The two ladies did not hesitate to drown Kiyae in hugs. Kiyae was more than happy to embrace them back, a happy smile on her face. They said a few words to one another before bursting out into giggles with Kiyae winking at them.

Meanwhile, Haru and Ryo wanted to give Xue and K'xug a friendly farewell hug, alas, the two men smacked them right in their faces with their palms.

"Get away."

The two of them said at the same time.

"Is this how you are going to treat your friends?!" Haru barked out.

"Yeah!" Ryo echoed after Haru. "Captain is right!"

"Who's your friend?" Xue narrowed his eyes.

"I know you only want to spar with me." K'xug grumbled out, shoving Ryo away who was still bent on sticking onto him.

Ryo only gave K'xug a cheeky smile.

"Ryo Ryo, go away!" Hana said, squeezing in between them and pushing Ryo away. "This is my spot!"

Ryo stumbled back, blinking in shock. He lifted his head up, seeing Hana standing in his spot previously and snuggling up to K'xug.

Since it was Hana, K'xug did not fight back. He cleared his throat, tempted to break out into a grin.

"If you want to practice with K'xug again, try it another time." Hana spit out her tongue.

Ryo glared at Hana, and Hana glared back.

"Something about this doesn't feel right." Yun muttered to himself in confusion, watching the two battle over K'xug.

On the other hand, after hearing Xue's cold response, Haru proceeded to draw circles in a corner.

"To think the day I'll see getting rejected as a friend," Kiyae snickered at Haru moping in one corner. "See captain, this is what you get for keeping your bad habit of calling people as peasants."

Haru continued drawing circles in a corner.

"Xue, be honest," Cecil appeared beside Xue, leaning in as she whispered. "You see them as a friend, one way or another, right?"

"..."

Xue did not answer, glancing away.

Kai: "Xue, don't be shy."

Alric: "Sh-shy?"

Zasiok: "He really is."

Leonaut: "Shy boy."

Sid: "Shy boy!"

Isleif: "Pathetic shy boy."

Shin: "Shy."

Rugi: "A shy little boy."

Jehan: "Sh-shy little boy, hahaha--!"

Xue: "...shut up."

His soul fragments did not stop teasing him, and that's when he heard Cecil laughing beside him.

"What's so funny?"

"No, I'm just happy."

"Happy?"

"You aren't closing yourself off anymore," Cecil smiled up at Xue. "Little by little, gradually by gradually, I hope you'll open up more."

"That sounds scary."

"It is, isn't it?"

Xue smiled in resignation, shaking his head at Cecil. "Don't hold any high hopes for that to happen."

"It's okay, as long as you are well, it doesn't matter if it happens or not."

"One last call for the passengers heading to the Sen continent!" The captain of the ship hollered.

The group shot their heads in that direction, and this time, everyone wore a bright expression on their faces, except for Xue and K'xug who remained indifferent.

"Let's not hold them back any further," Yun adjusted his glasses, nodding towards the group. "Meeting and knowing you was a pleasure of mine."

"The same to you, Yun." Cecil nodded back.

"Our pretty little Hana, don't get too sick on the ship!" Kiyae waved. "Take care, and don't forget about us!"

"With Cecil's bitter and horrible medicine, I won't be!" Hana chirped, waving back.

"..."

Cecil was speechless at Hana's blatant words.

"And I won't forget any of you! It has been really fun!"

"Fun?" K'xug swivelled his head to Hana.

"Hana's idea of fun has always been strange." Xue shrugged.

"That..." K'xug contemplated before nodding. "That is certainly true."

Cecil agreed silently.

"Hey!" Hana pouted.

"K'xug! Xue!" Ryo grinned, extending his fist towards them. "Next time, when we meet again, I'll be stronger! And then, you'll fight me seriously for once!"

"I'm sure you will be," K'xug furrowed his eyebrows. "Though, we probably won't meet again."

