Chapter 89: A Morning in Kieve

When morning finally arrived, Rin woke up in the unfamiliar bed of the Golden Lily Inn.

For a few moments, he simply stared at the ceiling.

The sunlight filtering through the curtains was warm and gentle, completely different from the gloomy atmosphere of the Demon Realm. It should have been a peaceful morning.

But the moment Rin moved—

"Ow..."

His entire body ached. Rin slowly sat up, his expression becoming increasingly confused.

Why did everything hurt so much?

And then—

A memory from the previous night suddenly flashed through his mind.

"Husband... hurry... come on, let’s..."

Rin’s face instantly turned bright red.

"AHHHHHHH!"

He buried his face in the pillow.

"No, no, no! Not again! Why?!"

He desperately squeezed the pillow against his face as if doing so could somehow erase his memories.

It didn’t work. If anything, the embarrassment only became worse.

Just then, the door opened. Rin immediately raised his head.

Kaelith entered the room carrying a small breakfast table. He stopped when he saw Rin’s bright-red face.

"I was thinking you might be hungry when you woke up, so I brought you something to eat." Kaelith said somewhat shyly.

Rin stared at him. He wanted to say something. Anything.

But his brain was still trying to recover from the memories that had just resurfaced.

Kaelith placed the breakfast on the table. Then, after a brief hesitation, he asked,

"Your body... is it all right?"

Rin’s face became even redder.

"Ah..."

He looked away.

"Yes... I’m fine."

The room fell completely silent. For several seconds, neither of them said anything.

Kaelith looked at Rin. Rin looked anywhere except Kaelith.

The silence was almost unbearable. Then another voice suddenly broke through it.

"You know, if the two of you are planning to stare at each other all morning, you could have done that back at the castle. We didn’t need to travel all the way here."

Rin froze. Kaelith’s expression immediately darkened.

"Sol..."

Sol sounded extremely amused.

"Don’t you think you’re making a habit of entering our room?"

Kaelith’s voice was irritated.

"Oh, please, I came to see Rin. You see, I consider him my older brother." Sol replied arrogantly.

There was a short pause.

"So why wouldn’t I visit him, brother-in-law?"

"Annoying," Kaelith muttered through his teeth.

Sol laughed.

"Anyway, Rin, eat something. Then let’s go explore the city. We might find something interesting today."

Rin nodded.

"Um... all right. Give me thirty minutes and I’ll come downstairs."

"Okay. I’ll wait in front of the inn. I’ll ring the little bell at the entrance so you’ll know I’m there."

"All right."

Sol disappeared from the room. Rin stared at the door for a moment.

Then he looked toward Kaelith. Neither of them said anything. Finally, Rin sighed.

"This trip is going to be exhausting..."

-----------

Twenty minutes later, Rin came downstairs with Kaelith.

The moment they stepped into the main hall of the inn, Rin noticed something strange.

People were looking at him. Everywhere. Some whispered among themselves.

Others smiled. A few even exchanged knowing looks. Rin became increasingly uncomfortable.

Why is everyone staring at me?

The innkeeper was standing behind the reception desk. As soon as she saw them, she greeted them cheerfully.

"Oh, young masters! It seems you had quite an interesting night, hohoho! Almost everyone in the inn could hear you!"

"WHAT?"

Rin nearly fell down the last few steps. Fortunately, Kaelith immediately caught him by the waist.

Rin froze. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him again.His face became bright red. Kaelith, naturally, looked completely calm.

"Wife, are you still tired after last night?" he said teasingly.

"You..."

Rin’s face turned even redder.

"YOU!"

Kaelith tilted his head innocently.

"Hm? Do you want to go back upstairs?"

Rin immediately tried to escape his grasp.

"Husband, let me go," Rin whispered through clenched teeth.

Unfortunately, the people around them had already started talking.

"They look so good together."

"Young love really is wonderful."

"They must be newlyweds."

Rin wanted nothing more than to disappear.

Please. Someone save me. I want to become invisible.

Just then—

Click.

