Asmodeus found himself separated from the other women because of the customs of the vige. He could still picture the cute face of Liana and Vinea, who Sariel and Ci dragged away the two with bitter smiles.


    ''The crying face of Vinea was quite adorable...''


    It wasn''t permanent, but during the first night, it meant that he would sleep alone and bathe in the sacred waters of the Inukami hot springs to remove his ''impurities'' to avoid a disaster.


    ''Oh... Serena? What''s wrong you sound a little low.''


    The hut given to Asmodeus was quite snug, made from the special trees that protected the eastern forest, both resistant to fire and water while retaining both flexibility and strength.


    Moka trees, which would give a delicious peach-like fruit during the autumn seasons.


    This information was something that Yumiko mentioned as they walked through the tori gates—Moka trees were spread on either side because not only did their fruit keep the tribe well-fed during winter, but the effect made monsters wary, forming a natural barrier.


    [I...]


    ''Go on tell me, I have time... lots of time to listen to you and your worries.''


    Asmodeus sat beside the window, which overlooked the vige from above.


    His hut was near the main shrine and pce-like structure, and the hot spring was a few moments from him.


    He overlooked the beautiful forest while letting his lips gently lift into a smirk, hearing Serena''s weak voice like a tired officedying home to her lover and kicking off her shoes beforeining about her boss.


    ''That''s the feeling I get now...'' He thought while picturing Serena in an officedies'' suit, lying on the sofa while kicking her shoes and looking back at him with slightly drunken eyes.


    [Really, then... can I summon you?]


    Asmodeus realised that there must be something wrong because he had never felt Serena so vulnerable; even when flirting or teasing her, she kept her strong will as a goddess.


    Yet right now, he could sense nothing—she just felt like a female fox.


    ''Anytime, no matter what you need I am always willing to help.''


    This woman not only helped his mother to leave this world with his father, but she did much more than that for him.Without Serena, he would have died at worst, but also, the woman he now loves would have suffered a horrible fate without her aid.


    That''s why, for him, Serena was both a motherly woman he felt attracted to and someone that he wanted to protect.


    [Mhm~]


    A brilliant light filled the hut before Asmodeus rubbed his eyes, yawning several times before his bodyy on the dark brown table.


    The scene of the handsome demon king with his hair cascading over his shoulders while sleeping by the window was picturesque—a shame none of his lovers were here to see it.


    However, one person saw with curious and sparkling eyes.


    "Tsk... this man, how can he sleep so peacefully, now I have to wait until he wakes to send him to the bath... Damn!" The ck-haired fox spoke with a huff and snorted. Yet her eyes continued to gaze at the male as a soft breeze blew his hair through the air.


    ***


    Darkness...


    Asmodeus found himself in this ce countless times in the past. At first, he felt ufortable and wanted to find the light, or bright light, in this realm.


    However, now that he had visited so many times, his eyes could see perfectly in the darkness, and somehow, he didn''t want others able to see this sight, so he wanted the darkness to remain forever, keeping out anyone but him.


    "Serena?"


    An alluring scent entered the young demon king''s nose.


    It reminded Asmodeus of when he first met her, like sweet morning flowers mixed with vani and freshly baked bread. At first, he wondered if he suffered a stroke, but now... he knew it was her.


    In the centre of the dark flowers, nightshades, violets, and blue roses was a beautiful fox. No longer did she mimic Yumiko''s form, and instead, with long, obsidian hair and sharp silver eyes, she gazed towards him lying on her side—she twirled a soft flower in her hand while watching Asmodeus.


    [You came so easily. Normally, you are stubborn or are having sex in your free time. Fufu.]


    "Hush. You called me because you wanted me..." Asmodeus approached, but like every time before, an invisible force stopped him. "I''m sorry..."


    [Good, don''t be cheeky! Hmph~]


    The force vanished, and a warm feeling pushed him closer as he sat beside Serena; in the darkness, it felt impossible for any living creature to thrive, yet, somehow, for Asmodeus, it feltfortable. The ck-haired fox watched him sit with those captivating eyes before leaning toward him with a small smile on her face.


    "You seem tired. What''s wrong? Do you need help sleeping?" Asmodeus asked with genuine concern.


    Of course, it was rare to see the goddess with a human-like presence—she liked to put on airs. So, seeing her like this was a rare and lucky event that he couldn''t miss!


    [Nnn~ stop making so much noise ande here!]


    Serena stretched her body, the smooth wrinkles of her ck ballroom dress bing worse, as she pulled his body into her embrace and hugged him tightly from behind.


    [I just... remembered the past a little.]


    ''The past?'' Asmodeuscuriously thought as he leaned back against herrge breasts—resting his head against them to make the tall fox smile happily.


    He couldn''t help but enjoy how soft andfortable they were, like marshmallow pillows.


