The overlord of the gods is interrogating the alien female spy.

　"Hehehe. My performance this time will surely make His Majesty the Heavenly Venerable laugh out loud!"

　Zhalo gave a sinister laugh, as if he had already secured victory.

　"Oh? Then I'll look forward to it. Wagu, what about you?"

　"Your Majesty, I will do my best."

　Some of the lazy wolves looked up in response, seemingly confident of victory.

　"That's good. When your game begins, come find me to watch. As for the ultimate winner..."

　"I will reward him."

　Do you want to watch the game in person?

　Agnès thought for a moment.

　It seems that life has become increasingly boring lately, to the point that even Chen Lingxu has become interested in their little games.

　However, to be fair, the cricket fighting game that Qilin Celestial Venerable personally participated in last time was much more impressive and involved far more people than the four or five people they found.

　The four great powers that once dominated this land have become like crickets in a cage, fighting to the death.

　The fattest, strongest, most arrogant, and most domineering cricket, as the loser, was dismembered and devoured, and the once-prosperous empire turned into dust in the blink of an eye.

　"Ah."

　Since there's a reward, she'll have to work hard. The child she chose last time wasn't quite right... she needs to choose a suitable one this time.

　Chapter 3 The Persimmon Dispute Has Always Been Like This

　The former Demon King's palace has long been transformed into a massive office building, still decorated primarily in the black and red colors favored by the Sarkaz. Under the sunlight, it resembles a pitch-black giant standing in the heart of the city. This tall and dark ensemble gives it an air of majesty and solemnity, earning it the name "Black Palace" from the Sarkaz.

　Therefore, Theresa moved to a community in the center of Kazdel, where she still lived with her sister Theresa. In addition to them, two other children would occasionally come to visit.

　One of them was a student of Therese's, a young man named Manfred, a promising candidate to become a 'general'. The other child...

　"We're back."

　Theresa pushed open the door, her arms outstretched, waiting for the child to come closer, only to bump into nothing. The little girl, who looked more like a wolf than any wolf, crashed headfirst into Qilin's arms.

　"Sigh. I've always been the one supporting you, Ascaran, why don't you want me anymore now that he's here?"

　The Peach Demon King's aggrieved complaints made the little girl's face show an apologetic expression. She looked up at her, then buried her head in the arms of the man she had just grabbed.

　"Hahaha, it seems you're really not a qualified 'foster mother,' Theresa."

　Chen Lingxu emphasized the word "foster mother," and the plump peach in front of him puffed up its cheeks.

　"No, Princess Theresa... is very kind to me."

　The black-blooded dragon, which was tugging at the Qilin, spoke up again to defend the Peach Demon King.

　"Hmph, you see, Ascalon is still..."

　"But I miss you more."

　Theresa's smile froze on her face as she was about to show off. Annoyed, she reached out and ruffled the little girl's head, making a mess of her short purple hair.

　"Don't say the rest of your sentence in front of me, Ascalon."

　"Alright. Let's go inside."

　Chen Lingxu didn't forget there were other people behind him, so he hooked his arm around the little girl's waist and pulled her into the house, while also introducing her to another little girl he had just picked up.

　"This is Ines Ascalon, let's get to know each other."

　"...Hello, Sister Ascalon. My name is Ines."

　Ines had overheard the conversation. Kazdel's common language was very similar to Letania's language, like some kind of awkward local accent. She could understand the general meaning by listening and thinking.

　The purple-haired Sarkaz before her, with purple horns and a tail, and a scar resembling a beauty mark on her face, was someone who had arrived before her, the 'daughter' recognized by the Celestial Venerable of the Qilin, that is... her older sister.

　"..."

　Upon hearing the little black sheep's greeting, Ascalon's eyes softened instantly, as if he had been staring fiercely at a wild beast invading his territory.

　Sister... This is the first time she's been called that.

　"Hello. Um, Ines."

　Compared to the well-behaved and quiet little black sheep, Ascalon was much more lively. And since Theresa asked her to help out, she started moving around the house. Her movements were quick and agile, which Ines admired and envied.

　If she had such skills, would she gain more recognition?

　"Ascaron must be a college student now."

　Chen Lingxu took the yogurt and fruit salad she offered, tasted it, and asked about her recent situation.

　"Yes. He's studying at the military academy in Kazdel."

　When she first enrolled, she was about the same age as the little black sheep in front of her. At that time, it took her a long time to learn and integrate into civilized society. But in order to stay, she worked very hard. Now her efforts have finally paid off, and she was able to get into Kazdel's only military academy without having to pull any strings.

　"Sister Ascaron, you're amazing."

　To Little Black Sheep, who was still a middle school student, being able to get into university already made her an incredibly impressive student. She had no real understanding of the music academy in Letania before, only knowing that those who could get in were the top music students from all the major regions of Letania, and that they were musical geniuses who had the opportunity to meet Letania's most outstanding music artist, the Witch King, and receive his guidance.

　"Hmph, so-so."

　She rubbed the tip of her nose with her fingertips, and a hint of pride appeared on the young woman's face as she received the compliment.

　When does school start?

　"Uh, March, school starts in March."

　Counting the time, there's less than a week left. But it's okay, college students don't have much homework, and she already finished those social practice assignments. Now she feels sad...

　The sorrow is just the students' daily fear of starting school.

　Logically speaking, she shouldn't be afraid. After all, she's a college student, and going to school is like letting loose, like a fish in the sea, no longer subject to control. But that's for college students who can leave home. Ascaron's home and school are in the same city. She usually lives in the dormitory and is called back every few days by a phone call. She also has to come back to stay during weekends and holidays.

