Since the issue regarding Ciela was resolved, Empress Sarina changed her attitude and became more respectful. She no longer treated him like a son-in-law but rather as someone of equal stature.

    "The Trial of Aristella? I''ve never heard of it..." Asmodeus lifted his brows while leaning forward to grasp his goblet of wine, curious about the topic.

    ''I assume it''s something close to a dungeon or something I did in the past for Serena.''

    Empress Sarina narrowed her eyes while rubbing the rim of her goblet before curling her lips with a sarcastic smile. "It''s a special trial of the elves, in a location deep within the forest. A sacred place where the world tree sleeps."

    "Sacred place?"

    "The Trial of Aristella... a place only those blessed and accepted by the goddess can enter."No?v(el)B\\jnn

    The Empress stopped for a moment.

    Her lips curled into a mysterious smile, which caused Asmodeus to stop and narrow his gaze.

    ''I can feel it, this child... his aura is overflowing with the love of our goddess.''

    From the moment she noticed his strange aura, the Empress watched as the leaves fluttered and bloomed in his presence, and the buds began to sprout.

    ''We cannot lose him... no matter what!''

    "A trial... something that I assume only elves have taken part in in the past? Can those people on the council accept my presence inside that sacred place?"

    ''After all, he is wise and understands that this will be something hidden.''

    The royal elves worked hard, ensuring that this trial was hidden from the annuls of history...

    ''Forgive me for asking this of you, my dear son-in-law.''

    Her eyes became softer, lowering her brows as she bit her lower lips. It seemed important enough for her to drop the face of an Empress completely and instead as a daughter of Aristella.

    ''But this is the only way... the last seer was chosen two hundred years ago!''

    "Understood."

    Asmodeus didn''t complain.

    Instead, each time her mother spoke more, Ciela''s soft hand gripped his tighter, the concern and worry in her eyes flickering as he peeked back at her face with a bitter smile.

    ''It can''t be helped, my lovely elven fiancee looks so desperate to help...''

    "Can you tell me more about the trial? Mother."

    His words became warmer, and his tone lost its edge. He wanted to consider Ciela''s feelings, so Asmodeus decided to meet the Empress halfway.

    —Clank~

    Sarina set down her goblet with a sigh before clearing her throat.

    "Ahem, the trial''s details are a mystery even to me, Asmodeus." For a moment, her eyes narrowed, her lips shrinking as she seemed bitter.

    "What do you mean?" A curious Asmodeus asked while taking note of the Empress''s reaction.

    ''She seems genuinely frustrated... Why?''

    The Empress adjusted her seating before lifting the second bottle of wine, offering a refill to everyone while pressing her lips together.

    "The goddess has vanished, she no longer answers our prayers... for over two hundred years she has not once responded... despite this..."

    Her green eyes gleamed, and she gazed up at Asmodeus with their powerful and determined light, which caused him to swallow his saliva. "You..."

    "Aristella has chosen an outsider like you, maybe because we have failed her! That is why I sought your aid and asked for this meeting—oh, king of demons. I know this is arrogant and a hard request, but I beseech you."

    "Mother?! What are you doing?"

    "Empress?"

    She stood from the sofa, placed her right hand across her chest, and lowered her body, showing a respectful and sincere sign of request.

    "Asmodeus, King of Demons. I, Empress Ar''Sarina, follower of Aristella, ask of you, please complete the trial and save our empire from ruin!"

    Whereas before, it felt more like an informal request, the moment he saw her so earnestly asking for his aid, it felt strange to Asmodeus.

    ''It reminds me of Alan''s first request to me...''

    Asmodeus waited for a moment, able to feel Ciela''s panic. Her hand grasped him tighter, and her heart pounded louder in his ears. He peeked at Erika, who looked amazed, with shining eyes at the bowing Empress. Levia''s warm breath made it obvious she was behind him.

    "The Tears of Aristella... can they help Ciela''s father, the Emperor?"

    To his words, the entire body of the Empress shuddered as he noticed her teeth bite together.

    ''That tremble gave me the answer...''

    His mind filled with memories of when he couldn''t do anything other than fight and kill things before Alan showed him the light and a path.

    The times Alan asked for help, tried to help him and struggled to break through his stubborn ways caused Asmodeus to chuckle before placing a hand on the Empress''s shoulder.

    "Do not bow to me, not yet at least... when I surpass you, feel free to worship me, Mother-in-law. I will take the trial, but Ciela will come with me."

    ''After all, I cannot deny I am weak to mothers... though at first I mistook that feeling for love, and desire, when it was really just a longing for someone to show me affection. Like Mother did.''

    "..."

    Sarina looked up at Asmodeus, his face calm yet glowing with confidence and excitement. She couldn''t express her feelings.

    His smile reminded her of a young child getting a gift for the first time.

    "Before you ask why, it''s because I know she would want to be part of this, to see it through and help her family. I am not asking for your permission—my wives aren''t weak dolls—they are powerful demons, and I will nurture them to surpass all others."

    "You want to help your mother, Right Ciela?" He asked, while cheekily grinding, helping the Empress to her feet.

    "Ah... Asmodeus... are you sure?" Ciela''s voice turned weak as her hand was taken by the Empress and pulled into a hug.

    "Ciela, are you willing to help your Father with me?"

    Asmodeus wanted her to feel no guilt, both the Empress and her daughter.

    He noticed that Ciela and many of the other women didn''t show him when they struggled with things, hiding their feelings behind a veil.

    "Is... is it really okay?"

    Ciela turned to face him with a look of uncertainty.

    The moment he nodded, her face glowed bright with a beautiful smile, like a flower just blooming, radiant and filled with life.