The next morning came, but it didn't feel like morning to Karl. The sun's light poured into Tingyun's house, warm and soft, yet Karl felt nothing but a hollow heaviness pressing against his chest. His eyes were swollen from crying the night before, and his hands still trembled faintly.
"How embarrassing…" Karl muttered under his breath. Clenching his fists, he pushed himself out of bed and trudged toward the bathroom. Cold water splashed across his face, chasing away the last remnants of sleep but not the heaviness in his chest.
He raised his head and stared into the mirror. Water dripped from his chin, pooling in the sink below. His breath caught. His once warm brown eyes were now a deep, unsettling midnight blue.
The memory of last night flashed in his mind — the golden spear, the Mara-struck soldier, the fear. Something had changed in him the moment he summoned Longinuslanze Testament. The more he stared, the more he felt as though the reflection staring back wasn't his own.
"Atziluth…" The word slipped from his mouth, quiet, almost foreign, and as his dark blue eyes glimmered faintly, a chill ran down his spine.
Shaking his head as if to dispel the thought, Karl splashed his face once more and stepped out of the bathroom.
The house was quiet, the living room empty. "Right, Tingyun's still away. She won't be back until next week…" Karl muttered, nodding to himself before heading back to his room to change.
—---
By the time Karl finished changing, he went out to clear his mind. The streets certainly made his troubled heart calm as the sunlight hit his skin, bathing him with it.
Every step he took felt like forever yet it was not bad as it looks like, a moment like this felt oddly new to Karl, no bustling p
Crowd, no noises to disturb his thoughts and certainly no danger that made him grip his heart.
"Hahaha… how ridiculous, one refuses to face the inevitable truth." He muttered to his breath, before staring at the distance.
"If one runs from the truth, then why live to see another day?" Karl wondered, his steps slow and heavy. "Is it simply because they wish to live in ignorance, even as the truth peels through their eyes?"
He clenched his fist, shaking his head at his own thoughts.
"No… not ignorance. It's because they can't bear to face it. So they run — not out of choice, but out of fear."
"Heh. How philosophical, what am I, Anaxagoras or Plato?" He laughed, then his walk remained lighter, his step made no sound as he gripped himself for such outrageous thoughts.
He knew his Philosophy was flawed; the meaning wasn't worth deepening further. Why question when you can just live, living is questioning one's life, it unrevealed through your eyes as you continue to live.
"Right, I should at least take a deep breath, depression brings harm to my state and I don't want to look like a zombie in front of Tingyun." He laughed as his walk continued through the streets… buying whatever food he encountered.
But the time he finished his thoughts, he finally arrived back at his home.
—----
A week passed. Tingyun came back from her expedition with a cake in her hands, smiling brightly as she set it on the table.
"What kind of cake is this? Mocha? Vanilla?" Karl asked, leaning forward with mild curiosity. The cake was topped with mocha and vanilla frosting, decorated with a simple heart-shaped layer.
"They said it's the best pastry on their planet, so I had to buy it~" Tingyun replied playfully. She sliced off a small piece and held it up with a fork, leaning closer to him. "Ahh~" she mimicked, waiting for him to bite.
Karl blinked, slightly caught off guard, but leaned forward anyway and took the bite.
"Well? Was it good?" Tingyun asked, watching him with fond amusement.
"Hm… the flavor is indeed good," Karl admitted, chewing slowly. "Mocha cake, vanilla coating, and… a hint of cherry petals? Odd pairing, but it works."
Tingyun giggled softly, looking pleased. "I'm glad, then~" She cut another piece, this time even smaller, and offered it again.
Karl accepted without protest — not because of the cake itself, but because Tingyun was the one feeding him. The soft warmth in her green eyes, the way her tail swayed ever so slightly with every bite — it chipped away at the heaviness sitting on his chest.
"Naturally, who wouldn't be happy?" Karl thought, his lips curling into a small, genuine smile. "Only a fool would frown at the delightful food offered by a king."
Tingyun noticed the change in his expression and tilted her head. "You seem happier than usual," she teased lightly.
"Maybe I am," Karl replied, his voice low but sincere. "It's been… a long week."
Tingyun didn't press. She simply smiled warmly and kept feeding him, as if silently telling him that, whatever had happened, he didn't have to carry it alone.
Karl leaned back in his chair after the last bite, feeling the weight in his chest slightly lighter than before.
"Yeah… maybe I can keep going," he thought to himself.
And so, the morning passed — quiet, ordinary, and almost peaceful.
