(Yuuta POV)
I didn't know why, but ever since yesterday, I couldn't stop smiling like an idiot.
Marriage.
The word alone made my heart thump faster than any dragon roar.
Erza and I… actually becoming a real couple.
I leaned on the balcony railing of our new home, letting the morning breeze calm me down. Elena would be watching our wedding too. Just imagining her curious stare—and the endless questions she'd throw at me—made me sigh.
"Good grief… she's going to tease me nonstop…" I muttered.
Then my thoughts wandered far… maybe too far.
If Erza ever got pregnant… would she lay an egg? Or would she carry the baby like humans do?
I still had no idea how her dragon biology worked—she refused to educate me, saying I wasn't "qualified" yet.
If she laid an egg, I'd have to guard it from Elena. That girl would absolutely try to fry it into an omelette.
And if Erza carried the baby in her belly… I'd have to deal with a mood-swinging Dragon Queen.
Honestly?
Both sounded terrifying.
Both also sounded… kind of wonderful.
"That's the best part of being a husband, right?" I said to myself. "Taking care of her… spoiling her…
Ahh, I just can't wait.
Oh Erza, just take my baby seed al—
BAMP.
A fist slammed into my back and I collapsed flat on the balcony floor.
"What is WRONG with you?!" Erza shouted, arms crossed, face red. "Blabbing nonsense early in the morning, idiot monkey!"
So she did hear me.
Rubbing my back, I looked up at her.
"I was just thinking about… marriage. And where we're doing it."
Her expression softened for a second before she sighed.
"Well… I still haven't found a good place for the ceremony. But…" She looked away. "I think this week will be fine."
I blinked. "This week? Isn't that way too fast? I thought we'd take at least a month."
Her eyes dropped to the floor. For just an instant, there was sadness—like she was carrying something heavy. Something she didn't want me to see.
"We don't always get time the way we want," she whispered. "Sometimes fate decides for us."
My chest tightened.
"…Erza," I said quietly, "are you sure you want to marry me? You look… different. Almost like you're hiding something."
She quickly turned her head aside, voice trembling with forced confidence.
"I'm excited! Can't you see my face?!"
No. I couldn't. Her expression scared me—like she was preparing herself to commit something unforgivable.
I gently cupped her cheeks.
"Erza… if you're carrying a burden, tell me. I'm alive. I'm right here. You don't have to suffer alone."
She swatted my hands away, stepping back.
"I told you I'm fine, idiot! I'm just… tired. I've been searching for a proper church to hold the wedding. That's all."
"Oh…" I blinked. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would've helped."
She avoided my eyes again.
Erza didn't even look back.
"No need. I can do it on my own," she snapped—and stormed out of the room, her footsteps echoing all the way down the hall.
"…Damn," I muttered, scratching my head. "Women are impossible to understand. Doesn't matter if they're human, dragon, or some hybrid queen…"
I let out a long sigh—one that made me sound like a retired grandpa—and leaned on the balcony railing again. The scenery was beautiful, peaceful, almost unreal.
"What a life I've ended up with," I whispered.
Down in the yard, Elena was sprinting in circles, laughing like a gremlin while Grandpa Dragon chased a very confused bird.
"…It's exactly what it looks like," I sighed again. Of course.
That's when I noticed him.
Allen.
Standing alone under the shade of a tree, reading a book like a villain waiting for his theme music. His presence always felt… heavy. Silent. Wrong.
The moment he sensed my eyes on him, he vanished.
"W–Wait—" I stood up straight and spun around, searching—
—until a voice whispered beside my ear.
"My master… did you need anything?"
"GAH—!!"
I jumped back, nearly tripping over the balcony railing. Allen was kneeling right next to me, head bowed like a knight pledging to his king.
"D-Don't sneak up on me! You're gonna give me a heart attack!"
He lowered his gaze even more.
"I apologize for my behavior, my Master."
Master. He kept calling me that. A literal demon calling me his master. I still couldn't swallow that reality.
"You're… a demon, right?" I asked, staring at him. "A real one?"
"Certainly, my Master." He lifted his head slightly. "Bound to serve you. To follow you wherever you go."
