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Authors note: A shout to @Fujiyuki_23 for boosting the Discord server. It definitely isn't needed since the Discord server is just a place for all of you to chat ^_^! Nevertheless, I would like to express my gratitude to that person. This chapter is dedicated to them!

Inside the mind of Xue, most of the soul fragments were in a frantic mess. Just as they were in awe and horror at how Veau and Zeau managed to overcome both K'xug and Xue, Veau had actually expelled Xue's consciousness out.

Just like how it hurt Xue in an excruciating manner, the soul fragments inside him experienced the same pain. 

They didn't have enough time to recover, when the ash-blonde haired man appeared out of nowhere and was tossed right onto them. 

"Woah!"

"What the--"

Shin and Alric did not manage to get away in time, acting as the cushion for Xue. 

They all crowded around Xue, glancing down at him. He was barely conscious and he reached his hand out, grabbing onto his nearest soul fragment. 

It was Kai. 

"Cecil...find..."

Xue collapsed right onto Shin and Alric. They were still, unfortunately, acting as his cushion. 

Shin pushed the bigger man off him, a frown creasing his forehead. 

Alric was in a panic, not knowing whether he should push Xue off, or whether he should allow himself to become the cushion for him. 

However, if he were to look at it rationally. He was technically using himself as a pillow. 

Leonaut was laughing languidly, dragging out the flustered Alric underneath Xue. 

"I thought you would faint again."

"I--I don't faint over something li-like that!" Alric answered helplessly.

Leonaut smirked. "Is that so?"

Shin stared at the unconscious Xue, rubbing at his arm. "Heavy."

"Leave it to us, Xue!" Kai grinned toothily, patting Xue on the back. "Especially when it concerns Cecil!"

Since the man was unconscious, there was no response from him. 

The only response Kai received was a yell and sounds of struggling behind him. At the far end of the lobby area, there was a strange, bright opening.

Isleif was struggling to reach for that opening and Zasiok was persistent in blocking his way. They were engaged in a full-on fight and Zasiok was getting the upper hand. 

"What is that?" 

"I-it looks like a-a...door?" 

Leonaut looked at Isleif and Zasiok still fighting. "Or a way out." 

"Because Xue is unconscious," Shin looked back at Xue on the ground. "No one is occupying the body right now." 

"Looks like even our young self is smart," Leonaut smirked, patting Shin on the head. "Smart boy." 

Shin grimaced, smacking Leonaut's hand away. "Do not pat my head." 

"Hey, stop standing there and hold this guy back!" Zasiok yelled at them from the end of the lobby area. "Whoever goes out of that opening will gain control over the body! And this guy here knows it!" 

Kai and Alric rushed over. 

Shin walked behind them with a frown. 

Leonaut followed behind as well, but there was a glint in his eyes. 

"You annoying stoic guy!" Isleif hissed out. "Let me go!" 

Zasiok delivered a punch to his abdomen, making Isleif groan. Zasiok pulled him up by the collar, dragging him along to the couch where Sid was sleeping. 

He tossed Sid onto Isleif, making the peach-haired man wake up drowsily. 

"Ugh!" 

"...?" 

"If you want to save your goddess and saviour," Zasiok pointed to Isleif under Sid, maintaining eye contact with Sid. "Continue lying on him." 

Sid grinned sleepily. "Sure! Anything for them!" 

Sid laid on top of Isleif and treated him like a mattress, slowly drifting off to sleep. Isleif laid there in defeat, his entire body throbbing in pain since he was beaten black and blue. 

"Hey, Zasiok!" Kai rushed over to his side, panting as he put a hand on Zasiok's shoulder. "How do you know about that opening?" 

"When Xue lost his consciousness absorbing this bastard," Zasiok gestured over to Isleif. "I saw that opening and went out of it, because I was the only one awake." 

The opening was starting to dim and they could all see it starting to grow smaller. 

"And that is what forced me to occupy the body as well." Zasiok added on. 

"One of us has to go out there, don't we?" Kai scratched at his jaw. "Or we'll all remain unconscious until who knows when?" 

Zasiok nodded. 

Isleif managed to throw Sid off, however, before he could do so...Alric threw himself over them. He had noticed Isleif planning to escape, and Alric did what he thought was the next best choice. 