—---
Night had fallen, and the house was quiet. Tingyun glanced at Karl slumping on the sofa and giggled softly.
"Shouldn't this be the time we share a room together, Karl~?" she teased. "I heard during my trip that on other planets, it's common for lovers to sleep together in the same room~."
Karl shot upright faster than his mind could catch up, staring at her.
"Sure, let's sleep together!" he said without hesitation, his ears and face burning red. Tingyun laughed at his earnestness and beckoned him along as she headed toward her room.
The moment Karl stepped inside, a sweet, calming scent filled his nose. The walls were painted a warm, pinkish-red, decorated with fox-shaped pillows that made the entire room feel like Tingyun herself.
He couldn't resist — Karl walked over and flopped onto the bed, burying his face into the pillow, letting the scent wash over him. Tingyun giggled at his silly behavior before moving to her side of the room.
Moonlight filtered through the window, bathing the room in a soft glow. Tingyun loosened her clothes, slipping into a thin nightgown that clung gently to her curves. When she climbed onto the bed next to Karl, he turned to look — and froze.
His face immediately turned crimson. The soft fabric did little to hide her figure, and the moonlight made her even more breathtaking.
"What's wrong~?" Tingyun asked in a teasing, sultry tone, tilting her head slightly.
Karl swallowed hard, his heart thundering. Before he could think, his hand moved instinctively, and Tingyun let out a quiet, surprised sound as he touched her.
The air between them grew thick. Tingyun leaned closer, her tail brushing lightly against Karl's arm, and their eyes met. Guided by pure instinct, Karl closed the distance, and their lips met under the gentle moonlight.
——
Just like that, a month had passed. Tingyun, as usual, spent her days working as a merchant, delivering supplies to her clients across the planets. During this time, Yukong had sent word that Mara-struck soldiers — followers of Yaoshi, Aeon of Abundance — had been infiltrating the cargo ships, spreading themselves across the Xianzhou Loufu like a creeping plague.
Today, Karl overheard a hushed conversation between two customers — Cloudford had been attacked. Mara-struck soldiers were running rampant. His chest tightened as dread gnawed at his mind. Tingyun had told him earlier she would return home today… but before the signal cut off.
He couldn't wait any longer.
Setting aside the broom he had been holding, Karl bolted out of the shop and rushed toward Central Starskiff Heaven. It was the only place Tingyun's ship would dock.
He boarded the Starskiff without hesitation, his foot tapping restlessly as the vehicle came to life and sped toward the destination. The driver didn't even question his urgency — perhaps sensing the panic in Karl's expression.
By the time Karl arrived, the sun was already high — ten in the morning. The port was in chaos. Cloud Knights rushed about, shouting orders and boarding skiffs headed skyward. Karl's eyes darted through the crowd until they found her.
Tingyun.
She was standing safely on the platform, seemingly unharmed, talking to three strangers.
Karl's legs moved before his mind could process. He ran straight to her. Tingyun turned at the sound of his hurried footsteps and smiled gently, waving at him just as he reached her.
Without a word, Karl pulled her into a tight embrace. His chest heaved, and the tension he had been carrying all morning melted into a long, shaky sigh.
"Thank God… you're okay…" His voice cracked despite himself.
Tingyun, ever gentle, patted his back and pressed her lips near his ear. "Uh-huh… I'm fine, no need to worry so much~" she whispered softly, her tone like a wife comforting her panicked husband.
The three strangers watched the scene quietly, until the pink-haired girl tilted her head and whispered, "Uhh… were we supposed to interrupt them or something?"
The gray-haired man beside her folded his arms, smirking slightly. "You could try. Interfering with reunions seems to be your specialty, doesn't it, March?"
"Hey!" March pouted, elbowing him in the side. "I'm not that much of a party pooper!"
"Isn't it?" The man — Caelus — raised an eyebrow in mock challenge.
March turned to the man in glasses. "Mr. Yang~! He's doing it again!"
Welt Yang sighed, adjusting his glasses with a patient smile. "Now, now, let's not make a scene."
Tingyun chuckled and gently pulled away from Karl, though her hand lingered on his arm for a moment. "Right, Dear. Meet the Astral Express — my benefactors who saved my life. And Benefactors this is my Husband, Karl Krafft Walls."
"Astral… Express… DON'T TELL ME?!" Before Karl could react, Welt stepped forward first, offering a polite handshake. "I'm Welt Yang. Pleasure to meet you."
Karl, still reeling but acting on instinct, took his hand and nodded stiffly.
