Twin blossoms on a single stem, sharing every joy and hardship; falling together, inseparable until death. — Prologue

Unless it was a matter of utmost urgency, Rean preferred traveling on foot or by carriage over teleportation or speed magic. After all, the road itself was never dull. Every sight and sound along the way offered joys impossible to find within Christine’s walls—and sometimes, even strange little treasures turned up. That was precisely why he’d wandered so long before his father, King Bysain, summoned him back to the Demon King Citadel.

But this time, his mood was far from light.

The carriage jolted along the rutted dirt path. The open book in Rean’s hands thumped to the floor at his feet. As he bent to retrieve it, the wheel—of all things—struck a small stone and lurched upward, smacking the top of his head squarely against the cramped compartment’s front panel.

“Ugh… terrible…”

“Haha, my apologies, sir! This stretch is rough—you’ve gotta watch your head,” the driver chuckled from outside.

“Your warning came *way* too late!” Rean grumbled, rubbing his scalp as he pulled back the side curtain. “Tch… Since when did this road get so wrecked?”

He’d traveled to the Kingdom of Tiyehua many times before. Back then, the lands surrounding it were peaceful—wild beasts and beastkin tribes lived undisturbed. Now, where forest should have stood, not a blade of grass remained. The road outside looked gnawed raw, pockmarked and stained with dried blood. Faint traces of its former smoothness lingered, but it was utterly shattered. And this stretch stretched on… irritation prickled under Rean’s skin.

*Looks like it’s been torn apart by weapons and destructive magic… Must’ve been a brutal battle.*

Rean picked up the book and leaned back against the seat.

“Rean… How much longer till Tiyehua? I’m *so* bored…”

The second source of his foul mood sighed lazily, stretching like a cat. Her clenched fist brushed his cheek, shifting with the motion of her arm.

A vein pulsed faintly on Rean’s temple. Day three since leaving Christine. Cramped quarters with Olga were wearing him thin. Worse, this seemed to be her first time in the mortal realm—everything fascinated her. The novelty of the carriage had worn off by day two, and boredom had sunk in deep.

“If you’re bored, just go back. No one forced you to follow. And we’re not sightseeing—don’t expect fun.”

“Impossible. Did you think I’d storm off over words like that?”

“Then shut up.”

True, Rean had left Christine after only one day—not for tourism, not even (failed) escape from Olga. His goal: use the Kingdom of Tiyehua to resolve the threat from Mammon, Fifth Demon King.

From what Rean knew, Mammon was defined by greed. To plunder wealth and relics, he clashed constantly with neighbors. Demon Kings held mutual restraint; humans received none. Several small nations had already fallen. Now, prosperous Tiyehua stood in his path.

Thankfully, Tiyehua still held its ground—barely. A grinding stalemate. But time favored Mammon.

Rean’s plan: leave Christine’s governance to his father, intervene personally in the war, and eliminate Mammon. Solve the problem. Avoid suspicion from other Demon Kings.

*Assuming this useless angel doesn’t drag me down.*

He glanced at Olga, yawning from boredom. *This is the Celestial Realm’s strongest besides the Archangel? Did the Realm only survive thanks to those four?*

Sighing, Rean reopened the fallen book and cast a subtle stabilizing spell to ward off motion sickness.

Propped against the window, one hand resting on the sill, the other turning a page on his knee, a gentle breeze stirred his hair. Sunlight filtering through the curtain lent his focused profile a quiet elegance—enough to stir Olga’s curiosity.

She rested her chin in her palm. “You’ve been reading since yesterday… What’s so interesting?”

“Nothing. Just recorded oddities—questionable truth at best.” He gave a wry shrug without looking up. “Fruits granting power but stealing swimming ability. Seven orbs granting wishes. Flying humanoid war machines over ten meters tall. Alchemy reviving corpses. Cursed Blades bound by fate to turn lovers against each other… Treat them as fiction.”

Before his failed elopement, Rean had raided his family’s treasury and library. Honestly, he needed to quit hoarding random books.

*…Seriously, what a bizarre collection.*

“But… corpse revival? Necromancy *can* do that, right?”

“Only if the body’s intact and the soul strong enough. Otherwise, you get a shambling corpse. And even if successful—something’s always missing. Is that really *revival*?” Rean flipped a page, expression neutral.

“Hmm… What if we *did* find those Cursed Blades…?”

“First, they’re not lying around everywhere. Second, we’re not ‘lovers.’ No effect. And if—*if*—we somehow triggered the curse? I’d stab you without hesitation.”

*Single by skill. Why plant flags?*

“You heartless jerk! After all my worry when you were hurt—you remember *nothing*?!”

Olga’s fists flew. Rean dropped the book, raising his arms to block. She nearly shook the carriage door loose before landing a solid thump on his head.

*Is she here to be my ancestor?!* Rean’s mind screamed. *This is “harmony”? She acts like marrying me is a royal favor! Any man with pride would’ve tossed her out already. Fight? Fine! I’ll march on the Celestial Realm like Lucifer!*

*…But for Christine’s people… I endure.*

“Alright, alright—I surrender! I’m sorry for not cherishing your deep affection, okay?” He raised both hands, handing her the book. “I’ll remember your kindness every second. Happy?”

“I… didn’t say *that*…”

A faint blush dusted Olga’s cheeks. She puffed her cheeks, muttering as she lowered her fists.

Rean no longer cared what she thought. As long as she stopped causing trouble, she could flip the carriage for all he cared.

*…Though I’d have to pay the driver.*

“Half a day left to Tiyehua’s border. Read to pass the time.”

He placed the book in her hands and closed his eyes against the window.

*Too exhausting being near Olga…*

*Mentally.*

Olga opened the book. In the Celestial Realm, reading had been her joy. She’d devoured every volume available. Oddly, beyond formal bestiaries, histories, and grimoires, the library held human tales—like star-crossed lovers from feuding families. She’d found those fascinating.

Her eyes drifted from the pages to Rean’s resting profile. Sunlight warmed his sharp features. Her cheeks flushed hot.

*No no no—not because he suddenly looks… handsome!*

She shook her head fiercely. *Just a pretty face over rotten character. Only here for the Realm’s future.*

*(…But he protects Christine fiercely. His people adore him. He has… serious moments. Maybe his heart isn’t bad.)*

*If we could stay like this—calmer, quieter—we might understand each other better. Maybe even…*

*NO. Impossible! Unacceptable! Just complete the mission!*

She shook her head harder, unaware Rean’s eyes weren’t fully closed.

*She’s finally lost it,* Rean thought dryly.

The carriage rolled steadily forward. Ahead, the border town of the Kingdom of Tiyehua came into view.