’That was exactly what those two were arguing.’

The White Bear squad leader mentioned something about the Sultan becoming an Angel and changing the system, ruining millennia of work.

[We don’t even know if there are any other planets out there like us that can produce Runes—]

’There have to be a few at least.’

Despite how many his family had killed, the invaders kept coming from wherever.

That meant that there had to be another place where Runes were formed.

Or perhaps even created.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any new Magi.

Either way, the invaders could do without Devil’s Maw and its Runes.

They were simply too greedy for more, finding them quite a weak target to bully.

A fact that served to only anger Malik.

[But in any case, now, our strength has become directly connected to Corruption. It changed how we see power entirely. I’m sure you’ve already noticed and adapted to these changes.]

’I wish.’

Malik inwardly chuckled at the irony.

The one who’d brought on this supposed change had been stumbling through this world like a legless, armless, blind man, learning everything the hard way.

Something that he expected to continue for a while longer.

’Hm.’

Taking a metaphorical step back, he looked at Dunya for a few moments, and a thought popped into his head, making him wonder:

’Truly, why is this girl still mute?’

If they had the technology to extract and transform Corruption, the technology to mass teleport people, and the technology to hide from detection, much better than any anti-radar...

Simply incredible technology developed with Runes and Holy Relics...

An evolution entirely different from Earth yet just as impressive...

Then surely they had the means to fix this, no?

Yes, most of their advancements were war-related and very short in supply.

A direct result of the aggression cast upon them, war and instability not allowing them much room to advance technologically, like how his old home did.

But still, how did they not have the technology to heal what could not be normally healed?

Or, in this sense, reverse the damage and reengineer it, as the scar had already healed over?

Perhaps he was overthinking it, and this was simply a personal thing. Someone like Dunya likely wouldn’t want to remove what so reminded her of her apparent savior, Malik himself.

Though he didn’t like the torture she was putting herself through, he couldn’t help but say:

’...she’s an endearing one, isn’t she?’

At least internally.

Finally, reaching an end to his many thoughts, Malik nodded at her, keeping his Sultan demeanor intact.

Though by this point he accepted that Dunya would know about his... other form, it was not going to be a negative.

That would be counterproductive and would ensure it was seen as a negative.

Instead, he would act like it was a planned undercover operation, a way for him to understand what was going on on his planet directly, with no intermediary.

The burning heart farm could prove just that.

Malik had not been kidnapped and enslaved here, no.

He had come here by his own will to check the place out and decide what to do with it!

This destruction around them was what he decided! Not at all his attempt to escape!

"Tell me, how many of these heart farms are there?"

Dunya looked at him—her older brother, the Sultan, the Second Sun—for a long while.

Her purple eyes searched his face, and tears threatened to leave them once again, but she took a deep breath, calming herself, and nodded.

[Honestly... we’ve no real idea. Tens of thousands have come. Tens of thousands have been destroyed. They’re like ants; we can’t truly end them.]

Malik inwardly sighed a second time.

’So I was right. They truly populate the entire planet... hm.’

That was bad news enough already, but he was sure that even more would come the further he learned about this world.

For now, though, he needed to plan what he was going to do next.

Ding!

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Speaking of...

—

╔════════╗

║FEAR GAIN!║

╚════════╝

[Fear Points: 2.5 → 6]

—

His system had gained another boost.

More of his name being spread across Devil’s Maw had gained those Fear Points.

’That’s good... very good.’

He was sure that many of the points also came from him defeating the bastards who had tried to kill Dunya.

Finally, word of his return was confirmed and was spreading, causing fear to begin growing among his enemies.

And, naturally, since more people began to learn of his truth, the negative... effect that greatly decreased his Fear Point output would lessen as well.

He was sure that soon, his output would all but skyrocket.

"Hee!"

Malik glanced at Dunya, who was pointing at the ground again, a bigger smile on her tear-stained face.

[Big Brother... you’re smiling.]

He touched his face, feeling the curve of his lips.

"I... am?"

Dunya hugged him again, her small arms squeezing tight around his waist.

[Yes, yes you are!]

Malik grew confused.

’...was I that bad?’

He had not realized that his usual expression was so grim that a simple smile warranted this kind of reaction.

Malik seriously did not know what to think about that, though thankfully, he had had enough of overthinking.

[Let’s bring this news home! Many of them don’t even know that you’re back yet!]

But, for the nth time, Malik was not given the chance to respond or decide.

Instead, he was stuck having to make another choice, to weigh another set of options.

’I don’t know...’

He looked at Dunya’s hopeful face, at the burning settlement behind him, and at the endless gray desert stretching toward the horizon.

Home.

His family.

People who had been waiting for him for years, who had mourned him, who had fought and died in his name.

He did not know if he was ready to face them.

But he also did not know if he had a choice anymore.

Still, he asked himself:

’To go or not to go?’