"Agreed." Xue said and he spun around, walking forward.

The other three followed suit, and Hana wore a sad expression.

"We really won't see them again?"

Cecil stretched her hand out, patting Hana on the head. "Maybe yes, maybe no."

"But I want to--"

"We will meet again!" Haru exclaimed, cupping his hand around his mouth. "I, Haru, don't call people as my friends to say farewell to them!"

"Captain, you are planning on going to Sen, aren't you?" Kiyae crossed her arms.

"Hehe, who knows?" Haru grinned.

"Yep, he's planning on going."

"Definitely."

"Good thinking, captain!"

Xue sighed, a hint of smile on his lips. He lifted his hand, giving them a wave and he did not look back even once.

Cecil turned back with a smile on her face. "Take good care of yourselves, everyone. Thank you for the beautiful clothes and dolls you gave to us, Kiyae."

"Beautiful things for beautiful ladies like you," Kiyae winked. "I have no regrets giving those away."

Cecil finished her goodbyes with a bow and a wave, spinning back around and joining Xue beside her.

"Make sure you really come back stronger." K'xug smirked at Ryo and Haru, spinning around and walking off.

"Bye bye!" Hana hollered back, cupping her hands around her mouth too. She was beaming from the bottom of her heart, waving wildly. "Please be well, and when I see you all again, I'll cook something delicious too!"

Thus, with that, their group was down to four once again.

However, through this journey, all four of them had learnt something in one way or another.

"Ah, hold on!" Haru called out.

He hurled something over, and without looking back, Xue caught it in mid-air and all four of them observed the item in his palm.

"If you ever need a helping hand, use that!"

There was a loud horn from the ship, signalling that it was preparing to set off. The four of them boarded the ship without any hesitation.

Meanwhile, Haru, Yun, Kiyae and Ryo stood there the entire time. It was only until the ship began to set off with another loud horn, the four of them came to a realisation.

"Wait, captain, you never told them how to use it." Kiyae placed her palm on her forehead.

"Did I?" Haru blinked rapidly.

"You didn't." Yun shook his head.

"Nope..." Ryo shook his head as well, rubbing at his eyes.

"Well, uh..." Haru rubbed his nose, sniffling and he puffed his chest. "They'll figure it out since they aren't dumb! It's not my fault!"

"..."

"..."

"I'm starting to feel sleepy, captain..."

"Not again, I'm not carrying you again--ah! Yun! Kiyae! Don't you dare run away--damnit, come back here!"

***

Once again, they were back at sea and they passed the time like how they usually would. Whether it was training, dining or chatting, the four of them were always together. The only thing they weren't looking forward to was meeting their personal guide that Yun assigned to them.

Linqin.

Albeit, they still held the faintest glimmer of hope that this Linqin was completely different from the Linqin they knew back in academy.

Unfortunately, fate has never been nice to anyone.

When they first saw land, Cecil first noticed the biggest difference in this continent compared to the others.

The lack of man-made buildings.

From the start all the way past the horizons, all she could see was greenery and the occasional buildings that resembled large tents. There were floras and faunas, but they were rather sparse and the entire was overwhelmed with the scent of nature, brimming with life.

The next thing she noticed was the large crowd awaiting them at the shore, and it seemed like they knew this is the area where ships preferred to dock at. In the large crowd of people, there were enormous animals standing beside them.

The animals ranged from tigers, elephants, elks and pandas.

From time to time, the animals lowered their heads to snuggle up to their owners, who cuddled up to them in return with bright, loving smiles.

This sight left Cecil and Hana flabbergasted, especially Hana who might faint from her light-headedness due to her sea sickness.

The ship arrived at a stop in front of the crowd and the crowd made some space for the passengers to descend. The passengers made their way down from the large ship with the help of the elements, be it the wind, water or ice.

"Wh-what are those large animals?!" Hana questioned with wide eyes. "Why are they sooooo big?!"

