Chapter 183: Compensation

Via felt somewhat surprised. “So that’s how Father and Mother met?”

“Yes. At the time, I had lost my memories, so I didn’t show any hostility toward humans. Instead, I even helped her,” Constantine explained. “Sylvia had run into some trouble—she was surrounded by magical beasts. I defeated them, and that’s how we got to know each other.”

Via recalled her previous life and the first time she had met Selina.

“Sylvia found me quite intriguing and asked what I was doing and where I planned to go. I couldn’t answer her questions. After all, back then I truly didn’t know what I wanted to do. I simply told her, ‘I want to see the world.’”

Constantine recounted the situation at the time.

“Sylvia became interested in me and decided to travel together and explore the world.”

“Mother must have been the Saintess of the Holy Land back then, right?”

“Yes, she was the Saintess. I only learned that later,” Constantine paused for a moment. “She said she disliked the Holy Land because it was always one thing on the surface and another behind the scenes. She was tired of living that kind of life, so she decided to sneak out and see the world for herself.”

“So Father and Mother traveled together across the continent without knowing each other’s true identities?”

“Mhm,” Constantine nodded. “We traveled together, visiting various countries across the Theia Continent, experiencing many things, and eventually became lovers. You and your sister are the fruits of mine and Sylvia’s love.”

“I see.”

Via found the story incredibly astonishing.

After all, the two of them had completely opposing standpoints, yet Constantine and Sylvia had still ended up together.

“As time passed, I gradually recovered my memories and realized I had made a tremendous mistake. I should never have left the Thousand Sea Abyss. I should have stayed there to guard the meteorite from outer space. If any accident occurred here, it could trigger a second catastrophe.”

Constantine’s expression turned melancholy.

Because what came next was no longer a beautiful love story.

“At the same time, I couldn’t bear to part with Sylvia. I didn’t want to abandon her… After much inner conflict, I confessed everything to her.”

“What was Mother’s reaction?”

“Sylvia was very shocked. She didn’t understand why I had to return to the Thousand Sea Abyss to guard the meteorite. Since she hadn’t experienced those disasters herself, it was normal that she couldn’t understand.”

Constantine sighed. This matter had become one of his greatest regrets.

“I hoped Sylvia would come to the Desolate Fallen Continent with me. At least then I could see her from time to time. She refused, saying that you and Sophie would be better off growing up in the Saint Luo Empire.”

Via fell silent.

“Sylvia and I parted ways. She remained in the Saint Luo Empire while I returned to the Thousand Sea Abyss in the Desolate Fallen Continent… All of this is my fault. I failed to fulfill my duty as a husband, and I failed to fulfill my duty as a father.” Constantine was filled with self-reproach.

Via finally understood.

Why she had vaguely sensed that the higher-ups in the Holy Land held some resentment toward her mother.

In the eyes of the Holy Land’s leadership, this kind of behavior was nothing short of heresy.

“Father, your entire life has been trapped by that meteorite from outer space.”

“You’re right, Via. I often think—if I had died like my other companions the moment I saw the meteorite back then, I wouldn’t have had to endure so much torment, would I? Sometimes, I really feel so tired.”

Constantine raised his hand and placed it on Via’s head.

“But now, in this world, I have people I care about, and I’ve gradually come to fear death.”

“Father, even though what you’re doing now seems incredibly noble, you’re still a jerk.”

“I won’t deny it, Via. I want to apologize to you. I wasn’t there to protect you while you were growing up. You must have suffered a lot during those years.” Constantine closed his eyes. His palm began to glow, transforming into specks of light that fell onto Via’s body.

At the same time, his jet-black hair gradually turned gray and white.

“Father, what are you doing!?” Via asked in confusion.

“Don’t move. I’m helping you awaken the demonkin side of your bloodline and fully unlock the potential hidden within it. Consider this my small compensation to you for all these years.”

“Ah!”

Via could feel her blood boiling as if an endless power was flowing through her veins to every part of her body. Her pink eyes also began to change, turning into the same mysterious purple as Constantine’s.

Beneath her pink hair, black horns grew out. Her demonkin bloodline fully manifested.

To others, she would now appear to have transformed from a human into a demonkin.

Something wonderful happened. The overwhelming pressure she had felt inside the Thousand Sea Abyss completely disappeared, and her body became light and agile.

The extremely high-purity abyssal aura here had instead turned into nourishing nourishment.

Her strength increased.

“Mhm, this should be about right.”

Constantine withdrew his hand and looked at Via now with great satisfaction. “Via, you should have stabilized at the Transcendent tier. With a bit more time, your Demon King bloodline will soon help you break through to the Legendary tier. Once you reach Legendary tier, there won’t be many people left who can bully you.”

“Father, are you… okay?”

Via looked at Constantine, whose aura had become noticeably weaker, feeling worried. Although she thought some of her father’s actions were jerkish, she didn’t want the family member she had finally met to leave this world so soon.

“I’m fine. These are just minor issues. I won’t die yet—I know my own limits. If I died, who would guard the meteorite from outer space? I can’t possibly let my lovely daughter waste her life in a place like this the way I have, right?”

Constantine was still in the mood to joke, so it probably wasn’t anything fatal.

“That’s good,” Via breathed a slight sigh of relief. “Father, thank you. I really need the power from the Demon King bloodline right now to do some things.”

“By the way, Via, how is your sister doing now?” Constantine asked curiously. “I’d like to meet her too.”

“Sister…”

Via thought of Sophie, and her feelings became quite complicated.

She lowered her head, unsure for a moment how to tell her father.

Constantine noticed his daughter’s unusual reaction and his gaze softened.

“Via.”

“Hmm?”

“You and Sophie are sisters. There’s nothing between you that can’t be said. Try opening your hearts to each other and get along properly.”

“Open our hearts…”

After thinking for a long while, Via gathered her spirits and looked up.

“Alright, Father. One day, I will bring Sophie to meet you!”