EPISODE 5

Dear: “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!” [screams at the top of her lungs while pointing at Axeluz]

The Axeluz within Dear was utterly shocked to see his own figure standing not far before him. Cherry, witnessing Dear’s outburst, was completely taken aback — never once had she seen her Queen display such a raw expression. Taking a cautious step closer to Dear’s side, Cherry darted a wary glance at Axeluz from time to time.

Cherry: “What’s wrong, Your Majesty? Are you hurt?” [her voice tinged with worry]

But Dear didn’t hear her advisor’s question. She stood frozen, eyes locked on Axeluz. Inside her, Axeluz’s consciousness recalled the moment not long ago when he had just woken up and rushed to the bathroom to relieve himself.

Dear: (“Ah! Oh right!!”)

Without a shred of hesitation, Dear’s gaze dropped — unabashedly staring at the lower part of Axeluz’s body before her. Cherry’s eyes followed the Queen’s line of sight, and her cheeks flushed crimson.

Cherry: “Y-Your Majesty?”
Dear: (“That shape… those proportions… that size… that length… HAH!”) “There’s no doubt about it! That’s mine!!” [she shouted furiously.]

With a sudden cry, Dear charged straight at Axeluz.

Cherry: “Y-Your Majesty!”
Axeluz: “Wait, don’t—”

Before he could even finish his words, Dear slammed into him, knocking them both to the floor. The silver palace guards and Axeluz’s subordinates who were present in the room were startled, instantly taking up arms to defend their respective leaders.

Devilor: “Your Majesty!”
Cherry: “My Queen!!”

But before either side could attack, Axeluz raised his voice.

Axeluz: “Stop! Do not attack!”

At his command, Cherry, the palace guards, and the devilors all froze in place.

Devilor: “Eh? But, Your Majesty, you—”
Axeluz: “Calm down! I can still handle—hey! What do you think you’re doing?! Stop pulling my pants!” [he protested, struggling to yank them back up]

Without any warning whatsoever, Dear — who was now on top of Axeluz — suddenly grabbed the hem of his black trousers and began yanking them downward right there in front of everyone.

Dear: “Give it back! Return my precious possession!! I can’t live without it!!!” [she cried, tugging frantically at his pants]
Axeluz: “Wait, just listen to me for a sec—” [his eyes darting around at the shocked faces surrounding them]
Dear: “Give me back my dick! I want my dick back! I WANT IT NOW!!!”

Dear — or rather, the Axeluz inside her — screamed in desperation, his voice trembling with both anger and despair. For the King of the Devilors, his manhood was everything. To lose something that had been his for centuries was not just shocking — it was utterly terrifying.

Everyone in the room — Cherry, the devilors, even Axeluz’s own guards — froze as if time itself had stopped. They could not believe what they had just heard from the mouth of their Queen. A stunned silence fell upon the room.

Then, suddenly— SLAAP!

The sharp sound echoed through the air as Axeluz slapped Dear across the face, startling her so much that she fell back and sat frozen in shock. Cherry’s eyes went wide — fury flashing across them — and in a blink, she lunged forward to strike Axeluz. Her movement was swift, her fist already inches from his face—

But Axeluz caught her wrist effortlessly. With a fluid motion, he twisted her arm slightly, redirecting her momentum and forcing her to stumble back several steps. Cherry’s eyes widened even further, astonished by his effortless counter.

Seeing Cherry off balance, the devilor soldiers immediately aimed their fire magic at her, their palms igniting with blazing energy.

Axeluz: “Stand down!”

At his command, the two devilors instantly ceased, obeying their King. 

Axeluz: “There’s no need for further violence.”
Devilor: “B-but, Your Majesty…”

Axeluz shot his subordinate a sharp, icy glare. That alone was enough to make them lower their heads and retreat several steps backward.

Cherry stood her ground, brows furrowed deeply, her gaze fixed on Axeluz — half in confusion, half in defiance.

