It was the middle of the night inside the Solira Palace, where all the angels had gathered to celebrate the conclusion of a mission that had lasted over 340 million years.
However, Yuta's presence caused them to stare at him in shock and fear after learning what had transpired from their queen. Yuta spoke mockingly as he looked down at them while they knelt before him: "Hahahaha! How obedient you are. You listened to the words of your mistress, the leader of the Lords' Tribe, Hayat Solira."
He then walked over to Queen Solira's throne and sat upon it, gazing at them with a calm expression that only deepened their terror and dread.
Solira spoke fearfully, pleading for mercy: "We apologize to you, O Great Creator Yuta. Our behavior was inappropriate—stemming from our ignorance. We hope you will forgive us and spare my people; they were forced into this."
Yuta listened to her words in silence. He picked up the teacup beside him—the one intended for Solira—but stopped just before taking a sip; he transformed the liquid into black dust, leaving everyone stunned.
Yuta spoke with a mix of mockery and disdain that shocked them all: "Very well, I shall forgive you this once, given your ignorance. But who would have expected that among the very people you humiliate yourself to protect, there would be someone wishing to kill you by poisoning your drink?"
"A ruler who governs a treacherous people is nothing but a fool sitting on a throne of fools; a true ruler must rid themselves of such people." "It seems you know them, doesn't it?"
Solira remained silent as she listened to Yuta, then turned her gaze toward her people in shock. Her shock deepened as the heads of dozens of them exploded, scattering a gruesome mixture of blood, flesh, fat, hair, brain matter, and eyes all around. She realized then that the traitors had been the very people she trusted most.
She turned back to Yuta, who wore a faint smile—a sight that filled her with fear and dread. She sighed, trying to clear her mind and compose herself, before speaking words of gratitude. Her followers looked on with a sense of embarrassment; the man who had humbled himself to protect them was now being targeted for death—a reminder that selfish interests can erase even the noblest deeds.
"Thank you, Lord Yuta Casiral. I will never forget what you have done for me as long as I live. If you ever ask for anything, I will not refuse—even if it means fighting the entire world, I will do it."
A faint smile appeared on Yuta's face as he listened. The words she had just spoken were momentous—the kind of pledge even the mightiest leaders would not dare to make lightly, and one she would likely come to regret.
Yuta raised his voice as he addressed them, filling them with happiness and satisfaction: "Come now, continue your celebration! Add to it a celebration of the traitors' deaths. Isn't it wonderful to celebrate the downfall of those who sought to destroy your peace and shatter your stability?"
Yuta's words acted like fuel, igniting their enthusiasm; they shouted loudly, raising their voices in unison... ...like their arrows.
"Long live Yuto Caseral! Long live the leader of the Solira tribe!"
"Long live Yuto Caseral! Long live the leader of the Solira tribe!"
"Long live Yuto Caseral! Long live the leader of the Solira tribe!"
"Long live Yuto Caseral! Long live the leader of the Solira tribe!"
"Long live Yuto Caseral! Long live the leader of the Solira tribe!"
Solira's eyes were filled with happiness as she gazed at her overjoyed people. She then turned her attention to Yuto, who was watching them while standing beside her.
She embraced him—a gesture that left him momentarily stunned—before looking at him with a forgiving yet slightly embarrassed expression. They then continued the celebration with overwhelming joy.
Speaking in a calm tone with a faint smile, he said, "You should enjoy your time, Lady Solira. Life is short, no matter how many ages one lives."
"You are right, Lord Yuto Caseral; I must cherish these fleeting moments. Thank you, once again, for saving my life from certain death. Who would have thought that those who betrayed me would be my own sisters and the people I trusted? *Sigh*..."
Yuto maintained a gentle smile as he listened to her words, and afterwards, they returned to the celebration.
Hours and minutes passed until the morning of the next day—July 17, 675—arrived. At 8:30 AM, everyone was packing up the camp, preparing to return to the Caseral family estate to get ready for what lay ahead. With only three days remaining until the Summer Festival...