　Theresa is very gentle, but having become accustomed to seeing herself as a 'mother,' she also has the common problem of mothers: she loves to nag.

　He misses his girlfriend when he can't see her, and when he first sees her back home, they're incredibly affectionate. But once she's been on vacation for a while, he starts nagging. Especially when Theresa hasn't seen Chen Lingxu for a long time, Ascaron always feels that staying at home for too long is making his hearing weaker.

　"Ah."

　Seeing that the girl had run out of things to say, Chen Lingxu patted the other side. Like a puppy that had received a command, Ines blinked again, and Ascalon, who had just been standing on the other side of the coffee table, sat down next to Qilin Tianzun and naturally picked up the half portion of fruit salad that he had placed on the table and started eating it.

　"In the future, when I am not here, you will look after Ines in my stead."

　"I?"

　“Good. Record her performance and I will review it when I return.”

　Chen Lingxu placed his hand on the little black sheep's head, rubbing her little head just like he had done to Theresa before.

　"If she doesn't improve, hmph."

　"Alright! Leave it to me!"

　This familiar scene reminded Ascalon of herself back then, when it was Theresia who was watching her. Theresia's seriousness was so intense that Ascalon couldn't help but complain. Now it was finally her turn to watch others get soaked in the rain.

　"I, I will definitely not let you down, Dad."

　The little black sheep, who had been listening intently, looked at him firmly after he finished speaking and made his promise.

　"..."

　Ascalon paused with his spoon, giving the little black lamb a deep look, much like a wild beast preparing to ambush a predator that has spotted its prey stealing its food.

　"Hoo hoo, it's begun, it's begun. The battle for His Majesty the Celestial Venerable's approval is about to begin."

　Several wolves huddled together on the other side of the living room.

　Zaro watched the undercurrents unfolding on the sofa, his tail wagging excitedly behind him.

　"That's how the struggle for the crown prince works. Come on, place your bets!" Little Purple Hair chimed in, "Bet on this side." This title is reserved for Little Black Sheep.

　"Of course, I think Ascaron is biased by her first impression, and she won't let this opportunity slip by now that she's mature enough."

　The squinting wolf admired the wildness of this 'little beast'.

　“That’s not necessarily true, Caesar. She’s under a lot of constraints. I think Ines has a better chance of coming out on top and taking the lead. She can’t bring herself to say that title.”

　Zaro disagreed and placed his paw on another tile.

　"Wagu, what about you? Which side are you betting on?"

　"Me? As for me... I won't participate. I don't have anything to bet on."

　The lazy wolf wasn't keen on getting involved in this kind of bet.

　"Of course there is. If you win the bet, you can have your new fangs form an alliance with the other winner."

　"Is that so...then I'll bet on Little Black Sheep."

　"Hmm? Zarro, I have a feeling you're up to something?"

　As Agnes listened to his encouragement, she always felt that he was secretly plotting something.

　"Enough with the nonsense, Agnese, hurry up, which side are you betting on?"

　“...I bet on Ascalon.”

　This wasn't the first time Anese had seen this purple-haired Sarkaz girl. The way she was carried out of the storm by the Kirin was completely different from how she was now. Anese believed that the girl had matured, but her wildness had not disappeared. This wildness, different from that of ordinary people, would make her act decisively when she seized the opportunity.

　"Alright, it's two to two now. What about the other wolves? Are they quitting? Fine, fine. Let's wait and see."

　The wolf pack communicates only for a brief moment.

　Upon hearing Ines's address of the Kirin, the purple-haired Sarkaz seemed to want to say something as well.

　"Ah...cough cough cough!"

　Whether she was too anxious or not, she choked on her saliva and started coughing excitedly.

　"Hmm? Why are you so clumsy?"

　Chen Lingxu pressed down on her back, activated his restorative divine power, and in the blink of an eye, relieved her from her discomfort.

　"Ugh, I swallowed too quickly and choked."

　But even so, she still managed to snatch a hug from him and be able to show him some closeness.

　Although her personality has matured a lot compared to before, Ascaron is still a bit clumsy when it comes to expressing some emotions. She can't call out that name without Qilin's explicit permission.

　"Haha, it seems we've won, Wagu."

　Zaro stretched out his paw, demanding the bet money from the losers.

　"Take it, take it. Just a lucky break."

　"Sigh. If I hadn't suddenly choked, really..."

　The two wolves were quite disappointed, thinking it was just bad luck, and gave each of them a small trinket they had found to Zarro.

　"What is called 'dog luck'? This is called 'a discerning eye for talent'."

　Zarro glanced at the two wolves with disdain.

　They understand

　Hammer, this is called the art of judging people. After seeing the Qilin Celestial Venerable's skill in fighting crickets, why did he, like them, focus on just a single fang?

　In order to find suitable fangs, he studied diligently for a long time and finally learned some 'civilized' technologies. In this new battle, the victor will surely be him, Zaroda!

　"How about you two share a room tonight?"

　After a while, Theresa decided to put the two future stepsisters in the same room.

　"I can."

　Ascalon obeyed the arrangement, and Ines glanced at the Qilin discreetly before responding immediately.

　"Me too, I can too."

　"Then let's get along well."

　At dinner time, Ines met another person in the house.

　She and Theresa look very alike. Apart from their hairstyles, it's impossible to tell them apart if they don't make any expressions when they stand together. Only when one of them speaks or when they each maintain their most comfortable expression can you tell them apart. The one who is always serious is the older sister, and the other one who is always smiling gently is the younger sister.

　"Therese, this is little Ines. She'll be living with us from now on."

　"Yeah. I understand."

　When the little black sheep greeted her, she nodded slightly in response.