Chapter 100: Father and Son

Chapter 100: Father and Son

The entire Realm of Angels seemed eerily quiet. The angels, whose numbers were never particularly large, all seemed occupied with their own affairs. Even the little angels who usually chased and played around in the City of Angels were nowhere to be seen by the father and son.

They followed the path Xiao Chuzao had carefully chosen—a hidden path for stealth.

Moving cautiously along the way, they occasionally encountered a few patrolling angel guards. Sometimes, just as the little one waved his little hands frantically, wondering what to do, Amos had already dealt with them.

Amos had no qualms when it came to handling these angels. In fact, he had never hesitated to act against those outside his own kind—a man who’d sooner kill than risk letting anyone escape. Otherwise, the title of "Dark Tyrant, Crown of the Demon God" wouldn’t have reached so far across the stars.

Back when Xiao Chuzao lived in the Angelic Realm, he was still weak and small. For years, he had to live cautiously, watching every word and step just to survive. Even now, though he understood the situation, he couldn’t help but feel anxious and jittery.

Those years had left a deep impact on the little one, instilling habits that vexed and saddened the Crown Clan.

If Amos was perpetually tense, the entire Crown Clan wasn’t much better—after all, Chu Zao was now the only child left in their clan.

So, while the little one simply trusted that his father would find a way to sneak them in smoothly, Amos was already dispatching angel guards swiftly and effortlessly. His movements were swift and ruthless, leaving no one alive or able to fight back. As each guard fell, he’d even extend a hand to soften the noise, ensuring no commotion would draw attention.

The City of Angels was quiet, but the path to the Angelic Spring wasn’t entirely unguarded. Yet, none of the fallen guards managed to alert anyone around them.

This was Amos’s silent brutality—violence without a trace.

Xiao Chuzao stood stunned, gaping in awe before quickly hurrying after his father. Soon, they reached a familiar crossroads.

Huh… so much for stealth?

They had made it inside, so that counted, right?

And whether it was because the little one had grown taller or for some other reason, the looming, intimidating buildings from his memories didn’t seem quite so intimidating anymore.

This place was neither as bustling nor as lively as Saint Cas.

"Baba, baba—"

The little one’s four small wings puffed up weakly, too afraid to flap. Quivering gently, like a butterfly’s wings, he whispered nervously to Amos, afraid of making too much noise.

"There are people talking up ahead."

Amos nodded. Leading his child through these foreign yet vaguely familiar buildings, he finally caught sight of familiar faces in the distance—

The same faces he’d seen in his little one’s memories. Years had passed, but these so-called angels hadn’t changed at all.

They were the guards of the Angelic Spring—the ones present when the little one’s wings were snapped.

Amos still remembered the hatred and scorn in their eyes as they glared down at his trembling, frightened child.

"Why is it so quiet today? Shouldn’t the guards have come through by now?"

"Beats me," another angel muttered.

"But perhaps the Archangel has other arrangements."

"True, with the grand and solemn celebration approaching, we as guardians of the Angel Spring are entrusted to know about the ritual for the Nature Deity. After the ceremony, new little angels should be born in the Angel Spring."

"Shh—don’t speak carelessly. The Archangel might be watching us from somewhere. After our last mistake, it’s only by luck that we’re still allowed to guard the Angel Spring."

"You’re right. Without our key and the Archangel’s, no one should be able to enter the Angel Spring’s area. Who knows how that abomination snuck in years ago and polluted the waters? It nearly cost us our jobs—what a pain."

"Don’t worry. Haven’t you heard? A little over a year ago, during the calamity magic, when they were tallying the losses and casualties, I overheard that the little freak was wiped out by the calamity."

"That odd half-breed—was it even an angel to begin with?"

"Who knows? But it was certainly unpopular. If it had just known its place and stayed in the lowest ranks, things would’ve been fine. But no, it had to strive for more. The Archangel went too easy on it. Though, come to think of it, that calamity magic might’ve been a blessing for it—"

Before the two angel guards could finish—

Pain exploded through them. Their eyes widened in an instant as they tried to resist, but their throats seemed crushed, their windpipes shattered under an overwhelming pressure that left them unable to utter a sound.

Behind them, their wings screamed in pain, forcibly bent to an unnatural angle by a deceptively composed but seething figure.

In the final moments of their lives, their vision filled with a pair of icy crimson eyes, staring down like a dragon regarding ants beneath the darkening skies of the Angel Realm.

Beside that terrifying figure stood a small shadow.

