Everyone of them retreated back to a massive house prepared by Masaru and Tsuki, for all of them to recuperate in. Despite being late into the night, none of them were feeling sleepy but rather restless.

In the living room, some of them sat on the cushions on the tatami floor while the rest stood or leaned against the wall. The faint scent of jasmine tea permeated around the room, and it was prepared by the ever capable assistant, Masaru.

Since he was already planning to reveal his true identity, Rugi in the body of Xue, asked Masaru to stay behind as he started to explain.

"So how many versions of you are out there?" Haru questioned.

"Five?" Kiyae tilted her head.

"How about ten?" Ryo rubbed at his neck.

"Not ten?! Th--then twenty?" Haru coughed out.

Rugi shook his head to all the questions.

"Fifty." Yun guessed confidently, adjusting his glasses.

"Fifty. To think you could even guess this right, as expected of the tacitian, Yun." Rugi nodded along to his conjecture.

"It was just a lucky guess, Rugi--"

"Ah, do not bother," Rugi smiled. "Call me Xue from now on."

Rugi looked down at his kimono that was still shredded in places. They haven't changed out of their dirty outfits, and Cecil had already bandaged his wounds up.

He wasn't used to wearing clothes tightly and he started tugging at it, loosening it. Once again, his actions seem to naturally exude the seductive air that always surrounded him.

"It's tight and stuffy," Rugi mumbled to himself, the kimono now loose and almost sliding off his shoulder. "How vexing."

K'xug witnessed this scene and heard those words, facepalming himself and chuckling.

Exactly like Xue when he is drunk.

Even his actions are similar.

On the other hand, the other three widened their eyes in shock, so much so that it looked like they were bulging out.

"Fi...fifty..." Haru muttered to himself, opening up his palms. "There are fifty different Xue out there?!"

Hana hopped over to Haru, nodding eagerly. "Yes, fifty! That's why we have been travelling around to gather them all! It's so fun!"

Haru started to think of the many different versions of Xue out there. His head began to spin as these tiny versions of Xue he imagined hovered in the air, spouting out the word "peasant" with different mannerisms.

Who knows how his imagination strayed this far.

"Hey captain," Kiyae grabbed Haru by the shoulders, slapping his face lightly. "Don't start imagining funny things and spin up a ridiculous tale like you do with us."

"One peasant, two peasant, three peasant...eleven peasant...fifty of them saying peasant..."

"Why would they say peasant? Who is saying peasant?" Hana tilted her head in confusion.

"Don't listen to his nonsense, Hana," Kiyae clicked her tongue in disapproval. "This captain of ours is beyond our understanding."

"Fifty...fifty?!" Ryo exclaimed, rushing forward and wanting to tackle Rugi.

However, he hesitated upon seeing the familiar face of Xue, knowing that the crazy strong man he knew wouldn't allow others to tackle him like that. That's when he remembered, this was an easy-going version of Xue.

"That's awesome! And amazing!" Ryo tackled him in the end, hovering from left to right. "Show me! Show me how many are there! Are they good at fighting? Do they like fighting? Ah, you still have to fight with me, Rugi--Xue! All of you have to fight with me, haha!"

Meanwhile, Masaru was observing "Xue" closely and he realised his mannerisms were exactly like the Himura Tsurugi he knew and followed for many years. Realisation seemed to dawned on his face, and the cryptic words Rugi used to speak suddenly made sense to him.

Rugi glanced over to his capable assistant.

"As long as you are well and alive, I am glad, Owner," Masaru smiled, nodding in understanding. "I will take care of everything from now on, please live on well and be happy."

"Truly, you are the best assistant and friend I could ever ask for," Rugi responded, smiling gratefully. "Thank you--"

Ryo, who was still hovering around Rugi, had accidentally grabbed onto Rugi's right arm too hard. One of the more serious wounds was there and it opened yet again, causing blood to seep out and stain the bandage.

"You are bleeding again!" Hana exclaimed.

K'xug shook his head at Ryo.

"Ah..." Ryo panicked, feeling two pointed glares on his back.

One of them belonged to Masaru while the other belonged to Cecil.

He released Rugi and hung his head low, scampering towards Yun and the imaginary ears around him drooped.

Meanwhile, Yun was the only silent one and he watched the scene of Cecil going over to Rugi, cleaning and bandaging his wound yet again. Rugi gazed down at Cecil fondly, his hand reaching out to stroke her head. He paused, as if something in him was stopping him but Rugi managed to shrug it off, stroking her head eventually.

Cecil was focused on his wound, not recoiling from his touch.

Whereas, Masaru nagged at Ryo for not controlling his strength once again.

Ryo hid behind Yun, trying to escape the nagging session. It seems like this wasn't the first time Masaru had lectured Ryo for not controlling his strength.

