Chapter 228 : Preparations To Expand - Winning Their Hearts!
In the beautiful fields just south of Baltimore, four beautiful female knights in armour fought a pack of dire wolves. Their leader used a spear and shield, with a swordsman and two archers, to clear the monsters in minutes.
"Haa....ha...haa...."
"Wow, we managed to kill a pack of direwolves?!"
"It's amazing, Fredricka.... how did we become so strong?"
The three members of the party began to cut up the wolves with their beautiful elven daggers, normally used for combat, however, because of how kind and well Asmodeus treated them, he gifted the entire knight brigade with these elven knives to make questing easier.
'I cannot believe that handsome devil was so caring. Anti-splash, Auto-repair and of course a special function that absorbed the blood into a container to help with treating the meat and fur to save time and earn more money.'
Fredrick hated Asmodeus at first because of what happened to Anne and Liana. He wondered if the man was just an evil demon who wanted to enjoy women.
Yet when she discovered the truth and found how much he treasured each of the surrounding women without rushing them to his bed and making sure even their servants and knights were equipped more than common heroes, she began to warm up to him.
"Our Lord, he is so amazing..." The archer named Katle whispered to herself.
"I know, did you see how radiant our ladies face was the other night?"
"Princess Liana seemed to radiant not to mention her magic power seemed to have increased by a huge amount not that her curse vanished!"
'Yeah... not only did Princess Liana become a woman, but her beautiful face and happiness. Even I never saw her like that before. Those were not shallow emotions but something deeper and more important than a mere fling. Though it seemed to have made Princess Vinea jealous...'
"Captain, do you think that Princess Vinea will also..." The other swordswoman named Jess asked, her tone like one of the village ladies looking for drama.
Fredricka didn't know how to answer. Could she tell the truth and let both her imperial ladies suffer damage to their image, or would she endure and not let these women spread rumours of the two beautiful princesses joining them?
"Let's keep it down. Not everyone has seen it yet, and we all swore not to spread any rumours, or the Lord may get angry."
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"But Captain..."
"No buts, Jessica, you do you want Asmodeus to take your chastity as punishment?!"
'Forgive me, my lord, for taking your name as a threat...!' Fredricka apologised in her mind while slapping the woman, who blushed and nodded in fear.
After they skinned the wolves and butchered them, they returned to the camp after a long day.
"Fredricka, it's about time we asked the princess of her choice." This time, it was Beth, the female swordsman who spoke. She liked the current life and didn't want to see either of the princesses get hurt.
"Yes, I know. I already asked her, and she said that it was up to him. Apparently, Princess Vinea feels happy just spending nights beside him while drinking and talking about the world... Our princess, she didn't see only physical pleasure but a companion who would fight, speak and comfort her when she became alone."
"Oh, I see."
"Wait, so does this mean that Asmodeus..."
"Yes, Jessica. You have guessed it. The reason Lord Asmodeus was so kind and caring towards the princess was because he already had feelings for her. The reason he only sleeps with Princess Liana, that beautiful fox Yumiko and the hero Erika is because of his affection and love growing to a level he can't hold back anymore.
It's the same for Princess Ciela of the Elves; although I know they do some acts together, she has told us many times while drinking. Lord Asmodeus will not force a lady into his bed."
"So our Lord is actually a gentleman despite making those three sound like wild cats every single night?"
Fredricka could only smile bitterly.
She understood he was a demon king of sex, blood and battle, but it was too true!
He loved to fight, training with Lady Velvet in the early hours, then fighting and sparring with the knights, and after questing and dating his beloved of the day, Asmodeus would then drink with everyone, of course, until nightfall that was the time he becomes a beast of lust.
'I don't think that any of those women who smile so brightly, like a radiant sun, after a night with him, can say it's not amazing.'
"He is a strange man, but I understand that his affection for our lady and princess Liana are more than we can imagine."
"Still, the captain seems so calm. Doesn't the thought of a monster being in bed with her bother you? Don't you feel guilty letting her throw away her purity to a man of the demon race, who might kill her in a moment of madness?" Jessica wasn't ignorant but someone who cared deeply for the princess.
'You were saved from starvation and abuse thanks to Princes Vinea and Liana... I understand your worries.'
"No, I am not worried, and there is no guilt. The man may be a Demon King of Lust and Battle, but he has sworn not to harm the princess or anyone in the city. Moreover, I have seen what kind of person Lord Asmodeus is. I plan to swear my sword, spear and life to him as my lord in the near future. He is the one who will become our lady's husband and our true master."
"I agree, I've already been asked by Princess Vinea if I would follow him..." Katie muttered with red cheeks.
"Oh really, Katie?!" Beth smirked. She wasn't a talkative woman, but these were her blood sisters.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Jess asked.
"Well, I couldn't before, but now that I see Princess Vinea has made up her mind thanks to your words Captain. I think we should make a move, we should become his subordinates, or he can't use us when we are needed. He seems to plan to keep Fredricka as our leader, and plans to make us something close to the lady but not quite full demons." Beth added.
"Right, I agree, but I will not abandon the princess until everyone agrees, even if the Lord is the perfect one."
