Chapter 303 (1/2)

I returned with Kerenos and Punghee. Kim Sujeong said she would stay with Helena.

“You’ve worked hard, old man.”

“You’ve also worked hard. Go inside and rest.”

“Yes. Then I’ll see you.”

Kerenos bowed to me and headed toward the knights’ quarters. I looked at his back for a moment before retracting my gaze and entering the room with Punghee. Chunza and Solar were holding each other while sleeping. It seemed that the relationship between the two of them had improved a lot.

“Huhu. These kids.” I lay straight on the bed of clouds. It was so fluffy that I seemed like I would fall asleep the moment I lay my head down. Ahh, yes. This was happiness. “Huaaaah. So good...?”

Just then, I could see Punghee standing to the side. Punghee was looking at me with a red face and fidgeting. What was she doing? Did she have something to say?

“Punghee.”

“...Yes, Father.

“If you have something to say to me, then say it.”

Punghee touched her index fingers together. She hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth, “...Can I sleep with you?”

“Hmm?”

The words were unexpected. In fact, we started to sleep separately after Punghee transformed into a girl. Sleeping with a cute weasel and with a girl was a completely different thing for me. However, Punghee seemed very sad about it.

“...It’s fine if you don’t like it. I just feel that Father keeps avoiding me. Sob.”

Suddenly, Punghee’s eyes reddened and she started to cry. I was so flustered that I stuttered.

“N-No. Punghee. It isn’t like that.”

“Really?”

“Yes! I’m not avoiding you.”

I stroked the young Punghee’s head with a kind expression. It seemed I had been too indifferent to her in the meantime. In some ways, she was a young child right now. Punghee was still in need of care.

“Come here. You can sleep with me today.”

“Yes!”

Punghee snuggled into my arms. I gave her my arm as a pillow and sang a lullaby. Punghee soon fell asleep with a snoring sound. I thought she was very cute. I gently rubbed her cheeks and slowly looked up at the ceiling.

“It is hard to get a young daughter in my late years.”

I slowly closed my eyes. Shortly thereafter, I fell asleep. Moonlight subtly shone on our faces through the window.

***

At a land of vast clouds...

In the middle of these clouds was the Celestial Palace, Uranus.

“Hey, can’t you be a bit quiet?” In this place, a woman gathered the noisy constellations and scolded them. The golden hair and golden wool wrapped around her body proved her identity. Her nickname was ‘Impetuous Sacrifice.’ She was a messenger of the gods, had a thorough sense of righteousness, and liked to take the lead without turning away from the weak. She was a member of the Seven Chivalrous Stars, and the current leader of the 12 Zodiacs. She had the true name of ‘Aries’ and was currently leading the Zodiacs and escorting the constellations after the betrayal of ‘Regulus.’ Behind her, the Fleece Knights threatened the constellations with an overbearing force.

[You should stop.]

At this time, a man spoke to Aries in a low voice. He was the god of stars and mercy, Lupeon. He was a god currently guarding the Star Flow System and was called the king of constellations.

“I’m sorry, Lupeon.”

[It’s fine. I haven’t seen you in a long time. You are still the same. That hasty temper...]

“I am embarrassed.”

The sheep star, Aries, bowed her head with a slight blush. Aries was secretly in love with Lupeon. Of course, Lupeon didn’t know that.

[It has been a long time since we’ve come together like this~]

Just then, a woman appeared behind Lupeon with a smile on her face. She was the goddess of the moon and magic, Hecatiana. Lupeon scoffed at Hecatiana. [Did you come riding that owl again? It is a very handy owl. What’s with the appearance? Are you going to keep being like this?]

The moment Lupeon spoke these words with a frown, the Lechuza on Hecatiana’s shoulder changed shape. A black-haired man with crescent moon pupils. The power of the moon overflowed from the man and enveloped his body.

[Don’t be too much. Still, look how loyal he is to me. Isn't that right, Crescent?]

“It is an honor, Hecatiana.”

The Lechuza’s name was Crescent. Lupeon’s eyes shone as he looked at Crescent. Rumor had it that in the past, Jupiter also tried to tame him and failed. However, only Hecatiana and Jupiter knew the truth.