Asmodeus found himself separated from the other women because of the customs of the village. He could still picture the cute face of Liana and Vinea, who Sariel and Ciela 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 village from above.
His hut was near the main shrine and palace-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 office lady coming home to her lover and kicking off her shoes before complaining about her boss.
'That's the feeling I get now...' He thought while picturing Serena in an office ladies' 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 body lay 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 black-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 place countless times in the past. At first, he felt uncomfortable 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.
[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 the last round... Asmodeus fell.
"You can't leave me. I won't let you."
Asmodeus reached back with his hand and placed 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 become 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 into laughter 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 succubus 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 blasphemy! Should I pass judgement on this foolish male?"
Her silver eyes gleamed, and a soft expression replaced 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 black hair that becomes 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 playing 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 place, with only their bodies creating the comfortable 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 becoming 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..."