CHAPTER 220: THE TURNING POINT

After Nana’s condition stabilized, the doctors ran another round of tests. The results left everyone stunned—her PTSD levels had dropped drastically, and previous diagnoses indicating schizophrenia were suddenly... no longer valid.

It was as if a miracle had graced Nana.

Baffled, the doctors could only whisper a phrase that echoed in the room like a divine truth:

"This must be... the power of deep, unconditional love for family."

Nana was moved to a quieter room where my mother, Naki, and Kai could stay overnight to watch over her. She looked more alive than she had in weeks. Her voice was light, her eyes clear. She eagerly shared her experience—how she had wandered through a world of darkness, and how someone had pulled her from the brink.

She claimed she saw me—Takahiro Nao—in her dream. She said I had saved her.

My mother gasped softly, tears welling in her eyes. Hearing my name again... it stirred memories and grief, but also hope.

Nana turned to embrace her, whispering,

"Mom... I’m okay now. I’ve escaped the trauma. I’m going to fight. I’m going to keep trying—for our family."

My mother nodded, her arms tightening around her daughter in wordless, trembling love.

From where I stood, unseen by them, I looked at Kai and gave him a signal.

He blinked. "Now?" he whispered.

I nodded. It was time. As he had promised me... now was the moment to speak his heart.

Kai’s face turned crimson. He tried to resist, shaking his head—but then, slowly, he stepped forward. His legs were heavy, but his resolve pushed him forward until he stood before Nana and my mother.

Naki looked on, confused. I leaned over and whispered, "Just watch."

Kai took a breath and dropped to one knee. His voice trembled, but his heart was clear.

"Ayase-san... Please allow me, Inuzuka Kai, to always protect Nana. To always make her smile."

Everyone froze. My mother blinked. Nana stared in disbelief. Naki’s mouth dropped open.

"What... What do you mean, Kai?" my mother asked gently.

Nana’s voice was quiet, "Kai... is this...?"

Before she could finish, Kai pulled out a small box and opened it—revealing a ring.

"Ayase-san... I love your daughter. I love Takahiro Nana. I want to marry her. Please, give me your blessing."

Nana gasped. Her whole face lit up with a furious blush. She covered her face.

"Kai... this is so sudden... I-I’m embarrassed..."

"I just knew... This was the right moment," Kai said. "I want to be with you forever, Nana. I’ll protect you. Always."

My mother chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand, her eyes misty.

"You really do love her, don’t you?"

Kai’s words poured out now, as if he couldn’t hold back anymore.

"Yes... I’ve loved Nana for so long. She’s strong. She never gave up, even in the darkest times. She cherishes her family so deeply. And she’s... incredibly beautiful. I know she’ll be an amazing wife."

"KAI!!" Nana cried, burying her face, overwhelmed with embarrassment and emotion.

"Well then..." my mother said, smiling warmly, "I trust you, Kai. You have my blessing. But... the answer you truly need is hers."

Kai turned to Nana. Slowly, he held out the ring.

"Nana... I love you. Truly. Will you marry me?"

Nana looked up at him through teary eyes. She took a breath... then smiled, a soft, radiant smile.

"I... I love you too, Kai. You’ve always been there for me. You’ve protected me... and loved my family as if it were your own..."

"Yes. I will marry you, Kai."

She extended her left hand.

With trembling hands, Kai gently slid the ring onto her finger.

"Nana... thank you. You’ve made me the happiest man alive."

"And I’m happy too, Kai. Thank you... for everything."

They embraced, and time stood still.

I smiled. The moment was pure, untainted. Naki was crying tears of joy, practically drowning in tissues. My mother wept too, overwhelmed, and quickly joined them in a warm group hug.

"Be happy always, Nana..." I whispered to myself.

Behind me, I could hear Envi and Runa sobbing. I chuckled quietly—it seemed I wasn’t the only one moved by this beautiful moment.

Then suddenly—my skill, [Power of Incarnation], flared back to life.

A secondary skill, [Goddess View Activated].

[A glimpse of the future is revealed!]

