Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

Kaleidoscope is the second-stage skill of the Transformation Angel, Haniel. It allows Haniel itself to transform into other Spirits' Angels—though its performance is inferior to the original.

But that was enough. What Shichen needed wasn't perfection; it was the function.

"Even if it's a counterfeit, it can still unlock the heart you've sealed shut."

Shichen leveled the staff in his hand at Hoshimiya Mukuro.

Two identical Angels faced each other from afar.

"So that is thy aim… Yet dost thou truly dare?" Mukuro said, shifting her staff to point past Shichen—toward the blue-and-white planet behind him.

"Hm?" Shichen looked at her, confused.

"It seems thou understandest not its power… I seek only peace—only to maintain the status quo. If thou disturbest me further, then by Michael's power I shall halt the motion of this world," Mukuro threatened, her tone perfectly calm.

"…!" Shichen's mouth twitched.

He really had forgotten: with Michael's authority, she could do something like that.

This Angel was pure "system cheese"—unreasonable, rule-breaking nonsense.

It was even more outrageous than Kurumi's Zafkiel.

Anything involving time was already busted, and Michael felt less like "time" and more like "wish fulfillment that ignores the rules."

For a moment, Shichen even wondered if Mukuro's power was inherited from his.

She certainly carried an aura he recognized.

Then again… it didn't have to be only inheritance. It could also be her own nature layered on top.

With her ability, reaching that level wasn't impossible.

Still, even if it was broken, it wasn't something he couldn't deal with—and it wouldn't even be hard.

"With me here, you can't," Shichen replied.

"Then—"

Mukuro didn't hesitate. She moved to activate her Angel: in front of the "key" end of her staff, a violet-black void opened, and she was about to insert the staff into it.

"Close."

Shichen's voice cut in.

At some point, a void had also opened before Shichen's staff—and he had already inserted it like a key, twisting it.

In an absurd reversal, the black void in front of Mukuro's staff vanished on the spot.

"…What?" Mukuro froze, then snapped back.

"Thou canst do that?"

"What's so surprising? I'm your dad. Handling you is obviously easy," Shichen said with a grin.

"...Still with that. Why must thou insist on being my father?"

"Because it's true. Your power was inherited from me."

"…Is that so… Even if thy words were truth, I shall resist to the end. Cease troubling my peace."

"Sorry, but as my daughter, you should listen to your dad."

Shichen raised a hand. Space itself clamped down around Mukuro—pinning her in place. Her arms dropped at her sides; she couldn't move, as if bound.

"This is… open."

Crack!

A sound like glass shattering rang out, and the space binding Mukuro broke apart.

Even if she couldn't swing Michael, the Angel's power ignored distance and physical constraints—whatever it was aimed at, it could "unlock."

Meaning: as long as her wrist could turn, she could break anything.

But it didn't matter.

She was too slow. The wind-up was obvious—full of openings.

"As expected of my daughter—impressive," Shichen praised, smiling.

"Wha—?!" Mukuro's heart jumped.

She stared in disbelief at Shichen, now face-to-face with her—so close there wasn't even a fist's width between them.

"When…?"

"Dad wants to cuddle with his daughter. Any problem?" Shichen asked cheerfully.

"..."

"Well, you're being polite. Still—let's bring you home and straighten you out."

"If thou canst." Mukuro raised her staff and pointed it at him.

Shichen simply grabbed it. "Steal."

Something impossible happened.

Michael in Mukuro's hand dissolved into light and flowed straight into Shichen's body.

"…How?" Mukuro stared at her now-empty hand, utterly stunned.

"I'm your dad. Of course your Angel listens to me," Shichen said, amused.

To be honest, even he was surprised it worked. He'd only meant to try.

He could've subdued Mukuro either way, but with Michael in play it would've been a pain.

Now it was effortless.

With Michael seized, it became like a mass of spiritual power absorbed into him and assimilated.

Mukuro couldn't recall it.

"…Then… art thou truly…?" For the first time, even Mukuro hesitated.

Was he… really her father?

"Time to go home."

Shichen smiled, aimed the copied Michael at Mukuro's chest, and turned it like a key.

Mukuro went still—and then, little by little, her face became alive.

In that instant, her emotions returned.

Shichen broke into a wide grin. Mukuro with expressions was even more captivating.

He dismissed Haniel, then couldn't help reaching up to ruffle Mukuro's long golden hair—soft and silky—while the two full curves at her chest pressed with lively spring.

"…Thou…?" Mukuro lifted her head, staring at him with a dazed, uncertain look.

"We'll talk after we get back, Mukuro," Shichen said gently.

He brought her straight into the Fraxinus with a space jump.

"Shichen! You did it! That was amazing!"

"Just like Darling—so incredible~!"

"Of course. It's Shichen, after all."

"Relief. As long as Shichen is safe."

"I told you it'd be fine. You just wouldn't believe me."

The moment Shichen returned, Tohka and the others finally exhaled—and then excitedly rushed in, surrounding him.

Mukuro ended up squeezed off to the side.

"We do believe in you, Shichen… we just still worry," Tohka explained softly.

"Yeah? Sorry for worrying you. I'm back." Shichen smiled and patted her head.

"Mm! Welcome back!"

"Alright—let's greet the new family member properly." Shichen gestured for everyone to look at Mukuro.

"Hi! I'm Yatogami Tohka—Shichen helped me pick that name! Isn't it nice?" Tohka was the first to greet her.

"I… I am Hoshimiya Mukuro. And 'Shichen' is…?" Mukuro looked toward him.

"My name's Shichen. I didn't actually tell you earlier," Shichen added.

"Shichen…" Mukuro repeated softly.

Her temperament was completely different now—gentle and hesitant. That was natural: unfamiliar place, unfamiliar faces, and emotions restored.

"They're like you—they're all Spirits too," Shichen said, indicating Tohka and the others.

"Ye all… are Spirits?" Mukuro stared, shocked.

"Yes. Someone's been coveting your power. I came to protect you."

"Protect…?" Mukuro frowned.

"Protection's secondary," Shichen corrected with a smile. "What matters most is letting you be happy—letting you live freely, without fear, and actually enjoy life."

"…I see." Mukuro's brow relaxed.

"Then… thou art not my father?"

"It's… kind of related, but no," Shichen admitted. "I just used that to create a bond and lower your hostility."

"As expected…" Mukuro nodded.

"I'm sorry for lying. But I really do want you to be happy. I don't want you staying in that silent universe forever, alone," Shichen said sincerely.

"No apology is needed." Mukuro smiled and shook her head—sweetly.

Then she walked up to him and hugged his arm tight, pressing close.

With a figure like hers, Shichen immediately felt the softness and bounce.

"Mukuro?"

"Shichen should make me happy first, yes? There is no fault in that. I truly… wish to feel happiness. To feel joy," Mukuro said, smiling.

Now that she had emotions again, she naturally followed her heart.

"That's… good."

"However—Shichen wishing to make me happy is… a proposal, is it not?" Mukuro cut in, smiling brightly.

"A-A proposal?!" Tohka yelped before Shichen could even respond.

"Is it not?" Mukuro asked in return.

"Of course not! If Shichen's going to propose… he should—he should propose to me…" Tohka protested, but her voice got smaller and smaller until it was basically inaudible.

Mukuro didn't pay that any mind. She tilted her head up at Shichen, eyes full of sweetness.

"Shichen… no—my husband. Since thou lovest me so, I shall accept thy proposal. From this day on, thou and I are husband and wife."

She finished, then leaned her head against Shichen's arm, utterly blissful.

"M-My husband?!"

The others couldn't help blurting out in shock.

~~~

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