His eyes—jet black with golden pupils twisted by a red fractal pattern—met mine. They should've terrified me. And they did.
But somehow… he didn't feel like danger aimed at me.
Still, I had to ask.
"How can I be your master? I'm a weak human. Isn't it stupid for a demon like you to be bound to someone like me? Shouldn't you want to kill me or something to free yourself?"
Allen's face instantly paled with horror.
"My Master, please… don't speak of yourself that way." His voice trembled. "The mere thought of harming you is my worst nightmare. Please… do not test me."
That reaction made my stomach twist.
"But still…" I said, "You're a great demon. Every world agency wanted to kill you. And yet you look up to me? If you had even one working brain cell, you'd have chosen someone strong to conquer the world with."
He clenched his fist over his chest, eyes burning with conviction.
"My Master, I know you see yourself as lowly… but time will prove otherwise. When that day comes, I will make you proud of the choice I made. I will be the blade in your hand… and your enemies will tremble."
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.
"Listen… I still don't get any of this. Why am I your master? How did this bond even start? No matter how many times I ask, you refuse to tell me. And every time you try, you—"
I pointed at his mouth.
"—you end up accidentally biting or cutting your own tongue to stop yourself. What kind of name scares a demon that much?"
He bowed deeply, shame radiating off him.
"I apologize once again, my eternal Master. I… I still cannot give you the information about the one who bound us."
"Yeah…" I muttered. "Figured as much."
But his trembling shoulders told me something else:
This demon—this terrifying, infamous existence—was scared of something far greater.
I looked at the sky again, watching the sun rise slowly until the entire garden brightened with warm light. The sound of distant birds made the morning feel calm and refreshing. That's when I noticed an old book lying on the ground near where Allen had been standing earlier. Its dark leather cover was worn, and the edges looked as if they had survived centuries. I pointed at it.
"What's that book?"
Allen lifted it carefully, as though touching something fragile. "It is my Book of Sin, Master. A record I wrote for other demons, so they may understand what I learned from humans."
The title alone made me curious. "What did you write in it?"
"If you wish, I shall tell you," he replied quietly.
He opened the book, and his expression grew solemn. "Humans," he said, "are creatures born hiding their sins. To the world, they appear innocent, gentle, righteous… but beneath that mask lies a darkness deeper than anything found in demons. Humans carry two faces—one they show, and one they bury. Demons sin openly. Humans sin secretly."
His voice remained calm, almost emotionless, as he continued. "Since the gods cursed our kind, we demons lost the right to grow. Our only source of strength became the sins of humans. But uncovering a sinner is difficult. Humans hide their truth better than any creature. So, I devised a method. Give them money. A great amount—enough to shatter their restraint. Wealth exposes the heart faster than any torture or temptation."
He turned a page, each movement slow and controlled. "If a man suddenly gains fortune, his nature reveals itself.
Greed — The Endless Hunger
"Greed," Allen began, "is the first sin awakened by money."
He opened the book to a page filled with tightly written lines.
"When a human suddenly receives wealth they never imagined, something within them changes. At first, they buy what they desire—clothes, jewels, houses. But soon, desire becomes hunger. Hunger becomes craving. And craving becomes something that cannot be satisfied."
He looked at me, his gaze steady.
"A man who once lived simply begins to feel that nothing he owns is enough. He buys more, collects more, demands more. Even if he gains the entire world, he will still whisper to himself… 'I want more.'"
Allen closed the page carefully.
"Greed does not destroy through violence. It destroys through emptiness. A human driven by greed never fills the void inside them; they only deepen it."
---
Gluttony — Consumption Without Purpose
He turned to another page. The ink here was thicker, the sentences shorter, as though written with impatience.
"Gluttony," he said, "is not merely overeating. It is the act of consuming beyond need, beyond purpose, beyond reason."
He lifted his hand slightly.
"If a human wins wealth, many will rush toward pleasure. Expensive meals, exotic flavors, endless feasts—though their body cannot hold more, their mind continues to want. Not because they are hungry, but because the act of consuming becomes their comfort."
His voice lowered.
"And Gluttony does not stop at food. It spreads. It becomes the desire to indulge in anything—entertainment, luxuries, comforts, distractions—until the soul dulls and the spirit weakens.
