The joyous atmosphere of the banquet has died down, it grew tense, especially the animosity surrounding Xue, K'xug and Veau. 

Xue moved the spear an inch closer to Veau, who continued smiling lazily. 

The two drunkards sleeping beside one another on the floor blinked awake, with Ryo yawning loudly and Kiyae rubbing at her eyes sleepily. Yun stood beside them, adjusting his glasses as he kept silent. 

Even the ruckus woke Hana up.

Kiyae tugged at the ends of Yun's yukata, squinting her eyes. 

"Are they...the type to fight when drunk?" Kiyae asked, looking at Ryo stretching beside her. "Use Ryo then." 

"Huh what? Use me?"

Kiyae nodded. "As a rag doll."

"A rag doll…" Ryo trailed off, nodding sleepily. "Hmm...hmmm hmm."

Yun furrowed his eyebrows. 

"Wait what?" Ryo widened his eyes, swivelling his head to Kiyae once again. 

"I'm afraid, it isn't just a simple drunkard brawl," Yun mused, glancing around. "If things take a turn for the worse, the entire inn wouldn't be able to withstand the fight…"

Shin looked between Veau and Xue, realising his words brought about a negative impact. However, looking at the scene of Xue treating Veau with hostility felt all too familiar. 

It was as if it was meant to be this way. 

Something in his mind was telling him that Veau was his enemy. 

...and always an enemy. 

"Ah, so you are suspecting me." Veau finally answered, the smile remaining on his face. "And back to greeting me with your spear."

"It's hard not to…" Cecil muttered out helplessly.

"Seems like we are agreeing on many things today, Cecil Lan," Veau disregarded the spear still at his neck, looking at Cecil. "Zeau is my dearest brother, yes, how could not suspect--"

"Stop taking it so lightly!" Xue growled, anger evident in his voice. 

Hana started to panic. 

"Are you...planning to fight here?" Hana asked, growing flustered. 

Everything here would just crash and burn! 

Along with the food we cooked with so much effort!

Haru knew a fight would break out anytime soon, and the owner here would not appreciate it if his entire inn was destroyed. Moreover, having such a tense atmosphere for a joyous occasion was something he didn't like. 

"Come on guys, we are celebrating here! There's no need to get into such a petty fight--"

K'xug placed his hand over Haru's mouth, glaring menacingly at Haru. Haru simply blinked, raising his arms in the air. 

"Answer me seriously, Veau! Why...why are you here?"

Veau dropped his smile.

"I have no idea what my brother is thinking," he finally answered Xue. "In fact, I see more of you than him, Xue."

"..."

"You should be touched."

Xue gritted his teeth, attacking Veau despite knowing he wasn't anywhere near his full strength now. 

Veau sighed, stopping Xue's spear with his claws made of dark magic. 

Haru and the others were in awe and horror at Veau's ability. 

"How do I know if you are telling the truth?" 

"That's not my problem to solve." Veau shrugged. 

Veau flipped his robes and turned around. He smiled lazily once more, waving. 

"Since I am clearly no longer welcome here, I'll be leaving."

With those worse, he conjured up his own portal and disappeared. 

Haru and the others were shocked once more, looking back and forth between Xue and the spot Veau disappeared from. 

"No mortal can do that." Yun stated.

"He...he wasn't kidding when he said he was the devil or something," Haru gulped nervously. "Who the hell is he?"

"Didn't you say he proclaimed himself as the devil?" Kiyae questioned. 

Haru scratched his head. "He did, but still...who even goes around saying that?"

"The devil." Ryo responded bluntly. 

Haru kicked Ryo, cursing to himself. "Damnit, that's not what I'm asking!" 

"That's exactly what you are trying to ask, captain," Ryo grumbled, rubbing at his back. "Why kick me when I answered correctly?"

"Argh, you goddamn sleepy drunkard, shut up!"

"Ryo is right," Yun adjusted his glasses. "You are wrong, captain."

"Wha--"

Kiyae laughed heartily.

Shin looked at the drawing on his paper, staring intently at Xue and Veau. 

