Vivian’s face turned deathly pale, an indescribable wave of powerlessness rising from deep within.

Having followed Li Wei out of the core zone, she’d truly believed victory was hers.

But how had things spiraled like this?

Vivian couldn’t comprehend it—only a hollow, absurd laughter echoed in her chest.

It was like the final page of a storybook: the radiant hero who slew the dragon, surrounded by devoted heroines. Everyone, inside and out, expected him to choose one for a happy ending. Yet in the end… he picked a random passerby who never even appeared in the tale.

What had all my persistence and struggles ever meant?

Resentment burned in Vivian’s heart, yet she equally recoiled from Tiffany’s words—each one tearing open old wounds.

This outcome was absolutely not her fault.

Setting facts aside—hadn’t Li Wei chosen his own downfall? From the moment he stubbornly left the core zone, he’d stepped onto the wrong path. Now, knowing there was no turning back… had he simply thrown in the towel?

“If you’re so aware of your position… why not humble yourself before me?” Vivian gritted her teeth.

She forced her breathing to steady.

She suppressed the urge to confront him. Even if she went now, she’d get no real answer. And… she no longer had the standing to demand one.

Then she’d keep moving forward.

I will prove who was truly wrong.

I will prove how gravely mistaken your choice was. And when you finally beg for redemption—you’ll need to exert a thousand times more effort than before. And still… you’ll be left wanting.

Vivian thought viciously, then spoke coldly:

“Tiffany.”

“Yes!”

Tiffany replied instinctively.

“Prepare yourself. Tomorrow, we begin the campaign against Immovable.”

Vivian’s tone was flat.

“Eh… but we’re not fully assembled yet.”

“No need to wait. They’re still in prior-stage training—won’t be back soon.”

“The two of us are enough. We’re not charging straight at the Demon Lord.”

Vivian’s voice remained icy. She tightened her grip on Veiled Moon. In this moment, only the blade’s cold steel offered a trace of warmth, a sliver of calm.

“What about supplies?” Tiffany murmured.

“Mister Li Wei forbade Dori Trading House from selling us anything.”

“Resources aren’t monopolized by one house,” Vivian said calmly. “We’ll cooperate with the Legion.”

“Cooperate… does that mean we can freeload forever?” Tiffany’s eyes lit up.

“Temporary borrowing. We’ll compensate them another way.”

“Once we defeat Immovable’s leader, we’ll partner openly with other houses. No more reliance.” Vivian shot her a weary glance and huffed.

Cooperation with the Legion was purely tactical.

She wasn’t naive—she saw their ambition clearly. If they freeloade like this foolish elf imagined, Dawn would be trapped. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

“Fine,” Tiffany grumbled.

Today had battered her: lost freeloading channels, and Mister Li Wei snatched by that wicked woman.

But… she, Tiffany, wasn’t so easily broken.

Recalling elders’ wisdom, she rallied.

“Though Mister Li Wei has a wife… maybe it’s not all bad.”

“Before, rivals were everywhere. Now only one stands visible. Maybe… it’s easier?”

***

Li Wei’s cottage.

After shooing away the freeloading elf, the small house fell quiet—only a family of three remained.

Tsukika settled casually into a chair, smoothing her skirt. Her crimson eyes fixed on the stern-faced man nearby, a teasing smile curling her lips.

“Since leaving the core zone… these are your teammates? What a ragtag bunch.”

“Before, you chose allies to slay the Demon Lord. Now? Your standard’s ‘good for starting a family’?”

Sensing the Demon Lord’s possessiveness, Li Wei shook his head. “I see potential in them.”

“Not very sincere… but I’ll grudgingly accept it,” Tsukika chuckled. “Still—reminder, Chosen Hero: no flirting outside. You’re the child’s father. And now… you belong to me.”

“Your name needs a little ~fidelity~ attached.”

She tilted her head, studying him. “Hmm… actually, not bad. Change your name? Or shall I carve mine onto you?”

Li Wei paused. “If you insist… I can reserve the spot on my back.”

Tsukika: “…Go cook. I’m hungry.”

She’d seen his resigned front—and realized breaking through wouldn’t be easy.

Li Wei walked calmly toward the kitchen. Truthfully, he hadn’t yet steadied his heart around Tsukika. A moment alone to gather thoughts was welcome.

Just as he reached the door, Tsukika’s voice drifted softly behind him:

“Oh—and add extra tonics.”