It is a sin that grows quietly, hidden behind satisfaction."
---
Wrath — The Fire of Vengeance
Allen turned to the next page, where long, sharp lines of ink cut across the paper like scars.
"Wrath," he said, "is the sin awakened when money is given to wounded hearts."
He breathed slowly before he continued.
"There are humans who, upon gaining wealth, use it not to live better… but to hurt those they resent. With money, they can hire, influence, destroy, and ruin. Old grudges return to life. Forgotten hatred becomes a weapon."
He closed the book with a soft but final sound.
"Wrath blinds reason. It convinces a human that revenge is justice, and destruction is satisfaction. They throw away their peace, their future, and even themselves… all to make another suffer."
Allen lowered his head.
"Among all sins, Wrath burns the quickest… and dies the slowest."
---
Lust — Desire That Consumes the Soul
Allen opened to a page marked with deep crimson ink. The writing here flowed differently—almost like it had been carved rather than written.
"Lust," he said quietly, "is a sin born the moment desire becomes stronger than restraint."
He rested his fingertips on the page, as if feeling the weight of the words.
"When a human suddenly gains wealth, many think of pleasures they once denied themselves. Money opens doors—to company, to attention, to bodies willing to be bought or swayed. At first, they believe it to be harmless indulgence. A moment of comfort. A moment of escape."
His eyes drifted downward.
"But soon, desire grows roots. What was once a single encounter becomes a craving. What was once curiosity becomes dependency. They begin searching not for affection, but for stimulation—new experiences, new partners, new pleasures. Nothing satisfies them. Nothing fills the void."
He closed the book halfway, letting the pages fall into shadow.
"Lust does not merely corrupt the body. It corrupts the heart. It makes a human forget loyalty, forget dignity, forget the worth of another soul. In its grip, a person becomes willing to shatter relationships, betray trust, and throw away their own inner peace—all for a fleeting moment of satisfaction."
His voice lowered, heavy with finality.
"Among sins, Lust appears the gentlest… yet it is capable of destroying the purest bonds. Not through violence, not through power, but through the quiet, irresistible pull of desire without limit."
Pride — The Illusion of Superiority
"Some humans," Allen continued, "use wealth to elevate themselves above others. A moment ago, they were humble, silent, unnoticed. But once money fills their hands, they begin to believe they are greater than everyone else."
He paused, his voice colder.
"They look down on those with less. They boast. They command. They act as though they are unequaled. This is Pride—the sin that convinces a human that they stand above the world."
He closed the page slowly.
"Pride does not appear through violence or hunger. It appears through status. Give a human wealth, and they will begin to rewrite their own worth."
---
Envy — The Poison That Devours the Heart
Allen turned another page. Scarlet symbols filled the parchment like veins.
"There are humans who, even after receiving wealth, feel no satisfaction. Instead, their eyes shift to what others possess. If someone owns more, they resent it. If someone succeeds, they despise it. This is Envy, the quiet poison."
He traced a line down the page with one finger.
"A wealthy man may look at his neighbor's house and suddenly feel his own fortune is too small. A woman who gains everything she wished for may still hate those who have more attention, more beauty, more love."
He exhaled softly.
"Envy grows silently. Money does not satisfy it—it feeds it."
---
Sloth — The Decay of Will
The next page was nearly blank except for a single dark symbol at the center.
"Some humans," he said, "when given money, choose to do nothing. They abandon their duties, their dreams, their purpose. Comfort becomes their prison. This is Sloth."
He looked toward the distant mountains.
"A man who wins a fortune may stop working entirely. A woman with wealth may choose idleness over ambition. Days slip into months, and months into years. Their spirit weakens. Their will decays. They no longer grow—they simply exist."
He closed the book with finality.
"Sloth is not loud. It does not destroy with force. It destroys by making a human forget the reason to live."
---
Allen held the book close to his chest.
"Wealth," he said softly, "is not just currency. It is a mirror. When placed in human hands, it reflects their soul. Some rise above temptation… but many fall."
His golden pupils dimmed.
"Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Wrath, Pride, Envy, Sloth… all can be drawn out by wealth. And once revealed, their sins become the source of our power."
