Actually, when Eira was little, she once nearly died.

Elusa told me that at night.

Eira hadn’t originally planned to become a Hero. She’d simply wanted to study music abroad.

I’d even heard her play piano before—her elegant classical technique left me utterly enchanted.

My wife has beautifully long fingers. Just having her gently stroke my forehead used to feel heavenly. Watching her play piano was even more mesmerizing: her long silver hair swaying in the air, her body rocking softly on the bench.

"What made Eira give up music?"

"A Hero. A Hero saved her when she was in danger. After that, she changed her life’s path. It was like those childhood physical assessments told her—she had incredible potential. She decided to save others, just like that person did."

Being saved by a Hero and wanting to become one yourself—it sounds like a fairy tale, but it’s real. The pull of justice spreads faster than any virus. That’s the world we live in.

"Back then, Eira was kidnapped. Those reckless beasts took my sister hostage for ransom. Of course, I made them pay dearly afterward… How *dare* they touch my sister! Eira in middle school was my little angel!!"

I stole a glance at the photo in her hand—delicate, petite, with a face as sweet and soft as candy.

I never knew Eira once had that "little sister" vibe. Her small frame back then reminded me of Vivian now—same angelic build, same heart-melting charm. Exactly the kind of daughter everyone dreams of.

"You were already in the military back then? What exactly did you do?"

"Don’t ask what you shouldn’t know…"

"Alright."

Naturally, Eira was rescued later. A righteous Hero swooped in during her darkest hour—though honestly, it was more like a bloody beating for those kidnappers.

"Who knows? That Hero looked utterly battered. The kidnappers beat him half to death."

"Seriously? That’s… kinda funny."

I don’t know why, but hearing "beat him half to death" made my whole body ache like I’d been through it myself.

"Funny, but it worked. At the most critical moment, he drew all the kidnappers’ attention. He shielded everyone, buying time for my sister to escape. His sacrifice saved her life—but I can’t even confirm if he survived…

By the time the military arrived, he was gone."

……Sacrificing yourself to save someone else’s child? Truly admirable.

"Is that Hero famous now?"

"No."

"Figured as much. No trace found."

"All we have are my sister’s fragmented memories: his face wrapped in rags, wearing plain tracksuits—no flair at all. Apparently just a middle school boy. Quite the character."

Hmm. For some reason, hearing that felt strangely familiar.

"After that, she vowed to repay his kindness. Our family fiercely opposed it, of course. Becoming a Hero? Nearly impossible. Greater power means harsher side effects… and the dangers only multiply. I didn’t want to lose my sister. But I also didn’t want her drifting away from us."

A trace of sorrow flickered across Elusa’s face. She still couldn’t accept this reality.

"Can you do it? Protect my Eira."

"That wasn’t even a real question. You never saw me as her first line of defense, did you?"

—

That idiot Yangzi. Chugging soda was fine, but why provoke Eira’s older sister? He knew she outranked him massively, yet he still flirted with a woman decades above his paygrade. She tossed him off the roof without a second thought. Poor guy.

Asking a single woman if she had a boyfriend.

Asking a commitment-phobe if she wanted to marry.

That fool…

Whatever. This whole night left me aching head to toe.

When I opened my eyes, I was still in bed—but today felt different. Right now, I was holding Eira.

My arms wrapped around her, pulling her against my chest.

Zeming couldn’t believe it. But honestly? No real issues here.

We were all just… exhausted.

"Mm. Morning."

This wasn’t some casual greeting. We were *this* close. This intimate.

Eira blinked awake, her stunning eyes lifting to meet mine. For a moment, she looked startled—but no anger, no panic. She simply accepted the situation with calm grace.

"Morning to you too. Honestly? Slept really well last night."

No complaints about this… unusual position?

She slipped gently from my arms, stretching as her slender figure arched beautifully against the sheets.

The exhaustion was gone. She radiated energy now.

"I… slept fine too. But seriously—no handcuffs needed for this? You’re just… okay with it?"

"Well… we *are* married, right?"

Her cheeks flushed as she knelt on the bed, looking so adorably meek I could finally picture her as the "dutiful wife" everyone described.

Her eyes kept flicking toward me. Dangerous look. Since when was my wife this cute?

"It *is* nice, but—*whoa*?!"

Please forgive my outburst.

"*Whoa*? What’s that supposed to mean?! You wanna die?! Do you *loathe* me that much?!"

Her eyes dimmed again. She was mad.

"N-no! It’s not that! It’s just… this change is so sudden! I can’t adjust that fast!"

I pointed at the nearby handcuffs—things that used to mean something very different.

"……I guess. Though… there *is* a reason."

"Can you tell me?"

No one else around. Safe to ask.

"If I’m honest? You’re… kind of cool."

"Cool?!"

"Yeah. You look messy sometimes. Do weird stuff. But when I was sick, you took perfect care of me. Vivian’s never had issues either. You keep the whole house running smoothly. I really admire that."

"Had to. I’ve always lived alone. Took care of everything myself."

"And… you’re surprisingly brave."

Flattering, sure—but why *that*?

"Like last night! You actually ate *all* my sister’s cooking! That took insane courage!"

*That’s* what she meant?!

My stomach chose that moment to twist in agony. Oh no. The aftereffects were kicking in.

Last night’s durian stewed chicken, banana-fried sausages, mugwort salad… I’d eaten every toxic bite alone to protect Eira. A daughter’s health isn’t something to gamble with.

If you don’t finish a cook’s heartfelt meal? You might just get shot.

"Let’s… skip that part."

"Huh?"

"Time to get up. I’ll take you to the hospital for your checkup. Breakfast first."

"Bothering you again today…"

"Don’t be silly. No ‘bothering’ between spouses."

Elusa must have slipped out intentionally. Only a neatly rolled sleeping bag remained on the floor.

"Right. Before that—we’ve got Vivian. Let’s drop her off together this time."

"A little excited about that, actually."

—

"That man… killed my operatives. The Void Blade."

In the darkness, eyes flicked to the files on the table.

"And this one."

No body recovered. But the gas-masked figure and the theatrical-looking man—these were the two Zeming had eliminated earlier.

"Who killed them?"

"Unknown."

"Unknown?"

"Correct. He never revealed his true identity. No ability records in the Hero Association database either. Might be a dark horse."

The report came in a smooth, magnetic voice.

"Your words suggest another possibility."

"Of course. The second option: the old Hero has returned."

Hands flipped over the nameplate on the table.

【CEO, Villain HR Department - General Division】

The title was almost comical. But right now, this organization was deadly serious.