The Protagonist's Sister Is Actually The Strongest

It was a long tale, one that took us hours to explain to the people, but once we were done, it was already sunset… And yet, none of the people present ever moved, fascinated by mother’s domain showing everything through images, we captivated even the children, making this an experience that they would never forget.

“And that is all,” she said. “This was the truth of what happened—who the Heavenly Demon truly was... and everything that led to his final battle against that Demon. A real Demon, unlike him. A monster we slew with all we had, his final blow paving the way for us to finish it. Without his ultimate sacrifice, Lucifer would never have been wounded deeply enough in his Soul for us to defeat him. Through Lucifer’s fall, the Horror Beyond the Stars was also gravely wounded. And then, through our cooperation—and the brave sacrifice of the Mother of the Machines, who felt remorse for her sins—it was ultimately slain.”

As Mother finished, she looked down at her husband with a gentle smile, placing a flower on his chest.

For some reason, he looked peaceful. Like he was smiling.

Maybe it was just my imagination.

“So this is the truth...”

“Everything that happened until now...”

“We’ve finally learned it all…”

“So many sacrifices... So many people died for us…”

“The Mother of All Machines—she did this… because she regretted it?”

“So even the machines… they lost their beloved leader?”

“…So we’re not the only ones mourning. And yet we never held a funeral for them.”

“Everyone,” my mother spoke one last time, “before we leave for the Feast of Remembrance, my daughter and my son have a few words to share about the Heavenly Demon. I know you’re weary—and perhaps tired—but please, I beg you, listen to their sincere words.”

After that, Song and I stepped forward. We’d spent some time thinking about what to say, and at last we were ready. We didn’t want to burden them further, so we decided to speak in turns—about Father—and share everything on our minds.

“Um, hello everyone… I know many of you already know me. I guess I’m pretty famous now, huh?” I said. “I’m Anna. I’ve spent a few months here, and I became a disciple of the Heavenly Empress and the Heavenly Demon. I learned a lot from them, and through that journey, I even became a Venerable myself. It’s good to meet you all—and it’s an honor to have you here.”

“And you might’ve already heard about me,” Song added. “I’m Song, my father’s son. And although Anna doesn’t like to admit it because she thinks people might mock her—which you won’t—she’s also my father’s daughter. He adopted her,” he smiled, patting my shoulder. “She’s my sister.”

I felt a bit embarrassed when he said that—but I endured it and nodded. I suppose I was afraid some would say I wasn’t really his daughter.

“The Heavenly Demon, at first, well... how do I put it?” I took a breath. “He was quite the asshole. Yeah, sorry if that’s a bit direct, but I’m being honest here, heart-to-heart, everyone,” I said with a giggle. A few people chuckled, mostly the other demonic cultivators. “When I first came here asking him to teach me his arts so I could grow stronger, you know what he told me to do? He said I had to slay a thousand invading machines and destroy the caves where they mined resources… I don’t even know if I managed to do that, but I did my best. Mind you, this was back when the machines weren’t like they are today. So, I’m sorry if that sounds unsavory to those present—it’s not my intention. But, well... I eventually learned he wasn’t as much of an asshole as I had thought.”

“No... Dad—I mean, the Heavenly Demon—he was kind. He rescued me from the brink of death. He healed me. He fixed my broken body and even improved it... and he did all of that out of the kindness of his heart, just because I tried my best to accomplish the impossible task he gave me. Maybe he saw something in me. Or maybe he pitied me. Whatever the case, I was shocked when I woke up the next morning, all patched up and stronger than ever.”

“In that moment, despite everything I’d heard about him, I realized he wasn’t really that bad. Deep down, I knew—no truly evil person would do something like that. And I was right. Even though he always seemed so ruthless… he actually taught me so much. When it felt like he didn’t hold back, he did. When it seemed like he didn’t care, he did. And even when he pretended he couldn’t love... he did love. He was a conflicted man, always hiding his heart... someone who was afraid to open up. His tenacity, his willpower, his smugness—it was all genuine. He was a struggler. A true man. And someone… someone amazing that I will never, ever forget because…”

I began to cry again.

“Because... he taught me to face my fears head-on. He taught me that I would never be alone… because he would always be with me—in each technique he passed down, in every seal he placed upon my body. Embodying the pain of others and their suffering, he taught me not to become a tyrant as he once was. No... he taught me to use power to free people, to save them. To become the one who brings freedom to the masses. That’s how he saw himself. That’s how most demonic cultivators saw him. And…”

I walked toward my father in silence.

“I love you, Dad. I always will.”

My tears fell onto the flowers resting on his chest. Song hugged me gently, and then he began to speak.

“Indeed… As Anna said, our father was someone very special. Conflicted, yes—he hid his true intentions and always wore a mask to shield his real emotions. But he lived. I think that came from his past, from the people he lost, and everything he went through.”

“This world… this cruel world shaped him into who he became. But with me, he was different. He was gentle. Kind. Though strict at times, he treated me with love and care—a side of him few ever saw. Despite everything, he was a wonderful father. Someone I admire even more now.”

“He fought to save me. He cried when he saw me return to them. Yes, he cried—perhaps for the first time in his life, the Heavenly Demon shed tears. He was a person, just like any of you. He simply suffered more—more than you could ever imagine. And yet, despite everything, his heart... deep down, became so kind and warm. And no matter how hard he tried... he could no longer hide it.”

“My father may have been a villain in the past... but I believe he died a hero.”

The opposite of “if you don’t die a hero, you live long enough to become a villain.”

The Heavenly Demon lived much of his life as a villain, shaped into a monster by the world. But as he lived on, as he finally experienced love… as he found a family and disciples who cared for him...

In the end—perhaps even against his own will—he became the hero we always believed he could be.

Not for himself... but for us.

“Thank you, everyone, for listening,” Song said.

“Yeah… thank you so much,” I added with a nod.

“The Feast of Remembrance will now begin in the Dark Palace,” declared the Heavenly Empress. “To those hungry or weary, please go. We will feed all—rich or poor, immortal or mortal, child, adult, or elder. And as tradition dictates, when the feast concludes at midnight, the Heavenly Demon’s body will be cremated. His ashes shall be scattered across this island’s oceans and soil... so he may forever be with us, watching over and protecting all.”

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