Chapter 334: Preparation for the future
Several hours after the battle ended, Asmodeus vanished with Yuina.
The Empress finally awoke from her mind control. Her eyes gazed at the wounded soldiers as they loaded themselves into carriages—many noble heirs and children suffered injuries and death in this event.
Their actions ruined the grand hunt.
There was no great push for any blame by the demons who served Asmodeus.
This attitude shocked the Empress because they lost several knights and spear maidens in this cursed and pointless battle.
'He wouldn't want further death today...'
'I will find him later, but Yuina is the only one who can comfort him other than myself right now.'
These were the thoughts Alice had for herself while pulling the body of a wounded knight from a crater and carrying her to the expensive black carriage.
Alice and Liana took control and didn't push the issue while helping the wounded into their carriages and preparing the return to the capital.
"Empress, allow me the honour to speak with you in private once we reach the palace."
"Ah... Understood, Duchess."
Although Alice might be a duchess in Grigor, that held little meaning in the Beast empire because of what happened and where Asmodeus came from. The Empress showed more respect for those who came from Grigor. "I will leave first, and prepare for your arrival."
"That's fine, but call me Alice in the future."
"Understood, Lady Alice."
The rain died down, leaving the scent of wet earth in the forest—thankfully, it washed the thick scent of blood and ammonia as the hunting grounds slowly became empty. There were several women concerned Asmodeus didn't show himself.
"Should we leave, Alice?"
"Vinea, take Ciela and Sariel with you in your carriage. I will ride with Liana and Aki."
Thankfully, Fredricka recovered from her wounds rather quickly and helped escort the troops, including Fuuka, back to the capital.
Yet, the women awaiting Asmodeus were his lovers, and they didn't want to leave without asking his permission. Levia looked a little strange in her armour, with a beautiful muscular body and long hair like midnight, tied high and hanging over her shoulder. "I will join you too, Alice."
'Well... Levia was the one most injured among us all.'
'She seemed like a monster, determined to protect even the weakest knight from damage...'
"I don't mind."
"Then... Should we depart for our castle, Duchess?" Liana asked with a cheeky smirk before gently placing her hand on Alice's shoulder.
She trusted Alice a lot because she loved her Aunt. For some reason, Liana and Vinea felt the subtle changes in their Aunt, while Velvet looked stern, her eyes with dark rings underneath from the battle and blood loss.
"Let's head back. I am sure Asmodeus will come back when he recovers."
Velvet had trusted him greatly since their time together on that mountain. She understood the feelings that had exploded from his aura earlier, just like Yuina, but noticed the young princess rushed to him before she could.
'I am sure he will be fine with that girl...' Velvet closed her eyes after climbing into the red carriage.
"Will the lady be able to get back?" Aki seemed concerned for Yuina, only for all the other women to glare at her and start chuckling afterwards.
"Don't worry, your Master isn't the same girl we met so long ago. Her ability can help her reach us quickly if needed." Levia's words calmed Aki, and so the women left a small carriage and headed back to the capital.
Without Asmodeus or Yuina.
***
Meanwhile, in a small cave with jagged and broken rock walls and a crackling fire, Asmodeus and Yuina sat with their shoulders pressed together. Their clothes were hanging up to dry, while the pale skin of the lovely fox princess was on display as she wore a light nightgown kept in her storage ring.
The scene felt like an image from a fantasy romance novel.
A small female beastkin glanced at Asmodeus from the corner of her eyes while her tails flapped from side to side slowly. After she teased and comforted him, the rain suddenly became more intense. So, to escape, the pair rushed to a dry cave to the south, far from the main camp, where everyone gathered together.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yes... I do apologise for not saying anything earlier."
"It's okay... You just went through something painful." Yuina continued resting against Asmodeus as their breathing synchronised and filled the small space while the last moments of thunder boomed outside the cave.
'He smells so sweet...' Yuina breathed softly.
