Haruto's entire body screamed one word.
RUN.
Lilia, the yandere Demon Lord, was standing right in front of him.
Behind her, Princess Emilia, Emberis the Dragon Emperor, and Fel the cat-girl thief were all waiting expectantly.
They had found him.
After three months of silence, peace, and freedom—
It was all over.
Haruto turned on his heel and BOLTED.
Attempt #1: Sprinting at Superhuman Speeds
"GET BACK HERE, HUSBAND!" Lilia's voice echoed across the village.
"NOOOOOO!" Haruto screamed as he ran faster than the wind.
Stealth MAX. Speed MAX. Agility MAX.
He vanished into the trees, leaping across rivers and blurring past the mountains.
Gone. Untraceable. Perfect escape.
Or so he thought.
CRACK!
The ground exploded beneath his feet.
Haruto barely dodged as a massive fireball detonated in front of him.
Emberis dropped from the sky, landing in his path.
"You dare flee from me, little human?" She licked her lips, golden eyes flashing. "Oh, this is exciting."
Haruto skidded to a stop.
"HOW DID YOU GET HERE SO FAST?!"
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Emberis tilted her head. "I followed your scent, of course."
Haruto's soul shattered.
"Wait. You can TRACK ME BY SMELL?!"
"A dragon never loses her prey." Emberis grinned. "Now, come back quietly, or we can continue this little chase."
Haruto turned and ran the other way.
Attempt #2: Hiding in the Forest (Instant Failure)
Haruto slipped into the dense woods, activating Stealth MAX, Presence Concealment MAX, and Illusion Magic MAX.
He was invisible.
Undetectable.
A ghost.
He hid inside a hollow tree, holding his breath.
Silence.
For a moment—just a moment—he thought he was safe.
Then—
"Found him~!"
Haruto's heart stopped.
A pair of golden cat-like eyes stared at him from inside the tree.
"...HOW?!"
Fel grinned, lounging comfortably inside the hollow trunk. "You can't out-stealth a thief, boss~!"
Haruto screamed internally.
Attempt #3: Disguising Himself (Lasted Five Seconds)
Haruto stormed into a small town, ripping a cloak off a clothing line.
Disguise Mode: Activated.
He hunched over, adjusting his fake mustache.
They'll never recognize me like this.
"Haruto, what are you doing."
Haruto's entire body froze.
He turned very slowly.
Princess Emilia stood right there, arms crossed.
"...How?" Haruto whispered.
Emilia sighed. "Haruto, you're the only person in the world who wears a mustache over a hood."
Haruto ripped the mustache off and sprinted away.
Attempt #4: Jumping into a River (Didn't Even Work)
Haruto dived into the nearest river.
Water rushed over him as he activated "Aqua Breath MAX" to stay hidden.
No way they'd find him here.
"Oh, my love…"
Haruto's blood ran cold.
Lilia was standing on the riverbank, staring right at him.
"HOW?!" Haruto spluttered, spitting out water.
Lilia smiled sweetly. "A wife always knows where her husband is~!"
Haruto let the current take him.
Maybe drowning would be easier.
---
Haruto's Absolute Defeat
One hour later, Haruto sat back in his village house, surrounded by the girls who ruined his life.
His face was buried in his hands.
"How."
Lilia sipped tea calmly. "You can't escape destiny, dear husband~!"
Emilia looked apologetic. "You really should stop running, Haruto…"
Fel grinned, tail swishing. "Gotta admit, boss, you tried real hard this time~."
Emberis leaned back, amused. "I've never had such an entertaining hunt."
Haruto slammed his forehead onto the table.
"I JUST WANT TO BE A NORMAL GUY."
"That's never going to happen." Lilia smiled.
Haruto cried internally.
Final Attempt: Faking Amnesia (Fails Immediately)
Haruto sat up suddenly, eyes blank.
"...Who are you people?"
Silence.
Lilia, Emilia, Emberis, and Fel stared at him.
"...Haruto," Emilia said flatly.
Haruto blinked. "I… don't remember anything."
More silence.
Fel snorted. "Is this his last-ditch escape plan?"
Emberis grinned. "Adorable."
Lilia walked up and whispered in his ear—
"Nice try, dear husband~."
Haruto slammed his forehead onto the table again.