Chapter 40: Dad, Back to Normal.

Salthéon’s expression was a sight to behold.

With all nine of his magic circles destroyed, he had been reduced to nothing more than an ordinary man.

By the time the pain had finally subsided, the elf crouched in front of him, flicked his forehead, and spoke.

“You’ve had your fair share of scolding, so let’s go.”

He said nothing.

“Hurts more to lose your circles than to watch your company fall apart, doesn’t it?”

Still, no response.

He looked like a lifeless corpse.

“Listen up, you bastard. Don’t go shutting yourself in, drinking yourself stupid, and throwing a tantrum just because of this. Got it?”

Silence.

Even so, the elf ruffled his disheveled hair roughly and let out a small chuckle.

“Tch… Kinda cute.”

Again, no reaction.

“Hey, it’s just a bunch of circles. You can rebuild them. Why are you sulking so much?”

His eyes remained vacant.

“It’s impossible. Do you have any idea how long it took me to reach the Ninth Circle? How could I ever… start over…?”

“Wow, listen to yourself. Humans really love whining about failure before even trying, huh?”

“You don’t understand… A short-lived species like us—when we lose everything we’ve spent our entire lives building, the despair is unbearable…”

Humans have short lifespans.

That’s why they live with such intensity, fighting tooth and nail for everything they have.

The elf knew that.

After all, she had once been human herself.

“You’re just setting a limit on yourself. If you keep thinking like that, you’ll never accomplish anything, dumbass.”

“Ugh… Ngh…!”

“Hahahaha! Should I teach you a little secret technique?”

“A… secret technique?!”

“Yeah. You really think I’ve lived this long without picking up a few tricks?”

The being before him was no ordinary elf.

An ancient elf, one whose lifespan was unfathomable.

The moment he realized that, Salthéon’s eyes widened with renewed desperation.

And, as expected, he scrambled forward like a dog, clinging to her ankle as he begged.

“P-Please…! Teach me! I beg you!”

The elf, however, smirked coldly.

“Hmm… But you haven’t shown even a shred of remorse for your actions. So, nah, don’t feel like it.”

“Hhhk… Hkk…!”

It was in that moment, with tears welling in his eyes, that Salthéon finally remembered.

For the first time in his life, he cried.

And in that moment, he recalled—

The image of his daughter, crying helplessly in front of him, unable to hold back her frustration.

“I… I was wrong.”

For the first time in his life, Salthéon felt true fear.

He remembered the terrified look on his daughter’s face, the way she trembled as she stared at him, petrified.

“I shouldn’t have done that…”

He had forced his authority upon a fragile, powerless child.

And now, as he reflected on his actions, he understood.

Everything he had done—

It wasn’t for his daughter’s sake.

It was for the company.

He had tried to shape his daughter’s future as he saw fit, never considering what she truly wanted.

“You were right about everything.”

He had been wrong about everything.

Blinded by his overwhelming power, corrupted by the ever-expanding influence of his company—

He had lost sight of what truly mattered.

“Of course, the reason I went this far was all for her. That much, at least, I understand.”

The elf let out a deep, weary sigh.

This time, she gently ruffled his hair, her touch surprisingly kind.

It was so warm.

‘It’s just like… Armi used to do.’

His wife—one he could never see again.

Armi Artemis.

The memory of her bright, loving smile flashed through his mind.

No matter where he was, no matter what he was facing, she had always been there, cheering him on.

It was because of her unwavering support that he had never faltered.

But in the end—

She had been taken by an incurable disease, leaving behind their young daughter, Cecilia, as she passed on to the next world.

It was unbearably painful, but for the sake of his wife, who had gone ahead to the heavens before him, Salthéon had no choice but to push forward and raise their daughter alone.

He never considered remarriage.

To him, there was only one woman—Armi.

More than that, for Cecilia, having Armi as her mother was enough.

That was why he had resolved to provide her with a life without any shortcomings.

But somewhere along the way—

‘I wasn’t living for Cecilia anymore… I was living for myself!’

A selfish man.

A hypocrite.

That was what he had become.

He had disguised his actions as being for someone else, when in reality, he was sacrificing others for his own sake.

And not just anyone—

But his own beloved daughter.

He had long forgotten the very reason he had tried to climb higher in the first place.

