On Terra, "angels" and "demons" weren't religious concepts.
They were real races.
Sankta were born with natural Halos and Wings, so people called them angels.
Sarkaz were born with horns and tails, so people called them demons.
But those names were just convenient labels. Neither race was some superior, fantastical being.
Even so—like the myths they resembled—Sankta and Sarkaz were still mortal enemies.
Why? No one knew if it was fate or history, but Sarkaz—derisively branded as demons—were widely despised by other Terrans, even more than the Oni like Hoshiguma.
Because of countless historical grudges, the Sankta and the Sarkaz had a feud soaked in blood. Even now, they were locked in a cycle of mutual hunting.
This hatred didn't necessarily extend to every individual. There were Sankta and Sarkaz who could coexist peacefully.
But at the racial level, it was completely different.
Lucian had never really understood that hate.
He'd studied Terra's common knowledge, read all the textbooks, and he knew Sankta and Sarkaz were enemies. But he'd never grasped how deep that hatred ran.
And that ignorance extended far beyond just that.
The warmongering Ursus Empire and the blood debts they owed their neighbors.
Victoria, polished and refined on the surface, hiding a long, bloody history of royal infighting.
The seemingly peaceful, snow-covered land of Siracusa—its stagnation hiding rot and shadows.
The mafia-infested cities of Siracusa. The isolationist Iberia. The unstable Bolivar. The capital-choked Kazimierz… and on, and on.
The conflict between the Infected and the uninfected was the simplest, shallowest part of Terra's problems.
This land had so many issues they couldn't be counted.
So at the very least, Lucian wanted to see with his own eyes. To understand. Only then would he have any right to speak about this world.
And now, it was time to take another step forward.
"Blaze."
On her third day in Lungmen—after being welcomed by Penguin Logistics—Lucian approached her.
He gestured for her to sit and cleared his throat with exaggerated seriousness.
"Blaze. Would Rhodes Island be interested in hiring a few extra mercenaries?"
Lucian had already sent Exusiai to escort Blaze back to Lungmen's exit and return early to Rhodes Island with his message.
He wanted to cooperate with Rhodes Island and use the opportunity to visit the unstable city of Chernobog.
Lin had said that Chernobog's current state had the Ursus Empire's fingerprints all over it—and that it could pose a threat to Lungmen.
Lucian also wanted to see the Reunion Movement with his own eyes and figure out what kind of organization they really were.
Texas asked worriedly, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"If you get involved with Rhodes Island, they might uncover your identity. They call themselves a pharmaceutical company, right? What if they find out you're… special?"
Lucian replied lightly, "Not 'might.' They definitely will."
He'd never interacted with Rhodes Island directly, so he didn't know how much of their pharmaceutical-company image was real.
But he had a hint—from Hoshiguma.
"Hoshiguma uses Originium Arts fluently. She's formally trained. You don't let a severe Infected fight that hard, that often, without strong medical support."
If Rhodes Island gave Lucian a medical exam, they'd find out immediately.
His blood contained zero Originium—an impossibility for any Terran.
But Lucian wasn't worried.
"If Rhodes Island is trustworthy, I don't mind supplying them with my blood. If not, then we just cut ties."
Texas raised a brow. "And if they sell you out to another organization? Or if they try to forcefully detain you?"
"Then we wipe them out."
Lucian answered without hesitation.
Texas nodded calmly and went back to her room to prepare her swords.
Her perfect synchronicity with him made Lucian genuinely touched.
He sighed sentimentally.
"So many years already… and my soy milk shop hasn't closed once since I opened it. Ah—Angelina."
Lucian suddenly remembered the cute high school Sankta he'd taken in.
Exusiai and Texas were guaranteed to go with him.
Croissant was a free spirit; she'd be fine anywhere.
But Angelina? He couldn't let her be in danger.
He rubbed his chin, troubled. "Guess I'll have Uncle Lin look after her. But after settling her so carefully here, moving her to the Slums… I feel bad."
"Feel bad about what?"
Angelina popped up beside him, tilting her big eyes up at him with an inquisitive forty-five-degree stare.
Lucian scratched his cheek like a guilty criminal. "Ah—Angelina, you're back. The shop's closed already?"
"Croissant's closing up, because you suddenly said we were taking time off."
She leaned in, blinking those big eyes. "Sooo? Why do you feel bad toward me? Tell me, tell me~."
"Quit tugging on me, Angelina. Are you my little sister or something?"
A high school girl's whining was lethal. Lucian felt his heart melting—he wanted to scoop her up and squeeze her.
But actually doing that would be a crime.
He forced himself to behave. "Remember Uncle Lin? The guy I introduced you to? Penguin Logistics is going on a long job. Can you stay with Uncle Lin until we get back?"
Lucian left out everything related to Rhodes Island and Chernobog, only telling her it was a logistics assignment.
Angelina still looked uneasy, her brows scrunched. "Everyone from Penguin Logistics is going? Then… then can't you take me too? I want to join Penguin Logistics. Let me come with you."
"No. It'll be dangerous."
Lucian hardened his heart and rejected the adorable high schooler.
Angelina's wings drooped—she looked pitifully deflated.
Lucian's heart softened instantly. "Sorry, Angelina. I know it's sudden. I told you to settle in Lungmen, but I didn't take care of you properly. Don't worry—we'll be back soon."
"You'll be safe with Uncle Lin. He's got a daughter a bit older than you, but mentally you're way more mature. Treat her like a tsundere little sister."
Angelina puffed a laugh. "Lucian~! That's rude, you know?"
She swatted his arm playfully—unfairly adorable.
She was young, but incredibly sensible—especially as an Infected. She knew she had to be cautious.
So even though she was disappointed, she accepted Lucian's request.
She tugged lightly on his coat, looking up.
"Lucian. You just said I'm like your little sister, right? Then since I'm your little sister… you can't break your promise."
"You said you'll be back soon, so promise me you'll come back. Okay? …Lucian, big bro~."
…Lucian's defenses shattered instantly.
Sure, the Slums kids like Xiaoling also called him big brother—but Angelina saying it was a completely different level!
"Lucian, big bro" was too powerful. His blood surged, and he grabbed her into a hug.
"I'll come back, I promise! Angelina, you have to wait for me! Don't let some brat trick you while I'm gone!"
"Mmm—I won't! But Lucian, you're hugging too tight—ah! Lucian, big bro! Don't lift me up, that's embarrassing! " she whimpered."
Texas: "…"
Standing there with an entire bundle of swords in her arms, Texas narrowed her eyes.
She very seriously considered chopping Lucian into pieces.