Shin resembled Xue a lot as well.

Yun thought before he smiled in realisation. "I see, so that was the case."

This meant they were both the same person, and that Shin was alive and well.

That was good news to Yun.

Eventually, everyone calmed down over the unexpected revelation from Rugi. He garnered their attention back to reveal what he learned from the demon before the judgement was delivered to him.

"These are the important information you need to know."

"Go on."

"Ephert is almost done completing his "floating island" which is a boat. By his side, he has someone powerful to wield light magic, Xue told me he had already explained about their presence. You should know well enough what they truly are."

"Damn." Yun cursed out with a sigh.

Everyone looked at him.

They rarely heard Yun cursing out like that, since the man was always composed and polite.

"He will kill them," Yun narrowed his eyes. "The kidnapped parents, orphans, men and women. He will kill them all after the construction is done."

"We have to hurry," Haru nodded in understanding. "They are the priority, the reason why we even started all of this. The only problem is our ship..."

"The repairs are almost done, don't worry," Masaru reassured. "I will handle everything else, please leave it to me and..."

Masaru bowed.

"Please, free this entire continent from Ephert's clutches," he implored. "The people...the people have already suffered enough and for far too long."

Haru gritted his teeth as he clenched his fists.

"My father and the other lords, who worked so painstakingly to build this peaceful continent," Haru hissed out, his eyes hardening. "I will bring it back and give it all back to our people, and to my uncle."

Kiyae smashed her fists together, nodding.

Ryo agreed with a solemn look.

"It's why we risk our lives everyday." Yun smiled calmly.

Masaru straightened himself, a tearful look on his face. He bowed once again and excused himself to complete the rest of his tasks.

"You can place your trust in Masaru," Rugi spoke. "But I'm sure you already know that, since you have all known him for a long time."

"Rugi," Yun adjusted his glasses. "Are you planning to take your leave, just like that?"

Rugi closed his eyes with a smile, nodding. "Probably, but we should leave this for another time and rest for now."

"That's right," Kiyae sighed. "One after another, everything is just being piled up."

Ryo stretched his arm, yawning. "Sleeeeeeepy."

"Eh, but you sleep all day long! Anywhere and everywhere!" Hana made a face. "Even in the middle of the road!"

Everyone chuckled in agreement.

Hence, it was just like that, the eventful night was over.

***

Cecil couldn't sleep.

She was walking around the corridor that connected to the yard, her feet padding softly against the wooden flooring. She ambled along, and the cool air blew by, ruffling her hair as she blinked. She arrived at a stop, looking up at the night sky.

The argument that she had with Xue started to replay in her mind. Just thinking about it, she began to feel irked.

She couldn't deny she was angry.

How he selfishly said he would lock her up, and pointedly ignored the rest of the words by storming out of the room.

Cecil was surprised.

She never expected the day she would actually be angry at Xue.

However, at that time when he helped her apply her make-up, he confessed the reason behind his selfish and hurtful attitude.

"Though, I almost got injured again," Cecil smiled wryly. "Who would have known we would encounter a demon?"

She brought her head down, recalling how Xue crashed through the doors to save her. If her enemy wasn't a demon, she would have been able to handle it herself. Moreover, with her improved strength and agility, it would be an easy feat.

"...?"

She sensed something, turning her head and she met a familiar pair of grey eyes.

Xue was standing opposite the corridor.

The two of them stared at each other silently, before Xue started to approach her. Cecil didn't move from her spot, keeping her eyes on Xue the entire time.

"What's wrong? Can't sleep?" Xue questioned softly.

Cecil nodded slowly. "Is it the same for you?"

"Yeah," Xue paused before he frowned deeply. "I...I just..."

Cecil tilted her head. "Hm?"

"My mind seems to be stuck on that day?"

"That day?"

"Our argument," Xue took a step closer, his frown easing and a fond yet helpless look appeared in his eyes. "I made you angry, didn't I? I did say you could get angry all you want, when we are back here..."

Cecil stilled, looking away before she peeked a glance at Xue. She observed his helpless expression, and somehow, that made something tickle within her chest. All of a sudden, she felt an urge to tease this handsome ash blonde-haired man standing before her.

She harrumphed, crossing her arms across her chest. "That's right, even if I did say I am not that angry, I am still angry about that day."

Xue grew flustered, his eyes growing wide.

"Threatening to lock me up, and not bothering to hear me out," she continued with an unhappy frown. "How could you? I know my self-sacrificial acts may be reckless, but you can't even place your trust in me? Are you looking down on me so much, Xue?"

Her words not only attacked Xue, but attacked the soul fragments within him. Just like Xue, their shoulders slumped and their heads drooped down.

