"There's no need for all that trouble. Those scumbags won't get off easily," said Aria. She was holding a notebook and some documents. She scanned through everyone's faces before settling in the living room. "Mr. and Mrs. Pollard, I'm here to fulfill my promise."Libbie couldn't believe what was happening. She was already in a stupor from her neighbor's discussion. However, her mind cleared up after seeing Aria. With a trembling hand outstretched, as if to confirm the reality before her, she said in a shaky voice, "Please… come in."The rest of what Aria had to share was far too sensitive to be aired publicly, and she could already sense Draco's simmering resentment from the hallway. He must have woken up.All of Draco's neighbors wanted to follow her inside. It was not because they wanted to gossip but because they truly wanted to help. Aria didn't stop them—this was a truth that needed to be revealed for the Pollard family's suffering to be understood.Spotting Draco awake, Lib
Draco sat motionlessly, entangled in strings invisible to ordinary eyes. The Emperor Coins he wore clinked softly, their sound resonating strangely. His eyes, veiled in a dark mist, betrayed no emotion. Aria watched him in silence, choosing not to interrupt his thoughts. Instead, she calmly returned Shirley's diary to him."Shirley is a very smart girl. She must have excelled in biology and chemistry." Aria chuckled before continuing, "She mentioned a game you used to play with her when she was younger. She wrote words in a certain way only you can see."When she said that, Draco suddenly looked up.Draco thought of Aria's other identity and realized something. "Ms. Carver, can you see Shirley?"The neighbors had begun to doubt Draco's sanity, attributing his behavior to a feverish delirium. But Libbie, his wife, stood by him. She knew how capable Aria was.When Libbie turned toward Aria in anticipation, the latter faced the neighbors and nodded slightly to the couple.Aria l
Aria's fingers glided over the diary. "She loves to help the weak. She wrote in her diary that girls should help other cute girls."Aria mimicked Shirley's tone in the final sentence.A crowd was listening outside the door, but they could hear nothing, only Libbie's choked sobs. Draco opened the diary and took a water bottle from the coffee table. Then, he sprinkled some water on the coarse white paper.Soon, some writings in light purple ink appeared on the paper."Dad, I saw an online interview today. Those children you saved at the border are all grown up, but they still remember you. Dad, you're amazing! They even learned how to ride a horse and archery!""To me, Dad, you've always been a hero.""With you here, Dad, I'll never be scared. Once I'm done with my finals, can you visit? I want to see the rocket launch and go horseback riding.""Dad, I encountered something and almost gave up.""In an interview, a woman said that they used to prohibit girls from studying, but a
Right after Aria did that, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. The people gathered outside were too absorbed in Shirley's heartfelt words to notice anything unusual. Only when a deafening clap of thunder echoed did they glance toward the window in shock.How could there be thunder if there wasn't even a hint of rain?A few murmured that the constant rumbling felt like someone was undergoing a divine trial. Unbeknownst to them, they were right. Pahana was thrashing within the coils of a dragon, desperately evading the strikes.Landon, meanwhile, was bending the rules, using his immense heavenly fortune to breach the agreement. Not a soul would dare question him for it.Because of this, the fury of the heavens was redirected entirely toward Pahana.Suddenly, Pahana recalled the cunning fortune teller.Pahana had been content in his underwater prison. It was the fortune teller who had shattered the seal, releasing him. True, confinement was stifling, but at least Chaos
Aria immediately released Landon's hand when the thunder stopped. Landon glanced at her, his gaze unreadable, as if lost in thought. Smilingly, he absentmindedly rubbed his fingertips. The rosary beads on his wrist seemed to shimmer with a mysterious luster. With his demure, restrained demeanor, the gentle flutter of his thick, dark eyelashes added an air of indifference to him.Aria was just the same as before. She was proactive when she needed him; when she didn't, she quickly discarded him. Landon reached out and grabbed Aria's hand again. Although she couldn't quite grasp his intentions, Aria was in high spirits. Once the trial concluded, the Pollard family's life would be smooth sailing. The ominous creatures lurking beneath the riverbank would no longer surface.Pahana was merely the beginning. Nurtured by the resentment of the sacrifices, the suppressed malevolent beings would only grow stronger. Aria had never seen the seal Tobias had mentioned, but she understood its
The seven soldiers stood in formation, saluting Draco. Draco blinked in disbelief. "I-It's you guys."The leader's eyes turned red. "Mr. Pollard, it's been a long time. Do you remember Dennis at the back? You carried him for 12 miles so that he could live."Dennis Nichell had a scar at the corner of his eye. He stepped forward and hugged Draco. "Mr. Pollard, it's me. I-I always thought you were doing well. You've never contacted us all these years…"His voice wavered. They had assumed Draco had cut ties, but it was only now they understood someone had deliberately isolated him from them.A soldier with rank insignia approached. "Captain Pollard, we're all aware of your situation now. Mr. Sterling has assured us that the organization will not forsake its heroes. The Daley, Meyer, and Karken families will face due consequences."Shirley's wish will be honored by Recruit Camp 071. From today, she is officially recognized as our youngest soldier."Although this wouldn't be formally
Aria was the one who proposed the school's restructuring. Prolonging immoral practices would inevitably warp the students' values. Without proper education, they would grow into a blight on society. Even if Radley, Tiffany, and Krissa were dealt with, others like them would inevitably emerge. To truly address the issue, they had to strike at the roots.Summers International School had ceased its operations. All of the higher-ups were held accountable by the police, causing a massive uproar in the education community. Suddenly, everyone feared for their jobs. Many people had long awaited such action. The internet erupted with joy when the authorities announced a thorough crackdown.The Daley family faced severe punishments for their crimes. Just as Aria predicted, those who didn't receive death sentences would wish for it. Meanwhile, Draco appeared in an interview, this time with newfound confidence. Libbie sat beside him, proudly holding a photo from their daughter's recent birth
Back then, those fortune tellers were blind to Landon's true identity and insisted on sealing him away underground. Landon must be seeking revenge for what happened back then.That explained his pursuit of Aria.To Pahana, Aria was an enigma. Her skills were average, yet she possessed undeniable talent and a unique approach that defied the traditional Decatorian methods he knew.Fortune tellers were rarely bound by the conventional, their minds trained to think in ways others could not fathom. Pahana could also feel the hidden strength within Aria, a power she kept buried deep.Landon must have noticed that and sought to consume her soul.Yet Pahana found no trace of a binding contract between Landon and Aria.There were rumors, however, that Landon had once made a pact with a woman who was as infamous as she was beautiful. She was a woman of no redeeming qualities, a heartless temptress who reveled in tormenting others. Her disrespect for people was unmatched, yet Landon had