For Shana, participating in the God War didn't bring about much change; it was merely a shift from a previous battlefield to a larger one, with the essence remaining the same. The only difference was a slight lingering attachment to her former world, the thing she found hardest to let go of being Wilhelmina Carmel, the one who raised, educated, and forged her into an outstanding Flame Haze.

Shana had no desire to drag Wilhelmina into this divine conflict, one she need not be involved in. Thus, despite missing her deeply, she never considered returning—though perhaps a brief visit wouldn't hurt, as it had truly been several years since they last met.

With this thought in mind, Shana and Lin Luo boarded the Starlight Avenue.

The location of the Starlight Avenue wasn't Misaki City, but near a coastline. Shana closed her eyes for a moment, sensing the air, then looked toward the sea, her tone tinged with nostalgia. "That’s where the Ten-Do Palace sank."

The Ten-Do Palace was where Shana had lived in her youth, where she became a Flame Haze, accumulating her most profound memories. It was only after the Palace was destroyed that she began her solitary life, hunting Moyou.

"You brought us to this spot? Is Wilhelmina in the Ten-Do Palace under the sea?" Lin Luo joked, but meeting Shana’s serious gaze, he quickly chuckled and spread his hands. "Well, that’s impossible to imagine, right?"

"Nonsense!" Shana shot him a look, then closed her eyes, concentrating on locating Wilhelmina. She understood her opponent’s aura better than anyone. In the past, she might not have been able to search an entire world just by sensing a presence, but now, as long as the distance wasn't too great, she could find her quickly.

"Found her." In less than five minutes, Shana opened her eyes, a spark of excitement in them, looking toward the opposite side of the sea. "Europe, five hundred kilometers away."

"..." Lin Luo sweated slightly. Being able to locate someone five hundred kilometers away just by closing her eyes for a moment was astonishingly powerful.

Five hundred kilometers wasn't a great distance, at least not for Lin Luo and Shana. Even without using full speed, they reached their destination within twenty minutes. It was a villa-style house, modest in size but emanating a refreshing atmosphere. A red-haired woman in a blue and white maid uniform was watering the flowers in the courtyard—this woman was the Flame Haze Wilhelmina Carmel, known for her "Ten Thousand Skillful Hands."

Shana stared at her silently while Wilhelmina calmly tended the garden, seemingly unaware of their arrival. After about half a minute, Shana couldn't hold back. "Wilhelmina!" Wilhelmina spun around sharply, her eyes locking onto Shana instantly.

Before Wilhelmina could react, Shana launched herself forward, crashing heavily into her embrace, tears of joy streaming down her face. "Wilhelmina, I finally see you!" Even though Shana had become a being of extraordinary power, she was still fundamentally a young girl. Seeing the person closest to her ignited an uncontrollable surge of emotion, granting her the strength of a monster, yet not the heart of one—a clear sign of her humanity.

"Why?" Wilhelmina, held tightly by Shana, wore a bewildered expression.

"Of course, because I get to see you again! Aren't you happy to see me, Wilhelmina?" Shana looked up, stating the obvious.

"Of course." Though confused by the situation, seeing Shana’s expression, Wilhelmina returned the hug, a faint smile gracing her lips. As a goal-oriented individual, she remained concise and efficient, yet possessed ample gentleness and care for the girl before her.

"Well, hello there. First meeting," an ill-timed voice intruded upon the touching reunion. It was Lin Luo. He walked forward, smiling and waving to Wilhelmina, who turned at the sound. "Hello, I'm Lin Luo. I’m Shana’s boyfriend, and we’re currently dating with the intent to marry. We came specifically to pay respects to you, her guardian, and I hope you..." Bang!

"Stop spouting nonsense! You idiot!"

Before Lin Luo could finish his sentence, Shana launched herself forward, delivering a punch. The sheer force of the air displacement rattled violently, but Lin Luo was prepared, extending his palm just in time to block her blow.

In contrast to Shana's explosive anger, Wilhelmina was filled with questions. "Shana?" Although Wilhelmina was Shana’s guardian, she had never given the girl a proper name. Even after Shana became a Flame Haze, she referred to her only as "You," "Her," or "The Crimson-Haired, Flame-Eyed Hunter." Naturally, Wilhelmina didn't understand when Lin Luo said "Shana."

Lin Luo’s gaze swept over Shana’s figure, then he leaned in, grinning playfully. "Shana is the new name for this girl right here. We plan to marry in three years, then have two children—a boy named Kazumi and a girl named Yuji. We hope you’ll look after them..."

