"Uhh… eh… hi, honey… Long time no see…ing you, in that form."
Whoosh.
In the blink of an eye, Lilith—who had been ten meters away—now had Solo by the neck with one hand. She lifted the level-1 orc like he weighed less than a house cat, leaving him dangling helplessly in midair. His feet flailed uselessly, kicking at thin air, while he wheezed like a dying accordion.
"Hi, honey. You didn't answer my call."
Her voice wasn't just a voice. It was many voices, layered together like in every horror movie. Solo hadn't heard that tone since the last time he royally screwed up during an in-law visit… decades ago.
"I-I'm sorry, babe! I couldn't charge my phone—there's, uh… no electricity here?" he gasped.
Lilith narrowed her eyes sharply.
"I see. And how was your holiday?"
"G-Good?" Solo squeaked.
"Is that so?"
CRASH!
Lilith flung Solo into the bar. Shelves buckled, half the liquor stock exploded in a wave of glass and booze.
Whoosh.
Before he could even apologize again, she had him by the neck and hoisted him up a second time, like Solo was a particularly disappointing bag of groceries.
"NOW TELL ME! WHO IS THE SLUT THAT'S KEEPING YOU HERE!? IS IT A CAT GIRL? OR A BUNNY GIRL?!"
"N-No girl… I swear… please… can't breathe…" Solo's voice squeaked somewhere between panic and plea.
Lilith didn't blink. She flung him again. This time he smashed through tables and chairs.
"Cough… gasp…" Solo wheezed, finally inhaling air like it was the last puff on Earth.
"DON'T YOU DARE LIE TO ME! YOU ALWAYS ASK ME TO WEAR THOSE ANIMAL EARS! YOU MUST HAVE FOUND A REAL ONE HERE!"
"Honey… honey…" Solo tried to reason, his voice trembling. "I promise you… there are no girls. Now calm down… we're not in Murica. We don't want to cause a diplomatic incident with our only ally, right?"
He tried to sound confident, but Solo knew better. The only thing sharper than Lilith's rage… was her professionalism.
Lilith's smiled sweetly.
"Oh, but we are in Murica," she said. "Technically, you are standing on recently purchased land for the new Murica embassy. I signed the deal three hours ago… as the acting Prime Minister."
"Oh shit…" Solo muttered, eyes dropping to the ground beneath him.
"NOW GET READY, MY LOVE," Lilith sweet smile turn to a grin. "YOU HAVE A LONG NIGHT AHEAD OF YOU."
A ball of crackling demonic energy sparked to life in her palm, buzzing like a blender.
---
On a Street Nearby
BOOOMMM!
Hannya and the tavern owner watches at the explosion from afar. Curious townsfolk tried to sneak closer, but Secret Service agents and Dawn's guards formed a strict 500-meter perimeter—standard procedure for the Homewreck Protocol.
Homewreck Protocol was a special emergency procedure devised by the Murican Secret Service.
Its rules were simple:
1. If the Prime Minister and Chief of Staff about to fight, evacuate neaby area.
2. Lure the weaker spouse in.
3. Let the stronger spouse vent in a controlled environment.
4. Expect "somewhat acceptable" property damage.
"Thank you for your prompt cooperation, sir," Hannya said, handing a bag of gold to the tavern owner.
"Ah… sure…" He had already packed his luggage in a rush.
"Uh… Miss Demon, may I ask… is it true? That Orkie is actually a wanted criminal?"
"Yes," Hannya replied calmly, "He is wanted for his crimes right now."
The tavern owner blinked. While Hannya continue watches the land clearing for her new office being in progress.
---
Dawn Castle, East Wing
The East Wing had always been reserved for foreign dignitaries.
This time, it hosted the Prime Minister of Murica… and his wife, the Chief of Staff.
Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the master bedroom, gently waking Lilith. She stretched beneath the sheets, enjoying the warmth—an odd little habit she'd picked up from Solo over the years. She hated how comfortable it was.
She swung her legs off the bed and walked toward the bathroom.
Click.
Click.
Locked.
Right. She'd locked it last night.
Lilith sighed, reached for the key on the nightstand, and unlocked the door.
