Cecil cupped her cheeks in her hands, exhaling heavily as she picked up the pace towards her bedroom. She wanted nothing more than to sink into the bed...and probably hit the pillow multiple times in embarrassment. 

“Cecil, wait up!” 

She stopped and spun around, seeing Hana rushing up to her. Hana clutched onto Cecil’s arm, tilting her head. 

“What is it, Hana?” 

“Today, can we sleep together?” 

“What?” Cecil chuckled. “Why do you want to sleep together all of a sudden? It’s been years since we did that.” 

Hana felt restless after viewing the first memory she had of K’xug, along with remembering her “curse”. Today, she wanted to treasure being by the side of her best friend, who had remained by her side longer than anyone else, other than her parents and Xue. 

“We can’t?” 

“Of course we can,” Cecil agreed easily, and she paused. “Oh, I forgot to ask...what memory did you see this time?” 

“I’ll tell you once we are going to sleep!” 

“Alright.” 

All of a sudden, Cecil heard a faint beeping noise. The system was notifying her of an incoming message. 

[ Warning! It is advised that you eavesdrop on the conversation in the living room. Depending on whether you manage to or not, it may or may not cause a change in the heroine “Hana Katae”. ]

Cecil froze as she read the message, and Hana tilted her head to one side. 

“Cecil? Why aren’t you moving?” 

“...Hana, I left something in the living room, do you want to come along with me?” Cecil suggested with a stiff expression.

“Sure!” Hana smiled. 

The two ladies decided to head back to the living room, and there was an uneasy look on Cecil’s face. 

“AI500, what do you mean by a change? What is going on?”

[ Since your position in the story has become somewhat essential, your decision and words will now affect the protagonist “Xue” and the heroine “Hana Katae”, along with the new protagonist “K’xug” greatly. ] 

[ The change, whether it is good or bad, will be entirely up to Hana. ]

“...I wish you had told me this earlier. I am still very much deprived of sleep.” 

[ … ]

[ Too bad~ ]

“...”

They eventually reached the door of the living room. However, instead of going in, Cecil decided to press her ear against the door. 

“Cecil? What are you doing?” 

Cecil swivelled her head towards Hana, putting her finger on her lips. “I am not sure if it is the appropriate timing to head in now, let me listen in for a few seconds.” 

“So...you want to eavesdrop?” Hana asked, exposing Cecil entirely. 

The raven-haired woman stilled. 

“...”

“Yes.” 

“Hehe, then I’ll join in too!” Hana smiled, pressing her ear against the door as well. 

***

After Xue demanded them to reveal themselves, Hana’s parents remained reluctant as they stared at one another. 

“We...really did know who you were from the start, but we are no longer part of--” 

“Doesn’t matter, show me your true form or I’ll force it out of you.” Xue threatened, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. “Unless, there is a reason you can’t do it? Are the two of you working for someone?” 

“No, Supreme God--”

Xue stood up instantly, summoning out his spear. “Don’t call me by that name! Never again!” 

K’xug rushed forward, placing his hand on Xue’s chest. 

“Let me kill them! They clearly have no intention to reveal their true appearance, and they knew who I was all along!” Xue hissed at K’xug, struggling to push himself forward. “The next time I turn around, who knows if they would just stab me in the back! I have been through that a million times, and I do not want to experience it another time!” 

Hana’s parents recoiled back in fear.  

Unfortunately, Xue was still considerably weaker compared to K’xug, since he wasn’t at his full strength. 

K’xug shook his head at Xue, putting his hand on his shoulder. 

Calm down, Xue. 

Xue pushed K’xug’s hand away from his shoulder. “They may not even be Hana’s real parents, she isn’t even a mortal! Who knows if their true purpose was to hurt Hana instead?” 

“I will never hurt my own daughter!” Hana’s mother exclaimed as she stood up. “Are you out of your mind?!” 

“Wait, Kezla, I know how you feel but we should watch our words.” Hana’s father placed his hand over his wife’s hand. 

K’xug shot his head towards the couple when he heard that name. 

Hana’s mother, Kezla, gasped in realisation before she bowed. “Pa-pardon my rudeness, Supreme God. I was simply too--” 

“Kezla? Is...is that your actual name?” Xue interrupted, wearing a look of confusion on his face, his hostility slowly dissipating. “That name…” 

Xue turned to look at K’xug, and K’xug nodded his head at him. 

K’xug approached the couple, waving his hand in front of their faces. The next moment, a magic seal hovered in front of their faces, and it was a magic seal both Xue and K’xug recognised. The seal was white in colour, along with its symbols, circular in shape. 

It was light magic of the highest tier. 