    "Before you met this handsome young man? I hope you''re not thinking of someone else, I''ll get jealous." Asmodeus joked while her hands hugged him, and the warm breath blowing down his neck became stronger.


    [Idiot... there was never a man before you....]


    "Eh?"


    The shocking admission made Asmodeus open his eyes, and the demon lord felt his chest beating faster, a strange feeling different from his usual position of superiority. He was the weaker in this rtionship, so it felt so strange for him.


    [W-Wait... don''t forget that!] A beautiful, seductive voice, now tinged with embarrassment and shame. Serena lowered her head, leaning her chin on the top of his head, his horns perfectly ced on either side of her head while she pressed her breasts tighter against Asmodeus'' back as if she wished to devour him whole.


    [Are you that happy to be hugged by me? Hehe~]


    The shy and cute expressions caused Asmodeus to feel strange typically, though they might flirt when meeting, this kind of sweet and warm time never usually happens. ''I don''t know what I can do for her, but the least I will do is stay beside her and listen to Serena''sints.''


    "Do you want to talk about it?"


    [Oh? It''s surprising!]


    "What?"


    [How gentle and affectionate you''re being... Normally, you''re trying to get in my pants or trick me into kissing you!] The high pitch became higher in thetter part of her sentence, followed by the clicking of her tongue as if remembering the past events where she allowed herself to fall for his charms.


    Yet he also felt her arms around his chest, gripping him, her fingers spreading out and massaging his chest.


    [I like it... this is nice. If only I could forget my position and be like this...]


    "Shall I be a god yer, and free you?"


    [Eh...]


    [Would you truly do that for me?]


    "!?"


    The soft words with her honest tone caused a tight pain in his chest. Asmodeus understood Serena didn''t mean that as a joke, and because of that, it hurt him. A feeling that he didn''t expect, like a sudden uppercut from a dark horse that knocked the champion down in thest round... Asmodeus fell.


    "You can''t leave me. I won''t let you."


    Asmodeus reached back with his hand and ced it against the silky hair and closed his eyes, his hand sliding across her smooth cheek and brushing against her glossy lips with his fingertips.


    Serena''s eyes looked stunned—she could sense his thoughts and feelings if she used her usual power, but right now, after thinking about the past, she had forcibly cut off her powers just to take a break because of her chaotic feelings.


    "You fool..." Her lips moved for the first time, able to feel the pounding in his chest through her fingertips and his emotions through his gaze—the two connected by his hand around her shoulder while resting their foreheads together.


    "I''m going to be a God-seducing Emperor!"


    The moment he spoke, it felt like her mood shattered, yet the honest and serious flicker in his eyes made her almost burst intoughter at the ridiculous title.


    "Are you now?"


    Each time Serena spoke with her true voice, the seductive and sweet tone overwhelmed Asmodeus, yet he fought hard to resist it. She made a subus seem like an innocent young girl with no charm.


    "Yes..."


    A curt reply as Asmodeus breathed slowly, his heart beat like drums during a metal concert. His eyes flicked towards Serena and captured hers, refusing to be overwhelmed by the lustful presence she possessed; in contrast, Serena could see his resolve, almost tasting the sweetness of it upon her tongue.


    Lay this close to him, and with the goddess pressing against him with such force, Asmodeus couldn''t stop his growing desire as he wrapped his hands around her neck after she turned him around.


    "You are so sinful, to touch a goddess and lust for her with such a brutal thing between your legs is utter sphemy! Should I pass judgement on this foolish male?"


    Her silver eyes gleamed, and a soft expression reced her former sad face—as if she was waiting for him to act this way and enjoy his punishment.


    The mischievous spirit within Serena was alive once more, and although she was depressing her divinity, Serena could still destroy him if they duelled 1v1.


    "Heh~ I don''t believe in god! But, maybe if the goddess was a super beautiful and sexy fox with ck hair that bes my wife in the future..."


    "Dream on lover boy~ maybe if you conquer the world and make me the sole goddess of the world." A joke, merely ying with his mood, yet a twinkle of seriousness, only a handful of dust in a sandy desert.


    However, they both seemed to swallow their saliva, and the thought crossed both their minds in this cold, dark ce, with only their bodies creating thefortable warmth.


    "Prioritise your current women, they love you to death and want you to understand them..." Serena suddenly whispered in a fragile voice. "I''ve seen many fated souls break apart and lose everything because of the most simple mistakes."


    This woman hugged him against her chest, lowering her head until he could hear her quiet breathing.


    Sometimes like a friend, a sister or even a lover, but now she felt like a caring mother. The strange feeling the goddess gave was something that Asmodeus cherished, even after bing a demon king.


    "I''ll do my best."


    "Good!"


    The dark world slowly began to fade, a feeling of water enveloping him as her words became distant and harder to hear. Unlike they became but a mosquito''s whisper.


    "I can wait..."