Inside, Solo was asleep in the bathtub. Bruised. Bandaged. Half-submerged. Snoring peacefully, like a man who absolutely did not remember how he got there.
She kicked the bathtub.
"Guh—huh??" Solo jolted awake.
"Get out," Lilith said flatly. "I'm taking a bath."
Battered, bruised, and wobbling, Solo dragged himself out of the tub. Every bones on him complained on each step.
Later, Solo examined himself in the mirror. Poking his wounds.
Lilith stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around her hair, steam trailing behind her.
"Honey…" Solo said carefully. "You killed me three times last night."
"You deserved it," she replied, already getting dressed.
Solo briefly considered whether he should try passing a Domestic Violence Act again.
The last time he brought it up after a fight, the entire demon parliament had laughed so hard someone fainted.
Banning domestic violence in violent demon households?
Comedy gold.
"I don't know if I should thank the goddess or not for this curse," Solo muttered.
"You should thank me for not killing you in my true form again," Lilith snapped.
"Ugh. That reminds me of that slutty harpy."
"Oh come on, honey, that was fifty years ago—"
"Shut up," she cut him off. "For a long-lifespan demon like me, fifty years is basically last month!"
"…Sorry."
Solo's eyes drifted downward.
Lilith was wearing a bikini under her light summer dress.
"Uhh… I thought you came here to drag me home," Solo said. "What's with the outfit?"
"You're not the only one who gets to take a vacation."
SLAM.
She left.
Solo stood there, blinking at the closed door.
"…Wait! I'M COMING WITH YOU!"
---
Dawn City, Sandy Beach
Lilith had fully commandeered Solo's private beach spot.
She lounged beneath a wide parasol on a luxurious beach bed, legs crossed, sunglasses on, sipping a chilled tropical drink thoughtfully prepared and delivered by her Secret Service.
Solo, meanwhile, sat on the sand a short distance away, clutching his old towel like a beggar.
"…Honey, can I have—"
"Don't talk."
"…."
Solo immediately complied.
He had learned, through pain and repetition, that Lilith's silent treatment was not an invitation for negotiation.
Several minutes passed. The waves rolled in. The sun was warm. The silence was not.
"So," Lilith said casually, without opening her eyes, "what are you running from? The goddess?"
Solo let out a long breath.
"At first… I thought so," he admitted. "But I think… I'm actually running from you guys."
Lilith opened one eye.
"…Explain."
"For a hundred and thirty years, we prepared weapons," Solo said. "Everything we could build. Everything we could think of. All to kill as many enemies as possible."
He swallowed.
"We even built a nuclear bomb."
Lilith didn't react.
"We believed that if we destroyed the goddess's worshippers and ruled the planet," Solo continued, "we could finally get our revenge."
He paused.
"I promised that. To you. To all Muricans."
Another pause.
"And… I failed."
Lilith finally turned her head toward him.
"Why did you fail?"
Solo's voice cracked, just a little.
"Are you listening? We can't kill people anymore. How do we win a war without killing?"
He clenched his hands in the sand.
"And when the other kingdoms learn that… they'll definitely try to wipe us out."
Lilith nodded slowly.
"That's true," she said. "But isn't it your job to lead us through that?"
Solo looked away.
"You just… don't understand how I feel."
Lilith sighed.
"Remember this, Solo," she said calmly, closing her eyes again.
"You may be the weakest demon… but I married you because you're the strongest existence I've ever known. In your own way."
She adjusted her sunglasses.
"Now stop bothering me with your human pity party."
"I'm taking a nap."
Solo fell silent.
The waves kept rolling in.
---
Dawn Castle, East Wing
That night, Solo sat alone on the balcony, watching the lights of Dawn City slowly fade into quiet. The streets below dimmed one by one, as if the city itself knew when to sleep.
He hadn't spoken to Lilith since the beach.
"May I join you?" a familiar voice asked.
Solo turned.
It was King Luxtar—now simply Luxius's retired father.
"Ah, Your Majesty—"
"No 'majesty'," Luxtar said, waving a hand as he sat beside Solo. "That's Luxius now. I'm just an old man enjoying retirement."