The more I look at them, the more I feel like I know them... 

I know them too much. 

Xue put his spear away, closing his eyes in frustration. 

Cecil stepped forward, hesitantly placing her hand on Xue's shoulder. "Xue...are you...okay?" 

Xue looked at Cecil, noticing her concerned look. His expression softened, and he felt somewhat comforted. 

"I'll be fine," Xue gently pushed her hand away from his shoulder. "After taking a walk outside by myself."

Xue walked away, and Cecil opened her mouth, stretching her arm. 

"Ah, Xue…" she trailed off, frowning to herself. 

I...don't know the right words to say. 

I don't even know what to say. 

Someone tapped Cecil on the shoulder, and she looked behind. 

It was K'xug gesturing to her. 

I'll go. 

You should stay.

She could interpret his words clearly, and she nodded. 

"When it comes to Veau," Cecil smiled sadly. "You understand them the best, K'xug." 

K'xug gave Cecil a reassuring nod, following behind Xue who left the inn. 

Hana stood beside Cecil, laying her head on Cecil's shoulder with a dispirited look. 

"Don't be so sad, Cecil."

Cecil watched the two men leave the inn, sighing heavily. 

"You know, Hana…"

"Hmm?"

"Now, more than ever, I…" Cecil bit on her lower lip. "I want Xue to be happy, not because I want to, but I..."

Hana looked at Cecil, smiling softly and she hugged her friend. 

Cecil hugged her back. 

I...don't like seeing him sad. 

Is there really no way? For Xue to return back to the days where he smiled freely? 

I'm sure, even for K'xug….

Is there no way for all of them to return to their old, happy self? 

Cecil squeezed her arms around Hana tighter. 

Even Hana too...

Meanwhile, Shin stared at the door that Xue and K'xug exited through, before looking over to Cecil. 

"Why...do they all feel so familiar to me? More than anyone else?"

***

A man with long, purple-black hair was rooted to the spot, he watched as someone walked away from him. Their slightly wavy, sea-green hair glimmered under the warm interior lighting, reaching down to their neck. 

The man with long, purple-black hair dropped his amiable smile. He glanced down to the marble infused with dark magic in his hands, narrowing his eyes at it. 

Seems like not all of them are easy to manipulate. 

Their minds are of their own. 

Zeau noticed someone approaching him, and he hurriedly hid the marble with a wave of his hand.

"Excuse me, sir," a man dressed in a service staff uniform interrupted. "The owner has requested us to escort you out." 

"No need," Zeau harrumphed. "I'll do it myself." 

Zeau stood up from his wooden chair, flipping his robes. The two teacups on the table were still filled to the brim, neither party touching the tea even once.

"Ah…" the staff member opened his mouth, before he sighed and bowed. "Have a safe journey, sir."

Zeau walked away, not turning back even once. 

The staff member lifted his head up, sighing as he looked at the abandoned tea on the table. 

It must have been an unpleasant conversation, since the owner likes drinking tea. 

He reached his hand out, when someone sat down on the table. The staff member caught a glimpse of sea-green hair, immediately bowing. 

"Owner, you...came back?"

The owner stretched his hand out, sipping at his tea and leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. 

"The man is dangerous," the owner stated nonchalantly, his voice clear and mellow. "If he ever comes back and asks for me, warn me." 

"Understood, and owner…"

"Hmm? You have questions?" The owner smiled lightly, nudging his head at the seat opposite him. "Seat and enjoy the tea first, don't let it go to waste."

The staff member obediently followed his orders, sitting down and drinking the tea. 

"Now, go on," the owner lowered his voice, his sensual lips curving more, a mole on the corner of his mouth. "Ask me."

The staff member felt a drop of sweat roll down his face. 

Owner, can you please refrain from speaking in such a suggestive tone?

The staff member maintained his polite smile. "How do you know that man is dangerous? He seems so…"

"Beautiful?" 

He nodded at the owner. 

The owner chuckled breathily, spinning the tea in his cup. "Beautiful things can be deadly."

"...that I can agree on, owner."

"Oh?"