"...?!"

"Argh!" 

Isleif groaned in pain again.

Sid accepted his fate of being squashed, going back to sleep once more. 

"I am not going out there." Shin spoke up, staying behind and he looked at Zasiok. "You go." 

"...me?" 

"That's simple," Leonaut chuckled, sprinting towards the opening. "I'll go." 

Zasiok and Kai rushed forward to stop him, one with a fist and the other with a kick. Leonaut dodged both attacks, stumbling back. 

"No way, Leonaut." 

"You won't do anything bad out there," Zasiok narrowed his eyes. "But you wouldn't do anything good either." 

Leonaut raised his eyebrows, putting his arms up in surrender. "Do you doubt me that much?" 

"Yes." 

"Yeah." 

The opening was gradually getting dimmer and dimmer, along with its size shrinking. 

"I won't do anything now," Leonaut cast a furtive glance at the opening. "Trust me, we have been getting along with one another for months now, right?" 

Zasiok and Kai let down their guards momentarily. 

Leonaut smiled in a smug manner, slipping past Kai. 

"Ah! Hey!" Kai exclaimed. "You deceived us again!" 

Fortunately, Zasiok was the only one that was prepared. He blocked Leonaut's way with ease and Leonaut sighed. 

"Why are you always so serious, Zasiok?" 

"Go Kai," Zasiok waved at him. "I'll hold this guy back." 

"Wh-why is it me?" 

"Who knows if you'll be tricked again if you are the one facing Leonaut," Zasiok answered. "I can't trust him with you." 

Leonaut chuckled arrogantly, shrugging. "It's too easy." 

Kai showed an offended look. 

The opening was growing smaller, and just a little bit more, Kai wouldn't be able to fit through it completely. 

"Go!" Zasiok urged. "Hurry!" 

All of a sudden, Shin appeared behind Kai. The thirteen year old boy pushed him hard on the back, making the yellow-haired man fall forward with a panicked yelp. 

"Find Cecil," Shin said, a sense of urgency in his voice. "For all of us." 

"You little kid--!"

Kai disappeared through the opening. 

"We'll still be in here anyway to talk to him," Leonaut rolled his eyes. "Why did he have to be so dramatic like that?" 

Zasiok punched Leonaut on the nose, making the man cry out in pain and stagger back, clutching his nose. 

"What's your problem?!" Leonaut barked out. 

"It's just a little punch," Zasiok shrugged. "Why do you have to be so dramatic like that?" 

"..."

Leonaut couldn't believe that Zasiok would shamelessly throw those words back like that. 
 

***

K'xug was crouched down beside the unconscious Xue and Hana, both of them laying down on each side of him. He was glaring up at the two demon brothers, whereas, the two brothers were focused on the group of people behind K'xug. 

They were aiming arrows of light magic at the two of them, but the two demons were unfazed at the precarious situation. 

"To think angels would stoop this low to gather help from mortals..." Veau chuckled, looking down at the gloves the archers were wearing. "Hmmm? It seems like they are receiving help from one of our kind too--" 

Veau halted abruptly, knitting his eyebrows together. 

K'xug observed him curiously. 

Veau shifted his head, his hand on his chest. It was obvious something inexplicable was happening within him. 

"Veau?" Zeau finally noticed his brother's strange behaviour. 

The next second, Veau coughed out blood and his pink, plump lips were stained with blood. 

"Veau! You--!" Zeau was overcome with anxiety and concern, raising his head up and glaring at the humans. "Did any one of these bastards sneak an attack on you? They don't seem to have an angel among them..." 

K'xug stood up, sensing a dangerous bloodlust coming from Zeau. He summoned out his swords, standing before everyone. 

Zeau marched forward, dropping his genial smile and there was an infuriated expression on his face. "I'll kill them all--" 

"No." 

Veau grabbed onto his brother's arm, wiping at his lips.

"It seems like, I will not be able to amplify the seal on Xue any longer," Veau stared at the blood on his hand, smiling to himself. "It seems like he has recovered faster than I expected, but he himself hasn't realised it." 

"That quick?!" 

"Apparently so."

Zeau glared back at the group of people. "We can get rid of these mortals first." 

"With these much mortals disappearing in an instant, the heavens would notice it," Veau shook his head. "Their judgement will injure you seriously." 

