The warmth of Yumiko’s forehead still lingered against Asmodeus’ lips when he finally pulled away. Somehow, the woman who took your virginity is a little different; no matter how many women you sleep with, it’s a nostalgic and embarrassing memory that remains sealed deep within one’s consciousness.

"I’ll return soon."

"You had better," Yumiko said, though her fingers remained curled around his wrist a moment longer than necessary.

Erika, still shamelessly bundled in his arms, gave Yumiko a sly grin. "Watch him properly, Yumi. He’s slippery and likes to make promises he can’t keep."

"You are the worst person to say that."

"Hehe~ true, but what can you do to me, fufu?"

After leaving Erika in the care of a nearby maid. Because her delirious comments from sleep deprivation drove him mad.

"Let’s go see Alice, Yumiko." He offered his hand.

Of course, having missed him dearly, the fox took it in a second, and they left for the black tower without a moment’s delay.

Asmodeus made his way toward Alice’s office with Yumiko beside him.

The palace corridors gradually shifted from bright ceremonial halls with huge paintings depicting the history of each nation to a quieter administrative wing where maps, tide charts, censuses and messenger slips covered almost every available wall.

The smell also changed.

From old incense and a solemn feel to a hint of ink, old parchment, cold tea, and the faint salty tang of seawater carried in from open windows.

Alice’s office doors were already open.

Inside, the former Duchess of Grigor stood beside a large coastal map, her jet-black hair falling in a smooth curtain down her back. Her red eyes moved coldly over pins marking Baltimore, the human empire’s nearest ports, and the darkened sea routes where ships had vanished.

"Nerim, are you sure this is the current state of the Empire?"

"I’ve read countless reports, and served as a guide and protector of several rich merchants over the past few years..."

Then, near the window, Nerim turned.

Brown skin warmed by the morning light, pink hair flowing loosely over her shoulders, and blue scales glimmering across her cheeks, arms, and the upper swell of her breasts beneath a fitted spider-silk dress. Her expression brightened for half a breath when she saw him.

Then it soured upon seeing Yumiko hooking his left arm.

"So you remembered this palace exists."

Asmodeus paused.

He never heard Nerim speak to him with such a curt tone after they became lovers, and to his knowledge, he came here the night before...

Only Nerim wasn’t here.

"Oh my~ how interesting."

Yumiko quietly moved toward Alice, pretending not to hear Nerim’s complaint.

Alice, equally composed, lifted a porcelain cup. "Yumiko, was this the southern roasted leaf blend you mentioned?"

"Yes. From the Beast Empire’s mountain border. It has a bitter scent at first, but softens with honey."

Their voices drifted towards the various teas of the empire, and yet he could feel their glances sneak towards them both occasionally, as if enjoying him suffer at the hands of his other women from time to time.

’These damn sadistic women!’

Nerim folded her arms, blue scales catching the light as her teeth clenched, shifting her jaw slightly.

"Well, it truly is difficult to see the illustrious emperor. Even as a woman carrying his children inside her stomach..."

"I know."

"Do you?"

Her beautiful eyes shimmered with a multitude of emotions, frustration, delight, and things like worry buried inside them, along with some he didn’t even recognise.

’There’s no other way...’

He approached her with short, sneaking steps.

Nerim did not retreat or change her expression; she just watched his movements quietly.

"You disappear, then everyone says there will be a war, mentioning something about a world-ending beast called Leviathan. The strange change in the water, causing people to become sick and derranged..." Her fingers gripped her sleeves, pulling them taut. "And I’m supposed to act calm because I’m your wife? And everyone thinks you’ll make it all okay?"

"No."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

Asmodeus caught her wrist, pulled her firmly into the side alcove beside the bookcase, and pressed her back against the wall with a thud.

Nerim inhaled sharply due to the impact.

"Asmo—Mmmmph!?"

He kissed her before she could finish.

His hand braced beside her head, his body shielding hers from the room as his mouth devoured hers with enough force to silence every complaint she had been singing. Nerim stiffened for a single heartbeat, then melted with a low, muffled sound, her fingers clutching the front of his robe as she kissed him back just as hungrily.

Her scales were cool beneath his palm.

Her breath was warm.

When he pulled back, her lips were swollen and parted, her cheeks flushed beneath the delicate blue shimmer.

"Foolish man..." she whispered.

