Inside the Casiral family estate, Athena was wandering the mansion as usual, managing affairs and overseeing the servants here and there.
While performing her routine duties—supervising the staff and organizing the household—she sensed something amiss; a powerful energy signature had suddenly vanished without warning.
She mused inwardly, her tone calm yet filled with satisfaction: "The esteemed 'Great Story Merchant,' Stefan Tilmore, is dead. It is truly joyous news. Who would have expected the revered 'Blessing of the Normana Sky' to step in and finish off that piece of scum?"
"Still, his life or death matters little. What truly intrigues me is why Yuto was there and why he wanted to kill him so badly. It is strange... Master Yuto seems overjoyed by the man's death and by obtaining that 'Kainen'—a mixed blessing, to be sure."
She let out a deep sigh and continued her rounds, heading toward Sira's bedroom. Suddenly, she heard a faint thud coming from Yuto's room—which was nearby. She was utterly bewildered; the room had been locked for months. Who could possibly be inside at a time like this?
She opened the door in confusion, only for her expression to shift to shock as she looked inside. She spoke in a puzzled tone, particularly upon seeing Sira wearing Yuto's oversized clothes; the girl looked as though she were drowning in the fabric, given that she stood 1.55 meters tall and weighed 30 kilograms, whereas Yuto was 1.85 meters tall and weighed 60 kilograms. "How could she act so foolishly? It is incredibly annoying. I simply don't understand why Yuto insists on keeping her around."
Athena sighed in frustration as she gazed at her. She moved toward her, attempting to catch her and change her clothes again; yet, Siri managed to slip away every time, which left her feeling exasperated.
Athena spoke as she approached her once more: "Dear Siri, stop acting like a mischievous child. Yuta is about to arrive with guests, so it would be best for you to behave maturely. Don't you agree?"
Siri sighed sadly as she looked at Athena, her gaze filled with sorrow and frustration. Athena picked her up with a gentle smile.
Siri wrapped her arms around Athena's neck, and Athena carried her straight to her room to change her clothes.
As they headed to the room, Siri spoke in a voice heavy with longing: "Athena, does my brother Yuta love me, or does he see me as just a fool who can't control her power and causes him complicated problems?"
Athena didn't say a word as she listened to Siri. After all, she knew Yuta well; many had died at his hands over the past few months—even many of her own followers had perished. Yet, she didn't truly understand his intentions. Siri was currently an unstable entity; she had nearly killed him during their first encounter after he took over Yuta's original body.
She spoke in a calm tone, looking at her and gently tapping her slightly reddened nose: "Lady Siri, don't worry. Your power being unstable isn't a major issue; you simply need to learn to control it through training or something similar."
"As for your brother's love for you, it is obvious. He left the academy that day just to come and visit you, spending the entire day by your side and neglecting his studies—and he had killed..." "The Casiral family—I almost forgot about them, too."
Ciri didn't say a word, yet a faint smile played on her lips as she rested her head against Athena's chest; moments later, they entered her room.
Elsewhere, at the gates of the city of Berhais, Gia gazed at the city with a look of mild admiration. Yuta smiled faintly as he listened to her say, "It is just as beautiful as you described."
The same sentiment was shared by Chloe and Madeline, who peered out the car window with admiring smiles; they were finally witnessing the outside world after a long period of confinement in the Market of Mysteries, held captive by the Great Story Merchant, the venerable Stefan Tilmore.
After a few minutes of driving through Berhais, the car came to a halt inside the grounds of the Casiral family estate—a truly magnificent mansion.
Yuta stepped out of the car, followed by Chloe and Madeline, who were clutching his shoulders in slight trepidation—a sight that made Gia look at them with curiosity. "We've arrived at my home. It's going to be a lovely time, you two charming ladies—Chloe and Madeline."
The two women looked embarrassed as they headed toward the mansion, while a hint of frustration crossed Gia's face at Yuta's womanizing behavior.
