"Hmm, someone is being clingy~"

Aether was amused with warmth as his gaze settled upon the woman beside him. Blackish-purple hair cascaded like liquid dusk over pale white skin, framing those soft yet piercing violet eyes that shimmered with quiet devotion... Nyx Shadowfall.

Nyx flinched faintly under his gaze, her fingers tightening around him as hesitation and longing flickered across her face.

"Do you... not like it?"

Aether’s chuckle rolled out. His hand slid along her waist, pulling her flush against him until no space remained between their bodies. He lowered his head, breath brushing her lips as he whispered,

"I love it... especially when my wife shows her love without holding back."

His nose gently nudged against hers, slow and teasing, their breaths mingling in a quiet rhythm that felt far more intimate than any heated touch.

Nyx’s cheeks bloomed with colour. Strange... after everything they had shared, all the intimacy, all the closeness, yet this... this simple, quiet affection made her heart race faster than anything else.

Aether blinked, studying her expression as if committing it to memory.

’Why is my wife so cute today?’

The thought lingered, almost dangerously in how much it tempted him. He wanted to spoil her, to drown her in attention... but reality pressed in.

A faint sigh slipped through his mind.

After giving his orders to Kaelen, there was still one final matter to deal with.

His Last target... Lia.

Since he was heading toward the Void Empire, bringing Nyx along made sense.

The Blooddawn could stabilise her condition, and its curse... it resonated with the very essence of the Void People.

He had called Nightfire as well.

But,

’Go and fuck yourself!!’ Nightfire yelled, hiding behind Thalia.

Aether almost laughed again at the memory. Nightfire was still horrified from her last visit to the Void Empire... a visit that had ended in disaster for her.

But anyway,

The two walked side by side toward the Pyra Empire’s teleportation station.

Aether’s eyes drifted toward Nyx again.

Something felt... off.

A subtle tension in her gaze as if she was afraid of something?

Was she hiding something from him?

’Well, let’s wait for her to spill it out.’ His thoughts remained calm and patient.

Honestly, if he put his seal on her, it would be easy to understand her emotions and considering that, unlike others, Nyx most likely has an internal monologue rather than being talkative.

So what’s going on in her mind or her monologue was not easy to understand.

Understanding her... was never simple.

And perhaps, he didn’t mind that.

Because that’s one of her charms.

They stepped onto the teleportation platform.

Then, in a blink, their forms dissolved into shimmering fragments... and vanished.

***

Umbrionis Void Empire

After the chaos, the surroundings fell into a state of high alert.

Patrols had increased, while security measures layered over one another until even the air felt guarded.

Except for one unsettling detail.

The strange Doom that transported containers continued to move without disruption, gliding through the ordered frenzy as though untouched by the tension that gripped everything else.

Workers rushed back and forth, carrying objects with hurried precision.

Orders were followed without hesitation, as the situation grew far more serious than before. The number of workers had multiplied rapidly, filling the area with a relentless rhythm of labour.

They did not know why.

They did not know what purpose it served.

They moved because the Empress had commanded it, and because the wages were generous enough to silence doubt.

"Is this really alright, sis?" a gorgeous woman asked, her brows drawn together, worry etched across her face in restless lines.

"I thought you were... disappointed in those humans’ words."

The figure beside her remained still. Her form blurred at the edges, as if reality itself struggled to hold her shape together, mist-like black smoke curling endlessly around her.

"We do not have a choice," she replied, "The goods must be delivered. As long as our value remains high... that is all that matters."

Her face could not be seen, hidden beneath that shifting veil of darkness, her beauty obscured.

Only her eyes remained.

Two crimson lights glowing through the haze, steady and unyielding, like embers that refused to die.

Then the blurry figure asked, "Is there any news about the other Empires? About the white spear that descended from the sky?"

Morgana gave a small nod, "Just as we predicted... it was indeed that man. Aether is involved."

Mary hummed softly, the sound low and contemplative as her fingers tapped against her arm.

"So it truly was his power..." Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of irritation surfacing. "To think he possessed that level of strength... and yet chose not to use it when we fought..."

Her lips curled, annoyance flashing openly now.

"Is he looking down on me?"

A sharp click of her tongue followed. "Tsk. Asshole."

Morgana cast her a brief side glance, ’You held back too, bitch.’

But the words never left her lips.

"So, do you have anything to say about it?" Mary asked about the day why Morgana trembled before the spear.

Morgana turned silent as if she did not want to answer it.

Suddenly, Mary’s expression shifted. Her body stilled for a fraction of a second before her head turned toward the distant direction of the teleportation station, senses sharpening like a predator catching a faint scent.

"Morgana," she called, her tone turning cold, "where is Lia?"

Morgana blinked at the sudden change before answering, "In her training room. She was practising your Blood Art technique."

Mary’s brow lifted slightly. "Oh?" A pause followed, then a slow, deliberate smile. "Since she has been practising all day... why don’t you, as a good aunt, take her out and have some fun?"

For a moment, silence hung in the air.

"..."

Then Morgana’s eyes lit up, shimmering with sudden excitement. "Can I?"

After all, Mary rarely allowed her any time alone with Lia. Every interaction was watched, measured, controlled... as if Morgana might steal the girl away at any moment.

Even their moments of play were always under Mary’s gaze.

