Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

As one of the future candidates for the Seven Beasts, it's best to keep Sesshouin Kiara under the care of the council as a precaution.

Forget about all that, let's drink!

Having simply decided the future life of a certain demonic bodhisattva, Samael immediately put aside his work and intended to raise a glass in celebration.

However, before they could even raise their glasses, the door was knocked on again.

Carrying a violin case, the fortress saintess with long silver hair pounded her right fist against her chest and knelt to pay homage to the Son of Man.

"From this day forward, I will become your sword and shield, at your command!"

Samael's cheek twitched slightly, then he turned around expressionlessly, slammed the door shut behind him, leaving the paladin, who had clearly been fooled, standing outside.

"Dong dong..."

However, no sooner had the ancient serpent turned around than the door was knocked on again.

Is this never going to end? It's so late at night, can't a person have some peace and quiet?!

After being harassed repeatedly and not even getting a sip of wine, Samael became frustrated and lost his temper. He angrily opened the door and glared at the person who entered.

"Big brother, that's great! You're still awake!"

However, when cheers, half timid and half delighted, came from the steps, Samael, who had been harboring resentment, quickly changed his expression and forced a stiff, distorted smile.

"Rie, are you feeling better?"

"Yes! Father said that once I get better, I must thank you, big brother!"

The little girl, whose face was still somewhat pale, nodded emphatically and excitedly jumped and spun around on the steps.

Behind her, her half-gray-haired father stood awkwardly on the steps, holding some rather meager gifts, and gave a polite smile.

“It just so happens that I was worried about having no one to drink with. Come on, let’s go in and have a drink.”

Samael smiled slightly, completely abandoning his previous perfunctory attitude towards the group of magicians and agents, and warmly pulled the father who had brought his daughter into the courtyard to show him hospitality.

Chapter 117 (4.5k characters)

In the courtyard, the crescent moon hangs like a hook, and the bamboo grove in the corner sways and dances in the breeze, its branches and leaves rustling softly.

On the central stone table, the beer was from a vending machine, ice-cold and refreshing. The side dishes were peanuts and tempura bought from a convenience store, as well as several hot and cold dishes made by Samael himself, all very homey.

The little girl, Wu Tiao Li E, who had been invited into the house, was playing a game of charades with Zhou Se Ritsuka, and cheerful laughter could be heard from the inner room from time to time.

Inside the vast mansion, the young and middle-aged people sitting at the table, without any difference in status or position, chatted and drank like like-minded friends.

Through a brief conversation, it was learned that the man had come to express his gratitude for his daughter's recovery.

As for why, some things don't need to be explained too clearly.

After a few drinks, Samael shook the can in his hand and casually asked a question.

How did you find this place?

“We went to the coffee shop you visited, and Ms. Ritsuka told us that you will probably be staying at the Kuonji residence for the next few days.”

The middle-aged man glanced at Ritsuka Shuse, who was playing with his daughter, and smiled subtly, with a hint of helplessness in his expression.

"You're not here during the day. My family said you'll probably be free in the evening. We don't know how long you'll be staying in Misaki City, so we're very sorry to bother you so late at night."

Although the man's words were simple, Gu She could roughly guess that it must have taken a lot of effort to find his address from the bustling shopping street.

"I'm overjoyed that someone brings me drinks, but why bring a gift?"

As Samael spoke, his gaze fell on the packaging box, a smile spreading across his face. He reached out and took it without hesitation.

"It's wagashi from that shop in the shopping street? Looks like I can satisfy my craving for the next couple of days."

"As long as you like it."

Seeing that the man had accepted the meager gift, he relaxed slightly, his tense face softening into a genuine smile.

Samael took a sip of his drink, feeling somewhat apologetic.

"Originally, I was supposed to visit you in the hospital, but instead you came to me on your own initiative."

"Of course, thanks to you, Rie is recovering very well and was able to get out of bed and walk the next day."

The man looked solemn and grateful, and took the initiative to toast the young man.

Samael smiled, neither admitting nor denying.

Because, as a member of the divided family, even though his daughter has recovered, he still has his own obligations to fulfill.

For example, he drove for his family, taking the witches from the Wu Jing family to the Great Void.

Therefore, it takes a great deal of courage for a man to come and visit.

As the effects of the alcohol intensified, Gu She shook the can and casually asked a question.

What are your plans for the future?

"Me? Raising Rie to adulthood is my greatest wish in this life."

The man looked at his daughter, who was playing a detective game with Ritsuka Shuse inside the house, and smiled sincerely, his face full of satisfaction.

Samael thought for a moment and then made a polite suggestion.

“The feng shui of Misaki City is good, making it a suitable place for Rie to recuperate.”

"Yes, I plan to settle down here in the future."

The man agreed without hesitation.

Samael, who was used to being blamed for everything, was somewhat surprised to hear the man listen to his advice without any doubt.

"You trust me that much?"

"All I know is that if you really have malicious intentions, you can do whatever you want without going through all this trouble."

The man looked intently at the deity walking among mortals, his gaze clear and penetrating.

“You saved my daughter and you saved me. I will do whatever you ask of me.”