"I can deal with the backlash from them!" Zeau hissed out. 

K'xug smiled to himself. 

That's right, how can I forget? 

Heaven's Judgment. 

A rule that both demons and angels had to obey, it is how a Supreme God is selected among the angels as well. 

If the judgment is upon them, they can neither speak nor move. The only thing they could do is accept their fate that Heaven's Judgement has in plan for them. 

Zeau seemed to be insisting on going against the rules, wanting to kill the mortals here. Veau was still trying to convince him out of it. 

K'xug did not let his guard down, but he was feeling immensely relieved. It seemed like the two brothers wouldn't be able to recklessly attack right now. 

K'xug glanced back, meeting his eyes with the person that spoke of the "owner" earlier. 

He was dressed differently compared to the others, whose clothes were revealing. The person seemed to have a hint of professionalism around him, a close assistant of the "owner" he had mentioned. 

K'xug guessed he was the leader among them, and gestured at him with his hand in a forward motion. 

The assistant nodded. 

"Prepare for anything," he commanded. "The owner isn't here, we'll have to protect this town for him." 

All of a sudden, trails of black mist made its way swiftly towards Veau and Zeau. The black mist took shape into several figures, down on one knee and their heads bowing. 

"Lord Zeau, Lord Veau," they greeted reverently, their words succinct. "All the angels within the vicinity have been eliminated." 

"Since we are done here, there is no point in staying here any longer." Veau smiled lazily, glancing at Zeau. 

Zeau did not seem too happy, casting a glance back at K'xug and the party. 

"Let's go, brother." 

Veau stated simply, waving his hand and he conjured a portal. The subordinates followed obediently, disappearing through the portal made of dark magic. 

"Make sure my brother comes along with us," Veau commanded two of his subordinates, his tone authoritative. "Right now." 

The two subordinates appeared beside Zeau, grabbing his arms. 

"Lord Zeau, pardon our rudeness." 

"What--you--let me go!" 

"Sometimes, I wonder if I am the older brother here." Veau sighed. 

The two disappeared through the portal soon enough. 

Finally, K'xug and the group of people behind him could let their guards down. The assistant hastily approached K'xug, bowing and addressing K'xug politely. 

"The owner has informed us of his esteemed guests arriving," he glanced at the two unconscious people. "We have spare rooms, and rooms that are away from the...chaos within the place. Would you like to bring your friends to rest there?" 

K'xug nodded. 

The assistant was rather surprised by how K'xug carried two people over his shoulders with ease. 

K'xug motioned for the assistant to lead the way. 

"Ah, follow me." 

He walked a few steps before he paused, looking up at the sky. 

In the distance, he could see the movement of a water current in the air. K'xug immediately knew this could only be explained by a user of water element, and was extremely proficient in it. 

All of a sudden, he remembered a member of his group missing. 

Cecil Lan. 

She is still nowhere to be found. 

The two of them are still not back either. 

K'xug frowned, glancing at Xue and Hana. 

These two need to rest in a safe place first. 

Cecil...can handle herself just fine. 

K'xug recalled the training sessions they always had, and he nodded. She was a competent fighter, and she was a better fighter compared to most mortals. Unless it was someone skilled in ways of combat, he believed Cecil would be fine. 

"Sir?" 

K'xug snapped out from his daze. 

"Please, follow me. Our...brothel, can be rather confusing to new visitors." 

K'xug nodded, following behind the capable assistant of the "owner". Whether it was a brothel or hotel, K'xug could not be bothered. 

"You may call me Masaru." 

K'xug nodded once again. 

Masaru, the capable assistant, smiled politely in return. 

The only priority right now was to ensure the safety of his two friends here with him, in their respective rooms. After which, he would set off and find the others, along with Cecil. 

***

The guard led Cecil through a few alleyways and out into the streets, before she found herself back in an alleyway again. The guard had an average mein that did not stand out, and Cecil did not notice anything else suspicious about this guard. 

The soreness throughout her body was starting to bother her, especially the throbbing pain on her shoulder. It did not seem to be getting better as time passed by. She needed to give herself a thorough check-up. 

"It's down this way," the guard stopped in his steps, gesturing to Cecil. "And to the right, you'll see a door." 

