The demon began to tremble at the sight of his ruler. He remained silent, unable to formulate any words as he stared at Veau.

On the other hand, Veau glanced back at Xue and Rugi, who were still hiding Cecil behind their backs.

"Seems like you managed to take another one of yourself," Veau said languidly. "Before the other you did."

Rugi had recovered all his memories, thus, he could recognise the cobalt blue-haired devil. Cecil frowned deeply, not knowing if Veau was collaborating with this demon to mess with the mortal realm, or whether it was a decision of an individual.

However, she clearly heard the word "runaway" from Veau's mouth.

Why are demons running away to the mortal realm? And messing with the people here?

It doesn't make sense.

In the novel, Cecil recalled that the demons only appeared to impede on Xue's process of gathering his souls. Albeit, at this point, whatever details she could recall from the novel could be thrown out the window.

"Have you demons stoop so low?" Xue questioned coldly. "Have you come so far just to involve mortals in the war that has nothing to do with them?"

"Unfortunately," Veau smiled lazily, looking back at the demon. "Sometimes, I do ask myself that."

Xue narrowed his eyes at Veau.

The devil just shrugged. "But you angels aren't any better."

"I'm not part of them any longer," Xue responded, his voice still as cold. "You said it yourself, I am neither an angel or a human, I'm just...existing."

Veau nodded, no change in his expression. "Aren't you relieved in some way? It's because of this grey line, Heaven's Judgement doesn't affect you in the mortal realm."

Xue did not respond this time, his expression growing colder.

"Stoop so low?" The black-haired demon finally found the courage to speak, his voice wry. "I just didn't want to die like a foolish loyal dog."

"Judging from your expressions," Rugi spoke in a low voice, raising his eyebrows at Cecil and Xue. "I'm assuming the two of you would stay here and listen, rather than escape?"

Cecil glanced at Xue, noticing the sombre look on his face.

In the novel, Xue never got rid of his hatred for demons and angels, and neither did he achieve the result he wanted from his vengeance. He was left with nothing and everyone he held dear to him all betrayed him or had already departed from the world itself.

Cecil lowered her eyes, contemplating.

This time, Xue has started going down a different path.

He has changed.

There is no harm in having him listen in this conversation.

Maybe...

Cecil closed her eyes.

Just maybe, someday, Xue would stop holding onto his hatred and prevent it from controlling his life.

If this conversation would help him, I'd rather we stay here.

She looked at Rugi, forcing a smile on her face. "Yes, I'm sure the others would come looking for us when they are done. Besides, like you said, the owner of the auction house has information we need on Ephert."

Rugi paused before nodding.

"Besides, Veau is unpredictable," Cecil mused out, frowning. "If Veau decides to kill on a whim, we need to save him somehow."

Veau walked to the couch that was toppled over. He lifted it over easily with his dark magic and settled down on it, crossing his leg over the other. "Not wanting to die like a dog. So, that's why you chose to run away and abandon your position as the general, in the middle of the war?"

"I didn't want to die!"

"Go ahead," Veau gestured, appearing bored. "I'm listening."

"He ran away?" Xue questioned, confused. "From the war?"

Ever since he started interacting with demons as the Supreme God in the past, Xue realised they were fiercely loyal to their lord.

Hearing that one would prioritise his own life rather than die a death in honour of their lord, it was baffling.

"My family, one after another, died in the never-ending war between angels and demons. Their ridiculous persistence and loyalty, telling us to continue fighting for the lord..." the demon scoffed. "Are they idiots? Why would I want to do that? This war is none of my concern!"

Veau nodded, leaning forward and sliding his hand in the air, across the table. A teapot along with a cup appeared, he poured himself a cup of tea and sipped at it nonchalantly.

"So that's why you ran away."

"Hah!" the demon let out a short laugh of disbelief. "It wasn't only me."

He lifted his head up, looking at Xue.

"Just like the Supreme God, some of the angels ran from the war and hid in the mortal realm."

"Don't bother trying," Xue retorted, his face impassive. "I'm not going to serve as a distraction for you to escape from that bastard."

Veau blinked at Xue, he knew that Xue was referring to him. He smiled lazily, placing his tea cup down. "So you did notice, Xue. Not bad."