They had no time to see clearly before their vision blacked out.

Even with his prior judgment of this damned place, Amos still felt deeply displeased.

If not for unfinished business, Amos wouldn’t have let them off so easy.

Calmly, Amos shook the blood from his Psychic Sword.

His power roiled, and the crown hummed softly.

"Baba?"

The little one beside Amos, who had been fuming quietly and whispering rebuttals from behind the bushes, blinked upon seeing Amos’s mood. He tugged at Amos’s clothes, his golden halo bobbing atop his head.

"Hm."

Amos looked down, meeting his child’s gaze, and his anger cooled again.

"What is it?"

"I already tried, but it won’t open this time. They mentioned something about a key earlier—"

Xiao Chuzao said, glancing at the two Amos had taken his anger out on.

Amos paused briefly, then gave it a try himself.

After a moment, the father and son tried their way around, using a small metal token they had collected to open the blockade.

Amos studied it a few extra seconds.

The metal token bore strange patterns, and its energy had an odd, unsettling quality—different from psychic power.

This was likely the magical force Xiao Chuzao had mentioned, which the Angels wield.

Walking along the narrow path, Xiao Chuzao's tension visibly eased.

"Grand Festival? The God of Nature—?"

The little one mumbled under his breath.

"And then the birth of new Angels? That’s new to Zao Zao. What were they even talking about?"

But this was understandable. Since his birth in the Angel Spring, the little one had been ostracized and excluded. No one was willing to communicate with him, and the Archangel often pulled him aside for talks, telling him to tough it out and blend in—to be more like a proper Angel fledgling.

So, to some extent, the little one wasn’t very familiar with the customs of the Angels or the Crown Clan.

"...Not sure, but it doesn’t matter. We’ll just ask that bunch later."

Amos said.

The King wasn’t pleased.

Ever since arriving in the Angel Realm, Amos had repeatedly told his little one "I don’t know," which rankled the King who’d always seemed omniscient in the child’s eyes.

Amos was tall, and traversing the space between the stars and the Angel Realm had left him with some injuries—after all, he had forcibly torn through dimensions before, hurting his hand, which had made the little one cry pitifully upon discovering it. This time, making the jump while shielding his charge meant some places he couldn't help the wear and tear. Still, Amos tried not to appear too disheveled—not for his own sake, but to avoid upsetting his child again.

His fragile, sweet-natured baby was a crybaby.

King Amos thought fondly once more, through rose-tinted glasses.

Amos’ black military uniform was slightly damaged, with scratches marring the rare, precious metal buttons, badges, and chain decorations—giving him a weather-beaten look. He walked slowly, his pant legs tucked into his boots, yet his movements were utterly silent. Though visible, he might as well have been a ghost, merely a shadow trailing behind his little one.

Beneath his disheveled black hair, his crimson eyes remained calm and indifferent—no nervous intruder, but like a ruler strolling leisurely through his own domain.

Proof enough that His Majesty was still at his peak.

Amos’ strides covered three or four of his little one’s steps.

The child scampered ahead while Amos followed at an easy stride.

They soon arrived before the Angel Spring.

The layout was just as Amos had seen in the child’s memories.

The outer structure was crafted from dark stone, with a glistening white heartstone embedded within, from which warm water flowed gently.

The air was rich with the scent of greenery and sweet berries. Even without stepping into the spring, just standing by its edge and breathing in the air was enough to lift both spirits and limbs.

"Papa, we’re here!"

Xiao Chuzao’s tiny wings fluttered eagerly as he quickened his pace, turning to look at Amos behind him.

"This is the Angel Spring."

The little one pointed at the glowing heartstone.

Amos followed his gaze—he had originally been looking at the adjacent area, the sky on that side.

Angel City was sizable too, and this was still the central district. The area around the Angel Spring was dim, as if veiled by something like a Psychic Sword’s barrier, making the surroundings quite dark, while the lit areas outside stood out sharply—in the sky on that side, there was a floating structure reminiscent of Saint Cas’s royal court architecture. It wasn’t too far away, and Amos could make out the details clearly.

Parts of it felt unsettlingly familiar to Amos—not the familiarity from the child’s memories, but the kind from when he had briefly torn open the passage between the two realms last time and plunged the Psychic Sword there.

Amos sharpened his focus but didn’t detect his own psychic energy. Yet it had to be there—the Archangel.

Only after hearing the child’s words did he turn his attention to the Angel Spring.

The purpose of this trip, aside from venting his anger and wrecking the entire Angel Realm, was to take the Angel Spring’s source stone back.

