Calguas was taken aback by Ixartxist's revelation and asked, his voice filled with disbelief, "How would you know that Nia'le kissed her?" Ixartxist glared at him and responded with anger, "When I kissed Quart before, I placed a spell on her lips." Calguas's eyes grew cold as he inquired further, "What kind of spell?" Ixartxist replied, his voice heavy with ominous intent, "The mark of death." Calguas was utterly shocked by this revelation, but he managed to keep his composure, silently questioning in his mind how Nia'le could have activated such a spell. "That spell can only be activated by killing 2,545 people and offering them. Surely, he didn't kill 2,545 people just to cast a spell on her," Calguas thought to himself.
Ixartxist, having read Calguas's thoughts, responded, "You're right, my friend. I have killed 2,545, or perhaps even more, to activate that spell. You know me, you know I would do anything for Tassa." Calguas couldn't believe that Ixartxist would go to such extreme lengths for her. He was left speechless, while Suman, on the other hand, seemed unsurprised by the revelation.
Ignoring their shocked expressions, Suman walked past them and squatted in front of the lifeless body of Ixartxist's employee. He gazed upon her blood-soaked form, lying on the floor, and gently pulled her bright brown hair, studying her innocent face. Suman's eyes held a mix of pity and recognition as he noticed the resemblance between her and someone important to him, Aretha. Their matching bright brown hair and the striking similarity in their appearance reminded him of their last encounter. With care, he lifted her and laid her down on Ixartxist's couch. Ixartxist, annoyed by Suman's actions, glared at him, but Suman paid no mind to his intimidating look.
"Ixartxist—" Suman began, but his words were abruptly cut off as Ixartxist hurled a side table towards him. However, Suman effortlessly kicked it aside, causing it to crash into the wall and shatter. "You know how bloody the woman is. How dare you place her on my couch!" Ixartxist chided angrily. Undeterred, Suman confronted him, saying, "You're the one who killed her. She was innocent, Ixartxist, and I can sense it. So you have no right to be angry. She deserves this, she deserves her own memorial."
Calguas redirected the conversation, urging Ixartxist to focus on Quart. "Forget about her for now, Ixartxist. What happened to Quart? What have you done to her?" Calguas asked, seeking answers. Ixartxist replied dismissively, "I haven't done anything yet, Calguas. Don't overreact."
Suman interjected, suggesting that Ixartxist might be going too far for Quart. "Ixartxist, she is undeniably beautiful, almost like a goddess. But don't you think you're going to extremes for her? Why not consider finding someone else, even temporarily, and take a break from Quart?" Suman proposed. Ixartxist's anger flared up at Suman's suggestion, prompting him to hurl his heavy desk at him. However, Suman effortlessly caught it, placed it down, and sat on it, smirking at Ixartxist. "That's just a suggestion. Don't you like it?" Suman taunted. Ixartxist glared at him and retorted, "Keep your stupid suggestion to yourself, Suman." Turning his back on Suman, Ixartxist sat down, resting his arms and gazing out the window.
"Why would you ask me a question when you already know the answer?" Ixartxist said, frustration evident in his voice. Suman burst into laughter, finding amusement in the situation. Annoyed, Ixartxist glared at him, but Suman continued to laugh. "But it's not a sudden infatuation, I just suddenly like her. It's probably her doing, a spell or some kind of witchcraft," Ixartxist explained. Suman playfully wrapped his arms around Ixartxist's neck, teasing him happily. "Suddenly? Oh, come on, don't fool me, Ixartxist. Just be honest. Deep inside, you love her very much. In fact, you've loved her for a long time, you perverted, infatuated guy," Suman remarked. Ixartxist couldn't contain his anger and choked Suman, but Suman only laughed in response. "Guilty," he said.