"Whether it's you, the demon or the angels running away, I don't care," Xue brought his spear up, pointing it at Veau without looking at him. "I only want to take my revenge on this bastard."

"Hmm." Veau hummed in response, admiring his teacup.

The demon glanced away, clicking his tongue in frustration.

"There's one thing you need to know, my runaway general," Veau placed his chin on his hand, leaning forward. "Xue did not run away, you see, he was banished forcibly."

The demon paused, his eyes growing wide.

"He struggled to live here. Like you, he was all alone here with nothing. Powerless even, and yet, he managed to stand here like this on his own two feet. Compared to him, you are pathetic."

Xue gave Veau a repulsive look.

Cecil and Rugi shared the same look.

After all, hearing your nemesis compliment you like a close friend, it would give anyone goosebumps.

"Life in the mortal realm isn't as pleasant as you thought, wasn't it? When you first escaped here, you had nothing--ah, and you remember the rules of not killing mortals recklessly unless you wanted to face judgement." Veau started to say, his tone light-hearted. "You ran away from a war and yet, you still want to live a comfortable luxurious life as a demon general?"

Veau stood up from the couch, a deadly aura bursting out from him. "How deluded can you be?"

Xue and Rugi stepped back, determined to protect Cecil behind them first.

The demon sank to the ground in fear, unable to conjure his sword to even fight back.

"I suppose I should express my thanks to you, Cecil Lan," Veau reached out his hand, dark magic coiling around the demon and lifting him into the air. "You forced him to expose himself."

"Ugh!" The demon clawed at the dark magic holding him up by the neck. However, his hands just sank right through the magic.

His magic was nothing before the demon lord itself.

"You must have grown confident after hiding for a few years," Veau narrowed his eyes, his smile dropping. "You rat-like bastard, growing careless like that. To think you were once considered a general."

"I don't need your thanks," Cecil answered back, composed. "Didn't you say you disliked the word "thanks'' or "thank you"? I don't need to hear such words from you either."

"That's why, I'll grant you one favour."

"One favour?"

"Don't listen to him, Cecil," Xue held onto her arm, a concerned look in his grey eyes. "Trickery is nothing to him."

Cecil smiled reassuringly at Xue.

She pointed at the demon Veau was holding captive. "That favour, I'll use it now. Let him go, we need him to save the people here."

"..."

Veau looked at the ex-general of his army, his expression inscrutable.

"Fine, that's not a problem," he shrugged, lifting the demon further up into the air. "I'm only here to reclaim what's mine."

"N-no, anything bu-but that!" the demon pleaded.

"Give me back my energy, annoying worm," Veau spoke in a chilling manner. "You have no right to hold onto it any longer."

The demon let out an agonising scream, excruciating pain started tearing at his entire being. The other three watched in horror as Veau extracted out something from his body, it was a small round object that consisted of dark magic.

In fact, it was like a core.

Veau released him, letting the demon fall onto the ground lifelessly as he held onto the round object.

"If you are planning to extract information out of him, now would be a good time," Veau stated simply, the round object sinking through his palm as if it was getting absorbed. "Now that he's useless and exposed himself like a fool, the judgement would arrive pretty soon."

Cecil frowned at Veau's words.

Meanwhile, Rugi didn't hesitate to rush forward as he crouched down beside the demon, barraging him with questions.

The demon was still conscious but he was utterly powerless now.

"It seems you've been betrayed," Xue muttered out, looking at the demon. "How does it feel, Veau?"

Veau summoned out the portal, his expression appearing relaxed.

"It's not the first," he answered with a shrug, taking a step through the portal. "And not the worst."

"..."

Xue did not know how to answer those words.

"As expected, you broke out of my seal faster than I expected. It seems you are regaining your strength quickly enough," Veau continued speaking, unperturbed. "How fortunate for you."

He disappeared through the portal after finishing his sentence.

"Just wait, Veau," Xue clenched his jaw, a murderous glint in his grey eyes. "Just a little longer, and I'll hunt you down to kill you myself."

"Xue..."

Cecil placed her hand on his arm, calling out to him gently.

Xue looked at her, his expression softening.

"Xue." She called out once again.

"What is it?"

"...no, nevermind. It's nothing."

Just as Cecil said those words, the three of them could hear footsteps thudding down the corridor from outside. Rugi paused his conversation with the weakened demon, glancing up and the other two became alert.

