Chapter 921: Yumiko and Yuina’s arrival

Despite spending the night together, nothing happened between Asmodeus and Valena.

At least, nothing physical.

When the morning light finally peeked from between the curtains, Asmodeus opened his eyes to find the dragoness still curled against his chest. One wing draped over his body and her tail wrapped so tightly around his waist that even he could feel the pressure. Somehow, during the night, she'd managed to steal almost the entire blanket and several pillows while still refusing to release the front of his shirt.

"It's covered in tears and snot..." He mumbled, watching her messy face scrunched up with a peaceful smile. "Well, it was worth it to see her like this."

'Though I need to get going soon.'

Yet he found it difficult to peel himself away from her after the night. He could feel it clearly now, afterwards, that something had changed between them. The simple fact that she'd allow him to see her delicate and vulnerable self right now was a sign of that.

"Phew."

Asmodeus gently stroked her hair, thinking about how Valena had continued smiling even after losing her mother and being cursed. Though after last night, he understood she'd been forcing herself and had reached her limit.

"Nnn...."

Valena began to twist and turn as if sensing his intention to leave.

"...Don't go~"

She tightly fastened her tail in a knot and yanked him, pulling the bedding and Asmodeus towards her chest.

"Haa... I'm not leaving yet. So wake up and stop being so silly."

Whether she heard him or not, the tension gradually disappeared from her face, and the fierce pressure crushing his waist also became lighter.

Asmodeus remained still for a long while, despite the uncomfortable position and blinding light from the sun. His left arm had gone completely numb beneath her body, and one of her horns was pressing directly against his shoulder.

Yet he just couldn't move her.

'Have I become too soft?'

The thought almost made him laugh.

A few years ago, he would've escaped her grip without hesitation and continued with whatever needed doing. But now he found himself staring at the sleeping dragoness, wondering whether another ten minutes would really matter.

"Haa..."

Apparently not.

He leaned back against the pillow and closed his eyes again.

However, Valena's nose suddenly twitched.

Her eyebrows scrunched together as she breathed against his chest before slowly opening one eye.

"...Mm?"

"Morning."

She stared at him blankly.

Asmodeus could almost feel the heat of her skin rising as her cheek scales turned bright red, confusion growing with each moment.

"Ah....Ah.....Ahhhh...?!" Her beautiful raspy voice echoed in the room as she screamed. "W-What's going on? Why are we in bed together?! D-Did we....?" She checked the room, scanning it before peeking between her legs and then at the bedsheets.

Only then did she sigh.

"Thank god... you didn't take my virginity."

He just enjoyed the sight, not bothering to correct her or complain. He just leaned on his palm until she finally relaxed.

"Morning, troublesome dragon."

"Shut up."

Asmodeus smiled and continued stroking her hair, choosing not to torment her too much. Judging by the way her body stiffened, she clearly remembered at least some of what happened last night.

Yet, the shame and embarrassment being shared between their emotional link were quite obvious.

'Though why does she feel disappointed?'

Valena began to rub her head and leaned against his chest naturally.

"Ugh... My head hurts so much."

"That's what happens when you open special alcohol made to get demons drunk.... It's dangerous, you know?"

"E-Eh?! I just liked how sweet and hot it made the back of my throat... I didn't drink that much. But are you mad?"

"Not at all."

"Ah?" she sighed loudly before closing her eyes and rubbing her body against his, like a cat sharing its scent. Valena seemingly abandoned the argument before it even started.

Not that he minded.

"We need to get something to eat and head out soon."

"...."

Valena didn't respond for a few moments before finally asking. "D-Do we have to leave?" Her tail slapped Asmodeus's thigh several times as she glanced up into his eyes. "It's really comfortable here, isn't it?"

"That is..."

He couldn't deny it.

The body of Valena was both soft and warm. Even when naked, she left no unpleasant chill or wind to touch them from the open window.

'Like a portable body heater.'

Not that the cold or wind meant much to a demon god emperor.

"Come on." Asmodeus finally forced himself upright, taking Valena with him because her tail still refused to let go. "We can eat on the way. Ciela should already be preparing to leave."

"Mhm..."

Valena didn't argue this time.

About an hour later, the atmosphere outside Simon's castle was completely different from the quiet bedroom.

Several carriages filled with the injured Beastmen were already lined along the main road. Healers moved between them while soldiers loaded food, medicine and supplies for the journey west.

Ciela stood near the gates with her twenty demonic archers.

The dark elf wore her full armour again, her green hair tied back neatly while she inspected everyone preparing to leave. Nobody looking at her now would've imagined what happened inside Simon's office yesterday.

