The first day of the peace conference ended as evening fell. Gemini’s optimistic hopes of concluding the negotiations in one day were, as it turned out, too unrealistic. The two sides had gotten hung up on something called fluctite, whatever that was.

It was of no interest to Gemini, but the fact that Xie Baole was the only one that fixated on fluctite compensations was rather interesting. Why didn’t the representatives of the other nations do the same?

Making a mental note to ask the others about fluctite, Gemini continued to keep his guard up as Pai-Relix and company departed from the jetty-rigged conference site. The Demigods of the Five Lands plus Pinnacle Kolya, however, were still sitting in their current positions, as still as statues.

Gemini’s awareness returned to his body, but before he could do anything else, the Demigods had landed all around him.

“Lord. We have returned.” Pai-Relix fell to one knee, and the others followed suit. “We thank you for your compassion.”

The Demon Sovereign didn’t know what they meant by ‘compassion’, so he didn’t bother to pursue that bit. Knowing those fellows, they were probably mistaken or over-exaggerating about something anyway.

“Please rise, everyone.” Gemini looked at the five Demigods. “Good job, people. We’re close. Very close. Peace is almost upon us.”

“Lord, I must raise a point,” said Pur-Sandai.

“A point?” Gemini nodded. “Go ahead. Speak your mind.”

“Once the state of war between the Wildlands and the Five Lands end, the latter will descend into an internal war,” said Pur-Sandai. “It is possible that the flames of war will extend a spark or two in our direction if this keeps up. We may be dragged into a new kind of war.”

“Not if we are to secure our borders first,” Gemini replied, his words flowing like water. “And I am here. While I stand, nothing will happen to the Wildlands. If I’m not around, the black dome will do the same as well. None will be this foolish to antagonise the entire Wildlands.”

The Demigods fell to their knees once more.

Their spirited actions were somewhat embarrassing for Gemini to take in, but this was part and parcel of the job. Besides, they did at least listen to his orders to be less formal when they were in a private setting, which was good news for his heart and soul.

“Anything else?” Gemini asked.

“That…Paragon. That Pinnacle Kolya.” Pur-Sandai glanced at Gemini. “He was able to detect your presence somehow.”

“Problematic, in a sense.” Gemini chewed on his lower lip. “With any luck, we’ll be able to end this war by tomorrow, which means that there shouldn’t be a problem.”

He paused for a moment, and then closed his eyes. “I have something more important to announce. My request to be as accommodating as possible to the Five Lands, is incorrigible and unreasonable. In a sense, it is an unwarranted compromise I’m making to the Five Lands.”

“Lord?”

He opened his eyes, and shook his head gently. “However, all these are necessary evils, if we are to survive this as an entity. Therefore, all present are to witness my relinquishing of power. From tonight onwards, I am but the Demon Sovereign in name.”

“But you said it yourself,” Pai-Relix got up. “It’s a necessary evil. And the compensation the other side asked for was well within our tolerance. I don’t see why you need to do this, Lord.”

“It’s the principle of the thing. The defeated general must resign. Otherwise, we’ll just leave sparks for a new, internal conflict.” Gemini looked in the direction of the Five Lands. “They may not show at first, but once everyone’s fed and happy, little nasty thoughts start popping up.”

He smirked. “Besides, I’ve only ever made my presence known to the Wildlands Council. The general masses don’t even know about my return. All they see are Demigods and Exemplars running themselves ragged to stave off a war.”

Pur-Sandai got up. “This is unfair to you.”

“I never said I wanted people to treat me fairly,” Gemini replied. “And besides, I would really prefer just staying with Lila and raise my child in peace. Might have a few more too, while I’m at it.”

He paused. “Don’t tell anyone else that, though.”

“But…”

Gemini waved his hand, and willed the others that were still kneeling to get up. “People. If you want to repay me from what I’ve done, then help me unify the Wildlands. Run the new nation well. If you do that, I won’t need to show my face or intervene in anything. I’ll be able to enjoy my retirement.”

