I Am The Heroine's Father: The Cannon Fodder's Ascent-Chapter 48: Under the Moonlight

"Are you sure you don't wanna take me with you?" Kirin said through gritted teeth, her face looking like a ferocious beast.

She had been trying to move on from the recent emotional turmoil, but now Johan just wanted to leave without any explanation at all about what he was going to do with someone like Velmire.

Johan sighed, "I will explain it, I promise. But this is necessary if you want to save everyone. I can't bring you with me," he said calmly, in as clear a voice as he could muster.

He patted an eagle sitting on his shoulder. "Of course, through your bond with Melodis, you can see if I'm fine or not..." Johan said softly, his face glowing with a warm smile.

After venting to Olivia, everything felt peaceful. He didn't know what had gotten into him—why he started talking about everything to Olivia—but it felt... really good. He could easily get addicted to this.

Kirin quietly bit her lip, as if she couldn't find the right words.

Johan smiled again, but this time much more softly. "I know you're worried about me... and I'm sorry for being selfish again, even after all the big words..."

He knew she was just worried. He hadn't told her what happened to Velmire, after all. Telling her about Lucifer, and that someone like Velmire died, would just create more tension—which served no purpose.

Kirin moved her hand, grabbing Johan's hand as gently as she could. Her eyes looked like she could cry at any moment.

Feeling the warmth of Kirin's soft flesh, Johan's eyes grew complex with emotion. 'What happened to her... she was never like this. Even when "I" died, she just wanted revenge.' Johan coughed awkwardly, not understanding what to do.

She brought Johan's hand closer to her face, and placed it on her right cheek, rubbing her cheek softly.

An old memory flashed in Johan's mind. Whenever Kirin got slapped by her tutor or their parents, Johan always used to rub her cheeks—some days even for hours—just sitting under a cherry blossom tree in the peaceful garden of the main mansion.

Sometimes she lay in his lap, sometimes he lay in hers. But the one who always needed patting was Kirin. But—

Kirin moved her other hand, placing it on Johan's left cheek awkwardly. She said softly, "...It's okay, but I don't want to lose all my hope..." Her voice still sounded childish in her attempt to sound comforting. It was like a lion trying to meow.

Johan pulled back his hand and turned around rapidly. "I promise I will come back completely fine... not even a scratch."

He focused on his back. Black slime seeped out of it—slowly it took the form of dragon's wings, almost 9 feet tall, spreading in the air.

Kirin extended her hand awkwardly, her face flushed. 'Did Johan not like it?'

Johan pulled away from it as if it were disgusting. At all times, he at least said something sweet that could change the entire mood of the person.

But the promise was comforting enough.

Johan looked toward both Sebastian, standing quietly, and the dazed Kirin, then—

The wings spread wide. Then with a small leap toward the sky, Johan flew, disappearing into the night sky.

Melodis, with a weird smile toward Kirin, also followed—disappearing behind Johan.

Kirin's hand was left extended in the air, as if searching for something no one could find.

Sebastian patted her shoulder gently. "He felt the same way... he felt the same," he said softly, his voice sounding uncertain but hopeful.

"Of course, wait a second... it was just awkward, lemme breathe first!!" Johan frantically yelled, pushing his hands toward Melodis in a calm-down motion as Melodis gripped at Johan's throat with his sharp claws, trying to transform into his real form and burn the world to a crisp.

They were currently flying over the beautiful night sky at 100 km/hr, letting the cold air seep into their bones while aggressively wrestling with each other.

"Hmph, did you even see her face? She was... she was trying to act like a sister in the novel she was reading before all this bullshit of yours, 'King Grey's Adventures'—the sister in that book was her favourite..." Melodis finally stopped clawing, turning forward in the direction they were flying, his expression nostalgic.

Johan also closed in to him, his eyes curious as if wanting to know more. "Oh, I have that book in my library. Your stalking abilities are almost impressive... Why is that though? I don't mind spoilers," he asked in a low voice, definitely intrigued.

Melodis scoffed at the stalking allegations, then said in a calm voice, "Yeah, you should. It's a good book. It's newly published, so not that popular. Clara was the character's name Kirin was trying to be like... she is the main character, King Grey's little sister..."

Johan's face grew odd.

Melodis smiled, taking his face as Johan's curiosity growing. "Grey is just a commoner with the dream of becoming a king, but the only one who believes in him is his clingy sister Clara—whom Grey doesn't like because she was the reason their mother died. Eventually, she becomes his hope of living, and he becomes a hunter, taking the riskiest missions just to see her smile..."

Johan's pupils dilated, but he didn't say much, motioning Melodis to continue.

Melodis grinned at his expression, but his face also grew sorrowful. "But... the ending, it was weird... Grey dies in one of his fun adventures and Clara blames herself for his death... she also kills herself just to stop the pain. Ending it with—

'Without you, life has no meaning. No hope. No colour. Just emptiness. I wish I could join you.'

Melodis's eyes widened. Johan had a tear about to escape from his eyes, which he tried his hardest to suppress.

Melodis knew how tough Johan was, and half expected to mock the weak will of Clara...

Johan grew quieter. The rest of the journey was even more silent, which made Melodis more worried by the second.

A few moments passed.

Johan, adjusting his white coat and his black top hat, said in an emotionless tone, "Let's use Spirit Dive now..."

Melodis nodded expressionlessly, wasting no more time.

They stood 3,000 meters high in the sky, surrounded by a sea of glowing white clouds. Above them, the full moon was shining brighter than ever, spilling silver light over everything.

In front of them was a huge stretch of ocean, dark like ink under the night sky, but still stunning as it reflected the moon and the billions of stars scattered everywhere like tiny lights.

The view—moonlight, stars, and the dark sea—was absolutely beautiful, made even better by the cool, crisp air brushing against their faces.

Johan stood there, taking it all in with a wave of emotion, quietly waiting as Melodis slowly entered his body.

Johan's face changed, reverting back to his original appearance—bright white hair, ocean-blue eyes, a face even more handsome than his disguise due to the mature features, and a half-moon black tattoo marking the center of his forehead, standing out on the white skin.

He clutched the half moon on his forehead, his red lips curling up in a soft smile, as he saw a dim golden mass of energy in a man's form—

Velmire's eyes widened to the limit as his stare grew deeper toward Johan.