"This really leaves me at a loss for words."
After hearing W's explanation, Daniel finally understood why she was so shocked. He turned to glance at little Cecilia, peeking nervously out from behind her mother, his expression complicated.
In the world of Terra, interspecies marriage was common, but offspring were always of one parent's race. True hybrids—chimera-like—were nearly unheard of.
Especially with Sankta: any offspring would never be Sankta, never bearing wings or a halo. That was practically an ironclad law in Laterano.
But little Cecilia's existence broke that law. Even more scandalous—her other half was Sarkaz. If word of her spread, the blow to Laterano would be catastrophic, potentially shaking the very foundations of the Sankta Church.
Because Cecilia's existence might suggest that Sarkaz and Sankta shared a common origin—an idea that could unravel their sacred laws.
"A chimera… a child of light and shadow. A Sankta angel and a Sarkaz demon... If not for Amiya being the Lord of Fiends, this one would certainly sound more like the 'true' demon king."
Cecilia, child of light and shadow. If exploited, she could plunge Laterano into chaos. But she also represented another possibility—true reconciliation between Sarkaz and Sankta.
No wonder W had rushed back to report to Theresa. A being like this, defying all common sense, had to be reported.
"You know... there's no need to rush handing your daughter off. She's still just a child. Losing her parents now would be too cruel. Oh, and by the way, I'm a doctor."
Felira was so anxious to entrust her daughter to someone because of her failing health. Under normal circumstances, that would be tricky—but Daniel had his ways.
If only to spare little Cecilia the pain of losing her mother, he wouldn't stand idly by. Even though, as a hybrid of Sarkaz and Sankta, her future was unpredictable—he had no intention of burdening her with the hatred of both races.
Amiya was already carrying that weight. One was enough.
"It's troublesome, but not impossible. Miss Felira, you'll be able to continue staying by your daughter's side," Daniel said as he took out an herb—vanilla—to begin treating Felira's ailment.
"Let me formally introduce us. We represent Rhodes Island, a medical company dedicated to treating Oripathy. We've got members from all over Terra—including many Sankta from Laterano."
From the earlier conversation between Felira and W, Daniel had gathered that to protect Cecilia's secret, she had lived a completely isolated life. She never interacted with outsiders, and only rarely visited her father under her mother's guidance.
Cecilia's mind was a blank slate—pure innocence. That's why she'd spoken so freely upon seeing W. But as she grew older, this isolation would become unsustainable.
Even though Cecilia had wings and a halo, appearing Sankta to outsiders, anyone truly familiar with Sankta would quickly notice the truth.
She lacked their innate empathic resonance. That was a major anomaly—something only fallen Sankta had.
"Apologies for not telling you earlier," Felira said. "I've already contacted someone to take care of Cecilia after I'm gone."
Daniel's treatment had revived her, allowing her to stay with Cecilia longer—but she still explained her prior arrangements.
Though they lived on the outskirts of the city, and Felira was always vigilant, it was impossible to guarantee Cecilia's identity wouldn't be discovered—especially with those occasional visits to her father. Someone had been helping them all along.
If left with no other option, Felira would've entrusted Cecilia to that person. But given a choice, she'd rather not.
Felira wasn't a fool—she was incredibly sharp. If not for a twist of fate that led her to Cecilia's father, she might've become an Executor.
To have the courage to love a Sarkaz and raise a child with him—this wasn't something an ordinary Sankta could do.
That someone helped her for only one reason—Cecilia's existence. At the right moment, Cecilia could stir all of Terra. And it was certain they would use her.
Which was why, the moment she met W, Felira asked her to take Cecilia away.
If she had a choice, as a mother, she simply wanted her daughter to grow up peacefully—away from chaos and storm.
Why she trusted W more than the one who had helped her for years—Daniel couldn't say. Maybe because W wasn't Sankta.
Cecilia, to the Sankta, was taboo. To the Sarkaz? Not so much.
"Don't worry. No one here will use Cecilia's identity for anything. I can guarantee that," Daniel said. If Theresis found out, he might try—but Theresa certainly wouldn't.
"W, you're back? And they are…?" At Rhodes Island, Theresa looked curiously at W and the two Sankta she had brought along.
She knew where Daniel and W had gone, which made her even more curious.
"W, long time no see." Beside Theresa stood a slim woman with red hair tucked beneath a hood.
"Ascalon… it really has been a while." W greeted her with a smile.
"So that's Ascalon—Rhodes Island's top combatant?" Daniel looked at her with interest. Though there were other powerful agents—like the heir to the Banshees, who was male—Ascalon stood apart.
She led Rhodes Island's secret cleanup squad—handling infiltrators and traitors. Red, Manticore, and potentially even Platinum if she ever joined—these were her subordinates.
"I never thought you would bring Sankta here. Color me surprised."