"I'm March 7th! Passenger of the Astral Express!" March said cheerfully, flashing him a peace sign.
"Caelus," the young man introduced himself with a calm nod. "Newest passenger of the Express." Tingyun and the Astral Express chatted, continuing their conversation but Karl stood there. His thoughts ran wildly as he stared at Tingyun.
"Tingyun… no, no, no, no! Dammit!"
He forced himself to calm down and made an apologetic smile at them. "Tingyun, I gotta use a bathroom, do you mind waiting for me?" he said, his voice strained, eyes trembling.
"Sure, Dear~. I still need to take them to Madam Yukong~ I'll be waiting for you at the Palace of Astrum." She smiled softly at him before continuing, leading the Astral Express to Madam Yukong.
Karl watched them disappear into the sea of people. His legs felt like they were made of lead, barely carrying him toward a narrow alley where the noise of the crowd faded into a distant hum. There, he crouched, clutching his knees.
"Dammit… why… Why did I have to forget the plot?! Phantylia… a fucking Lord Ravager is inside Tingyun!"
His fist slammed against the concrete wall. No crack appeared — instead, a sharp pain shot through his hand, a bone in his knuckle popping under the force.
His breathing came out ragged. The golden spear shimmered faintly in his mind.
"Just one strike…" Karl muttered, shaking. "One strike and it'll be over."
But then his breath caught, his eyes wide.
"Fuck… what the hell am I supposed to do?!" Karl grabbed his hair, pulling hard until tears pricked the corners of his eyes. His body trembled uncontrollably.
"... Dammit… I shouldn't have made myself comfortable. If only—no! Get a grip on yourself!" His fist connected with his cheek in a sharp smack, pain snapping him back to reality.
"Think of something useful!" he hissed to himself. "Telling yourself 'what if' and blaming yourself won't save her!"
He dug his nails into his thighs, forcing his breath to steady. His heart still pounded, but slowly — painfully — his mind began to clear.
"Dammit… I'm not paid enough for this shit." Karl's voice was low, almost a growl, as he crouched deeper into the alley. His breath came out in sharp, uneven puffs that clouded in the cold air. "Looks like being a janitor also comes with cleaning the 'mess' inside the Xianzhou."
But no matter how much he cursed, his body betrayed him. His hands wouldn't stop trembling, his legs felt like they'd give out any moment. The fear gnawed at him, sinking into his bones.
"You know what—FUCK it!" His voice echoed down the empty alley, shaking as much as his hands. "If the universe is laughing at my misery, then fuck you!"
His hand tightened into a fist until his nails bit into his palm, blood almost drawing. A flash of golden light burst into the narrow alley as the Longinuslanze Testament materialised, humming faintly, casting sharp reflections on the wall. Its weight pressed into his hand heavier than ever, as if the universe itself was daring him to carry it.
"I'll let this plot continue… fine. I have no way of saving her from destruction, but Ruan Mei can." His voice broke, rage and desperation mixing until it hurt to breathe.
"But this time…" Karl's teeth clenched, the golden spear thrumming in response, "I refuse to accept such a ridiculous fate. I will keep denying it until it kills me, I don't care!" His chest heaved as he shouted into the empty alley.
"For her—" his grip on the spear shook, "—for our happiness, a little sacrifice is NECESSARY!"
The glow from the lance intensified, casting serpentine shadows along the wall as Karl's dark-blue eyes gleamed with two serpents intertwining within them.
"Years of being a janitor. Years of happiness. Years of Tingyun's warmth embracing me…" he raised the spear, the air around him vibrating with power.
"I SHALL RECLAIM IT!"
The alley seemed to fall into silence, the faint hum of the Longinuslanze Testament the only sound as Karl stood straighter than ever before, no longer just a janitor—no longer just a bystander.
"No more dreaming," he muttered, his voice low and resolute.
"It's time to take action… against them."
——
With that, Karl stepped forward, his composure steady. When he finally reached her, Tingyun was already standing there, smiling at him with a playful, flirtatious charm. He forced a smile of his own and asked softly as he drew her into an embrace,
"Sorry… did I keep you waiting?"
"Not really. Madam Yukong and the Astral Express are still in the middle of their talk~" Tingyun replied. She slipped out of the hug, leaning gently against his shoulder instead.
"I see. You must be tired and hungry then. I can cook us dinner when we get home," Karl said, his hand brushing along her arm before resting lightly on her shoulder.
