"Sigh, it feels so satisfying doing this in the demon realm."

"Satisfying...? "

"I feel like I’ve been chosen in a harem. I should brag to all the demons around here."

"......Please, stop."

Half-serious, Tesilid ran his hand through his hair. Maybe bringing up the embarrassing past was a bit too much.

I patted his shoulder in apology.

"Sorry, I won't tease you. But Terry..."

"Yeah?"

"Why are we locked up?"

Right now, we were trapped in a wooden cage covered with a tent. It even felt like we were being dragged somewhere with the distinct clattering of a cart.

"Ah, well... "

Tesilid’s expression became serious.

"After collecting all six stamps, a hidden mission was unlocked. So, we’re on our way to the mission location."

"Mission location...?"

Just then, the cart stopped, and the tent covering the wooden cage was abruptly swept away.

"Wooaah!"

The noise of the crowd hit us like /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ a wave. We were placed right in the middle of a giant coliseum-like arena, like some spectacle.

The black rabbit doll, Labeekato, stepped forward like a host and shouted.

<Now, we will execute the execution of the humans who infiltrated the theme park!>

The demons in the stands cheered.

"Execute them! Execute them!"

"Let’s burn them and offer them to Lord Reid as a sacrifice!"

"Uooh! Lord Reid! May you receive the sacrifice of the Rebirth Flame!"

"Ah, Lord of Chaos!"

"Your harem is here! Please return to your wild revelry!"

I shook Tesilid’s shoulder, who was suffering beside me, and asked.

"Why did we get caught even though we’re wearing Haneh?"

"Got excited and tore it, so the Nightmare disguise effect wore off."

"Oh my, Terry."

"It’s not just me, you did the same."

"......Haha, I guess so."

The system hastily updated the situation.

[ ‘Mission Stamp Collection’ has been completed and updated to a new quest.]

[ ‘Find the Dungeon Master! (Difficulty: S)’

Having successfully triggered a hidden mission and dragged the dungeon master to the execution site! However, the dungeon master is hiding in the stands, disguised and cannot be identified.

Defeat all demons in the execution ground to successfully conquer the dungeon.

Success reward: +3 Strengthened Nightmare Leather Haneh (‘Soul Judgment Scales’ sponsorship)

Failure penalty: No leaving.]

"The boss is hiding in the stands."

"We’ll have to exterminate them."

At that moment, Labeekato grinned and approached me.

<Then, I’ll stamp the seventh mission stamp directly on your body! As the mark of sacrifice!>

Whether he did that or not, Tesilid and I were already strategizing.

"How about we play rock-paper-scissors, and the loser does it alone?"

"I’ll do it. You rest, alright?"

The strategy was decided.

Crunch!

Tesilid smashed the wooden cage with his hand, imbued with holy aura.

"Hoo."

Thanks to the dysfunctional Haneh, Tesilid, regaining his former dignity and grace, stepped out of the cage.

The moment he took his first step, his overwhelming presence pressed down on the execution ground. The cheers of the demons were abruptly cut off, and an unsettling silence fell.

"Wh-what is this? That human male?"

"Something feels off."

No demon dared to oppose him as he revealed his true stature.

Summoning the holy sword Libra, Tesilid drew the sign of the cross with the tip of the sword. Meanwhile, I prayed to my god.

"Lord, I’m sending them all up. Amen."

✠

"Everyone has been rescued, my saint!"

"Thank you, Sir Rex."

The upper floors of the expanded St. Agnes Church were quite high. From the pope’s residence, the dungeon sync location was visible through the window.

In the middle of the city of Feronsa, the slowly spinning gate glowed with the hue of the sunset, moving sluggishly.

I snapped my fingers, and the gate slowly narrowed its radius.

There was no reason to leave a dungeon with no resources. With the new master’s authority, I closed the dungeon.

The rescued dungeon sync victims received treatment and most of them returned home. The previously crowded plaza had become much quieter.

Rex, taking a deep breath in, seemed moved.

"Ugh, thanks to the pope and the cardinal, their efforts were invaluable."

"Not at all."

"From the testimonies, it seems like the dungeon had some pretty cruel rules. You had to complete six tasks for the demons?"

"Well, yeah, something like that."

"Ugh, how humiliating that must have been..."

I had to manage my expression to hide my embarrassment. Just then, Tesilid responded in the most fitting way.

