Author's Note: Picture of Shin will be posted in my Ko-fi profile and SLS discord server!

Cecil joined back with others back on the couch, and Hana gave her a curious look. 

"What did she tell you?"

"She asked me to help her find her missing friend as well."

Hana gasped. "They have children missing too? Not just adults?"

"Over here, it's common for anyone to go missing and never appear ever again," Yun stepped into the conversation. "No matter who they are."

Cecil furrowed her eyebrows. 

Seems like this continent is much more dangerous than how it was described in the original novel. 

Yun adjusted his glasses, and Haru leaned back into the couch, crossing his arms. Yun looked at Haru, and Haru gestured for him to go ahead and explain. 

"You are always the strategist."

Yun nodded, before he hesitated with a frown. "...how much do you want me to tell them?"

"Hmmm," Haru hummed thoughtfully before he shrugged. "I don't really care."

Everyone looked at Haru. 

The man himself only leaned back into the couch, summoning out his sword and spinning it around. 

"...you should care." 

"It's fine, it's fine," Haru chuckled, waving it off. "We'll finish it either way."

Yun closed his eyes, shaking his head with a sigh. 

Cecil looked between Yun and Haru, amused. 

At this point, Yun seems more like a capable leader. 

Yun opened his eyes, gazing at the four of them. "I'll keep it brief. When the situation requires it, I'll explain more."

"As you already know, our continent is divided into four regions, each region governed by a single person, a lord." 

"Yes, the guide told us that!" Hana chirped. 

"He works as Ephert's spy." 

"Ephert? Who's that?" Hana tilted her head. 

"A lord," Yun revealed. "And he is the one who has held the parents of those children captive for the past five years."

"Five years?!" Hana gasped. 

"Captive?" Cecil frowned. 

Xue and K'xug remained indifferent. 

"Right now, it isn't a single lord governing an area. It has become a turf war among them, and the region has been split into two sides," Yun explained, moving his hands around animatedly. "One side is governed by Ephert, and the other by a lord named Kiba."

"What about the other two lords?" Cecil questioned. 

"One of them has given complete control to Ephert," Yun answered, his words hesitant towards the end. "And the other has been...assassinated."

"Whose side are you on?" Xue finally opened his mouth to ask a question. 

"Our captain." 

Yun nodded towards Haru, and the orange blonde-haired man had already moved from the sofa towards Ryo, crouching down.

"Oi, Ryo. Oiiii."

He started poking Ryo who showed no response. 

"..."

"Wake up, I'm bored."

"..."

"Let's go eat."

"..."

"Let's spar?"

"...?"

"Hey, do you guys want to see a magic trick?" Haru turned, hollering at them. "Just watch, I'll mention drinking and he'll wake up, and then I'll say no and he'll go back to sleep!"

All of them looked at the "captain" that Yun had proudly pointed to, speechless. 

"Oi Ryo, let's go drinking."

Ryo twitched, finally reacting. His silver eyes fluttered open and he sat up with a loud yawn. 

"Did someone say drinking?" 

"Nah, we lied."

"Oh."

Ryo went back to sleep immediately. 

"Look! Look at that!" Haru guffawed at Ryo snoring again on the ground. "A magic trick! What did I tell ya?" 

Yun gave Haru a deadpan. 

Haru started snorting with laughter. 

"Your captain...really doesn't seem to care at all." Cecil couldn't help but add on.

Yun sighed, and he simply extended his hand towards Cecil. 

"In order to help those children, you need to target Ephert. I'm sure you know what troubles would accompany you if you did this, hence, to make things simpler…"

"We'll join hands, properly." Cecil nodded, shaking hands with Yun. 

Kiyae was outside the doors, leaning on it. She had already sent the children back and returned. 

"Looks like coercing them wasn't needed at all," Kiyae grinned to herself. "Yun was right, once again."

***

They discussed for a while longer, and Yun decided to let them stay at the inn for free. After all, they were partners now. 

Moreover, since it was late and the news of them cooperating had spread to Ephert, staying at another inn would prove to be risky, according to Yun. 

Cecil was more than grateful, expressing her thanks sincerely with a bow. 

They did not have to trouble themselves with shelter now. It meant that Cecil could save more money on their daily necessities. 

However, Haru insisted that he had the last say, since he was the captain of their crew. Hence, once again...he demanded them to beg on their knees, like peasants. 

...and laughing arrogantly like before. 

"The facilities and everything about this inn is top notch, and unlike the stolen ships, it isn't stolen!"

"Bow before my greatness! You peasants!"

"Can I kill him?" Xue asked.

K'xug nodded.

"Go ahead." Kiyae grinned. 

"He's annoying." Hana added, pouting as she parted her fingers to show a little space. "Justtttt a little."

Once again, it was time for Cecil's pacifying skills to shine. 

"No, wait! No! Don't kill him!"

"Ah, shit! He's gonna kill me again--help me!"

"You keep asking for it, captain."

"Oi, Ryo! Ryo! There's strong people to fight here, and--and lots of ale!"