The door was kicked open, and a few familiar faces popped into view.

"Cecil, Xue, Rugi?" Hana asked.

"That guy said he saw them running down this way before he fainted!" Kiyae said.

"Hey. We are done with our side, what about yours?" Yun put on his glasses, adjusting his ponytail.

"Who the hell is that?! Whoa, he has wings like K'xug!" Ryo exclaimed, clearly interested.

K'xug gave Ryo a look.

Haru was the only one who let out a startled yelp with no other words, upon seeing the demon on the ground with his wings splayed out.

"So it's just all of you," Rugi responded in relief, glancing down at the demon. "Let's move our conversation somewhere else, shall we?"

The demon glanced over to Xue, before sighing in defeat. "Just ask your questions now, since...we are running out of time."

"Out of time?"

"The words of the world, our Creator," the demon lifted his head up, gazing at the ceiling with an unfathomable expression. "The judgment will soon arrive."

"What?" Rugi frowned.

He had heard those words somewhere within the memories he shared with Xue.

"I have dwelled in the grey area for far too long," he added on. "Now that the concealment spell is broken, and my lord's powers have been reclaimed from me, I won't be able to hide any longer."

"The judgment will soon arrive?" Cecil overheard those words, giving Xue a questioning look. "Xue, what do those words mean?"

"I...don't know," Xue shook his head. "I only saw it happen once, and that was..."

It was when he was chosen to be the next-in-line for the throne of the Supreme God.

"Whatever it is, it's better to be prepared," Xue narrowed his eyes at Rugi, his voice lukewarm. "Oi, you, whatever your excuse is for not telling K'xug to cure you, throw it aside."

"I can't." Rugi retorted.

It was the perfect reason for him to leave, and the perfect reason for not dragging Xue himself into trouble. When he first met Xue, who was actually Kai, he was afraid of being absorbed immediately.

He had too many things left undone, and he still felt conflicted about his existence.

However, right now...right now, it wouldn't be so bad to be absorbed.

Moreover, Rugi was confused as to why Xue was telling him this. He assumed Xue would absorb him as soon as possible, especially due to how possessive he was over Cecil. Despite it being another version of him touching Cecil, Xue still couldn't accept it.

"I don't care, just do it," Xue hardened his tone. "I will have one less person to--"

Xue halted as he swivelled his head, staring at the ceiling.

The demon kept his eyes fixated on the ceiling. "It's here."

A blinding light pierced through the ceiling, but the ceiling still remained intact. The light was solely focused on the demon, who was still collapsed on the ground, and Rugi stumbled back in shock.

They were observing the blinding light in fascination.

"Isn't that light exactly like those described in the myths?" Haru pointed out.

"But that man isn't a mortal. He isn't being blessed to be ascended into the higher realms." Yun informed, adjusting his glasses.

"It looks creepy." Kiyae grimaced. "So this is the so-called blessing from the words of the world?"

"It looks awesome!" Ryo exclaimed with a spark in his eyes.

"It looks pretty..." Hana gasped in awe, before tilting her head. "But I feel like I have seen something like this before, hmm..."

Xue started to frown deeply, clutching at his head. This was something he experienced before, he knew what was coming next.

The enigmatic and booming voice in his mind.

"Demon, Jule. Your sins and acts would tip the balance between the three realms. For that transgression, your soul will cease to exist, never to be rebirthed."

However, he also knew that only a selected few would be able to hear this enigmatic voice inside their minds.

Xue glanced around, the people who mimicked his response were K'xug and Hana, and the demon.

"Ah!" Cecil cried out, her hands on her head. "What's this voice in my head? It...hurts!"

Xue and K'xug snapped their heads to Cecil, surprised.

The raven-haired woman kept her head down.

"AI500! What's this?"

[ ... ]

"And why...?"

"...why does this voice sound so familiar to me?"

AI500 remained silent in her head, and she could only try to bear the pain.

"Hey, what's going on with the four of you?" Kiyae questioned, concerned. "Are you guys okay?"

Just then, Rugi met the eyes of the demon before him. He could see a dangerous glint in them, and that made Rugi feel apprehensive.

"The same exact words I expected to hear, hah!" The demon scoffed. "I won't go down alone just like that."

"...!"

Rugi moved his body before he knew it.

