The World Is Mine For The Taking

"Let's go," Elise said firmly, her voice carrying over the thrum of the helicopter's still-spinning blades.

She didn't even wait for me to respond. With one smooth motion, she stepped out of the aircraft, her hair and clothes fluttering wildly in the downwash of the rotors. The sight of her leaving first, walking with that kind of confidence, almost made it feel like she was announcing something grand before I even realized what was about to happen.

The sharp sound of a gasp cut through the air.

"Elise!"

The voice belonged to Mammon, and even though the single word she uttered was brief, the sheer weight in her tone was impossible to ignore.

"Glad to see you're doing well, Mammon," Elise replied casually, almost as if this kind of reunion was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Why are you here?" Mammon asked, her brows furrowing, suspicion mixing with a trace of surprise.

"Well," Elise said, a small smile curling on her lips, "I wanted to introduce you to someone. And trust me—you'll be surprised to see who's tagging along with him."

Mammon's face showed nothing but confusion at first, her expression unreadable as her sharp eyes darted between Elise and me. But then, the instant she looked past me and her gaze fell upon the figure standing quietly at my side, everything changed.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

That was because, standing right next to me, was Amon.

"A-Amon…"

Her voice cracked, trembling as though her throat had gone dry. Her eyes glistened instantly, tears threatening to spill. The proud, composed Mammon looked shaken to her very core.

I could see it in her. The shock, disbelief, and overwhelming emotion clashing together all at once.

If I wasn't mistaken, this was the very first time they had laid eyes on each other in three long years. Three years of silence, three years of separation, three years without a single word exchanged.

So I could completely understand why Mammon was looking at Amon as though she were staring at a miracle.

"Mother," Amon said quietly, her voice steady despite the emotion in the air. She lowered her head and gave a respectful bow.

Mammon didn't even spare me a single glance. Her entire being was focused on Amon alone. She rushed toward her without hesitation, her arms reaching out as though terrified Amon might vanish if she didn't hold her right then and there.

She embraced her tightly.

"Thank goodness… you're alive. And well," she whispered, her voice breaking as her hands trembled on her daughter's back.

I couldn't fault her for reacting that way. After all, it had been three years since they had seen each other. That kind of reunion didn't need words, after all.

"I'm so glad… I'm so glad to see you…" Mammon's voice shook as she buried her face against Amon's shoulder.

Watching the two of them embrace like that, a warmth spread through my chest, and I found myself smiling without even realizing it.

Amon had never spoken much about her past. She rarely revealed her emotions either, always prioritizing my goals, my needs, as well as my feelings over anything of her own.

To be honest, I often felt guilty—like I had stolen her chance to live her own life, simply because she devoted herself so completely to me. But in her eyes, service wasn't something to regret. She genuinely loved serving with all her heart. Demon servants like her were born for it as they were raised to find their meaning in serving someone.

Even so, I wanted something different for her.

Because Amon wasn't ordinary. She was exceptional.

Who else could create a working smartphone entirely from scratch, just from the half-baked and clumsy explanation I gave her?

Who else could gather and lead skilled women to design and build a fully functioning car in a world that had never even imagined one?

Who else could push through the impossible and bring modern innovations into existence as if it were second nature?

Amon had done all of that. She had given me everything. She was my first woman.

And she had been at my side since the very beginning.

So right now, watching her in her mother's arms after all these years… I felt nothing but happiness for her.

"Mother," Amon said softly, her voice cutting through the emotion of the moment. "I want to introduce you to someone."

She turned her head toward me.

I adjusted myself, straightening my posture, doing my best to show proper respect.

"He's the person I serve," Amon continued, her eyes filled with determination. "The one I will serve for the rest of my life. And… he's the man I love."

Mammon slowly shifted her gaze to me. Her sharp eyes softened, and for a moment, silence lingered. Then she exhaled quietly and gave a small nod.

"I see…" she said, her tone heavy with understanding. Then, to my surprise, she bowed deeply. "Thank you… for being there for Amon. Thank you for accompanying her here. You must have been a good Master." Her lips curved into a faint, grateful smile.

"Amon is just too good of a servant… and as a lover to me," I answered honestly, meeting her eyes.

Mammon's expression warmed as she looked back at her daughter. "I don't think Amon would go so far as to tell me that you're the one she'll serve for the rest of her life—and even call you the man she loves—if you weren't truly worthy of her," she said with a knowing smile.

"He's also my brother!" Elise suddenly chimed in with a grin, wrapping her arm casually around my shoulders as though to seal the statement.

Mammon blinked, then gave another nod. "I see… That makes sense now. I understand everything."

Her gaze swept between me and Elise, before finally settling again.

"Well then… let's head inside the mansion first," she said.

And so, together, we entered the mansion—the grand residence of the head of the demon servants.

As expected, the place was brimming with demon servants. Dozens, maybe hundreds, moving gracefully through the halls. Each one wore the same attire—maid uniforms—precisely tailored, not a single crease out of place.

Even Mammon herself, their head, wore one.

It struck me then that it wasn't just an outfit—it was a custom, a tradition, a symbol of their very identity.

"I am truly, deeply grateful that you brought her back to me," Mammon said, her voice filled with emotion. "I can't even begin to express how thankful I am to know that my precious Amon is alive and well."

"I'm sorry for not telling you I was fine, Mother," Amon said, her voice quiet but sincere.

"I know," Mammon replied, her expression soft. "You must have felt it wasn't necessary, right? I understand. After all… you've found the Master you want to serve."

Amon smiled then. It was a rare smile, one that she wasn't used to wearing. And yet, it was radiant. Beautiful. For once, she looked less like the stoic servant and more like a daughter simply happy to be seen.

"How long will you be staying here?" Mammon asked, finally turning to me.

"For about three days," I answered. "I'm sorry. I know it's been three years since the two of you last saw each other, and I'd love to give you more time. But the new academic year is starting soon, and Amon doesn't want to stay longer than that."

"I'm sorry too, Mother," Amon added. "It's not that I don't want to stay… but I can't bear the thought of being away from Master. I'd be too worried if he wasn't near me."

Mammon gave a gentle nod, a look of complete understanding in her eyes. "It's fine. I know it can't be helped. But… for these three days, I want to at least make up for the time we've lost. Is that acceptable to you, Lord Leon?"

"That's perfectly fine with me," I told her, meeting her gaze with a respectful nod.