"You have enemies far greater in power, and you still need to regain your lost strength. I don't want to tie you down, and be a burden to you."

"No, you aren't a burden! I'm not looking down on you either, never!" he muttered out, growing more flustered with each passing second. "I will never do that! I just...I was only...I...that's..."

Cecil bit on her lower lip, trying to resist the urge to smile.

She said what she wanted to say, and she felt relieved.

In addition to that, it was her first time seeing Xue like this, and it was all because of her.

He looks so adorable.

...but I feel kind of bad for teasing him like this.

Should I continue or--

Xue stretched his arm out, wrapping it around her waist and pulling her close. Her arms crashed right into her chest and Cecil gasped, lifting her head up and looking at him with her wide, onyx eyes.

He leaned in and Cecil moved her head back.

"I'm sorry," he whispered out with an affectionate gaze. "I didn't know you thought that way."

Cecil blinked.

"I'm so sorry." Xue said once again, kissing her on her right cheek.

Cecil was taken aback, unable to say anything.

"I'm sorry? Hm?" Xue kissed her on the other cheek.

"Xu-Xue..."

"Forgive me."

Xue kissed her forehead this time.

"I didn't mean those words. I really didn't know you thought that way, for me. "

"I never once looked down on you, and I never will."

"I only said those words because I was selfish and worried."

"I was angry since I wasn't there to protect you."

"Forgive me, alright?"

"I'm sorry."

With each sentence he spoke, he showered her face with kisses. His arm around her waist tightened, not allowing her to escape. Along the way, Cecil let out a hearty giggle, lightly shoving at his chest.

"Okay, okay okay! Stop kissing--mmph."

Xue placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Cecil blinked rapidly as he withdrew, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"How did you learn how to apologise so sweetly?"

"Hana taught me how," Xue grinned at her. "From the books she shared with me."

Cecil hung her jaw in disbelief. "Those ro-romance novels?! You actually read those?!"

"So that's what they are called?" Xue muttered thoughtfully, his fingers around Cecil's waist lightly traced circles through her kimono.

"You really read those?"

"You don't believe me."

"It's not that, but--"

"Let's see, I remember in one scene of the book called "My Lovely Marchioness", her husband knelt down on his knees and said to his wife he would pluck the stars out from the sky for her, and go to ends of the world just to get her the most expensive and biggest pearl in the world. She was the only light to exist his dark, cold world and--"

Cecil covered his mouth with her hands.

"Okay, enough!" she hissed out, feeling the second-hand embarrassment from her end. "Aren't you embarrassed saying those words out?"

It's so cringy hearing someone say that!

Reading it to yourself sounds better!

There was a teasing glint in Xue's eyes, and he pushed his mouth forward, nipping at her palm lightly. Cecil jolted, pulling her hand back and he grasped her wrist, pressing it against his cheek as he continued grinning.

"So you will forgive me? Hm?"

Cecil softened her expression, stroking his cheek with her hand.

"Yeah, I will," she smiled. "I am at fault too."

Xue closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. "Hmmm, as long as you are safe and happy."

Cecil felt her heart fluttering and she leaned in, pecking his lips before she leaned back.

Xue opened his eyes, looking back at her. Just like the first day he met her, her pellucid onyx eyes were still as captivating as ever, something that he admitted to himself in his heart. Right now, seeing his own reflection in her eyes as she smiled softly at him, Xue felt as if he didn't need anything more in his life.

Just this moment is all he needed.

Xue moved his other hand from her wrist to her waist, pulling her even closer as their lips met once more.

This time, their kiss went on longer than just a peck. It was tantalizing, passionate yet gentle all at once. The two of them sighed into their kiss, their eyes completely closed.

Cecil threw her arms around his neck, and Xue pressed her closer to his body.

"...?"

"..."

The two of them felt a presence right beside them, pausing as they separated just a little, their lips almost brushing against one another.

They turned to the yard beside them, seeing someone familiar standing beside them.

Cecil froze in shock and embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Xue frowned in displeasure and he leaned back a tiny bit, turning his head.

"You are really always appearing out of nowhere, K'xug."

It was as if the embarrassment at being discovered wasn't good enough, AI500 started to annoy her once again.

[ Due to an unexpected delay in our updates, there was a missed announcement about an achievement earned along the way! ]

[ Achievement "Discovered" unlocked!

Objective: Discover the true identity of the owner of the auction house! ]

"..."

"...you are doing this on purpose, right?"

"I mean, what's the point of achievements now?"

[ You have 16 achievements remaining! ]

"..."

Once again, AI500 disregarded her words.

***

《 start 》

Your warm, bright smile.

You in my embrace.

Your eyes on me.

Just this moment.

If everything I did so far was to obtain this moment...

I would do it all over again.

《 stop 》