Asmodeus sat on an exquisite sofa, with Liana, Vinea and Velvet sitting on either side of him. Sariel and Levia were also present, standing behind him, while Yuina sat quietly opposite them.

They didn''t take long, once meeting on the plains, to return to the palace gifted to them in the capital. Thanks to the events of the other day, Empress Aurelia quickly replaced the guardsmen and fired those who the church bought out.

''Well... they were fired officially. In truth, she kept them in the dungeon beneath the main palace.''

"Asmodeus, how was your time training?" Velvet asked because she had noticed the strange monster with a human body sitting close to the sofa but only looking at one thing.

Asmodeus.

"Well thanks to this cute spider, I managed to reach another level. Though the goddess Serena also helped greatly." He then touched his chin and imitated a thinking face before he smiled. "Ah, Baku became my pet, so he will join us soon enough!"

"Baku... you mean the son of Byakuya?" Yuina''s face looked pale, but her lips curled into a smile.

"Yeah, that white cat. He lost to me in a fight, and somehow we ended up getting along."

Most of the demon knights didn''t quite know the significance, but Aki and Yuina both began to tremble at the idea of a spirit beast.

A being said to be the king of all beasts became his pet.

"Well, may I ask how your training went, Aki, Velvet?" Asmodeus didn''t ask too much when they arrived at the battle.

Because he spent a little too long in the north, and their time was short.

"I enjoyed training, Alice seemed to grow the most though... considering she isn''t a demon knight." Velvet looked at her relative.

The duchess sat at a table while eating the sweet desserts gifted by the empress.

''So Alice likes sweets...''

Like this, Asmodeus and the women spoke about their experiences and gains over the past two weeks, but many of them seemed to notice that he changed. However, he kept it a secret that he and Lumina spent over half a year in that special zone.

***

"So what is the plan for the hunt, Asmodeus?" Yuina asked while sipping on her strawberry jam and cream tea.

He looked at the beautiful blonde fox and nodded. Her tails now numbered five, and she seemed more powerful and focused.

"Well I think we should split into groups, and those who can cover each other''s weaknesses should be how we select the groups. I asked Aurelia and the largest a group can be is ten." Asmodeus originally knew nothing about the hunt.

It was a simple event in the past.

Hunters would choose a person to dedicate their catch to and would select the winner from whoever had the most out of those people.

Then, the catch would be devoted to the goddess for a great harvest and to avoid drought and any natural disasters.

The empire used it as both a romantic and religious event.

"I see... are you going to make us create groups before you choose?" Alice asked, her mouth covered in cake as she chewed another cream tart.

"Ah, I will be going alone."

"What?!" Yuina''s face looked shocked as she stood up, her tail swelling with erect fur.

"Why?" Liana''s seductive voice echoed as she clung to his neck.

"If there are any more issues, come see me later and I will help discuss further with you."

''Most of them seem to have accepted my words for now.''

Asmodeus convinced the women, and soon after, they returned to their various rooms. However, Yuina, Aki, and Liana remain while looking at the sudden appearance of the strange monster with a woman''s body.

"Asmodeus... may I ask who she is?" Liana''s voice was low, and her eyes glowed with a jealous light.

From the start of the meeting, Lumina didn''t look at anyone else but him, and this wasn''t something the women missed. However, it seemed they nominated Liana as their representative using eye signals.

''I see... they noticed how awkward it was.''

[Tell them the truth, you damn playboy!]

Explore new worlds at empire

''Don''t be jealous...''

[Heh...]

Serena seemed to have been really hurt by him touching a former goddess, even though she made the situation happen. It seemed the ritual only went that far when the compatibility of the two members was high.

Now, she was acting jealous just to make him feel bad.

"Yes, my apologies for introducing you all late. Lumi is a special comrade who saved me from death." After explaining, he pulled Liana onto his lap, hugged her tight against his chest and stroked her soft red hair.

He then glanced at the other women with apologetic eyes.

"Is that not enough for now, I promise to tell you more in the future."

Liana''s hands wrapped around his biceps as she gazed up at his face. Though she didn''t mind, the others wanted an explanation. Since he admitted, this female spider monster was someone important who helped save him...

"Hmm... you''re right." Liana spoke up and leaned against his chest while looking at the white spider. Her legs were thin and long, the same width as Lumina''s waist. So when she moved, they bobbed around, giving off a weird vibe. ''Still, this woman...''

She wore a delicate silver crown made of silk around her head, which made her look like a queen.

"Hmph... as long as you don''t forget us, then it will be okay." Liana snorted while kissing his neck. It appeared the spider''s existence didn''t matter compared to his attention.

"I would never..."

"Let''s return to my room..." She then whispered into his ear.

''Oh?''

Her fingers then brushed over his shoulder and along his arm, sending shivers up his spine.

"It''s been to long~ okay?"

"I see, then let''s go."

With this, he settled Liana''s worries, at least, as the other women watched him leaving with her in his arms. Lumina gazed at his back before it vanished, and then she started creating a place to sleep near the ceiling.

Yuina and Aki could only become stunned at Asmodeus leaving with Liana so easily.

"Idiot... I wanted to speak to you." Yuina sighed before following them out of the room.