Chapter 0: You Who Saved Me (The End)

“Are you nervous?”

“…”

“Surprisingly, this is already the third time. I thought you’d be getting used to it by now.”

She speaks with a deep smile.

The Great Demon King Kaya.

My second wife, her belly fully swollen, gazes at me with a playful glint in her eyes.

As I adjust my clothes and let out a small sigh, I respond to her teasing words.

“How could I not be? Even if it’s the third time, marriage is still marriage…”

“Hmm? Is it not simply because she’s your favorite woman?”

“!…W-What are you…”

Her words strike a nerve.

Unable to hide my flustered expression, I watch as she smiles deeply and slowly strokes her lower belly.

“What do you think, little one? Your father loves that woman more than me. How dare he love someone more than the Great Demon King herself? I guess I’ll just have to kill her, won’t I?”

“..Ugh…”

Though it’s a joke I’ve grown accustomed to, it never sounds like just a joke.

Sweating nervously, I watch as the Great Demon King playfully raises her hand.

And then.

-Snap!

“Ugh!”

“If you don’t want that to happen, you’d better keep your promise. Don’t forget, you still owe me nine more.”

“Y-Yes, I’ll keep that in mind, Your Majes… I mean… my dear wife…”

“Fufufu.”

Having had her fun, she rises from her seat.

Since the conquest of the Leaf Empire, she’s softened considerably, but lately, it seems to have gotten even worse.

This has led to many tense situations for me, but that doesn’t mean I’m completely without means to retaliate.

“By the way… when are you going to reveal your true identity?”

“!”

At those words, the Great Demon King Kaya, who was about to leave, suddenly stops in her tracks.

Seeing her clear reaction, I launch a modest counterattack.

“Now that we’re officially a family, isn’t it about time you told Mari who Teriya really is…”

“Uh… um… I-I already said I’d handle that, didn’t I? Especially now, when our joint research is in full swing. If things get awkward with Mari, it could disrupt the plan…”

“Well, don’t come crying to me if a real disruption happens later.”

“Ugh…”

Struck right in her weak spot, the Great Demon King trembles, unable to retort.

Though I can’t use this tactic often, the satisfying reactions I get when I time it just right fill me with a strange sense of pleasure.

‘Well, not that it’ll last long, though.’

Following the Great Demon King as she heads out, I also rise from my seat.

That moment I’ve been waiting for all along.

Perhaps ever since I first arrived in this world.

To finally face the reality of what I’ve secretly wished for in the depths of my heart.

A warm breeze blows.

A wind filled with the despair of countless people.

Once, it would have been something I could never forgive, but now, it feels nothing short of sweet—the lingering aftertaste of vengeance.

After savoring it for a moment, she slowly turns her head.

“Mari.”

“…Lord Kesar.”

It’s him.

The one who saved her.

The one who rescued the life of a woman named Mari, a life that was foolishly naive, exploited, and nearly destroyed.

The one who saved her from the brink of ruin.

Looking at his face, her heart begins to race once more.

It feels as if the world has narrowed down to just the two of them.

Given that today’s protagonists are indeed him and her, it might not be entirely wrong to think so.

“Shall we go, then?”

“Yes…”

His voice carries a slightly gruff tone as he extends his hand.

Though it feels almost too casual, she takes his hand without hesitation.

The hand she holds is trembling slightly.

Just like her own racing heart.

Realizing this, a quiet thrill washes over her, and she can’t help but smile faintly.

Once again, she is reminded, that she loves this man.

That she wants to live for him.

That she wants to spend her life looking at him.

“Sniff… Master… be happy.”

“You must live well.”

The congratulatory words of those around her reach her ears.

Amidst the blessings of loved ones, Mari stands on the platform with Kesar.

His face, seen up close, looks even more splendid than usual.

Gazing at him, she cautiously reaches out her hand.

“Please take care of me, my husband…”

“Please take care of me as well. No… please take care of me, my teacher.”

“?…Fufu. What’s this all of a sudden…”

Though she has indeed been a teacher to many, this isn’t something she expected to hear from him.

Yet, for some reason, it doesn’t feel awkward at all.

With a light sense of curiosity, Mari pulls him closer by the neck.

And then.

Mwah.

The deep sensation at the corner of her lips.

In her heart, savoring what she will enjoy forever, there is profound happiness.

And even more than that, a deep gratitude burns within her.

For the one who saved her.

And the gratitude she feels for this person, who will continue to save her…