"Your Highness, they are…" W ignored Ascalon's teasing and explained Felira and Cecilia's situation.
"What?" Both Theresa and Ascalon were stunned, staring at Cecilia. Not even Theresa, heir to the Sarkaz throne, had ever imagined something like this.
"Who's her father?" Ascalon asked bluntly.
"Sorry. He has things to do. I'd rather not talk about it." Felira shook her head, clearly unwilling.
"Ascalon, you're scaring her. Sorry—she's just shocked. Don't worry. From now on, you'll live safely at Rhodes Island. Cecilia, come here."
Theresa's charisma shone through. Cecilia ran happily into her arms, smiling brightly.
"You're a Sarkaz too? Like Papa? Mama always said Papa is a great hero. He has important things to do, so he can't be with us."
"Your father must be a great hero."
"He must be quite extraordinary… But what sort of duty could keep him from his wife and daughter entirely?"
Daniel was deeply curious. Felira had exceptional courage, and her partner surely did too. To overcome their people's hatred was no small feat.
But why hadn't he come to see his dying wife? Why hadn't she sent Cecilia to him?
Clearly, he hadn't died, and he wasn't with Theresis either—because that would hardly make him a "hero."
"Gummy's parents, Nearl's parents… they all mysteriously vanished."
Gummy's parents were just researchers, but Nearl's father had once been Kazimierz's top warrior. If he'd disappeared with no trace, still alive, there was only one explanation—they were somewhere completely isolated.
"Where's Kelsey?"
If anyone knew the truth, it would be the all-knowing Kelsey. Daniel decided to ask her about Cecilia.
"She's in Iberia. Something's come up there."
"Iberia, huh… Guess I'll wait until she's back," Daniel muttered, nodding. Then he turned to W. "I'm heading back. Want to come?"
"No."
"Got it."
Daniel opened a golden portal and returned to Laterano. Without W, it'd be much easier—having a Sarkaz at your side here wasn't exactly inconspicuous.
Unbeknownst to him, taking Felira and Cecilia away had derailed someone's plans before they even began.
"Man… Laterano really does love sugar."
The next day, after contacting Exusiai, Daniel wandered the streets while waiting for her. He sampled a variety of sweets—unique to Laterano—but found most of them too sweet for his taste.
And many of them had bizarre names, like "Cactus Fruit Tart."
"So many people… What's going on?"
A crowd had gathered around a beautifully crafted marble pillar. Keeping order was a familiar face—yesterday's young male Sankta.
Many in the crowd were visitors, here for the Summit of All Nations, equally curious.
"Look at that column—big and beautiful. Imagine how awesome it'll look when it explodes."
A Sankta answered the question matter-of-factly, leaving the questioner even more confused.
"It's starting. Everyone fall back!"
Under the Executor's direction, the crowd retreated to a safe distance—just in time to witness a blinding flash and a thunderous boom.
The column turned to rubble.
"That was a precise demolition. Didn't damage nearby structures at all."
"Aizela, thanks. Your part's done. We'll rebuild the column shortly."
Daniel was dumbfounded. The entire thing had been a performance—they'd built and demolished a column just to enjoy the explosion… and now they were going to rebuild it.
"Here you are! What do you think of Laterano so far?"
Exusiai ran up cheerfully.
"Pretty wild. Is this a regular thing?" Daniel asked, explaining what he'd just seen.
"Yup! As long as you apply and don't endanger others, you can blow up whatever you like. This is actually toned down for the Summit."
So when she'd blown up her school… that was just par for the course?
Daniel had always joked about blowing up his school—but Exusiai had actually done it. In Laterano, that dream was reality.
"Come on, I'll show you more later. I have a bunch of places I want to blow up. I even submitted applications—but they got denied because of the Summit. So annoying."
She was back home and ready to indulge in some good ol' Sankta tradition—but for now, she had to wait.
"Let's check on your sister first. I still need to visit the Landen Monastery afterward."
"Alright! Follow me!"
Led by Exusiai, the two headed for the hospital where Lemuen was staying. Not long after they left, the Executor Aizela—who was supposed to have left—emerged from a side street, silently watching Daniel's departing figure.
"Le… is this your friend?"
In the hospital's private room, Daniel arrived to find three people. Two he recognized—Mostima and Fiammetta. The third was Exusiai's sister, Lemuen. Exusiai's real name was Lemuel.
"Yeah! He's the doctor I told you about. You'll be walking in no time!"
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine. I even won first place in the wheelchair shooting competition."
Lemuen wasn't too concerned about walking again. Sankta were generally optimistic—but she appreciated her sister's thoughtfulness.
"This place really is like Rhodes Island in some ways…"
Laterano had all kinds of bizarre shooting tournaments—wheelchair shooting, upside-down shooting, and more. Similarly, Rhodes Island sometimes held ridiculous competitions too—like the legendary stool-drifting championship. Even elite operators joined in.
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