The mont Asmodeus saw the pair sitting together. He felt a strange sense of confusion.
Aurelia didn't seem like the woman he t at the banquet. Instead, she sat beside her husband. Her atmosphere was modest, and she wore a calming blue dress with a soft smile.
The Emperor wore a matching suit and sat beside her. However, he seed much less aggressive. His eyes lacked the sa aggression compared to the other night.
'It seems they really were being affected deeply.'
'His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked strained at the banquet.'
The room itself wasn't lavish. Asmodeus thought it looked nice, but it was for an empress. It was on the sa level as Alan's mansion in Grigor.
'I wonder why they acted like the most extravagant people while being
"It's good to see you again, good afternoon, Asmodeus. I hope that you are well."
Asmodeus looked at the Emperor, who greeted him with a soft voice. His arrogance really vanished. Instead, he beca more humble.
"I'm doing well Your Majesties. Since the attack, has there been any issues with the church?"
Despite knowing they believed in Serena in the past.
Asmodeus still needed to protect himself and hold back his trust. If he believed in them completely and they suddenly betrayed him at the last mont.
Then he would lose everything.
'Well they seem to be genuine, but I cannot be fooled.'
'There are too many won counting on .'
"I am pleased to hear that..."
"What would we have done, our people done without you and princess Yuina. I dread to think."
The empress interrupted her husband, but he took it with a smile. It truly wasn't like Asmodeus worried. They sought a eting to give a genuine apology and reconciliation.
"Well, for now, everything is fine. However, those people won't take it lying down, Aurelia what do you plan to do?"
'Since I couldn't be bothered, I dropped honorifics and directly called her na.'
'Maybe it was a dangerous test...'
Her face changed for a mont before her lips trembled. Then, slowly forming a smile, she broke into a cackle.
"Hahaha~ forgive , Asmodeus! Princess Yuina said you would drop all respectful tone when comfortable. Yet sohow I don't feel wronged at all."
"My Empress... don't be rude. This man is our saviour!"
'Oh?'
The Emperor showed genuine gratitude and scolded his wife. Though Asmodeus felt closer to them, his guard remained quite high.
He continued to test and judge them in silence.
***
Not long later, all the things Asmodeus worried about were useless. These two were fools. The foolish couple who loved each other to no fault.
This truth made Asmodeus even more resentful towards the cult.
'Because of their selfish desires to take my body, or destroy the world... This couple almost fell to pieces.'
'Avandar taught how precious an affectionate marriage for royals and imperials would be.'
Asmodeus was so passionate about this reason. It wasn't a perverse desire to seek won for the sake of it.
No!
He desperately hoped to be surrounded by won who adored and loved him.
Nothing else.
"Well, we should be careful. I believe the next major event for the kingdom, might just be another battle with them..."
The Emperor's words were true. Asmodeus felt the sa, but he wondered whether to use it or cancel the event to save lives. This kind of thing wasn't his usual style. Asmodeus felt more comfortable fighting it out, after all.
'I cannot do this here, one day Yuina will be the Empress.'
'However, if I put them in danger, what if I cannot save them next ti?'
Asmodeus constantly felt a dull ache inside his abdon. This pain was proof of his failure and that the god of death, phisto, could kill him.
Yet, instead, he seed to want to take his body.
'Then would he take my beloved won, would they even realise?!'
A terrifying thought!
"Cassian, you're quite different to when we first t. Haha, I like it. True, are there any events in the near future we need to worry about?"
There was a mont of silence before the married couple suddenly looked at each other with widened eyes and a pale face.
"The Grand Hunt!?"
"The Hunt!"
Asmodeus heard about this event from Yuina, but nothing substantial. He looked at the pair, who began to whisper amongst them.
'Well it seems they are getting along well...'
'It's good to see a true couple, though, unlike the horrible lives of Alan and Avandar.'
"Ah forgive , Lord Asmodeus... it's just been so long since I could speak to my husband without feeling the desire to argue or push him away."
Aurelia seed truly upset, her body shaking, as Cassian grasped her hand and then looked at Asmodeus with a wry smile.
'I guess this ans a lot of things happened since the cult started controlling them.'
"That damn cult, how could they do this to our imperial family... how many died because of their actions?!"
