"Goodbye... big bro."

I looked at the small girl crying as she held me tightly, as if afraid I might vanish. My heart ached seeing Ru like this, but all I could do was pat her head softly.

My father stood behind, looking at me with that heavy yet quietly proud gaze of his. Lyra, meanwhile, was smiling at me or more specifically, at Naga, who was floating behind me in disguise as the Ashborn Founder.

She probably felt relieved knowing he was with me.

It had barely been a day when my family arrived, and today they were already leaving. We spent the entire last night catching up about all kinds of shit I did.

Hell, even Ru, someone who usually passed out as soon as the sun went down, stayed awake, listening calmly while giggling at my exploits, which she conveniently called idiotic under Lyra’s influence. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

But as soon as it was time for them to leave, she started crying her heart out.

Stella, my ever-so-calm gorilla maid, currently in her human form, gently pulled Ru back. After I came here, my dad had assigned her completely to Ru, as she was one of the most trusted maids in the family. Honestly, knowing her, I felt relieved that she was the one taking care of Ru.

"Thanks, Stella."

I nodded at her before looking at Ru, who was still crying.

"Don’t cry so much, Ru. It’s not like I’m going somewhere far. Once my academy is over, I’ll be back home."

I tried consoling her but she didn’t listen to a word and kept crying. Honestly, it felt bad... really bad. Not just because she was crying, but because of what was going to happen soon.

I would be departing to a new world as a captured slave of those aliens... and if she was this sad over a small parting, I couldn’t imagine what she’d do once that news reached home.

Still, I didn’t dwell on it.

I still had nearly a month before I had to worry about that and disappearing was necessary for my long-term survival.

I’m sure Ru would forgive me if I came back alive, rather than staying here and dying from my terminal illness.

—

After nearly half an hour, Ru finally got tired of crying and fell asleep in Stella’s arms. My father and Lyra said a few final words before getting into the carriage and leaving.

I stayed outside until their carriage vanished from my sight.

Although the human empire was advanced and had cars, these demons hated technology with a passion and didn’t allow anything like that here. So even my father had to use a carriage, though this one was just as fast, and arguably even more comfortable, than many cars in the human empire.

I wished we could’ve spent a bit more time together, but well... My dad, being as busy as always, had a lot to take care of.

Especially finding that old man of his, my grandpa. Ever since that guy vanished into nowhere after leaving behind a single note, the family had been in shambles, with everything falling onto my father’s shoulders.

He tried his best, but being the only S-Rank among all dukes wasn’t exactly the best position to be in. Still... at least that part would improve soon. He told me he was very close to breaking through to the next rank.

And honestly, the main reason he was leaving in such a rush was to prepare for that breakthrough.

So I didn’t mind him leaving early either.

Since there wasn’t anything to do here anymore, I also decided to leave for the academy today as well, which would finally set all my plans back on track after wasting so many days here.

But honestly, I didn’t mind the time I spent in the demon castle because as unproductive as it was, it gave me space to breathe and to actually rest.

Only yesterday, while telling my family about my adventures, did I realize just how much had happened in just a few months. I had been so busy running around that I almost forgot to breathe.

But... that time was about to end again.

With a smile, as usual, I turned around, ready to leave to my room to pack my stuff up. Arza and Lillith were standing behind me, their expressions the same as always, Arza with her neutral, unreadable face and Lillith with her usual mischievous smile.

"Are you ready to leave me behind, Young Master...?"

Lillith said in her usual mocking tone but I knew she was just trying to lighten the mood after such a heavy farewell.

"Ohhh, no, how could I even live without such a useful maid who definitely didn’t punch through the wall of my room every day?"

I replied in the same tone as well.

—

We talked as usual for a while as we walked to my room. Arza was dragged away by Lillith after I asked for some time alone to pack my stuff.

Though I didn’t really have anything to pack, I did have a lot of important things to do, like interrogating Naga.

I couldn’t do it last night since I spent the whole time talking with my family, so I decided to handle it today.

I sat on my soft bed and pulled out the ring carrying Naga’s soul. Focusing on my connection with my domain, I sent the ring into it without hesitation.

I didn’t jump in myself immediately, because there was something else I needed to do before interrogating that bastard, something even more important, and something I had completely forgotten during my peaceful time in the castle...

...checking my status window.

I hadn’t checked it in days, and a lot of shit had changed within my body. Hell, I had gained new skills from the divine treasury as well. Although I glanced over them back then, I hadn’t properly checked the effects they had on me.

So, I decided to go through that first and then interrogate Naga.

With excitement in my heart, I muttered, "Status."

Immediately, a blue holographic screen appeared before me, displaying my current status.