Samael was slightly taken aback, then immediately broke into a bright smile.

"Haha, since you've put it that way, I'll introduce you to another job."

"Alright! I await your instructions!"

The man nodded respectfully, then revealed a sincere smile, and once again raised his glass to drink with this being who was more like a human than a god.

Under the bright moonlight, amidst the scattered cups and plates, a thoroughly enjoyable banquet was held, with guests and hosts all rejoicing.

The father, being of mortal body, was unable to hold his liquor and was thus placed in a side room to rest.

As for Rie Wu, who was having a great time playing with Ritsuka Shuse, she naturally slept with this very kind older sister.

Under the bright moonlight, the descended deity, draped in silver light, watched the ordinary human stagger into the house, a smile unconsciously curving his lips.

"What are you thinking about?"

Just as the ancient serpent was lost in thought, a slender figure appeared behind him without him noticing and casually asked a question.

"I'm thinking, humans are really interesting. I'm starting to like this species more and more. Maybe I should observe them a little more..."

Samael smiled and murmured with a touch of inexplicable emotion.

The gaze of the gods is love and salvation.

"By the way, how's it going on your end? How's it going inside?"

Then, the ancient snake turned to look at Aozaki Touko behind him, handed her a can of beer, and raised his glass in a gesture of greeting.

"Aoko had a good cry and is now asleep. Yuzhu is watching over her, so she should be fine. The others are still at the sukiyaki restaurant. I came out for some fresh air."

Aozaki Touko took a sip of her drink, gave a simple answer, and then pulled out a crumpled pack of Yanlong brand cigarettes from the inside pocket of her trench coat. With practiced ease, she put a cigarette in her mouth, flicked a wisp of flame with her fingertips, lit it, and began to exhale smoke.

"You're not getting some fresh air, you're just having a craving for cigarettes."

Samael couldn't help but complain as he looked at Aozaki Touko's old-fashioned smoking habit.

"Hey, did you take all of Natalia's stock in the safe house? You need to be more careful..."

"The last one..."

Aozaki Touko waved the empty cigarette pack in her hand and answered casually, though she couldn't help feeling a little annoyed.

Samael, seeing this, couldn't help but feel a little schadenfreude.

"Isn't this a good thing? Smoke less, after all, it's bad for your health."

"It doesn't matter. If I have health problems, I can just get myself a new pair."

Aozaki Touko took a long drag of her cigarette, exhaled slowly, and replied somewhat casually.

With her puppetry skills, replacing hearts and lungs is a piece of cake, and creating a new body for herself is not difficult either.

Samael rolled his eyes and couldn't help but snort softly.

"Take good care of yourself; I still prefer the original you."

Aozaki Touko paused for a moment, then casually tossed aside the burning cigarette butt, stomped it out, and murmured something under her breath.

"I will take Qingzi home first thing tomorrow morning to take care of Grandfather's affairs."

"Wen Bing Yong Li?"

"Still alive. He's being held in the basement."

"What, you don't want Aoko to see blood?"

"No, the Wenbing family and the Aozaki family are old friends, so it's best to resolve this kind of thing together."

"Should I get a few witnesses from the church? Or should I go with you?"

"There's no need for that. There are plenty of magic tricks that can get people to talk honestly. I can handle it myself."

Seeing that Orange was unwilling to let him interfere in her family affairs, Samael had no choice but to change the subject.

"And then what? What are your plans?"

"I want to go to London and study at the Clock Tower."

"Aren't you staying at home?"

"Never mind, it's good that Father and Mother are being taken care of by Aoko. I have nothing left to worry about in Misaki City."

There's nothing to hold me back; in other words, there's nothing to miss.

For Aozaki Touko, who had lived deep in the mountains for so long, things like fatherly love and motherly love were already unfamiliar. Even the name "home" seemed very distant.

Often, some things that are lost can never be recovered.

Samael sighed, still somewhat uneasy.

"If you're all alone..."

"Who said I wanted to be alone?"

Aozaki Touko rolled her eyes at Samael and gave him a gruff reminder.

"You haven't forgotten your promise, have you?"

"Aha, how could that be! It's just studying, right? Don't worry, I know the Clock Tower best!"

Seeing the creditor's unfriendly expression, the ancient snake immediately agreed. After racking its brains and thinking it over, it finally managed to filter out the so-called promise.

Before collaborating on the search for the missing parts of the body, he seemed to have promised that, once the task was accomplished, he would stay by Orange's side for a period of time as a research subject.

Samael could only sigh helplessly, sensing that he would soon be entering school life.

So, you really shouldn't make promises lightly...

As night deepened, the two chatted for a few moments. Feeling somewhat worried about her younger sister, Aozaki Touko turned and went back into the house to take care of Aozaki Aoko.

Samael gazed at that somewhat lonely figure and sighed softly.

Growth is always accompanied by growing pains.

It's better to let go of these things sooner rather than later.

As the gaze fell, the ancient snake inadvertently caught sight of the cigarette butt trampled into the mud and paused slightly.

Because that last cigarette of the same brand was only half burned.