The water of the Angel Spring glimmered with starlight.

The child had already reached the edge, stretching out a hand to touch the warm spring water.

“But—it seems a bit off—”

Xiao Chuzao turned to look at Amos.

“The Angel Spring never felt this… drained before.”

Right now, the Angel Spring was far too feeble, as if drained of power—lifeless, as if locked down, offering no response to the child at all.

So this time, it didn’t roll out the welcome mat for Zao Zao.

“Hey there?”

Xiao Chuzao leaned over the edge of the spring, his soft face pinched with worry as he stared at the source stone.

“It’s Zao Zao.”

This was one of the kid’s few happy memories.

But there was almost no response—just a tiny ripple in the water, nothing more.

Xiao Chuzao watched for a long while before turning back to Amos.

“Papa? What now?”

After all, they intended to take the source stone of the Angel Spring with them. The child knew the stone had some level of self-awareness, so he had wanted to greet it and ask for its opinion.

Zao Zao was a good kid, after all—but the other side wasn’t responding.

Amos looked at Zao Zao.

“…Just yank it out?”

That was the only simple, brutal answer His Majesty could offer.

Amos simply watched his little one, quietly letting him take the lead.

Go for it—Papa’s got you.

And that was enough for the child.

The kid took a deep breath and announced—

“Here goes Zao Zao!”

"Zao Zao, come and pluck out the source crystal from Angel Spring!"

The little hatchling took a deep breath and was about to dive headfirst into the spring water.

Only to be silently grabbed by the father standing behind him.

"Daddy?"

Xiao Chuzao was dangled in midair by Amos.

Amos held his hatchling in his left hand and gripped the Psychic Sword single-handedly in his right.

He paused for a moment.

Looking at his little one like this.

"Zao Zao, just as you said earlier."

"Huh?"

"We've got wings!"

The little one gasped!

The hatchling's eyes widened.

"Zao Zao totally forgot."

After walking so far and getting used to it, it's really easy to forget that they can fly.

Father and son shared a look with their nearly identical eyes.

Finally, Amos watched as the little hatchling began flapping his tiny wings, and only then did he let go.

Watching the little one fly all the way to the Angel Spring's source stone.

"There we go."

Amos slipped back into the shadows.

To keep watch.

After all, the Angel Spring's condition seemed to be known by the Archangel. Last time, it was the Angel Spring that healed Zao Zao, and the Archangel showed up right after.

So this time, it should be about the same.

Amos slowly raised his hand, twirling the Psychic Sword in his grip, like some predator lying in wait in the dark, observing the surroundings with only a pair of crimson eyes, waiting to pounce.

But—

Amos waited...and waited...

Amos finally shifted his attention from the distance back to right in front of him.

"Zao Zao?"

He watched as the little one failed to pluck out the Angel Spring's source stone himself. After struggling for a bit, he pulled out his Cupid bow and began jamming it in with one end of it.

"Ugh—"

The little one strained with all its might—

Xiao Chuzao mustered every ounce of his energy.

"Dada—mmph—Zao Zao—Zao can't get it loose!"

The little cub flapped its wings desperately, but the Cupid's bow slipped against the Angel Spring Source Stone. With an awkward flutter of wings, the little cub went flying off course, only to be caught and brought back by Amos.

"Let me."

Amos couldn't help but laugh at his cub's antics, though exasperated.

All his turbulent emotions kept melting away in the presence of his little one—but this was a good thing. With the Crown Clan's Psychic Crown in its current state, excessive anger might trigger a dangerous outburst.

Amos used the tip of his sword to pry at the Angel Spring Source Stone.

But the stone wouldn't budge.

But it really wasn't the little one's doing.

Amos felt that odd energy pulse once more, similar to the one from the metal fragment earlier.

"Zao Zao," Amos said. The silver-black crown on his head flared to life, becoming the brightest spot in the dimly lit Angel Spring domain. His crimson eyes faintly shimmered under the crown's radiance, half his face cast in shadow, making him appear particularly dangerous. In that instant, his psychic power erupted. "Step back."

*

On the other side of the Angel Realm.

In the floating sky palace.

Sacred rites were in progress.

Myriad Divine Grace Stones glittered brilliantly, hinting at twisted forms within.

"Archangel, everything is almost ready."

"Yes, proceed. Transfer this power to the Nature God."

The Archangel smiled benevolently, his tone dripping with false benevolence.

"Let us replenish our strength, restore harmony to the Angel Realm, and make our bounty abundant."

