Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 63: William, The Butler

The hallway was long.

Dark and silent.

Only the echo of the group’s footsteps could be heard.

Max walked at the front.

Slow.

Precise.

Every step measured.

Behind him—Sophie, Moon, Dorian, Varis, and Neros.

All in a line.

No one spoke.

Trying not to make a sound.

The castle... felt dangerous.

Torches lined the walls.

Dim light.

Shadows shifting with every flicker of flame.

Max observed.

Closed doors.

Intersecting corridors.

Guards in the distance.

’Too many.’

They kept going. Straight ahead. Just as Lamia had said.

Until—

A figure appeared. Standing. Waiting. Elegant dark suit. White gloves. Dark hair slicked back. Sharp gaze.

William, the butler.

He looked at them without surprise.

As if he already knew.

"I assume Lamia already told you about me."

Calm. Polite voice.

Max didn’t respond.

Sophie stepped forward.

"We’re friends of Abby."

Pause.

"We’re here to rescue her."

Silence.

William blinked.

For the first time... emotion.

Surprise.

"...I see."

He turned on his heel.

"Then follow me."

Without waiting for a reply, he started walking.

The group followed.

Quickly.

They turned into another direction.

Deeper into the castle.

Less traffic.

More silence.

More danger.

William stopped in front of a door.

He glanced around.

Making sure no one was coming.

Then opened it.

"Inside."

One by one, they entered.

Quick.

William closed the door behind them.

Secure.

Absolute silence.

The room was small.

Just a table and chairs.

Nothing else.

William turned.

Looked at all of them.

"...I was the one who helped Princess Abigail escape the castle."

Pause.

"Back then."

Sophie lowered her gaze.

Listening.

"But now..."

William pressed his lips slightly.

"Lord Lucifero has taken measures."

Silence.

"More guards."

Pause.

"More control."

Another pause.

"...And an infernal collar."

Moon tilted her head.

Confused.

"What’s that?"

Max answered.

Cold. Direct.

"An invisible chain."

Pause.

"If the target leaves the assigned area..."

Silence.

"...they die automatically."

Moon’s eyes widened.

"...That’s horrible."

Dorian crossed his arms.

Serious.

"It’s been a while since I’ve heard of something like that."

Pause.

"That’s the work of a tyrant."

William nodded.

Slowly.

"The only way to get her out... is to remove the collar."

Silence.

"But the key..."

He looked down.

"...is in Lucifero’s hands."

Heavy silence.

Max stepped forward.

"Are you willing to help us?"

Direct.

No hesitation.

William looked at him.

Serious.

"...I thought my part was just getting you inside."

Pause.

"As workers."

He shook his head slightly.

"This... wasn’t part of the deal."

Sophie stepped closer.

"Abby said you were her best friend here."

Firm, but gentle voice.

"Please."

Pause.

"Help us."

Silence.

William closed his eyes.

Thought for a second.

"...Ever since Azael brought her back..."

He opened them.

"...no one has seen her."

The group tensed.

"Not even me."

Silence.

Max frowned.

Then—

"No other choice."

Everyone looked at him.

"...We’ll have to face Lucifero directly."

Varis raised his hand.

"Maybe..."

He hesitated.

"...it would be better to infiltrate as workers."

Pause.

"And gather information."

Max shook his head.

Quick.

"Information from where?"

He pointed at William.

"Even he doesn’t know where she is."

Silence.

William nodded.

"...That’s true."

Pause.

"Unless you’re a demon or a succubus... it’s very difficult to speak with the nobles inside."

Neros stepped forward, hand on his sword.

"I’m ready to fight anyone."

Pause.

"...and so is my blade."

Moon stood firm.

Determined.

"Me too."

William let out a long sigh.

"I don’t want this to turn into hell so quickly..."

Max shook his head.

"Neither do I."

Pause.

"...I don’t want to fight."

Silence.

"I want to challenge Lucifero."

Everyone stared at him.

Sophie frowned.

"...Even if you talk to him, he won’t release her."

Pause.

"She’s his own daughter and he keeps her imprisoned."

Max nodded.

"I know."

Firm gaze.

"That’s not my goal."

Silence.

"I want to face him."

Pause.

"...get the information out of him."

Another pause.

"...and distract him."

He looked at Sophie.

Direct.

"I’m going to need your invisibility trick."

Sophie didn’t hesitate.

"Tell me."

Max continued.