"I told you to stop talking rubbish, Shine!" Shana had been accumulating fury while Lin Luo spoke. Hearing him become increasingly absurd, she finally snapped. She seized Lin Luo's wrist and executed a perfect backward throw, sending him flying, before instantly drawing Nietono no Shana.

Her face flushed crimson, she threatened, "Say one more incoherent thing, and I’ll cleave you!"

Clatter. Lin Luo landed lightly on the ground, throwing up his hands in resignation. He spoke to Shana in a voice Wilhelmina couldn't hear. "Didn't you ask me to find an excuse to fool her? That’s why I said all this."

Shana didn't want to drag Wilhelmina into the dangerous God War, nor did she want her to worry by knowing about it. Before coming here, she and Lin Luo had discussed it. Unable to devise a good explanation herself, she had asked Lin Luo to help her concoct a suitable lie for Wilhelmina, assuring her that she was doing well. But this!

"What kind of excuse is this?!" Shana questioned sternly in the same low voice.

"It's the most scientific explanation. After all, you brought a man home. From a guardian’s perspective, the probability of him being a boyfriend is 99.99%. I couldn't possibly say I'm your familiar—that would be ridiculous. Besides, my desire to marry you is genuine." Lin Luo spoke with righteous indignation, adding, "Actually, I think we could have a dozen kids. Naming them all is going to be a hassle." Kacha! A vein throbbed visibly on Shana’s forehead. She desperately wanted to strike Lin Luo down, but due to certain constraints, she had to endure it. She knew Lin Luo understood she wouldn't seriously hurt him, which was why he was so audacious. Truly a man beyond shamelessness!

Scum! Villain! Rogue! Go to hell!

Shana cursed him wildly in her mind, Does he think I’m a pig? A dozen kids!

Watching the display of their "affectionate reunion," Wilhelmina tilted her head, her face a mask of curiosity and confusion: The girl she raised had a name, Shana? The name was quite cute. But what was the deal with this man? Dating? With intent to marry? Heavens! Was this real?!

A sudden sense of crisis bloomed within Wilhelmina.

On the other side, Shana had lost all patience for Lin Luo's antics. She summoned Alastor, ordering him to keep an eye on Lin Luo here, while she walked toward Wilhelmina to salvage the reunion Lin Luo had ruined.

Wilhelmina, unable to see the chibi Alastor, only watched Shana approach. Just as she was about to ask something, Shana took her hand and pulled her toward the house.

"Wilhelmina, let's talk inside. Ignore that trash over there." Seeing the two figures disappear, Lin Luo could only sigh and sit in the courtyard, poking the nearby Crimson Lotus Fire. "You know, looking closely, you’re quite cute too, little Q."

"........." Alastor was speechless. "Are you bored?"

"How can I not be bored when stuck with a brute like you?" Lin Luo continued poking.

"Can you stop poking me?" Alastor finally lost his composure.

"Fine, even in chibi form, I respect you greatly," Lin Luo retracted his hand, though his words almost made Alastor vomit blood, if he possessed the means to do so.

Alastor stewed in frustration for a moment, then unexpectedly initiated conversation. "Although your performance just now was utterly devoid of principle, I can tell there's genuine feeling behind it. I entrust Shana to you from now on." "Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? Are you handing her over?" Lin Luo was taken aback.

"Something like that."

"You’re not joking, are you? As long as Shana lives, the Demon God endures. Why would you need to entrust her to someone else?"

Lin Luo found the concept laughable.

However, Alastor spoke with grave seriousness. "Shana is my contractor. I have always viewed her as a daughter. But a father doesn't need to remain by his daughter’s side forever. Once I fulfill the duties I must perform, I will depart to seek the meaning of my own existence."

"Your own meaning?" Lin Luo still didn't grasp it.

"For love."

Alastor spoke those three words. Lin Luo felt a chill run down his spine, but then a thought struck him... Alastor once had a lover, his previous contractor, Mathilda, known as the 'Husband Among Women,' universally recognized as the strongest of the Middle Ages. They were comrades and lovers, deeply devoted to each other. But Mathilda later died while using Tenpa Jōshō in a great battle, separating them eternally.

And now, Alastor said 'for love.' Could it be...

"You want to go find Mathilda?" Lin Luo asked, frowning.

"I didn't expect you to even know about that," Alastor sounded surprised but made no attempt to hide the truth. "Shana’s growth has been astonishing lately, and I have been fortunate enough to witness even more—turning the impossible into reality, calling her back once more. This is the love of a Demon God!" Alastor’s declaration was resolute, without a hint of doubt.

: Yesterday was a bit lazy, so only two chapters today. I guarantee three tomorrow, four is the hope, five is the ideal, and six is absolutely impossible.