Yukari's birthday is only a few days away, it's quite convenient actually, as Yukari's birthday coincides with Christmas, which feels quite romantic in a way...

"No, it's rather sad... because my family went through a lot of hardship when I was born."

I saw it in Yukari's eyes as she uttered those words - they were filled with coldness, no... I should say she let it all go...

However, her words made me realize the burden I should carry. Thinking back now, that sense of tragedy probably showed all over my face. At least for my mom it did!

A wave of dizziness hit me, feeling like I could barely stand by the table, yet Yukari seemed completely unaware.

"Xi, can we go buy some fruits together with mom?"

"Yeah, I'll go."

I was about to stand up when my mom stopped me with a smile.

"I think I'll be better at picking out delicious things, don't you think?"

"Yeah, let's go together!"

I proudly said and then ran out of the room.

Back then, I had this perfect happy family, quite ordinary and plain.

Once the sound of my steps completely faded away, my mom smiled as she watched me.

Oh, what's wrong with mom?

"Xi!"

"Mom?"

"Don't force yourself to do everything alone, there are things I can help you with."

"But mom..."

Before I could finish, the woman in front of me reached out.

And before I realized it, my mother was already hugging me, stroking my head like a child, making me want to cry.

"Xi, before you were born, I used to call you by this name, it was ready for you long before...”

"Oh really, for a long time?"

"Since the day you were born, you’ve been Tsubaki Juxi, though you may not be aware, both your dad and I are very happy.” Mom said with a smile.

I noticed a slight bitterness in my mom's voice and her hand stroking my hair felt suddenly dry and eerie.

"It's because she's by your side that you can stay strong!"

I already knew who she was referring to, now nothing else mattered except her!

"But..."

Mom continued.

"Although she supports you when she's by your side, never forget to always be cautious of her."

Then, my mom whispered again.

"The terror she brings is beyond your imagination, understand?"

"Understand what? What’s wrong with her?"

"..."

Soon after our conversation, my mom's figure gradually disappeared without even finishing my sentence.

I was prepared for it, accepting the reality calmly.

That day, the moment of numbness from death marked the end of my childhood.

Since losing the person who could be called a mother, I was no longer a child, and could never be one again.

"Don't force yourself to do everything alone."

Though my mom said this, the only one who could protect Yukari was myself, so in the end, I had to work hard alone.

Desperately wanting to grow into an adult, I yearned for the day when I could use my own abilities to protect Yukari, to let those around me live happily, and to end this nightmare sooner rather than later.

If you have not reached the legal age of consent yet, then at least discard your hypocritical mask.

It doesn't matter anymore, even if I'm no longer Mama's precious little baby, I will now be the protector instead, starting from today, I must protect the people around me.

I once swore in front of Mama's grave, telling her that I have come to terms with the past.

"Ah,"

Crash——!

The sound of a dropped ladle snapped me out of my thoughts, realizing that unconsciously tidied-up Yukari-nee had a wry smile, it was not yet time to leave.

Today's waking time was much earlier than scheduled, perhaps still feeling restless from yesterday, leading to a restless night's sleep.

Don't force it, I've lost count of how many times I've comforted myself like this, but why does it always have to be that kind of man.

I'm not someone with a small mind, I just want to find a way to make everyone happy, to make a place where everyone can live peacefully, and not become a man who can't do that.

Articulate speech and impressive appearance are not necessary, as long as one can cherish all and stand up for what is right.

So, can flippant people survive in this world? When it comes down to it, they are just paper tigers. Once danger looms, they will abandon others and run away alone.

Even Yukari-nee, she should be able to see through this once she calms down, right?

One of us is a national idol, and the other is someone who lazes around, these two are just not compatible!

If Mama were still alive, she would help me stop Father, right?

But I shouldn't expect too much from Mama about this issue, I shrugged slightly.

