The lonely night was quiet and peaceful. All things slept. The wind drifted dark clouds over, covering the moonlight. The sky was shrouded in darkness, as if everything was swallowed by endless shades of night.
If asked what the saddest thing in this world is, everyone might have a different answer.
But for Yin the Dream Administrator, it was loneliness—a deep, icy loneliness after being abandoned.
In her heart, the man she both loved and hated most was the one who created her and gave her life. This feeling wasn’t romantic love between man and woman. It was a unique bond, like that between father and daughter.
But—where was that “father,” the one who gave Yin the Dream Administrator life, now?
“I must find him. I will find him,” Yin the Dream Administrator had told Lotus before coming to this world.
* * *
The illusory dream crafted by Agatha the Nightmare had already collapsed.
Celia and Yin the Dream Administrator crossed paths, then instantly parted. Black hair and blue hair fluttered as countless shards of ice and light scattered into the infinite darkness.
Strong.
That was Yin the Dream Administrator’s silent assessment of Agatha. Unaware the girl opposite her held the same thought.
So strong—
Celia narrowed her eyes, tracing the other’s exotic, softly contoured face down to her strange attire.
From the Eastern Continent? The strait between continents was treacherous, filled with savage sea monsters. It wasn’t surprising someone who crossed it possessed great power.
“I think it’s about time to stop here,” Celia said gently, wisely not asking the other’s purpose—a sign of respect for her strength.
Unaware her identity was mistaken, Yin the Dream Administrator smiled sweetly. She raised a hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Even if you wanted to keep fighting, there’s no way now, is there?”
Though she didn’t agree directly, her meaning was clear.
Celia nodded, vanishing into the darkness. Yin the Dream Administrator closed her eyes. Then came a long, cold silence. As Agatha dissolved the dream, Nevia and the others’ consciousnesses returned to reality, sinking back into sleep.
* * *
A bell chimed, clear and crisp. Its sound lingered in the dark air.
In Nevia’s house, the little girl’s room on the second floor’s left side was quiet. Pink light particles, once floating mid-air under magic’s influence, gradually dimmed. They began vanishing into the cool night.
A whisper, soft as a murmur.
The little white sprite wobbled up from the bed. Its pale golden pupils had turned deep black.
Close call. Almost defeated in the dream.
Agatha had fallen into a deep sleep from the collapse. Yin the Dream Administrator now controlled her body in fairy form.
Still unused to this shape, she shook herself. Inwardly, she grumbled about the Nightmare girl’s weakness. She’d come for revenge, yet ended up so battered. If not for fearing exposure, she’d have reverted to her true form and slashed that hateful blue-haired woman.
As the Demon King’s exclusive weapon, her power was incomparable to humans. But now, restricted to hide her tracks—damn it.
Yin the Dream Administrator fumed silently. In the real world, she dared not show even a trace of demonic aura.
She shot a resentful glare at Nevia and the others sleeping soundly. She could almost recall the soft, warm feel of the loli body.
Thinking of this, heat flared inside her.
But it was time to go. Warning herself inwardly, she clumsily flew to the window. Pushing it open as before, a cold gust blew in.
Gazing into the deep darkness, she sneezed.
This little body is troublesome, she thought. Her form transformed into white light, flying off. Though a pity, she’d played enough with little Agatha. Now, serious business—finding her master.
* * *
Not long after, Celia opened her blue eyes. She extended her mental senses to search everything around… but found nothing.
With a puzzled “Hmm,” she blinked in the dark. Glancing at the girls, she saw they slept soundly.
Gone already? Relieved, Celia closed her eyes again, resuming sleep.
Drowsiness returned quickly. But before drifting off, she felt a hand pressing down on her.
Celia opened her eyes. Her vision, adjusted to darkness, saw Nina had turned over. She hugged Celia like a stuffed toy.
Children lacking security often cling to others, Celia thought. Her gaze fixed on Nina’s face. For some reason, she recalled her father—the man she once… liked?
Celia froze. Her eyes roamed Nina’s small face. To her disappointment, no trace of that man remained. Instead, Nina resembled her mother’s shadow. She looked nothing like her father.
But that was fine. An image of a boy in women’s clothing flashed in Celia’s mind. Unconsciously, a faint smile curved her lips.
“@#￥%&…”
The little one mumbled sleep-talk, indistinct. Her face, buried in covers for lack of oxygen, was flushed red like a ripe apple.
Gazing at Nina with tender affection, Celia stroked the small head poking out.
“Mommy… waaah…” Nina suddenly pushed her head up, nudging Celia’s palm. She unconsciously snuggled against Celia’s body.
Celia froze. Her face flushed red for no reason.
* * *
Disturbed by Nina, Nevia instantly lost all sleepiness. She turned her head, watching the little girls inside the bed. Celia slept on the outermost side to prevent falls.
Nevia slept most peacefully—face up, hands on her chest. Celia was slightly surprised. The girl who seemed most mischievous daily was the quietest sleeper.
Alyssa, usually the quietest, had tucked her head against Nevia’s neck. Curled like a kitten, she clung tightly to Nevia.
Seems she’s also a child lacking security.
* * *
Under the black night sky, Yin the Dream Administrator flew in Agatha’s body. She planned to leave the village. But suddenly, faint threads of dark aura emanated from nearby.
It flashed like a spark in the cold air, vanishing instantly.
Yin the Dream Administrator instantly turned back. Because in that trace of darkness, she felt the most familiar sensation.