"Sir Rex, thank you for your hard work. We’re exhausted too, so we’d like to rest."

Yeah, let’s get rid of him.

"Yes, I’ll take my leave now!"

With only the two of us left, I felt at ease.

Since we were in Feronsa, Tesilid and I decided to spend the night at St. Agnes Church.

A soft breeze blew through the window, and the gentle sensation of it made a tender hand run through my hair.

Ah, this feels nice.

To encourage more of it, I subtly leaned in, and Tesilid happily obliged, doing exactly as I wished.

It was a peaceful moment. And so, our thoughts, as we gazed out the window, were of the same nature.

"They must have all returned to their daily lives."

"All thanks to you saving the world. Such a heroic move."

I clapped softly, and Tesilid responded with a mock questioning tone.

"We saved it together."

"Oh, right. Together, with our bodies, we saved it."

"......"

I still hadn’t grown immune to these kinds of jokes. His ocean-colored eyes, confused and flustered, were amusing. He remained the same, no matter what.

[‘Soul Judgment Scales’ comments that you seem to be weak to verbal abuse.]

[‘Trial Tower Architect’ agrees with the dropping of the 29+ mission card.]

[‘The Bitter Tongue of Balance’ clicks his tongue, calling your mental state weak.]

[‘The Divine Secrets Inspector’ nods in agreement with the character interpretation.]

Tesilid reflected on himself.

"Sigh, when I wake up tomorrow, I’ll have to do confession..."

"Really? Should I officiate? What time will you be going? I’ll be in there first."

"......"

"Why?"

"My mind’s changed. I think I’ll avoid the confession room for a while..."

What was he thinking? His handsome face reddened noticeably. What kind of imagination could make him unable to even look me in the eye?

As I speculated, I felt like I was peering into an abyss. My face also turned red.

"It’s getting hotter."

"Yeah."

Feigning a casual attitude, I met his gaze. The sight of our flushed faces made us both burst into spontaneous laughter, lightening the mood.

"Hey, since we’re in Feronsa, how about we try a few things tomorrow?"

"Sounds good. We can meet some friends, visit my mom, dad, and grandpa. Oh, and let’s stop by the market for some ingredients!"

"Sure."

"Terry, do you have anything you want to do? What do you like?"

He quietly curved his lips into a smile. With a deeper, more thoughtful smile than usual, he said:

"I like doing anything with you."

Even an indifferent "anything" sounds different when said by a handsome man.

I struggled to suppress the excitement rising in my chest, as if his words were packed with sincerity.

Tesilid, observing my reaction, tilted his head slightly and added:

"Even saving the world was fun, so anything works."

"Well, surely there must be something even better? Think about it."

"World’s destruction?"

"......"

"I’m kidding."

"......"

I shouldn’t have asked. I should’ve been satisfied with his "anything" response.

Then, Tesilid chuckled softly.

"It really was a joke."

"Sigh......"

Before I knew it, I sighed deeply, but my lips were stopped mid-breath. When I opened my eyes wide, Tesilid pulled his lips away slightly and said playfully:

"Actually, I think this is the best thing I’ve ever done with you."

[‘Soul Judgment Scales’ says your body is the key to saving the world, eyes gleaming.]

[‘The Words that Build Worlds’ grabs ‘Soul Judgment Scales’ by the neck and drags them out.]

A good confession deserves praise. I grabbed his cheek and pulled him toward me.

"Really? If it’s that good, let’s do it a lot."

We shared a light kiss, alternately nibbling on his lips and running away, repeating it.

The kiss that was off-beat at first soon found its rhythm, and our lips pressed together at the same time. Without thinking, we opened our mouths toward each other.

Without knowing who started it, we both laughed through our lips, feeling the vibrations as if they had reached our hearts. A trembling that shook us to the core.

Our eyes stayed open.

The ocean-colored eyes staring at me as if I was the center of the world were heartbreakingly adorable.

And once again, I made a vow I had made dozens, hundreds of times before.

I’ll make him happy.

✠

The gleaming green eyes met mine from just a few inches away. The gaze, even warmer than our lips touching, melted everything I was.

He imagined being buried in that clear, fresh green.

Even while the entire world was filled with the spring of renewal, his gaze, filled with love, remained unchanged, looking at me.

‘Ah.’

In that moment, Tesilid realized.

In this painfully beautiful moment, the entire world was loving him.

<The Special Privilege for the Possessed> event side story conclusion.