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."

laugh back as I took a look at

just too

Smack—

away, Waylan distanced

"Dont talk to me."

I was just messing

to apologize, but all my words went to death

'This is nice.'

first time in a while that I had a relaxed day without fighting

me alleviate some of

though 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 slowly healing...but

was possible, I wouldn't need to worry about the frequent nightmares and thoughts that would

was moments like this where I could feel my mind slowly start to heal. Or at least, delude myself into

I...was suffering.

"Huu..."

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

also glad that they're

a 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

than before, with everything that happened with her father and her guild, but seeing how serene and calm she looked, I felt

even still remember me? I had only known them for a year, and we

others that died during their life,

I..I, .was really happy that

"Ugh."

eyes, I tried to think

they were here, he must also be in the city,

that the humans would be coming in batches, therefore, I

'I'll see him soon.'

were plenty of opportunities for me to meet with Kevin and the others. I may have missed this one, but

"Hm?"

lifting my head, and staring at the others that had walked quite a fair distance

Don't

onto the ground, I followed

***

guys have

were Kevin and Jin who had just come out from their training

pillars of the building, Emma

just come out of

"You can tell?"

do you think? You're soaked from top

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

supposed to be a light spar, didn't know we would get this

smell is the worst

added from the side, taking off her sunglasses and staring at Kevin

his white shirt, Jin sniffed

Kevin who

going

her head before she decided to

couple of days. Ive got

anyone to say anything else, she directly

left, Emma took the

happened

"Oh? What happened?"

look appeared

we

"You met another group?"

knit at her words. Nodding

didn't count how many there were, but hear this, once we were passing with their group, a middle-aged man in

her body,

way he looked at me sends shivers

"Emma."

out of her story. Staring at Kevin's face which was incredibly serious, Emma noticed that

"What's wrong?"

you just say that you saw

"Yes, I did."

head snapped in

too, right? They

"They were."

Her delicate