Asmodeus surpassed the power of Johan after transforming and using his full power; however, he felt strange. It felt like Johan's power wasn't at its limit and constantly increased by sucking the life of the nobles.
'I don't like this feeling...'
He watched as the pope's body rolled across the ground outside, his right arm severed along with the bloody tentacles.
Though he seemed to have won the fight, Asmodeus looked at his missing right arm and wounded chest. He knew he might have lost if not for cutting off his right shoulder after being infected.
'Johan is a monster even after transforming into a demon lord. If I didn't cut off my arm when I did... then the situation might've been different.'
He stood on top of the roof of the broken palace, watching where there were a lot of dead nobles and those who survived with fear still on their faces. The only thing he noticed was the dark energy and link between them, and Johan had vanished. 'It seems their lives have been barely saved... but the cost is so great.'
Asmodeus felt his heart sinking as he looked around him. The dead nobles and commoners outside the palace, then the wounded knights who followed him and Liana and Vinea covered in dirt and blood. The corpses lying everywhere in a pile made for a dreary sight.
"They all died in a single moment."
Asmodeus muttered out loud. 'But who saved them? Why do I feel that this wasn't a serious attempt to kill me?'
Pope Johan's figure seemed to vanish into black smoke the moment he flew from the palace, yet when Asmodeus looked at his lovely demons.
He noticed Levia wasn't present, and a few knights were also missing. Baberu looked ragged, his armour torn, bloody wounds across his chest and arms.
'We need to speak with that woman and come to an agreement before the church recovers or attacks for real.'
"Asmodeus!" Yuina called out before running to him as he landed. Her warm tears dripped down her cheeks as she held him tight, trembling in his embrace while the others came by them.
"You're wounded! I thought I was going to lose you." She cried out loud as Asmodeus tried his best to hold back his laughter. She seemed to be cautious about his missing arm while burying her face against his chest.
"I won't die so easily, my little fox."
"Eh? What does he mean... that she was going to lose him?" Liana gave a wicked smirk, her lips trembling while she tried to avoid getting jealous, watching the two embrace.
"Liana, where is the rest? Where are Levia and her knights?" His tone became curious as he pulled away from Yuina to stare Liana down. Something was going on; however, he didn't want to think that they lost.
"What do you mean-" Her words cut short as the rest surrounded him.
Vinea and Ciela both wrapped around him like Yuina, but unlike the little fox. Their demonic mana helped his body recover, both of them kissing him deeply as if no one was watching. Slowly, the blood stopped oozing out of his wounds, and the regeneration of his arm started slowly.
"Thank you for helping us," Aurelia said in a calm and elegant tone while speaking slowly. The words seemed to choke up her throat, not because of embarrassment nor the pride of an Empress, but because she was alive and now free. Her gaze peered at the hero who saved her.
'His fight is burned into my vision; never will I forget such a valiant and selfless man...'
Although his wounds began healing, she saw how much suffering he must have endured to keep those now alive and safe. Yet his eyes still seemed locked in the battle, as if only Asmodeus was preparing for the second round. 'I cannot continue my selfish actions.'
"I will help the city recover, then hand the throne to you, Princess Yuina Inukami. Though I pray, you will not forsake the Fenrir clan because of my actions." It was the first time she spoke in a humble and apologetic tone, holding Yuina's hand and squeezing it tight.
"Empress... of course, though I never sought to forsake them in the first place. We are all of the same empire, and the goddess created us all for a reason."
"I understand, princess. It seems that even after serving as empress I am the one that needs to be taught and helped to understand. You truly are a gentle and caring soul." The previous times an empress changed, there was a bloody war and conflict.
Empress Aurelia held the throne for this reason. She tried to ensure that all races remained healthy and prospered without the needless wars and purges. Yet now, she realised it was unfair to keep the throne in their family for so long.
'I want to help them... we should unite under Lord Asmodeus, no Princess Yuina.'
Her gaze continued to linger over Asmodeus, whose form was back to normal after transforming into a demon lord. Yet he seemed pale. Aurelia could tell that he needed time to recover. The fear that the church wouldn't grant that to them lingered in their minds, though.
"We should first help the bodies pass on; if they remain, our city might become filled with disease or worse!" Aurelia looked at the wounded nobles and knights. "May I ask for your help, Princess Yuina?"
"Of course, Empress!"
"As for you, Great Demon King... I am grateful you saved our people, even when you had no reason! Thus, I swear to make a pact of alliance with the Inukami tribe and hand the throne to her once this situation has been dealt with."
Turning toward Asmodeus, she gave a slight bow, shocking everyone around her.
Though her gown was covered in dirt and blood splattered her face, she still looked like a perfect ruler. "I hope you can accept and stay comfortable in the palace."
Yuina looked at Asmodeus with shining eyes; even Aki stood beside her and did the same.
He couldn't help but accept and agree because it was his desire, too. These two cute foxes just added to the reasons.
"Then we have a temporary truce and an alliance, Your Imperial Majesty." Asmodeus touched his chest and gave a polite bow. The first genuine bow to the empress of wolves.
"It is my pleasure, King of demons."