"I'm going to kill you!" Ixartxist exclaimed. Suman, unfazed, replied with a smirk, "You can't kill me like that. Not even Lucifah can. You're stuck with me forever." In the quiet stillness, Calguas stood with a troubled expression on his face. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he observed Xart's actions. "What are you up to now?" Calguas finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity. Xart released his grip on Suman and replied, "I'm going to track them down and eliminate him. And then, I will reclaim my beloved Tassa and never let her go again." Calguas's worry deepened, rendering him speechless. Sensing Calguas's distress, Ixartxist approached him and remarked, "You know, Calguas, I can't seem to track Tassa. It's as if someone is deliberately obstructing my efforts. Perhaps there is someone keeping her hidden in another dimension." Ixartxist took a step closer to Calguas and pondered aloud, "An angel, perhaps?" Calguas straightened his posture and met Ixartxist's intense gaze. "What do you expect me to do?" he retorted sarcastically. However, as Calguas glanced down and saw the faint smile on Ixartxist's face, he realized that his friend wasn't truly expecting him to intervene. "No, why should I concern myself with an angel blocking your path? Don't misunderstand me, my friend. Though we may be demons, we are not yet powerful enough to challenge an angel. You know this, so even I cannot assist you." With those words, Calguas turned and began to walk away. But just as he was about to depart, Xart called out his name, causing him to pause and listen. "Calguas, you must understand that it's not only angels who could be hindering our search. It could be me, it could be Suman, or even you. But you wouldn't betray me, would you, Calguas?" Calguas glanced back, annoyance etching his face as he replied, "I am not an angel, Ixartxist. I am a demon, and a demon remains a demon. I have no interest in involving myself in your obsession with Quart or your pursuit of these insignificant rodents." With that final statement, Calguas left them behind, evaporating into the air. Suman watched the exchange, utterly bewildered by their conversation. He approached Ixartxist, seeking clarification, but was met with silence. Ixartxist exited the room, disappearing into the darkness. "They're all consumed by this madness, but it doesn't matter to me. Ixartxist is nothing more than a fool. Even if he possesses Quart, he still requires his permission," Suman muttered to himself. He then approached the lifeless body, blowing a mysterious substance onto his palm, causing the corpse to dissolve into thin air.
Meanwhile, Tassa and Céline engaged in a heartfelt conversation, while Nia'le busied himself with finding food for them. Curiosity sparked within Céline as she asked her mother, "Mother, who do you like more, Xart or Nia'le?" Tassa blushed, taken aback by the question, and replied, "I do love Xart, but if I had to choose, I would pick Nia'le. You know why?" Céline looked at her with innocent curiosity and asked, "Why, Mother?" Tassa playfully tapped her nose and explained, "Because Nia'le is always there for me. Even though he may act like a jerk sometimes, deep down, he truly cares. Besides, we're family now, right?" Céline's expression turned melancholic, and she questioned further, "But what about Xart? Who is he to you? Don't you like him the most?" Tassa's face flushed with embarrassment as she replied, "Xart is a powerful and wonderful wizard. He was the first person who treated me with kindness and made me feel important. At first, I considered him an important person in my life. But then, I found myself falling for him and treating him as more than just that. He has been so kind to me, professing his love for me above all else. He has taught me so much. And as someone deeply in love, I did everything I could to make him proud of me. He was always there for me, until one day..." Tassa's emotions shifted, and a profound sadness filled her voice. "And then, one day, he abandoned me and left. I don't know why or maybe he started to see me as a burden. Perhaps he simply didn't love me anymore. But it doesn't matter. I don't care anymore, especially now that I have you and Nia'le. Let's start a new life together. Starting over isn't a bad thing, you know." Unbeknownst to Tassa and Céline, Nia'le had been eavesdropping on their conversation. He emerged from behind a tree, a smile gracing his face. "I heard everything. I knew you had feelings for me, and I thought my charm wasn't working anymore, despite your obsession with me," Nia'le playfully remarked. Tassa stood up, but Nia'le gently placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. "Shhh! You don't need to tell me how long you've had these feelings for me. What matters now is that we both feel the same. You chose me over him, and that's my greatest triumph in this unfair world. Thank you, Tassa." Tassa felt conflicted, as if she were betraying her own emotions. She wanted to stop Nia'le and explain herself, but he urged her not to say anything. With a sweet smile, he reassured her that everything was alright. Tassa was taken aback by his response and wanted to ask him what he meant, but Nia'le gazed at the sky and spoke softly, "I loved you, Tassa. And I won't force you to love me in return. I choose to love you, even knowing about this Xart guy you're so obsessed with. If I give you something, it doesn't mean you have to give me something in return. Do you understand, Tassa?" Tassa began to speak, but Nia'le interrupted, saying, "I get it."