Father.
What is my father doing now, having fled with all his wealth while the young clan leader remains a fool?
What is he going to do with that much money, leaving without a word and not returning without any news?
Is he wandering the streets, having lost all his wealth at some gambling table?
Is he too ashamed to meet his child, burdened by his own sins and too scared to face a bright future?
– I couldn’t find any tracks. There is evidence that the royal family assisted in disposing of Craft’s assets, but delving deeper is beyond the Student Council’s capabilities.
– You’ve done well, Ellie.
I think so.
Isn’t the royal family behind this?
It’s suspicious for a scholar like my father to have brought down the empire’s most prestigious family and fled.
The cult’s activities have become active recently. The royal family, having defeated the Demon Realm and the cult, erasing their public duties, might have wronged Craft, who just happened to have a weakened position.
At that moment, my feeble father might have been threatened.
– An intriguing thought.
The demon from my past fell into thought.
– It’s more probable that the gentleman who loved his lover dearly ran away without reason, though many changes may have occurred during the time I was trapped.
– Should we expand our reach into central politics if the royal family is involved?
– There’s no need to be anxious. We can take our time; the past will not disappear. You are still young. It’s not too late to focus on your studies.
There must be a story behind my father. He was said to have loved my mother dearly.
– Are you talking about your father? His love life is quite famous. Even by the time I was born, it was already over, but I’ve heard the tales. A scholar successfully married between the Crown Prince, who loved only the divine, and the Great Demon.
Huh.
– Demon…?
– Hmph. You wouldn’t understand.
– Reacting like that only makes me more curious!
– You wouldn’t understand.
It seems my father has some story. As his child, I should be prepared to be moderately angry and moderately accepting.
But, but.
“However, it would be too confusing to meet at a time like this!”
Pastel clutched her blood-soaked hair, which was drenched in the massacre.
“Ah! Ah!”
Can a family reunion happen amidst a cult attack? Is that really okay?
As the person in charge, is this the right thing to do?
But if we believe the words of the knight-class cult member, my father seems to be a high-ranking member of the cult; perhaps the original purpose of impairing the command structure will indeed be achieved? He wouldn’t lead the command during the conversation.
Ah, you’re right.
Then it might be okay to have a conversation!
She boldly moved forward.
Perhaps because the Hormonal Friend had killed all the cult members, or because some had fled in the meantime, there were no people in the white interior.
Upon entering the center, a large bas-relief covered one wall. It was the image of the Sky Island.
What kind of place is this?
Why is the command structure located in such a place?
Pastel felt confused and glanced at the corridor where she sensed a presence. Alternating her gaze between the mural and the corridor, she stealthily stepped forward into the corridor.
First, the concerns as the person in charge can wait a little longer.
Yes, yes.
She strolled through the white corridor. Beyond the doorless passage, a spacious interior came into view. Artificial sunlight from a terrace created shaded illuminations.
She saw a familiar yet unfamiliar back. A man was manipulating white magic circles while concentrating.
Ah.
Pastel held her breath.
What should I say? A greeting? Hello? This is my first face-to-face meeting with him not in a fool’s state?
More than that, what is he doing here? He’s not in the royal family; why is he with the cult?
Could it be that there’s a really complicated backstory? It wouldn’t be good to jump to conclusions.
Then, what should I bring up first…?
I don’t know up to now, but I hope we can get along well from now on?
No, no, that’s the final word. If I start like this, Dad will feel awkward.
The girl grabbed one of her arms behind her back. Her lips quivered a bit, and her body slightly bent.
Then, shall we speak honestly about our circumstances and try to understand each other? Since we each have our reasons.
Yes, yes, he seems okay. If I open the conversation, Dad should be able to speak comfortably.
Once the conversation starts flowing, it should go well. After all, we are blood relatives. That’s right! By making Mom a common topic, there shouldn’t be any shortage of conversation, so it won’t be awkward! Moreover, how many things hasn’t Dad been able to say during this time? There might not be enough time!
The girl’s expression brightened. Her tense body loosened, and her posture changed. Then the sound of her shoes lightly echoed.
