After the pope vanished, the knights and empress held hands with Asmodeus and Yuina. They offered the second palace, which Juliet lived inside, for his demons and knights. At the same time, Lukas and Cassian showed a difference in their actions after the mist vanished.
"Forgive me for the rude conduct today, Princess Yuina, Demon King Asmodeus. I don't understand what happened." He rubbed his chin while shrugging his shoulders. "I just felt so angry, and seeing you both made feelings of jealousy and irritation fill my mind." The Emperor let out a sigh before showing a faint smile. "Though I don't expect you to understand me, I cannot thank you more for saving our people."
Emperor Cassian Alaric Des Fenrir wasn't the arrogant person he seemed to be earlier.
"Don't think about it, to be honest those damn cultists are a thorn in the entire worlds side."
Asmodeus didn't hold things against the nobles because he understood after fighting the pope. The strange mist felt like it could empower the worst feelings in people, from jealousy to lust and aggression.
"You are far too calm... didn't you lose your arm? Well, since you're a demon king it's started healing but what about that beautiful knight? She's important to you right..." The emperor's words struck deep at Asmodeus who tried to act like everything was fine.
'Well even this guy can see I am not alright, that's bad...'
"Your Majesty, if you would excuse us, I believe my husband-to-be needs some rest at the Rose palace." Yuina took his hand and pulled Asmodeus towards the untouched palace. She gave a bitter smile to the emperor and Princess Juliet, who offered the rooms.
The lingering worry of the Pope's death attack caused Asmodeus to be unable to relax. 'I know he held back. Johan called me the sacrifice... will something happen if I don't prepare?'
[Don't worry too much, Asmodeus...]
'Serena... they can cut our connection, why wouldn't I worry?'
[I...]
[Please forgive me for not taking this seriously in the past. Had I known the future and that you would come here, no... I was just in denial and wanted to pretend I wouldn't fall for you.]
Yuina remained quiet after greeting the empress and emperor, helping the weakened Asmodeus towards the palace. The knights who were injured slept on the first floor, while he and his lovers would settle on the second floor.
"I'm worried about Leviathan..." He muttered, feeling Yuina's hand squeezing his.
"Mm, are you feeling better? If you are, I will take you to see her... we think only you can help her."
Upon entering the beautiful palace, Asmodeus felt amazed.
His eyes observed the tall silver walls covered in grand sculptures with gold and blue banners everywhere. The smooth marble stairs led upwards in spirals, while the walls boasted windows as large as doors. Fenrir's family ancestors built everything to show off their wealth and power.
It was something that Asmodeus found beautiful.
"We didn't want to disturb her, so we moved everyone to the second floor," Yuina told Asmodeus as they ascended the steps. The girl's face looked gloomy, causing the demon king to feel the worry she held.
"Do you think we should use our power on her, Asmodeus..."
Yuina jumped at the sudden voice from the stairs. It was Liana dressed in a long, wine-red dress that flowed just above the floor, a ballroom style with countless ruffles and frills. "I am not sure we can imitate your magic, but if you are tired..."
Asmodeus felt warm that Liana and Ciela stood on the first floor's balcony looking down in concern for him.
"Liana, we are both tired, I cannot even heal a cut right now, much less use a powerful divine spell. Asmodeus is the only person that can save Leviathan from that filthy poison." Ciela descended the steps with Liana.
[You will suffer; that energy is the trap the pope mentioned... I cannot tell you, nor do I want to tell you!]
'Please...' His eyes closed, realising that the pope ran away, and held back to give the illusion of defeat all for this reason.
This moment! If he failed to break the spell inside Leviathan, she would die or worse...
However, if he saved her, then Mephisto could take his body and steal his life... killing him. Asmodeus felt a cold sweat dripping from his brow, his hands shaking with a feeling of helplessness.
'I can't let that man win...'
"Haha, but I refuse to let this energy kill her... not when she got injured following my commands."
[Asmodeus...]
Serena's voice sounded soft and full of worry for the person she loved.
"Can you speak to me and guide my magic, Serena? We can do this..." His voice was full of determination and hope.
[Please don't ask me to let another's divine power enter your body...]
Asmodeus inched closer to Leviathan and leaned into the girl, kissing her lips. Her soft, squishy mouth seemed to come alive, and for a moment, her eyes flickered open. "Asmo..." Her voice sounded weak and confused.
"Leviathan, you are still there. I'll save you, hold on a bit longer."
He could see a tear running down her cheek before she fell unconscious again, her hand weakly grasping at his shirt. 'She heard me didn't she...'
However, he refused to stop here and stroked her silky black hair while brushing his thumb along her soft red lips. "Sorry, but I wanted to do this later when you were awake." He then kissed her once again, pushing her lips apart with his tongue, a warm, sticky sensation with a sweet taste filling his mouth.
A sudden sensation of his mana being swallowed into her body while the black, corrosive divine energy began to shoot towards him. It was like a violent creature that tasted blood.
His body felt the desire to fight the invading mana, the urge to destroy it. Yet, Asmodeus forced his mind to stop and fight his instincts until that dark, sludgy energy began to flow into his mouth. 'It hurts, why do I feel this pain?'
[You are not compatible with Mephisto's energy... because you are mine...]
'I am yours, haha... Ugh.....'
[Don't speak, just focus. You bastard... I told you not to do this!]
His body felt like it was on fire, a searing pain that spread across his flesh, and a cold shiver ran down his spine. The black energy continued to invade him, creeping down his throat and towards his chest.
'Ahhh, fuck!' He felt a burning sensation and a desire to vomit.
However, he could only swallow that desire. The soft tongue of Levia began to slither around his, coiling him with a soft pressure while groaning into his mouth. Her warm, sweet breath tasted like berries, like usual.
[Asmodeus... why must this happen now?]
His vague consciousness was only able to hear the tearful voice of Serena. Then the wet sound of Levia sucking on his tongue at the moment the black energy penetrated his heart.