So hearing those words now... felt unreal.

Mary nodded calmly. "Yes. Take her out. Spend time with her until... I call you back. Understood?"

Morgana blinked once more, suspicion flickering briefly... before it melted under her excitement.

"Okay~"

She turned lightly, almost skipping as she moved, already imagining the time she would spend with her adorable niece—

A sudden force gripped her head.

Her movement snapped to a halt as her body was yanked back.

"Also..."

Mary’s voice dropped icy cold.

"If you try to steal her..." Her fingers tightened slightly, just enough to make the threat real.

"I will fucking tear you into pieces... and eat you myself."

Her crimson eyes glowed, bright and terrifying, cutting through the space between them.

Morgana stared at her for a long second, ’Tsk... daughter-con...’

She gave a small nod before pulling away and leaving the mansion.

Soon, she disappeared into the distance... with Lia, whose laughter carried faintly as she clung happily to her aunt, delighted by the rare chance to be alone with her.

Mary stood there for a moment... then slowly, her lips curved.

A sly smile.

Her tongue traced lightly across her lips, hunger flickering in her eyes.

"Ever since that day..." she murmured, her voice lowering into something softer... yet far more dangerous.

"Compared to that heavenly wine... everything else tastes like shit..."

A quiet laugh slipped out.

"I could barely hold myself back from coming to you..." Her gaze drifted toward the distance, toward the presence she had already sensed.

"But to think... you came to me instead..."

"Hehe... today... I’m going to suck~ everything."

Her voice echoed through the mansion, cold and sultry with anticipation.

***

Deep inhale~

"Sigh..."

Nyx closed her eyes as she stepped onto the land of the Void Empire, drawing in a slow, deep breath.

The air itself felt different... heavier, richer... familiar.

A soft, satisfied sigh escaped her lips, as if something within her had finally settled back into place.

Like returning home.

Aether watched her, amusement flickering across his face. He placed a hand over his chest dramatically, feigning pain as he spoke, "Did you miss your Empire that much?"

Nyx turned her gaze toward him, her expression flattening into a quiet stare.

"Husband..." she began slowly, her tone calm but carrying a subtle edge, "you do realise that you are the reason I was—"

"Well then, let’s go!"

Aether cut her off instantly.

Without giving her even a moment to finish, he grabbed her hand and pulled her forward, already moving.

Nyx stumbled half a step before matching his pace,

Her eyes lingered on him for a second longer... Then, softly, she exhaled.

Nope! He wasn’t responsible! It was that bitch Empress who threw her out!

Definitely, not because of him!

He told himself that, over and over, forcing his thoughts into place.

Nyx shook her head, her face calm and unreadable. But inwardly, a quiet laugh echoed.

’Haha... look at him, getting flustered over this.’

Her fingers tightened gently around his hand as her gaze settled on his back.

That back...

It carried too much.

Pain.

Scars.

Burdens that never seemed to fade. And yet, he kept walking forward without pause, without complaint.

... with a gentle smile.

A faint tremor touched her lips.

Was she... truly worthy of standing beside him? Of calling herself his wife?

The thought lingered painfully.

But she buried it effortlessly.

As they travelled through the carriage, Aether’s eyes wandered across the empire, taking in every detail.

Things had changed.

Massive cranes moved with mechanical precision, lifting steel beams into place. Towering structures rose toward the sky, half-formed apartments stretching like skeletal giants.

Carriages sped past them, their designs sleek and aggressive, resembling sports cars more than anything from this world.

Mechanical shops lined the streets, filled with noise, sparks, and motion.

It all felt... familiar.

Too familiar.

’It really looks like Terra and the Void are cooperating,’ Aether thought, his gaze narrowing slightly.

’But... why did they attack here too?’

Confusion settled in.

What kind of agreement had been forged between Terra and the Void?

What kind of deal required both creation... and destruction?

His thoughts spiralled, pulling him deeper—

Until something broke his focus.

Aether blinked.

Then stared.

A group of naked men and women wandered casually through the streets.

Not far from them, a pack of werewolves burst out of a bar, tearing through its entrance with loud crashes and reckless laughter.

Winged humans darted through the air, snatching jewellery from stalls before vanishing into the sky.

Orcs clashed violently in the middle of the road, their roars echoing as fists and weapons collided without restraint.

And...

Some people were plainly fucking in the open street.

Right there.

With children nearby... watching with curious, unfiltered eyes.

Aether exhaled slowly.

"Yup... some things never change..." he said, a broad smile spreading across his lips, though it never quite reached his eyes.

The carriage continued forward.

Soon, they arrived at Mary’s current mansion.

As Aether stepped out, his gaze lifted—

And paused.

A massive palace loomed in the distance, still under construction. Machinery from his previous world worked tirelessly, shaping it piece by piece into something grand, excessive... overwhelming.

’Damn... she really loves to show off,’ he thought, almost amused.

Turning back toward the mansion, his eyes settled on the gate.

For a brief moment, he wondered...

Would they even allow him inside?

He took a step forward—

"Her Majesty has been waiting for you."

The guards spoke in unison, their voices firm and respectful.

Aether’s lips curled slightly. ’Sweet...’ he thought.

He raised his hand casually.

Nyx placed hers over it without hesitation.

Fingers intertwined.

Together, they walked forward...