My eyes widened. I had never experienced this ability under these conditions.

A vision unfolded before me—

I saw Nana and Kai stepping out of a cozy office together. They had started their own business—a café, built with the savings they’d scraped together.

It hadn’t been easy. Their first days were filled with failure, stress, and doubt. But they never gave up. And slowly, it began to thrive.

Nana looked happy. Truly happy. Her eyes sparkled not with pain, but peace. Beside her stood Kai, still supporting her as always. And not far behind—Mother, Naki...

And then, a breathtaking scene:

Nana, dressed in a traditional white Japanese wedding kimono. Kai stood beside her, equally regal in his formal attire. Their wedding day. Everyone smiling. Everyone... finally at peace.

My heart ached, but it was a good ache. I whispered to myself:

"I swear... I’ll protect this future."

[Goddess View ended.]

...

The vision faded, but the warmth lingered. My heart was light. I was at peace knowing they could reach that future—even without me. The dark influence of the Outer God was gone from Nana. That alone was enough.

But I had to stay vigilant.

The war wasn’t over. The Outer God still lingered. Until I complete the Main Quest and defeat the Demon King, I cannot rest. And I fear...

My brother, Naki, might be next.

I’ll be watching.

I stepped toward Nana and Kai, appearing to them once again, smiling gently.

"Congratulations, Nana. Kai. I always thought you two were perfect for each other. I’m truly happy for you. Let me know when you’ve set a wedding date."

They blushed furiously, looking away shyly. I couldn’t help but laugh.

I then asked them about their plans moving forward. I advised them—leave your current office. It wasn’t safe. Their coworkers still harbored ill intent, even though the police were involved. There were no guarantees.

They looked at each other... and nodded.

"You’re right, Uncle," Nana said, holding Kai’s hand firmly. "We’re leaving that place."

"But what about your next job, sis? What will you do?" Naki asked, concerned.

"We don’t know yet," Nana replied. "But we’ll figure it out."

"I support your decision," my mother said. "You won’t find peace staying there. It could end even worse next time..."

"Don’t worry about money," Kai said with a wide grin. "We’ll find a way."

I smiled. I couldn’t just stand by.

"Then why not build your own future? Open a business—a café. It’s popular here in Tokyo, and it’s something both of you love."

Their eyes lit up. Excited. Hopeful.

They agreed instantly. But... reality hit.

They didn’t have the capital.

That’s when my mother and Naki stepped forward.

"We’ll help," they said.

"Whatever it takes... we’ll help you make it real."

Kai was clearly overwhelmed.

He wanted to refuse politely, but Mother and Naki were insistent.

I chuckled softly and stepped in, saying,

"You don’t have to worry about the capital. I’ll help you."

"Uncle... you’ve already done so much for us," Nana said with a hesitant voice, glancing at Kai.

"We can’t accept more. It’s not right."

"She’s right, Natsuki-san," my mother added gently. "You already paid for my expensive hospital treatment once. We can’t keep relying on you."

Naki silently nodded in agreement.

Their sincerity was genuine. They truly didn’t want to burden me.

I offered a faint smile and said firmly,

"Then let’s do it this way... Think of me as your investor. When your café starts making a profit, you can pay me back with a share of the earnings. I won’t take no for an answer—because I want to do this."

Nana and Kai exchanged looks. A quiet resolve settled in their eyes.

"Alright, Uncle," Kai finally said, his voice strong with conviction. "Nana and I accept. We’ll give it our all."

"You’ve done so much for us... we’ll never forget this," Nana whispered, almost on the verge of tears.

I placed a reassuring hand on both their shoulders.

"I’ve been gone from your lives for too long. I didn’t do my part as your family. This... this is me making up for it."

"I don’t need another reason to help those who are fighting so hard for their future."

Their faces lit up with joy, as did Mother’s and Naki’s.

I told them to focus on recovery first. Nana and Kai still needed a few more days in the hospital. We agreed to meet again soon to discuss the business plan.

But as I glanced at the clock... I knew my time here on Earth was almost up. It had been nearly three hours, and the skill [Visit Earth] was about to end.

