Night had just fallen over Kyoto. Neon lights flickered along the bustling streets, cars streamed past in an endless flow, yet the inpatient ward of the hospital remained calm and orderly.


    Pushing open the glass doors, Eika walked briskly toward the nurse’s station. Standing at the counter, she took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. “Excuse me, which room is Tsukimi Suzune staying in?”


    The nurse hesitated for a moment before lowering her head to check the computer. A short while later, she looked up with an apologetic expression. “Ms. Tsukimi was recently discharged by a woman named Akasaki Senmi.”


    “...Akasaki Senmi?” Eika’s expression instantly darkened.


    She knew that name all too well—that woman was none other than her half-sister.


    “Do you know where she took her?” Eika suppressed the unease in her chest, but her voice still came out more urgent than she intended.


    The nurse shook her head. “I’m not sure, but… Ms. Akasaki did fill out some paperwork when she took Ms. Tsukimi.” She hesitated for a moment before adding, “However, due to privacy regulations, we’ll need to verify your identity first.”


    Without hesitation, Eika pulled out her ID from her wallet and placed it on the counter, her tone firm. “I am Tsukimi Suzune’s daughter.”


    The nurse carefully checked the ID, confirmed its authenticity, and then retrieved the necessary records, writing an address on a small slip of paper before handing it to her.


    Eika picked up the note and scanned the address. Her heart tightened—it was in Tokyo.


    "Thank you." She muttered a quick thanks before turning on her heel and hurrying out, her pace even faster than before.


    She hadn’t expected that, after finally returning home, her mother would be in the hands of the Akasaki family. With no choice, she now had to head straight for Tokyo.


    Tokyo, a grand and dignified estate, illuminated brilliantly under the night sky. The courtyard was meticulously maintained, lined with neatly pruned pines and cypresses. Stone lanterns cast faint, flickering light along the gravel pathways. The main house was a refined, traditional Japanese structure, with vermillion-painted beams, intricately carved wooden lattice windows, and bamboo blinds swaying gently beneath the eaves, exuding a strong aristocratic air.


    A sleek black Mercedes-Benz slowly rolled into the private driveway, its polished surface gleaming under the courtyard lights. As soon as the car came to a stop, the guards stationed at the entrance swiftly approached and respectfully opened the rear door.


    A pair of black high heels stepped onto the stone pavement, followed by the graceful figure of a woman emerging from the vehicle. Her jet-black hair was meticulously styled into an elegant updo, not a single strand out of place. Her crimson eyes gleamed with a cold, piercing sharpness beneath the night sky. She wore a form-fitting black dress, complemented by a shawl adorned with subtle red embroidery draped over her shoulders—every movement exuding maturity and confidence.


    Akasaki Senmi—there was no doubt about her identity. Every gesture, every step spoke of the refinement and composure of the upper class.


    Without sparing a glance at the servants bowing in silent deference, she strode through the corridors and pushed open the door to her bedroom, preparing to change.


    But before she could move further, an icy sensation pressed against the skin of her neck.


    —A dagger.


    Senmi’s movements froze momentarily. Slowly shifting her gaze, she caught sight of the razor-sharp blade against her throat, its handle firmly gripped by the person standing behind her.


    Yet, instead of panic, a faint smile tugged at her lips, her composure unshaken. “Is this how you greet your elder sister?”


    “Where is my mother?”


    A familiar, yet cold voice rang out, laced with barely restrained fury.


    Senmi blinked slowly, her tone as composed as ever. “She’s fine, you don’t need to worry. However… I don’t particularly enjoy conversations with a blade at my throat.”


    Eika’s grip remained steady, her violet eyes sharp and wary. With calculated movement, she grabbed Senmi’s shoulder and turned her around to face her directly, though the dagger remained firmly pointed at her throat.


    “Enough with the nonsense. Tell me where she is.” Her voice was frigid, her gaze unwavering.


    Senmi met her glare head-on, her crimson eyes showing no hint of fear—almost as if she had long grown accustomed to such confrontations. Tilting her chin slightly, she spoke with unwavering calm. “Follow me.”