Cherry: (“What? The infamous King of the Devilors—the one known for slaughter—just told his men to stand down and not kill me? Did I hear that right? And that move… the way he deflected my attack just now…”)

Cherry’s thoughts raced. A faint memory flickered in her mind—when she was just a child, Dear had once performed that exact same move during their self-defense training sessions. The resemblance was uncanny.
Her thoughts were cut short when Axeluz, now back on his feet, adjusted his trousers and straightened his tunic before speaking again.

Axeluz: “There are a few matters I wish to discuss with your Queen. That’s why I came here with only a handful of men, without bringing an army. So I must ask—could everyone in this room please step out for a moment? It would make the conversation… much more comfortable.”

Cherry: “Hmph! A fine idea—but do you really think I’ll let you do that? And what about your subordinates, hm? Are they staying too? You take us for fools?” [her stance shifted, magic energy gathering around her palms as she prepared to strike again]

Axeluz exhaled deeply, letting out a slow sigh.

Axeluz: “When I said everyone, that includes my men as well.”

Cherry: “Even so, I refuse to—”

Axeluz: “Trust me!” [his voice rang with authority and conviction]

Cherry froze. There was something in his tone—firm, resolute, yet oddly sincere—that didn’t sound like the ruthless Devilor king she had heard of.

Axeluz: “By the Goddess of Time herself, I swear I will not harm your Queen.”

Cherry’s breath caught. For a brief moment, a strange familiarity washed over her. There was something in his words, in his voice, that stirred a sense of recognition… and trust, unbidden yet undeniable.

Cherry: “…Ten minutes. I’ll give you ten minutes to speak with Her Majesty. After that, you leave this place immediately.”

Axeluz: “Ten minutes will be more than enough.” [he replied with a faint, knowing smile]

Cherry stared at him, momentarily speechless at the sight of that smile. Then, regaining her composure, she turned to the palace guards.

Cherry: “Everyone, out. Now.”

The guards obeyed without hesitation, leaving the hall one by one. Cherry made sure Axeluz’s subordinates followed suit before she finally stepped out herself. The great door closed behind them with a deep, resonant thud, leaving only two figures inside.

Axeluz exhaled again, a low smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Axeluz: “…At last. Those fools are finally gone.”

At that very moment, Dear — or rather, the Axeluz within her — snapped out of her daze. Her left cheek was flushed red from the slap she had received moments earlier.

Dear: “No one has ever been allowed to touch my face. But did you—did you just slap me? Who the hell do you think you are, you mutt? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!” [she shouted, pushing herself up to her feet]

Fury burning in her eyes, Dear swung her arm, ready to strike Axeluz. But the Devilor King caught her wrist effortlessly, stopping her blow midair. The Axeluz inside Dear’s mind froze in shock.

Dear: “Ah! What—Uuugh, uugh!” [she struggled, trying to wrench her arm free] “Why can’t I break free? No one’s ever been able to restrain me before!”

A faint gleam flickered in Axeluz’s eyes, and a small, knowing smile curved his lips.

Axeluz: “Hmm, I see now. It seems that after the transfer, I’ve gained access to your power as well… the power of a Devilor King.”

Dear, seething, tried to pull away once more. Axeluz released her wrist without resistance.

Dear: “Urgh, enough small talk, you fake king! Who are you really?! How can you inhabit that body and control it like that? Do you have any idea who I am? I am—”

Axeluz: “Axeluz Grados. Correct, isn’t it?”

Dear: “Tch. So you did plan all this! I don’t know how you pulled it off, but give me back my body right now! Return my dick!” [she shouted furiously]

Axeluz’s brows furrowed sharply, his breath catching in disbelief.

Axeluz: “Ugh! Can you please watch your mouth? Don’t you dare use that filthy tongue while speaking with my mouth! Especially in front of others. I’m not some uncivilized brute like you. If I suddenly start speaking like that, people will grow suspicious!”

Dear: “What?! Are you saying my dick is filthy?!”

Axeluz: “What in the world—how did you even reach that conclusion? Do you even know who I am?”

Dear: “WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, YOU BASTARD?!”

Axeluz exhaled slowly, shaking his head in silent disbelief before continuing.