It was an alleyway that was completely deserted with no one present. No matter how Cecil looked at it, this was like...a trap. 

The only thing she could see in the alleyway were the backdoors leading to the stalls in the street. However, it wasn't like she could burst through any of them to hide in. 

She glanced back at the guard, clutching at her shoulder. "Are you sure this is the place?" 

"Of course," the guard bowed. "I am only following the owner's orders." 

"No, that's fine," she took a step back, shaking her head. "I'll go back and find your owner, and confirm it with him." 

The guard blocked her way. 

"...the owner is engaged in a fierce battle with someone, I would not recommend you to interfere with it, miss." 

Cecil raised her eyebrows. 

It was clear this guard was inferring that she would be a complete burden and damsel-in-distress. 

"Even if I am injured," she spoke coldly, her expression haughty. "I am more than capable of protecting myself." 

She slipped by the guard, preparing to find her way back to Rugi. She would rather stay in the battle where she recognised people, rather than following someone that she did not recognise. 

She winced in pain. 

It doesn't help that this shoulder of mine really...hurts. 

Just then, she felt something right behind her. Her instinct in her was shouting at her to dodge, and Cecil listened to it without any hesitation. 

The guard held a cloth in his hands and he clicked his tongue at the missed opportunity. 

In an instant, Cecil knew. 

"You are not one of Rugi's men." 

"No, I'm not," the guard narrowed his eyes. "But the person I am working for is far worse, and I have no other choice." 

"..." 

"Sorry, miss." 

The perpetrator wanted to tackle Cecil to the ground. Cecil dodged him once again, almost crying out when she moved her shoulder the wrong way.

"You...you must be a mercenary hired by Ephert." 

"...correct."

"Why are you targeting me?" 

"It's not only you." 

During the conversation, the two of them played a game of chasing and dodging. 

The man seemed to have noticed her subtle movements to reduce the strain on her injured shoulder. Thus, he started moving in such a manner that caused her to put more strain on it instead. 

Eventually, Cecil found herself trapped against the wall and she lifted her leg up, kicking the man away. He had run out patience, taking out his sword and charging at her.

That was when Cecil also noticed something of her own. 

This man...he doesn't seem to utilise elements. He took out his sword just like a normal person, it doesn't seem sole bound. 

He is also solely depending on his physical capabilities. 

He must be taking advantage of the fact that I am seriously injured. 

This realisation made her rather unhappy. 

She did not want to become a burden to the group like that. 

She took her hand off her shoulder, irked. She waved her hand, a rock flying out from within her clothes and flying towards the man. 

He was caught off guard, smacking the rock away. In that split second, Cecil summoned out her vines, pulling the sword away from the man caused by him being distracted by her rock. Without any weapon, he lunged for her. 

Cecil crouched down, bearing through the excruciating pain on her shoulder by grinding her teeth. She managed to trip the man, sending him falling on the ground. However, before he met the ground, Cecil pulled him back up with her vines. 

She ran towards the wall, bouncing off it and landing a harsh kick on the man's face. He flew back, collapsing down on the ground with a pained groan. The man lost consciousness, and Cecil frowned down at him.

"Aren't you looking down on me a little too much?"

A piercing pain was felt throughout her whole shoulder again, making her cry out slightly in pain. 

Why is it so painful? 

[ It is because it isn't a normal injury. ] 

The system suddenly spoke to her out of the blue, and Cecil sighed. 

"So now you are finally speaking?" 

"And what do you mean it isn't a normal injury?"

[ Your shoulder has been afflicted by dark magic. ]

"..."

"What?" 

At that moment, Cecil recalled the scene where she tackled Hana to the ground, and the attack from the female demon struck her through the stone pillar that Kiyae tried to use as a shield. 

The attack was completely coated in dark magic. 

Cecil placed her hand on her forehead. 

[ Something like this can only be neutralized with light magic. Or someone who uses dark magic as well. ]

[ If it isn't cured in time, the repercussions can be extremely fatal. ]

Cecil knew who she should go to for help. 

The problem was, she had no idea where she was or how to even find them. 

[ Good luck, Cecil Lan. ]

"Didn't you say earlier it was not time for me to die yet?! And that I still need to be alive?!" 

[ ... ]

[ Well, this and that are two different things~

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