Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

’Now, back to the topic.’ Soren continued while feeding her. ’I have a plan to accelerate your recovery, but we need to address the real problem first.’

’The curse?’

’That’s right. As long as it remains inside you, it will keep interfering whenever we try to push your recovery past a certain point or if you break through again. The best path forward is finding a way to break it completely.’

’You’re right.’ Ethea agreed.

’So, I wanted to ask if you had any acquaintances who might be able to help us.’ Soren said, taking a sip himself. ’Do you know anyone skilled at dealing with curses or a way to find a method ourselves? Otherwise, we could consider asking Emperor Hector for assistance. He probably has a far broader network and experience.’

Ethea paused for a moment, her eyes drifting away as she pondered the question.

’I actually know someone who might have a way to deal with it, as light is her main affinity. However, we are not particularly close, and she is a Sovereign from another continent. Reaching her will be extremely difficult.’

’...’ Soren squinted, searching for his memory, wondering if she was talking about the person he was thinking of.

’Besides,’ Ethea continued, ’curses are among the most mysterious powers in existence. Very little knowledge about them is available to the world, and those who can actually dispel them are rarer still.’

’That makes consulting Teacher Hector our best immediate option,’ Ethea added, her tone settling. ’We can ask him tomorrow.’

Soren felt a weight lift from his chest at her agreement and recalled something.

’Actually, I met a senior a while ago who suggested a few ways that might be able to buy us more time,’ he said, before passing along the methods he had learned during his encounter with the Sunless Emperor.

’...Hmm. That senior is truly wise,’ Ethea replied softly after taking a moment to digest the information. ’The easiest approach is probably securing a steady supply of high-grade life force, though the cost will be astronomical. The second method... strengthening my physical constitution will be difficult right now, even if my spiritual side is stable for the time being. As for finding an artifact capable of tricking the curse... that might be the most challenging one of all.’

’Mmm.’

Artifacts of that grade were extremely rare, almost exclusively kept by Emperors and the higher class.

But he had been lucky to have seen two of them. One was Ryan’s growth-type sword, and the other was the ring Sunless Emperor had given him. Both were of immeasurable value. However, they weren’t suitable for this situation. Although he might be able to hide her if he evolved the ring into a Portable Demi-Plane, he would probably have to become an Emperor at the very least for that to happen.

Thankfully, he had the Life Force Resonance Ability, which had evolved into B-rank, so it should provide some support until they find a good solution.

He had also tried to lend her his constitution, but it was impossible, probably because her current body could not withstand the inherent pressure of his physique, or perhaps the bond simply did not support transferring constitutions.

Shaking his head inwardly, Soren pushed the thoughts aside and brought his focus back to the conversation. ’Let us put that aside for now. There is something else I need to ask. I understand you cannot tell me who your enemies are right now, but do you have any idea why they want you alive? Is there some history between you where they want personal revenge, or do you hold some secret information or mysterious artifact they are after?’

It was a classic trope, at least according to most stories he had ever come across: a hero relentlessly pursued for carrying an ancient secret or a reality-bending artifact. He could only wonder if her life followed the same dramatic script.

’Since I cannot recall anything from that day, I am unsure,’ Ethea replied, her gaze lowering slightly. ’But you are right. They definitely want something from me.’

’Hmm... When do you think they might act again?’

’They likely will not act as openly as before, knowing Teacher Hector is here and fearing that they might be under watch,’ she explained carefully. ’However, they might send people after us directly instead.’

’You mean... assassins?’

’Mm. That is why we must remain extremely careful.’

Soren considered her words for a beat. ’Then... The Tower of Apocalypse remains our best option, right?’

’...Right.’ Ethea reluctantly agreed.

Silence settled between them for a brief moment as the heavy topic ran its course. Soren watched her face, a lingering question finally pushing its way to the front of his mind.

’Ethea.’

’Hmm?’

’Can I ask you something else? A bit personal.’

’...Yes.’

’Can you tell me... why did you agree to marry me?’

Ethea fell silent, her gaze drifting downward as the unspoken words hung between them.

’...To be honest, it was not for a noble reason,’ she began softly, a trace of self-directed bitterness in her tone. ’In fact, my motives were very similar to yours. And.. I was being selfish... You might even despise me once you hear it.’

Soren stayed quiet, keeping his own guesses to himself as he waited for her to lay out the truth on her own terms.

’You see, two of the people I love most in this world are my mother and little brother,’ she continued, her voice taking on a distant warmth. ’Even though they distanced themselves after the incident, even though neither of them visited after the wedding, I still can’t bring myself to hate them. That is because my mother poured so much love into raising me, shielding me from every hardship as I grew up. And my little brother... I watched him go from taking his very first steps to becoming a cheerful young boy, all while staying his one and only ’big shishter’. They were the sole reason I kept going, the motivation behind every bit of effort I put into my training.’

’...’

’...That’s why... That’s why I was so terrified of my enemies targeting them. When my father brought up the proposal, I agreed. Even though I know now that he likely manipulated my fear to get what he wanted, the final decision was still mine.’

Her gaze slowly shifted back to Soren, a heavy weight visible in her eyes.

’I chose to protect them... and in doing so, I dragged an innocent person like you into my mess instead.’