After spending half an hour loading gear onto the bus, Yuta stepped inside, his expression a mix of happiness and relief—reflecting on the beautiful yet shocking events of the past two days.
He checked the bus's storage compartment and found it packed. "Everything is loaded, and the place is spotless."
He boarded the bus and set off, leaving behind the "Lake of a Thousand Monsters"—now nothing more than a giant crater. On the journey home, he overheard merchants and travelers discussing a mysterious purple energy pillar.
He realized that both allies and enemies were now aware of the phenomenon; after all, every entity in the human world had witnessed it, even if not everyone understood its true nature or significance. He pressed on, speeding toward the city of Berhais.
Elsewhere, the Black and White Scorpion gazed at a portal displaying Yuta's bus as it headed for Berhais.
He spoke with an enthusiasm born of centuries of anticipation: "Experiment No. 000002546—from the D-1.1 and D-1.2 series—is certainly having a grand time. No matter; only five days remain until the moment arrives for you both to become the instruments of my growing power."
"Just five days, and it will all be over. It will be a magnificent day for me. Then, it will be the turn of the 'Sky-Shattering Venerable' and the Organization Leader; they will die by my hand, and I shall become the next leader of the Scorpion Organization! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"
Returning to Yuta... As they passed through the gates of the city of Berhais, they were greeted by the scent of fresh summer flowers and fruits, filling Kerry, Lerry, Chloe, and Madeline with delight and awe as they gazed at the streets.
In contrast, Siri was fast asleep in the back seat of the bus; watching her, Kerry and Lerry wore expressions tinged with sadness.
The sudden change in her saddened them, for they longed to see the old Siri again—yet they knew that was impossible.
Meanwhile, Siri was deep in slumber, grappling with dreams that were actually memories of her past lives—memories that had begun to return little by little.
In a vast, white void—fractured and riddled with shattered areas—there were manyTheir facial expressions and bodies were obscured by a veil of pure light that rippled in captivating, multicolored waves, completely shrouding them.
Amidst this gathering of other Rulers—embodiments of various concepts and laws—stood Death (Athena) and Destruction (Higurashi). They were in a catastrophic state, battered and exhausted, utterly unable to fight for even a single second.
Then, the entity known as the Master Ruler—who had assumed leadership after Zhao Li and Alessandra became human—spoke in a firm, uncompromising tone: "Because of the two of you, it has become impossible to kill Zhao Li and Alessandra or to seize their ruling authority. Furthermore, the First Ragnarok War ended in your defeat; therefore, we sentence you both to a punishment befitting your transgression."
"Although killing you would not serve our interests—given that you are fundamental concepts within the novel *The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy*—Death, the Supreme Ruler of Death, shall be imprisoned within the Central Continent. As for Destruction, the Supreme Ruler of Destruction—your accomplice in this betrayal—her power shall be sealed, and she shall be cursed to wander the earth, destined to kill those closest to her when she reaches the age of eleven."
Neither of them uttered a word; they were too utterly drained and exhausted to speak even a single syllable. As their bodies began to fade away, Athena, the Ruler of Death, was sent to the Rulers' Graveyard dungeon. Meanwhile, Higurashi, the Ruler of Destruction, had her power sealed within the Lake of a Thousand Beasts, and she was cast out to wander infinite ordinary worlds as an outcast, destined to die alone in some forgotten alleyway. Amidst a throng of followers, High Ruler Merilia watched as Seera hung suspended from a cross, surrounded by stacks of wood. Tears streamed profusely from her eyes, yet none of them cared.
Outwardly, she was merely an eleven-year-old girl, but she was also Higurashi, the High Ruler of Destruction. Knowing that her very existence would bring war and ruin to their world, they felt absolutely no sympathy for her.
"Let me go! What did I ever do to deserve this? I trusted you so much, Commander—yet you want to kill me?" Seera's voice was thick with pleading, sorrow, and despair as she gazed at the leader of the angels and her followers—the very people who, just days ago, had treated her with kindness.