"The number of men and women fighting over you never seems to decrease…" the staff member admitted reluctantly. "The brawls here are mostly people fighting for your attention."

The owner leaned back and crossed his legs. The yukata he wore was loose, sliding down slightly and exposing a tiny bit of his bare chest and shoulder.

He placed his arm on the armrest, sighing. "My rejection seems to fuel their persistence." 

The staff member felt another drop of sweat rolling down his face again. 

Owner, can you please wear your clothing more properly?

The staff member glanced around, noticing the obvious swooning from both men and women in the area. 

"Here we go again…"

Meanwhile, Zeau left the place. The moment he stepped out of the door, he was greeted by a cobalt blue-haired man standing at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes closed as he smiled lazily, his robes swaying to the wind. 

Despite standing there quietly, Veau was garnering the attention of many customers entering and leaving the place. 

Zeau descended the stairs, his arms across his chest as he frowned. 

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to pay a visit to my brother," Veau slowly lifted his eyes open. "Is that not allowed?"

Zeau showed a small smile.

Veau turned to look at the place Zeau exited from, his smile growing wider. 

"Still, to think you would visit a brothel in the mortal realm," Veau mused, mildly amused. "I would have never expected that."

Zeau widened his eyes at Veau, blinking rapidly. 

"You…" Zeau trailed off, narrowing his eyes. "You think that's what I'm here for?" 

"That's what...everyone is here for," Veau raised his eyebrows, before he smiled again. "Ah, or maybe your tastes are more inclined to--"

"I'm here for his soul fragment."

"..."

"And you are still planning on continuing it?" 

Zeau did not say a word in response, but Veau knew the answer. 

"Brother, you cannot just simply give those soul absorption marble as you wish."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Zeau questioned in a dubious tone. 

"You clearly know creating those marbles involves your lifeforce," Veau warned, dropping his smile, his tone solemn. "Imbuing them with your own dark magic takes a greater toll on you, because it isn't meant to be created in such a manner."

"That doesn't matter."

"You shouldn't freely give them the blood of a demon either," Veau added, his hand on Zeau's shoulder. "It will backfire on you."

Zeau shoved his brother's hand away, glaring at him. 

"Are you saying this because you are my half-brother? Or because you are still attached to that pathetic Supreme God that was cast down from the heavens by us?"

Veau scoffed. 

"Do you think I would throw my only brother aside?" Veau questioned incredulously. "Our entire family...only the two of us remains. You think I would cast you aside for--"

"Then, don't you dare stop and interfere with me." 

Veau sighed in frustration. 

"What makes you think I am? Am I not allowed to be concerned for you?"

"..."

Zeau remained silent, turning around and stood still in his spot. 

"What they have suffered isn't close enough to ours." 

Now, it was Veau's turn to remain silent 

"...unfortunately, that young soul fragment of his informed them. They'll understand your plans soon enough, Zeau."

"Now you should understand why I wanted you to keep your eye on them."

"..."

"...I'll see you soon, brother."

Zeau disappeared into the crowd. 

Veau watched Zeau leave, before sighing and disappearing into the crowd as well. 

***

Ever since the joyous mood had dissipated, the banquet continued on an awkward note. The drunkards went back to sleeping, and Hana decided to train with her ice arrows with a bow that Haru loaned to her. 

Cecil glanced around, furrowing her eyebrows as the star of the banquet was nowhere to be found. 

"Where is Shin?" Cecil muttered to herself. 

Out of nowhere, Yun appeared by her side and adjusted his glasses. 

Cecil gasped. 

"He headed up to the balcony for some fresh air."

"Oh, the balcony," Cecil pointed to the spiral stairs. "Up there?"

"The door is all the way to the right." Yun nodded. 

"Thank you," Cecil said, before smiling softly. "Somehow, all of you aren't what I imagined to be."

"What did you imagine us to be?"

"To behave more like ruffians." 

"I would say the same for your group," Yun crossed his arms over his chest, smiling back at Cecil. "I expected arrogance and snide remarks from the daughters of rich merchants. Especially the daughter of the Lan family."

Cecil widened her eyes. 

