Jax stared at the demon girl.

His brain was buffering.

'Did she just... propose? No. DEMAND marriage?'

He leaned back in his seat.

"Look here, miss."

His voice carried its usual arrogance.

"I understand my beauty can make even goddesses wet. One glance at this face and divine panties drop across all realms."

He gestured at himself dramatically.

"But MARRIAGE? That's a completely different matter."

He placed a hand over his heart.

"And I must inform you, I am already committed. Loyal to a certain someone. I simply CANNOT cheat on her."

The demon girl's expression didn't waver.

"I don't think you heard me correctly."

Her red eyes gleamed.

"I said you WILL marry me."

Jax's playfulness evaporated.

He grabbed his sheathed sword and placed it between them. A barrier. A warning.

"And what makes you think you can force that?"

Astrid watched his face shift.

She recognized that look.

Madness incoming. Another mess brewing.

Her mind drifted to all the chaos since meeting this man.

The academy. The prince. The professors. The Food Stall. The Delivery Guy. The War. The Mess up with Elf King And now THIS.

'It's like he has personal beef with the god of luck. Every step he takes, disaster follows.'

She wanted to laugh and scream simultaneously.

'A marriage proposal. In the DEMON REALM. A human marrying a high-ranking demon.'

The absurdity was overwhelming.

'Which side would be more ashamed? Humans Or demons?'

Then a darker thought struck.

'What if she discovers the truth? That he's not a demon at all? Just a human in fake horns?'

Her stomach churned.

The demon girl uncrossed her legs.

"I don't want to fight you here."

Her voice was casual. Dismissive.

"Not because it would waste my precious time, it would take less than a minute to show you your place."

She examined her nails.

"I simply don't want to mess up my future husband's face."

Her smile was pure mockery.

Jax moved.

His sheathed blade swept through the air so fast that sparks erupted from the friction.

The demon girl's eyes couldn't track it.

By the time her brain registered movement, Jax was already holding his sword at the ready.

"Try me."

Two words. Cold. Promising violence.

The girl who had been lounging so carelessly went rigid.

Her leg dropped from its crossed position.

She began to rise—

"WAIT!"

Astrid's voice cut through the tension.

"Prof—"

She caught herself.

"—I mean, JAX. We should hear her out."

She turned to the demon girl.

"And YOU. You're not giving us proper details. Tell us everything before we consider anything."

The girl settled back into her seat.

"There's nothing to consider. I've already made up my mind."

Her tone was final.

"I'm not in the mood to explain everything. But I'll narrow it down."

She paused.

"I'm not doing this to spend my whole life with this maniac."

Astrid frowned. "Then why?"

"I have a situation. One that requires me to marry someone quickly."

Her eyes flickered with something desperation? Calculation?

"That's all you need to know. In return, I'll provide wealth. And in a few months, we can separate."

Astrid's mind raced.

"Then why choose HIM? I'm sure there are many who would gladly take his place, given your position."

The demon girl smiled.

"Of course there are. Hundreds. Thousands, even."

Her gaze drifted to Jax.

"But my plan needs someone with guts. Someone with pride. Someone exactly like him."

Her voice dropped.

"Someone who will either die—"

She stopped abruptly.

As if she'd said too much.

Astrid's eyes narrowed.

'Die? What kind of plan requires someone willing to DIE?'

She opened her mouth to press further—

"I accept."

Jax's voice cut through.

Astrid whipped toward him.

"WHAT?! Do you even understand what you're agreeing to?!"

Jax waved dismissively.

"Look, Astrid. This damsel clearly needs help."

He placed a hand on his chest.

"And what else can a noble-hearted gentleman—a generous soul such as myself do but offer assistance?"

His internal thoughts told a different story.

'New amusement acquired. New thrill unlocked.'

'Plus, if I marry this demon girl, I can fuck her. That's one more race checked off the quest. Demons were supposed to be impossible to find, and now one's literally asking me to be her husband.'

'She said MONTHS of marriage. I'll bounce the moment I get bored.'

'This is perfect.'

Astrid grabbed his arm.

"But what about our mission?! Getting back home?! And finding those demons who—"

She froze.

'Shit. I almost mentioned the actual mission. In front of an actual demon.'

Jax smoothly covered her slip.

"Ah yes, the mission to return to our hometown while hunting down those demons who created chaos in our beloved village of... Ashhole."

He nodded sagely.

"That mission will proceed as planned, dear sister."

'Ashhole. Really, Jax? That's the best you could come up with?'

He continued without missing a beat.

"And let's not forget—we need money. This lovely damsel is offering us exactly that. It's a win-win situation."

He turned to the demon girl.

"So, wifey. When's the honeymoon? I mean—the wedding."

She laughed.

Actually laughed.

"Well, that was easier than expected."

She reached beside her seat and produced a bag.

Heavy. Clinking with what looked like stones—probably demon currency.

She began to extend it toward Jax—

He snatched it before she could finish the motion.

Tossed it to Astrid.

"Here. Take all of it."

Astrid caught the bag reflexively.

"Don't worry about me," Jax continued. "I'll manage just fine living off my wife's earnings."

He leaned back with a satisfied grin.

"A kept man. I've always wanted to try that lifestyle."

The demon girl watched him with growing interest.

'No fear. No hesitation. Even in the worst possible scenario, he acts like he owns the world.'

'Perfect.'

Jax glanced at her.

"This is just the advance payment, right, wifey?"

Before she could respond, Astrid exploded.

"Prof—"

Jax cut her off.

"Go on, dear sister."

He stood up.

"Your brother is taking this burden so YOU don't starve to death. So YOU don't die in rags on these streets."

He grabbed her shoulders.

"Live the life you've always wanted. Be FREE."

He started pushing her toward the carriage door.

"I won't be able to let you go if you stay a second longer. I might change my mind."

Tears began forming in his eyes.

Fake. Theatrical. Oscar-worthy.

"GO! Before I weaken!"

And with one final shove, Astrid tumbled out of the carriage.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Jax dusted off his hands.

'Finally. Her naivety would have ruined everything.'

Behind him, the demon girl's voice came soft and amused.

"I believe you hate your sister."

Jax turned.

"Was that obvious?"

She smiled.

He smiled back.

'This is going to be fun.'

Outside the carriage, Astrid stood in the street.

Betrayed.

Abandoned.

A bag of demon money clutched in her hands.

"That BASTARD."

She kicked the dirt.

"That absolute PIECE OF—"

She stopped.

Then a devilish grin spread across her face.

'Oh, Professor. You think you're so clever.'

She recalled something important.

Something she had conveniently forgotten to mention.

'Those horns I made for you? They're not permanent.'

Her grin widened.

'They shatter. Automatically. Within twenty-four hours.'

She started walking away, clutching her bag of money.

'Good luck at your wedding, dear Professor. I hope your bride enjoys discovering her husband is actually a HUMAN.'

Her laughter echoed through the demon streets.

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