The entire process was finally over.

Just as they thought things wouldn't get more horrifying, Cecil coughed out blood twice in the process.

She was completely unconscious now, and everyone could tell she wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. After all, the entire process, she was screaming in pain even in her unconscious state.

With Hana as their interpreter, K'xug informed them that it would take days before Cecil would awaken.

Meanwhile, everyone steered clear of Zasiok during the process.

The murderous aura around him was hard to ignore. Hana and K'xug couldn't help but find the resemblance between him and Xue, but it wasn't surprising.

After all, they were the same person.

Whereas, watching the process of it happening, Rugi couldn't help but feel knives stabbing into his heart. He watched the beautiful raven-haired woman shrieking in pain, feeling utterly helpless.

Zasiok and Rugi could only share Cecil's pain by allowing her to dig her nails into their arms. However, anyone could tell that it couldn't compare to the pain she was experiencing.

Zasiok gazed quietly at the serene Cecil, and the soul fragments were unusually quiet inside the mind as well. Xue had yet to awaken, the soul fragments had a feeling that Xue would force himself out again.

...and probably getting caught between staying still or strangling K'xug for causing pain to Cecil.

Sensing the same sinister dark magic surrounding Rugi, K'xug offered to help him as well. To his surprise, the sea green-haired man declined his aid

"There is no need," Rugi shook his head at K'xug, lowering his voice. "This is...just the perfect reason for me."

K'xug frowned.

It seems like Rugi only spoke those words for the two of them to hear.

"How is it, K'xug?" Haru questioned. "Is Rugi going to be okay? Can he be cured like...Cecil?"

The others leaned in to hear the answer from K'xug.

"..."

K'xug did not know to nod in agreement or shake his head in disappointment.

Rugi sat with one leg up, the sleeve of his kimono sliding down to reveal his shoulder and chest partially. However, the man himself did not bother and he placed the other leg down on the futon.

"We'll deal with that later, I'll survive for now," Rugi pushed the matter aside, his words light-hearted. "I know you came here looking for me, and as you can see, the situation isn't...too good. What do you require, other than the usual information?"

"Well, you see..." Haru scratched his head, grimacing. "Other than coming to you for information, our ship was...sort of...burnt down."

"The ship you supposedly stole from Lord Kiba or others?"

"Yeah."

Everyone looked at Haru admitting to it readily.

Rugi sighed, closing his eyes. "I know a couple of shipwrights, I'll send them over and if the situation is unsalvageable, I'll provide a ship."

"Thanks!" Haru grinned. "We can count on you as always."

Rugi smiled, the mole on his lips was too prominent.

"And for the information you require..."

The sliding door opened, revealing Tsuki and Masaru. They came back with clean, spare clothing in tow.

"Refer to Masaru," Rugi gestured to his capable assistant, tilting his head as he rested it on his hand. "As you can see, with how messy the town is right now and the state I am in now, I'm afraid this is all the aid I can offer."

Masaru blinked rapidly, nodding in confusion.

Yun stepped forward, adjusting his glasses. "Of course, we don't expect help for free."

"I can always count on you, Yun," Rugi smiled once again. "For fair trades or agreement."

"I'm guessing we'll be handling the remaining hidden spies in this town," Ryo questioned with a yawn. "Along with the dangerous weapons they are hiding?"

"So you were listening in half-asleep." Haru narrowed his eyes at Ryo.

Rugi let out a sigh of relief. "Is that so? That would be some much needed help."

"It's the least we could do," Yun nodded, gesturing to something behind him. "They will be more than happy to help too."

Kiyae, Zasiok and Hana were standing in a line behind, muttering to themselves. Everyone could feel the intense, fiery aura drifting out of them.

"If it weren't for them, our Cecil wouldn't be in such a bad state."

"I won't let any one of them off, hurting my friend like that."

"Cecil doesn't deserve to suffer like that!"

They started to flare up, causing Ryo and Haru to take a step away from them.

Masaru had seen their combat abilities firsthand, silently praying for the opponents that would suffer their wrath.

"Owner, there is also the upcoming matter of the auction house," Tsuki stepped into the conversation, frowning in concern. "Are you sure...in this state of yours..."

"We'll contribute to helping that matter too," Yun offered aid once again, this time, he gestured to Haru. "Our captain is very interested in this particular matter."

"That damned auction house! How long do they think they can get away with selling slaves illegally to people?!"

It was Haru's turn to flare up this time.

Ryo took another step away from all these volatile people.

"Just wait, you peasants. I've trained so hard for this, I'll bring your entire auction house into the ground. Just wait, just you wait. Hahahaha!"

Rugi watched the scene, speechless.

"...how passionate," he spoke after a moment. "Well, that isn't a bad thing I guess, since I can't help being like this too."

Yun smiled. "Indeed, or you wouldn't be Himura Tsurugi."

Meanwhile, the entire time, K'xug stood by and observed silently with an indifferent expression. He glanced down at Rugi, furrowing his eyebrows.

Perfect reason?

What does he mean by that?

K'xug then shifted his eyes towards Zasiok. He knew that it was essentially his closest friend, but it wasn't a complete him.

