Although they were making a deal with a tiger, at least Vira obtained the hope to survive.

After that, Sigurd took Kiana and headed east, venturing deep into the vast and cold Siberian plains.

Over a month later, Kiana had fully recovered her health.

At least, there didn’t seem to be any issues with her Herrscher abilities and physical data.

…

In the midst of winter, the Siberian forest was adorned with snow-covered branches.

Kiana wore a white Cossack hat, with her silver long hair braided into two long twists. She was dressed in a fluffy snow-white coat, leaving snow imprints with each step she took, happily walking back and forth in the snow.

Her body had finally fully recovered, and the constant pain that had been present disappeared completely in the past two days. It was evident that she was in a good mood, with a smile on her face as if she had emerged from the shadows of a month ago.

But Sigurd knew that every time Kiana walked on the street and saw little girls with golden hair, her gaze involuntarily focused on them, as if she could see Vira’s figure among them.

He could understand this mindset – although, if it were the opposite gender, this behavior would be considered a bit strange.

“Stop playing around, rest time is over, let’s continue on our way.”

“Coming, coming!”

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew through the calm snowy forest, causing the branches above to bend down as if being pressed by some object falling from the sky.

Phew, phew!

The fallen snow from the tree piled up on Kiana’s body, and some even entered her mouth.

“Sig!”

Kiana stomped her feet and glared at Sigurd, who stood tall above her.

There was nothing visible beneath his feet.

But Kiana knew that there was an airship there, capable of soaring in the sky, with a windscreen to shield against the elements. People could sit, stand, or even lie down inside, and it had a huge cannon that could shatter small mountains, along with various other gadgets and functions – like invisibility.

Who knows how Sigurd managed to build it, but it was definitely impressive, Kiana thought sincerely.

However, that didn’t stop her from getting angry at Sigurd’s prank.

“How dare you do this to me? Are you looking for a fight?”

Kiana rolled up her sleeves in a threatening manner.

Then she saw Sigurd’s deadly gaze and the cannon, which revealed its prototype form. The dark and profound barrel was pointed directly at her.

“Oh, the snow is so white and wonderful. I really love it. Shh~ Shh~ Shh~”

Whistling soundlessly, Kiana stood innocently in place, as if nothing had happened.

“Get on.”

Sigurd said calmly.

“Oh.”

Kiana jumped on board and took a few steps forward, entering the cabin. The interior space, hidden by optical camouflage, was revealed before her eyes.

It was a small room of forty square meters, creating a cozy living space. There was a driver’s area with various control facilities and large screens, as well as a workspace with mysterious instruments.

The living area was basically Kiana’s domain, where she could roll around as she pleased.

The driver’s area and workspace belonged to Sigurd, and usually Kiana couldn’t be bothered to go over there.

The division of labor was quite clear, right?

“Take your medicine.”

As soon as the airship started, Sigurd handed Kiana a glass of water and a few pills.

Kiana’s expression immediately soured.

“Do I have to take it? I’m already fine.”

“Don’t you want dessert after dinner?”

Kiana threw the pills into her mouth and emptied the water glass.

“Gulugulu!”

“I’m done.”

Kiana opened her mouth wide, trying to let Sigurd see her throat to prove that she had indeed swallowed the pills.

Sigurd flicked her forehead with his finger.

“This is the last time. These pills aren’t something good, and I won’t let you take them unnecessarily.”

“Yes! Sig is right! I’ll listen to you!”

Then Sigurd flicked her forehead again, producing a crisp sound, as if knocking on a watermelon, and it felt like there was water inside.

Kiana stuck out her tongue and grabbed Sigurd’s arm, shaking it.

“We’ve been flying for so long, where are we going, and how much longer?”

“We’re going to find a cunning woman. But before that, we’ve just discovered a promising candidate, and it’s the perfect time to dig deeper.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll find out when we get there. Why ask so many questions?”

Sigurd pinched the chubby cheeks of the girl and frowned suddenly.

“By the way, have you gained weight recently?”

