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

Chapter 27: The Unexpected Guest

Daemon stared at the system notification in disbelief.

He had expected some information about Kassia.

Maybe her location.

Maybe a clue about her bloodline.

But what the system had revealed was far more complicated.

[Target: Kassia]

[Affection Level: 92%]

[Status: Qualified for Wife Category]

[Reward Generation: Eligible]

[Current Location: Unidentified]

[Location does not correspond to Earth.]

Daemon’s expression became serious.

"Not... Earth?"

He read the notification again.

He had expected Kassia to be somewhere in this world. Maybe in another city. Perhaps hiding from someone.

But an entirely different location?

That changed everything.

"System, can I communicate with Kassia?"

A few seconds passed.

Then the familiar sound echoed in his mind.

Ding!

[Communication with Target Kassia is currently unavailable.]

Daemon’s shoulders dropped.

"Of course it isn’t."

Another notification appeared.

[Requirement for cross-domain communication: S-Rank or higher.]

Daemon stared at the message.

"So I need to reach S-Rank before I can talk to her?"

[Affirmative.]

He sighed.

At least the system had given him something important.

Kassia was alive.

That was enough to ease some of the weight he had been carrying in his heart.

But now another question appeared.

Where exactly is she?

And why was she somewhere that wasn’t Earth?

Daemon rubbed his chin.

So that’s why she disappeared.

Perhaps Kassia hadn’t abandoned him.

Perhaps she had been forced into a situation where she couldn’t return.

And if powerful people were protecting or controlling that location, then her silence suddenly made more sense.

Daemon’s eyes hardened.

I’ll find you.

But first, he needed power.

Real power.

He couldn’t continue relying on luck whenever danger appeared.

He needed enough strength to protect himself, protect Victoria, and eventually reach Kassia.

Daemon turned toward Lucian.

"Thank you for your help."

Lucian smiled tiredly from the bed.

"No problem."

He paused before adding,

"If you ever need my help again, just ask."

Lucian’s expression became slightly amused.

"But in exchange, take care of my troublesome cousin."

Daemon blinked.

"Troublesome?"

Lucian laughed.

"Don’t tell her I said that."

"I won’t."

"Good."

Lucian’s smile slowly faded.

"But seriously, Daemon..."

His voice became quieter.

"Take care of her."

Daemon noticed the change in his expression.

Lucian looked toward the window.

"After my uncle died, Victoria changed."

Daemon remained silent.

"She used to talk to everyone. She was much more relaxed when we were children."

Lucian sighed.

"But after losing her father, she became distant. She stopped showing her emotions and started carrying everything herself."

Daemon already knew how much Victoria had loved her father.

He also knew that the same bloodline curse that had taken her father was now threatening her.

"She loved him more than anyone," Lucian continued.

Daemon nodded.

"I know."

Lucian looked at him.

"So don’t let her become that lonely person again."

Daemon’s expression softened.

"I won’t."

Lucian smiled.

"Then we’re good."

Daemon gave him a small nod before leaving the room.

Daemon left the Hale estate and took a taxi home.

As the vehicle traveled through the streets of Ashford City, he looked out through the window.

His mind was still occupied by Kassia.

She was alive.

That was the most important thing.

But he couldn’t deny that he was also thinking about Victoria.

His feelings toward her had changed.

Somewhere along the way, she had stopped being merely someone he wanted to protect.

She had become someone he genuinely wanted in his life.

Someone whose happiness mattered to him.

His lips slowly curved into a smile.

The taxi driver noticed it through the rearview mirror.

"You seem happy today."

Daemon blinked.

"Hmm?"

"You’ve been smiling for quite a while."

Daemon looked embarrassed for a moment.

Then he smiled again.

"My wife."

The driver laughed.

"Ah. That explains everything."

Daemon looked out the window again.

"Yeah."

His smile became even wider.

I want to make her happy.

Not because of the system.

Not because of rewards.

Not because of her bloodline.

Because she was Victoria.

And somehow, he had begun to realize that he couldn’t imagine his life without her anymore.

After buying the ingredients Victoria had requested, Daemon finally arrived home.

The moment he opened the door, the smell of delicious food filled the house.

He followed the aroma into the kitchen.

Victoria was standing in front of the stove wearing an apron.

Daemon placed the grocery bags on the counter.

Then he quietly walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Victoria paused.

"You’re home."

"I’m home."

Daemon gently kissed her cheek.

"How was the dungeon?"

Victoria continued cooking.

"We cleared it successfully."

"And?"

"No serious injuries."

Daemon became slightly more serious.

"And you?"

Victoria smiled.

"I survived."

