Titan’s body had gradually shrunk to the human form he had taken when they first met.

The clothes he wore at first had become almost tattered, and he could not hide his skin at all.

I wondered if the damage he had sustained in his demon form had also affected his human form.

“Now, what should I do with this guy?”

No, there’s no need to think about it.

This guy was an outsider who enjoyed killing people.

He had damaged the World Tree and even tried to harm Demiurge, the mother of the tree.

That crime can never be forgiven.

If that’s the case, we need to stop them right now.

…But,

“……Let’s take him to Demiurge first.”

I’ll leave the final decision to her.

Because, as Demiurge and I were parting, she said to me.

『 Titans have grown so full of hubris, give them a complete beating. 』

Nowhere does it say,『 I want you to kill it 』.

Besides, asking me to beat back his hubris can be taken to mean asking not to kill him.

In other words, even though Demiurge was so angry with Titan, she was hesitant to kill him.

Still, after all…

“I guess that means that no matter how defiant he is, to her, this guy is not just a demon…”

In the past, Demiurge had said that demons were devices used to kill humans.

However, unlike other demons, she may have feelings for the four strongest demons, or perhaps she has developed some kind of parental love for them.

“He is the worst kind of lowlife… but to Demiurge, he may still be family… and if she were to get her hands on him, she would be the one making the actual decision to kill him.

However, I think I should be the one to bring down the curtain.

I’m not going to let Demiurge kill a child.

“Now, let’s get back to the elven forest before he wakes up.”

As I said this, I carried a titan with frost covering his body.

“Whoa! It’s cold! I think I’m going to get frostbite.”

Surprised to find that Titan was unexpectedly cold, I headed home.

◆◇◆◇◆

…But at this time, I forgot.

I forgot to erase the magic circle『 Zero Field 』that I activated, and left the plain of ice and snow as it was…

I had no idea at the time that this would lead to problems that would affect me for years to come.

◆◇◆◇◆

“I’m back.”

“―――?!”

“Oh, you’re back.”

I returned to the forest.

Even though it was still the entrance, Demiurge was standing there. Behind her, I could also see the Phoenix.

It seems that she has been waiting for me to return.

Looking at the absence of【 Deus Maquina 】, it seems that it disappeared after finishing its mission.

“Ou, I’ve just returned… and…”

With one hand raised, I called out to the Demiurge.

But before I could finish, Demiurge moved and hugged me around the waist.

“Husband, you’re safe. I’m glad… I’m so glad…”

“O-O-Ou. Umm, I’m back, Demiurge.”

“Umu, welcome back, husband!”

I couldn’t help but choke up at the expression on Demiurge’s face as she looked up at me.

If you look, you will see that Demiurge’s eyes are slightly red.

It looks like I’ve made her worry a lot.

She always treats me as if I’m a joke, but the straightforward emotions she sometimes shows in this way always make me nervous.

By the way, Martina, who loves romance novels, was writhing in agony with a book in her hands, saying, “Gap moe!”

But a gap, huh?

When you see a different side of a person than the one you usually see, it’s something that makes you smile.

But did I really worry her so much that her eyes turned red?

It seems I may have misjudged the depth of Demiurge’s feelings.

“Husband, are you hurt? No, you took on Titan with all your might. There’s no way you’re not injured. If so, you should immediately wash your wounds and let your body and wounds heal. It is said that a human being can die from the slightest germ in a wound. We can’t just leave it there. And that’s Titans in the back! Gumumu… I’m jealous of my husband’s piggyback ride… Phoenix! Let the seed suck all his mana! It’ll squeeze it out of him until he’s a big waste of flesh! After that, he’ll be spanked! Anyway, now, husband, let Phoenix take care of him, and we’ll head for the Fountain. There I will serve you with all my might.”

Demiurge rattled off words in rapid succession.

Phoenix took Titan, who was on her back, by the collar and dragged him deep into the forest.

When he accepted the Titan from me, Phoenix complimented me by saying, “You’re really good at beating Titan.”

But I was a little bothered that she was looking at me strangely, but that’s just like her, so I don’t mind.

That’s another story.

“De-Demiurge, okay, okay, okay! I’m coming with you. Don’t pull so hard!”

“No! I’ll never let go… I’ll never let you go.”

Just as she said, a small hand grabbed my hand tightly and wouldn’t let go.

Compared to an ordinary person, Demiurge’s power is certainly strong, but even so, my hand is very strong.

To be honest, it hurts a little.

“………Master, stay with me all day… It’s punishment for worrying me.”

“……Yes, I get it.”

I followed behind as Demiurge pulled me along.

◆◇◆◇◆

As soon as we arrived at the fountain, Demiurge took off her clothes, and I, too, was forced to undress with her as she did.

I had come here to wash my body, so it was only natural that I should take off my clothes, but I was still embarrassed.

This was not the first time we had shown each other our skin, but I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

I think I’d better wash up quickly.

It’s poison to the eyes to see Demiurge’s skin for any length of time… Eh?

But as soon as Demiurge turned to me, she suddenly jumped and hugged my body again.

“Oh, hey! You’re bathing in…?!”

“Oh… husband. I’ve never been more terrified in my life.”

“……”

I swallow my words with shock at Demiurge’s confession.

She squeezed and wrapped her hands around my waist, burying her face in my breastplate.

“Even when I thought I might lose my life in a battle with husband, I never felt so afraid. In the first place, if husband dies, I die. That is what it means to share life… Therefore, if I am alive, I will know immediately if husband is still alive… But! It doesn’t matter!”

Demiurge shouted aloud and looked straight up at me.

“Husband may die. Even if he doesn’t, he could be seriously injured… How my heart creaked at the mere thought…”

“Demiurge…”

Her eyes moistened and drops trickled down her beautiful face.

Her eyes, like purple crystal amethysts, were shimmering like the moon reflected in the water.

“Husband, will you kiss me as you did before? I’m not asking you to make love to me. So at least kiss me… hmph?!”

I put my lips on Demiurge’s lips.

Oh, shit… Women’s tears are so cheating…

With tears rolling down her cheeks, I couldn’t help myself.

A woman who adores you is crying.

A man would want to do her a favor.

““………………””

Demiurge and I just kissed each other silently and quietly.

Occasionally, Demiurge would brush his lips against mine, as if she were a sweet little bird.

Then a small heat is generated in me.

It’s faint at first, but it gradually increases in temperature and begins to invade my mind and body.

But I don’t know why.

This heat is strangely comforting.

“Humph…uu, mu… nn.”

To catch her breath, Demiurge made a very small gap between his lips. But it was only for a moment.

Again, I pressed my lips against it, closer together than at first.

Just such a small movement made my head go numb.

…Really, how much do you like me?

Either way, slowly we let go of each other’s mouths.

Then a small murmur “Ah…” escaped from Demiurge.

The transparent bridge between our mouths, pulled by gravity, snaps.

“Thank you, husband. The kiss, it’s very sweet…”

Her eyes, like shimmering jewels, stared at me.

“I like you, husband. I love you from the bottom of my heart.”

“Hhh!”

1 month…

I promised Phoenix that I would respond to Demiurge’s feelings within that time frame.

But…

“Demiurge… I…”

I’ll give you the answer……―――right here and now.