Xue...

Where have you gone?

Albeit, there was a small, reassuring voice in his mind telling him that his closest friend would be just fine.

***

With limited time and resources, and two separate matters to handle, Yun had to let someone else handle planning for Ephert's spies and his hidden weapon cache.

They were shocked when the person who volunteered to be the "tactician" was Xue, or Zasiok. After all, Zasiok was previously that captain of the guards.

Once they gathered the map of the town, with the help of the exhausted Rugi and capable Masaru, they managed to pinpoint the various locations the spies were hiding in along with weapon cache.

Zasiok was quick to give out orders.

He was composed and well-informed of everyone's capabilities. He split the team into two groups, one would be going after the spies while the others were just set on destroying the weapon cache.

"..."

K'xug had been watching Zasiok the entire time, silent.

He had been by Xue's side for a long time.

Every skirmish or rebellion, as the leader of the angels, Xue had to take charge of everything. The meetings with the generals of the army, quelling the anxiety of his fellow angels, K'xug had been there every single time.

Again, it's exactly the same.

K'xug felt his lips tugging into a smile.

The way Zasiok gave out his instructions, be it the manner of speech and actions, they were a splitting image of Xue himself.

"Any objections or thoughts about this? Feel free to speak out about it."

K'xug couldn't help but snort loudly at that sentence.

Even the finishing sentence is the same!

His tendency to prioritise the thoughts of his people is still within him.

Everyone turned to look at K'xug, and the man straightened himself and waved them off hastily. It was obvious he was gesturing to them that it was nothing.

No one had any objections to Zasiok's instructions.

It was concise and easy to follow.

Thus, the meeting concluded and the team was preparing to head out. Of course, they changed their clothing in separate, private rooms. Tsuki allowed them to use those rooms with no objections.

"You guys ready?" Haru glanced back, sliding the wooden doors open with a grin. "Let's go kick...some asses!"

"Ugh." Kiyae groaned. "Captain, just say "let's go" next time. Please."

"I still wanna sleep..." Ryo yawned.

Yun shook his head at Ryo, sighing.

"Let's go." Zasiok stated calmly, adjusting his kimono as he walked onwards.

"See captain!" Kiyae gestured. "Be cool like the not-cute Xue! Just like that!"

Yun covered his eyes with his palm.

"..."

Haru was speechless.

"But Xue can be cute, Kiyae!" Hana chirped.

"..." Zasiok did not know how to respond to those words.

Everyone else looked over at Hana in disgust.

"Jeez! You really don't believe me?!" Hana huffed.

K'xug was the last to leave and before he left, Rugi called out to him.

"K'xug."

He paused.

He knows my name even though no one has properly introduced me yet.

This soul fragment of Xue...it seems like he has retained more of Xue's memories.

K'xug waited for Rugi to continue speaking.

"Tell me, am I similar anyway to my main host, Xue, at all?"

At that moment, a female employee started to walk into Tsuki's room. Upon seeing the carelessly dressed Rugi laying on the couch with sweat glistening his chest, along with the sensual smile playing on his lips, she gasped in delight.

Tsuki covered her eyes with her hand, shaking her head.

"Come now, don't swoon over the likes of him, no matter how deadly he looks," she rolled her eyes, raising her voice. "Owner, please wear your clothes properly!"

Tsuki closed the doors to her room, escorting her employee away.

Rugi chuckled lowly, looking at K'xug. He was patiently waiting for the man to answer his question.

In his mind, K'xug was replaying a memory...or multiple memories.

It was when Xue drank too much.

In the heavenly realm, there was an unwritten rule for Xue to be left alone when he started drinking. Whether it was with Veau, or with others...or even alone.

No one was to tend to him.

Only he was allowed to tend to himself.

That was because...a drunk Xue was a dangerous Xue.

He exuded a seductive aura and spoke in a low, husky voice. He also enjoyed his clothes being loose when he became intoxicated.

The responses he had when questions were thrown at him were enigmatic.

Due to how utterly captivating Xue became, K'xug had lost count of the number of times he had to personally chase away any servants that wanted to serve him.

It was either their curiosity that brought them over, or their ignorance.

The first few times this happened, and they were servants around, the servants couldn't help swooning over their leader acting this way. Compared to his usual kind and bright side, the contrast was too deadly.

It was even considered unscrupulous.

"...so how similar am I?" Rugi questioned lowly, smiling enigmatically.

K'xug nodded tacitly in response.

Exactly the same.

Not one inch of a difference.

Rugi surprisingly understood K'xug.

"Hmmm, I guess I have to take that as a complete yes."

K'xug just nodded again.

"I see," Rugi sat up and crossed his legs. "You--"

All of a sudden, he grimaced in pain and clutched at his abdomen.

K'xug frowned, taking a step forward when Rugi stopped him, shaking his head.

"No need, like I said, this is my perfect reason."

"..."

"And you should take your leave now, no?" Rugi breathed out, straightening himself.

K'xug turned back, leaving the room in reluctance. This soul fragment was just as enigmatic when Xue was completely drunk.