"...I've only read about them, but I have never seen one," Cecil murmured out in amazement. "This is fascinating."

Of course, when Cecil said she read about them, she knew of these animals in the novel. However, once again, these animals weren't elaborated much. All they had was a simple description.

The sound of the waves crashed against the ship as it slowed down.

"Likewise," K'xug nodded, giving Xue a knowing glance. "It's better for you to ask the person who sneaked out to the mortal realm countless times, to escape from his duties."

Xue flinched.

"Xue snuck out a lot?" Cecil asked in amusement.

"To skip out on his work, yes." K'xug nonchalantly revealed.

"I wish you still aren't able to speak." Xue muttered out, annoyed.

Hana giggled.

"So Xue, since you snuck out alot," Cecil asked again. "Tell us about these animals. What exactly are they?"

"They are animals that have an affinity with the elements," Xue explained. "Unlike us, they aren't able to wield it but they are greater both in strength and size. They are more intelligent as well."

"They can't use the elements at all?"

"Not at all," Xue shook his head. "But there are exceptions."

"Exceptions?"

"..."

"..."

When Cecil probed further, the expressions of both Xue and K'xug became unpleasant.

She noticed the immediate change in their mood, her words hesitant.

"I'm sorry...did I say something...wrong?"

The ship was still sailing towards the shore, the crowd becoming more visible in their eyes.

"No Cecil, it's not you," Xue shook his head. "You have nothing to apologise for."

"Those exceptions are pitiful." K'xug added.

"Ah!" Hana gasped. "I got it! That's why they looked so familiar!"

They turned to Hana as she clapped her hands happily, looking at the three of them with a bright smile.

"In my memories, I remember the forest in the heavenly realm! And there are animals like that there!" Hana blabbered on excitedly. "They look very similar! And they can use elements like us in a way!"

At that moment, another set of hands was clapping beside them.

"Wonderful deduction, Hana Katae."

"...!"

"Now, who would expect that from you?"

The expressions on the faces of both Xue and K'xug made a turn for the worse.

All of them looked to the person leaned against the wooden railings, his posture and voice indolent. His cobalt-blue hair shimmering in the sunlight and he kept it short, and this time, he donned his mortal appearance with his black irises instead of his demonic red ones.

"Tch." Xue clicked his tongue, brandishing his spear when Cecil quickly stopped him.

"No, Xue, not here," she grabbed onto his arm, shaking her head. "Fighting here will result in many casualties."

"Cecil is right, as much as I want to join you," K'xug nodded, narrowing his eyes in anger. "Fighting here won't do us any good."

Veau stopped clapping.

"What a pity, the seal is really weakening, and you'll recover all your memories soon enough," he said with a languid smile. "Though, maybe it's all for the better."

Hana grimaced, her hand going towards her neck, rubbing on the spot where Zeau injured her. She swore she could still feel the needle in there. Moreover, the scathing voice in her mind was growing louder and louder.

Whether it was telling her that she was better off dead, or whether she shouldn't have forgotten or whether it was reprimanding her for being a coward.

It wasn't helping her at all.

However, Hana never once said any of this to Cecil, Xue or K'xug.

"Aren't I right, Hana Katae?"

"I...I don't know..." Hana muttered out, raising her voice as she glowered at Veau. "I don't know what you are talking about!"

She hurriedly moved her hand away from her neck.

The three of them noticed the adverse reaction Hana had to Veau, making them blink at her in shock. It wasn't everyday they saw Hana getting aggravated by someone, especially by Veau.

"What do you want with us now, weird devil?" K'xug questioned.

"I wonder," Veau shrugged, looking at K'xug. "How does it feel to be able to speak and write again, K'xug?"

K'xug narrowed his eyes at Veau.

"If you have that much time, spend it hunting down more of those angels you hate." Xue growled out.

