Kevin's Birthday

After killing the Herrscher of Flame, Huang Hao chose to remain in the blank space for several more days so that the future would not suffer too many disruptions.

After staying there for a long time without anything unusual happening, Huang Hao finished watching all the anime he had prepared.

With a blank look in his eyes, Huang Hao said, "Come to think of it, if I change the future, should I be happy that I changed it, or worry about the unknowable future?"

Angela stood beside him without answering.

Huang Hao said, "I'm afraid of changing the future, but I'm also afraid of failing to change the ending. What do you think? Was it a good or bad thing that the Imaginary Tree gave me this chance?"

Angela still did not answer.

Huang Hao said, "An'er, say something. I'm so bored when you're like this."

Angela said, "Whenever you're bored, Father, you always start spouting grand principles. You sound like a seventy- or eighty-year-old man. The number of things you've said and the anime you've watched over the past few days are about equal."

Huang Hao said, "Hehe, isn't it because I'm bored? Besides, didn't I buy you several new outfits?"

Angela said, "Yes, several sets of pure-white clothes. You really do treat me like an angel."

Huang Hao laughed awkwardly, then looked at his own outfit. It seemed he had not taken it off for several months.

Wait, apart from Qian Jie and Angela, no one had ever seen my real face.

Just as Huang Hao was admiring his clothes, he suddenly sensed a fluctuation in his energy.

Huang Hao hurriedly asked Angela, "Angela, quick. Whose body did I use this energy against?"

Angela immediately replied, "Uncle Qian Jie."

Huang Hao said, "Qian Jie? Then it's fine."

Huang Hao lay back down. "Brother Qian Jie, it's not that I don't want to save you. I'm doing this so the future can turn out better."

"By the way, after Qian Jie was captured, Kevin's birthday should be coming up soon, right, An'er?"

Angela shuddered. "F-Father?"

Huang Hao patted Angela on the shoulder and gave her a wicked grin. "Apart from Qian Jie and you, no one knows my true appearance. An'er, go over there and help me build some connections."

Angela said aggrievedly, "...Isn't that a bad idea? I'm not good at communicating with other people either."

"It's fine, it's fine. You already have a religion down there, so they must have a good impression of you. Come here, come here. I'll tell you about everyone's habits..."

Afterward, Angela left with a dark expression, carrying the things Huang Hao had prepared.

Over there, Kevin was extremely happy when he saw his birthday party.

Kevin said, "Thank you, thank you, everyone."

Elysia said, "Hehe, how is it? The birthday party we prepared for you is great, right?"

Mei said, "Of course, Kevin. After everything we've been through, it's good to relax a little."

Cosmo and Dystopia stood together, celebrating Kevin's birthday as well.

"All right. We've been preparing for so long. It's time to bring the cake out for our guest of honor."

Kevin stood before the table and looked at the cake below. "Then I won't hold back. Come on, everyone, let's try..."

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, interrupting the cheerful occasion.

Kevin said, "Did you invite someone else?"

The others looked at one another in confusion, indicating that they knew nothing.

Hua said, "Then who could it be?"

Everyone immediately became alert.

In the end, Aponia opened the door.

"Hello." Standing at the entrance was Angela.

Elysia said, "What an adorable little girl! Sweetie, what brings you here? Do you know anyone here?"

Angela shook her head and said, "I don't know anyone here. I only came to celebrate Kevin's birthday."

Kevin felt everyone's gazes turn toward him. He wiped away nonexistent cold sweat and waved his hands at them, trying to clear up the misunderstanding.

Kevin hurriedly asked, "May I ask who you are? Do I know you?"

Angela replied, "No, but my father knows all of you."

Kevin said, "Who is your father?"

Angela said, "Huang Hao—the one who rescued people near the Herrscher of Death and sent you flying near the Herrscher of Flame."

Elysia laughed when she heard "sent you flying" and immediately picked up the recorder to document it.

Kevin looked at Elysia unhappily. He was just about to say something to her when Mei immediately asked Angela, "How did your father manage to send Kevin flying?"

Mei knew that Kevin had already become a Fusion Warrior during the incident with the Herrscher of Flame. In theory, no one should have been able to send him flying in one move.

Angela refused to answer. "Father only sent me because he didn't want everyone to know."

"At the same time, he wanted me to have fun."

Aponia stepped forward and spoke for Angela. "Let it go. She's only a child. Since her father knows Kevin, let her join us."