She found the behavior—directed at two individuals older than him—repulsive, as they were acting like mere teenagers or small children.
Yuta then spoke via telepathy in a calm tone that surprised her: "Gia, you have to play along with them. They weren't named 'Good Word' and 'Bad Word' without reason; each was created from a single word, which prevented them from undergoing any literary evolution."
"And yet, in terms of power, they are terrifying entities." "They are formidable—even I wouldn't dare fight them. Yet, they are easily deceived; they are still children who haven't reached maturity, even if their bodies look eighteen. But don't worry, they will mature eventually; it's just a matter of time."
Jiba didn't say a word in response; she understood exactly what he meant. Sometimes, the very nature of an entity is its greatest flaw—even if it grants the kind of power everyone desires.
She continued walking toward the mansion gates, her gaze calm and focused on Chloe, Madeline, and Yuta. They stopped at the entrance, and Yuta opened the gate.
As he spoke in a calm tone—"Welcome to..."—Sera shouted loudly, causing him—along with Chloe, Madeline, and Jiba—to look at her in mild shock: "Brother, you're back!"
Chloe, Madeline, and Jiba looked on in surprise as Sera embraced her older brother, whom she hadn't seen in nearly a year.
Yuta gently pushed Sera away from his face with a faint smile, only for her to immediately wrap her arms around his neck. Though slightly taken aback, he gently patted her back.
He then turned his gaze toward Athena, while the other servants stood behind, showing him great respect.
Meanwhile, Sera stared at Jiba in shock, struck by how much she resembled Yuta in almost every way. She asked in a quiet voice, "Do we have a twin sister we didn't know about?"
Jiba looked at her for a few seconds before gently patting her hair; having spent so much time with Yuta, she had learned a few useful things from him. In both the future and the present: "I am not your sister; I am Gia of the Guilford family. As for the resemblance, it is merely "It's uncanny—the resemblance is just too much. It's not just a figure of speech; it's almost literal. Isn't that right, Brother Yuta?"
Yuta answered her question, though she didn't seem entirely convinced: "Little sister, coincidences happen all the time in our world."
She then turned her attention to Chloe and Madeline, who were clinging to Yuta—a sight that made her look at them with clear annoyance.
"Brother, who are they? Why are they stuck to you like that? That's unacceptable behavior, hmm?"
Chloe and Madeline looked annoyed as they listened to Sira; they responded by hugging Yuta around the waist, leaving him bewildered by their actions.
He then glanced over to see Lyra and Kira rushing toward him; he felt a bit irked at becoming the center of a squabble among the children.
Lyra and Kira spoke in unison as they hugged him—prompting Athena and Gia to stifle a laugh as they watched—asking, "Big Brother, when did you get back?"
"I arrived just a little while ago," Yuta said calmly. He gently set Sira down and stepped back to create some space, leaving the girls feeling slightly embarrassed by their impulsive behavior.
Lyra spoke up, rubbing the back of her head: "We missed you, Brother." Sira and Kira stood beside her, looking a bit sheepish, while Chloe and Madeline moved to stand next to Gia.
Yuta felt a sense of relief as he looked at them—though Kira and Lyra were gazing at Gia with puzzled expressions. Kira spoke, pointing a finger at her: "Do you have a twin sister?"
Yuta looked at Jia for a few seconds before answering Kira's question: "No, she isn't my sister; she's a friend. It just so happens that she looks like me—an uncanny resemblance."
Kira spoke incredulously, as the resemblance was striking; had Jia been male, it would have been impossible to tell them apart. "An unbelievably strange coincidence for a resemblance like that."
Yuta let out a feigned, weary sigh and continued walking into the mansion, leaving them looking at him with a mix of frustration and annoyance as they listened to his words: "Alright, we need to rest a bit. Athena, please take Jia, Chloe, and Madeline to their rooms."
Athena spoke in a calm, respectful tone, glancing at them out of the corner of her eye: "As you wish, Sir; your word is my command."