    “I’d advise you not to try anything foolish,” Eika warned, her grip on the dagger firm.


    Senmi chuckled softly, seemingly unsurprised by Eika’s hostility. Without another word, she turned and walked down the corridor, eventually pushing open a concealed wooden door. Beyond it, a stone staircase spiraled downward into the dimly lit depths below.


    Eika followed closely, her every sense on high alert as they traversed a long underground corridor. At the end of the passage, they arrived at a softly illuminated medical room.


    The faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air. In the center of the room, a hospital bed lay quietly, occupied by a frail woman whose face was gaunt and pallid, as if she could vanish with a mere gust of wind. Numerous medical devices surrounded her, their monitors emitting soft, rhythmic beeps—each one striking deep into Eika’s heart.


    —It was her mother, Tsukimi Suzune.


    Her breathing was shallow, so faint that it seemed as though it could cease at any moment.


    Eika’s chest tightened painfully, her eyes stinging with emotion, but she clenched her teeth, refusing to let her feelings show. Her grip on the dagger remained firm, the blade pointed directly at Senmi standing beside her. “...Why are you helping her?”


    Senmi stood by the bedside, her gaze resting on Suzune’s face, her tone as indifferent as ever. “Tsukimi-san’s brain suffered damage. I searched all over Japan for the best specialists, yet none have found a cure.” Her hand lightly rested on the bed’s edge, her expression unchanged, though there was a rare hint of warmth in her eyes.


    “When I was little, she took care of me many times,” Senmi murmured softly. “In that cold, unfeeling house, she was the only one who ever made me feel warmth.”


    Eika froze slightly, saying nothing.


    “I’ve always been someone who acts based on interests,” Senmi turned her gaze toward Eika, meeting her eyes directly. “But I never agreed with our father’s actions, nor his attitude.”


    Her voice was unnervingly calm, more of a statement than an explanation.


    Eika remained silent for a long time before finally lowering the dagger in her hand.


    The tension in the medical room eased slightly, yet an unsettling atmosphere still lingered.


    Senmi watched as Eika put away the blade, the corners of her lips curling ever so slightly, as if she had expected this outcome. With a light sigh, she adjusted the cuff of her sleeve before speaking again. “Did you think I took Tsukimi-san just to play hide and seek with you?”


    She turned toward the corner of the room and withdrew a long, slender smoking pipe from her sleeve. The metallic accents gleamed faintly under the soft lighting, clearly a handcrafted luxury item. Skillfully, she lit a thin lady’s cigarette, holding it elegantly between her fingers as she took a slow inhale.


    Her crimson eyes glanced at Eika. “Leaving Tsukimi-san in a Kyoto hospital was far too conspicuous. Our father’s spies are spread across Japan—he wouldn’t simply let go of any loose ends.”


    Eika fell into silence at those words.


    It was true. She hadn’t considered these factors before leaving. Her mother had been in a Kyoto hospital all this time—sooner or later, she would have been found. Now that she thought about it, the fact that the hospital had never chased after her for any medical expenses seemed far too unusual.


    Senmi seemed to see through her thoughts, the corners of her lips curving up slightly as she spoke in a languid tone. “I’ve already covered all of her medical expenses, and to avoid unnecessary trouble, I had her transferred here.” She flicked the ash off her cigarette and tilted her head slightly, her expression carrying an amused smirk. “Of course, I’m not running a charity.”


    Eika’s brows furrowed slightly, her sharp gaze locking onto Senmi. “So, you want me to pay you back?”


    “Pay me back?” Senmi chuckled softly, her fingers idly holding the cigarette as she studied Eika’s reaction. “Don’t be so tense, little sister. I don’t expect you to pay me back right now—after all, in your current situation… you wouldn’t be able to, would you?”


    Her words carried a hint of mockery, making Eika’s irritation rise. She couldn’t deny it—having just returned to this world, she had nothing but a few thousand yen in her pocket.