I told everyone it was time for me to go. They offered me a place to stay the night, but I declined, saying I had urgent business overseas.

Naki, curious as ever, asked about my job—and about my seemingly endless wealth. I couldn’t tell him the truth... that I was a hero from another world.

So I smiled and said,

"I run a successful business. Started young."

That explanation seemed enough for him, at least for now. He nodded, his curiosity satisfied.

Still... I felt a pang of guilt for lying to him.

After all, my money didn’t come from business.

It came from converting Goddess Points into Japanese Yen.

As I stepped toward the exit, my mother call me.

She looked at me with warm, grateful eyes.

"Natsuki-san... Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. You’ve done more for our family than I could ever repay. I’m lucky to have a brother-in-law like you."

I smiled back, honestly and quietly.

"You don’t need to thank me, Ayase-san. This is something I want to do. I’m ashamed my brother destroyed this family... I’ll do everything I can to help rebuild it. Because you are my family too."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded, smiling through them.

"Goodbye for now," I said, walking out of the hospital.

...

When I reached a quiet, empty spot, I activated [Back to Aetheria].

A teleportation circle shimmered to life beneath my feet—and I stepped inside.

My body dissolved into shimmering light, and I was instantly sent back to Aetheria.

Inside the teleportation tunnel, I whispered to Envi,

"Thank you... If not for you, I never would’ve been able to save Nana."

"Nao," Envi replied in his firm voice.

"Of course I’d help you. Protecting your loved ones... That’s why I exist."

"I feel the same," Runa chimed in. "I, Runa Nox, will always be by your side, Master Nao!"

I was truly grateful to have partners like them.

I arrived back in my room in Aetheria. A warm smile crossed my face as I remembered my family back on Earth. They were happy. And so was I.

I decided to get some rest. As I moved to close my window—

A strange, unfamiliar magic surged toward me.

A dark teleportation circle formed inside my room. It wasn’t mine.

It was demonic.

"NAO, THIS IS DANGER!! THIS MAGIC BELONGS TO THE DEMON OVERLORD!!" Envi’s voice rang out in alarm.

"He is right," I muttered, drawing my katana, Kagegiri.

"This is... spatial magic. Someone capable of teleporting directly into my room?"

Runa leapt out from my Grimoire of Darkness, claws at the ready.

From within the portal stepped a figure, calm and poised.

My eyes widened.

A demon woman—with sapphire skin, dark violet hair, horns curling from her head, wings folded behind her, and clad in black armor.

She stepped forward—alone.

"I knew it... You’re the Fourth-Ranked Demon Overlord. Lilith!"

Without hesitation, I launched forward to strike. Runa followed my lead.

But she vanished in a blink—only to reappear behind me.

We missed.

Then, she spoke.

"Child of Fate... I’m not here to fight."

"What?!" I barked. "You may be Norx’s friend—but you’re still a Demon Overlord! It was your portals that unleashed chaos in Gildoria and Braveheart during the war!"

A small smile curled on her lips.

"So Norx told you about me... I expected as much."

Her gaze grew sharp. The pressure of her magic pressed down on the room.

"I don’t have much time before I lose control of this body. So, listen carefully, Child of Fate—Naoki von Blackmore. I need your help."

"Help?! From me?" I shouted.

She didn’t flinch.

"I want your help... to defeat the other Demon Overlords.And to destroy my father—the Demon King of Doomspire, who is soon to rise from his seal."

Silence fell.

Even Envi... was speechless.

A Demon Overlord—one of the most powerful enemies of mankind—was asking us to help destroy her own realm?

And then, she dropped the final bombshell.

"Yes, as you suspect... I am the 4th Demon Overlord, The Dimensional Sovereign, The Daughter of the Demon King—Lilith Doomspire."

My heart froze.

Lilith... was the daughter of him.

The Demon King. My ultimate enemy.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

What’s her true motive?

Why betray her own kind?

One thing was certain—This moment... would change everything.

The battle between light and darkness was about to reach a new turning point.

...

..

---Volume 5 End---