Axeluz: “I am Dear Losaria Venos — Queen of the Angelir. Don’t you remember? From what I’ve heard, you’ve been unconscious for three days. Something happened during the Centraxis War. Whatever it was, it caused the four of us — our bodies and souls — to be switched. I don’t know exactly how, but from what I can tell, we’ve been cursed by the Goddess of Time.”

Dear: “What?! I thought that was all just a dream! And what do you mean, the four of us?”

Axeluz exhaled, rubbing his temple as if to steady his patience.

Axeluz: “So it’s true… you really did just wake up.” [he muttered under his breath] “I’ve confirmed that the leaders of Betagir and Commador have also switched bodies, just like us. Rumor has it that both of them have been acting… strange since the Centraxis War. Who knows what really happened?”

Dear: “Ahahaha, sounds like a lot of lunatics having the same midday dream. So you’re saying our bodies were swapped because of some curse from the Goddess of Time? How absurd. Sounds like a nightmare. I think I’ll just go back to sleep—”

Before she could finish, Dear turned to leave — but Axeluz seized her wrist firmly and pulled her toward the tall mirror standing in the corner of the room. In the reflection, two figures stood side by side: Axeluz in his black attire, and Dear, still dressed in her white nightgown.

The Axeluz within Dear — still struggling to accept reality — slowly parted her lips, her blue eyes tracing her reflection from the tips of her bare feet upward until they met her own astonished gaze.

Axeluz: “This isn’t a dream. I am you, and you are me. I’m the one speaking, and you’re the one staring into the mirror with your mouth wide open.”

Dear’s eyes then drifted toward Axeluz’s body — her expression shifting from shock to heartbreak.

Dear: “My abs… my fair skin I worked so hard to maintain… my—my manhood… all gone.”

Dear’s hand trembled as she reached toward Axeluz’s abdomen, but he immediately stepped aside to avoid her touch.

Axeluz: “Do you think you’re the only one suffering here? I’ve been restless and uneasy ever since I woke up in this body. I can’t move as freely as I used to!” [his gaze then narrowed at Dear’s attire] “And seriously—are you insane? Wearing my nightgown like that? Didn’t Advisor Cherry stop you before you left your room?”

But the Axeluz within Dear didn’t respond. His mind had drifted elsewhere — replaying the fragmented memories of what happened three days ago.

Dear: “So… that woman’s voice I heard before I blacked out… that was the damned Goddess of Time?”

Axeluz nodded slightly, folding his arms across his chest.

Axeluz: “Yes.”

Dear: “Hah! For a goddess, her voice isn’t even that sexy. And this little stunt of hers—this goes beyond divine mischief; it’s the work of a lunatic! What kind of goddess just shows up and curses people for fun? I thought this world didn’t even have a god. Or maybe she’s been quiet for so long she’s finally lost her mind. Stupid goddess!” [her voice rose in anger, though a trace of sadness lingered beneath it]

Axeluz: “Honestly, I don’t understand it either. After everything I’ve done—after all the effort I’ve given—why must I be subjected to a trial like this?”

Dear: “Good point. Weren’t you supposed to be the pure one? The ever-righteous servant of your almighty deity? Why’d you get caught up in this, too, huh? Heh. Guess no matter how many times you clasp those holy hands together, the Goddess of Time’s still deaf as a rock.”

Instead of reacting in anger to Dear’s mockery, Axeluz said nothing. His expression remained calm, almost weary.

Dear raised an eyebrow.

Dear: “Hm? I expected you to blow up when I insulted your precious goddess. But you’re just standing there quietly? Hmph—so you’re not as pious as I thought.” [she smirked mischievously]

Axeluz: “Rather than wasting breath on unanswerable questions, we should focus on finding a way to reverse this. Do you really want to live like this forever?”

Dear: “Are you insane? Who’d choose to pretend to be a woman after centuries of living as a man? This feels like dying! Living without… that thing down there—it’s unbearable!”

Axeluz: “You think I don’t feel the same? Every time I walk, it feels like there’s a weight between my legs.”