Everyone nodded when they heard that, except Mobius, who stared fixedly at Angela.

Angela celebrated Kevin's birthday with everyone.

After the climax of the birthday celebration passed, everyone sat down and began chatting, though most of them still gathered around Angela.

Elysia said, "Angela, does your father always wear a black cloak?"

Angela said, "He wore another outfit when he went to Eden's concert, but it was still a black cloak."

Mei said, "Where did your father get his powers?"

Angela said, "He copied them from you."

Mei said, "?"

Kevin said, "Why did your father send you here?"

Angela said, "First, to establish a good relationship with all of you. Second, so I could have fun."

Kevin said, "...You're really direct, aren't you?"

Angela had been bombarded with questions until her head hurt, so she shouted, "Please, quiet down! I have something to say too."

When everyone heard Angela shout, they stopped asking questions and listened quietly.

Angela said, "Could I trouble everyone to take a photo? My father needs one."

After hearing that, everyone began preparing, wanting to capture their best side.

After taking their photos one by one, Elysia leaned over to look at them.

Elysia said, "Well? I look the best, don't I?"

Angela did not answer.

Kevin said, "Why does your father need our photos?"

Angela said, "So that after you die, you'll have a proper front-facing photo to put on your graves."

Everyone said, "..."

Hua said, "Is she always this honest?"

Cosmo said, "Yeah. And he stood farthest away from me while holding the camera. I was worried he'd make me look shorter."

Angela whispered, "That's because Father said you liked people under twelve..."

Cosmo immediately felt everyone's eyes on him, while Dystopia also looked at him strangely.

"He's slandering me! He is!"

The birthday party froze in place. Angela was the one who finally broke the awkward silence. "Oh, right. Father prepared gifts for everyone."

She then gave each person a necklace. A black flame burned inside every pendant.

Angela said, "These are protective charms Father made for everyone. If you happen to die, they can cremate you on the spot."

Kevin said, "Child, did your father tell you to say that?"

Angela said, "No. Those were Father's exact words. He only told me to phrase it more tactfully, but I don't know how to be tactful."

Everyone had been quite happy when Angela gave them their gifts and had just been preparing to put them on. After hearing that last sentence, however, they silently put the necklaces away.

Angela spoke with a sob in her voice. "Everyone, please put them on. Father said it was just a gift, but I made them myself too."

Seeing that Angela was about to cry, everyone put the necklaces on. Only then did Angela cheer up.

Kevin said, "By the way, how did you know we were here?"

Angela said, "After Father struck you, he marked you. I could follow your aura here."

Kevin's expression turned serious, but he still asked Angela, "Thank you. Does your father know you told us?"

Angela shook her head. "He only told me to build a good relationship with you."

Kevin patted Angela on the head. "What a good girl. Wait here. I'll go take care of something."

Kevin then went out to get a full-body examination.

With the guest of honor gone, night had fallen, and everyone had to leave as well.

Angela tugged at Aponia and handed her a letter. "Uncle Qian Jie once did Father a huge favor. Could you please deliver this letter to him too?"

Aponia said, "Oh? How did your father know? I remember there was no one nearby when I found him."

Angela said, "Father won't let me talk about that."

Seeing Angela refuse, Aponia did not press her. She silently left.

After everyone had gone, Angela was just about to leave when someone who had been standing in the corner grabbed her. It was Mobius.

Mobius said, "Little girl, could you tell me your father's secrets? I'll give you some nice things in return."

Angela immediately broke free and retreated several steps. "Sorry, I can't. Father said you're a dangerous person and told me not to get close to you."

Mobius pretended to be hurt. "Oh my, I helped your father so much. Is that any way to thank me?"

Angela shook her head.

Mobius looked at Angela. "You possess the same mysterious power as he does. Hand it over to us, and I'll guarantee to your father that telling me will make this world a better place."

At that moment, a voice came from behind Mobius. "There's no need. I still trust myself."

Huang Hao arrived using Amaterasu and issued a warning to Mobius.

Mobius looked at Huang Hao and said with a smile, "What an incredible power. To think you can appear without making a sound. I'm becoming more and more curious about the two of you. And you seem to know a great deal about us. Can you actually predict the future?"

Huang Hao held Angela as he teleported away. "Your guess is correct, but that's all there is to it."

With that, Huang Hao disappeared.

Mobius quietly watched the tiny flame that remained, falling silent for a long while as no one knew what she was thinking.