"Little brother, I require a tight hug~ ♡"

Those words drifted fondly into my ears as I entered the massive tent. Instantly, my eyes widened. The interior was like a first-class private room, filled with fine furniture and expensive decorations that must cost a fortune. I would not be surprised if the inside was based on a replica of the guest rooms back at the palace.

The power of magic...

There's no way a tent could look like a hotel inside.

A familiar silhouette rose from her luxurious bed. She smiled warmly. The demon lord opened her arms wide while a pair of black-feathery wings sprout majestically behind her waist. The word Queen perfectly described her.

"Big sister!"

"Come here, come here! I missed your presence~"

Amae's warm, tender embrace was waiting patiently as I hurried forward. Filled the air was only overwhelming love.

"I guess it can't be helped," I felt my cheeks grow warm. Her enthusiasm and doting personality felt all too familiar.

"GAH~ You're so cute as always ♡"

I missed my big sister.

Having focused on Operation Blitzkrieg for the entire week, we finally made plans to spend quality time tonight. The night before the campaign commencement. Although both of us stayed at the encampment site, Amae was fulfilling her duty as the Supreme Leader of the Fallens.

Her work was nonstop, handling major affairs that meant the mission's victory.

She's literally a CEO of a corporation.

I feel like a househusband that's visiting her.

Gah, what am I thinking?!

Little brother.

Not househusband.

"How have you been?" I stood at the edge of the bed, feeling slightly embarrassed from my inner monologue.

"Fufu. Come join me," Amae patted an area close to her. "There's no need to be shy."

"I'm not being shy..."

"I know you are trying your hardest," the demon lord extended her right arm towards me and smiled lovingly. "Now~ Come take my hand."

Instead of listening to Amae, I leaped onto the bed and into her embrace. Her eyes widened but she caught me swiftly.

"Ara ara~ ♡ I suppose I was mistaken after all."

A feeling of inexplicable warmth enveloped my entire body. Although my eyes were closed, I knew Amae had her feathery wings wrapped around me. This fluffy feeling felt all too familiar.

"Aren't you a clingy one?" She cooed into my ear and lightly patted my head. "We shall make up for our lost time. What would you like to do tonight, little brother?"

"Let's play the Question Game."

"Question game?"

Amae tilted her head as her eyes lit up with interest. I gave her one more hug before sitting by her side.

"We play by asking questions about each other. The rule is you have to answer it, no matter what it is."

Her lips gradually curled into a mischevious grin.

"That's a fun game! Let's play, let's play~"

I smiled, showing Amae my innocent side. But little did she know, I was about to ask her a series of deep questions.

Hehehe, I can't wait to get to know you more!

"Who will start?" Amae placed her palms together eagerly.

"You can," I bowed slightly. "Ladies first."

"Ladies first?"

She was confused by my phrase.

"It's what we say to show courtesy."

Amae furrowed her brows.

"Why females first? Why not men first?"

Um...

"I suppose it's a way to show respect?"

I did not have a proper answer.

"It confuses me why gender is the determinant. The rule here is little one starts first. The reasoning is to provide them with a chance to make mistakes and grow."

Now that I thought more about ladies first, I was indeed confused.

"But since it's a game from your world, I shall follow that rule."

Amae giggled happily to herself before finally dropping the bomb.

"What do you love about me?"

As I thought deeply about that question, I could see her trying to conceal her excitement. But the intense delight in her eyes was obvious. She was like a puppy, waiting for a delicious treat.

"Ummm..." I stammered. "I love how you are—"

"—Yes?!"

Instantly, Amae leaned in while her body quivered in excitement. I stopped and watched silently. As she realized her overwhelming enthusiasm, the demon lord cleared her throat.

"P-please continue."

"I love how safe you make me feel. Um... I love how you care attentively for me. And uh... I love how you take the initiative and always pamper me with love."

I felt my cheeks grow hotter than ever before stopping on the one that mattered today.

"I love how you are conquering the world for me."

"L-Little brother!!!!" Amae pressed her hands to her cheeks. "Why does my heart feel like its melting?!"

I coughed as she was beaming to herself, "Speaking of world domination, any updates?"

Amae paused, trying to formulate her thoughts digestible for me.

"As Ahri informed you, we established an encampment in a forest nearby Z Mountain. Using 境界經線, we are concealed from the outside. Kai'Sa and her scouts currently guard the border."

"The High Elves reside in a fortress capital on top of Z Mountain. Outside the immense height and barricade lies a moat of surging lava. Surrounding their citadel is an unforgiving ice land. We have finished all preparation for the assault."

"Wow, thank you," I nodded respectfully. Of course, this information was only the barebone. The brevity spoke to how skillful she was in communications.

"My turn," she beamed happily. "What do you dislike about me?

My heart thumped at one of the most dreaded questions in the Question Game. One wrong move could change fun into chaos. I had to answer this carefully.

"Why do you ask?"

"Everyone holds their likes and dislike about someone," Amae smiled inscrutably and said nothing more.

Gahhhh!!!!

BIG SISTER IS TESTING ME!

"Fufufu. Remember the rule."

"Yes. Um..."

I had a difficult time. Nothing came to mind because Amae was the ideal big sister. Surprisingly, almost everything I had ever imagined her to be. The reincarnation ritual must have filtered through billions of people and somehow perfectly "matched" me to her.

"I really can't think of anything."

"No!" Amae reprimanded me and folded her arms like a teacher. "Rules are rules. Don't be a bad boy, little brother."

"Alright..." I paused for a few seconds. "If I had to nitpick, then it's not eating your vegetables. Wasting food is my personal pet peeve but I suppose it's fine since I eat it afterward."

This was the most trivial thing I could think of. Honestly, I did not mind if she ate her greens since everyone has their own food preference.

"Eh..." Her eyes slowly teared up as she sniffled.

Wait, is she crying?!

Then came the waterfall.

"Wahh!~ I'm sorry!!!"

"Big sister?!"

Amae hugged me and apologized repeatedly. Honestly, it was adorable to see a mature girl being so emotional. As I patted her back, she vowed to eat her vegetables starting today.

"I dislike the texture of broccoli... even though you made it for me..."

"I know I know," I reassured her. "I will remember what you like so we don't waste food."

My heart let out a relieved sigh as I survived the dreaded question. We continued the game after a minute of hugging.

"Do you have any secrets?"

I thought of the secret I had been holding for the past week.

Now's my chance.

"I want to help."

"Help?"

"I want to help you with the campaign."

"There is no need, little brother." Amae sounded like my guardian angel, implying that I could rely on her wholeheartedly. "Living in the forefront must have been frightening. Relax for the duration and let big sister take care of everything. I will conquer Z mountain in a week and once we are home, I shall pamper you to your heart's content~"

The confidence in her voice.

She's truly the epitome of a big sister, not trying to make me worried at all.

"I will be waiting for you, big sister."

Wait wait wait.

"Hold your horse. Nice try!" I frowned at her as she giggled. "I want to be useful to you!"

I proceeded to puff my cheek into a balloon, showing the demon lord I was maintaining my ground. While I absolutely did love the pampering, I refuse to become a useless person.

You can rely on me.

I want to support you.

"As your little brother, I will help you by doing what I do best," I gazed deeply into Amae's hazel eyes, showing her my determination. "And I won't take no for an answer!"

A silent pause as we studied each other's expression. A powerful and intimate moment. But within several seconds, our stern looks broke into complete laughter.

"I guess it can't be helped."

Amae shook her head and smiled blissfully, as if waiting for this exact moment.

"I will be counting on you for tomorrow's meal before departure, little brother! ♡"