"Understood."

The Archangel held a scepter, golden radiance wreathed his form.

He observed everything calmly, his gaze fixed on the elaborate, winding designs etched into the floor of the ceremonial hall.

These patterns connected to the surrounding Divine Grace Stones, their power converging upon the ceremonial designs, warping visibly as they gathered.

The Archangel lowered his eyes, about to speak again.

Then—BOOM!—a thunderous blast shook the hall.

The Archangel's eyes flew wide.

"What happened?"

"W-we're not sure—"

The surrounding angels froze in shock before bursting into chaos.

"The floating pavilion is shaking—this place is shaking too. Could it be...could it be that the God of Nature is displeased with these powers?"

"Don’t panic."

The Archangel raised his eyes, clearly having regained his composure.

"Our relationship with the God of Nature is one of a deal and mutual support. He desperately needs these powers—this is the heart of our deal. And this disturbance is clearly—"

The Archangel glanced in one direction.

"—coming from within the Angelic Realm."

His brow furrowed.

"Could it be that something has gotten in?"

But soon, he began to dismiss the thought.

"No, it shouldn't be possible. The Angelic Realm is rich in resources, overflowing with power, and cut off from the outside. No one could possibly break in."

If there was any exception—

It would only be Xiao Chuzao, who vanished from the Angelic Realm the previous year.

Though it was said that little freak was dead, they never found his body.

And now—

The Archangel's wings slowly unfurled behind him, the multiple pairs giving him a holy aura, not to mention the golden radiance glowing from his scepter.

"The Angel Spring—something has happened at the Angel Spring."

His wings gave a mighty beat—

"Yan, keep handling the ceremony. I will go to the Angel Spring to check it out."

"Yes."

*

At the Angel Spring—

The little one watched as Amos's psychic energy turned the place to rubble in seconds.

Amos stood atop the wreckage, his sheer power having already evaporated every last drop of the remaining spring water.

With a flick of his hand, Amos pried out the glowing white stone and casually held it in his palm. He glanced down at it, uninterested, before handing it to the little one.

That wasn't what concerned Amos right now.

Now—the item had been retrieved, the task was done. There were still many matters awaiting him in the interstellar domain, and he had to take his little one back. The Emperor didn’t have much time—

Ah, this "short time" referred to how long Amos had left to tear through the Angelic Realm.

"The Angel Spring’s core stone isn't reacting, Dad."

Xiao Chuzao held the stone, wide-eyed as he gingerly tested it with his own powers—yet still received no response.

The kid glanced up, unsure, at Amos.

"Could it be—"

The little guy thought it over.

"Did bad guys do something to it?"

The tiny cub gestured.

"Like it’s been locked up or something."

That made sense.

Hearing the cub’s words, the elder—who’d been ready to smash the Angel Realm—stopped himself. Amos turned to his little one.

He could already feel a strange power creeping closer.

"Zao Zao."

Amos first glanced at the sky, then turned to his little cub.

"Wanna check it out?"

Amos’s tone was icy.

"Looks like—the Archangel’s here."

Amos watched the cub shiver on instinct. Maybe memories of the Angel Spring scared him; his small crown drooped, nestling into his soft curls.

Of course, Amos would rather his cub never face danger.

But the Crown Clan had to grow stronger. Amos could always keep Xiao Chuzao safe, but he also didn’t want his cub to lack the strength to resist in any situation.

Especially with him right here watching.

But—

Amos finally said,

"If Zao Zao’s not up for it, Daddy’ll take care of it."

Amos was willing to protect.

"Daddy’s got your back."

Clutching his little bow and arrow and the Angel Spring Source Stone, Xiao Chuzao looked at Amos.

"Zao Zao can... Zao Zao can handle it."

Xiao Chuzao also heard the sounds behind him. He stuffed the Angel Spring Source Stone into his pocket.

Behind him, Amos had already melted into the shadows, silently watching over his cub.

The sound of beating wings grew louder—

A shadow loomed overhead.

Golden eyes, cold and unfeeling, bore down with crushing pressure.

The dark barrier above them split apart, layer by layer. Light from the Angel Realm spilled out behind him, his multi-winged silhouette fluttering, so overwhelmingly oppressive that it seemed to blot out all light—save for a few scattered rays that fell upon Xiao Chuzao, standing beside the ruined Angel Spring—just like back then, when the trembling, frightened little cub had hidden in the Angel Spring.

It’d been ages since Xiao Chuzao had seen him—the Archangel.