Chapter 38: It's Good to Have a Wife
It turned out that everything had been a complete conspiracy from the very beginning.
A long time ago, the Goblin Priests under the command of the Grand Duke of Greed, Mammon, used an evil sorcery called "Skin-Wearing" to disguise themselves as humans and infiltrate the exiles of The Seventh Layer.
They secretly sowed discord and spread rumors, exploiting the human descendants' despair over their plight and their longing for freedom to meticulously orchestrate this farce of a "Second Seal" against the Demon Lord.
"G... Goblins?!"
Looking at the ugly creature twitching on the ground, the rest of the human assassins were terrified, their weapons clattering to the floor.
"Then... then what about the real Captain Ryan?"
"Your captain is likely long dead."
Asmodeus glanced indifferently at the pile of rotten meat, his tone carrying a matter-of-fact coldness:
"To deal with me, Malfas would use any low-life trick. This method of peeling off a living person's skin to wear it is the very sorcery Goblin Priests are best at."
Saying this, Asmodeus frowned in disgust:
"That is why I didn't include Goblins as one of the regular races back then, but banished them to the wilderness. Not only because of their nauseating stench, but also because of their bottomless greed and their disgusting nature of being rooted to the spot at the sight of a woman."
"Asmodeus... Asmodeus!"
Hearing the Demon Lord's words, "Ryan"... or more accurately, the dark green Goblin Priest whose true identity had been exposed, was still roaring with a raspy voice even with his last breath, his eyes full of malice:
"Don't think... don't think you've won just like that!"
"In three hundred years... countless self-important fools have challenged the Grand Duke's trial to break the seal, but not a single one has left alive!"
"Even if your strength is unrivaled in the world, in this labyrinth where rules are supreme, wisdom and luck are the masters! Your brute force is useless!"
"No matter what, don't even think about leaving this place! Hahahaha—"
"Noisy."
Asmodeus looked disdainful.
Facing the mockery of the ant before him, he didn't even bother to glance at the other party. He just waved his hand casually, releasing a dispelling spell, and all the chains on Nia and the others broke.
"Tayako, take these three Goblins far away and deal with them."
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
Tayako responded sharply, tears faintly falling from his eyes.
After three hundred years, he had finally witnessed the divine might of His Majesty the Demon Lord once again! How could he not be moved to tears?
On the other side, Asmodeus turned around, his eyes calmly watching those human descendants who were kneeling on the ground and trembling.
"As for you humans..."
"Lord... Lord Demon Lord..."
"We were also deceived..."
These people knew they had committed an unforgivable capital offense.
Before absolute power, they didn't even have the courage to run. One by one, they kowtowed to the ground, their faces full of regret and fear, only able to wait quietly for the judgment of death.
However.
The expected destruction did not descend.
After a moment of silence, Asmodeus only said calmly:
"Although you were incited by villains and it is understandable, you actually had the thought of killing me and even drew your swords against me. This is great disrespect, an unpardonable sin."
Everyone's hearts went cold.
But the Demon Lord changed his tone:
"However... considering your ancestors once performed great services for the Demon Race, and the primary goal now is to pass the Grand Duke of Greed's trial, I do not wish to waste time on pointless killing."
"Your death sentences will be recorded for now. If your performance is acceptable in the future, I might consider pardoning you."
"Begone."
These words were like heavenly music!
"Lord Demon Lord! Thank you for your mercy, Lord Demon Lord!"
"Wuwuwu... Your Majesty is benevolent! We... I will definitely swear loyalty to Your Majesty until death!"
The humans were as if granted a general amnesty, kowtowing and thanking him with tears of gratitude.
At this moment, Asmodeus's image in their hearts completely transformed from "the legendary tyrant" and "the incompetent sealed one" to "the magnanimous True King."
Having dealt with these trivial matters, Asmodeus yawned and looked at Tayako:
"Alright, since there's nothing else, I'm going back to my room to rest—remember to prepare breakfast tomorrow morning. My wife is already carrying my offspring, so there must be nutrient-rich food."
"Yes!"
Facing the Demon Lord's command, Tayako responded loudly.
But immediately after, Tayako, Nia, and the others were slightly stunned:
"Wait? Offspring?"
"So Lilith and the Demon Lord have already... Eh? Did that kind of thing happen in the Underground Labyrinth? But how does the Demon Lord know she's already pregnant? Eh?"
The whole group blinked in confusion.
But thinking that he was that great and magnanimous Demon Lord, perhaps it could be explained? — "The Demon Lord should be able to use some kind of magic to detect whether she's pregnant or not, right?"
"Forget it, whatever."
"Respectfully seeing off the Demon Lord!"
Amidst the shouts of his subordinates, Asmodeus waved his hand and left calmly... The scene shifted back to the previous bedroom.
The room was still quiet and warm.
Asmodeus walked to the bedside with light steps. By the faint light of the Magic Crystals, he saw his fiancée still fast asleep.
She had kicked off half the blanket, and a thin bath towel was loosely wrapped around her, revealing a large portion of a rounded shoulder and a long, slender leg, white and flawless.
Her snow-white long hair was scattered on the pillow, and a few strands of hair were playfully stuck to her slightly flushed cheek—she was sleeping soundly, her pink lips slightly pouted, glowing with a translucent pink light under the crystal's glow, and occasionally making cute little snoring sounds.
"..."
Standing by the bed, Asmodeus quietly watched this scene.
For some reason.
Looking at such a cute, moving, and defenseless Lilith, an abnormal, crimson ripple unexpectedly flickered in Asmodeus's originally calm eyes.
He frowned slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"Strange?"
"Why do I have... an impulse to bully her and make her cry?"
Wanting to wake her up;
Wanting to see her crying and begging for mercy;
Wanting to leave his mark on her flawless skin!
The red light in his eyes grew stronger; it was a predatory and possessive desire originating from instinct.
But soon.
Lilith seemed to feel cold, unconsciously shrinking her body and mumbling something.
Asmodeus's eyes narrowed, and he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing that dangerous agitation.
"Whew..."
He shook his head helplessly, a self-mocking smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
Then, he lifted the blanket and crawled back into bed—with a sweep of his large hand, he skillfully pulled that soft body into his arms, letting her back press tightly against his chest.
Feeling the solid touch and the faint fragrance in his arms, Asmodeus closed his eyes, a sense of unprecedented satisfaction welling up in his heart.
"The feeling of having a fiancée... is really good."
Thinking this, Asmodeus turned his head and gave Lilith's tender cheek a firm kiss, emitting a crisp 'mwah' sound.
"Goodnight, my queen."
Lilith, "disturbed" by this kiss, did not wake up.
She just wrinkled her cute little nose and subconsciously grabbed Asmodeus's finger in her sleep, murmuring dizzily:
"Lord Demon Lord... don't do this... mmm..."