It is the power to transform the invisible into the visible.
Like swordsmanship or martial arts, anyone can learn it through effort—yet, just like those disciplines, there exists an insurmountable wall of talent that effort alone cannot overcome.
Magic has long been a mysterious force on the continent of Crea, but it was never exclusive to humans.
This truth became painfully clear when the Demon King's army invaded their lands in the past.
The Demon King's magic was terrifyingly destructive, beyond any comparison to human magic.
A merciless weapon designed solely for slaughter, ruin, and annihilation.
For the continent's wizards, who treated magic as a branch of science, it was a shocking revelation.
This was one of the key reasons humans suffered repeated defeats against the Demon King's forces in the early stages of the war.
If human magic was akin to a matchstick, the Demon King's magic was a roaring inferno.
Victory seemed impossible—and it was.
Many would have abandoned the idea of opposing the Demon King's army with magic.
That is, until she descended from the heavens to unveil a new horizon of magical power.
Thanatos El Krezel.
After marrying the hero Ion Reyhard, she became Thanatos El Krezel Reyhard—the faith of all wizards on the continent, a living myth.
During the Battle of Holy Music, her performance in magical combat far surpassed even that of the other four goddesses.
True to her fearsome title as the Goddess of Death, Thanatos brought countless deaths upon the Demon King's army throughout the war.
The Demon King's wizards, who had been slaughtering human mages like ants, realized too late as they witnessed her magic raining from the sky:
They were nothing more than insignificant insects before a truly formidable force.
Human magic was a matchstick.
The Demon King's magic was a blazing furnace.
And Thanatos' magic?
It was the molten death erupting from the crater of a colossal volcano.
Her power defied convention, standing on a plane entirely separate from all else in this world.
"Did you already know I was here?"
I quietly asked Thanatos, who walked beside me, the rhythmic click of her high heels echoing as we moved.
"I sensed your arrival with my magic. As you know, Krezel is enveloped in a special, invisible barrier."
As the magical city of Krezel thrived with its ever-growing population, crime—both major and minor—had become increasingly common.
To combat this, the city's wizards had implemented various preventive measures, including the barrier encircling its outskirts.
"So, did someone come to meet me after detecting my entry?"
"Hm? No, nothing like that. I alone am responsible for maintaining and managing the barrier."
Thanatos stretched lazily, as if it were no great feat. But I couldn't hide my astonishment.
Maintaining such an expansive barrier single-handedly, without assistance, was no trivial matter.
It seemed the legendary Archmage known as the 'Lord of Seduction' was more than just a title.
"Did you return from the Lepothesia Forest?"
"Yes. I spent some time with Demeter."
"I see. Is Demeter well?"
"...Yeah."
I nodded carefully, keeping my expression neutral.
Fortunately, Thanatos didn't press further.
We continued our stroll, exchanging the kind of casual conversation any married couple might share.
Despite being the legendary hero and goddess who saved the continent, no one around us acknowledged our presence—all thanks to the perception-distorting magic Thanatos had subtly cast.
"By the way, what was that golem incident earlier? Did the investigation team find anything?"
"Most likely, some fool ignored the ban on monster conversion magic and caused an accident."
"Monster conversion magic?"
"A dangerous experimental spell. It's performed on a monster's corpse, but if done incorrectly, it can temporarily reanimate the dead creature. Hence the prohibition."
Thanatos' lips curled into a cold smile.
"Since they blatantly violated the rules, the culprits will face appropriate punishment. A very… appropriate punishment."
Her laughter was soft, almost musical—yet eerily chilling.
I had no doubt the instigators would suffer a fate far worse than they deserved.
Though their recklessness warranted severe consequences, I couldn't help but pity them.
"Hey there, gorgeous~ You free right now~?"
As we reached a quieter part of the city, a pair of rough-looking thugs swaggered toward us, leering openly at Thanatos.
They blocked our path without hesitation.
"Damn, you're even hotter up close!"
"How 'bout we grab a bite somewhere? My treat~."
The two men shamelessly propositioned Thanatos, completely ignoring my presence.
The perception-blocking spell didn't work well on those who were actively seeking targets—especially when faced with a woman like Thanatos.
And honestly, their reaction wasn't entirely unreasonable.
Thanatos was a vision that would stir any man's desires.
A beauty both haughty and alluring, igniting the primal urge to conquer.
Voluptuous curves hugged by a sleek black cheongsam, its scandalously short skirt revealing smooth, tantalizing thighs.
Even I, her husband, couldn't deny the effect she had on people.
"Hmm… What should I do?"
Thanatos tapped her lips, feigning hesitation.
I nearly choked.
This wasn't like her at all. She despised men like this.
And with me right beside her, her playful act made no sense.
"C'mon, we'll show you a way better time than this guy."
The thugs, mistaking her hesitation for interest, reached out to grab her wrist—
—only to freeze in horror.
"W-what the hell?!"
"A ghost! It's a ghost!!"
A flaming skull materialized before them, jaws snapping.
The men screamed, stumbling backward before bolting like their lives depended on it.
Bystanders merely chuckled, as if watching fools pretending to see things.
"Don't worry. Only we could see that."
Thanatos dusted off her hands, her smirk returning.
"Now that the trash has been taken out… Shall we continue?"
She looped her arm through mine, her playful grin telling me everything.
It had all been a joke—one meant to tease me.
"Uh… yeah."
I nodded stiffly, still processing her little act, as we resumed our walk.