Dear’s face darkened. She suddenly pointed her index finger directly at Axeluz’s groin.

Dear: “Don’t you dare touch it! A white winged creature like you has no right to lay a finger on my magnificent treasure!”

Axeluz: “Magnificent? Heh, don’t flatter yourself. Two peas stacked together would be about the same size.”

Dear froze—her mouth hanging open in utter disbelief.

Dear: “W-what?! Peas?! Don’t spread such lies! It’s at least four—no, five times the size of a walnut, you arrogant fool! Don’t tell me—you touched it ?! You played around with it like it was your own, didn’t you?!”

Axeluz: “What?! Are you serious right now? Why in the world would I ever do something like that?”

Dear: “I don’t know—maybe when you got turned on and wanted to do something about it?!”

Axeluz: “Hah! Typical Devilor filth! Your mind is truly repulsive. I should be the one asking you that! Don’t tell me—you were fondling my chest after you woke up, weren’t you?”

Dear: “Why would I ever—”

Her words stopped cold. The Axeluz within Dear stiffened, memories flashing back — the memory of waking up, confused, and the undeniable image of her own hands pressing curiously against her new chest.

Dear: “…Let’s just drop this conversation.”

Axeluz: (“He did touch them!”) [he clenched his fists tightly] “Fine! Enough of this nonsense. The reason I came here was to discuss this properly. Each of us still has our own privacy — and until we find a way to return to normal, we must promise not to do anything indecent, or anything that could make the other look bad in front of others. Above all, no one must learn about this body swap. If word gets out, it will throw all of Univeros into chaos. They’ll think we’ve gone mad. So we must keep this secret at all costs.” [he stepped closer to Dear, his gaze shifting disapprovingly to her nightgown] “And for heaven’s sake, put on something decent before stepping outside next time!”

Dear: “Heh, what do you take me for? You think I’d actually exploit your position? What, do you imagine me strolling out of the palace naked, shouting, ‘Good morning, my beloved citizens!’?”

Axeluz shot her an exasperated look, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and exhaustion.

Axeluz: “Considering the little pants incident earlier, I can’t say I’m entirely confident in your restraint.”

Dear: “...Incident? What incident?” [pretending not to remember]

Axeluz: “Ugh, never mind. Forget it! Listen carefully — you are me, and I am you. As long as you take good care of my body, I’ll do the same for yours.”

Dear’s face twisted with frustration. She growled under her breath and kicked a nearby piece of furniture, sending it crashing across the room.

Axeluz: “Hey! I don’t throw tantrums or kick things like some wild beast.”

Dear: “Urgh, that damned Goddess of Time… that pig! I swear, I’d make her into a god just so she could feel what it’s like to live without genitals!”

Axeluz: “Did you even hear what I just said?!” [his voice rose sharply, cutting through her rant]

Dear: “Tch. And why should I listen to you? I’m a King in my own land. How hard could it be to play Queen in someone else’s territory? Especially one crawling with self-righteous fools like you. Even without me giving orders, they’d be too busy minding their own miserable lives. If anything, you’re the one who should be worried. Can you even manage a kingdom filled with—”

Axeluz: “—With idiots like you? Hmph. And if I can’t, I’ll just eliminate all of them. Isn’t that your way of ruling?”

Dear’s smirk faltered. His jaw tightened, but he couldn’t deny it — the angel’s words cut too close to the truth. Axeluz noticed the hesitation and let a mocking smile curl on his lips.

Axeluz: “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ll take good care of your kingdom — just as I cherish my own people.”

Dear: [smiling thinly] “Heh. And don’t worry, Your Highness. I’ll tend to your lands the same way I cherish my own dick. I’ll keep it safe, clean… and well-polished every day.”

Axeluz’s expression darkened instantly. Without another word, he stepped closer and gripped Dear’s shoulders — his fingers tightening, hovering dangerously near her throat.

Axeluz: [voice cold as steel] “When I said never to use my mouth for filthy words… I meant it.”

Dear: [chuckling darkly] “Hahaha, relax. I heard you loud and clear. The question is… can I actually do it?”

