The morning sun rose lazily, casting a golden hue over the battle-worn village.
The blood-soaked ground had begun to heal; grass returned to life, the air smelled clean, and even the once-withered trees swayed gently as if they too had survived a nightmare.
Layla's domain, Eternal Devotion – Garden of Twisted Vows, had vanished with her fall into sleep, but its aftereffects remained.
It had absorbed every trace of corruption within its radius, purifying the surroundings as if the very soil had been baptized in cursed love. What was once a place drowned in darkness now resembled a livable town. A miracle—albeit one born from madness.
I walked down the sloped path near the central well, watching as people slowly emerged from their homes, some limping, some carrying others, and a few… still silent.
We'd saved them. Not all, but enough. That had to mean something.
"I still can't believe the guild didn't hear about this…" I muttered, stretching my arms while looking at the recovering streets. "If they had sent even a few S-rank adventurers, this whole fight could've ended in an hour."
I scratched the back of my head. "Except for the Corruption Queen… that thing was a different beast entirely."
Honestly, if it were anyone else facing her, they'd be dead. No doubt. But Layla and I…
We went beyond.
Though the victory had a cost. The damage was immense. Half the northern section was flattened due to the domain clash, and the skies above still had faint traces of black flames and cursed thorns hanging like forgotten ghosts.
"Hopefully they don't charge me for the collateral," I mumbled. "Not like I have that kind of money…"
But that wasn't the mood today.
Surprisingly, the villagers didn't look at us with fear or resentment. They looked at us like… heroes.
And Layla?
They were calling her The Scythe Bride.
Children ran up to her—well, to her bed, since she hadn't woken up yet—leaving little flowers and wooden trinkets beside her. One girl even hugged her hand, whispering thanks before running off.
She looked peaceful now, unlike the unhinged goddess of death she'd been last night.
Her power had been overwhelming. Her love? Even more so.
The villagers who survived were healing. Olivia and the other light mages had done their best. Those who couldn't be saved were given proper funerals—soft hymns under rising sunlight. The smell of incense mixed with the fresh earth as their bodies returned to it.
Bittersweet.
No matter how strong we were, we couldn't save everyone.
Some people cried. Others cursed. Most just stared silently at the ashes of what used to be their families. The church hadn't shown up. Not even a single priest.
I wasn't surprised.
And I knew the people wouldn't welcome them anymore, either. They came too late—if they came at all.
Fifty people. That was the final toll.
We saved hundreds, but those fifty... I'll remember their faces.
Scarlett's shadow army was surprisingly helpful after the fight. They weren't just mindless combat monsters—they listened. Obeyed. Helped. They were currently lifting debris, rebuilding walls, and even comforting a few crying kids. Shadow monsters... comforting children. That was new.
Lyra had gone full architect mode—she'd built a barrier line with her ice and snow magic. The result?
The entire village now looked like a winter fairytale. Glistening walls of snow wrapped around it like a frozen sanctuary. She even made a snowman that looked like me.
A little too cute, if you ask me.
And me?
Well, I had ten clones deployed, all purifying the remaining corruption with my light-element skill. Honestly, I think I shocked a few of the other light mages. They looked at me like I'd just walked out of a divine scripture.
I didn't tell them I got this ability from a dragon. Let them wonder.
Right now, though, I sat quietly in the makeshift infirmary, in a wooden chair beside the bed Layla lay on. Her breathing was steady, her expression soft. You'd never guess this girl had sliced through the sky like a fallen star last night.
The awakened curse core I gave her had stabilized her condition. Without it, the amount of Corruption inside her would've eaten away at her sanity. Her curse energy had been overwhelmed. Her very identity would've slipped.
But the core balanced everything—like a second heart, keeping the chaos in check.
I looked at her sleeping face and whispered, "Thanks, Eva."
[It is my duty to make you happy, Host.]
"…You're starting to sound like a wife."
[You think too much.]
"Sure, sure."
[Tsk… You are annoying.]
I chuckled. "Haha, alright, alright. I'll shut up. Don't get all tsundere on me."
I leaned back, eyes still on Layla. My mind wandered, replaying her in the sky, laughing like a lunatic while burning through the Corruption Queen's arms with cursed flame.
"She fought like a crazy wife whose man got touched by another woman…"
My heart throbbed lightly.
"…It felt nice, honestly. Being protected like that."
But I couldn't stop thinking about that domain.
Her domain… had me inside it. Chained.
What kind of love does it take for someone to reshape an entire world… and put me at the center?
Just then, the door creaked open. Lyra walked in first, her hair messy, her usually sharp expression softer today.
"Is she awake?" she asked.
I shook my head. "Still sleeping."
She nodded, then walked over to the bed and brushed Layla's hair gently. "She saved us all. She deserves to rest."
Scarlett entered next. Her usual mischievous aura was replaced by something more grounded. She carried a tray with tea and some warm food, setting it beside the bed.
"She's not going to stop calling herself your wife now, you know," she smirked, eyes meeting mine.
"I figured that out mid-battle," I muttered.
Last came Olivia, calm as ever. She placed a hand on Layla's forehead, checking her vitals with a soft pulse of light magic.
"She's stable. The… thing you gave her—whatever it was—it saved her."
"I know."
We all stood in silence for a while, just watching her.
Then, a group of village women came inside, carrying flowers, hand-sewn scarves, and freshly baked bread. They gathered around Layla, whispering thanks, some even kissing her hand gently. One older lady leaned toward me with a wink and whispered:
"She's your bride, right? Good catch, young man. But you better treat her right."
Before I could answer, another woman added, "Oh, and make sure you compliment her often. Cursed girls like that need affection too, you know?"
Then came the bomb:
"She'll need help with certain things once you're married. Do you need tips? I raised three husbands."
Layla stirred in her sleep, and I swear her lips curled into a smile.
Is she faking it just to hear this?!
The women eventually left, laughing among themselves, leaving behind their gifts and some scandalous suggestions. I just sat there, face burning slightly.
I looked at Layla again.
"…You're hearing everything, aren't you?"
She didn't reply.
But her fingers twitched slightly.
It had been a long day.
But we survived.
And tomorrow?
Tomorrow, we'd move again. But for now, we were heroes. Not just for others—but for each other.
End of Chapter...