"Hahaha, yes, of course. We are the lady's knights. Even if we are his subordinates, it's just our duty to first protect Our two princesses Linea and Vinea." Jessica added.
***
"Okay! We've completed the quest, it's almost time for dinner so lets head home." Fredricka called out.
The entire group tried to have dinner at the same time. This was something that Erika and Asmodeus requested, something about feeling like family and being one unit together. The only ones spared were the ones on long missions.
They had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together.
When they arrived at the front door, Fredricka sighed.
"Captain?"
"Ah, sorry. I was just thinking, how nice it would be if this could last forever."
"Don't say that, Captain, it's bad luck! What if you jinx it and another war starts when we reach the beast kingdoms?"
"Hehe, don't worry, I will not let the enemy touch a pretty hair on your lovely heads." A powerful and alluring voice came from behind them.
The group turned around and saw their lord in his casual clothes.
He seemed to enjoy the raven black hair that floated down to his back, now tied in a neat ponytail with two long bangs down his cheeks, while two horns flickered with flames on his head. The female knights acted like they didn't thirst after him, but few males could compare to his natural devilish beauty.
Not to mention his actions became more noble and royal after taking etiquette and social lessons from Duchess Alice and Velvet.
"Lord Asmodeus, you seem to be doing well." Fredricka gave a polite salute while the other knights copied her with red cheeks, able to see his exposed chest from the loose black robes showing his muscles and detailed markings. He was like a bad playboy prince that made their hearts flutter.
"Thank you. I heard you guys are back from a long quest to hunt direwolves... It has been a little boring without you here, I look forward to my tactics lessons with you tomorrow Fredricka."
"That is not necessary, Lord, but we thank you for your care." Fredricka tried to hide her face; she, too, wasn't a stone, and they all found his presence to be something that made them try harder.
'Some girls will sit and wait for his training to finish just to see him cleanse himself in the well... Ah~ our poor princesses didn't stand a chance this man is the devil!'
"I see." Asmodeus smiled and began to walk to the gate when he stopped and looked back. "I'm glad you all returned unharmed. Let's have a nice feast tonight. I've already paid the mistress, so drink as much as you like."
"Yes!"
"Oh, yes!"
"Is there anything we can do, milord?"
"No, you ladies deserve a good rest. Take a bath and have a long soak."
"Lord, are you sure?!"
"Yes, go ahead. Vinea missed you, so make sure to cheer her up and tell her about your quest. Congratulations on reaching Rank-C adventurers."
Asmodeus always felt mysterious for the knights when they first started joining quests three weeks ago. Now, he felt more like their lord than even Alan or the King.
He made sure they were healthy, well fed, rested and even medical and other issues would finish before they became a problem.
'It's amazing how he can see us like that, even though he is a demon. It's so kind of him to treat us like a family when he becomes a King. A true king, I wish to become a shield that will help protect him and the princess from harm.'
"Come, my fellow knights! The lord has invited us for a feast, let us return with honour and reward!"
With a loud cheer, the women who no longer acted reserved around him rushed to the baths with bright smiles on their faces. Asmodeus himself might not even realise how deeply the female knights were loyal to him.
However, they all swore that one day they would let him know just how much they appreciated all he had done and would do.
***
It was a quiet evening in the Royal Palace of the Empire of Humans.
The nobles were whispering among themselves, a rare occasion in the past but something that occurred frequently now. This banquet honoured the fallen heroes and tragedy that happened just over two months ago.
"Have you heard? Duke Alan is taking his troops to the north!" A small baron whispered in the crowd, causing the nobles to gasp and some to jeer.
"I have, he has even added some of those summoned heroes to his party! He seems to want to try again, to defeat our enemy. How surprising!"
In the corner, a woman looked void of life and energy, her face beautiful with black hair and dull black eyes.... she was Shiela, who lost her blessing and position as Lumina's apostle, one of the few people who knew the truth.
That Lumina was gone.
She was dead.
Two men approached her with smiles, one a bald, yet handsome mage his brown eyes looking at her like a daughter. His waistband held several wooden runic spell slabs.
"Oh Sheila, do not look so depressed, we do not blame you for anything that happened. The bishop told us of your brainwashing and how you were helpless."
"P-Paul... but I.... that boy.... who helped us..." Her voice was soft, broken and hoarse... it was clear she was close to breaking. A fragile sheet of glass that might not last long at this rate.
"Do you want to make it up to him? To apologise for your sins?" Paul's rough hand, covered in wounds, stroked her silky hair.
He had never got this close to the party in the past; it was thanks to Ryuji, who became like a little brother to him, that awakened his true feelings and showed that he really loved Simon, Alicia and Sheila like a little family.
"If you want keep crying here, then we'll leave you... since our next quest is to hunt down that boy and aid him! Hahaha!" Simon added, drinking his beer, with a fresh scar or two on his face.
"E-Eh?! Find him.... find Ryuji but he's dead.... they say he died..." Sheila looked like a broken kite.
Paul then leaned close to her ear and whispered.
"Haha, no that boy is alive in the south, if we don't hurry we'll miss the chance to catch up with them forever. So? Will you let Alicia win him over and marry him before you apologise?"
"!!!"
And so, the three knights would soon depart from the castle.