"No Marriage, Please! vs. Marry Me or Die: The Ultimate Love Showdown" - Episode 13

Ria hasn’t come back.

Something’s definitely wrong. I can feel it.

Unable to shake off my unease, I head for the church. I need to talk to the priest—maybe he knows something.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes? Can I help you?”

“Have you seen Ria?”

“Lady Ria…? I believe she returned home, or at least that’s what I assumed.”

“I see… Did you happen to see a carriage come by today?”

“A carriage? No, I don’t believe I saw one today.”

I bow politely and leave the church. But I don’t head straight home. Instead, I circle around to the back of the building, racking my brain for where she might’ve gone.

Could it be… kidnapping?

If that’s the case, tracking her would be a lot more difficult.
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“Stay calm. First, let’s assess the situation.”

The priest said no carriage had come to the village today. Based on his account, Ria was likely at the church until nightfall. If she was abducted, they probably haven’t gone far yet.

Time to use my skill: 《Detection》.

I crouch, press my hand to the ground, and channel my magic into the earth, probing the surroundings for any trace.

“…Below? Is there a barrier or something?”

I decide to head underground—into the church’s basement.

“Forgive me, but…”

The church is already locked and silent, but I use magic to bypass the door and slip inside.

“Alright. Let’s do this.”

Activating 《Detection》 again, I sense a faint trail of magical residue along a wall behind the altar.

“There it is.”

I channel a bit of magic into the wall, and with a low rumble, the altar slides aside. Behind it is a gaping void—dark and endless like an abyss. I can feel a barrier in place beyond the threshold.

So, this is it. Ria must be here

I forcefully break through the barrier and open the hidden door—and what I see nearly stops my heart.

Ria is crucified to the wall.

And in front of her stands Naris Cedwyn, a twisted smile etched on his face.

Without hesitation, I activate 《Physical Enhancement》 and slam a powerful kick into Cedwyn’s side.

“Guh…!”

Just in time.
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“Ria! Are you alright?”

She stares at me in shock—her eyes say she can’t believe what she’s seeing.

“Yuri!? How did you find me!?”

“You didn’t come home. I got worried and went looking for you. I’m just glad I made it in time.”

“Yuri…”

I turn to face Cedwyn.

“Naris Cedwyn. You were after Ria’s Affection of the Beloved skill, weren’t you?”

“Indeed. Of course I was. Surely you understand its value. If wielded properly, that skill could dominate the world. Turn rulers into puppets and rule from the shadows.”

He’s not wrong.

That skill is absurdly powerful.

And I know now—through Theo’s eyes and my own—that this world is filled with threats far beyond our imagination.

“Ria’s skill is extraordinary, yes. But domination through force will only bring ruin. No one willingly follows a tyrant.”

“That’s just a convenient excuse. I don’t rely solely on violence either. If negotiations work, I’ll use them. But let’s not pretend—this world is ruled by power. In the end, the strongest always wins.”

“Then it seems we’ll never see eye to eye.”

In the original game, Naris Cedwyn wasn’t even a known villain—not from Theo’s perspective, at least. But this isn’t just a game. The people here exist. They live.

And that alone is reason enough for me to fight—to protect them.

I gather my magic, ready to strike again—

But before I can move, a firm hand grabs my shoulder.

“Ria?”

“Yuri… let me handle this.”

“…What?”

This guy can cast advanced barriers and possesses powerful magical tools. Objectively, I should be the one to fight—

“I’ve lived a life where others always gave me things. Even after meeting you, all I’ve done is receive. But you said it, remember? ‘We must carve out our own paths.’”

“I… yeah. I did.”

“That’s why… I have to be reborn here. I can’t stay the same passive girl I’ve always been. I need to move forward.”

“Ria…”

I couldn’t stop her—not after seeing the resolve in her eyes.

I’m worried, yes. But I’ll trust her.

“Ria, if you reach your limit, I’ll intervene. Understood?”

“I understand.”

She steps forward, placing herself between me and Cedwyn.

Ria was always the support type, never meant for front-line combat. She was never this bold either. I taught her what I could… but even so…

If it really comes down to it, I’ll jump in.
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“You won’t get away with this.”

“Kuh… Heh… Very well. If that’s your choice, I won’t hold back. You sure you don’t want the boy to help? I’m fine fighting both of you.”

“No. I will defeat you. I was taught to carve my own path with my own hands.”

Both of them enter combat stance.

“Come then. Let me show you the kind of power you cannot resist—the true nature of violence.”

“I swear… I will defeat you—!!”

And so, I step back… and watch the battle begin.
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†
Just when I thought all hope was lost, Yuri appeared—like a storm sweeping in from nowhere.

I stood frozen, listening to their exchange. They were fighting… over me. Over my skill.

But… is this really okay?

To live a life where I only receive?

Then I remembered Yuri’s words—

“You must carve your own path with your own hands.”

“Keep moving forward with courage. That’s where everything begins.”

Yes.

I have to stand on my own two feet.

I can’t keep casting myself as some tragic heroine, always hiding behind someone else.

Is it enough to always rely on Yuri?

Of course not—damn it!

I rose to my feet and placed a hand on Yuri’s shoulder.

“Ria?”

“Yuri… Let me handle this.”

“…What?”

He was surprised—but he saw my resolve. And in the end, he entrusted the fight to me.
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“You won’t get away with this.”

“Kuh… Heh… Very well. If that’s your choice, I won’t hold back. Are you sure you don’t want help from the one behind you? I’m willing to take on both.”

“No. I’ll defeat you myself. Because I’ve learned that I have to carve my own path.”

I want to live with the same strength Yuri has.

I can’t imagine a world without him anymore.

But even so, I want to stand beside him, not just hide in his shadow.

That desire has become stronger than fear.

Hey, Yuri…

This must be what you meant by courage, right?

That’s why—right here, right now—I have to be reborn.

There’s no time to wallow in despair.
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“Come, then. Let me show you violence that you cannot hope to resist.”

“I will defeat you—!!”

And so, begins my battle against Naris Cedwyn.

With the courage Yuri gave me, I move forward—ready to fight.