Her nose snorted as she enjoyed the smell of chocolate and cherries coming from him. The man looked quietly towards the cave exit. Yuina had just practically confessed to and gave him no choice but to accept her.
'It seems my luck is rather great lately.' Asmodeus grinned, but he remained quiet while embracing her from behind.
'To think I'd feel like this once more...'
Although he became used to being the one lifting others' moods, the feeling when Yuina came to him and helped his rage dissipate caused a strange warmth in his chest. It spread throughout his entire body and made him feel human again. Yuina willingly offered her heart to him while she accepted his negative parts.
There were no questions about whether it was love at first sight, like with Yumiko. Yuina was different—it was something that grew over time and something Yuina fought for.
Now that they understood each other more, it became easier for them to accept each other's flaws and positive sides.
'Yuina accepted the me who is useless... and couldn't save everyone.'
'She knows I am not some great being that can fix everything.'
'Why does that make me feel so... at peace?'
Yuina could never hate Asmodeus after the time spent around him—she also lost her feeling of inferiority towards her sister. Instead, she wanted to take what she wanted and wouldn't accept rejection from him.
"it's cold... cuddle me closer, the cloth is going to fall." Yuina complained while the cold air blew through the opening, causing their bodies to touch.
"Then sit on my lap, and I'll wrap my arms around you." He gently guided Yuina in between his legs before he wrapped his muscular arms around her soft chest.
"See, much warmer."
"Ah... this is nice." Yuina's face turned a deep red as she looked down and mumbled.
'Even though I have seen him doing more... This still feels exciting.' Yuina's tails swished faster as Asmodeus pushed their bodies even tighter together. Yuina noticed the calm atmosphere and spoke with a soft voice.
"Do you regret it?"
"...A little."
"You must remember this; those that died are now in a better place and they won't suffer anymore..." Yuina didn't want Asmodeus to suffer or feel like he did earlier in the day. Her blue eyes narrowed while gazing at the darkening sky.
'Am I too selfish, telling him to rest here instead of heading to the capital?' Yuina worried to herself.
Asmodeus rested his head against her shoulder, noticing her tails wrapped around his waist. The soft golden fur brushed his leg and gently stroked him. He knew what she was trying to do, and he couldn't help but give her another hug.
"We should return in the morning; that's what you planned, right, Yui?" His deep voice bounced off the walls slightly.
She wanted to keep this moment for herself since she desired Asmodeus more than anything else. "Of course... If I told anyone where we were... Well..."
"Wouldn't they take you back!" Her cheeks puffed out as she pouted, gazing up at Asmodeus with her lovely blue eyes sparkling like gemstones.
'This cute girl is so lovely.' Asmodeus thought.
***
Meanwhile, in the Inukami village, Yumiko sat in the clan head office, the place where her sister had spent the past decade working hard in her absence. She felt a sense of comfort and calm washing over her as if something connected her to both her sister and Asmodeus simultaneously.
"Did you finally take the first step, Yuina? It took a lot longer than I thought."
'Asmodeus, normally you eat the new girls so quickly...'
In reality, she didn't know that the pair didn't have that relationship, and the sense of calm and comfort came from how Asmodeus felt.
Because of the words and support of Yuina, the red star of calamity, something that grew stronger each day, now seemed to be bound by seven different threads.
These changes caused the previous sense of destruction and danger to fade—instead, a comforting warmth emanated from the red star.
However... Yumiko's ears flickered as she suddenly slammed the desk.
"But somehow, since it's my twin sister... why does it make me want to beat him?"
The female fox didn't like the idea of Asmodeus playing with her sister.
"I am powerless to stop it now..."
Yumiko didn't know she would suddenly feel this way after learning that Yuina and Asmodeus were becoming closer. Yet she felt happy it wasn't towards her sister but Asmodeus, who she wanted to punch and ensure that he treated Yuina well.
'Well... I am her twin sister.'