"What do you want to do now?" Mirai Uchiha asked curiously, looking at Chino.
He was very curious to see what kind of decision this young woman would make in such a situation.
Chino remained silent for a while before finally speaking slowly, "I want to meet Homura Mikado first."
"No problem."
Mirai snapped her fingers, and the group instantly arrived at an extravagant main hall.
Homura Mikado appeared before them, dressed in a suit and wearing sunglasses.
"Chino? Kazamatsuri?"
"How did you two..."
Startled, Homura hurriedly placed his cup of coffee on the table.
Chino looked at Homura coldly and asked, "Am I really your daughter?"
Homura hesitated briefly, then showed a bitter smile. "You already know?"
Upon hearing this answer, whatever hope Chino had left vanished completely.
She took a deep breath and asked, "Then tell me, exactly how did my mother die?"
Homura pointed toward the sofa and said composedly, "Sit down first. Since you already know everything, there's no point in hiding anything anymore."
After Chino and the others sat down, Homura took a sip of coffee and continued, "Back then, the Blood Pools Clan had a rule—women were forbidden from leaving Hell Valley."
"But your mother always longed for the outside world. Every time I returned from beyond, she'd listen to my stories all evening."
"Eventually, while I was away, she tried to sneak out of Hell Valley, but was discovered by our clan members."
"When I came back, your mother was already dead."
A sorrowful expression crossed Homura's face as he sighed lightly, "She only wanted to see the world outside. What crime was that?"
"The loss of your mother made me lose my mind. One night, I killed every last member of our clan."
Homura's account matched almost entirely with what Mirai Uchiha had told her, so Chino showed little reaction, simply continuing, "Then why did you hide my identity?"
Homura looked at Chino and replied slowly, "Eventually, word of what I did would come out. I knew I'd carry the burden of hatred and scorn forever."
"I didn't want you to suffer because of me, so I chose not to reveal who I really was."
"That way, once you learned about the Blood Pools Clan, you could seek revenge against me without hesitation or guilt."
"You'd go visit your mother, and you could become the hero who brings justice to our clan..."
After listening to Homura's story, everyone present felt deeply moved.
Just from Homura Mikado's story, they could feel his sincere care for Chino.
Only Mirai Uchiha rubbed his nose.
Why does this story sound so familiar to me?
Homura Mikado walked before Mirai Uchiha, knelt down, and said, "Lord Emperor, the truth is exactly as I described. The matter back then was entirely my fault, and I am willing to pay with my life."
Mirai Uchiha replied indifferently, "When the Blood Pools Clan was annihilated, Hell Valley wasn't within Shen Nation's territory, so this matter doesn't concern me."
"Stand up."
Upon hearing Mirai Uchiha's response, Homura Mikado lifted his head in visible surprise.
So this meant...
He was safe?
Chino also quietly exhaled in relief.
After learning all the truth about what had happened, she no longer hated Homura Mikado.
If Mirai Uchiha truly wanted to kill Homura Mikado because of the Blood Pools Clan incident, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
Mirai Uchiha stood up and said, "Since everything has been resolved, I'll be on my way now."
Having said that, he started preparing to leave together with Moegi Kazamatsuri.
"Lord Emperor, please wait a moment!"
Chino's voice came from behind.
Mirai Uchiha turned around and looked at Chino with slight confusion.
"Lord Emperor, may I follow you from now on?"
Hearing this, Mirai Uchiha raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why do you have such an idea?"
Chino explained, "It was you who forgave my crimes and revealed the entire truth to me. I can never repay your kindness."
"Please allow me to stay by your side and serve you."
Although she didn't plan to kill Homura Mikado anymore, Chino couldn't continue living with him either.
Therefore, she decided to follow Mirai Uchiha for the rest of her life.
After all, to her, Mirai Uchiha was practically no different from her reborn parents.
After glancing at Chino briefly, Mirai Uchiha nodded. "Alright then. You may follow me from now on."
Seeing Mirai Uchiha agreeing, Chino excitedly ran behind Mirai Uchiha.
Homura Mikado didn't say anything further.
Being with Lord Emperor was certainly better than staying with him.
Moegi saw this and wanted to follow Mirai Uchiha alongside Chino. But the moment he stole a glance at Mirai Uchiha, he froze stiff, his gaze going blank.
Mirai Uchiha lightly snorted.
What do you think you're trying to do?
Crawl away!
---
On their way back, Moegi Kazamatsuri hesitantly spoke up, "Lord Emperor, our success wouldn't have been possible without you. Without your help, I might have faced great danger."
"Besides, if it were just me alone, I probably wouldn't have ever uncovered these truths."
Mirai Uchiha smiled and patted Moegi Kazamatsuri's shoulder. "Moegi Kazamatsuri, you've done really well already. Keep working hard in the future."
Unexpectedly praised, Moegi Kazamatsuri became excited. "Yes, I'll definitely keep doing my best!"
"Alright, you must be tired after all this time. Go rest in your room."
Moegi Kazamatsuri bowed respectfully and obediently walked out.
Mirai turned her gaze toward Chino and pointed at the bed.
"Go warm my bed for me."
Chino was taken aback, then her face turned completely red.
She never expected that Lord Emperor would make such a request.
Seeing Chino's reaction, Mirai chuckled. "Do you know why I allowed you to stay by my side?"
Chino whispered softly, "N-no, I don't know."
"That's because little girls like you are super adorable."
"Eh?!" Hearing Mirai's words, Chino became even more flustered.
She lowered her head, stuttering, "T-that... Lady Mirai, actually... I'm already an adult..."
"I'm just a little short, that's all."
"Being an adult is great," Mirai's smile widened, "an adult who still looks like a little girl—I like that even more."
With that, she suddenly drew Chino into her arms.
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