Ryuji came to the arena early.
Alone, bathing in the pitch-black silence while sitting on a cold stone bench.
His eyes closed, surrounded by rusted, broken and useless weapons. Swords, spears and various marks in the holding cells and waiting rooms, his breath calm and still while dried blood stained the floors.
'I am the future Demon King—me staying here will cause trouble for Alan and those I have grown to care for. Saki now works as a maid for Alan. Along with three other beastkin that Alan helped me rescue, they learn writing, reading and various skills from Kathryn and the others.'
A faded figure floated above him, golden eyes shimmering and filled with intellect beyond her usual self.
Sariel knew of Ryuji's feelings and his current dilemma.
'The plan that Alan made is far too naive. Well, he is a hero—I can't blame him. Or does he just hate the idea of parting ways with me and Liana?'
Alan wanted to help Ryuji and his party escape after the battle ended. He planned to have his private knights and troops support them, including Simon and Paul.
However, this wasn't the plan Ryuji would go with.
Because he knew humans, their darkness and light, yet in this situation. That darkness would never let Alan's plan work.
'The queen, the mainland church, that marquis, and the people that Alan serves. If I add Lumina, what would he do when faced with so many enemies at once? Therefore... there is only one path I can take, and I know Alan will understand...'
Ryuji felt trapped between his heart and mind. He knew the plan with the most success, yet he hesitated as if feeling a bone stuck in his throat that stopped him.
'Alan... Can you forgive me if I am to do what I must to protect those that I love, including you and your brother?'
"My beloved Asmodeus. Know that I will never betray you. We will follow you. No matter your choice." Sariel's golden eyes flickered while she lowered with a gentle flick of her wings, enveloping the shoulders of Ryuji from behind. "No matter what you feel or how you suffer. We will support you."
"I know, Sariel. Both of you have helped me more than I realised. To me, you five are the beacons of light that keep me from drowning. Five lighthouses to my dark seas and my guiding stars all in one!"
"You would include myself in that number..."
"Of course, I swear on my soul to set you free. Then I will protect you from all harm."
"Lord Asmodeus..."
Ryuji no longer felt disconnected from that name.
Thanks to Serena, he learned that the demonic names vanished and became lost because Lumina meddled with many kingdoms with the help of many other gods.
'To think that there were so many gods, many just seem to help Lumina because of the benefits war brings, and others are waiting to take their sides. As if we are all chess pieces on their boards.'
The lost demon names meant Asmodeus was just a strange, exotic name now. Alan and the top members of the church might notice.
However, this was a risk he was fine taking.
"Sariel, to the world, I might become a hated existence. However, with you five and Alan, I do not think I will regret any choices I make. Now and in the future."
"That's why all I need is your love and to remain beside me."
"My Lord, that request filled our hearts with such delight. I take it you have made your choice? I worry if that woman is trustworthy, but I trust you and will accept everything you choose to do. However, is it fine to do as she requested? What about your friendship with Alan?"
"Alan will understand, he must!"
'He is someone who knows me well, my thoughts and true desires.'
Sariel's wings folded as she knelt before him, her beautiful eyes now with one golden and the other bright blue, watching him with both the intellectual and gentle sight of both parts of her soul. Her soft hands grasping his.
"Sariel will follow Master/My Lord." Both voices echoed in their unique tone at once before she began to fade, her wings flapping as she left to complete her task.
Ryuji stood at the gate near the tunnel exit.
His eyes closed while meditating on his feelings and thoughts and waiting for his beloved woman to join him. Thanks to the king and Alan's plan, he could take advantage of them. So, in this battle, he would take Yumiko, Erika, Ciela and Liana.
"You all finally arrived?" His voice was soft and filled with a strange, charming peace that the five girls heard for the first time.
'Somehow, it feels like his mind and thoughts are so calm.' The women thought.
"Well, don't worry, you four will be participating today. I will not hold back. So I'm counting on you all to support me."
"Do you think that you can win without holding back, Ryuji?"
"Nope."
Yumiko's eyes widened, her fangs visible as she bit her lips. She didn't expect Ryuji to answer her so honestly. Yet, her heart didn't feel distressed because she saw his face.
The smile on Ryuji's lips wasn't fake or forced! It was a genuine, radiant smile.
'Did he find something to look forward to...?'
"Do you think you will lose?" She asked, her voice slow and drawn out as she gripped her hands tight.
"NO!" Ryuji's voice echoed.
The distant announcements of Maki drowned out as his aura and confidence exploded, causing all five women to become shocked.
Even Sariel, who knew everything and things that Yumiko and Liana wouldn't know for some time, was stunned at his atmosphere and answer.
"I will not lose. Because I have so much to look forward to and things to protect."
"Therefore, I will win! If my blades cannot cut the enemy, I will use my claws—if my claws should fail, I will use my bones! If my bones fail, I will use my flesh and should my flesh forsake me. I will use my Soul!"
"I promise we will celebrate tonight!"
Ryuji's voice contained a strong sense of purpose and determination.
Yumiko, Liana, Ciela and Erika knew there was something else; they could sense it, but all of them trusted Ryuji more than anyone else. Thus, without asking, they all stepped into position and one by one, they kissed his cheeks and offered their words of support.
"You're the man I love, Ryu. I'll be there when you need me, and I will be cheering for you!"
"Husband, I'll always be your wife. Even if we are to be reincarnated, I shall follow you."
"My darling, you saved me from the darkness and gave me a place to belong. I shall never leave your side."
"Ryuji, you were the first one to treat me like a person after I came here, and then you loved me enough to break all my fears and doubts. You will be the man that I follow forever."
Yumiko's kiss was last as she hugged him tight, transforming into her demon form, the beautiful silvery-white hair swaying in the wind along with her three tails. Not to overexert herself, she didn't unleash her full power.
Ryuji looked at the girl, Ciela, the beautiful dark elf, her soft skin shimmering in the morning sun like an enchanting desert with verdant green eyes and silver hair. Liana, her voluptuous body, black eyes with purple iris and long crimson hair, danced in the wind as she gazed back, her soft red lips whispering of love and devotion.
Then beside him, her entire figure clad in black plate armour, her shining blue eyes and black sclera all he could see, apart from her smile. Yet to him, she was his important and beloved knight.
"All of you, I am so thankful to have met you and reached this point with you all beside me."
Ryuji's words caused them to look at him as he looked forward towards the arena.
"Thanks to you five, I could finally step out of the grief of losing my mother, accepting my negative parts, feelings that I ignored. Now I am taking a step forward towards what I truly wanted..."
"—To enjoy an erotic fantasy in another world, with you all by my side, as YOUR Demon King."