Masaru entered the room at the same time, watching K'xug leave.

"I'm sure they'll be back pretty soon," Masaru muttered out, looking at Rugi. "What are you planning to do now, Owner?"

"Mhmm, a good question," Rugi smiled, leaning forward and resting his chin on his palm. "First of all, I'll be organizing some documents."

"Documents?"

"Indeed, documents regarding the handing over the ownership of Himura and the town itself," he pointed to Masaru. "To you."

"..."

"...what?!"

"Shh, be quiet," he pressed his finger to his lips, nudging his head to the raven-haired woman resting on the futon in the hidden room that was opened. "We have a sleeping beauty to care for."

"...Owner, this is clearly an important matter."

Rugi shrugged. "Both are equally important to me."

Masaru was speechless.

Whereas, the mercenary that was unintentionally brought here by Haru and the others finally stepped into the conversation.

"Uhm...can you let me go now?"

"...oh, that's right, you were still here."

"..."

The mercenary wanted to cry without tears.

I just wanna go home now...

***

Just like this, it seemed like the crew was fated to be stuck on this island. It was as if it was their final preparation before confronting Ephert and freeing the captured parents of the children, along with other innocent, hapless souls.

Moreover, with the obvious cases of angels and demons being present in this continent, K'xug and Xue wouldn't be able to leave them alone. In addition to that, this attracted the attention of Veau and Zeau.

Nevertheless, the crew had to settle their very first mission on this island.

Locating Ephert's spies, getting rid of them by making them surrender and after which, destroying the hidden weapon caches.

They were split into two teams, excluding the unconscious Cecil and injured Rugi.

Standing outside of Tsuki's place, the large group garnered the attention of a few people. However, with people being escorted to this part of the town for their safety, most of them couldn't be bothered.

"Alright, you two cuties! Let's go!" Kiyae winked, beckoning them.

K'xug nodded.

Hana huffed in determination, nodding.

K'xug would be the one leading the team destroying the hidden weapon caches, since he could sense where they were. Hana and Kiyae would be joining the team, the lesser people they brought along, the better.

Meanwhile, Zasiok would be leading the rest to locate Ephert's spies and suppress them.

"Let's head to the first location Yun pointed out." Zasiok stated, his voice low as it held a hint of anger.

"I am ninety-percent confident they are hiding there." Yun adjusted his glasses.

"..."

"..."

Haru and Ryo could sense the unbridled rage coming from Zasiok, silently praying for their opponents that would suffer under his wrath.

"Captain, wanna see who clears it faster?" Kiyae smirked.

"Of course..." Haru rubbed his nose, grinning proudly. "It'll be me, you peasants!"

Ryo nodded sleepily.

"Yet again." Yun shook his head with a resigned smile.

"K'xug, K'xug." Hana tugged at his sleeve.

K'xug leaned down, tilting his head.

"I think Kiyae will lose the challenge," Hana whispered, nudging her head towards Zasiok. "Just look, he is just as scary as Xue now."

K'xug shrugged at Hana.

Well, no doubt about that.

Hana nodded to herself. "Even if I am angry for Cecil, I can't be scary like that."

K'xug tried to imagine a furious Hana. However, all he could imagine was Hana baring her teeth...rather adorably at others.

He held in his laughter.

"Let's go."

"Off we go!"

The two teams went their separate ways.

***

A few ruined buildings stood in the street, fire crackling in the background.

There was a man with a ponytail adjusting his glasses, giving out orders to another man with silver eyes who was wearing earrings. Water surrounded the buildings that the man with glasses pointed to, the other man with silver eyes yawning loudly as he followed the directions.

"What the hell is this?!"

"An ambush!"

"More like, they found us!"

Within the alleyway, some of them were keeping their presence inconspicuous among the shadows. Their hushed whispers were drowned out by the flames cracking in the background.

"Run! At least one of us has to make it back in time to tell the Master!"

One of them started sprinting out of the alleyway.

"Whoa there, not so fast."

Someone hollered from the balcony of the burnt building above them. He leaped down, landing on the ground safely as he grinned, his orange-blonde hair appearing extremely bright amongst the burning flames.

"You are...!"

"Haru! One of the top officials belonging to Lord Kiba!"

"You know, if you have the guts to join up with someone so cruel and hurt others," Haru glared at them. "At least have the guts to stand your ground and fight back."

"Ge-get him!"

"Idiot, just run! Just the four of us alone wouldn't be able to beat him!"

"Hahaha...it's not me you should be worried about." Haru grinned once again, stepping aside.

A handsome ash blonde-haired man walked into the alleyway, the shadow covering his eyes. In his hand, he held his spear that was glowing with a tinge of blue hue.

"Run if you want to. Just try it."

The spies faltered.

"We'll chase you down," he muttered out darkly. "Since all of you played a part in hurting something very precious to us."

Haru leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.

"They will suffer the wrath of a god," he mumbled out, blinking. "Literally."

The spies felt a chill running down their back.

***

《 start 》

It isn't just Xue.

It's all of us.

Those who played their part in making her suffer, no matter how small...

Feel our wrath.

《 stop 》