"Al, can I take a look at that sword?"

Alicia had already made this request to Albel walking ahead of her for the third time.

"Nope. Unless you call me ‘honey’."

Albel’s reply remained firm.

"Hmph…"

Alicia puffed her cheeks, staring at the guy who’d just one-shot a 14-star demon beast. She had her own calculations.

The Demon Sword Laevatein could lock onto every target on the battlefield at once, bypassing damage calculations to instantly kill them.

Alicia remembered Laevatein’s special effect crystal clear. With this sword, what would the Demon King’s passive ability even matter?

In other words—if she got this sword, she could kill the Demon King.

Alicia narrowed her eyes. Killing the Demon King meant fame, power, mountains of gold… and never scraping by in poverty again.

No pain, no gain.

"Honey."

Clenching her fists, Alicia took a deep breath. Despite mental preparation, her cheeks flushed crimson the moment the word left her lips.

"What did you say?"

Albel froze as if struck by lightning. He turned around, trembling, staring at the blushing beauty before him. Had he really heard that?

"I called you that thing, so hand over the sword already."

To hide her embarrassment, Alicia turned her face away and held out a hand.

"Nope, too quiet. Didn’t catch it."

Albel waved his hands frantically. That "honey" had come so suddenly—he hadn’t processed it properly.

"You’re bullying me!"

Alicia’s face burned scarlet as she cried out.

"I genuinely didn’t hear! Say it louder. Sweeter. Like a wife cooing to her husband—with a pure maiden’s shy smile."

Albel faced Alicia squarely, laying out his terms. This time, he was ready.

"You—!"

Alicia almost scolded his audacity. But then she pictured slicing him to bits with the Demon Sword. The shame didn’t seem so bad anymore.

Kill the Demon King. Rule the world. Mansions full of treasure. Handsome princes… For that future, Alicia pressed her lips together. She’d risk it.

"Honey~"

Alicia had never called anyone that in her life. She mimicked the silly tone of the dumb couple next door, pouring every ounce of courage into the word.

The moment it escaped her lips, her face flamed. That cutesy voice! She wanted to vanish into the earth.

"Mm, mm. Good girl, wifey."

Albel’s whole body tingled. Being called "honey" by a beauty was intoxicating—especially under coercion. If they were truly married? The thought made his heart race.

His resolve to take this Holy Maiden home as his wife hardened.

"H-Hand it over already! You’re not tricking me again, are you?"

Seeing Albel hesitate, Alicia panicked. She’d swallowed her pride for that "honey"—if she didn’t get the sword now, it’d all be wasted!

"Right away, wifey. I’m ready. Let’s begin."

Albel cleared his throat, stood tall, and patted his chest.

"Begin what?"

Alicia frowned in confusion.

"The kiss, of course?"

"Huh? Why a kiss?!"

Alicia’s eyes widened. He was messing with her again!

"My sword requires a maiden’s kiss as sacrifice to summon. Why else did I force-kiss you earlier? Did you think I was bored?"

Albel shrugged helplessly. It was a necessary step.

"Hmph…"

Alicia recalled it—Albel had mentioned activating "Maiden’s Kiss" to summon Laevatein. Being called a maiden pleased her, but… kissing him willingly? Their past kisses were accidents or his forceful grabs. This would be her first conscious choice.

She bit her lip, hesitating.

"If we stall longer, that ‘honey’ you called me will be wasted."

Albel urged her on—he genuinely wanted a proper kiss with this beauty.

"F-Fine!"

Alicia thought of future riches, future princes. For that life—she’d do it!

Stepping forward, she rose on tiptoes. Her soft pink lips pressed against Albel’s.

Warm. Silky.

Golden strands brushed his nose, carrying her faint floral scent. Even in this wilderness, her delicate fragrance lingered.

"Mm…"

Seconds later, their lips slowly parted.

"Satisfied?"

Alicia bit her lip, head bowed. She couldn’t let him see her face—flushed like dripping blood.

"Mm… mm…"

Albel touched his lips. Kissing a beauty was heavenly. What had he been doing these past ten years? He should’ve prioritized "finding a lovely wife" ages ago.

"Then summon it already!"

"Right! Activate Maiden’s Kiss—summon Demon Sword Laevatein!"

Albel snapped to attention. Her demands were met; showing her the sword was fine. It was his exclusive gear anyway—useless to others.

"Here."

He handed Laevatein to Alicia. Her eyes locked onto the blood-red blade, wide with awe. Albel assumed she admired its power—but her mind spun a different scheme.

"Gulp."

Alicia swallowed hard, staring at the terrifying sword. It felt like a golden future was waving at her.

"Careful. Don’t hurt yourself."

Albel warned her. This Holy Maiden’s IQ worried him—she might do something stupid.

"Hahaha!"

The moment Alicia grasped Laevatein, she leaped back, putting distance between them. Her laughter rang sharp and triumphant.

"You Demon King are too naive! I’m a genius—using your own weapon to kill you! Hahaha! Die!"

She pointed Laevatein at Albel, arrogance swelling until she saw him as already dead.

Albel slapped his forehead. *Here we go.*

"Too scared to watch your death? I’m humanity’s Holy Maiden! Today, I make history—Ragnarok!"

Alicia raised Laevatein, mimicking Albel’s earlier motion as she swung it down.

Silence.

The forest held its breath. A pin dropping would shatter the stillness.

"…Huh? Why no sword aura? Ragnarok! Ragnarok! Rag… nar… ok…"

Alicia frantically swung the sword, panic rising. Her chant grew weaker, her voice fading.

"Before acting dumb, read the skill description properly."

Albel sighed, pointing at the sword in her hands.

*Demon Sword Laevatein: Exclusive equipment of Demon King Albel.*

The words made Alicia drop the sword.

"Um… Mr. Albel? Is it too late to apologize?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at him, pitiful.

"Way too late."

Albel spread his hands.

"Waaah! I’m sorry! Don’t kill me! I’m only sixteen—my whole life ahead! The world’s so big, I haven’t even seen it…"

Seeing no mercy, Alicia collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

*It’s over. I’m dead.*

*Mom, Dad… I won’t make it home…*

"You really want to kill me that badly?"

Albel crouched before her, smiling.

Her stupidity was almost endearing. He wasn’t angry at all.

"How else do I make a comeback? The Light Sanctuary will replace me as Holy Maiden… Waaah… I’ll be worthless…"

Alicia wiped tears, sniffling.

"You want a comeback? I’ll tell you the fastest way for a woman."

Albel winked.

"What?"

Alicia paused her crying, skeptical.

"Marry a powerful, influential man. Like me."

He pointed at himself.

"Waaah! I’d never marry a Demon King!"

Alicia wailed harder. A human marrying a demon? Impossible!

"You call me demon-kind—but where are my horns? Is my skin crimson?"

"You’re the Demon King! Of course you’re different!"

Alicia pouted. She wasn’t that gullible.

"How about this?"

Albel smiled faintly—and revealed his status window.

*Albel: Dark-Attribute Demon-Human Hybrid.*

Alicia’s tears stopped mid-fall. Her eyes widened at "Demon-Human Hybrid."

"I’ve always been half-human, half-demon."

Albel gently wiped her tears, smiling.

High in the forest canopy, a shadow flickered on a giant tree branch—watching the pair below. In the next instant, it vanished. Only a few falling leaves remained.