DING DING DING DING"Hahah... looks like the children- no, I mean "adults", are finally coming out of the maze. What a joyous occasion." Simon waved off the crowd with his right hand, brus.h.i.+ng a strong pulse of wind in the direction. Perhaps not wind, more like a dust storm mixed with gra.s.s and leaves. What would be considered a gentle shoo for Simon, could be considered a terrifying force of nature for others.
"Son... you are blowing the wind at all of the guests... please stop that!" Karlus let out a loud shout towards Simon, reminding he latter to be carefull.
"Hahah... father, I am just too excited! Jazukal has graduated from his childhood! Such things should be celebrated by the entire family!" Simon laughed heartily, walking towards the exit point of the maze as it suddenly appeared not too far ahead of him.
"You know, son, you should have told your family when you became an adult. We could have celebrated with everyone!" Karlus grinned warmly as he slouched his arm around Simon"s shoulders.
"There is nothing to celebrate though. The circ.u.mstances were special, and certainly not what I really wanted. But that is in the past, so let it be forgotten..."
Karlus briefly let out a small surge of killing intent before suppressing it.
"What did she do to you?" Karlus asked seriously.
Karlus was considered quite intelligent and capable of piecing together things that were implied but never spoken outright. With the strong and cunning mind, he was able to discern Simon"s message and figure out what his son meant. He of course did not feel as happy about Simon"s wife after realising this. Karlus had great pride in his family and especially Simon. Knowing that his son had been wronged, Karlus became quite angry.
"Please do not do anything rash, father. She is still the mother of your granddaughter, so we will have to let bygones be bygones. You do not want my daughter to hate the both of us, do you?"
"I understand, son."
Looking back, Simon briefly reminisced on his adulthood ceremony. In truth, he felt rather jealous that everyone else in his generation could hook up today and find love among their peers. While it did not bare much resemblance to any regular high school romance, he still longed for something regular. He is just too abnormal now.
"They should be out just about now-"
Suddenly, a devil still dressed in bathrobes ran out of the maze and leapt onto Simon with a terrifying haste.
OOF
Simon caught the devil with his left arm and instantly recognised who they were.
"Jazukal! Hahah... how was it? Who is my new sister in law?"
"Sim! It was so awesome! I never thought it could be so good! My wife is so lovely and cute, I am blessed!" Jazukal was in a state of bliss, blindly speaking of his experiences in the maze.
Hearing this, Simon"s eyes closed and his mouth curved to form a warm and gentle smile. At the very least, he knew that his brother had a wonderful time.
"Now who is my sister in law?" Simon asked again with pa.s.sion.
"Ummm... Sim... what about you?! Where is my sister in law?! Oh wait..."
"He is trying to find excuses. This stupid brother of mine is hiding things from me!" Simon became very annoyed as his body became much colder.
"Tell me." Simon plainly spoke with his arms crossed. An aura of resolve had surrounded him, showing his intent to press this matter until he got what he wanted.
"She is Rieza! We began seeing each other after you left. She has always been good to me and I love her very very much. She cooked me food, pampered me with lap pillows, and made me feel alive. She is always nice to me!" Suddenly Simon"s brother became an innocent puppy again. With such pure love, he could feel worry-free for a little while longer.
"How was it?" Simon asked with seemingly innocent intentions. However, beneath his smile laid genuine concern.
"Sim, my body has never felt better. We did the "important part" of the ceremony for 3 hours non-stop... even the floor somehow broke..." Jazukal started blus.h.i.+ng intensely as he tried to let out the embarra.s.sing words.
"Jazuuuu~!" Rieza came running from the maze, leaping on Jazukal the exact same way Jazukal did on Simon.
She licked her lips as she talked to him. "We are going to do "that" everyday from now onwards!"
Simon just had about enough of the lovey-dovey business and waved everyone off before walking off.
"Sim, where are you going?!"
"Where do you think I am going?"
Just as Simon said these words, a large crowd of devils had started to form. Many families were reuniting after the long ceremony and welcoming new members into their families. It was an absolutely joyful event for every single soul in the proximity of the maze. These crowds felt rather nauseating for Simon. He just wanted to talk to his family and go back to his daughter, but now the crowds had come and he began to leave towards a quieter place.
"By the way, are those gold horns for decoration?" Jazukal asked as he pointed at Simon"s beautiful golden horns.
"Who knows? You know I am one for style. My fas.h.i.+on is always the most groundbreaking of them all, so why can"t my horns be a fas.h.i.+on statement too? Hahah...unless they are not. But that would mean I am a being that cannot be comprehended, now that would be scary." Simon waved Jazukal off before walking back towards the palace entrance.
"My little daughter must be so lonely without her papa. I must go back and give her all of my attention."
Simon"s shadow was just about to enter the Palace interior before he heard a sound that seemed all to familiar.
BOOM
A loud and thundering crash. Coupled with an aura of absolute tyranny, this seemed like a challenge.
All of that time in h.e.l.l had allowed Simon to distinguish malicious intent from just sounds. This was no different from killing intent.
CRACKLE
He could hear the challenge. He could feel the blood. He could feel it pumping in his veins. He could feel little excitement, he only felt like it was time.
A crooked smile erupted from his countenance.
"Time for fun."