Beside her stood Elena. ℯ

The lioness had also changed clothes, replacing the damaged outfit she'd worn during the incident with simple leather armour provided by the soldiers. A large cloak covered her shoulders, though her ears and thick tail made hiding her race impossible.

"Darling!"

Ciela noticed him first.

She raised her hand, but didn't leave the formation.

Asmodeus approached with Valena following beside him.

"Everything ready?"

"Almost. The scouts I sent ahead haven't reported anything dangerous along the western roads yet." Ciela pointed towards the carriages. "But I'm going through the forest rather than following the main route once we leave Baltimore."

"That's nostalgic..."

"Ehehe~ you remembered? The first time we went there was quite the disaster..."

"I would do anything for you, though."

"Asmodeus...." Ciela's cheeks flushed dark red as she clung to his arm. They rarely spoke about the past, so when she hinted at it. He couldn't pretend to remember. It wasn't a long journey, but it was a period in time that Asmodeus enjoyed.

"Come on, we can't keep flirting..."

"Tsk... stingy bastard," Ciela said under her breath.

'This girl...'

His gaze moved towards Elena.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better, Your Majesty." She bowed slightly. "Lady Ciela has already explained what she expects from me."

"Stop calling me Lady Ciela. It sounds disgusting."

"Ah... then, Queen Ciela?"

"YOU?!"

"Hahahaha." Asmodeus couldn't help but chuckle. He knew his wives well, and Ciela didn't show this side of herself to people she hadn't accepted. 'Though it might only be for my sake, she's not rejecting Elena... that's good.'

Asmodeus ignored them and looked towards the gathering Beastmen.

Most were still recovering from the drugs, but they could walk and speak normally now. Those in worse condition remained inside Baltimore under Simon's protection.

He didn't intend to rush them back to the Beast Kingdom, but once they heard about Yumiko and Yuina coming to Baltimore before visiting their homeland, most of the people who suffered the night before requested to join the convoy.

'It's a good thing that idiot merchant group is still going.'

While lost in thought, a familiar group approached from the opposite side of the courtyard.

"Ryuji!"

The voice reached him before the woman's face appeared.

Yumiko raised her arm while walking beside Yuina, several Beastwomen and Valkyries following behind them.

Asmodeus hadn't seen her wearing armour like that for a long time.

It brought back memories he hadn't expected.

"Yumiko."

Yumiko immediately started rushing towards him.

Filled with a strange excitement, he also dashed to her with a smile on his face.

"You look amazing."

She stopped before him and immediately looked towards the Beastmen waiting beside the carriages. "Ah..." It wasn't just them, so when he suddenly lifted her, a little yelp left her lips before she clung to his waist with her legs. "W-Wait... Ryuji, there are others.....Ahhh...!?"

Yumiko's face flushed deeply as Asmodeus spun once before setting her down again. Even after her feet touched the ground, she still kept both hands around his shoulders for several moments, smiling in a way he hadn't seen for far too long.

"I missed you."

"Me too."

Her ears twitched happily before she finally released him.

Only then did Asmodeus look towards Yuina. The mature and elegant former empress of the beast kingdom.

Unlike Yumiko, she hadn't rushed forward.

The former Beast Empress approached at a calm pace, her long hair and elegant armour and kimono giving her the same dignified appearance he remembered. Yet the moment their eyes met, her expression softened considerably.

"It has been some time, dear husband."

"Yuina."

She stopped before him and lowered her head slightly.

For a moment, Asmodeus thought she would simply greet him formally.

Instead, Yuina reached forward and carefully took his hand between both of hers.

"...I am glad you're safe. The stories the others told me... I truly wish you would call upon us more often. This weak and lowly kitsune would do anything for you. Dear husband."

Her voice remained composed, but the warmth passing through her fingers, which gently caressed him, told him all the hidden things her words lacked.

Asmodeus smiled and squeezed her hands.

"Yuina, I..." Asmodeus noticed the curious gazes from outsiders, but he didn't care. "I missed you too. To the level that I wanted to fly over to your room and..."

"Shhhh!" Yuina's cheeks flushed pink as she averted her eyes.

Memories of the night they conceived her two children were revived by his words, causing the poor empress to lose her composure for a moment.

Yumiko immediately started laughing beside them.

"Don't tease her! You know she won't say it properly!"

"I-I can speak for myself, Yumiko."

Yuina's cheeks reddened before she finally stepped closer and rested her forehead lightly against Asmodeus's chest.

It lasted only a few seconds before she straightened again as if nothing had happened.

"...I missed you very much."

Asmodeus didn't make a joke or mock her. he just gently stroked her head and patted Yumiko's behind. The outsiders likely understood him as a man by now, so there wasn't any reason to hold back.

"I'm just happy you both came so soon."