“I… I really am beyond saving…! Hrk, hic…! It was all supposed to be for her… but somewhere along the way, I forgot…!”

Regret.

But regret always comes too late.

“Now… how can I even face her again?! Kghhh…!”

“Get a grip, you idiot!!”

As he sobbed uncontrollably, the elf suddenly smacked both of his cheeks with her hands.

“…!!”

His mind snapped back into focus.

Through his blurred vision, he saw the radiant smile of the elf becoming clearer.

She looked at him with warmth and spoke gently.

“Do you really not understand why Cecilia still calls you ‘Father’?”

“Ah… Aah….”

“Think about it, dumbass. If she had truly cut ties with you, she wouldn’t even call you her father anymore.”

“That… That’s true…”

The tears came again.

Large, heavy drops rolled down his cheeks, gathering at his chin before falling.

Cecilia still called him ‘Father.’

Even after everything he had done—

Even after treating her so terribly—

She still acknowledged him as her father.

Only now did he realize just how much that meant to her.

Why had he never understood that before?

He had taken it for granted.

He had assumed that, as her father, being called such was natural.

But he had been blind to the weight behind those words—

To how desperately she had clung to that bond.

“You want to make amends with Cecilia, don’t you?”

“Hic… Y-Yes. I do.”

“You want to talk with her, laugh with her again, right?”

“Yes…”

“Then that’s all that matters.”

“Kgh… Hk…!”

“Ahh, seriously! Why is a grown-ass man crying so much? It’s pathetic. Stop that already!”

The elf tried to comfort him by patting his back, but she completely misjudged her strength—

It hurt like hell.

Still, even though the gesture was rough,

To Salthéon, the warmth that spread through his back felt overwhelmingly comforting.

“Haaah…”

Finally regaining his composure, he wiped his tears and stood up.

Meanwhile, Seria sat with Yog, anxiously waiting for her Dalssoong.

Her expression was full of worry.

“Is she really going to be okay? My father… He’s incredibly strong.”

“She’ll be fine. Did you forget who she is? She’s that elf.”

“But! What if—just what if—she gets hurt?! I…”

“More than anyone, you should be the one to believe in her.”

“….”

Hearing those words, Seria took a deep breath and slowly nodded.

“You’re right. I have to believe in her.”

As if it had been waiting for this exact moment—

The instant Seria wholeheartedly believed in her safety,

The barrier shattered like glass, dissolving into radiant light.

“Ah! Over there…!”

Yog was the first to spot them, pointing with her finger.

Seria’s eyes widened as she swiftly turned her head in the direction indicated.

There—

The beautiful elf was walking toward them, supporting Salthéon with an arm slung around his shoulder.

“Your father is safe as well.”

“Ah… Ah…!”

Without hesitation, Seria pushed off the ground.

Even though the distance between them was still considerable, she sprinted forward at full speed, heedless of anything else.

When she finally reached them, she gasped for breath, her eyes locking onto the golden-haired elf—who, even after such a fierce battle, had not lost a shred of her elegance.

“I’m so relieved you’re safe, Onee-san…!”

The elf was grateful for her words.

But first, there was something more important.

She gave a subtle nod toward Salthéon.

Seria’s gaze instinctively followed the motion, landing on her father.

“A… A father.”

“…”

“Are you… alright?”

“I’m sorry.”

“…Huh?”

Seria blinked in disbelief, staring at him as if she had misheard.

Sensing the moment, the elf let go of Salthéon’s shoulder and took a step back.

—Thud…!

Salthéon collapsed onto his knees.

“I… I am so sorry, Cecilia—!”

Right there, before his daughter, he could hold back no longer.

He wept.

“A-Ah, Father!! Please, calm down!”

He had tried so hard not to cry.

As a man.

As a father.

He had repeated to himself, over and over, that a father must never shed tears before his child.

But at this moment—

Hearing his daughter’s gentle voice still calling him “Father,” despite everything—

His heart completely shattered.

And so, Salthéon poured out everything.

He confessed every emotion he had buried deep inside.

He said every word he should have told her long ago.

Even if it was hypocritical.

Even if it was unforgivable.

He wanted her to hear it all.

Because, in the end,

All of it led to a single, desperate plea.

“My daughter… I love you. And I am so sorry.”

Squeezing out those final words, his head dropped, and all he could do was sob.