"I know."

"You can’t just kiss me and win."

"I haven’t won yet."

Nerim stared at him, then clicked her tongue, though her hands still held his robe.

"I heard that you’re leaving for Baltimore, is that true?"

"Yes, it’s true. Nerim."

"Then don’t just dump me here as if I am some report on Alice’s desk. I truly thought you’d grown tired of me after listening to what you did with Sister Alice and Vinea...."

His expression softened.

"You’re not."

Though she smiled at his words, it wasn’t until her hand stroked his crotch that her foul mood slightly dissipated.

Her fingers gently squeezed the swollen rod, tracing its shape beneath his robe as she pressed against his chest. "Such a foul man.... Heh... well, I guess you’re just a man who cannot hide his desires."

"...Nerim."

Meanwhile, from the other side of the room, Alice calmly turned a page across from Yumiko, who also sat quietly beside her.

"The human empire has increased movement near the coast," she said, as if nothing had happened. "Three fleets are gathering, though they have not advanced. Either they fear Leviathan as much as we do, or they intend to let the abyssal beasts weaken Baltimore first."

Yumiko poured tea with perfect grace. "And Leviathan?"

The cup in Alice’s hand trembled for a moment, but she remained calm and collected.

Her voice travelled through the entire room, clearly aiming to speak with Asmodeus at the same time.

"Nothing certain for now, other than it has begun to stir in the ocean, creating changes in the waves and sea life due to the black plague spreading from his body. Though the biggest issue is the time Grigor’s offensive weapons are taking to finish."

Yumiko scoffed, "Aren’t you a little harsh to your kin? He is the king after all..."

Alice quickly shook her head, denying Alice’s words.

"Not that, I am just worried... what if the enemy has already entered our midst and stirs trouble as we try to reinforce the coastline? There are countless mainlanders living in Grigor... Not all of them are loyal to these lands."

"Then we prepare for both," he said back to the voice lacking confidence.

Alice glanced over to the hidden shelves, unable to see him, but his words seemed to have a strange sort of comforting effect on his women.

She nodded, her frown fading as she spread her hand over the map.

"Exactly, there must be a way to make this work for us."

Asmodeus released Nerim slowly, but like a little octopus, she clung to his back, her lips touching his body several times before she smiled, pulled back, and nodded happily.

Nerim leaned closer, speaking so low that only he could hear.

"And after the reports?"

Asmodeus glanced down at her.

Nerim’s scales shimmered a deep blue along with her blushing cheeks, and yet her gaze remained stalwart and fierce as she grinned back at him.

"You owe me properly."

He brushed his thumb across the scales on her cheek.

The cold long replaced with a warmth, pulsing heat that matched her racing heartbeat.

"Well, I guess I do."

Nerim’s fingers tightened around his robe.

"Then don’t forget."

"I won’t."

"You said that last time."

Asmodeus gave a wry smile, then leaned down and kissed her forehead, slower this time. Nerim’s pout remained for show, but her shoulders loosened beneath his hand.

Across the room, Yumiko lifted her teacup with suspicious elegance.

"Wow, I almost thought you were going to spread her legs right here, and fuck her against the wall while we enjoyed this sweet, yet slightly bitter tea. Fufu." The fox snarled, glaring at both of the criminals for a moment before snorting.

Alice did not look up. "At least she is quiet, imagine how annoying it’d be if it were Asmodea or Vinea... those girls are too sensitive and cum to easily, always squealing or making strange noises like livestock."

"Oho?" Yumiko’s brows raised as she examined Alice’s body, her lips curved into a crescent moon.

"I can hear both of you," Asmodeus said.

"We know," Yumiko replied.

For a brief moment, the office felt almost peaceful: tea steam curling through the scent of ink and salt, Nerim’s warm body pressed against him. Alice pretended to ignore them while reading the maps and documents on her desk. Meanwhile, Yumiko showed no such pretence and just watched the pair through the shelves with a fond irritation.

Alice’s fingertips paused suddenly as she lifted her head.

"Asmodeus, it’s urgent."

"Hm?"

He thought she was playing around at first, but then she held up one of the confidential reports from Paul himself in Baltimore.

Alice glanced at the document, scrunching up her pretty face.

"Asmodeus, I don’t think we have much time left... it seems that Baltimore may already be compromised!"