"What if I told you that is exactly what I am doing?" Veau responded lazily, closing his eyes and relishing in the breeze. "I doubt that you'll believe that either way."

"What do you think?" Xue scoffed.

"You'll come to realise it eventually," Veau said, his smile still remaining on his lips. "Both angels and demons had a tendency to mimic one another, what an irony."

Veau walked off, giving a lazy wave as he disappeared into the crowd.

Their conversation ended abruptly as passengers began to line up to alight from the ship. Albeit, Xue and K'xug could do nothing at this point of time, hence, they could only bear with the devil's infuriating presence.

Veau walked off eventually, giving a lazy wave as he disappeared into the crowd.

The ship arrived at a stop in front of the crowd and the crowd made some space for the passengers to descend. The passengers made their way down from the large ship with the help of the elements, be it the wind, water or ice.

A part of the large crowd made their way over as Xue and his group touched the hard ground, and Hana was more than relieved to welcome this. Other than Xue and the others, they had an additional unwelcome guest tagging along, to which they paid the guest no regard.

The large part of the crowd that approached them had a group of large animals accompanying them, earning many curious glances from the other passengers of the ship. However, the guides that came along with them hurried to move them away, as if they knew the identity of those people within this crowd.

Atop one of the animals, one with a lavish saddle, there was a slim, midnight black-haired woman seated on top of it. There was a headband tied around her head, decorated with feathers and a piece of turquoise-coloured jewel.

She pushed herself off the tiger and flipped in the air, landing on the ground gracefully. She wore a sleeveless top that seemed more of a garment to cover her chest, exposing her belly and creamy skin. Her top was accompanied with loose pants that reached down to her ankles that were covered by her sandals.

Her outfit was completed with arm wraps that reached up to her elbow.

The intricate designs on her outfit clearly showed they had put into effort in this meeting.

Moreover, the people around her wore similar outfits, except that the males were completely topless.

"Welcome honoured guests of Lord Kiba, to our glorious land, Sen," the midnight black-haired woman greeted with a salute of her culture, her voice demure yet firm. "I am Linqin, sister to the chieftain of the Yaehai tribe."

She placed her arms close together, bowing as her long hair fell over her shoulders, along with the headband clasped onto her hair.

Finally, it was time to lift her head up...

"...!"

...and the amiable expression on her face twisted.

Cecil found herself sighing in disappointment.

That delicate and bubbly face, it was one she could recognise anywhere. Albeit, she has grown mature now and her face leaned towards the delicate side.

Cecil was still able to recognise her at first glance.

It was truly the Linqin they knew.

"Looks like you weren't lying."

[ Have I ever lied to you? ]

"..."

"Really now?"

[ Have I? Really~? ]

"..."

Cecil could only think of how shameless AI500 was.

Hana simply glanced away, her blue eyes wandering everywhere.

Xue gave Linqin a cold stare.

In the end, Hana opted to hide behind K'xug and the man only glanced at her in confusion.

Meanwhile, Linqin was still breaking down internally.

"Young Mistress?"

"..."

"Young Mistress, what's wrong?"

"Haoran."

"Yes, Young Mistress."

"I order you to dig up a hole for me to bury myself in."

"Yes, Young Mis--"

Her subordinate paused, his entire well-built stature freezing in place as he turned.

"What?!"

***

《 start 》

Funnily enough, accompanying them has shown me a few things.

A few stupid things I would have preferred to remain buried deep.

Just thinking about seeing them again...

It gives me a headache.

...

...hah, Xue.

You've grown soft.

《 stop 》 

***

Author's Note: Just briefly looking through the inner monologue, and yes, it's Xue speaking. I realised it could have looked like Veau speaking, but it's not. Hah! 

Veau's monologue are scarce, but they will appear from time to time. 

Also, please take note that updates will be slower. If there aren't any updates for a week, it's because I have no chapters to post ;c 

I am seriously tempted to take a 3 months hiatus, but time and life won't allow that...