Xue and K’xug in their prime condition, as well as other seasoned fighters or experts in the heavenly realm were capable of creating or utilising light magic of this calibre. 

K’xug stood aside, observing Hana’s parents with an indifferent stare.

“Tatsui, dear, we should...undo the seals now.” 

K’xug and Xue recognised that name as well, observing the couple closely. 

Hana’s father, Tatsui, sighed in resignation. “Seems like there is no choice now, is there? Even though the master said there is no way of putting back the seal.” 

“Yes.” Kezla nodded at her husband. 

The couple faced Xue and K’xug, muttering a chant and the seal was eventually lifted. 

Outside the door, the two ladies eavesdropping on the conversation felt a sharp change in the air, especially Hana. 

Right before the eyes of the two men, a beautiful middle-aged woman and a good-looking middle-aged man sat on the couch. Their appearances were nothing like before, where they resembled average middle-aged parents, however, their luxurious clothing that they wore remained the same. 

Kezla’s red hair cascaded down her back, the red hair the same exact shade as her daughter. Her hazel eyes wore a hint of sadness and regret in them, and she sat in a polite manner, straightening her slim body. Her features were an exact replica of Hana Katae, only that her eyes were of a different colour. 

Tatsui had short black hair, and his blue eyes that resembled his daughter’s blue eyes were focused on his wife, comforting her. Hana obtained most of her features from her mother, only that her eyes were exactly like her father. Despite being middle-aged, he still had a robust build. 

In an instant, Xue and K’xug recognised the two of them. 

They were in actual fact, Hana’s parents, even in the heavenly realm. They had been her parents as well, even when she became a mortal after her angelic powers were sealed up. Even their names were the same. 

Xue widened his eyes in shock. 

K’xug scratched his head. 

“Supreme God, K’xug, we would like to show our utmost gratitude for taking care of Hana this entire time,” they both said at the same time, bowing. “Please accept this bow.” 

Xue exhaled sharply, his eyebrows furrowed. “Stop bowing, and I am no longer your ruler, stop calling me that.” 

“But--” 

“Explain everything, from the beginning.” Xue demanded, no longer feeling suspicious of them now. “The reason why I could not see your seals before was because I wasn’t strong enough, now I understand that.” 

Xue and K’xug knew Hana’s parents were not capable of making seals like that, since their light magic was not of the highest tier. 

Kezla and Tatsui looked at one another, and Tatsui gestured for his wife to speak instead.

K’xug settled down on the couch next to Xue, intrigued. 

“A long time ago, we seeked advice from the hermit that lived up in the heavenly mountains, the same hermit which was rumoured to be an accomplished angel of his time, a true master,” Kezla explained. “We decided to head up to the mountains again to seek another advice from him, when the war suddenly broke out.” 

The horrific memories of the war struck Xue, and the spot where he felt Mir’s sword plunging through him started to tingle, and he clicked his tongue. 

K’xug furrowed his eyebrows, since he wasn’t there when the war happened, he had no idea what had occurred. He only knew about the war, when he was tortured in the caves and Zeau started to taunt him about the tragedies that would befall the heavenly realm, as well as to his dearest friends, Xue and Hana. 

“The master immediately sealed up the entire heavenly mountains, no one could get in…and no one could get out either,” Kezla’s voice trembled slightly, growing upset. “We could not get out, no matter how much we begged the master, kneeling, crying, grovelling. We could not...we could not even run out to find our daughter!” 

The two men frowned as they listened to Kezla, who was growing more and more upset. 

“We don’t know how much time has passed, hours, months, days...years, and then one day...the master left,” Kezla scoffed, anger lacing her voice as her face twisted. “That old bastard did not even put down the barrier, he left us in the mountains! He probably did not even remember we were there!” 

Kezla buried her face in her hands, her entire body trembling. Tatsui, seeing that it was too painful for his wife to relieve those memories, decided to take over instead. 

“We had no other choice but to wait in his hut,” Tatsui heaved a sigh. “It was our only option, and then finally, he came back.” 

“You know what that old bastard said? He asked what we were still doing there! He told us to get out!” Kezla burst out, before she realised she was being too loud. “I apologise, let me just...take a breather. Tatsui, you should explain the rest to them.” 

Tatsui nodded, and Kezla stood up, heading to the balcony located at the end of the living room. Her shoulders were shaking, and she cupped her hand around her mouth. 

“Did that master of yours ever tell you the reason for sealing up the heavenly mountains?” Xue questioned. 

“No, never,” Tatsui shook his head, sighing. “Though he was kind and wise, he was also very eccentric. It was hard to read his mind.” 

“Did he throw you out?” 

“No, because the master did not come back alone, he had an important visitor,” Tatsui clasped his hands together. “The master instead used his magic to create an illusion, and masked our presence.” 

