Reincarnated as both God and The Devil

"But… do you like Viel?"

"...Yes", she whispered.

"...I see."

Lu Xun let out a deep sigh as he looked towards the ocean line. He could no longer hear the singing of the birds, and the only thing that entered his ears were the cold waters crashing to the port. The ocean breeze that felt so comfortable was now chilling.

And so, Lu Xun let out another breath as started to walk away. But before he could take even a single step, Diao Mei opened her mouth.

"I like him… but only as a friend", Diao Mei let out a deep breath as she closed her eyes, "Viel… is a precious friend, you see"

A smile then appeared on Diao Mei's face as she opened her eyes. True, back when she was a child, all she could think of was how she could be with Viel. It was sort of a crush, in a way. She was young, and her mind clung to the very first person that awed her.

But now that she has grown up, she realized that it was only an infatuation. She admires Viel, still. But that's just it. In terms of falling in love with him and liking him with the intention of being with him in the future, it no longer entered Diao Mei's mind.

Viel… Viel is family.

"Even though he's so strong and he could do things that one could only dream of…", Diao Mei breathed, "He is… still so vulnerable. Like a little brother that you always need to take care of", she then let out a giggle.

"...", Lu Xun could only furrow his eyebrows as he halted his steps.

"Lu Xun…", Diao Mei turned her eyes towards Lu Xun, "...I barely even know you", she said.

"I--"

"You always act differently whenever you're with me", Diao Mei added, "It's always 'let me protect you', and 'Please, get behind me'", Diao Mei imitated Lu Xun.

"I know you know I am stronger than you. You don't need to do anything of those"

Hearing Diao Mei's words, it was like a thorn was suddenly pricked in Lu Xun's heart.

"You don't need to act, Lu Xun", Diao Mei let out a tiny chuckle, "Please, just be yourself when you're around me"

"...", Lu Xun could not help but let out a huge breath, "...Because I do want to protect you, Mei", he then said.

"But--"

"I know. I know I am weaker than you. I know you don't need protecting", he said before Diao Mei could even say a word, "But those are my honest feelings. And that is the only I know how to convey them"

"..."

"Diao Mei"

"Hm?"

"My name is Diao Mei", Diao Mei saluted and bowed towards Lu Xun, "It's nice to finally meet you, Lu Xun"

"...", Lu Xun blinked his eyes a couple of times in confusion as to why Diao Mei suddenly introduced herself. But after a few seconds, he closed his eyes and did a bow of his own.

"I am Lu Xun…

...It is my pleasure to finally get the chance to meet you, Diao Mei"

***

The night was still going, and currently, Lord Bran and his men were in a secluded part of the damaged city. They carry no light, not even torches or lamps attached to their waist.

"Are we… really doing this, Lord Bran?"

"Yes! We have more soldiers than them! And the General that defended their city is quite old now!"

Lord Bran had been planning an attack against the city after his meeting with Lady Beatrice. Since he won't be able to take her as a bride, then he would at least take the city for his own. They outnumbered Tark's soldiers almost 3 to 1, even though he just bought a few of his soldiers.

But his soldiers think that attacking the city would be a mistake. Even though General Diao was already an old man, he was a cultivator from the East. The leader of Lord Bran's troops was also a cultivator, and so were some of his men.

But the troop leader was not even able to detect General Diao's cultivation, so he was probably heaps stronger than him. He kept mentioning to Lord Bran that attacking would be a mistake since they did not know how strong of a cultivator General Diao is, but alas, his warnings were falling on deaf ears.

"I still think it's a mistake, my Lord", the troop leader once again warned Lord Bran.

"Just shut up!", Lord Bran clicked his tongue and waved his hand, "I am paying you!"

"But… I also heard that the new Hero and her party was here"

"Hero?", Lord Bran twisted his eyebrows, "Why would a hero even be in this place, use your brain!"

"...Because she's a Hero?", the troop leader scratched his head, "And this city was devastated by a horde of monst--"

"Don't speak nonsense!", Lord Bran waved his hand once again, "The Hero would be busy defending more important and bigger cities! We will attack the castle in a few more hours, that is final!"

"..."

The soldiers could not help but look at each other. All of them knew that this was a bad idea, but alas, if there was one truth in what their Lord had said, it is that he was the one paying them.

"Good", Lord Bran nodded his head, "Now, go to your positions and we will proceed as plan--"

"What are you guys doing here late at night?"

"!!!"

"What the!?"

The soldiers all quickly raised their weapons and pointed them towards the source of the voice. But when Lord Bran realized who it was, he quickly ordered his soldiers to lower their weapons.

"L… Lord Viel?", he muttered, "What… are you doing here?"

"Just exploring the city", Viel said, "Sofi already went out with the other oldies"

"...And you, what are you suspiciously doing here with your soldiers?", Viel added as he placed his hand on his chin.

"We… we were just talking about how we're going back to our city tomorrow", Bran could not help but gulp as he stared at Viel's jet-black eyes, "Since all is well here… we're leaving as soon as we can so as to not impede"

"Hm…", Viel squinted his eyes, "Okay", he then said.

Lord Bran could not help but let out a sigh of relief as soon as he heard Viel's word.

"You aren't thinking of taking the city since you have more soldiers and you think that it will be an easy target, are you?"

"!!!", Bran's eyes widened in shock. The soldiers also started to slowly raise their weapons, but before they could do so, Bran burst out in laughter,

"P...please, Lord Viel. Do not joke around".