“Tsk.”
The moment Rean spotted Olga, his face twisted into a sour grimace—as if he’d just bitten a lemon—features scrunching tight.
“Morning? Hardly. I’m going for a walk. Don’t follow me.”
Rean clicked his tongue, turned away, leaped cleanly from the wall, and landed softly on the ground. He bent, brushed dust from his legs twice, then strode toward the hill ahead without a backward glance.
To reach the nearest town from Christine Demon King City, one had to climb a small hill, trek through a forest, pass a tiny village, and only then arrive.
Magic was usually the quickest way to travel—but Rean planned the opposite: walk to town on foot, hire a carriage, and leave the Demon Realm straight for the human kingdom of Tiehua.
Pursuers would miscalculate his speed and miss him entirely.
A minor hiccup now? No panic. No problem.
“I don’t believe walks begin with jumping off walls this high,” Olga said coolly, catching up to Rean’s half-hearted escape act. “Lein Christin—you’re running from the wedding, aren’t you? Your mother warned me. That’s why I’m here.”
*That scheming mom of mine… Did she leak everything?!*
“Since you know… guess there’s no hiding it.”
Rean halted, sighing upward. Olga tensed—then froze. A torrential wave of magical energy surged from Rean. High-tier spell. Incoming.
Her hand was already on her sword hilt. One wrong move, and she’d strike first—unlike yesterday.
“Lein Christin, what are you—”
“See you… *not*!”
[Movement Magic — Meteor Dash]
Before Olga’s blade cleared its sheath, Rean—who’d looked ready to silence her—shot forward like a runaway meteor. Dust billowed, choking her into a coughing fit.
Even an angel wouldn’t shrug that off unprepared.
“Brat… pushing me, huh?”
Olga covered her mouth, white wings flaring wide. Her pristine form shot skyward.
…
“HAHAHA! Dumb angel! Got played!”
Rean whooped across the open land, vaulting the hill, racing toward the forest.
Sure, he’d ditched the “no magic” plan—but cornered? Any trick to shake her worked.
Freedom’s dawn gleamed ahead. Better quit being Demon King than betray the Demon Realm—haha!
*Screeeeech—!*
A shrill, searing shriek split the air. A golden light pillar slammed down before him, blasting brown gravel skyward.
Rean skidded, glanced back—and nearly jumped out of his skin. Olga, four white wings beating fiercely, dove like a hawk. Her glare screamed: *“I’ll rip you apart!”*
*Crazy woman! Flying this high—afraid of witnesses?! Don’t drag others down with you!*
Cursing inwardly, Rean triggered Meteor Dash again, aiming for the forest’s cover.
Too late. That first pillar was just a warning. Olga saw his move. Golden pillars rained like a storm, blocking every path he took.
“Why chase me?! I’m not in any hurry!” Rean yelled up at the hovering Olga. Unscathed but fuming—he’d vanish, she’d skip the forced marriage! Why cling on? Couldn’t she fake letting him go and seek peace another way?
“Three seconds to surrender and return. I’ll pretend this morning never happened. Or become a sieve in this light. *Don’t stop moving!*”
No mercy. The light rain thickened. Rean dodged desperately.
Above, Olga floated calmly, smiling as she watched him scramble like a clown.
*Damn it… Is she even an angel?! Feels more demonic than me. Time for a lesson.*
Rean raised his arm. Eerie azure light swirled before his forearm—a shape half-fish, half-dragon.
“Gluttony…”
“Ahhh! Help! Someone, help!”
A scream erupted from the forest. Birds scattered. Both froze. The golden rain ceased. Rean aborted his spell and sprinted toward the trees.