Her sly grin only provoked him further. The Dear within Axeluz felt a surge of anger and almost pressed down — ready to choke the insolent demon where he stood. But before her temper could ignite further—

The door burst open.

Cherry entered first, her radiant aura flooding the room, followed by several palace guards. Behind them trailed Devilor’s subordinates and Raphael, the royal messenger, all startled by the tense scene before them.

Cherry: “Your time is up, Lord Grados. We greatly appreciate your visit — but it’s time for you to leave.”

Her voice faltered as she took in the sight: Axeluz standing too close to the Queen, his hands clamped around her throat. In an instant, Cherry’s eyes flared with divine light.

Cherry: “Step away from Her Majesty now—before I burn those hands to ash!” [she commanded, channeling a burst of radiant energy toward Axeluz]

Behind her, Devilor’s followers instinctively prepared to strike, only to be intercepted by the palace guards.

Dear, watching the chaos unfold with barely contained amusement, let out a small, mischievous laugh before speaking—

Dear: [clearing her throat, forcing a graceful tone] “Ahem! Yes, you’re right — it’s about time you left, King of Devilor. Thank you for visiting. I will, of course, carefully consider everything you’ve said.”

Her voice was syrupy and exaggerated, every word laced with mockery. The real Dear — trapped inside Axeluz’s body — could barely restrain himself from lunging forward to strangle her. But Axeluz, still wearing Dear’s face, only let out a quiet chuckle before finally loosening her grip and stepping back.

Axeluz: [leaning close, whispering near Dear’s ear] “I don’t talk like that. Can’t you act properly for once?”

Dear: [whispering back, smirking] “Oh? You just realized that now? Pretending isn’t my style. You should’ve let me check on my treasure first before trying to negotiate with me.”

Axeluz: “Childish. Is that your declaration of war? All for your so-called ‘double-pea’ pride?”

Dear: “Five times the size of a walnut! And yes — call it war if you like. I tend to lose my mind when someone touches what’s mine.”

Though Axeluz had already withdrawn his hands from Dear’s neck, the tension between them lingered — their faces still dangerously close. Cherry, however, hadn’t lowered her guard. The glow in her hand remained, light magic humming at her fingertips.

Cherry: “Lord Grados! I’ll warn you once more — your time is up!”

Axeluz clenched her jaw, turning toward Dear again. A tight, diplomatic smile crept across his lips.

Axeluz: “Very well, then. I trust you’ve understood everything I’ve said from the beginning until now.”

And as he stepped past, he leaned in just enough for only Dear to hear—

Axeluz: [whispering] “I’ll shave your little walnut grove clean. Make it shine like a streetlamp — no bushes, no shade.”

Dear’s eyes went wide in horror. Axeluz’s smug smile widened before he turned away, walking calmly past Cherry — who still glared daggers at him — and out through the grand doors of the royal chamber. The guards and Devilor’s attendants followed closely behind until the last echo of footsteps faded.

The silence that followed was short-lived.

Dear: “THAT DAMNED DOG!”

Cherry: “Y–Your Majesty?!” [rushing forward, startled] “Did he do something to you?” [her voice full of concern as she approached the furious queen]

Noticing Cherry’s wide, worried eyes fixed on her, Dear felt an immediate wave of irritation. The woman’s pitying gaze clung to her like a stubborn shadow. At first, Dear tried to ignore it, but eventually, with a sigh of resignation, she decided to say something — anything to end the awkward silence.

Dear: “...Oh? A-ah, dog. I mean— that Devilor leader looks like a dog, don't you think? Haha... ha…” [she forced an awkward laugh, her voice cracking slightly]

Cherry didn’t look convinced. Her concern only deepened. Her lips parted as if to ask what had truly transpired between the Queen and the King of Devilor behind closed doors—but she thought better of it and stayed silent.

Axeluz, trapped in Dear's body, meanwhile, refused to meet her eyes. His thoughts churned restlessly, echoing over and over inside his head—

Dear (inwardly): “That was just a bluff… right? She wouldn’t actually do it… right?”