“No! Absolutely not! Ladies can’t get fat!”

Kiana shivered and crossed her arms in front of her chest, excitedly refuting him.

Sigurd rubbed his chin and said meaningfully, “It’s okay, you’ll slim down.”

…

In the city’s affluent area, there was a majestic noble mansion.

Late at night, several screams suddenly rang out, followed by towering flames that engulfed the mansion, filling the air with smoke.

The surrounding residents were thrown into chaos, shouting, running, and calling for help. The various sounds merged together, but it was all part of ordinary life.

Amidst the commotion, on a seldom-traveled street not far from the burning mansion, a small figure walked slowly. She was barefoot, stepping on the snowy ground with unsteady steps. Looking up, the horrifying sight of her body being burned was visible.

She suddenly stopped.

In front of her appeared two figures.

From an ordinary person’s perspective, one was a handsome boy with his hands in his pockets and a blank expression, while the other was a cute girl who looked worried and innocent.

But in the eyes of Sin Mal, it was an entirely different scene.

The girl was a massive black flame, spewing pure anger and hatred, entangled by countless dark grudges, while also hinting at an unprecedented terrifying power. (Tn: Referencing to the Herrscher inside her)

The boy was… an incomprehensibly immense void, reaching beyond sight, supporting the world with a single hand, and his eyes, high above, looked down upon all beings.

While Sin Mal stares without blinking, the void seemed to sense something and shifted its emotionless gaze towards her.

“Ah!”

Sin Mal let out a scream and sat frozen on the snowy ground.

So, am I already dead? Is what I’m seeing now a devil? Or a god?

Sin Mal pondered in a daze.

Sigurd approached her and squatted down, looking thoughtfully at Sin Mal’s heterochromatic eyes.

Sin Mal had the ability to see the seven deadly sins with her eyes, as a part of the plot’s setting. So, what would she see from these two individuals?

Curious, Sigurd, however, didn’t rush to find out. Instead, he started from the first step of getting acquainted and asked, “Are you Sin Mal?”

“…Do I look human to you right now?”

Sin Mal didn’t answer directly but asked this question instead, with a hopeful expression in her eyes, mingled with a hint of intoxication.

After a single glance from the indescribable void, Sigurd’s appearance returned to that of a handsome boy, and the peculiar anomaly on him vanished.

This is the second purely human face that Sin Mal has seen, just like the one Bronya used to have—so beautiful and innocent.

Therefore, she wants to know Sigurd’s answer.

She has already stained herself with blood and sins, just like any other human. Does that mean she is no longer a monster?

The Sigurd in front of her should be able to give her an answer, right?

Sin Mal raised her head, half of her face charred and grotesque, even repulsive, but Sigurd replied nonchalantly, “It’s not about looking like or not, you are a human.”

“Really?”

Sin Mal was pleasantly surprised, and a smile appeared on her monstrous face.

“Indeed. But…”

“But?”

Sin Mal looked puzzled, and then, a syringe was inserted into the back of her neck.

“But if left untreated, you’ll be a dead person.”

Sigurd said calmly and pressed the injection button.

Sin Mal didn’t pay attention to what was injected into her body. She simply tried to widen her eyes, wanting to capture the beautiful scene before her for a little longer, even if it was just for another second.

But the heaviness of her eyelids gradually became overpowering.

Soon, she staggered and fell into Sigurd’s arms.

“Sig, is this the person you were looking for?”

Kiana also crouched beside them, looking at the girl in Sigurd’s arms, who was in a pitiful state, unable to bear it any longer. She took a deep breath.

It looks so painful. What has she been through?

Kiana, full of sympathy—she couldn’t stand seeing little girls being harmed. They were all cute little angels to be loved, not harmed.

“Sig, let’s adopt her!”

Kiana suddenly exclaimed with sparkling eyes.

Sigurd glanced at her.

“Sure, you can be her mother.”

“And you can be her father!”

“No, I’ll be her grandfather.”

“Sig!!!”