“This should hopefully fix her body to the point where she won’t have any trouble walking around. I’m not sure about her mana and divine energy but it should recover soon. I’ll still do some research on it though.” Silvia sighed as she handed Nan Tian a spell talisman with a magic circle painted on the surface.
Looking at the complexity, he understood that performing this kind of magic circle live would be a little risky hence why she painted it on a talisman instead.
“Thanks.” Nan Tian smiled as Silvia nodded her head.
“Don’t worry about it. Just keep her company ok?” Silvia smiled as she gave Shiro a hug before leaving the room.
Watching Silvia leave, Shiro eventually glanced towards Nan Tian who was preparing to use the talisman.
“Mn? Did you need something?” Nan Tian smiled, seeing Shiro glance towards him.
Shaking her head, Shiro laid down so that he could use the spell a little easier.
Pushing mana into the talisman, a complicated magic array materialised around Shiro as stacks upon stacks of tier 5 magic circles could be seen flickering with a soft glow. A green tether of energy flowed into Shiro’s body as the fractures caused by the system backlash started to stitch back together,
Sighing in relief, Nan Tian was glad that most of her physical injuries have now been healed. He wasn’t sure about the extent of damage to her soul but it seemed like it has also been fixed since she would space out as though she was looking at her stat page.
But since she hasn’t said anything, he wouldn’t say anything either.
“How are you feeling? Does it still hurt anywhere?” Nan Tian asked as the magic array faded away.
Sitting up, Shiro glanced down at her hands before shaking her head.
Opening her mouth, she hesitated for a moment but eventually said nothing and laid back down on the bed.
Looking at Nan Tian who had resumed his work on the tablet, Shiro’s gaze flickered.
“Are you not disappointed with me?” She asked with a coarse voice.
“Not at all. What makes you think that I’m disappointed?” Nan Tian replied with a soft smile. Feeling her grip tighten on his teeth, he waited patiently for her response.
“Because everyone’s trying their best and I’m here not being able to leave. Mum, dad, Madison, Lyrica and everyone else must be fed up with me. After the first time I haven’t seen mum at all.” Shiro spoke slowly as Nan Tian could tell that she was nervous.
“I don’t think they’re disappointed in you per say. They’re more disappointed in themselves since they left everything to you. If we were more useful, we could have split the burden.” Nan Tian shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it too much. You’ve overworked yourself plenty already. Take this time to rest.” He smiled.
Feeling Nan Tian’s hand on her head, Shiro closed her eyes.
“I can’t get in touch with Nimue, Iziuel or Attie. Do you think they’ve left me too?” She asked.
“They haven’t left. They’re just in a stasis right now. Once your body has recovered, they’ll come back. I’m sure of it.”
Hearing this, Shiro opened her eyes and looked at the door connecting this room to the corridor.
She wanted to at least try to leave but her body seemed to refuse the thought of approaching that door even though she was now healed.
Taking her eyes off the door, she looked at Nan Tian.
“Are you going to use that sleep spell on me again?”
“In a few hours, yes. You find it hard to sleep manually now don’t you?” Nan Tian replied, setting his tablet aside. He was happy that she finally started to talk so it would be rude of him not to give her his full attention.
“I do. But it’s scarier when I sleep. When I dream it’s always the same.” Shiro replied as guilt and fear filled her heart.
“I’ll ask my subordinates to do some research ok? We’ll see if there are any spells to control your dream. That way you can have a good night’s sleep.” Nan Tian smiled as Shiro furrowed her brows.
“I don’t want others to use it. If they do, that means they’ll see my dreams.”
“Would you mind if I do it then?” Nan Tian asked as Shiro paused for a moment before nodding. She didn’t want him to see her state every time the watchman appeared in her mind.
“Are you upset?”
“No I’m not. If you don’t want me to see then I won’t. I’ll respect your decision.” Nan Tian chuckled.
“Um… Maybe in the future then. I think as long as you’re here when I wake up I’ll be fine.” Shiro said as she closed her eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you wake up. I won’t leave.” Nan Tian smiled as Shiro nodded her head and tried to sleep naturally for the first time ever since they returned from the fight.
###
It was a familiar scene. But this time it was like she was someone else watching through a window. Her own pitiful silhouette hugging her knees, averting her gaze from what was happening in front of her.
“Pitiful isn’t it?” A voice called out as Shiro glanced to her right and saw a mirror that seemed to reflect herself.
“Well?” Her reflection asked as Shiro nodded her head.
“It is pitiful.” Shiro glanced back to the scene and pressed her hand against the window.
“Aren’t you going to change that then?” Her reflection asked but Shiro had no reaction. She could no longer hear her reflection and her attention was solely focused on her figure on the bed which seemed smaller than ever.
Clicking her tongue, the reflection flickered before returning back to a normal reflection.
####
Walking through the path between the realms. Mio had a cold expression as she was furious. As much as she wanted to be with her daughter right now, she had more important matters. She needed to find Hades and find out why such a being was even allowed to come down here at this time.
Even if he received special permission from the system, it was still ridiculous. Plus, as the god of the underworld, he should have a way to reclaim Isilia’s soul. And since she was coming back here, she figured that she might as well ascend to tier 6 anyways. It’ll take a while though.
Seeing the exit, Mio was about to step through when she noticed her parents waiting by the door.
“I knew you were going to come back after seeing what had happened. Knowing your personality, you won’t sit still if Shiro was harmed.” Kalus narrowed his eyes.
“You were waiting for me?” Mio furrowed her brows.
“Mn, you might not want to go in there right now. Hades is not pleased at all. He just had a fight and he is seething right now.” Sitril cautioned as Mio frowned.
“Who did he fight?” Mio asked as Kalus massaged his brow.
“He fought the one known as the watchman. He launched an attack on him with the combined efforts of Nyx who had her daughter harmed and Tartarus who was also displeased by his actions. Unfortunately, the watchman received help from both the system and two gods which forced Nyx, Hades and Tartarus to retreat. They’re tending to their wounds right now but Hades is a bit volatile so you might want to wait.” Kalus explained.
“I see… But I still want to talk to him.”
Hearing this, Kalus was about to say something when divine energy swept over the energy.
“Let her in.” Hades’ voice rang out as Mio could immediately sensed that he was annoyed since lacked the upbeat tone he usually spoke with.
Stepping through the portal despite the concerned looks of her father and mother, Mio tilted her head back as she looked at the towering figure of Hades who sat on his throne. His body was wrapped in a black armour as black shadows writhed around him. A crown made from black energy hovered above his head as fractures could be seen around his torso area.
“If you’re here to ask if I can kill the watchman or not I’m afraid I can’t do anything right now. He’s being protected. And If it’s about helping Shiro, I can’t do much either. This is a fear she has to overcome.” Hades’ sighed.
“I know. She has trustworthy friends by her side so I believe that my daughter will overcome this challenge with their help. As for me, I am here to ask that you to help me in a different matter. I wish to become the next head of the reaper household.” Mio kneeled as Hades narrowed his eyes.
“So you wish to take your parent’s place and become my apostle?” Hades asked.
“Yes.” Mio nodded with determination.
“I’m afraid I have to say no to your request.”
Hearing this, Mio paused in surprise before looking up to see that Hades had reverted back to his usual form.
“Since you’re Shiro’s mother, I can’t possibly make you my subordinate. If I did, I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to sit down for a while. So rather than making you my subordinate, I am willing to offer you a different task.” Hades grinned as he took a deep breath.
“What do you think about trying to become a god?”