She took a breath. Her rigid pink eyes focused on her father’s back.
Silence fell.
After a moment, her father moved his hands and manipulated the artifact. The appearances of the white magic circles shifted.
The commotion subsided, and calmness returned.
A breeze blew onto the terrace. Her pink hair shimmered. Her lips trembled before she uttered a sound.
“Ah, Father!”
Once she opened her mouth, a myriad of words spilled from her heart.
“How have you been? As for me…”
Her gaze moved erratically.
“I lost all the retainers I knew, and with no money left, I was starving for quite a while. But there was much to do, and although I felt scared, I couldn’t avoid it, so I ended up whimpering to someone I owed favors to.”
“And I started making many friends and found mentors, things worked out well somehow, so, so…”
A clap echoed.
“Right now, I feel quite good!”
Whatever the topic!
Her brightened pink eyes gazed at the back. Her voice resonated in the room before fading away.
Amid the silence, sunlight poured in, illuminating the interior. The artifact was manipulated. She watched the shifting magic circles like observing a passing show.
A voice flowed as if drifting.
“It’s been a long time, Pastel.”
The girl’s expression brightened again.
“Yes! Yes! It has been a long time!”
Her arms spread wide.
“Let’s get along well from now on!”
No, that’s not right.
“Le, let’s speak openly about our circumstances! As for me, so, so, anyway, I feel quite good!”
The girl hesitated before quickly adding.
“Even now!”
Her finger manipulated the artifact.
“Honestly…”
The girl swallowed nervously.
“Yes! Yes!”
Her father chose his words carefully, recalling the past.
“Blossom wasn’t in good health. Someone among the blood relatives, blinded by the competition for succession, did something when she was young. She insisted it was just a chronic illness until the end.”
A light laugh echoed faintly.
The girl hesitated on how to react. Slow claps followed.
“Mom too!”
There are still people you can trust.
The artifact clicked.
“So, she was never supposed to give birth.”
The girl’s expression froze.
“I never wanted a child to be born. I needed an heir to carry on the household, and I reluctantly had one.”
Her gathered hands shrank back.
“I never wished for the next generation; your birth was just a troublesome and awkward topic. We didn’t have enough life left to enjoy ourselves even considering you.”
The scholar’s gaze scrutinized the magic circle.
“But she gave birth, and it didn’t last long. She was sacrificed for you, trying to bear a child her own soul couldn’t withstand.”
The artifact was touched. The shape of the magic circle changed.
“The remnants of the cult we brought down came to offer us something. There’s a chance in the power of your soul.”
A poignant voice continued.
“A way to revive the departed Blossom.”
Her gaze lowered to the artifact.
A moment of silence passed.
“The golden time has passed.”
Sunlight cast shadows.
“The vows to protect the remaining child and the feelings of letting go of a lover. It was never meant to be born.”
The girl gasped. Her small hand pressed against her chest.
“It’s about reviving Blossom. If you want, I can help, if not, don’t interfere and just leave.”
The girl’s lips trembled.
“May you be happy…?”
Tears rolled down her face.
Her father stopped moving. After glancing at the ceiling for a moment, he slowly turned back. His gaze passed over the girl and looked into the distance.
“Love is greater than anything else.”
Breath came in gasps.
“Will Mother be happy?”
The girl crumpled to the floor as she spoke. Her pink hair sprawled out and settled. The white outfit covered the ground.
Amid ragged breaths, an answer floated back.
“Is death better than a painful life?”
Ah.
“To help—”
Footsteps echoed in the corridor.
『I tolerated it because it was a family reunion.』
A well-dressed demon walked in.
『It seems there’s no end to this.』
The girl turned back, dazed. Her heavy breaths slowly settled. Her pink eyes glimmered, and then she poured out tears.
“I’m a demon!”
She dashed forward. Her pink hair fluttered. The demon staggered and embraced the girl.
『Oh dear.』
A sound of crying emanated.
『Cry.』
A palm patted her back.
『Go ahead.』