The little bell at the entrance rang. A powerful gust of wind swept through the doorway.

Kaelith wasn’t prepared for it. The sudden wind pushed him two steps backward, causing his grip around Rin’s waist to loosen.

Rin immediately slipped free. Kaelith’s expression darkened.

"That damn bell..."

Rin silently gave Sol the biggest mental LIKE imaginable.

Thank you. You saved my life.

Rin quickly turned toward the innkeeper, pretending absolutely nothing had happened.

"Excuse me, ma’am. Could you tell us what there is to visit in the city?"

The innkeeper smiled.

"It depends on what you’d like to see. But I can recommend the circus and the theater. They are two of the most popular attractions in Kieve."

"The circus or the theater?"

Rin’s eyes immediately brightened.

"I see. Thank you very much."

Without showing even the slightest mercy toward Kaelith, Rin walked straight toward the entrance.

Kaelith remained behind for a moment, his pride clearly wounded. Rin reached the doorway and quietly called out,

"Sol? Are you here?"

Click.

The little spring bell rang again. Sol was there. Rin looked toward the entrance.

"I was thinking we could go see the circus today. What do you think?"

Before Sol could answer, Kaelith approached from behind.

"The circus?"

His voice was suddenly much softer.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, wife."

He leaned slightly toward Rin’s ear. Rin immediately stiffened. There was something suspiciously pleased about Kaelith’s expression.

"Let’s go, then."

Rin sighed.

"All right."

None of them knew it yet, but that simple decision would have consequences far beyond what they could imagine.

He had finally reached a human city. For the first time in all his lives, he was outside the Demon Realm.

And there was an entire world waiting for him. Rin looked toward the bustling streets of Kieve, his eyes shining with curiosity.

There were shops everywhere. People from different races walked through the streets.

Merchants called out to passing customers. Children ran between adults.

Music drifted through the air. Everything was new. Everything was fascinating.

Rin couldn’t help smiling.

"This place..."

He looked around.

"It really is different."

Kaelith watched him silently. That expression. That excitement. That curiosity. It was the same Rin he remembered.

The same person who had always wanted to explore every mystery and uncover every secret.

No matter how many times Rin had disappeared. No matter how many times Kaelith had lost him.

That part of him had never changed. Kaelith’s expression softened.

"Then let’s explore it together."

Rin glanced at him. For once, he didn’t argue.

"All right."

Sol’s voice came from beside them.

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Rin took a deep breath. The adventure had officially begun. As far as he was concerned, the plan was simple.

Visit the circus. Enjoy the city. Maybe see the theater afterward and, most importantly, discover more about this strange world he had somehow been dragged into.

It sounded harmless. At least, that was what Rin believed.

"This place is amazing..."

Kaelith immediately noticed the expression on Rin’s face. His red eyes softened.

"You like it?"

Rin nodded.

"Very much."

Kaelith smiled.

"Then we can stay as long as you want."

Rin looked at him suspiciously.

"Don’t misunderstand. I said I like the city. I didn’t say I want to stay here forever."

"Still, you like it."

"Yes."

"Then I am satisfied."

Rin sighed.

Why does he look so happy over something so small?

Before Rin could say anything else, Sol’s voice came from beside him.

"Are you two going to start another romantic conversation in the middle of the street?"

Rin immediately turned toward the invisible God.

"Sol!"

"What?"

"Stop appearing out of nowhere!"

"I am literally always here."

"That’s exactly the problem!"

Kaelith clicked his tongue.

"Ignore him, wife."

"Don’t call me that in public!"

Several people nearby immediately looked toward them.

Rin froze. Then he slowly lowered his head.

I want to disappear.

Kaelith, however, looked completely pleased with himself.

Sol laughed.

"You really enjoy embarrassing him, don’t you?"

"Perhaps."

"You’re terrible."

"I know."

Rin rubbed his forehead.

"Let’s just go to the circus."

The further they walked, the louder the city became. Eventually, Rin noticed something enormous in the distance.

