Chapter 336 - Be happy

As a mother, she was ashamed of how her own son had felt ever since his father had died and never expected that he had unconsciously burdened himself with the responsibility of being the only man in their home.

She felt like a failure for not noticing and was indebted to her daughter's friend who shared his own experience that allowed her son to have his burden lifted. 

The way he spoke about protecting them with such conviction made her heart skip a beat but held back by her attachment to her deceased husband. She was unable to remove him from her heart even if she tried.

Abandoning her husband this early would make him ashamed seeing like this. However, the thoughts still linger observing Caelum who had a friendly chat with her son.

The way he interacted made it seem he had his children speaking in such a way that it was similar to her late husband. 

She had never seen her son this excited talking to someone before ever since his father died and smiled while wondering if this is also the reason why her daughter gave a genuine smile. 

Before Miko made him, she always had tired eyes and an expression that was on the verge of tears. Touko, Miko's Mother, was shocked when her daughter hung out more with her friends. 

It was a change that was noticeable when she had started talking about him who always does describe how great a man he was. 

"Ah, Miko-san, you're finally here. I received your call and came here as fast as I could. Tell me what do you need my help for?"

Miko finally reveals herself quickly and gestures for him to come closer. Caelum quickly stood up then felt his pants were being pulled then turned to Kyousuke who wanted to chat a while longer.

"Can you tell me more about your stories later?"

"Sure, I have many more to tell you! But your sister needs my help for something."

Caelum promptly patted his head before approaching Miko who tried to contain her heart from getting out of hand finally wanting to explore more the emotion that was stored in her heart.

"Let's talk in my room."

"Ara~ Make sure to have protection."

"Pfffftt!!!!"

Miko heard her mother teasingly saying turning to see her smug face then a thumbs up that made her flustered and tried hiding it while dragging Caelum who inwardly laughed seeing Miko's reaction.

He glanced back taking a quick glimpse of her expression that was in a state of contemplation and realized that she had been stricken by his charms.

Caelum did not even try doing anything and was just acting out of his selfless desire to help someone. In the end, he knew that he was going to need to be more careful when flirting.

Once inside her room, Caelum and Miko sat down on the bed while silence resound in the room until one of them spoke.

"Soooo….should I bring protection?"

"Eeeehh!! Not you too!?"

"Hahaha, I'm just teasing you! Look at your face."

He laughed while Miko touched her face from embarrassment even though what would happen if they accidentally do it. 

They were alone in her room and having the teenage mindset made her mind go wild in imagination.

"C-Can you stop joking around!? I called you her-"

"Because your dad is changing, am I correct?"

"Y-Yes!? How did you figure it out?"

Caelum took a deep breath before explaining the two things that would happen to a soul that lingers in the land of the living drowsing Miko in cold water from the revelation. 

She was unable to comprehend that her father would become like that grotesque spirit if he remained in the land of the living. 

"Tell me how to help him! Please, Masa-san!"

Miko yelled out grabbing Caelum by the shoulder afraid that her father would become unrecognizable after a few more months of staying in the living world. 

She felt like crying as her father did not deserve to become a ghost and should have a proper rest. 

Her whole body was embraced by warm and dependable arms then realize she was being hugged by Caelum.

Inwardly, Caelum wanted to resurrect her father if he was able to but it would take a while to do so. He would have long gotten her mothers to love by then.

Those who are truly stricken by Caelum would always end up becoming his. He even once resurrected his father but to no avail. The soul of his father had been out of his reach but later this was not the case. 

The unusual truth is that Caelum and his father were the same people where his father was a past self that had been altered by his existences turning him into a child and later adopted by him. It was an unusual turn of events that Caelum had a hard time processing.

He had been informed that his father had been reincarnated to another world but it was partially true but time is completely distorted when an echo of Ycnagnnisssz latched itself into his soul and turned it into a vessel until it found its way into the time where he was adopted. 

[A/N: I know convoluted but hey it's the best I got]

"Calm down and show me where your father is."

He slowly lets Miko calm down before standing out and opening her closet revealing a man that is slowly decaying and chunks of flesh slowly being destroyed. 

In Caelum, the spirit regained his senses and started intently sensing the powerful light drawing him in. Even without his connection still had the Heaven Feels that had complete dominance over the soul.

"Are you a friend of Miko? The one who helped her become more lovely?"

"Yes, I am….my name is Caelum Mercer."

"I see, then I know the reason why you're here, can I ask a favor from you first?"

"Anything, I will surely do it!"

"Please take care of my family. I would like them to move on and go on living. Knowing that they can be happy without me is enough."

He nodded, shedding no emotion seeing countless lives in his years understanding the depths of life and death. Those emotions and feelings make life worth living and make death more meaningful. Without those qualities then those people are nothing more than empty husks. 

Miko listening to her father's words made her heartache burst into tears while her father approached her patting Miko on the head then giving a reassuring smile.

"Miko promised me you would be happy, okay?"

"I-I promised! I will do my best to be happy for you!"

"Hehehe thank you, then I will say goodbye. I'm ready."

"Alright, I will also say goodbye to your wife and son so be ready."

Caelum took out a talisman activating it with Qi before doing a hand seal to exorcise him. Before long his soul slowly disintegrated then turned him back to how he had been before he appeared beside his wife and gave a smile.

He gave one final embrace before whispering to her to be happy, surprising Touko who tried to turn around to see who it was but nothing was there. 

She held her heart with tears flowing from her face while Kyousuke was the same as hearing his father's voice.

Back to Miko who has been crying her heart out quickly and is comforted by Caelum hugging him tightly. After the drama, Caelum spent the whole day in their residence getting to know everyone. 

He felt guilty for being unable to find a way to resurrect the man but it was fated that the widowed woman fell for him even how much he tried hard to avoid it. Caelum only vowed to make them happy as promised by Miko's father. 

Another day had ended and Caelum received a call from Tokugawa and finally felt excited to finally meet the legendary swordsman. 

He had been delaying it since he had been trying to strengthen his relationship with each of the women he met but now his blade could finally be tested.

Caelum arrived where the butler led him to Tokugawa who was excited to see him again and notice how he got taller and more muscular exuding a completely different air.

"Let's cut to the case. I know that you've cloned Miyamoto Musashi."