    She remained silent for a moment, just about to speak when she suddenly noticed Senmi staring at her with an unusually sharp gaze.


    “You…”


    Before she could finish, Senmi exhaled a slow stream of smoke, her lips curving into a knowing smirk.


    “You’ve been to that continent, haven’t you?”


    Eika’s pupils shrank slightly, her body tensing.


    Her fingers instinctively gripped the dagger at her waist, tightening around the hilt as she locked eyes with Senmi. Her heartbeat quickened.


    How does she know?!


    The air in the medical room seemed to freeze. Eika remained poised, her grip on the dagger unyielding, her sharp gaze fixed on her sister, ready to strike at the slightest movement.


    Yet, Senmi showed no sign of fear. She merely tilted her head, her crimson eyes flicking to the dagger in Eika’s hand before letting out a slow, deliberate sigh.


    She walked toward the hospital bed, placing one hand on the bed’s edge as her gaze fell on Eika''s mother’s fragile face. Her voice carried a hint of discontent. “I’ve always done things based on profit… but before you make any rash decisions, why don’t you take a good look at reality?”


    Turning slightly, Senmi’s piercing red eyes met Eika’s. “A continent suddenly emerges in the Pacific, and now the entire world is watching. Governments, military forces, corporations—everyone is scrambling for information. Every major power is plotting their next move.” She paused for a moment, her gaze flickering with something unreadable. “And right now, standing before me is the most valuable piece in this entire game.”


    Eika remained wary, her stance unwavering. “So? What is it you want from me?”


    Senmi smiled faintly and tapped her temple with a finger, gesturing for Eika to think. “It’s simple. Just tell me everything you know about that continent. That’s all.”


    “Are you threatening me?” Eika’s voice was cold, her eyes unyielding.


    “Threatening?” Senmi let out a soft laugh. “You misunderstand. I’m merely offering you a deal—one that benefits us both.”


    Her tone was calm, neither aggressive nor forceful. Yet, there was a quiet confidence in her gaze, an unshakable certainty—like she already knew Eika would accept this trade.


    Eika looked at her mother lying in the hospital bed.


    And she fell silent.


    She understood that she was no longer the person she used to be. The power of her demi-god body made her incredibly strong, yet even so, she still couldn''t wake her mother, nor could she stay by her side to protect her at all times. And soon, she would have to return to Esperan—her mother''s safety was indeed a problem.


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    Taking a deep breath, Eika slowly released her grip on the dagger and spoke in a low voice. “…I accept your offer.”


    Hearing her response, Senmi''s lips curled into a satisfied smile as she retracted her imposing aura, speaking in an unhurried manner. “For now, all I need from you is information about that continent—every detail you know, without holding anything back.”


    Eika remained silent for a moment before finally nodding. “Fine. But you have to promise me that you''ll take good care of my mother.”


    “That goes without saying.” Senmi casually flicked the ash from her cigarette, her tone light and unconcerned, as if the tense confrontation from moments ago had never happened. “Also, don’t be in such a rush to kill our lovely Father.”


    Eika''s gaze turned sharp in an instant, her voice cold. “Are you trying to protect him?”


    Senmi shook her head, her tone eerily calm, almost indifferent. “You’re mistaken again. I have no intention of protecting him. I’m simply telling you that now is not the right time to act.”


    She raised a single finger and tapped it lightly on the table, her voice steady and deliberate. “If a high-ranking corporate figure suddenly dies, it won’t just be a matter of ‘justice served.’ Especially our father—his death would trigger a chain reaction, causing social unrest and potentially disrupting the entire balance of politics and business. This isn’t a matter you can resolve just by killing a hated enemy.”


    Eika’s fists clenched tightly as she stared at Senmi, her expression tense. After a long silence, she finally spoke in a frigid tone. “…Fine. But when the time comes, I will be the one to kill him.”


    Senmi raised an eyebrow slightly, a subtle yet knowing smile appearing on her lips. “Of course.”


    She extended her hand, palm up, signaling the agreement. “Then, let’s work well together.”