“After all… we have quite a few energy-consuming activities planned for tonight~”

This time, Li Wei faltered. His steady stride hitched.

Tsukika watched the kitchen door close, satisfied. He’d wavered.

Yue Lin observed silently beside her, ahoge twitching rhythmically. Eyes wide with awe, she watched her mother command that detestable man with effortless grace. Her ahoge had curled into a perfect exclamation mark.

Mom is still Mom!

Tsukika, barefoot now, delicate feet sheathed in sheer white stockings, swung her legs playfully. Noticing her daughter’s admiring gaze, she smiled and beckoned.

“Enjoy bullying Dad today?”

She ruffled Yue Lin’s hair, tweaked her ahoge. “Tell Mommy—how did he try to coax you?”

(She’d left Yue Lin with him precisely to torment the “strongest.”)

Yue Lin, blushing in her mother’s embrace, froze.

“…What’s wrong?” Tsukika pinched her rosy cheek, smirking. “Softened? Felt sorry for him?”

“I… I don’t feel sorry!” Yue Lin stammered.

“Good. Don’t forget—he abandoned us for seven years.”

Seven years.

Even if he never knew of her… he acted as if nothing happened. Their meetings were only clashing blades. Never once did he ask after her.

Yue Lin nodded firmly, tiny fists clenched.

“So,” Tsukika pressed gently, “what exactly did you do? Mommy’ll give tips for tomorrow.”

Yue Lin’s resolve deflated. “I… glared. Said harsh things until he was speechless. Declared I wouldn’t forgive him. Made him cook. And… poked him.”

“Poked him? With what?”

“…A spoon.”

“A spoon?” Tsukika’s tension eased. She watched the ahoge sway wildly. “How?”

“Into his mouth.” Yue Lin turned away.

Tsukika’s gaze softened. “So… you acted spoiled. Ate his food. Even fed him?”

“…It sounds that way! But it wasn’t! I haven’t forgiven him!”

Tsukika sighed inwardly. Sending this child alone against the man who vanquished Annihilation… was too much. She alone knew every inch of him.

“Anything else?”

“I supervised him,” Yue Lin muttered. “Followed him everywhere—so he couldn’t hide bad things.”

“So this candy bag… is his reward for your supervision?”

Yue Lin puffed her cheeks. “I’m not a child! I wouldn’t take childish rewards!”

Before Tsukika could speak, Yue Lin added reluctantly: “He… bought it specifically for you, Mom.”

(She hated him… yet hoped, deep down, he and Mom might mend.)

“For me?”

Tsukika stilled. A faint tremor ran through her.

Could he… remember?

Her mind drifted to a distant past.

Back then—

She was not yet the Demon Lord.

He was neither strongest nor Chosen Hero.

Just a bewildered newcomer, alone in the human realm—a shivering ugly duckling huddled in shadow, watching spirited youths in thin clothes. Their burning conviction defied the cold.

And Li Wei… even among them, blazed brightest.

His light was so radiant she dared not meet his gaze.

When his eyes flicked toward her, the dirty little girl instinctively shrank back—trying to vanish into the dark.

But…

The light did not shy away from the darkness that was her—instead, it drew near of its own will.

Li Wei found her, took her hand. His companion standing nearby cautioned him:

"Li Wei, just let it go."

"With so many homeless people out there… how many can you possibly save?"

"I don’t know."

"But at least I can help the person right in front of me."

He draped his coat over her shoulders. Then, as if remembering something, he pulled a small piece of candy from his pocket and gently pressed it into her palm.

"This world… will get better."

He told her.

Not mere comfort—

but a promise.

..

"Hmm… I told him Mom likes candy."

Suddenly, Yue Lin added in a soft whisper, snapping Tsukika back to the present.

Seeing her mother’s steady gaze fixed on her, Yue Lin thought her little secret had been seen through.

In an instant, the fluster and unease in Tsukika’s heart melted away. She glanced at the bag of candy, then at her daughter nestled in her arms with a nervous expression, and held her a little tighter:

"I see~"

"So that’s how it is."

"I knew it. How could that cold, heartless Chosen Hero suddenly start caring about a Demon Lord?"

"All thanks to my dear daughter."

"Still… it’s for the best."

"Just wait—tonight, Mom will make sure to teach those bullies a proper lesson for what they did to you today."

Tsukika looked at the candy bag and gave a faint, mysterious smile.