[“Thanks for the lead. I’ll let the demon association and Lucia know about it. Xe’s been really been out of it.”]

[“Alright. Tell hir to take care.”]

Randingo’s reply was somewhat late.

“Where are you going this time?” Grandma asked.

Today as well, my two grandparents were strategizing moves to progress their intergalactic empire.

“We’re going to Ducklings to meet an acquaintance of mine,” I said.

“How does my big bro suddenly have so many adult friends? Have you been using dating apps?”

I gave Lia a blank stare.

“Innis said it..”

“Randell..”

[Lies!]

Instead of the file, it was the ice cream that appeared.

Jokes aside, I decided to bring Lie with me today to lessen my grandparent’s worry. Though it might be a tad awkward, having Lia around provides some additional reassurance at least.

Oala mall. The 25th of December was coming up in another week. Everything in the mall was Christmas themed.

Floating santas, reindeers, glittering snow particles, and..

“Look, it’s Alcron’s Revision.”

I looked towards where Lia was pointing. Sure enough, there’s a banner there showcasing the game and its integration with these holograms that we often find in open malls like these.

Part of the game mechanics is that you’ll be able to fight different enemies depending on the occasion. So for those having early access to the beta, they’re turning Santas into swiss cheese.

Ho. Ho. Ho.

Merry farming.

Lia and I arrived at Ducklings.

[Do you have a reservation?]

I didn’t see anyone I recognized beyond the front receptionist. Just a duck.

“You hadn’t booked?”

“I’m trying to find that person.”

[Who are you trying to find?]

“Is there someone by the name Trisha? I’m supposed to meet her here,” I asked the duck.

[Yes. Would you like it if I asked if she is expecting you?]

“Yes please.”

Lia and I waited for some time. Another customer came after us, we had them let them pass.

“Big bro. Maybe you were duped.”

“I swear it’s not a dating app.”

“I think you’re dumped.”

No words could convince hir by this point.

The staff-only back door opened.

Lucifer. The professional looking manager with black hair tied into a neat ponytail, eyes that glittered like amethyst.

And Trisha, wearing a blouse with a knot at the abdomen, frilly sleeves and tights. Blonde hair, teal coloured eyes.

“Oh hello! Come in.”

I questioned why they came out from there when the angel greeted us shamelessly.

I wasn’t sure what class operative Trisha was. If she’s a submarine, I should expect a mine.

I stepped into the shop with my hands in my pocket.

I approached the table.

I took a seat opposite to Trisha. Lia sat beside me.

She didn’t set down a mine.

Lucifer went to attend to the other customers.

[“I don’t know what you’re doing but if you need to, contact me right away.”]

Got it Lucifer.

A digital duck appeared and wagged its tail at us.

[Thank you for coming, would you prefer to use a physical menu or a digital one?]

“You haven’t ordered?” I asked.

“I got interrupted by that demon over there. Oh, is this your etler?”

“Nice to meet you auntie.”

“Do I look so old..”

I ordered a simple basket of fries, Lia said xe would share with me.

Meanwhile, Trisha ordered the full-house breakfast set.

“It’s troubling. Why did you have to bring your etler here, xe’ll think we’re weirdos.”

She gave Lia and I a spunk look. I can’t believe she said that so openly.

“For my safety.”

“I won’t try to harm you like last time alright? That was unintentional.”

I type a message.

[“Let’s use the pretense that we’re in the same guild of some game with demons, angels and ships involved. And we came to discuss our next plan. My etler would be less suspicious that way.”]

“This’ll take a while Lia,” I said.

“I came for the fries. And to see what big bro always does outside,” Lia then began to scroll ShareWiw.

“Good idea. Then let’s start with this. You know that capture scenario? I know his location, but I hadn't gotten to him yet.”

What? That wasn’t what you told me.

“You said that you’d bring him..”

“My bad. I needed to persuade you to come, you know?”

You vixen.

These angels are a manipulative bunch.

“I can help you get him. That’s the point I’m trying to say.”

“A search party has already been dispatched. I’m not involved anymore.”

“He’ll be killed if I ordered it.”

I shot her a cold glare.

“D-Don’t be angry? It’s not like I will.. ahaha..”

The robot came with our food.

Lucifer came over on cue and helped us to arrange it. She has her job as a supervisor of the restaurant to run so she had to maintain that smile and mannerism. Nevertheless, one could tell under the facade that she was wary of this person sitting right in front of me.

“This is good,” Trisha dug into her food with glee.

“Here Lia.”