    Eika looked at her outstretched hand before finally lifting her own to shake it.


    And just like that, the two sisters reached an agreement built on intertwined interests.


    In the luxurious mansion’s office, the warm glow of the dim lights cast soft shadows over the polished mahogany desk. The walls were adorned with exquisite paintings, while beyond the windows, Tokyo’s dazzling neon skyline stood in stark contrast to the room’s composed elegance.


    Senmi walked to the liquor cabinet, effortlessly picking up a bottle of whiskey and pouring herself a glass of amber liquid. The ice cubes clinked gently against the glass, producing a crisp sound. She lifted the glass, her gaze drifting toward Eika as she casually asked, “Care for a drink?”


    “I don’t drink.” Eika replied coolly, arms crossed as she stood in the center of the room, making no move to sit.


    Senmi shrugged, settling into her chair and swirling the whiskey leisurely. “Suit yourself.”


    Without further pleasantries, Eika got straight to the point. She recounted her experiences in Esperan—from the initial teleportation to her survival in the forests, the ascent of Titan’s Peak, and finally, the moment she obtained divine authority.


    Senmi listened in silence, her slender fingers tapping lightly against the desk. As Eika’s story unfolded, the once indifferent expression on her face grew more serious, her brows subtly knitting together. As someone skilled in strategy and calculations, she excelled at piecing together crucial information. But this time, for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of complexity beyond her grasp.


    Non-human races, a magic system, elemental powers, the World Tree, the looming threat of the Void—these were concepts that exceeded anything she had previously encountered.


    “…I see.” When Eika finished her last sentence, Senmi let out a soft sigh, taking a slow sip of whiskey before closing her eyes in thought.


    “What do you plan to do?” Eika asked, her sharp gaze fixed on Senmi, wanting to discern her next move.


    But Senmi didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she gently placed her glass down, her crimson eyes locking onto Eika’s before a cryptic smile formed on her lips.


    “For now? I will simply watch.”


    “Watch?” Eika frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with such an ambiguous response. She knew Senmi well—this woman was never just a bystander. Especially now, when she possessed information that no other faction had. Yet, she was choosing to remain uninvolved?


    “You mean… you won’t interfere?” Eika probed.


    Senmi shook her head slightly, a faint smile lingering on her lips, through her eyes remained deep and unreadable.


    “You’re still too young, little sister.”


    She lazily spun the whiskey glass on the desk, watching the remnants of the liquid swirl against the glass wall, as if mirroring the calculations running through her mind.


    “Even if I wanted to, your so-called ‘companions’ wouldn’t be too keen on accepting me.” She remarked lightly, her gaze lingering on Eika for a brief moment before she stood up and stretched.


    “For now, let’s just stay in touch. You’ve done well, my dear sister.”


    With that, she picked up her coat from the chair, turned toward the door, and walked away with steady, composed steps.


    As she reached the doorway, Senmi paused and glanced back at Eika, who still stood motionless in the center of the room. “I have an important engagement tomorrow morning, so I won’t be around. I’ve already given instructions—you’re free to come and go as you please from now on. If you need to rest, a room has been prepared for you.”


    With that, she turned and left, her steps light and without hesitation, leaving Eika alone in the silent room. She watched the door slowly close, her emotions a tangled mess.


    Senmi would always be the same—walking the fine line between darkness and light, always calculating, always holding an extra card in her hand.


    After Senmi left, Eika returned to the medical room.


    The room remained eerily quiet, with only the faint hum of machines filling the still air. The cold, sterile light cast a pale glow over the hospital bed, making Tsukimi Suzune’s already frail face appear even more ghostly. Though her breathing remained steady, she showed no sign of waking.


    Eika sat quietly by the bedside, her slender fingers gently holding her mother’s hand. The warmth she felt beneath her fingertips was faint, yet it was the only real warmth she could cling to.


    Her fingers trembled slightly, and the tears she had tried so hard to hold back finally fell, drop by drop, onto her mother’s cold skin, vanishing into her fragile frame.


