomb filled with dust and bloodshed?" Her chin lifted, genuine offense coloring her tone at the very suggestion. "The abyssal creatures?"

Alice's grip on the duffel bag suddenly became rigid.

"No," Alexandra answered her own rhetorical question, a quiet pride evident in her voice, possessive and firm. "That responsibility falls to me."

Kaiden stared at her, taken aback.

"Alex, this is an extraordinary circumstance. We can manage without hot meals for a while."

Alice stood straighter beside them, a flicker of defiance crossing her eyes.

"Yeah! You taught me how to cook. I can do it! I’ve actually become quite skilled!"

Alexandra’s head turned sharply towards Alice, her expression shifting to one of utmost seriousness.

"No. That is absolutely out of the question."

"But-"

"You will also be engaging in combat, Alice. You will be just as exhausted as everyone else, perhaps even more so." Alexandra’s hand moved to gently smooth a stray strand of hair behind Alice’s ear with an unconsciously fond gesture. "If there's one thing I know about you, it’s that you will always go above and beyond to protect those you hold dear."

Alice’s mouth had fallen open.

It remained open for a moment.

Then it closed.

Her pout manifested a second later, full and unmistakable.

"...Hmph."

Aria, who had been observing the entire exchange with a steady gaze, finally interjected when Alice’s ‘hmph’ settled into the ensuing silence.

"Kai."

Her voice was soft, but carried an undercurrent of affectionate correction.

"Alexandra is a grown woman, fully capable of making her own life choices. You understood and accepted my decision to risk my life for our common goals. You accepted Luna’s, Calypso’s, Bastet’s, and Nyx’s choices. So why must Alexa be treated any differently?"

"Especially," Bastet chimed in, her voice a soft purr as she joined the discussion, her tail executing a slow, graceful sweep across the stone floor, "because she is far more than simply 'a grown woman.'"

Her chin tilted upward with an air of regal dignity.

"She is the sole maid of Valhalla’s Sinners. The one and only. She single-handedly manages the needs of this rather large and exceptionally peculiar household. If anyone recalls, this includes five women with formidable combat appetites and, I must grudgingly confess, demanding requirements. Not to mention an S-tier teenage girl, who is arguably even more challenging to manage, and one man who..."

Her lips quivered slightly as she searched for the appropriate words, her eyes narrowing and her tail swishing in agitation, "Well, he doesn't require much attention. But that does not negate the fact that without our incredible maid's skills and dedication, we would undoubtedly need three full-time attendants to accomplish what she achieves alone on a daily basis."

"And her contributions extend beyond mere domestic duties!" Alice interjected, her voice bright. "She isn't just a servant; she's our friend. Her presence genuinely brings me joy!"

Alexandra's cheeks flushed a lovely pink as she listened to her friends' heartfelt affirmations, nodding in complete agreement.

"...That is precisely correct."

Kaiden regarded her with a dry expression before pinching the bridge of his nose.

His gaze shifted to Alice.

Alice, who had transformed from a state of concern to one of eager hope in a mere three seconds. Her hands clutched the duffel strap with white knuckles, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"Big brother, I implore you, let her stay!"

"Alice-"

"We'll vanquish every monster that dares enter the dungeon and ensure her complete safety at all times!"

Kaiden gazed down at his little sister's earnest face.

Then, his eyes moved to Alexandra.

The maid who, over the past few months, had subtly but surely secured a place within his heart, much like she had in the hearts of all the women surrounding him. Further evidence of this was Aria – the Yandere Princess herself, who, at this moment, was advocating for the idea of a charming blonde maid sharing their home during a siege, rather than instinctively driving her away from the entrance.

Standing alongside Alice, Alexandra looked up at him, her large, pleading eyes resembling those of an adorable puppy. The lower part of her lip was gently caught between her teeth, and a distinct flush still colored her cheeks.

It was a truly disarming expression.

Kaiden let out a long sigh.

"...Very well."

Alexandra's face lit up with the most radiant grin Kaiden had witnessed from her in many months.

"Yes!" Alice shrieked, releasing her duffel onto the stone floor and surging forward to embrace Alexandra, nearly sending the maid stumbling. Alexandra caught her, laughing into her hair, and they held each other tightly for a prolonged moment. Alice's arms were wrapped securely around Alexandra's waist, while Alexandra's cheek rested against the crown of Alice's head.

"It would have been incredibly awkward if I had to endure this entire ordeal by myself!" Alice declared into Alexandra's shoulder. "My silly big brother goes off to bed with all his women every night, and I would have been left to spend the entire evening with Scarlet and Mom. The sheer horror! Now, at least I get to hang out with Alex instead!"