She started her spaceship and took off immediately; no other Organization members doubted her.
Since she had been revived personally by a higher authority, they assumed she must have been given an urgent mission.
This allowed her to flee without any disturbances. Her forehead was dripping with sweat, and she was in an anxious state.
The Love Crystal laughed, "Nice! That bastard deserved to die; he dared to play with love!"
But Org 690 frowned as she asked, "Why did you abandon him just because his love was fake?!"
The Love Crystal fell silent before responding, "Yes! Fake love—he loved a disguise, and that is not love! That's why I abandoned him.
But you know, he had more love than you. If it weren't for the fact that it was a disguise, I would have stayed with him."
Org 690 asked, "You... How can you be like this? If you are the Love Crystal, shouldn't you have love? Why are you so heartless?!"
The Love Crystal laughed mockingly, "So you think a crystal should act according to its emotions? What a joke! If that were the case, why would we even need you?
We are strengthened by that particular emotion or feeling, and through that, we gain many abilities to help you!"
She replied, "So crystals can freely have their own feelings? Is that what you're saying?!"
The Love Crystal agreed, "Yes! For example, take the case of the Pride Crystal and Great Lord—does it have even half of his pride?"
She shook her head, but she was still reluctant. "But... then why didn't you at least tell him that his love wasn't real?"
The Love Crystal replied, "It's not my job to do so. Why should I care?"
Her expression turned pale as she said, "Fine! Then I will abandon you too. Then you'll understand his pain and suffering!"
The Love Crystal spoke, "What! You dare try it? Let's see who will help you defeat Fate and revive Org 700!"
"You're threatening me? Love Crystal, scram! I am truly going to abandon you," Org 690 snorted.
She started to ignore the Love Crystal. It simply said, "Hmph! You just don't know how to use opportunities! But I do. Now don't come begging to me later."
Org 690 didn't even react to its words.
The Love Crystal grew furious and left the spaceship instantly.
It muttered, "Wherever I go, there are fools! But... that evil kid in the abyss... he isn't a fool, haha! Too bad he has no love."
On Lord's planet...
Lord was fighting with the Pride Crystal, trying many different moves to attack it.
However, it dodged him with ease, saying, "Haha! Lord's pride is high, but what about his strength?"
Lord's rage exploded, and he smirked, "Oh yes, my strength is really weaker—way below...
MY PRIDE!!!"
As he said that, he instantly appeared behind the Pride Crystal and crushed it to dust.
The Pride Crystal had assumed Lord wouldn't be able to attack that fast, so it had lowered its guard and focused only on dodging speed.
When it reformed, it said, "Damn it! I shouldn't have underestimated you, Lord!"
Lord laughed as he patted the Pride Crystal. "Good thing you found your brain!"
It asked, "My brain? What do you mean?"
Lord replied, "Because when you underestimated me, I thought you had lost your brain and cognition! But since you realized your mistake, you must have a brain."
The Pride Crystal thought, *"I'm an idiot! Why did I even provoke his pride? I should stop talking to prevent any more mishaps!"*
Lord grabbed the crystal and snorted, "You are an idiot! Because you thought you could hide your thoughts from me!"
The Pride Crystal was stunned and asked, "How... can you read minds? This is impossible!"
Lord replied, "It may be impossible for anyone else in this world...
But with the sole exception of me and my pride!
There are no limits to what I can do! I will dominate everything—even dominating dominance itself with my pride!
Hahaha!"
The Pride Crystal felt power surging through itself at a rapid speed. It exclaimed, "Amazing! Your pride... it's unceasing! There really are no limits.
I thought you had already reached the pinnacle of pride, but to think you went even beyond the pinnacle!"
Lord snorted, "Remember! I said I am beyond everything—even beyond the word 'beyond' itself! I am just proving it...
Not to you, but to myself! No, wait... to my pride!"
The Pride Crystal gazed at Lord with deep admiration as it spoke, "Lord! Now don't use any power; stay at your weakest point."
Lord roared, "Why? I will never be weak! You—"
It replied, "No! Because we have to raise your strength continuously. Do you want to lag behind and let others match you?
Besides, if you beat me while staying at your weakest level, it's even more embarrassing for me! So in simple words—"
Lord finished, "Yes, you are just a weak, ugly stone. Why should I be in my strongest form? Just a speck of dust from my body could annihilate you...
I mean the entire cosmos!"
It replied, "Enough talk! Let's begin!"
And so, the two of them began to fight fiercely against each other.
However, this was actually a scheme by the Pride Crystal. To fight and destroy Fate, they needed more manpower, but Lord would definitely refuse to recruit help.
So, it made him fight at his weakest point so that his strength would rise to compensate for the lack of manpower.
On Earth, during the evening sunset...
Lucan's dad was sitting by the window, gazing continuously at the sky.
It was as if he were waiting for something. After a few moments, he saw the golden butterfly arriving.
He caught it and began writing his message to Lucan, as today was his birthday.
*(Note: Each place has different time zones. Lucan is in space in another solar system, while his dad is on Earth.)*
His emotions surged as he started writing. With every word he wrote, happiness, grief, and excitement swirl together.
It was like water—shapeless, yet capable of taking any form.
After finishing, he grinned and said, "Okay! Golden Butterfly, you can leave! Please deliver my message quickly!"
However, the butterfly saw a desperate look in his eyes; it could tell that even Lucan's dad was deeply missing his son.
It started flapping its wings, scattering golden fragments. As it smirked, Lucan's dad suddenly found himself inside the white room.
He was startled, "Woah! What are you doing? And where am I? This place is completely white!"
A piece of paper appeared in front of him. He picked it up and read the lines:
*'Lucan's dad! This is a small gift from me! I hope you like it. Look in front of you.'*
He immediately shifted his gaze and saw Lucan standing there. Tears filled his eyes, almost overflowing.
He wiped them away and thought, *"No! I made a promise to him! I shouldn't cry... Ah, but I can't stop!"*
He looked at Lucan, who had the same stunned expression, asking, "Dad! Is that... you? Golden Butterfly... what is this?!"
Golden-yellow words started to appear on the paper as his dad read them aloud:
*'Remember! I said I would give you a birthday gift. This is my gift: you can use me to communicate with your dad!'*
Lucan and his dad began to grow emotional.
Suddenly, a thought struck them both.
They asked at the same time, "Doing this will harm you if my calculations are correct, right?"
Words appeared on the paper:
*'Jinx! You both said the exact same thing at the same time. Don't worry about me; I will just need to rest for a longer period.*
*No other harm!'*
Lucan grinned, "Hehe! This is the greatest gift I have ever received on my birthday!
Golden Butterfly... Ah, you gave me a debt that can never be repaid! Damn it, my friend, you have earned my respect!"
The paper displayed one last message:
*'I will wait outside! You two can have your privacy in here. And don't worry—if someone enters the room, I will immediately notify you.'*
Inside, for hours, the two of them talked and expressed their longings and feelings that had previously been locked away.