"Sorry~ I have to tour the Astral Express in Xianzhou~" Tingyun said with a gentle tone. She clasped the hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze and an understanding nod.
Just then, the door clicked open, revealing Caelus, Welt, and a grumpy-looking March.
"Ugh! Seriously? Why does she have to treat us like criminals?!" March fumed, stomping her foot. Caelus and Welt both sighed at her antics, until Welt finally spoke up.
"March, calm yourself. Madam Yukong is simply being cautious. We can't blame her—Xianzhou is in the middle of a crisis, after all."
Caelus patted March on the shoulder. "That's right. If you have a problem, you should just say it to her face."
March immediately stomped on his foot, making Caelus yelp.
"Ouch!"
"Oh my~ didn't Madam Yukong make things easy for you?" Tingyun teased, catching March off guard.
"M-Miss Tingyun?! I-I didn't mean it like that! Madam Yukong is a great leader!" March stammered, quickly trying to cover herself, scratching her head in embarrassment.
"You don't need to worry, Benefactor. My lips are tightly sealed~" Tingyun said playfully, making a zipping motion across her lips.
"Hehehe…" March could only laugh nervously and keep scratching her head.
Taking a step forward, Tingyun addressed the group. "Madam Yukong asked me to escort you to a hotel for the time being. So, shall we go, Benefactors~?" She led the way, with Welt, Caelus, March, and Karl following close behind.
As they walked, March leaned toward Caelus, whispering curiously,
"Hey, don't you think Mr. Karl loves Miss Tingyun a little too much? His whole aura screams 'My wife is perfection itself.'"
Caelus glanced at Karl's back, then nodded seriously. "You're right. Isn't this what they call, 'A man can be called anything, but if his wife calls him husband, that's all that matters'?"
"Idiot! That's not the phrase!" March snapped. "It's 'A man can be anything, but to his wife, he'll always just be her husband!'"
Welt, overhearing them, shook his head helplessly. Is that even a real saying? I've never heard it before… But despite himself, a faint smile tugged at his lips as he watched the two bicker.
–
"Miss Tingyun, what really happened on the Loufu with those monsters… what are they?" March asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Tingyun answered calmly, "They are abominations of Abundance. They've existed for quite some time, if I recall correctly. They seek eternal life and revere Yaoshi as a benevolent being." She glanced back at March, offering a warm, reassuring smile.
"You seem to know more than you let on, Tingyun. I didn't realize you were a scholar," Karl remarked, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
Tingyun giggled. "Darling, are you implying I don't look like one?" She gave his waist a playful pinch, pouting as she spoke.
"I never said that—those were your words," Karl retorted quickly, turning his gaze aside. Tingyun chuckled lightly at his flustered expression.
"If I recall correctly, Lan is hunting Yaoshi, right?" Welt asked, his tone steady.
Tingyun nodded. "That is indeed correct, Mr. Yang. Lan and Yaoshi have been locked in constant conflict. Lan, alongside the Cloud Knights, hunts the abominations, while Yaoshi—uncaring—seeks only to spread its so-called blessing throughout the universe." Her words trailed off, her gaze drifting forward.
Moments later, Tingyun announced, "We've arrived, Benefactors~. As Madam Yukong instructed, I am to treat you with the highest hospitality. So I lead you here—one of the finest hotels in Central Starskiff Heaven."
Everyone's eyes followed her gesture. Before them stood a grand three-story building, its elegant decorations illuminated in a soft glow of bluish-pink light.
"Woahhh! This hotel is huge!" March exclaimed, wide-eyed. Caelus nodded beside her in agreement.
"But… Caelus," March whispered, "don't you think if we wake up tomorrow, something might happen again? Just like Jarilo-VI…" She stiffened the moment she realized Tingyun was within earshot. "Oh-hahaha, I-I don't mean Madam Yukong is unreasonable or anything like that!"
Tingyun only laughed, brushing it aside with ease. "Please, do not worry. As I've said—my lips are tightly sealed~. Now then, Benefactors, I'll take my leave here. Please enjoy the finest of Xianzhou hospitality~." She flicked her fan up, covering half her face with graceful poise before turning to Karl and slipping her arm through his.
"Let's go, dear~," Tingyun said cheerfully.
Karl simply let himself be led, a small smile on his lips as he basked in the warmth of her presence.
——
A/n: Author here~ since I don't know what to do with this pacing, I kinda went "freak it" let's throw everything into it. Kinda confusing why in the first place it made me do this. Lmao. (人*´∀｀)｡*ﾟ+