"Tia, what kind of species are Demons in this world?"

Bored, I lounged on the inn sofa, watching Tia read intently beside me.

"Husband, why the sudden curiosity about this?"

Tia closed her book and focused on me.

"Just got interested on a whim."

To avoid panic, I’d better not mention what I’d seen earlier.

"Demons are beings from another world."

"Another world? Do you mean the Demon World Continent?"

I recalled Perina mentioning it before.

"Not the Demon World Continent. At most, it has magical races like elves and orcs, plus monsters—but no Demons."

"Huh? I thought ‘demon’ in the name meant they were related."

"Not at all. Demons dwell in the Inferno Realm—the legendary place where wicked souls go after death."

"So it really is another world."

"Demons mostly slaughter humans for fun. In the Inferno Realm, victims never truly die no matter the torture. Demons love killing them, waiting for revival, then killing again."

What sick amusement...

"Aren’t you worried about them invading the human world?"

"No worry. Goddess Sophia’s barrier stops Demons from coming willingly. Unless..."

"Unless?"

"Unless someone summons a Demon using human sacrifice."

Crap. Trouble’s coming. The Empire delegation’s dwindling numbers must’ve been sacrifices.

"Well~ I doubt anyone’s foolish enough to summon a Demon. It’s far too dangerous."

Fools have already done it! Why no chaos yet?

I jumped up, heading for the door. Must stop them before disaster strikes.

"Wait!!!"

Just as I rose, Tia pounced, pinning me back onto the sofa.

"Husband! Where are you going so late?"

Tia leaned over me, her face a fist’s width from mine.

"I... I need to handle something outside."

"Handle what? At this hour?"

She inched closer, resting her face on my chest.

"I can hear your heartbeat here, husband."

Her hair’s fragrance washed over me, paired with soft pressure on my stomach—I was losing control.

"T-Tia, I truly have urgent business!"

"Husband~ what if we can’t cancel the Empire engagement?"

Tia asked seriously, lying against my chest.

"If the king refuses, I’ll take you by force like last time."

"What a reassuring answer."

"Then let me go handle this first."

Those idiots might actually cause trouble!

"Husband can handle it right here! I’ll help you handle it well."

Wrong meaning entirely!!

"You misunderstood! I mean going out—not that issue!!!"

"What errand at this hour? Aerin and Phyllis are stuck in the kitchen. Just us here—shouldn’t you take care of me first?"

Hey!!! Has Tia been reading questionable books lately?

"T-That... can we discuss it after I return?"

"Really? I already feel you pressing against me."

Who could hold back in this situation?!

"Forget it!!! I don’t care—I’ll just..."

As I moved to pin Tia down, the inn window shattered inward.

"!!!!!!!!???????"

Who’s ruining my romantic moment again?!

Tia and I sprang up, staring at the window.

A shadowy figure unfolded wings in the darkness.

"What is that??????????"

"A lesser Demon!!!!"

Tia snatched her staff, chanted swiftly, flames coiling around her fists before charging.

"What was that noise?!"

Aerin rushed out from the kitchen.

"A Demon broke in."

I pointed where Tia had charged.

"Demon!!??"

Tia, eyes glowing red, sat atop the lesser Demon, hammering fiery punches into it.

"How dare it ruin my moment with husband!!!"

She punched its face again—the room shook violently.

"Ahh~~~~~"

The Demon couldn’t speak, but its cries screamed for help.

"We were so close!!!"

Another shake rattled the room.

"Ahh~~~~~~~~~~~~"

She called Demons terrifying moments ago—give it some dignity!

"A flame-controlling female Demon!!! Pupil! Stay away!!!"

No, that’s Tia.

"Even if you mimic Tia, I won’t be fooled!!!"

That is Tia!!!

"I won’t allow Pupil to be with a Demon!!"

Aerin hugged my waist tightly.

"Hey!! You knew it was Tia all along!!! Do you really want to label her a Demon?!"

"Oh????"

Tia lifted her head, red eyes locking onto Aerin.

"Wait!! Not the time to argue!! Shouldn’t we trace this Demon’s origin first?"

"Husband is right!"

Tia instantly calmed, striding to the broken window.

"Husband!! Catastrophe!!!!"

She shouted the moment she leaned out.

"What????"

I rushed to the window.

Streets and rooftops swarmed with low-level Demons hunting pedestrians. Adventurers already fought back. The black sky glowed faint purple—a massive summoning circle hung above the palace, pouring Demons into the city.