The gentle light of dawn began to seep through the natural holes in the canopy of the colossal tree.
Delicate rays of golden honey sunlight spilled onto the ground, creating sparkling specks like diamond dust floating in the air.
Ventair felt the warm touch on his face, a peaceful and tranquil sensation wrapping around the entire space.
The soft rustling of grass and leaves swayed by the morning breeze created a serene symphony, unlike the noisy cities or the blaring alarm clocks he once knew.
Ventair slowly awoke, his eyelids fluttering.
As he tried to sit up, he felt a pleasant weight resting on him—especially on both his arms.
A warm, soft, and comforting feeling. Still half-asleep, his instincts kicked in, and he reached out to gently push the weight aside.
He gave a soft squeeze. Under his hand was something plush, resilient, round, and warm—like a giant living cotton ball.
Its texture was far softer and smoother than any pillow, soothing his palm with an unfamiliar but irresistible tenderness.
Then he heard it—a soft, kitten-like murmur tinged with embarrassment:
"Mmm..." A sound he recognized all too well from Earthly dinner scenes.
Instant clarity struck him.
Ventair's mind snapped awake, his senses heightened. Memories of yesterday flooded back. He recalled Seraphiel and Mechaniel lying down, clinging to his arms for warmth.
A flash of realization hit him—he understood exactly what he was squeezing.
His eyes shot open.
Right before him was Seraphiel's beautiful face—her dual-colored eyes of celestial blue and golden amber stared wide into his.
Her expression was complex: joy and blissful intimacy blended with a bashful, endearing shyness. Her cheeks were faintly flushed.
And yes—his right hand was placed on her chest, fingers gently squeezing.
Ventair sat bolt upright, his face flushing crimson. He swiftly yanked his hand away as if it had touched fire—though inside, a hint of reluctant regret lingered.
The memory of that softness still lingered in his palm.
Awkwardly, he scooted back until his back hit the cave wall, wearing a look of guilt and confusion.
"Oh, Seraphiel! I... I'm really sorry!"
Ventair stammered, his voice filled with embarrassment. He scratched his head and avoided eye contact.
"I didn't mean to! I didn't know what I was doing—it was purely instinct! Truly, I apologize!"
Yet Seraphiel smiled, her expression as gentle as morning light.
Calmly, she moved closer, undeterred. She took his trembling hand and, without hesitation, placed it back on her chest.
"My Lord," Seraphiel spoke in a clear, sincere tone, eyes unwavering.
"This body, this soul—everything I am was created by You. It all belongs to You. You may do anything with it, anytime You desire. If You need anything, or have any wish, just command me. I shall obey unconditionally."
Her words held absolute devotion—no embarrassment, only boundless loyalty and love.
Ventair's face turned even redder. He quickly withdrew his hand again, faster than before.
"No! That's not what I meant!" he cried helplessly, waving his arms.
"Don't misunderstand! I just... I don't want you to feel uncomfortable!"
Then, a chilling voice came from behind:
Ventair turned—Abyzaria stood there, arms crossed, her glowing red eyes glaring coldly at Seraphiel.
"If it were me, I would have offered myself long ago. No need to wait for His touch," she said flatly, barely hiding the jealousy brewing behind her composed face.
A soft mechanical click echoed—an azure light flickered from the corner.
Mechaniel had awakened, her tone emotionless:
"Analysis: Current emotional state—envy. Lacking protocol for resolution. Proposal: skin-to-skin contact with the Host to calibrate nervous feedback."
Without hesitation or shame, she slid closer to Ventair and placed a hand on his thigh, her expression unchanged.
"Wait, all of you..." Ventair began to protest——but then footsteps approached. Belloniel entered from the cave entrance.
She strode confidently to Ventair's side, pressing close to him, her fiery gaze locked onto his.
"Touch me wherever you wish. As long as I'm close to You."
Ventair felt surrounded on all sides. Four angels—each unique—but all expressing devotion and... a profound form of love that left him overwhelmed yet strangely comforted.
