After racking up a debt of ten trade vouchers from his daughter, Li Wei quickly began preparing to head out.

He changed into a simpler outfit, mainly adding a special accessory imbued with a [Cognitive Threshold] spell. Under its effect, ordinary folks and even average Chosen Heroes would struggle to recognize him. Though titles tied to his former "strongest" status had long faded, Li Wei’s name still carried weight. Whether he was loved or hated these days was debatable—but he remained a celebrity. Especially in a place like Brandon Square.

Unlike the bustling trading district where the Dori Trading House stood—a hub for active Chosen Heroes—Brandon Square was a commercial zone built purely for ordinary citizens. Only civilians or off-duty heroes wandered here. In Ashgrave City, the upper echelons of the hero circle were long used to Li Wei. But for most commoners, spotting him was brag-worthy material. No matter how fiercely they criticized him online, face-to-face? They’d still bow slightly: “Mister Li Wei,” then sheepishly ask, “Could we get a photo?”

Of course, some would flip the script afterward—posting the photo while calling him “the war criminal’s jailer.” Li Wei had seen it all too often. He didn’t care about public opinion, but he refused to let this hard-earned “family outing” be ruined by gawkers—like being mobbed during dinner or having their image plastered on a restaurant sign.

He placed a hat on Yue Lin, still uneasy around strangers, just as Tsukika stepped out of the bedroom in a new dress.

Li Wei froze. Tsukika’s slender, girl-like frame was far from curvaceous, yet the gown’s delicate fabric draped her in a quietly captivating grace. He knew well the innate allure hidden within the Demon Lord’s petite form. The crimson-to-black gradient gown evoked a blood-moon-stained starry sky. Its long, split skirt traced golden embroidery over slender, flawless legs. Delicate feet in tiny heels, a golden anklet glinting at her tender ankle—as if she’d stepped out treading on heartbeats. Her silver hair, swept into a rare high bun, softened her exquisitely carved features with noble elegance.

“You…” Li Wei stammered.

Tsukika lifted her hem, twirled lightly. Her pink lips—glossed to a tempting sheen—curved upward. Crimson eyes blinked; the flutter of her lashes seemed to sync with his pulse.

“How do I look, my Chosen Hero?”

Li Wei couldn’t possibly call it “ugly.” That’d insult his own taste.

“Not bad,” he managed.

Tsukika chuckled, unperturbed. Arm crossed, chin propped, a slender finger tapped her lip. She tilted her head, glanced meaningfully downward, then suppressed an impish smirk. “So… truly just ‘not bad’?”

“I prepared this specially for my beloved… Forgive me for not earning your immediate admiration,” she murmured, face so pitifully lovely it could melt stone.

Li Wei: “???”

Blindsided again by Tsukika’s teasing. Especially where her mischievous gaze lingered—he nearly cracked. Even if stunning, he couldn’t just *react* on command. That wasn’t appreciation—that was instinct. And after being drained earlier? No chance.

“Why dress like this?” Li Wei narrowed his eyes, glancing at the smooth skin of her back.

“It’s my first dinner with my Chosen Hero. Formality is only proper,” Tsukika smiled.

Noting his stiff expression: “Unhappy? Do you think it’s too revealing?”

“Do you think I’d care?” Li Wei raised a brow.

*Hmph. Would he? …Would he?* He redirected the unease: *Protect Yue Lin. She’s young. Her mind isn’t mature. She shouldn’t mimic this yet. Only for someone truly beloved—no, worse!* He nearly stabbed himself emotionally. *She’s not even thousands of years old. If that day comes, approval from me and Tsukika is mandatory. Test? Simple. Can they protect her? Examiners? Just us.* He buried the thought.

*“Not some heartfelt gesture for a lover… Just the Demon Lord teasing me.”*

Watching his flustered face, Tsukika’s lips curved. She draped a shawl over her shoulders. The succubus-like allure vanished, replaced by petite-queen dignity. *This tsundere act was the whole point.*

“So cute~”

Li Wei: “?”

“What’s cute?” He felt offended.

“Nothing~ But rest assured, my body is for your eyes alone,” Tsukika said smugly.

“But I’ve seen it,” Yue Lin interjected, her ahoge shaped like a bright “!”, eyes sparkling. She’d never seen Mommy glow like this. *So pretty.*

“Yue Lin doesn’t count,” Tsukika murmured, stroking her head.

Yue Lin hugged her tightly, cheek pressed to her abdomen, looking up. “Mommy’s prettier… and taller.” *Hugging Mommy is best—face visible, no suffocation. Unlike those aunties before…*

Unaware of her daughter’s thoughts, Tsukika beamed. “All thanks to Daddy’s happy ‘nurturing’~” She winked at the twitching-lipped hero.

“Not Daddy’s!” Yue Lin objected, then added: “Mommy’s shoes are taller.”

Tsukika’s smile froze. She pinched Yue Lin’s cheek. “That part stays unsaid.”

Finally heading out, Yue Lin clung to her mother’s arm—then watched Li Wei move alone toward the door. Her silver ahoge twitched. Hesitantly, she tugged his sleeve.

Li Wei turned.

Yue Lin held out her hand, face stern: “Trade… one… no, *five* trade vouchers!” *Hmph. For the “happy family” act, I’ll allow this.*

Touched, Li Wei said, “One’s enough. No need for five.”

Yue Lin: “?? *You* give *me*!” Eyes wide, cheeks puffed, she tried pulling back—too late. He held firm. She huffed, turned away, letting him keep it.

“Five more… can I carry you?”

Yue Lin: “?”

“No. Hand-hold only.” *Pushy man. We’re not even fully reconciled. And Mommy’s the star today.* She eyed their free hands, her mother’s faint smile. *If they hold mine, will Mommy feel lonely? But holding each other… we’d form a circle. Too silly.*

Suddenly, she let go of both. Stepped back, hands behind her, serious.

Li Wei blinked. *Shy?*

“I thought: if you both hold my hands, you can’t hold each other.” She huffed. “For your convenience… carry me.” She looked at Li Wei.

Tsukika stood frozen. Li Wei met her gaze—then, in a heartbeat: *No handhold = no excuse to carry her. No choice.* Before she spoke, he seized the Demon Lord’s soft hand. Strange… though tricked by her before, this time—prompted by Yue Lin—his heart fluttered.

Tsukika appeared amused, watching him with playful detachment. But the ear hidden from view burned crimson.

Silence. No words. Yet it felt like a Domain sealing them together—and pushing Yue Lin out.

Her ahoge curled into a question mark. She stared at the motionless pair by the door.

*Wait… Say something! What about the next step?! The MOST important step?! You held hands… and forgot me??*