    “Mom…” she whispered, pouring all her longing into that one word.


    How she wished her mother would wake up at this very moment, look at her with the same gentle gaze from the past, call her name softly, and tell her that nothing had changed—that everything was still okay.


    But she knew… that was only wishful thinking.


    That night, she never left, keeping vigil at her mother’s side.


    The Next Morning


    Eika gently brushed her fingers over her mother’s hand before standing up, adjusting her clothes, and quietly leaving the room. Alone, she made her way back to Kyoto.


    She arrived at a familiar street—an alleyway filled with memories of her and her mother. But as she walked toward the end of the path, the sight before her made her stop in her tracks.


    The small apartment where she once lived was gone. In its place stood a neatly paved parking lot, where a few cars sat quietly, as if no building had ever existed there.


    She stood there, stunned, a wave of indescribable emotions surging through her chest.


    This was once the place she called home, the only place that ever felt like home. But now, it had completely vanished, erased without a trace.


    Her hands slowly curled into fists as fragmented memories surfaced—her mother hanging clothes on the small balcony, the scent of home-cooked meals drifting from the kitchen, herself hunched over the table, scribbling away at her homework.


    But now, time had swallowed everything, leaving behind nothing but memories that only she carried.


    "Eika? Is that you?"


    A familiar voice behind her pulled her from her thoughts.


    She turned and saw a familiar figure—an old neighbor, dressed in a casual kimono, carrying a bag of fresh groceries, her face warm with a kind smile.


    "Hello, Auntie. It’s been a long time." Eika returned the smile, nodding politely.


    The woman gave her a surprised once-over before exclaiming, "Oh my, it really has been a long time! I heard about what happened to your family, but I never saw you two again. Then I heard the apartment got torn down… How’s your mother? Are you both doing okay?"


    The sudden concern made Eika freeze for a moment. She parted her lips slightly but struggled to find an answer.


    She didn’t want to drag this kind woman into any trouble, so she took a quiet breath, suppressing the emotions in her eyes before replying with a soft smile, "I’m sorry to have worried you, Auntie. We’re both doing well. We’ve moved to Tokyo now."


    The neighbor sighed in relief, patting her chest. "That’s good to hear, really good. I was so worried about you two. You’ve both had such a hard time these past years. Oh? You dyed your hair? I almost didn’t recognize you for a second."


    Eika touched her hair—black fading into deep violet. This was the mark of divine authority, a symbol of the path she had now chosen.


    The woman sighed, her voice gentle with warmth. "You and your mother have been through so much… but life is long. If you ever have worries, you can always come talk to me. After all, you were such a mischievous little thing when you were young."


    A faint tremor ran through Eika’s chest. She suddenly remembered—how, as a child, she had once fallen while climbing a tree, and this same woman had patched up her wound. Back then, she had thought herself fearless. But now, even saying “I’m doing fine” felt unbearably difficult.


    She lowered her gaze slightly, suppressing the emotions welling up inside her, before lifting the corners of her lips into a small smile. "Thank you, Auntie. Take care of yourself too."


    "Good girl. Be sure to come visit often, alright?" The woman waved before walking away with a warm smile.


    Eika stood there, watching her retreating figure fade into the distance, her heart filled with a bittersweet heaviness.


    After that, she wandered through the places that held memories of her childhood.


    She visited the park where she used to play as a child, sitting on her favorite swing, recalling the moments when her mother would push her higher and higher. She went to her old high school, standing at the entrance as she watched students in uniforms passing in and out—once, she had been one of them. She even stopped by her mother’s favorite ramen shop, ordering a bowl of the familiar dish, only to realize that the broth no longer tasted as rich as she remembered.


    Finally, she climbed a small hill and stood at the peak, overlooking the Kyoto skyline at night.


    The city lights twinkled like a fallen galaxy, and the cool night wind carried a quiet, distant fragrance.


    "Mom… do you still remember?"


    She murmured softly, gazing up at the sky. The moon shone brightly, as if her mother was watching over her with gentle eyes.