Seria, overwhelmed by the sight of the father she had never seen this vulnerable, turned to the elf, seeking guidance.

The elf merely smirked, crossing her arms, and gave her a reassuring nod.

“Father, it’s okay. Now that you understand, that’s enough for me.”

“No…! I have wronged you too much! I do not deserve to be your father!”

Seria knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around his trembling form.

The father who had once seemed so towering, so untouchable—

Now, he felt so small.

“S-Seria…”

“Father. If you truly regret everything, then from now on, just make things right.”

“But after everything I’ve done, it’s too late—!”

“Yes, you were too much. You hurt me so many times.”

“…”

“But life is long. If you’ve been wrong all this time, then from now on, just do better.”

“Cecilia…!”

“So let’s reconcile, okay?”

“Can I… truly do that?”

“Yes, of course. More than anyone, isn’t this what Mother would have wanted most?”

“Ah….”

Armi.

The only person who remained in his heart, flashing through his mind like a fleeting memory.

At that moment, Salthéon thought—

‘Armi, our daughter… She’s grown up so beautifully, just like you.’

If you were watching this right now,

Would you be able to forgive me too?

And just then,

As if answering his thoughts,

Armi’s gentle figure appeared beside Cecilia, smiling warmly.

‘Armi…!’

It was surreal.

But just as quickly as she appeared, Armi’s image faded, vanishing from his sight.

Leaving behind nothing but the memory of her radiant, satisfied smile…

And so, the Artemedis Father-Daughter Incident came to a peaceful conclusion.

At that moment, Dalssoong failed to notice something—

The way Seria’s gaze upon her had changed.

Her eyes—

Unlike before—

Were now burning with an intense, lingering heat.

A week passed.

As promised, Dalssoong handed over a magic tome to Salthéon, one that contained the secret techniques for rapidly restoring his magic circles.

Of course, that wasn’t the only thing.

He also vowed to support Cecilia in her broadcasting career wholeheartedly.

[Hello, dear believers~ Thank you for visiting our church today!]

After that incident, Salthéon had picked up a new hobby—

Whenever he had time, he tuned in to Seria’s broadcasts.

“Chairman, your next schedule—”

“How many times do I have to tell you not to schedule anything during this time?”

“Ah, well… Due to certain constraints, it couldn’t be avoided—”

“I don’t care. I’m watching a broadcast. Push it to tomorrow. Understood?”

“But, sir, it’s an important meeting—”

“Then tell them to shove it!”

“Ah… Yes, sir. Understood.”

Even as he sighed in frustration, his secretary smiled fondly before turning away.

Because, unlike the usual Salthéon who seemed ready to tear someone apart at any moment—

Right now, he looked genuinely happy.

“Hahahaha! Dalssoong is as ridiculous as ever! She always manages to exceed my expectations!”

On screen, Seria and Dalssoong were getting along well.

No, rather—

Their interactions were so affectionate that even an outsider might describe them as… intense.

“Hmm… Dalssoong. Bringing her into our family wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

Salthéon’s gaze sharpened as he observed Seria.

Having dealt with countless people in his life, he could read emotions just by looking into their eyes.

And the way Seria looked at Dalssoong—

It was love.

At first, he was surprised.

But before long, he accepted it.

“Well, times have changed. Same-s*x marriages are becoming more common these days.”

With humans and monsters coexisting, society had shifted drastically.

In the past, homosexuality and same-s*x marriages had been viewed as taboo, both biologically and culturally.

Even now, a part of his primal instincts whispered that it was unnatural.

But the world had changed.

And so had he.

Salthéon, who once might have scoffed at the idea,

Now saw the world with a much broader perspective.

“Fufu, I should offer my full support to ensure Cecilia can welcome her into the family.”

Of course, strengthening their family bonds was part of his reasoning.

But more than that—

What mattered most—

Was that his beloved daughter had found someone she truly cherished.

He wanted her to marry someone she genuinely loved, just as he had once loved Armi.

“Oh? A new video has been uploaded to my daughter’s channel? What could it be?”

Salthéon often browsed through Seria’s channel, watching both her live streams and newly uploaded videos.

And today, a certain video title caught his eye.

“Wait… What the hell is this?!”

His eyes widened in shock as he stared at the screen.

But then—

“Hmph. Well… I can’t ignore those views.”

With a knowing dad smile,

He clicked the video.