"That isn’t what I asked."

She glanced back at him.

"I’ll be fine."

Daemon sighed.

"Fine. I’ll believe you for now."

Victoria smiled.

Then she asked,

"What about Kassia?"

Daemon’s expression changed slightly.

"Lucian found something."

Victoria stopped stirring.

"She is alive?"

"Yes."

Victoria visibly relaxed.

"Good."

Daemon looked at her.

"You’re not jealous?"

Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"Should I be?"

Daemon immediately shook his head.

"No."

"Good answer."

She returned to cooking.

Daemon then remembered the message.

"Who is coming tonight?"

Victoria suddenly smiled mysteriously.

"That’s a surprise."

"Vic..."

"No."

She pointed toward the stairs.

"Go shower."

Daemon looked at her suspiciously.

"Why?"

"Because you’re cooking tonight."

"Ah."

She smiled.

"I want our guest to think they’ve eaten the best food of their life."

Daemon laughed.

"You just want to show off your husband."

"Exactly."

Victoria turned back toward the stove.

"I want them to know I have the best husband."

Daemon’s heart skipped a beat.

How can she suddenly become this cute?

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

Victoria’s face turned slightly red.

"Go!"

Daemon laughed and headed upstairs.

Not long afterward, the doorbell rang.

Ding-dong.

Victoria wiped her hands and walked toward the entrance.

When she opened the door, Sana was standing outside.

Her long white hair flowed freely behind her, and she wore a stylish outfit that made her look particularly confident that evening.

Victoria looked at her for a moment.

"You look unusually beautiful today."

Sana smirked.

"Are you complimenting me?"

"Don’t get excited."

Victoria crossed her arms.

"My husband won’t even notice."

Sana raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"What?"

"What if he does notice?"

Victoria snorted.

"He won’t."

Sana’s smile became mischievous.

"Then let’s make a bet."

Victoria narrowed her eyes.

"What kind of bet?"

"If Daemon can’t take his eyes off me..."

Sana paused dramatically.

"I get one date with him."

Victoria’s expression immediately froze.

"What?"

Sana laughed.

"I’m joking."

Victoria stared at her.

"You better be."

Sana leaned against the doorframe.

"But you seem awfully confident."

"I know my husband."

"You’re sure?"

"Absolutely."

Sana smiled.

"Then you have nothing to worry about."

Victoria narrowed her eyes.

"You’re enjoying this way too much."

"Maybe."

Victoria finally sighed.

"Fine. One date."

Sana’s eyes widened.

"You agreed?"

"But if he chooses me, you never mention this again."

Sana grinned.

"Deal."

Neither woman noticed that Daemon was already coming downstairs.

Daemon finished his shower and changed into one of the new outfits they had bought recently.

A simple shirt.

Comfortable trousers.

He walked downstairs while drying his hair.

"Vic, where do you want me to—"

He stopped.

Someone was sitting at the dining table.

A beautiful woman with long white hair turned toward him.

Daemon froze.

For one second, his brain stopped functioning.

Whoa.

His eyes moved over her before he realized what he was doing.

He quickly looked away.

Then, unfortunately for him...

He glanced back.

The woman smiled.

"Hello."

Daemon swallowed.

Wait.

He finally recognized her.

"Sana?"

Sana stood.

"Hello, Daemon."

Daemon awkwardly smiled.

"Hi."

From the kitchen, Victoria had witnessed everything.

The first look.

The second look.

The attempt to pretend he hadn’t looked.

And then—

the second second look.

Victoria’s expression became dangerously calm.

Sana noticed.

A tiny smile appeared on her face.

She walked toward Daemon and extended her hand.

"It’s nice to meet you properly outside the guild."

Daemon reached out to shake her hand.

Then—

A hand landed on his shoulder.

Daemon froze.

A terrifying killing intent filled the room.

His smile disappeared.

He slowly turned his head.

Victoria was standing behind him.

She was smiling.

It was the kind of smile that made Daemon’s survival instincts scream.

"Darling..."

Daemon’s forehead immediately became covered in sweat.

"Yes?"

Victoria’s eyes shifted toward Sana.

Then back to him.

"Would you like to explain..."

She paused.

"...why you looked twice?"

Daemon’s brain went completely blank.

Sana covered her mouth, desperately trying not to laugh.

Daemon looked at Victoria.

Then Sana.

Then Victoria again.

I’m dead.

Sana suddenly broke into a grin.

"Victoria..."

Victoria looked at her.

"What?"

Sana folded her arms.

"I believe you owe me a date."

Victoria’s smile disappeared.

Daemon’s soul nearly left his body.