He reached under his robe and discreetly produced two chilled cans of beer.
"I heard your wife banned you from alcohol," Luxtar added calmly. "So I smuggled these in."
"Bless you," Solo said without hesitation.
They clinked cans.
"Aaaahh… wonderful," Luxtar sighed after a long drink. "Soon your ships will bring more of this, and even commoners will be able to enjoy it."
"When we finish upgrading your port, yeah," Solo nodded. "Container ships. Bulk delivery. Cheap beer."
Luxtar chuckled. "Ha. I never thought I'd see the day Ravendawn becomes prosperous."
He took another slow sip.
"Hell, I didn't even think I'd ever return to this castle."
Luxtar gazed at the stone walls fondly, then gestured toward Solo's chair.
"You know… the chair you're sitting on," he said, "I used to sit there whenever something troubled my mind."
"…"
"So tell me," Luxtar continued casually. "What could troubles the mind of the demon leader? Is it how to defeat the goddess?"
Solo froze.
"H-how did you—?" He swallowed. "We kept that secret from outsiders."
"Ohohoho," Luxtar chuckled. "I'm old. Humans don't live a long lifespan, but as we grow older… we become sensitive to changes."
He tapped his chest lightly.
"Your people changed everything about their lives. Culture. Instinct. Identity. That level of devotion only comes from two things."
He raised two fingers.
"Love… or hate."
A pause.
"And demons aren't exactly known for love," he added dryly. "Heh. I'd be furious too if I were caged for thousands of years."
Solo stared at him, stunned by the old man's clarity.
"And you don't mind helping us?" Solo asked quietly.
"Even though… when we get the chance… we'll kill your goddess?"
"I stopped praying to her a long time ago."
Luxtar snorted.
"She never answered anyway. Hell, the only one who ever answered me was your foreign minister."
He took another sip.
"You Muricans take things from us, yes," Luxtar said. "But at least with you, we can say yes or no. And what we get in return is clear. Fair game."
He leaned forward.
"Meanwhile, the goddess takes. And takes. And takes. Can we even refuse? And what do we get in return?"
He scoffed.
"A vague promise of heaven? Pah."
Luxtar spat over the balcony.
"So go for it," he said with a laugh. "Kill her. You have my blessing! Hahaha!"
Solo let out a quiet huff.
"Thanks… but I don't know," he admitted. "Everything I believed in… it feels like a lie now."
Luxtar glanced at him.
"Belief cuts both ways."
Luxtor stared toward the distant ocean.
"A long time ago," he said quietly, "my family believed every kingdom respected us—the bastion of humanity standing against demons. But when they thought they were strong enough to fight the demons by themselves… And when Vandoria stole our land…"
He let out a breath.
"They all turned their eyes away from us."
He sighed.
"I also believed surrendering Dawn would protect it. Protect the city. Protect the people my wife loved."
He shook his head slowly.
"I thought: what's the worst that can happen? They're humans like us."
A bitter smile crossed his face.
"Boy, was I wrong. Some humans are demons wearing different skin."
"…Is that your biggest regret?" Solo asked.
"No."
Luxtor shook his head.
"My biggest regret is that after failing the people who trusted me… I hesitated."
His voice hardened just a little.
"I was too scared of failing again."
He glanced meaningfully at Solo.
"Sound familiar?"
"…You crafty old man."
Luxtor chuckled.
"We're leaders, Solo. No one can truly understands what we carry."
He lifted his can.
"So crack a beer. Swear. Cry. Whatever demons do. Stay in Dawn. Clear your mind. Then go back and be the best demon leader your people could ever hope for."
"…I'll try," Solo said, a faint smile forming.
"Are you always this wise?"
"No," Luxtor laughed. "That was my wife."
His expression softened.
"Whenever I sat on that chair, she'd sit right where I am now. Saying the words I needed to hear… or staying silent when I needed to think."
He smiled to himself.
"But she never let me face my problems alone."
Solo smiled warmly.
"And you know what?" Luxtor suddenly grinned.
Solo stiffened. "What."
"Whenever I finished thinking…" Luxtor leaned back smugly.