He bowed his head.
"This is everything I learned, Master. This is the truth of human nature."
The garden remained silent for a long moment. Even the birds seemed to pause, as if listening to the weight of his words.
I let out a slow breath, still thinking about everything Allen had just told me.
"For the first time," I murmured, "I understand why religion calls money evil. They always said, 'Serve Me, not money,' and that no one can serve two masters. I never thought deeply about it… but now I see. Money pulls out the hidden sins inside us. Maybe that's why they say humans are born sinners."
Allen listened silently, his golden pupils calm.
I continued, "But tell me, what would a good person do? Someone righteous?"
He opened his book again, but this time his voice softened.
"A righteous human," he said, "would donate a portion of their wealth to help others. Some would build shelters. Some would feed the hungry. Some would spend money to protect their families and live peacefully. Not every human chooses sin, my Master. Some resist it. Some rise above it."
I nodded slowly. His words sank deeper than I expected.
"You know," I said quietly, "your wisdom… it's exactly what I need. If I ask you anything, you'll answer me, right?"
He bowed deeply.
"As long as the knowledge exists within me, I will guide you, my Master."
A small smile formed on my face.
"Then from now on—you're my personal AI. My guide."
His head shot up, shock and joy mixing on his expression.
"I… I am overjoyed to receive such a title, my Master."
I chuckled under my breath. Somehow, having a wise demon by my side didn't feel scary anymore. Maybe it was comforting. Someone who knew darkness better than I did—someone who would warn me before I fell into it.
Before I could say anything else, a bright voice echoed across the yard.
"Papa! Uncle Allen! Let's play!"
Elena was waving from the garden, jumping up and down with childish excitement.
"We're coming!" I shouted back. Then I glanced at Allen.
"Let's go," I said. "Let's live a peaceful life… at least for today."
He placed a hand on his chest and smiled faintly.
"Certainly, my Master."
We walked down to the garden together. Elena grabbed my hand, then Allen's, dragging us into her little world of laughter. Her joy was so pure it melted every worry I had.
From the kitchen window, Erza watched us. Her expression unreadable… but soft. Almost gentle.
We laughed. We played.
For a moment, the world felt perfect.
I hoped—quietly, desperately—that this day would never end.
(Erza POV)
I leaned against the kitchen window, watching Yuuta and Elena play outside like fools… my fools. They were careless, loud, messy—and yet, somehow, they had become the two people I wished to protect for all eternity. It's laughable, really. The first day I arrived in this world, I came with the full intention to kill him. But six months passed, and now, I feel like I could kill anyone just to keep that stupid smile on his face.
We enjoyed so much together. The zoo, the shopping trips, school events, movies… chapter after chapter, memory after memory, piling up until I stopped counting. Happiness became a habit. A dangerous, fragile habit.
I sighed softly. The thought of leaving him hurt more than any blade ever could. A world without Yuuta felt empty. But I have to go. I have no choice. One day, I hope he understands. And he won't suffer—because I've prepared everything so that he will forget me completely.
Grandpa stepped into the kitchen.
"I know how you feel, Erza," he said quietly.
I quickly wiped my tears and snapped, "Y–You old man… don't sneak up on me like that."
"Erza," he continued, unfazed, "I know you're pretending to be fine. But you don't have to hide it from me. I respect your decision."
I looked away. "I should have never come here in the first place. I was… scared."
"I know," Grandpa said gently. "You acted out of Elena's protection. You expected nothing from Yuuta—maybe even felt disappointed. But later, you were forced to protect them both. And now… I know you love them. War is coming, and unholy creatures are on the move. If we don't act, Altanis will burn."
"Tch. Those damned creatures…" I muttered. "The first thing I'll do is wipe out their entire army and their civilization. Then I'll lead the special forces myself to hunt down every research center responsible for creating dragon weapons like Yuuta. Every human who turned him into a tool—I'll execute them with my own hands. And then… I'll find out who he truly is. Everything about him."
My voice softened, barely above a whisper.
"But before all of that… I must make sure no one can ever harm him. And after the war, after everything ends… I want to live whatever life I have left with him. Happily."
To be continued…