Wounded Warmth

Faithless woke up terrified, drenched in sweat as if he had been submerged in the depths of the ocean. He gasped for air as though three people were choking him. His eyes were wide open, as if he had just witnessed hell before dying.

He quickly grabbed his neck and found it intact and secure. Only then did he breathe a little easier, placing the palm of his hand on his head as he thought about everything he had been through.

"I have no idea how to explain any of this… a mysterious wife, people I don't recognize, a vast grand arena like something from another dimension. And most terrifying of all… that man called Sullivan."

Faithless lowered his feet to the floor and continued:

"And not just that, but my power—so many things tied to something beyond this world… I must keep this a secret, just like I did with the letter from the Great Sin."

"And even scarier… that mysterious figure who spoke in unknown words and chopped off my head. But the strangest thing of all… was that statue. What does it symbolize?"

He removed his hands from his face and looked around… finally realizing that he was in his own room. He stood up from the shock, laughing bitterly:

"Oh God, I was so disoriented I didn't even realize I was in my room. Damn."

He walked over to the mirror and looked at himself. His appearance hadn't changed at all, except that his chest and stomach were wrapped in white bandages.

"My face hasn't changed… strange. But why do I feel pain in my body despite having healing powers…"

He washed his face with water, watching it drip down, and mumbled softly to himself:

"What happened in the Lost Emerald City made me lose my mind because of all the things that go against my principles."

"Damn…"

Faithless wore his black coat, open from the front. Before leaving his room, he noticed some luggage. He went to check and found the money he had taken after hunting the scarlet horns and the black order.

"Oh, my money… Honestly, I don't need it. I'll donate it to Master Isaac." he said sarcastically.

Then Faithless realized something important:

"The girls… are they here?"

He rushed out of the room toward the training courtyard, the central hub where the six usually gathered. He slowly opened the door…

And there were his friends and teacher. Isaac was sitting on a chair reading a book, with Melina beside him.

Tawakizra and Eric were training with each other, while Julianne and Marceline were arguing. As for Lady Marianne, she was showing her combat skills in front of the two girls—Lily and Lulia.

Faithless couldn't help but smile from the depths of his heart as he watched this beautiful scene. Isaac noticed him and said in a mocking tone:

"The hero of the Emerald City has finally awoken from his slumber."

Faithless scratched the back of his head and smiled. His friends noticed him, and in an unexpected moment, Julianne leapt onto him and hugged him tightly.

"Why did you leave without telling me? I thought I'd never see you again," Julianne said with a sad voice.

Faithless gently patted her head and murmured softly to himself:

'I was only gone for a few days… how will she handle it when I leave for the capital?'

He spoke softly with a smile:

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you… I promise it won't happen again."

He gently set Julianne down, and she smiled at him, then suddenly touched his abs and laughed:

"Your abs look better than before, meow~"

Faithless chuckled and looked at her:

"You haven't changed."

Then Marceline, Tawakizra, and Eric approached him. Marceline placed her hand on his neck and joked:

"Welcome back, hero of the Lost Emerald City. Marianne told us everything. You looked like a monster out there."

"But I could never match your monstrosity, hahaha." Faithless replied with a sarcastic tone.

"What did you just say, prince?" she glared at him.

"I said you're beautiful." he laughed as he said that. Eric patted his shoulder and quickly said:

"That's exactly what I expect from a crazy clown like you." Then he vanished back into training.

'He's in quite a hurry.' Faithless smiled to himself.

Tawakizra raised the hilt of his sword toward Faithless' face, surprising him, and said with a soft smile:

"I heard you used the technique of the Inverted Cross Blade… looks like you're getting the hang of it."

Faithless grabbed the hilt and answered with excitement:

"Better train well, because I'm going to surpass you."

Tawakizra pulled his hilt back and replied with a challenging tone:

"We'll see about that, prince."

Then the two girls and Lady Marianne approached from afar. Faithless looked at her and smiled from a distance, but he was reminded of Nir's knowledge about Marianne.

Suddenly, Lulia rushed over and jumped on his back… she grabbed his cheek and began touching it, speaking sweetly:

"You look healthy, brother."

Faithless laughed in her face and spoke with warmth:

"Seeing all of you made me feel better."

He looked at the shocked faces of everyone around. Marceline said in disbelief:

"She jumped on your back and called you brother?! What's going on, prince?"

"Looks like Faithless adopted someone when he went to the Emerald City," said Tawakizra, covering his mouth.

"Oh my god, and I was only touching your abs… prince, from now on I'll call you brother too," Julianne said, blushing.

Faithless looked at them, smiling silently, then turned toward Lily…

"Hey, Lily… aren't you going to say hello—"

Before he could finish, she hugged him. He was slightly surprised but patted her head as she grabbed his cheeks. Lulia asked curiously:

"Brother, why do they call you 'prince'? Are you from a noble family or a king's son?"

Faithless scratched his cheek and replied softly:

"Actually, I'm the son of the Fifth Emperor."

Lulia and Lily looked at him, clearly shocked. Lily spoke with a flustered voice:

"The son… of the Fifth Emperor?!"

Then Lily added:

"That explains your beauty and strength. You must be as handsome as the Emperor."

Faithless' expression suddenly changed to one of sadness and hatred. Lily and Lulia noticed.

"Honestly… I never saw him smile or speak kindly to me. His face was always covered by a black cloak, only his bloody eyes visible. You know what's funny? I never once heard him say 'I love you'." Faithless spoke bitterly, clenching his fist.

But he looked at his friends and said softly:

"Forget about it… what matters is that I have a family I love now—and I'm scared for them."

Lady Marianne was watching his eyes, consumed by sorrow and regret. She stepped closer, grabbed the collar around his neck, and said sweetly:

"And what about me? Am I family, or something special?"

Faithless smiled at her and placed her hat on her head, speaking tenderly:

"You're not just something special… you're something that dives deep into my hearts."

"Oh, what a weird kind of romance… looks like we'll be seeing a wedding between the Emperor's son and a blood user," Marceline said teasingly as she pulled both Faithless and Marianne into a group hug.

Everyone around burst into laughter—until Saint Isaac grabbed Faithless' shoulder and spoke in a deep voice:

"I hate to interrupt your beautiful moment… but I need you for a bit, Faithless."

Faithless stared coldly at Isaac and replied:

"Seems like you want a share of the money."

Isaac leaned down toward Faithless and spoke in a mysterious voice:

"Who told you I want the money? I just need the one who owns it."