"You knew?"

"I simply observed and listened." Yun shrugged. 

Cecil blinked rapidly. 

How many ears does this "pirate" crew have?

Or did he deduce this simply from listening and observing us?

So that's the reason why they always referred to Yun as their strategist. 

"Shouldn't you hurry and talk to Shin?" Yun suggested. "He seemed to be looking your way the entire banquet."

Cecil furrowed her eyebrows. 

"Does he have something to say to me?"

Yun shrugged. 

Cecil ascended the stairs, heading towards the balcony. 

***

Shin was staring at his paintbrush that he had kept hidden within his clothes, leaning against the fence of the balcony. A shadow covered his view partially, and he turned to look, seeing Cecil standing behind him. 

"Shin," Cecil waved and smiled at him. "How are you feeling? Are you still in a lot of pain?"

Shin blinked before shaking his head, looking up at Cecil. 

"Medicine is effective."

"You should focus on recovering completely," Cecil advised. "Refrain from any strenuous activities."

Shin found himself smiling slightly.

"Okay."

"What are you holding in your hands?"

"My...paintbrush," Shin lowered his eyes, presenting it to Cecil. "It's...my birthday present, from my parents."

Cecil observed the paintbrush closely, noticing the small scratches on it. It has clearly been through a few years of use. 

"I see, you draw really well," Cecil smiled. "And you must have used this paintbrush the entire time."

Shin held the paintbrush gently in his palm, his expression softening as he nodded. There was a fond look in his eyes, as if he was reminiscing. 

Cecil remained quiet for a moment, gazing gently at Shin before she crouched down to his eye level. 

"Hey, Shin, you should really go back to the orphanage with Haru and the others."

Shin shot his head up, furrowing his eyebrows as he shook his head adamantly. 

"I want to find my parents."

"We'll find them," Cecil placed her hand on his head. "You have done enough."

"Not enough," Shin grabbed onto Cecil's hand on his head before she had the chance to withdraw. "I want to continue."

Cecil sighed softly. 

Of course he would. 

There is no way I'm letting him go back to his abusive caretaker. 

We'll just bring him along. 

Cecil nodded at him, smiling helplessly. "You should come along with us, we'll find them together."

Shin brightened up significantly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Though he did not smile, anyone could see how happy he was.

Cecil felt her heart squeezing at that sight, and she clasped her hand over his. 

"You should go back in and--"

There was a quick movement that she spotted from the corner of her eyes, and Cecil straightened herself. Her sentence was halted abruptly as she narrowed her eyes in that direction. 

Since it was already late into the night, and with the dim lighting, it was hard to spot any humanoid figures. There was the sound of laughter coming from inside the inn, but the atmosphere here out here became eerie. 

"...Cecil?"

"Shin, let's head inside," Cecil lowered her voice, nudging Shin to the door. "Hurry."

"...okay."

There was a sense of trepidation welling up within Cecil, and she did not welcome it at all. 

It was then Cecil heard a soft rustling in the distance, and she gasped, turning. 

"Who's there?"

"..."

"Show yourself--"

It happened so quickly, Cecil saw an object glinting as it flew towards her. She made a move to dodge it, only to realise Shin who was still beside her. 

Despite Shin being almost a head shorter than her, it would still hit him. 

In the end, Cecil hugged Shin closed to her, feeling a prickly sensation on her neck. She grunted, reaching for it and pulling the object from her neck. 

It was a dart. 

Shin realised something was wrong, and he became fretful. 

"Cecil? Are you okay?"

She did not hesitate. 

"Shin! Run back in! Hurry!"

"You are not going anywhere," a low voice interrupted. "We finally found you, the missing prize." 

A figure clad in black dropped from the roof of the inn onto the balcony, his movements completely silent. He blocked the doorway, summoning out his weapon which was a sword. 

"You are coming back with us."

***

《 start 》

Letting myself be swept up in Veau's pace. 

Yet again. 

Am I a fool?

Once again, I am asking to be stabbed in the back. 

To be betrayed. 

Something...I never want to experience again. 

《 stop 》