"Huh? What? Strong people to fight? Ale?"

"Ryo, it's just your imagination. A dream." Kiyae hollered. 

"Oh."

Haru turned to Kiyae, and she only gave him a cheeky wink. 

"Xue! You can't kill him!"

Yun looked at the entire group, adjusting his glasses. 

Is it going to be this rowdy from today onwards? 

***

The discussion from yesterday was far from over. 

Yun revealed that they were planning to make their first move really soon. Hence, he would need to include the four of them into their plans as well. 

Time flew past, and it was already night once again. 

They were back in the lounge area as Yun started to lay out their plans. He showed a large map on the wooden table, marking certain locations on it with pins. 

"The first place we'll be targeting, it's an area that is managed by one of Ephert's henchman," Yun circled an area with his finger, touching the pin that marked the area. "Our continent is different from the others, where it is surrounded by waters. Hence, the only way anyone travels here is by a ship." 

"A-a ship?" Hana paled, cupping her mouth. "Ugh, a ship…"

"Is there a reason you are unable to take Ephert down in a single attack?" Cecil asked, tapping her fingers on her chin.

Yun nodded. 

"Ephert is a skilled fighter, and by his side are many other skilled fighters as well. Our crew alone isn't capable of defeating them all."

"So, the plan you devised to take him down is by weakening him…?"

"That's correct."

"How does that work?"

"Do you remember the fighters on the ship? This area is known for holding fighting tournaments, and in one week, the tournament would begin."

Yun explained the plan in a concise manner, and the four of them listened attentively. Alas, Hana seemed more preoccupied about the fact that she needed to ride a ship once again. 

Halfway through the conversation, Xue frowned, noticing a familiar presence outside the doors of the lounge area. He glanced around, slipping away without anyone realising. 

All except K'xug realised, and Xue met his questioning eyes. He only raised his finger to his lips, not wanting K'xug to alert anyone. 

K'xug nodded, watching Xue leave the room quietly. 

Xue pushed the door open, and he saw the receptionist cowering behind the counter, trembling in fright.

At the counter stood a familiar figure, gazing at the receptionist. 

"What are you doing here now?" 

The figure swivelled, facing Xue with a lazy smile on his lips. 

Xue furrowed his eyebrows deeper. 

The light-blue robe Veau was wearing was splattered with blood. The material of his robes was thin and smooth, making the blood spread out further. 

In an instant, Xue knew the blood did not belong to mortals.

"The blood, it's from…"

"From the angels." Veau confirmed it with a nod. 

Xue only glanced at the receptionist and back at Veau, narrowing his eyes. 

"Don't worry," Veau stated nonchalantly. "I can simply erase her memories of this conversation later."

"Did you come here just to show me how you bathed in the blood from the angels?" 

Veau showed Xue a relaxed smirk. 

"You know I do not care about them anymore, Veau."

"Of course."

Xue summoned out his spear, and Veau sighed. 

"Like I said, I had a promise to keep with Zeau, to spy on all of you," Veau shrugged before the smirk widened on his face. "I must say, Xue, I did not expect you to start helping mortal children find their parents, or to lend mortals a helping hand."

"Say what you need to and leave."

For the first time, Xue did not hurl the spear at Veau, and neither did he charge at him. Though, he was still as cold and hostile. 

Veau paused for a moment, his smile faltering slightly. 

"You have...really changed, Xue."

Xue scoffed, lowering down his spear. 

"Before this, you were always volatile and vengeful," Veau mused. "I used to see this burning hatred and anger in your eyes, but now you seem mellowed down." 

"I don't need to hear about your opinion about myself." Xue stated coldly.

Veau smiled lazily. 

"You don't want your revenge anymore?" 

Some of the soul fragments inside Xue's mind winced at Veau's question. 

They could feel his rage flowing back into him. 

Xue gritted his teeth, his grey eyes not hiding the hostility in them. "I still do."

All of a sudden, the sounds of laughter were heard from the lounge area. Among them, Xue picked out a hearty laughter that he could distinguish in an instant. 

The burning rage within him died down, and there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes. 

"...I still want revenge against you, Veau. I'll never forget about it, but right now…" Xue trailed off, a faint smile tugging at his lips. 

Veau saw the look in Xue's eyes, and he recognised it in an instant. 

After all, he himself had once worn the same exact expression, and experienced the same emotions...like Xue was experiencing at this moment. 

"Right now, the only priority I have is to stay by her side." 

The tender look in Xue's grey eyes were gone in an instant as he looked at Veau. 

"So, it's her afterall."

Veau said those words, and simply turned towards the receptionist. He easily erased her memories and cast a sleeping spell on her. 

Xue kept his eyes on Veau, and the cobalt blue-haired man only summoned out a portal, stepping into it silently. 

Xue kept his eyes on the portal for a second later, before heading back into the lounge. 

***

A black mist travelled down to the ground, and a cobalt blue-haired man was revealed from the black mist. Veau had his eyes closed, and he inhaled deeply, slowly opening them. 