She continued, with a voice full of anger, while slamming down on the table. Aurelia's face beca red with rage, but Asmodeus could understand.
"I cannot imagine what happened, but shall we discuss about the event?"
'After all, I don't even know what happens.'
He couldn't help but feel strange about these circumstances. Still, it seems his words broke the tension.
"The Grand Hunt is the single greatest event of the entire Empire. Well, during the sumr and autumn months."
'Isn't that an overstatent?!'
"Your face looks confused, no, doubtful. Haha."
Cassian noticed his wife's enthusiasm didn't work and cleared his throat with his more humble tone of voice. He began a slow but detailed description of the hunt.
"As she says, it is a grand hunt. Not only that but a festival. Our greatest warriors from around the nation will be hunting monsters to present at the coliseum."
He then pointed to the vast arena in the distance. The next mont, Cassian looked at his wife with a bitter smile.
"Then the one may dedicate their prey to another person. Though usually a spouse or soone they are courting, in the past, it was used by nobles and imperials to propose. It is quite a romantic event but also holds a religious reason."
At his words, Aurelia turned her eyes away while looking embarrassed.
'Hah, so this man must have done this in the past for Aurelia, haha.'
"It is an important day to show one's abilities and power. Both n and won participate, and all can choose a partner to gift their prize to. Then the church gives a blessing to the land and people attending to secure a great harvest for the next year."
Aurelia pouted before she cut in and finished Cassian's words. Talking about this event must an a lot to the couple...
"Though this happened back in the days of Serena, my husband."
[Ah... see a happy couple all because of my blessing! Praise your goddess Asmodeus!]
'You're finally speaking to again?'
[Hmph! Praise , and I'll think about it.]
'Yes, yes... the goddess is beautiful and mighty. I am 'so' in awe of your abilities.'
[...]
[My Apostle is such a bastard! I'll curse you, so you beco bald!]
'...'
The goddess and demon king seed to have beco quite similar. While one fought back, the other would plot their revenge.
However, if their argunt was so serious...
"Oh my, Lord Asmodeus... why do you suddenly seem so happy?"
Aurelia asked with a curious tone. Her eyes shone as she saw the change in the demon king.
'Haha, maybe because of them, I feel better.'
'It's not bad teasing Serena sotis. Even speaking with this stupid couple feels interesting. Let's help Yuina take power with no harm coming to them.'
"Ahem! I'll take part in the hunt if possible... but can you dedicate your catch to multiple people?"
Asmodeus asked an honest question after clearing his throat. He wondered if it was possible. Yet Serena's voice suddenly sounded, making him feel a little irritated.
[Hah?! Why would I like you to offer your catch to multiple people, you damn cheating demon king!]
However, he ignored her voice and watched Cassian and Aurelia's reactions.
The pair didn't speak and slowly looked at one another.
Their faces showed confusion, but they both thought deeply and remained in deep thought. This gesture was quite amusing as their mannerisms were quite similar.
'Ah... I feel envious about their relationship.'
"To be honest... we've never asked, but wouldn't Serena be angry? Normally you ask for Serena's blessing and she shares it with the person you choose."
Cassian looked at Aurelia, who nodded several tis with a grin on her lips.
'I wonder if it was her who caught the prey, not Cassian...'
"Then what if I wanted to offer prey to Serena herself and another woman, not for a blessing. An offering as a woman, that is."
[What?!]
"What?!"
Aurelia stood up with a shocked face. Then he noticed the sincere look on his face, wondering how crazy Asmodeus could be. But then she rembered Yuina ntioning he was her Apostle.
"Ah... it makes sense, you're her Apostle. One of the few allowed to pursue her."
[I'm sure it should be okay... as long as you give the biggest catch... then maybe I'll forgive you for cheating on ...]
'...'
Asmodeus let out a long sigh—he felt a sense of relief. To be honest, his emotions were growing selfish. His envy towards this couple made him angry.
So the mont he heard Serena's bratty voice accepting, his mood cald down.
"Well.. it seems that she is fine with it. So shall we begin to prepare specifics for the day." Asmodeus looked between the two people before he started smiling and continued. "I have a lot of won to hunt for, so I'll have to work hard..."
[After all, I don't forgive you!]
User Comments
0 comments from readers