A gigantic red-and-gold tent stood near the center of the city. It was surrounded by banners and colorful flags, while a massive sign hung above the entrance.

THE GRAND KIEVE CIRCUS

Rin’s eyes practically sparkled.

"That’s it!"

He immediately began walking faster. Kaelith followed without hesitation. Sol floated after them.

When they reached the entrance, Rin stopped. There were dozens of people waiting in line.

Children were holding balloons, merchants were selling sweets, and performers dressed in extravagant costumes walked around the entrance.

One performer suddenly jumped onto a small platform and began juggling flaming torches.

Rin’s mouth fell open.

"Are those real?"

"Obviously," Sol replied.

"How are they not getting burned?"

"Magic."

Rin’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Magic?"

Kaelith looked at him.

"Don’t get too excited. Humans have limited magical abilities."

"Still! It’s magic!"

Rin suddenly remembered something.

"Wait."

He turned toward Kaelith.

"Didn’t you say there are Holy Knights?"

Kaelith’s expression immediately became cold.

"Yes."

"And we’re in a human city."

"Yes."

"And we’re from demon kingdom."

"Yes."

Rin became silent. Sol chuckled.

"Congratulations. You finally realized the obvious."

Rin stared at the enormous circus entrance.

"So...if they discover who you are..."

Kaelith smiled.

"They won’t."

"That’s not reassuring!"

"I have concealed my aura."

Rin blinked.

"You can do that?"

"Of course."

Sol added casually,

"I can hide mine too."

Rin stared into the empty space beside him.

"You’re literally invisible."

"Exactly. Very convenient."

Rin sighed. For some reason, being accompanied by the Demon King and an invisible God felt like the strangest travel party imaginable.

Still... He couldn’t deny that he was excited. He was standing inside a human city and now he was about to enter a circus in a world filled with magic. Maybe this journey wouldn’t be so bad after all.

"Let’s go."

Kaelith looked at him.

"Stay close to me."

"I know."

"I mean it."

"I said I know."

Kaelith nodded, satisfied. Sol sighed.

"You two are exhausting."

After buying the tickets, the three entered the circus. The inside was even more impressive.

Rows of seats surrounded a massive circular stage. Hundreds of people filled the arena, and music echoed throughout the tent. Rin looked around in amazement.

"Wow..."

He couldn’t remember the last time he had been this excited. Kaelith quietly watched him. His hand slowly tightened.

Not this time. I will not lose you, no more...

This time, he would follow Rin wherever he went. No matter what happened. No matter what secrets were uncovered. He would never allow Rin to disappear again.

"Kaelith?"

The demon king snapped back to reality. Rin was staring at him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing."

"You looked serious."

"I was thinking."

"About what?"

Kaelith smiled.

"You."

Rin immediately looked away.

"Don’t say things like that so casually."

Sol’s voice came from behind them.

"He’s hopeless."

Kaelith ignored him. The lights suddenly dimmed. The crowd became silent.

A loud trumpet sounded.

Then—

BOOM!

Fireworks exploded above the stage. Rin jumped.

"What the—?!"

The audience erupted into cheers. A performer flew through the air. Another appeared from beneath the stage.

Magicians created enormous illusions while acrobats moved through the air. Rin watched everything with complete fascination.

"This is incredible!"

Kaelith smiled. Seeing Rin happy was enough. For the moment, nothing else mattered.

But somewhere beneath the cheerful music and laughter... Something was already beginning to move.

Something Rin couldn’t see. Something Kaelith couldn’t yet sense.

Kieve was not simply a city of love. It was a city built upon ancient secrets.

And by choosing the circus as their first destination... Rin had unknowingly stepped onto the first path toward uncovering one of them.

A secret that would eventually shake the entire city. A secret that would bring humans, demons, and gods together.

And before this day ended... Almost half of Kieve would be reduced to ruins.

But Rin knew none of that yet. For now, he simply sat in his seat, eyes shining beneath the colorful lights.

"Best decision ever," he whispered.

Sol laughed. Kaelith smiled.

And somewhere far away, fate quietly turned another page.