As someone who wasn’t even forty years old, talking about retirement felt like a luxury, but Gemini figured that he did at least deserve such a reward.

“Gemini.” Pai-Relix looked at him evenly, and the Demon Sovereign couldn’t help but note the shift in address. “Your wish…I will see it through. The Wildlands will be unified.”

“Peacefully,” Gemini added. “Make sure that you do it peacefully. And leave behind no sources of division.”

“You are a harsh master,” Pur-Sandai murmured quietly. His tiny body, which was usually adorable to look at, was radiating a solemn air. “I will see your will through, however.”

Los-Ajax bowed. “Your will be done.”

Bal-Nan and Za-Tia looked at each other, small smiles on their face. The former, who always had a dagger featured prominently somewhere, placed his hand on his chest silently. The latter inclined her head in silence, her long hair rippling in the breeze.

Gemini looked up and sighed.

At some point in time, the other Demigods, the Demigods that had been hovering at the perimeter of the Wildlands, had gathered around Gemini and the others in a scattered formation. Their eyes were lowered too, the light in them clouded by a dozen contemplations, but Gemini could feel the same sorrow contained in them.

The sincerity in those words was enough for him.

Smiling gently, Gemini reached deep into his body. There, surrounded by both the Human God and the Demon God’s divinity, were tens of small crystals. These crystals were the wills of the demon Demigods, which had been surrendered to the Demon God when they became his familiar spirits. Gemini had never seen the need to use them, and now, with everything close to an end, he didn’t need to hold on to them either.

With a single thought, those crystals reappeared outside his body. With another thought, these crystals arced away from him, turning into streaks of light that burrowed into their progenitors.

“Demigods of the Wildlands, it has been a pleasure working with you!”

Twirling on the spot, Gemini fled the scene and returned home, where a warm family and a pizza was waiting for him. His duties had been discharged. Peace was at hand, and with it, the end of his duties.

“You have got to be kidding me.” Gemini poked his head out of the cottage door, where a bunch of Demigods were kneeling at. The morning sun illuminated the various hairstyles favoured by the Wildlands, each of them as wild as the next.

Eyeing the quiet bunch, Gemini said, “Did I not make a stylish exit last night? Why do you guys feel the need to convene here? I’ve relinquished any claim of power over the Wildlands. This is an age of mortals, not gods. Go make your own decisions already!”

“Auh!” Aria, who was sitting snugly in his hands, nodded vigorously.

Gemini glanced at his daughter and wondered if she was actually a genius, before turning his eyes back to the assembled Demigods. “Come on. I’ve already—”

“Come now, Demon Sovereign,” said a familiar, magnetic voice. Gemini turned to his right, where Hereward was standing at. “Children always want praise.”

“Auh!”

“Your blood-related kin too, but that’s not really what I meant.” Hereward walked over cautiously. “Does she bite?”

“Do you even feel pain?” Gemini retorted. “And yes, she’s teething. Biting is very par for the course right now, and — wait, why am I talking about this?”

Letting out a groan, Gemini turned back to the waiting Demigods. “Please get up. I’m not your lord any more. We’re all just equals. Got it?”

The only thing that could be heard was Aria’s little gurgles.

“Maybe you should phrase it in a different way,” Hereward suggested.

“A different way?” Gemini cupped his chin, and then nodded. “Everyone here knows of my history, no? I’ve died twice. Fought battles for years on end. Lost a lot of friends. Can everyone here just let me rest? I’m tired and fatigued. What I want most now is to find a place to while away the remainder of my life.”

Admittedly, Gemini had a feeling that his lifespan was just slightly longer than that of stars. It was a depressing thought, but there was probably something he could do to increase Lila’s lifespan.

Like a familiar spirit, maybe.

“Alright, you lot. Go back to the borders. The second day of the peace conference is about to begin. Make sure that you guys can intervene at a moment’s notice.” Gemini stifled a yawn and ambled back into his cottage, dismissing them with a wave.