“He was in a rush.” 

“Yes, because the visitor appeared immediately after he concealed us in his hut.” 

“Who was it?” 

Tatsui inhaled deeply, unclasping his hands as he leaned in closer. "The demon lord, Veau along with our daughter, Hana."

"...?!"

"The worst thing was, Hana was clearly unconscious, trapped in a cage made of black magic by Veau."

***

《 start 》

Demon lord. 

Veau sighed, shaking his head. 

It’s weird to hear you call me that. I would prefer it if you called me by my name. 

The wise, old angel raised his head, remaining indifferent. 

I told you not to look for me anymore, Veau. It was only that one time I was willing to join hands with you, but not anymore. 

Veau pointed towards the cage that was hovering in the air beside him, an unconscious red-haired angel laying inside. 

It is a simple request this time, Valoel. Separate the body of this woman and throw her into the mortal realm. 

The wise, old angel, also known as Valoel finally turned to look at the angel trapped inside the cage.

Recognition flitted past his wrinkled eyes, and he furrowed his eyebrows. 

Hana Katae.

He threw a furtive glance at the corner of the room that was covered by a partition. 

Ah, you know her. Saves me the trouble of introduction. 

Do it yourself, Veau. You are more than capable of doing so. 

Veau placed the cage down on the floor, and he sat down on the wooden floor, cross-legged. 

Old geezer, believe me I would, if I did not just spend my entire elemental energy on sealing this woman’s angelic powers. 

That won’t drain your entire energy. 

I also spend most of my elemental energy by ripping apart the soul of the next Supreme God-in-line and throwing him down into the mortal realm.

Valoel unfurled his wings in shock. 

You rascal! What...what have you done? Wasn’t Xue your friend?! And the next Supreme God...

Veau smiled lazily.

I never thought I’ll hear you call me that way ever again.

And I just have to spend another fifty years gaining that energy back. Nothing so hard about it. 

Valoel pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. 

Stop this madness, Veau. 

Madness? This is madness? 

Veau scoffed. 

You know what happened, you saw it before your very eyes, and you call this little stunt of mine madness? 

They are both madness, either way. Stop trying to justify all of this, go back and fix the situation. 

Veau narrowed his eyes, standing up. 

You know exactly who I am doing this for. 

Valoel looked Veau straight in the eyes, his eyes exuding a sense of sadness. 

Of course I do, Veau. I know what both you and Zeau are doing this for. 

For your parents, your home, your people and...Eona. 

You know it so well, and yet you refuse to stand by my side? By...her side? 

Valoel glared at Veau. 

You rascal, don’t you dare try to manipulate my feelings. Just because I am fond of you, don’t think I won’t hurt you. 

Veau smirked lazily, patting his hand on the cage holding Hana captive. 

You’ll do it, Valoel. You may claim that you have distanced yourself from the affairs between the two realms, but deep down inside, your anger will never dissipate. 

Valoel shook his head, there was no talking through to Veau. 

Fine, I will do it. 

I knew it. 

I am doing it for you, Veau. 

What? 

Four hundred years, Veau. It has been four hundred years, do you plan to continue to hold onto it for the rest of your immortal life? 

Yes. 

Valoel sighed in resignation. 

You rascal. 

Veau gave the wise, old angel a simple wave of goodbye, preparing to set off. 

Do you still remember her words to you, Veau? 

The cobalt blue-haired man stilled, and he glanced at Valoel. 

Do you? 

Veau recalled a memory, a woman caressing his cheek with a teary smile as tears slid down her face.

Veau glanced away. 

I have never forgotten them, not even once. 

You...truly...are a rascal. 

Goodbye, Valoel. This is the last time. 

You will regret it, Veau.

Veau disappeared without another word.

Valoel exhaled heavily, staring at the spot that Veau previously stood at. 

This is the last time for me too. This is all I can allow myself to do, Eona.

Valoel looked at Hana trapped inside the cage.

After this, Veau, you have to figure out a way from this pitfall of regrets by yourself. 

At that moment, Valoel noticed something sliding down Hana’s face. 

It was tears. 

Valoel raised his eyebrow, moving closer to Hana. 

...please...remember…

Hana...Hana...please…

Valoel was surprised, though she was completely asleep and in a coma now, her thoughts were fervent enough to be heard. 

...it’s...a...prayer…

Don’t....don’t...forget…

To his surprise, her mouth opened slightly as it moved, the softest of whisper escaping her lips. 

I am sorry.

Valoel stared at the pitiful red-haired angel, losing the number of times he had sighed today. 

How many more innocent lives are going to be dragged into this? 

Tell me, Edmund. 

-- Path to the Supreme God

《 stop 》