Meanwhile, Jia looked at Athena in suppressed shock; she had suddenly appeared before her without Jia even realizing she had moved. Jia thought cautiously to herself, noting the strange, powerful aura emanating from Athena, Kira, and Yuta: "When did she get here? I didn't sense her presence at all. I suppose she's the head servant here."
Jia spoke calmly, looking at Yuta: "There's a question that's been on my mind for a long time: where is your biological mother?"
Yuta looked at her for a few seconds, understanding she meant the mother of the body's original owner. He spoke calmly as he continued walking: "My mother is imprisoned in the Ninth Realm of the Underworld."
Jia continued speaking in an inquisitive tone, causing Yuta to stop and offer a faint smile: "Who killed..." "...your father and the imprisonment of your mother."
Yuta turned and looked at her calmly. "The one who killed my father was my father himself. As for my mother... I still don't know who did it—or perhaps that is a matter left for you to discover, Jiya. I wish you happiness and contentment within your family's estate. Goodbye."
Yuta immediately left the spot, leaving her even more bewildered than before. As he climbed the stairs, he added, "Well, I should head to my room and get some rest."
He spoke to himself while continuing toward his room, a faint, sly smile playing on his lips—a smile that boded ill. "Heh... trying to uncover the truth about the Casiral family is quite entertaining. Still, is she ready to delve into the past of one of the strangest families out there? Let's see... the Summer Festival is in a week, it seems—unless it gets postponed or moved up."
He continued to his room to rest after his visit to the Market of Mysteries—an experience that had occupied his thoughts for the entire four-hour duration.
He summoned the system window once more, displaying the treasures recovered from the venerable Great Story Merchant, Stefan Tilmore. Noticing that new items had appeared, his smile widened.
[Scripture for the Holy Scribe Wing: Recovered
Scripture for the High Overseer Wing: Recovered
Scripture for the Cosmic Arbiter Wing: Recovered
Scripture for the Master of Rankings Wing: Recovered
Scripture for the Order and Balance Wing: Recovered
Scripture for the Origin Dao Wing: Recovered
Scripture for the Master of Trials Wing: Recovered] Recovered Items:
Narrative Chaos Wing Training Manuscript (Recovered)
Assassination Concept Wing Training Manuscript (Recovered)
Mystery Mist Wing Training Manuscript (Recovered)
Narrative Time Wing Training Manuscript (Recovered)
Absolute Imagination Wing Training Manuscript (Recovered)
Absolute Protector Wing Training Blueprint (Recovered)
34× Fantasy World Demon Gem (Recovered)
Empress Xiao Yi's Robe (Recovered)
Seal of the Forgotten Library of the Alkentai Kingdom (Recovered)
Book of Unknown Origin (Recovered)
Records of the First 45 Path Wars
10× Pre-End Era Records (Eras 4 through 15)
5× Minor Narrative Memoirs
Map to a Forbidden Location: Narrative Glitch Desert (Area 10)
Documents and Memoirs of the First Hunter King, Felix Corvus
Records of the Imperial State: Ruler Path (First)
Map to the First Origin Gem
Complete Set: Suit of Unknown Origin
[Information:
A suit not found in any records of unknown origin; the material used to craft it suggests a possibility of it dating back to the era prior to the "Pre-Beginning 3, Era 4" period, though this remains a slim possibility.]
24× Material of Unknown Origin
Yuta let out a deep sigh as he gazed at the system screen, then closed it; he already knew who would receive what—the Assassination Concept manuscript was destined for Gowther. ...which he would, in turn, pass on to the heir of the assassination concept.
As for the original *Dao* manuscript and the *Narrative Time* manuscript, he already knew to whom he would entrust them during his journey to the Northern Continent—a trip still far off, though anything could happen in the days to come. He closed his eyes for a few seconds...
...before turning his gaze toward the majestic peak of Mount Barak.Lady Elizabeth wore a faint smile as she gazed at him.