The tribal leader approached without uttering a word, flames gathering and taking shape in her hand. Seera was unable to use her powers—suppressed by stones designed to block them—making her escape an impossibility in their eyes.
The leader hurled the fireball at the wood and Seera. She screamed in agony as the flames engulfed her; the leader clenched her fist tightly and walked away without a word, leaving behind followers who danced in sheer delight. "H-h-help... Someone, please help me... I beg you, someone help me..."
Yet, there was no one nearby to assist her. Moreover, neither Alessandra nor Zhao Li was aware of the situation, as they had placed her in an isolated location immediately after her birth. The presence of the *Mala'ik*—back when Zhao Li and Alessandra were within their cocoon centuries ago—was what had allowed them to pinpoint the exact time and place of her birth.
She died just minutes later, her body completely consumed by fire.
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Siri opened her eyes and looked around to find herself in her bed; Yuta was resting his head on her stomach. A faint smile touched her lips as she embraced his head, just as she used to do in the past.
Yuta smiled gently, gazing at her with a calm expression. Placing his hand on Siri's cheek, he spoke: "How are you, my dear Siri? You seem utterly exhausted. But don't worry; don't let every setback become an obstacle. Sometimes, a setback can be the very thing that enables you to take a step forward."
Siri remained silent, gazing at him without a word, before turning her calm eyes toward the ceiling, attempting to... She tried to forget that dream—dismissing it as a trivial memory that ought to be buried.
Letting out a sigh heavy with mental and emotional exhaustion, she turned her gaze back to Yuta, who still wore that same smile.
Speaking in a calm tone while gently stroking Yuta's pale white hair, she said, "Even so, some setbacks take a long time to heal and become a path to strength. Yet, there are hardships that don't make a person stronger; instead, they make one wish for death."
Yuta didn't say a word; he simply looked at her for a few moments before cracking his knuckles and speaking quietly. "Perhaps you need some rest, my dear Siri. Sleep will be your best remedy for now, until the time is right."
Siri closed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. Yuta stood up and left her to fall into a deep slumber, ignoring the gaze of Athena, who had been watching them.
Looking at Athena, Yuta spoke in a calm, advisory tone: "Athena, I know you currently view Siri as a daughter and a dear friend. But you need to act with ease and composure, not tension and anxiety—otherwise, you'll just look foolish. To improve your relationship with your friend, you should act like friends, or like a mother who loves her child—not like... well, you know what I mean."
Athena narrowed her eyes at him until he vanished from sight, laughing with a clear mockery that infuriated her—making her want to kick him endlessly. She glanced back at Siri for a few moments before leaving the room herself, allowing her friend to get some much-needed rest.
The following day—Saturday, the 18th... It was 7:30; Sira and Athena were quietly eating at the table, amidst a silent, tension-filled hall.
Athena found it difficult to speak with Sira after recovering her memories, as she still felt guilty about what Sira had endured over the past millions of years.
Sira, meanwhile, could not find the right words—as if they had vanished from her mind—so she chose to eat in silence, searching for a way to mend their somewhat strained friendship.
Athena quietly set her spoon down on the table; Sira glanced at it for a moment before looking back at her own meal and stopping as well.
Yet, the situation remained unchanged; neither spoke to the other, and silence reigned. This prompted Athena to recall the last time they had spoken—the day after the journey during which she had regained her memories and powers.What's more, the inability to converse was extremely frustrating for both of them.
Siri broke the silence, her voice tinged with slight hesitation: "It's a beautiful day to explore the city of Brais. Wouldn't it be a great idea to get ready and go for a walk?"
Athena's expression was comical—she looked both shocked and flustered—but Siri paid it no mind.
Siri sipped the fruit juice nearby, waiting impatiently for a reply; it was clear that an answer would take a while, given that Athena seemed unable to utter a single word.
Athena took a deep breath and looked at Siri. She had never felt such tension and anxiety in her life—to the point where she even began to wonder if she was gay.
