Dimensional Descent

Miel's happiness was overwhelming and he forgot about everything as he wrapped his arms tightly around his daughter. He rarely showed this much outward affection, but this time he had truly moved without thinking.

Leonel smiled as he watched from the side.

"Dad, we have something to tell you," Aina said after the two pulled apart.

Miel blinked, his mind regaining his focus as he looked from Leonel to Aina. His mind immediately jumped to the worst case scenario and he actually looked at Aina's belly first.

Aina smiled bitterly and Leonel did his best not to crack a joke. He was going to say: "Even if you stare for that long, old man, it'll take months before she starts showing". But he had to maintain some level of decorum for today.

This was a matter of Aina's happiness and he couldn't be cracking jokes that could quickly take this matter left.

"That's not what it is, I'm not pregnant," Aina said.

Miel sighed and almost to visible sigh of relief. It was hard to tell if that was because he really didn't want such a permanent tie between Leonel and Aina, or if it was that he couldn't fathom them raising a child under these circumstances.

The end of the world wasn't exactly ideal for family planning.

Miel's frown returned after a moment. He suddenly remembered that in this situation, these two would have no choice but to participate in the Gathering of Kingdoms. Their auras had likely already been marked by the Stele, there was no way to pretend like they came from a different world now.

Of course, they could still flee, there was no one that was going to stop them. Normally, those that would have thoughts to flee wouldn't even have the methods to do so.

only way to truly be safe was to go to a world with a guarantee of survival and to

trouble for Leonel couldn't do so

do so, given the nature of these cullings being based on population and percentages, how could they casually

people of these worlds would have a chance to integrate into others, who would take in the weak when it would only lower their chances

die. That was the

didn't even notice the subtle resonance

wanted Aina to participate on her own. Miel would probably throw a fit. It was clear he had no idea how powerful his

thought, Leonel turned to

"Hey-"

a peck on the cheek and vanished into the Segmented Cube.

was a bit surprised to not find the same familiar streak of arrogance between the latter's brows,

a long while before Leonel stretched out a

for a

he was the older party

it's best I introduce myself again. I'm Leonel

Miel," he

"Aina and I came here today to tell you

He immediately had a visceral reaction and his mind jumped to all sorts of conclusions, most

they fused their souls, that wasn't something most even thought was possible. His first assumption would be that Leonel had conned his daughter into holding a wedding without even