"Rugi?! What are you--" Haru shouted.

Something dark and ominous emanated out from the demon.

"He's planning something bad, I can feel it," Ryo stated, raising his voice. "Get away from that man with wings!"

"Rugi, get away from him!" Kiyae hollered.

Yun watched on, feeling extremely uneasy.

Xue was the first to recover among the four of them, he felt the menacing overflow of dark magic from the demon. This was something that Xue had encountered fighting against demons in his glory days.

He knew what would come next.

It seemed like Rugi knew what was coming as well.

Kai: "This soul fragment!"

Zasiok: "He's planning to sacrifice himself for everyone else."

Alric: "Wh-why is he doing all this for?"

Shin: "He is a leader."

Leonaut: "Heh, he truly acts like a leader of a town."

Sid: "...foooood..."

Isleif: "A fool. Like a vermin, his efforts will be utterly wasted."

"Truly an idiot," Xue mumbled out, his expression inscrutable. "Just like me."

After all, Xue did something like this in the past, for the people who ended up betraying him in the end.

At that moment, K'xug appeared beside Xue, planning to rush in with him.

"No need to come with me. K'xug, you need to make a barrier for everyone else here," Xue stopped him, his voice solemn. "You and I both know what this crazy bastard is trying to do."

Cecil awoke a second later, watching the scene of Rugi standing in front of the demon, with Xue dashing forward towards them. She could see the deadly aura emanating from the demon, it was only growing with each passing second.

"No, Rugi! Xue!" Cecil yelled out, stretching her arm out as she ran towards them. "It's dangerous--"

A large water barrier was erected, just as Xue slipped inside the area. Anyone could tell that the one responsible for such a barrier was Rugi.

Cecil staggered back, the water barrier was translucent enough for her to make out the appearance of the two of them. Her wide eyes followed Xue as he aimed his spear for the demon, pinning him down on the ground.

Meanwhile, Rugi was nowhere to be found.

Cecil scoured around inside the water barrier, panicking.

Rugi is in no state to use his powers now! He'll expedite the process of the dark magic within him!

This is just asking for a quick death on his end!

Cecil let out a shocked breath as a hand was placed on her shoulder.

It was K'xug, trying to pull her away.

She pushed his hand away in a hurry, spinning around and giving K'xug a desperate look.

"No, wait, please," she shook her head, biting on her lower lip. "I know he said he was prepared to leave, but...but it can't be like this! Leaving like that, it's just..."

K'xug faltered.

"Take her away!" Xue barked from within the water barrier, trying his best to suppress the dark magic overflowing from inside.

"K'xug, you have to bring Cecil away!" Hana urged.

K'xug steeled his resolve and tried to pull Cecil away forcibly.

Cecil struggled.

"You should go." a weak voice uttered out.

She gasped, looking back at the translucent water barrier, spotting the familiar sea green-haired man. He coughed violently, blood splattering all over the floor. The black tendrils had already spread across his body, and Cecil could see it all over his neck and arms.

"Rugi!"

"I'm alright," Rugi lifted his head up, smiling at her. "Cecil Lan, do you remember my words from before?"

"Wo-words? What words? What is it?" Cecil spoke in a hurry, shaking her head. "No, it's fine, let me hear it later. Rugi, you seriously can't plan to just leave like this? You don't need to leave in such a way, why would you--"

"Do you remember that you promised to grant me a favour?"

Cecil blinked in disbelief, and finally, AI500 inside her mind started to react once again.

[ Secret Mission #8: The Romantic "Owner"
Objective: Help protagonist "Xue" assimilate with Himura Tsurugi
Reward: No longer applicable
Time Limit: 1 hour ]

With the announcement of the mission, Cecil understood in an instant.

Rugi had already made his decision.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

You can hear those words?

Impossible.

How could you hear those words, Cecil?

That weird dream I had of you...

It feels as if I had known you for a long, long time.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

This is the last thing I would do.

The last thing I would do as the leader of this town.

The last thing I would do as the man named Himura Tsurugi.

After this, I would be able to embrace what I want to be.

I would be able to live with myself, and not with another identity.

I would be able to love who I want.

Cecil Lan.

Did you know?

I never expected to fall this hard for you, so quickly.

Now that I did, I never want to stop.

《 stop 》