She decided to banish the thought, pretending it had never crossed her mind, and spoke in a nervous tone: "You're right, Higurashi—I mean, Siri. It's a good time to walk around Brais."
Athena looked slightly embarrassed, as she was more accustomed to the name "Higurashi" than "Siri." This made Siri laugh, and Athena joined in with a nervous laugh of her own.
Siri then stood up and spoke calmly: "Since we've agreed, get yourself ready. We'll be walking around Brais until noon."
Siri didn't wait for Athena's reply, confident that she would agree regardless. As Siri was leaving the dining hall—with Athena's gaze still fixed upon her—she grabbed a glass of cold water, trying to calm herself down.
"What the hell is happening to me? Why am I so nervous? Could it be... that's absolutely disgusting. Ugh, what revolting thoughts. I was indirectly responsible for her suffering for millions of years; surely, I can't just look at her without feeling something." Athena's tone was deeply agitated; she stood up and headed to her room to change her clothes.
While Siri was getting ready, Kiri and Liri watched her in silence. Despite having been trapped for two thousand years, they hadn't undergone the usual hormonal or biological maturation; they remained stuck in the bodies of twelve-year-old children.
Siri didn't pay much attention to their stares, though she did notice the sadness on their faces. They were used to a kind, playful Siri—not this quiet, cold, and rarely smiling version of her.
Breaking the heavy silence, Siri spoke, making them feel a bit nervous: "Brother Kiri, Sister Liri... I know you're sad about how much I've changed, but it's beyond my control. I've been through so much that it's become hard for me to act like a normal child my age."
Kiri and Liri sighed with frustration and sadness as they listened to her. Siri's smile faded slightly as she looked at them and walked over.
She sat down beside them, only to realize how much shorter they were than her—a realization that made her feel a bit awkward, given that she... She was preparing to do something that required more effort than she might normally exert...
...only to be surprised by a tearful embrace from both Kiri and Liri. She looked at them with a touch of sadness, then returned the hug with a faint smile, before turning her gaze toward Athena, who was watching from the doorway with a gentle smile. She then left the room, leaving them to their family moment.
After a few minutes of family bonding, Siri went to join Athena, who had been waiting impatiently. Together, they headed toward the city of Berhais to spend some time there.
Athena watched as Siri descended the stairs—her steps light yet radiating absolute power and authority—and a faint smile touched Athena's lips.
As soon as Siri reached her, they left the palace without a moment's delay, heading for Berhais, where they planned to enjoy themselves until midday.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Berhais was filled with joy and happiness, and the air was perfumed with the scent of fresh summer fruits and refreshing flowers that adorned every neighborhood of the city.
It was a paradise of blossoms, fresh fruit, and delightful fragrances—a city seamlessly integrated with nature, reflecting the customs and traditions of a region comprising twelve cities and villages.
Amidst the preparations for the summer festival, Siri and Athena strolled through the area, snacking on delicious tarts filled with fresh summer fruit jelly—a treat prepared at the small stalls lining the streets. They were easy to make, yet they showcased the excellent quality of this year's harvest.
Athena spoke as she picked two beautiful flowers; she tucked one into her own hair and handed the other to Siri.
Siri gazed at her for a few moments, wiping the sticky remains of the treat from her hand, before taking the flower and placing it in her hair with a gentle smile. Athena smiled back, and together they continued their stroll through the beautiful neighborhoods of the city of Berhais.
They chatted occasionally, buying clothes and food as they enjoyed their time together.
Siri spoke while eating ice cream—a sight that left Athena momentarily surprised: "I'll be honest with you—you are the best person who ever raised me. Who would have thought I'd end up being the child of my old friend? It's strange, isn't it?"
Athena looked at her silently before pulling her into a hug. Siri smiled softly as she listened to Athena's words: "You're right; you are the best daughter I could have asked for." They then continued their walk through Berhais, feeling more at ease than when they started, both thoroughly enjoying their lovely outing.