The More I Invest in My Wives, the Stronger I Become

Chapter 23: Blood Wings

Daemon raised an eyebrow.

"You found her? How is that possible? I only told you a few days ago."

Victoria smirked, arms crossed as she leaned against the kitchen counter.

"Not actually found her. We got information that leads to her place."

Daemon’s eyes sharpened. Something fierce and quiet burned behind them.

This time I’ll find you, Kassia.

He didn’t say it out loud, but Victoria saw the determination settle into his face like armor.

"Alright," he said. "Let’s go."

They climbed into the car. Victoria gave him the address, then settled back in the passenger seat with a casual air.

"About my cousin," she began. "His name is Lucien Hale. Childhood friend of mine. Also works at the WHA. B-Rank Awakener."

Daemon glanced at her. "Your cousin is helping us look for Kassia?"

"Yes. He has a special power he only uses in critical moments. Very powerful. It’s called Astral Resonance."

Daemon listened carefully while driving.

"Where does he live?"

"Hale family estate, with his parents. This is your first time coming to the main estate, right?"

Daemon shook his head. "No. I already came once... before the marriage."

Victoria blinked, then gave a small, almost embarrassed smile.

"Oh. Right."

The Hale estate was enormous.

The moment they passed the outer gate, Daemon realized "estate" was too small a word.

The land stretched for kilometers. Manicured gardens, training fields, private roads, and buildings that looked more like royal pavilions than houses. Even driving, he could tell he wouldn’t be able to see everything in a single day.

At the inner entrance, two guards stood at attention. The moment they recognized Victoria’s car, they snapped to attention and opened the gate without a word.

Daemon drove deeper until they stopped in front of a palace-like building that belonged to Lucien’s branch of the family.

Lucien was already waiting at the entrance.

He had the same sharp Hale features, dark hair slightly messy, and a sheepish smile that looked practiced. The second he saw Victoria, he raised both arms for a hug.

Victoria didn’t even slow down.

Thud.

Her foot connected cleanly between his legs.

Lucien’s eyes went wide. A strangled sound escaped his throat. Both hands slammed down to protect what was left of his dignity as he folded in half.

"You devil..." he muttered under his breath, eyes watering.

Victoria brushed imaginary dust off her sleeve.

"Don’t act like I forgot what you did last time.

You owe me. So help my husband find the person he’s looking for."

Daemon stood a few steps behind them, watching the entire exchange in silence.

Apparently they have some history.

He decided not to get involved without proper knowledge.

After several long, painful seconds, Lucien finally straightened up, still breathing carefully.

He looked at Daemon and forced a smile.

"So you’re the man who married my terrific cousin." He offered a hand. "I finally get to see you... and I feel genuinely sorry for you, man."

Victoria’s eyes narrowed.

"You want another kick?"

Lucien immediately took a full step back, hands raised in surrender.

"Nope. No more jokes. Training hall. Now. Let’s get to work."

The training hall was massive — open ground, weapon racks lining the walls, training dummies, and enough space to run full combat drills without hitting anything important.

Lucien walked to the center and turned to Daemon.

"Victoria already told me your ex-girlfriend’s name. I ran a few searches through WHA channels and some... less official ones. Found some interesting things."

Daemon’s posture straightened. "What did you find?"

Before Lucien could answer, Victoria’s phone rang.

She answered, listened for three seconds, then her expression shifted into full combat mode.

"A-Rank dungeon just appeared in Ashford City. Near the market area."

She looked at Daemon.

"I have to go check it. You and Lucien keep looking into whatever you find."

Daemon stepped forward and caught her wrist gently.

"Victoria. Don’t heavily rely on your bloodline skills. It triggers the curse and damages your body more. Use combat and weapons as much as you can."

Victoria’s lips curved into a teasing smile.

"Okay, master. As you wish. I won’t do anything overly reckless. Discipline and all that. I follow orders."

She leaned in just enough to make it personal, voice dropping into a playful murmur.

Daemon’s ears went slightly red. Lucien stood off to the side, watching the entire exchange with pure confusion.

First it was totally cringe couple moments that make normal people want to leave the room.

Second... this is Victoria. The same Victoria who only knows how to beat and kill monsters.

Now she’s blushing like a schoolgirl.

How the hell did this bastard do that so easily?

Still, seeing her happy was enough for him.

Lucien cleared his throat loudly.

"Hello, Miss Blushing Valkyrie. You have a city to save. Don’t just stand there smiling like an idiot."

Victoria shot him a sharp look.

"I know that."

Then her bloodline stirred.

Crimson energy gathered behind her back. In the span of a heartbeat, a pair of blood-red wings unfolded, feathers formed from pure condensed blood energy. She rose off the ground, floating with effortless control.

Daemon’s eyes widened.

"I never knew you could fly."

Victoria smirked down at him.

"You never asked me."

With a powerful beat of her wings she shot into the sky, vanishing from sight within seconds.

Daemon stared after her, something hungry and amazed flickering in his chest.

I want to fly like that. It looks fun.

Ding!

[Reward Unlocked]

[Condition Met: Genuine Concern for Bonded Wife]

[Your worry for Victoria’s health and safety touched her deeply.]

[Reward Granted: Wingless Flight]

Daemon’s eyes widened as the skill information unfolded.

[Wingless Flight]

An early-tier mobility skill.

Grants short, controlled hovers and glides rather than true flight.

Maximum sustained hover: 5–10minutes before the skill cuts out.

Altitude limited. Enough to clear obstacles, gain a brief tactical height advantage, or soften a dangerous fall — but nowhere near true aerial combat range.

Drains the Host’s own stamina. Chaining it with Thunderstep or Inferno Blast will tire him quickly.

Control is still crude. Sudden direction changes feel clumsy and unbalanced. The Host is clearly still learning.

Daemon stared at the description, half-disbelieving.

I can’t actually fly like Victoria... but this? This will help a lot in dungeons.

Lucien clapped his hands once.

"Alright, lovebirds are done. Back to Kassia."

Daemon forced his attention back.

Lucien continued, "She works at Apex Guild. One of the most famous private-funded guilds in the city. She’s registered as a healer."

Daemon nodded slowly. That much he already knew. He had been happy for her when she got the job. They had even planned to celebrate... the same day she broke up with him.

Lucien’s next words hit harder.

"She also awakened a rare bloodline. An actual S-Rank bloodline. The name isn’t listed anywhere I can access. Completely sealed. But whatever it is... it’s rare."

Daemon went still.

Kassia... was an Awakener?

And she has an S-Rank bloodline?

The girl who left him without explanation. The girl whose phone was now disconnected. The girl the system still listed at 92% affection.

Something cold and sharp settled in his chest.

He looked at Lucien, voice quiet but steady.

"Tell me everything you found."