    Kyoto remained as dazzling as ever, but her return brought only memories.


    The night breeze whispered across the hilltop, and the city’s lights flickered in the distance like countless stars scattered upon the earth.


    Eika stood still, overlooking the city that had once been her home, the place that carried her past. Her gaze lingered on the distant streets, where her old home once stood—now erased by time. A faint tightness gripped her chest as her fingers unconsciously tightened around the dagger at her side, as if holding onto it was the only way to keep herself grounded.


    "Thinking about your mother?"


    A familiar voice spoke behind her, carrying a teasing tone, though without its usual lightheartedness.


    Eika didn’t turn around. She had sensed the presence of the girl known as Divine principle long before she spoke. From the moment she climbed the hill, she had felt that divine aura lingering nearby, though she had chosen to remain silent until now.


    "…Why are you here?" Eika asked flatly, her voice tinged with exhaustion.


    Barefoot, Divine principle strolled up beside her, her golden hair swaying gently in the night breeze. She clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head with a playful smile. "Of course, I came to check on you. You don’t look much like someone who just became a demigod."


    Eika ignored her, keeping her gaze fixed on the cityscape. After a long pause, she finally spoke in a quiet voice. "…Do you have parents?"


    Divine principle blinked, as if surprised by the question.


    She thought for a moment, then chuckled softly. "That’s an interesting question. Technically speaking, no, I don’t. My existence was predetermined from the moment this world was born. I am the law itself, an intrinsic part of this world."


    She paused before turning her golden eyes toward Eika. "And you? How do you define ‘parents’?"


    Eika’s expression flickers slightly. After a moment of silence, she murmured, "Parents… are the ones who give us life, the ones who bring us into this world. They should be the closest people to us, the ones who love us the most…"


    Her voice trailed off, and her fingers unconsciously traced the handle of her dagger. A complicated emotion surfaced in her gaze.


    "But not all parents love their children." She let out a bitter laugh, her eyes dimming slightly.


    Divine principle made a soft sound of acknowledgment before a knowing smile curved her lips. "So, what you really want to ask is—Is a parent''s love an instinct? Or is it a choice?"


    Eika didn’t answer.


    She knew her mother loved her, so much so that she would sacrifice everything for her. But what about her father? Why had he cast her aside? He was her biological father, yet he treated her with a cruelty colder than a stranger. Was this truly just a matter of choice?


    "Love isn’t something that exists by default," Divine principle said, her voice surprisingly serious. "Not even gods can control human emotions. Your mother loves you because she chooses to. And your father… perhaps he simply never tried to understand you."


    "Understand?" Eika scoffed, finally turning to face her. "Do you think there’s anything to understand between us?"


    Divine principle studied her for a moment, the golden glow in her eyes flickering in the moonlight. Then, she smirked.


    "You know, I’ve witnessed countless lives being born, and I’ve seen many bonds between parents and children. You say ‘parents should love their children,’ but the truth is—parents are just people. They fear, they make mistakes, they run away, and sometimes… they choose to forget."


    She paused, then continued in a calm voice. "Not everyone is capable of being a good parent."


    Eika froze, her lips pressing into a thin line.


    "So what?" she asked softly.


    Divine principle shrugged. "Nothing. I’m simply telling you that blood ties don’t determine everything. Your mother loves you, so she is your mother. Your sister chose to protect your mother, so she is your family, too. And your father… is just someone who happens to share your blood, nothing more."


    "……"


    The night wind swept past them, filling the silence between them.


    After a long moment, Eika finally spoke again. "…Thanks for the reminder. But I still don’t intend to forgive him."


    Her voice was calm, but her gaze was unwavering.


    Divine principle smiled. "That’s up to you. Like I said—love and hatred are both choices."


    She stretched her arms above her head and took a few light steps forward, her bare feet barely making a sound against the earth. Looking down at the illuminated city below, she mused, "Are you just going to stand here and brood all night?"


    Eika lowered her eyes. After a long pause, she gave a small nod.


    "…No. Let''s move on"