I pushed the basket of fries to Lia. Xe gave me a weird look.

“Aren’t you going to eat it?”

I shook my head.

It’s only a basket of fries? What’s wrong with pushing it all to Lia?

I’m being irrational.

I’m mad?

Can’t I be mad?

I shouldn’t be mad. I shouldn’t get angry.

Calm down.

Clear my mind.

I took repeated deep breaths.

“I’m sorry, really. I didn’t mean to lie.”

“It’s not funny to be on the receiving end.”

“I get it, I get it. I’ll be more prudent next time.”

With a sigh, I took one fry from the basket. Lia nudged the basket over a little when xe noticed that. Hirs expression reminded me of when xe was doing hirs best not to upset our parents.

“Sorry Lia.”

“???”

Lia tilted hirs head like xe didn’t get me.

“Etcon,” Trisha said.

“Trisha, just tell me the details.”

“Sure thing. You see, those submarine classes are a bad bunch. There has been some conflict within the community and a number of people want them,” Trisha used her hands to make a gesture of slitting the throat.

“And?”

“So we’ll take them down.”

“What has it got to do with Carlos?”

“I asked the leader of the fleet about it yesterday, and he said the pureborn is still alive. I told him that I’ll buy him in exchange for some expensive materials and gold coins, if you get what I mean. But the cost is a little too much so I thought it would be much better to just take the entire fleet down.”

Angels are not without conflicts.

Though.

There’s no reason to attack a fleet now when any other time would’ve been fine.

Why now? If this fleet had been a threat, they should’ve attacked them earlier. It’s got nothing to do with me.

Rather, I’m being used again. For what? Some meat shield?

There’s no benefit for the angels if they took down one of their kind.

Even if the excuse was that the fleet had been a bad bunch. Is that even a reason to kill them? They’re doing good to the angels by culling the demons aren’t they? And if they were serious about it then they should launch all out war among themselves.

“I don’t know what you're plotting. I’m not joining.”

If my actions lead to your father’s death.

I’m sorry Lucia.

{YOU HAVE STEPPED ON A MINE}

{WARNING: YOU HAVE STEPPED ON A MINE}

Knew she would try this.

{SEARCHING_FOR_CONTACT}

{Contacts: Cain Ghron, Pu’er Greenwood, Lucifer Saunders}

{Contact nearby 7SEAS members}

{Contacting Lucifer Saunders…}

{CONTACT SUCCESS}

It’ll be some time before Lucifer enters range–

A red dragon blew forward.

– or not. Apparently you don’t get sent to the edge of The Boundary if you’re already within the bounds of the astral bubble.

Trisha lept from her seat.

I crossed my arms to defend myself.

It was a pointless action as she fell onto me..

“Ouch?!”

Both of us staggered.

“That’s rough.. ow, ow, ow, ow..”

Pulling myself together, I brought Arondight into existence and pointed the blade at her.

She raised both hands into the air with a smile.

“Avner, hear her out first,” Lucifer said.

“Oh, thank you miss demon. Yes, she said it, hear me out..”

I thrusted the blade to her neck. Barely nicking the skin, I directed killing intent towards her.

Her pupils shuddered.

You can’t even take this level of bloodlust?

“Are you done with your antics?” I asked.

Her mouth opened and closed wordlessly. It took her a lot of effort to squeeze out a few words.

“I’m.. I’m sorry..”

“I’m not here for apologies.”

“A-Avner, stand down,” Lucifer appealed.

I dispersed Arondight and pulled back the bloodlust.

Trisha fell to her knees and propped herself with both arms. She was catching her breath as if having been deprived of air.

“What did you do?” Lucifer asked.

“A little bloodlust.”

“Bloodlust? Another hex?”

“It’s not a hex, it’s an intent.”

A little shaken herself, she nodded albeit confused.

“U-Uh.. I-I only wanted.. to.. tell you that it’s possible to save him.. if you want it.. I just wanted to confirm if i-it’s the correct pureborn you're looking for b-before deciding to m-make the trade..”

That still doesn’t make..

“I-I’m sorry I made you angry.”

–I’m sorry I made you angry.

A thousand images flashed through my mind. Familiar yet distant, all too fast for me to grasp.

What is this?

Novelle made me angry?

No. I was the one who made myself angry.

When? How? I don’t remember. Why don’t I remember?

When did I hurt her? Why did I hurt her?

What exactly is this memory?

I lowered my head.

“Avner?” Lucifer tapped my shoulders.

“Nothing.”