Actually, Father also seems a bit dangerous on the surface, a typical optimist, a good person, and a very capable individual, but definitely not the stable type, I would soon understand that.

Of course, I adored Father when I was young.

In my memories, Father always had a cheerful smile on his face. However, if Father were to live longer, I would probably critique his optimistic nature, and might even show some unpleasant acts of rebellion.

And Mother chose a man like Father, she must have held a high opinion of such men, perhaps justifying their relationship by saying, "As long as she's happy." Whatever the case, my responsibility is to protect Yukari-nee and myself from that man, even though Mama is no longer with us.

I won't repeat the mistakes Father and Mother made back then.

"Yukari-nee, it's time to go..."

Putting on my leather gloves, I opened the door, intending to leave earlier today.

Humans are beyond redemption, only coming to regret when they're exploited by terrible things.

After the Evil Entity occupied eighty-six percent of the world, humanity finally initiated their last plan—the Phantom God!

…

"I have been waiting all this time, for the destined one to free me, complete their mission, and then be bound!"

Two years after the outbreak of the Evil Entity, humanity discovered a massive ruin in the southern part of Africa, with a history spanning over three billion years, beneath which lay an ancient capital city of superior civilization that predates this world by tens of thousands of years!

Incredible... throughout these billions of years, this relic has neither been used as a repair material nor been processed. It has been kept in its original form and placed here. Was it left unused for some purpose, or was it preserved as preparatory material for the next repair? It's impossible to know for sure. For the immortal phantoms, the original rulers of the universe who have dominated all galaxies for billions of years, this seems like just a fleeting moment. Moreover, it's impossible to speculate on the true intentions of the divine using human scales.

Regardless, all of this is a mystery. It's only on the day when one becomes a god that some understanding may be gained. "Is this the highest-level energy that can only be produced by combining all elements of the universe? At first glance, it truly seems incredible..."

Liao Xiu'er raised his head to gaze at the anomaly that pierced the sky. Who could have created this? Ordinary humans cannot bear to stay here. With successive strange happenings in the heavens and earth, and the ruthless Evil Entity rampaging everywhere, the place has turned into a human hell. It is said that at best, only mild spirits reside there, and those spirits cannot create something as vast and complex as the Phantom God.

I've heard that there are similar Phantom Gods in the human world, but they are different from the ones here. Essentially, the human Phantom God is just a vessel capable of harnessing divine power, lacking intrinsic power. However, here, it grants god-like power to humans, even to ordinary people... which will ultimately bring disaster.

If that's the case, then the creator of this should not be a deity. If something so terrifying is created by an existence that could harm the gods, it would destroy the existence of the Phantom God! "It seems that there are things in this world that even prophets cannot predict and events that even the Divine Lord cannot change!"

To unravel this, Edward searched through all the ruins and documents in this ancient city, but found no definitive answers. These are all ancient things, so it's normal not to have answers. However, taking this attempt to unravel the mystery as an opportunity, Edward finally began to unwrap some of the answers. "Incredible, there was already such a civilization existing before us, and here it holds the power of super ancient giants... Tsk tsk, can't it be used by me?" he sighed with some frustration.

Ironically, if not for observing this Phantom God relic at such a close distance every day, he wouldn't be so eager to seek answers. The unresolved 'mystery' is actually something that can make people happy. Even though it may not be the correct answer, it allows for the freedom to use one's imagination.

Of course, solving the mystery would bring even more happiness, Edward thought to himself. "If only I could go in and take a look..." Although Liao Xiu'er expressed this desire, there is no entrance to the relic, and information about its interior has not been disclosed. Does it have an internal space like a building, or does the so-called 'palace' not exist at all?

Liao Xiu'er gently touched the outer wall of the relic, feeling a cold and unique metal texture. No, even if it was metal, it felt different from the metallic objects around him. "Could it be?" Edward immediately placed the pendant he carried with him in front of the wall, hoping for some resonance.

"Hey, what are you joking about?"