The Author's POV

Step— Step—

Walking through the city of Issanor, silence enshrouded our group as no one spoke. A somber and tense atmosphere enveloped the area around us.

"Pftt…"

The silence did not last for long, however, as a small laugh soon escaped from my mouth.

The instant my laugh sounded, Waylan shot a glare in my direction.

"You done?"

"Y…yeah…"

But that didn't help me in any way as my lips trembled even more. A memory sudden flashed inside of my mind and it wasn't long before I was unable to contain my laughter anymore and I laughed out loud.

"Hahhahaha."

Holding onto my belly, I laughed as I had never before. Tears slowly started to gather by the side of my eyes, as I couldn't help but slap my thigh.

"I can't believe she called you a creep and looked at you that way…hahaha, I can't."

The more I laughed, the darker Waylan's face became.

I of course knew my limits. Just when Waylan's face was about to explode, I raised my hands in defeat.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop…pfttt."

Unfortunately, I was unable to keep my face straight. Before long, another laugh escaped from my mouth and Waylan's face became even darker.

What was supposed to be an emotional cliche moment where Waylan would stare at his daughter with longing eyes from the distance, expressing his sorrow about his inability of not being able to meet her, turned into a moment where he was scorned and called a creep by her.

Recalling that moment, another laugh escaped from my lips as pity flashed across my eyes.

Obviously, Waylan was not pleased by the laugh as he venomously stared at me.

"Another word and you're done."

His threats may have worked on someone else, but as someone who had been with him for over a year, such threats were no longer effective.

Walking up to him I patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry too much. You should be happy instead."

"Happy?" Waylan raised his brow and coldly looked at me. "Why should I be happy about the fact that my daughter treated me like some sort of creep?"

"Because it means that you've taught her well."

"What?"

Taking my hand off of his shoulder, I explained.

"Well think about it, why in the world would she recognize you when you're wearing a mask to hide your features. Had she looked back at you with the same eyes as yours I'd be worried."

My words seemed to have some sort of effect on Waylan as he calmed down and logically thoughts things through.

Then, his shoulders slumped down in defeat.

"You're right…"

"Of course I'm right."

If I were in the same situation as he and Nola reacted differently, I'd start to worry.

'Actually, what if I was in Waylan's spot and Nola reacted the same way?'

As my thoughts paused there, I instantly started to realize what kind of pain Waylan was going through, and the pity I previously had for him turned into sympathy.

"…Still hurts that I was called a creep."

Once again placing my hand on Waylan's shoulder, I apologized.

"I'm sorry for laughing at you before. Now that I've thought things carefully, I can understand your pain somewhat."

Lifting his head up, Waylan turned to face me and our eyes met.

"Thank you…"

"Pftt, never mind."

I was still unable to hold my laugh back as I took a look at his

was just too

Smack—

away, Waylan distanced himself

"Dont talk to me."

on, I was just

my words went

'This is nice.'

from behind. This was the first time in a while that I had a relaxed day without

helped me alleviate some of the mental burdens I was suffering

I was no longer contracted with Angelica, and as such no longer had any demonic energy inside of my body, my mind was still broken. It was

worry about the frequent nightmares and thoughts that would haunt me from time

this where I could feel my mind slowly start to heal. Or

I...was suffering.

"Huu..."

mind down and thought back to the previous meeting. Trying to distract my

that they're doing

serene smile appeared on my

to see them for long and was not able to get a clear look at them, just the fact that they looked

I thought that she was going to turn even colder than before, with everything that happened with her father and her guild, but seeing how serene and calm she looked, I

a year, and we hadn't spent much time together, but that one year was unreplaceable

the many others that died during their life, but to me, they were the first friends

if they may have forgotten about me, I..I, .was really happy that they were

"Ugh."

eyes, I tried

Kevin is? Since they were here, he must also be in the

the humans would be coming in batches, therefore, I wasn't worried

'I'll see him soon.'

the others. I may have missed this one, but there would

"Hm?"

and staring at the others that had walked quite a fair distance away

Don't

foot onto the ground, I followed them

***

have

were Kevin

the building, Emma closely scrutinized Kevin. She then turned to

you guys just

"You can tell?"

you think? You're soaked

head, Kevin looked at his shirt which had a huge sweat mark,

you're right. Was supposed to be a light spar, didn't know we would

is the worst

side, taking off her sunglasses and staring at Kevin and Jin

words, stretching his white

for Kevin who

going to say

shook her head before

couple of days. Ive got important

waiting for anyone to say anything else, she directly

left, Emma took the opportunity

believe what happened while we were

"Oh? What happened?"

look appeared

we met another group of

"You met another group?"

brows knit at her words. Nodding her head, Emma

were passing with their group, a middle-aged man in

her body, Emma's

recalling the way he looked at me sends shivers

"Emma."

Staring at Kevin's face which was incredibly serious, Emma noticed that

"What's wrong?"

that you saw another

"Yes, I did."

Then, her head

right? They were humans

"They were."

delicate face was also