He let out a deep sigh and adjusted his posture, speaking respectfully: "How are you, Lady Elizabeth? You seem quite upset, don't you?"
Lady Elizabeth's eyes narrowed as she listened to Yuta; she walked over, sat beside him, and fixed him with a sharp stare.
She spoke with a hint of concealed irritation—causing Yuta to look at her nervously—"You and your triplet siblings speak as if you don't know me at all. That is quite rude of you."
Yuta sighed nervously and bowed his head in a posture of contrition, but Lady Elizabeth slapped the back of his head instead.
Yuta didn't say a word as he rubbed his head in pain—Elizabeth's blow had been incredibly hard—and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
He found her looking at him with an expression that demanded he appease her; he was so bewildered by this that he forgot his head was turning red from the blow.
He spoke in a tone full of astonishment—which greatly annoyed Lady Elizabeth—"You are older than me; you have lived through three full eras and are on the verge of entering the fourth. Your age and level of comprehension are beyond counting, yet you act like a mother wronged by her own children."
Lady Elizabeth then pinched... She tugged his ear in clear annoyance, making Yuta look foolish in the situation.
She let go, leaving him to clutch his ear in pain; the disparity in their strength was indescribable. Moreover, Yuta had been using a mere 3% of his power, widening the gap to an unfathomable degree.
She sighed irritably, glancing at Chloe and Madeline—who were glaring at her with tears welling in their eyes—before turning directly toward Yuta, who was still rubbing his ear with mild annoyance.
The Revered Blessing of the Heavens, Islabith, spoke while looking at Chloe and Madeline, who stood like a cute barrier preventing her from approaching him.
"I have traversed countless tales across three past eras—stories spanning various genres and power systems—yet yours is truly bizarre. You've met many girls in your life, and none of them love you."
"Except for Mizuki and the women of this world—Revika, Lucy, and that girl... Sherry, or whatever her name is—the prime examples are 'Kind Word' and 'Bad Word.' They don't harbor a shred of romantic love for you, yet they defend you as if they were your wives."
Chloe and Madeline stared at her for a few moments before 'Kind Word'—Chloe—spoke up. Islabith was subtly shocked; she hadn't expected to hear such words from her.
"Listen to me, Revered Blessing of the Heavens, Islabith. I don't love Yuta in the sense of wanting him as a future husband or anything like that, but he is dear to me. He is a kind person. Do you understand? I know Yuta better than you do."
Her facial expression shifted... The Revered Great One, Iselabeth—Blessing of the Heavens—looked toward Chloe (the "Kind Word") and Madeline (the "Harsh Word"), leaving Yuta momentarily stunned. "I know my children; no one knows them better than I do. Is that clear? I know you are stronger than I am—Chloe, the Kind Word, and Madeline, the Harsh Word."
Yet, they hid fearfully behind Yuta's back. Despite possessing terrifying power, they remained childlike—a result of having been in a state of slumber for ages and being influenced by the mist of the Market of Mysteries and the actions of the Great Story Merchant, Stefan Tilmore, over the centuries.
This caused both Iselabeth and Yuta to look at them in bewilderment; the very two who had intended to protect Yuta were now seeking his protection from the person they had meant to shield him from.
Iselabeth and Yuta burst into loud laughter as they watched them; Iselabeth then embraced Yuta, resting his head against her bosom.
He was stunned for a few seconds before returning the embrace. Yuta was not the sort of cold, storybook hero who viewed family ties and friendships as weaknesses, nor was he the type to do *anything* for his family regardless of the cost; he walked a middle path.
Or rather, he did as he pleased. He saw freedom as the liberty to act on one's own terms—to cry, laugh, grieve, love, seek affection from family members, and forge bonds.
For Yuta, freedom was something to be *lived*, not merely sought while losing its very essence—the *feeling* of freedom. To lose everything that makes one human is not freedom; it is an absurdity that bears no resemblance to true freedom.