Camearra had been gone for a long time. Yu Zhou didn't wait idly; after leaving Zoiger's nest, he went out to look for her himself.
Walking along the streets of the city of R'lyeh, Yu Zhou looked up at the grand castle standing tall at the city's highest point. He didn't need to guess—he knew that was where Lord Keshiva and Camearra lived.
It was his first time seeing Camearra's residence since coming to R'lyeh. Even though he'd mentally prepared himself, the sheer scale of it still left him astonished.
"This could rival the royal palace back in Zhongdu," he murmured.
He wondered what kind of special privilege the king had given Keshiva to allow him to live in a place like this.
Just as Yu Zhou was about to head toward the castle, Keshiva suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path.
"Tiga, stop right there!"
Panting slightly, Keshiva glared at him.
"I haven't even moved," Yu Zhou replied, bewildered, standing perfectly still. Why was his would-be father-in-law so riled up all of a sudden?
"Father-in-law—uh, I mean, Lord Keshiva… is something wrong?"
He almost slipped up. Keshiva's expression darkened the moment he heard those words.
"Father-in-law?!"
Did this brat just call him father-in-law?
That kind of title wasn't something one could casually say!
So it was true—his precious daughter had already been taken advantage of by this shameless man!
"Lord Keshiva, please don't look at me like that. You're scaring me," Yu Zhou said nervously, raising his hands slightly in defence.
What did I do? Did I eat your food? Drink your water? Or… steal your cabbage?
"You—you actually dared to touch my daughter?!!"
Keshiva's face turned red with fury, smoke practically rising from his head. He glared at Yu Zhou as though ready to tear him apart. There were too many onlookers for him to shout, so he seethed through gritted teeth.
"Eh?" Yu Zhou froze. Could it be… that Keshiva had found out about him hugging Camearra?
Probably Hudra and Darramb had spread the word—they'd already been fuming over it back then. It was no surprise they'd tattled once they saw Camearra's father.
"Since you already know, Lord Keshiva… then I should at least apologize," Yu Zhou said earnestly.
He hadn't expected such a violent reaction from a single hug. The man who'd once said 'young people should be free to grow closer' was now raging like a thunder god—apparently that had been all talk.
Well, who would happily hand their daughter over to another man anyway?
"It was a moment of impulse," Yu Zhou sighed, shaking his head remorsefully. "I felt really guilty about it afterward."
"You—!!"
Keshiva's rage boiled over.
Scoundrel!
Absolute scoundrel!
Tiga is a damn playboy!
This detestable Orion-born pig had really touched his daughter—and thought he could get away with just an apology?!
"Where's my knife?! Where's my knife?!"
Keshiva frantically rummaged through his spatial ring, searching for an old kitchen knife he hadn't used in ages.
"Wait—wait a minute, you're not actually going to chop me, are you?!" Yu Zhou panicked.
Should he run? Or stand his ground and reason with his furious future father-in-law?
"Guards! Bring me a blade!" Keshiva roared.
A soldier hurried over, offering his sword. Keshiva grabbed it, raising the weapon high.
Just as he was about to swing—
"Father, stop!"
A clear, commanding voice rang out.
Keshiva froze. The blade stopped mid-air.
"Camearra…"
He turned to see his daughter—his precious girl who had always lived under his protection—standing behind him. Slowly, his hand lowered, and he sighed.
"My daughter's all grown up now… and her heart's no longer with her old man."
"Never thought I'd live to see the day."
"Father, what are you saying?" Camearra asked helplessly, glancing between them. Then she turned to Yu Zhou. "Tiga, are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Yu Zhou said, nodding with a small smile to reassure her—though inwardly, he was still shaken.
Then he turned back toward Keshiva.
"Lord Keshiva, I just hugged Camearra. Does that really warrant pulling a knife on me?"
Yu Zhou felt a chill. Just one hug, and he nearly got cut down—if things had gone further, he didn't dare imagine how Keshiva might have reacted.
"Wait…" Keshiva blinked. "You said… just hugged her?"
"Yes," Camearra answered softly, her cheeks blushing faintly. "Tiga only hugged me, Father. You misunderstood."
"Ahaha… well! The weather's looking nice today, isn't it?"
Keshiva suddenly laughed awkwardly and looked up at the sky. "Good weather for airing out blankets. I'll, uh, head home first."
And just like that, he turned and marched back toward the castle.
Yu Zhou raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't seem that nice out to me…"
He glanced up. The sky was covered in dark clouds. Moments later, a fine drizzle began to fall, landing gently on him and Camearra.
"Forget him," Camearra said, cheeks still tinted red. "It's raining. Let's head back."
Then, to Yu Zhou's surprise, she reached out and took his hand.
For a moment, he froze—then smiled, letting her lead him.
Her hand was soft and warm, and that simple touch stirred something familiar in him.
The last time a girl held my hand… was probably back in college.
That girl shared the same name as Rena. I wonder if she's still alive after the monster invasion.
In that apocalyptic chaos, survival was a matter of luck. But even if she had survived, Yu Zhou had no way to find her.
Now, though, with Camearra beside him, he didn't want to think of anyone else.
Still, a flicker of guilt stirred in his heart.
"No, I shouldn't think too much,"
he told himself, shaking his head.
Right now, the woman holding his hand was his most beloved one—
Camearra.
The girl from thirty million years ago.
Happiness washed over him. Yu Zhou squeezed her hand gently, a smile spreading across his face.
"Tiga, we're here."
They arrived before the vast castle palace. Camearra smiled sweetly at him.
Yu Zhou looked up at the towering structure and chuckled.
"This is my first time visiting your home."