X Country.
The Province.
A private courtyard.
High noon.
After two and a half hours of negotiation, Cael finally signed the treaty with X Country.
"Whew..."
As the representative, Lin Yun clasped his hand firmly and met his gaze.
"I reviewed the agreement you brought very carefully. For X Country, this is clearly a disadvantage. Nearly every clause favors you."
That was expected.
Cael did not understand politics.
But his wife, Makima, had spent years navigating that world and understood it thoroughly. She had personally drafted this cooperation agreement between Cael and X Country.
Her goal was simple. Prepare for the prophecy of the King of Terror.
To do that, she believed they needed the support of powerful nations.
The United States, the Soviet Union, and X Country.
The United States was already a problem. Their recent clash made cooperation unlikely.
The Soviet Union was even worse. They had taken the initiative in targeting Reze, and Cael had retaliated without hesitation, humiliating the KGB in the process.
In response, the KGB created millions of Fire Kin Devils in Japan, leading to catastrophic casualties. Even now, those devils had not been fully eradicated, and tensions remained high.
That left only X Country.
As a global power, it surely had hidden weapons of its own.
Cael could not afford to make another enemy.
If X Country chose to act, he would survive. But Makima's resurrection system might not.
Cael did not care much about the bigger picture.
But he did care about one thing.
Makima.
He did not want her insurance to run out.
"Haha," Cael said, smiling casually. "Miss Lin Yun, that is not entirely accurate. This treaty is simply a fair exchange.
With my status as a specially approved temporary worker for X Country, you should feel more secure, right?"
Lin Yun studied him, a faint smile forming.
"Well said. I agree completely."
She paused slightly before continuing.
"Since you feel so strongly about your homeland, Cael, would you consider opening a funeral service here?
If anything happens, we could reach you immediately."
Cael scratched the back of his neck.
"Nah, Besides there are already too many people in that line of work here. I would just be stealing business."
Lin Yun's lips twitched.
That reasoning was impossible to argue with.
"Very well." She exhaled. "I will be direct. This contract favors you heavily. We know that.
But it does not matter.
This is our goodwill toward you.
We are signing it because you are worth it."
Cael nodded.
"Appreciated."
Lin Yun released his hand.
"I have other matters to attend to. Let me know when you want to leave, I will arrange your flight. Or you can stay for a few days."
Cael stood up.
"No need. I have my own way back."
He left without looking back.
---
Outside the restricted area, Cael found a bench and leaned back, stretching comfortably.
"Fami."
A puff of white mist appeared beside him.
"I am here."
The girl with short, light purple hair sat close to him and handed over a brown paper bag.
"I saved half of the roast duck for you."
Cael raised an eyebrow and accepted it.
Authentic.
He planned to bring it back for Asa.
"Not bad. That is thoughtful."
For the Hunger Devil to give away food, that meant something.
After storing the duck, Cael pulled out a bottle of mouthwash and handed it to her.
"We are heading back. Rinse your mouth."
His so called transportation was standing right next to him.
Teleportation beat any flight.
"Okay."
Fami nodded and took a large gulp, tilting her head back as she gargled.
Cael checked his inventory and frowned.
"Wait. Are you really the Hunger Devil?
I did not have any food on me. How did you even get here?"
Fami spat the mouthwash onto the grass and looked at him with those ringed orange eyes.
She tilted her head, her expression pure.
"Who said there was no food?
You are my favorite, Cael."
A few strands of her hair fluttered in the breeze.
Her calm expression paired with those words created a sharp contrast.
Cael inhaled slowly.
The more he looked at her, the more he liked her.
Pretty, useful, and interesting.
Maybe he should add another name to the list.
Asa, Reze, Makima...
They would understand.
Fami leaned closer.
Cael's pulse quickened.
That was enough thinking.
He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto his lap.
Then he leaned in.
"Mmm..."
Her eyes slowly closed.
On the roadside, an old man walking his dog glanced over.
Young people.
Nothing unusual.
He turned away.
A moment later, both of them vanished.
---
Night.
Kanagawa Prefecture.
Kobeni returned home with her recently recovered brother.
Their mother, Fujimoto Haruko, had called earlier, saying the family should gather for dinner.
The table was filled with food.
Kobeni swallowed.
A feast like this was rare in their home.
But something felt off.
There were fewer people than expected.
Only her eldest brother Kotaro, her younger brother, and a small sister in elementary school were present.
The rest were missing.
That was not all.
An unfamiliar balding man sat at the table, staring at her openly.
It made her skin crawl.
"Mom... where are the others?" Kobeni asked cautiously.
Haruko smiled but said nothing.
Kotaro clicked his tongue.
"They are in boarding school. Of course they are not here. Are you stupid?"
Kobeni flinched and lowered her head.
"But I thought this was a family—"
She stopped when he glared at her.
A sharp sound cut through the tension.
Naoto placed his chopsticks down.
"That is enough, Kotaro. She is your sister."
Kobeni froze.
That was unexpected.
Naoto usually sided with Kotaro.
Naoto turned his attention to her, his gaze sharp.
"So this is Kobeni?"
Haruko nodded.
"Yes. She is hardworking and capable. What do you think?"
The balding man nodded slowly.
Naoto smiled and gestured toward him.
"Kobeni, this is Miyazaki Koichi. Pour him a drink."
Kobeni's eyes widened.
Her brother remained silent, but his expression darkened.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Miyazaki's gaze made her feel sick.
Sweat formed on her forehead.
This was not just a dinner.
Seeing her hesitate, Kotaro snapped.
"What are you standing there for?
That man is your future husband.
Learn some manners."