"..."

"If there is one thing that would never change about the heavenly and demon realm, it's this area in the border." 

Veau glanced to his side. 

Zeau stood right beside him, a small smile on his lips. Compared to his other "kind" smiles, the smile he was currently showing was genuine. 

The two of them were in a forest, with a trail leading deeper. They were surrounded by flowers and plants that no mortal would recognise. The sky above them was clear and bright, the sunlight filtering through the trees.

"I'm surprised to find you here, brother," Zeau stated. "You have not returned here for over a hundred years." 

"A hundred and thirteen years, and nine days." Veau corrected, his voice rather solemn. 

Zeau was not surprised by how concise Veau was. However, he was surprised Veau had dared to step foot in here again. 

"Other than our home...this is the only other place that concerns you," Zeau muttered out before questioning Veau. "Why have you decided to come here?"

Veau sighed. 

"I wonder why too."

Veau recalled the conversation he had with Xue moments ago, and a memory replayed in his mind.

It was him, with the figure he had seen a million times in his dreams and hallucinations.  

"Right now, my only priority is to be by your side."

"Veau, I...you know you can't afford to do that. And neither can I."

A tiny, forlorn smile graced upon Veau's lips. 

I know why I am here. 

I just...don't want to voice it out loud. 

The two men traversed deeper into the forest. Along the way, Zeau spotted the conflicted look on Veau's face.

Though the brotherhood was starting to sour between them lately, Zeau still saw Veau as his dearest brother. 

Someone he had grown up with, and someone that he had protected, and has been protected by. 

Without saying a word, Zeau patted Veau on the shoulder.

"Are you trying to comfort me?" Veau asked, amused. 

Zeau only smiled at Veau. 

Veau was suddenly reminded of how Zeau was like in his past. 

A kind older brother. 

Zeau looked away, his smile gradually disappearing. 

"They'll pay for what they did, Veau, for everything they did," Zeau lowered his voice. "We'll get our revenge." 

Veau's steps started to slow down, and Zeau walked on ahead. He stared at Zeau's back, the last word uttered by his brother repeating in his head. 

Revenge. 

At that moment, a voice of his own whispered into his mind. 

Will it be really worth it, Veau? 

Veau shook his head, he could not afford to look back. 

If he did, he would walk on a road full of regrets. 

***

A young boy, around the age of thirteen years old with midnight black hair sat on a wooden stool. In front of him was a white canvas mounted on an easel stand, his hand held a paintbrush in his hands. 

The canvas was halfway completed, though it was not easy to make out what the boy himself wanted to draw. 

Beside him on the table was a palette, and despite his scrawny build, his movements of the paintbrush gilding across the canvas was elegant. The painter’s boyish face was smeared with paint, and his midnight black eyes were focused on the canvas. 

The tatami flooring littered with different types of paintings, and the stench of oil paints filled the air. Sunlight streamed in through the opened sliding doors, casting a shadow over the young boy whose fringe was almost covering his half of his face. 

“Kid, you really did it!” 

A booming voice echoed down the hallway, and a burly man marched into the room moments later, guffawing proudly. 

“Your paintings really impressed the master! I can’t believe it, I thought you were faking it!” 

The burly man stepped onto a piece of canvas on the ground, and the young boy turned to look at the burly man with a frown. 

“The master will be coming down later today, you have to be on your best behaviour, got it?” The burly man warned, and he noticed the young boy glaring at him. “Huh? What you glaring at me for?” 

“Foot.” 

The burly man gritted his teeth, picking up the young boy by the collar of his shirt. 

“Who are you to tell me to move my foot away?” He barked. “I am the one who gave you a place to live and eat, and your paintings were recognised because of me! You should be bowing down to me!” 

A breeze blew in via the opened doors, blowing the tattered shirt of the young boy up, his emaciated and bruised body was evident. 

It was evident to anyone the treatment he had received under the care of this burly man.

The young boy did not speak, only remaining indifferent. 

The burly man clicked his tongue. “You better speak politely to the master later on! I’m telling ya!” 

He tossed the young boy down onto the tatami flooring harshly, and the movement caused the necklace hidden inside his shirt to fall out. The young boy broke his fall with his arms, watching as the burly man stormed out of the room, kicking away one of the canvas on the ground. 

The young boy looked down at the necklace around his neck. The necklace was a simple thread of good quality with two silver rings attached. He cupped the rings in his small palm, glancing down at it. 

“This is the item that holds the marriage vows between me and your father.” 

“We’ll be back to take it back, and once we do, we’ll be able to live properly like a normal family.” 

“Wait for mommy and daddy.” 

“We love you, Shin.” 

Shin recalled the fond memories of his parents, before he hurriedly kept the necklace hidden within his shirt again. 

He stood up, glaring at the opened sliding doors. He looked back at his paintings, a cold glint in his midnight black eyes. 

***

《 start 》

It will happen soon.

Very soon.

I will do it.

I will avenge you, mother, father.

《 stop 》