Fortunately, they did obey that last bit, but Gemini had a feeling that he should pack up his home and relocate elsewhere. From what he could see, the Demigods were more than competent; even without him, they would carry out the unification and modernisation of the Wildlands easily.

After all, as people who stood at the peak of individual power, they didn’t really have petty, individual concerns. Gemini knew that the Demigods that were scurrying away right now had witnessed for themselves the might of the North’s Locomotives.

“Take a seat, Hereward.” Gemini conjured a chair out of thin air.

“True creation. As expected. You’re very close to the level of a Boundless One,” said Hereward.

“You came here to talk about that, didn’t you?” Gemini asked. “The Demon God was fixated on the concept of a Boundless One, but you just affirmed it so casually that I’m not sure what to think about it.”

“Considering that my previous incarnation was Orb’s God of Creation, it is rather casual to me. In the end, however…” Hereward shook his head. “What’s done is done. I still met my end, as did my world. Thankfully, my children are preserved…for now, that is.”

“For now?” Gemini tilted his head. “What do you mean by that?”

“The same as always. Everyone’s destiny becomes unviewable after this conference.” Hereward looked down. “After today, actually. Destiny has diverged, and I know not why.”

“Are you alright?” Gemini asked, worried. He had never seen the Sentinel of Space this solemn before. “Do you need my help?”

“The first thing you do is to enquire after my well-being and ask if you can help.” Hereward chuckled. “Thank you. But there is nothing much the two of us can do, other than reacting to whatever comes next.”

Lila came into the room at this moment. “Oh, Hereward. What brings you here?”

The Sentinel of Space blinked twice, an odd expression on his face, before clearing his throat. “Right, I forgot about that. First, Boundless One. It’s something that you might be able to achieve, if you have the right inspiration and impetus. So don’t worry about it all that much.”

“Is that all?” Gemini asked. “That simple?”

“I walked the path without any guidance,” Hereward replied. “To be guided is to be bounded. Only those who forge their own path can carry on. You’ll understand one day.”

Gemini mused over his words for a moment, and then decided not to think too hard about it. In the first place, there was no pressing reason for him to improve his strength; right now, he stood at the very peak of individual power. Few could threaten him, and none had reason to.

“Thank you for your advice,” Gemini replied.

“You’re welcome.” Hereward paused. “Right, did you guys have pizza last night?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I’m hungry.” Hereward straightened his body and tried to look prim and proper. “Please show your respect to the Sentinel of Space by presenting appropriate offerings.”

“Fine, whatever.” Gemini rolled his eyes. “Lila, do we have any more pizza? Can we heat some up for our really hungry guest?”

“Not in the morning,” Lila replied. “You’ll set a bad example of Aria.”

Hereward clicked his teeth. “In that case, let’s just watch the proceedings of the negotiations. As the Sentinel of Space, I can do this…and this.”

A translucent, azure screen appeared in mid-air, one that was currently showing the venue of the peace conference. Before Gemini could express his surprise, wind howled a moment later, and Aria began to cry.

“Lower the volume,” Gemini snapped out, before turning to Aria. “Don’t be scared, okay? I’m here!”

Rocking the bawling Aria back and forth, he glared at Hereward, who looked away sheepishly.

“Sorry.”

“Fine, whatever.” Patting Aria gently, he rocked her back and forth slowly, and she began to calm down. Lila, who was also staring daggers at Hereward, eventually turned her burning gaze away from him and settled down beside Gemini.

“This screen looks very familiar,” Gemini noted.

“Would be odd if it didn’t. It’s the same aesthetic as that of the Champion Support System, as well as the general Status system used by all otherworlders.” Hereward shrugged. “Looks like they’re beginning, at any rate.”

“Unfortunately, we don’t really have things to snack on,” said Gemini. “Lila…”

“Like I said, it’s breakfast now.” Lila pulled Gemini’s ear gently. “No setting bad examples, okay?”

“Okay…”