He sighed. "Oh gods..."
It felt like he'd written them with the trait 'Deeply Love Ventair' from the start.
But maybe... that wasn't so bad.
As their bickering continued, Ventair quietly stood and gently pulled his hand from Belloniel's softness, drawing the angels' attention.
"Good morning, everyone," he said calmly, regaining his usual composed and commanding tone.
"And let's stop this here."
"Good morning, Divine One!" Seraphiel and Mechaniel replied in unison, their voices bright and clear.
Abyzaria and Belloniel also bowed their heads. "Good morning, Lord Ventair," they said respectfully.
Abyzaria added, "My Lord, breakfast is ready. Please join us."
Ventair was surprised—they had already prepared food.
He smiled. "Thank you. Let's eat, then."
The angels beamed. "Yes, my Lord!"
Outside, the same creatures from yesterday awaited—perhaps Abyzaria and Belloniel had hunted more. Again, five.
Ventair sat and began eating. The angels sat around him, handing him various skewers prepared in advance.
After the meal, and after the angels cleaned everything meticulously, Ventair walked to a small stream about fifty meters from the cave.
The crystal-clear water flowed gently, reflecting the morning sun.
He splashed the cool water onto his face, invigorating his senses. Water dripped from his cheeks as he wiped it away with his hands.
Then he turned back to the angels.
"Now, return to my Soulspace," he instructed. "We'll continue westward."
The four angels bowed simultaneously. A bright light enveloped them, and in a flash, they vanished, returning to Ventair's Soulspace, awaiting his next command.
Before moving, Ventair checked his energy panel—he had 800 units. With the angels' devotion, he gained 400 units daily.
He resumed his journey westward, his steps now firm and energized. He crossed plains where wildflowers sparkled with dew beneath the sun.
After walking for a long while, Ventair halted, eyes widening in awe. The view before him was breathtaking.
In the sky, hundreds of thousands of gigantic floating petals drifted like ribbons woven from light.
Each "petal," around 3 meters tall, grew from vine-like stems anchored to the ground, yet floated due to hidden "spirit sacs" in their roots.
Each had between 7 and 13 petals rotating slowly like luminous turbines, performing a majestic dance against the azure sky.
Their colors changed throughout the day—from cool morning blues to shimmering silver-pinks by noon, golden brilliance at midday, and finally twilight purples by evening.
They formed a dynamic masterpiece in the sky—like a vibrant galaxy suspended in the air.
Below, fields of "bell plants" stretched wide. Each stood 1–2 meters tall, with hundreds of delicate transparent leaves on each branch.
When the wind passed through, the leaves chimed like glass bells—pure and musical.
Their flexible stems curved with the breeze. Their silvery-purple hues shimmered with faint bioluminescence.
Together, they produced a divine symphony—a natural melody Ventair had never heard.
The air was fresh, cool, and fragrant with plant scents and subtle bell-tones. Everything felt sacred.
In his Soulspace, the angels could sense the beauty too.
Seraphiel gasped. "This is the most beautiful sight I've ever seen."
The others stayed silent, but their admiration was evident.
Ventair stood still, overwhelmed with longing. "If only I had a camera... I'd capture this forever."
He sat on a patch of grass, eyes fixed on the sky, not wanting to leave just yet.
He stayed there for a long time, immersed in the floating petals and celestial music.
Eventually, he moved on.
He walked, rested, encountered strange creatures, walked again—repeating the cycle for five days.
Without another tree like the first, he had to sleep under the stars. Fortunately, no threats came close.
With two angels guarding him each night, he slept deeply and peacefully.
The sun had set and risen five times. Fatigue was accumulating.
He sighed. "So long on foot, and still not a single intelligent being in sight," he muttered.
Strangely, he hadn't encountered a single hostile creature.
"And this plain just won't end... This Jupiter-sized planet really is enormous."
He continued walking, eyes scanning the horizon, wondering:
When will I finally find intelligent life?