"Someone has to steal the collar’s key."

Silence.

"...That’s you."

Sophie smiled faintly.

Determined.

"For my best friend Abby..."

Pause.

"...I’d do anything."

William watched them.

One by one.

Silence.

Then he smiled.

"...Looks like Abigail made some good friends outside this place."

Pause.

"...I’m in."

He looked at Max.

"I’ll help however I can."

Max nodded.

"Perfect."

Silence.

Firm gaze.

Decision made.

"Then..."

Pause.

"...take me to Lucifero."

***

The group moved through the hallway.

Footsteps.

Distant voices.

Max walked covered by his cloak.

Hood low.

Face hidden.

Following William closely.

The butler moved calmly.

Confident.

As if the castle belonged to him.

He greeted people as he passed.

"Good morning."

"Good shift."

"Excellent work."

Knights.

Servants.

Little devils carrying boxes.

Everyone responded.

Respect.

Routine.

No suspicion.

Around Max—

Invisible shadows.

Sophie.

Moon.

Dorian.

Varis.

Neros.

Each with an invisibility seal on their forehead.

Moving through the crowd.

Avoiding bodies.

Holding their breath.

One wrong step...

And it was over.

William spoke without turning.

Low voice.

"So far, so good."

Pause.

"We’re not far from the royal hall."

Max nodded beneath the hood.

"Perfect."

Pause.

"...I’m ready."

A small hand grabbed his.

Moon’s.

Invisible.

But there.

Firm.

Slightly trembling.

"..."

Max lowered his gaze slightly.

He couldn’t see her.

But he knew.

He smiled.

Gently squeezed her hand.

"Relax."

He whispered.

"I’ve got everything under control."

Moon didn’t reply.

But she didn’t let go.

William continued.

"...I appreciate what you’re doing for Miss Abigail."

Pause.

"Truly."

Max didn’t answer.

He just kept walking.

Then—

They felt another presence.

Heavy.

Imposing.

It was Azael.

Walking in the opposite direction.

Hands behind his back.

Confident smile.

Proud.

He stopped when he saw the butler.

"William."

Relaxed voice.

The butler slightly bowed his head.

"Lord Azael."

Azael looked at Max.

Up and down.

Curious.

"And who’s that?"

Silence.

Max lowered his head further.

Hiding his face.

Motionless.

William answered without hesitation.

"A butcher."

Pause.

"He got lost in the corridors."

He pointed ahead.

"I’m taking him to the restroom."

Azael raised an eyebrow.

"...The restroom is the other way."

William corrected himself naturally.

"Right."

Pause.

"Then we’re coming back from there."

A faint smile.

"I’m taking him back to his carriage."

Silence.

Azael didn’t take his eyes off Max.

Analyzing him.

Max reacted.

He forced his voice.

Different.

Rough.

"...I’m looking for a collar."

Pause.

"I lost it while searching for the restroom in these endless hallways."

Silence.

Azael tilted his head.

"...You have a curious voice."

Max replied quickly.

"I’m congested."

Pause.

Silence.

Azael narrowed his eyes.

"...I don’t know what that is."

He shrugged.

"But alright."

Faint smile.

"I hope you find your collar."

He turned.

Started walking.

Passed right beside them.

And then—

He stepped on something.

His foot sank slightly.

Soft.

Invisible.

It was Moon’s tail.

The girl’s eyes widened instantly.

Pain.

She covered her mouth with both hands.

Holding it in.

Shaking.

Not a single sound.

Azael stumbled slightly.

Annoyed.

"...What the hell?"

He looked down.

Frowned.

Then looked at William.

"They did a poor job fixing this hallway."

William sighed.

Tired.

"That’s why those little devils charged so cheap."

Pause.

"I’ll take care of it."

Azael adjusted himself.

Irritated.

And kept walking.

He left.

Disappeared.

Silence.

Until—

Max let out a breath.

Moon was still holding his hand.

Tighter now.

William resumed walking.

As if nothing had happened.

"Follow me."

Pause.

"We’re almost there."

The group moved again.

More alert.

More tense.

The hallway opened up.

Wide space.

Columns.

Massive doors at the end.

Decorated.

Imposing.

Two guards on each side.

Red armor.

Cold stares.

The royal hall.

William stopped in front of the entrance.

Turned slightly. Looked at Max.

"...This is it."

Silence.

Max swallowed.

Took a step forward.

And without thinking twice—

He walked in.