"We always ended up fucking. Right here. On this balcony."
"EWW! OLD MAN!"
"No, I'm serious!" Luxtor insisted. "We always doing it on that chair you're sitting on—sometimes even on the railing!"
He demonstrated with aggressive hip thrusts.
"Like this!"
"STOP IT! OH NO—IT'S STARTING TO FORM IN MY MIND!"
"I may be an old man now," Luxtor declared proudly, spanking imaginary buttocks,
"but if my wife were still alive, I know I could still ride her like a stud! HAHAHAHA!"
Solo covered his face.
Luxtor continued enthusiastically assaulting the air with imaginary memories.
The two laughed like idiots.
Neither noticed the figure perched quietly on the roof above them.
Lilith watched, lips curling into the tiniest smile.
"…Stupid husband," she muttered.
"If you asked me to talk, we could be fucking right now. Oh well."
She shrugged lightly.
"Your loss."
She took off silently, leaving the two men to their moment.
For several nights after, Solo and Luxtor continued meeting on the balcony—drinking, joking, swearing, and sneaking booze from the castle storage.
---
Dawn, A Hill Nearby the Castle
A week passed.
Then one morning, the maids found King Luxtor had passed away peacefully in his sleep.
There was no struggle. No pain. Just a gentle smile left on his face, as if he'd simply decided he was done.
A private funeral was held on a quiet hill overlooking the castle, led by Archmage Gregor. Luxtor was laid to rest beside the grave of his beloved wife.
Luxius stood between the two gravestones.
"Goodbye, Father," he said softly.
"Everything will be alright now. You and Mother can rest… and watch over us."
A few steps behind him, Solo, Lilith, and Hannya stood respectfully—Murican representatives… and friends.
Lilith leaned slightly toward Solo.
"Are you sad?" she asked gently.
"Not really…" Solo replied. "I'm jealous."
Lilith blinked. "Jealous?"
"That dirty old man," Solo continued quietly, "got everything a man could ever wish for."
"…I suppose so."
Hannya interrupted bluntly.
"Is it the son?" she asked. "Are you two planning to have a son like former King Luxtor?"
Solo and Lilith turned bright red instantly.
"A-Anyway!" Solo coughed loudly. "Please arrange transport to Bashington tomorrow. I have work to do."
"Yes, sir!" Hannya replied crisply.
Lilith watched him for a moment, smiling softly.
Her husband had finally returned to the man she fell in love with.
On their last night in Dawn Castle, Solo invited Lilith to the balcony. They shared wine beneath the moonlight.
In honor of the dirty old man…
They spent the entire night enthusiastically recreating his balcony tradition until dawn.
---
Bashington DC, Cabinet Meeting Room
The meeting table was already full with Solo's cabinet members and their staff.
After more than a month of vacations, the ship captain had finally returned to the helm.
"Huh, Belphy?" Mo said. "It's rare to see you joining a meeting."
"I tried to bail as usual," Belphy replied, "but this time Lilith's threats are so fucking real."
A moment later, Solo and Lilith entered the room.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, sir."
Solo took his seat. A staffer poured his coffee with practiced precision.
"Thank you."
He set the cup down.
"Alright," Solo said. "As you all know, we've had major developments in our war against the goddess—especially after discovering the true nature of the goddess virus."
He glanced toward one corner of the room.
"Oh, and congratulations to Director Lich for winning the No-Bail Award in Physiology and Medicine for his latest discovery."
Clap.
Clap.
Clap clap clap clap clap.
"Ohohoho! Thank you, thank you," Lich said proudly.
The skeleton beamed, his medal dangling proudly from his neck.
"Sorry for being late, Lich," Solo continued. "My vacation took longer than expected."
He rose to his feet.
"Now—our discovery changes everything. Our initial plan of using peace to buy time, then erasing goddess-worshipping nations one by one with force… is no longer viable."
His voice hardened.
"From this moment, I—Alex Solomon, Prime Minister of the United Demon Kingdoms of Murica—decide a new path."
A pause.
"We will continue our campaign for revenge and the downfall of the goddess Celes—"
Another pause.
A breath.
A grin.
"—by building world peace."