Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 64: Talking with the King of Devils

The doors opened. Slow. Heavy.

A deep sound echoed through the hall.

Max stepped in. William at his side.

The space was enormous. High ceilings. Black columns. Living shadows dancing between infernal torches. And at the far end something like a throne.

No. A chair. Massive. Disproportionate.

And on it—

Lucifero. A red devil. Crimson skin. Long white hair. Messy, yet elegant. Nearly two meters tall. Reclined. Relaxed. As if the world didn’t matter.

Max felt the pressure in the air. On his chest. Hard to breathe.

"..."

Lucifero spoke without looking at them.

"William..."

Pause.

"What do you want now?"

He shifted slightly.

"...I’m busy resting."

Pause.

"...thinking about how to convince that idiot Dante to pay more for my daughter."

William lowered his head.

"My apologies, sir."

Pause.

"But someone wishes to speak with you about that matter."

Silence.

Invisible, Sophie tensed.

She couldn’t move forward.

Her body wouldn’t respond.

Her instincts screamed danger.

Neros appeared beside her.

Took her hand.

Firm.

Gave her a signal.

’Together.’

Sophie took a deep breath.

Nodded.

With him... she was fine.

Both moved.

Slow. Silent.

Circling.

Meanwhile—

Lucifero straightened slightly.

Looked at Max.

"If you’re going to speak to me..."

Pause.

"...show yourself."

Silence.

"...I don’t like talking to someone who won’t show their face."

Max didn’t hesitate.

He removed his cloak.

His face revealed.

"It’s a pleasure..."

Pause.

"...to stand before a boss from my favorite game."

Silence.

Lucifero narrowed his eyes.

"...I didn’t understand a word."

Pause.

"...but your face seems familiar."

He leaned forward slightly.

"My son Azael mentioned something."

A faint smile.

"...a short-eared elf."

Pause.

"Who helped him retrieve my daughter."

Max tensed.

"He said he already rewarded you."

Lucifero rested his head on his hand.

"...If you came for more..."

Pause.

"...you’re mistaken."

Max shook his head.

"That’s not it."

Pause.

"I never intended to help him."

Silence.

"...I’m Abby’s friend."

Firm gaze.

"I came to take her back."

Around them—

Sophie and Neros searched.

Waist. Hands. Pockets.

Moon and Varis moved along the furniture.

Silent.

Checking everything.

Lucifero laughed.

Soft at first.

Then louder.

"..."

He was enjoying this.

"This is good."

Pause.

"Really."

He looked at Max.

"Tell me what you want."

Max clenched his teeth.

"Don’t laugh."

Pause.

"I’m serious."

One step forward.

"Tell me where Abby is."

Silence.

"...I know you plan to sell her to that idiot Dante."

His voice hardened.

"...You’re a terrible father."

The laughter grew.

Louder.

Crueler.

As if hearing the best joke.

Meanwhile—

Sophie saw it.

A keyring on his belt.

Too many keys.

Impossible to tell which was which.

And impossible to steal... easily.

William spoke.

"Sir."

Pause.

"The boy is serious."

Lucifero stopped laughing.

Instantly.

He looked at Max.

Cold.

"I can’t believe..."

Pause.

"...someone could be this stupid."

Silence.

"...to stand before the King of Devils..."

He leaned forward.

"...and try to save his daughter."

Pause.

"She has a duty."

Hard gaze.

"...to be given to the highest bidder."

Silence.

Max lifted his cloak slightly.

Showing his hammer.

"I’m not playing."

Pause.

"Give me back my friend."

He stepped forward.

"...Where is she?"

Silence.

Lucifero studied him.

Serious.

Then smiled.

"...I like you."

Pause.

"A great clown."

He looked at William.

"I’ll raise your salary."

Max sighed.

Shrugged.

"Alright."

Pause.

"You got me."

A faint smile.

"...It’s all a joke."

Silence.

"I actually came... because that damn Abby owes me something."

Pause.

"And I wanted to collect it in person."

Lucifero nodded.

"Now that makes sense."

Pause.

"Let’s get to the point."

He leaned back.

"But I have to protect her."

Cold smile.

"...Her beautiful face belongs to Dante."

Max shook his head.

"Dante isn’t here."

Pause.

"And I’m not going to touch her."

Silence.

"I just want to know where she hid something of mine."

Lucifero tilted his head.

"...I could send one of my children."

Pause.

"But no one will see her."

Firm gaze.

"...until Dante arrives in a few days."

Silence.

"And I didn’t kill you..."

Pause.

"...only because you helped retrieve her."

A faint smile.

"But if you want a favor..."

Pause.

"...you’ll have to pay."

Max answered quickly.

"If it’s gold, no problem."

Pause.

"I have plenty."

Lucifero shook his head.

"I want something else."

Silence.

"...A map."

Pause.

"...of the castle you came from."

His eyes gleamed.

"...I want to attack it."

A wide smile.

"...and become the true king of Eldoria."

Silence.

Neros tensed.

Sword ready.

Sophie moved.

Slow. Precise.

Hand toward the keyring.

Centimeters away.

One more second—

But then—

Lucifero stood up suddenly.

Almost colliding with her.

Sophie dodged.

Fell onto the chair.

Lucifero noticed nothing.

He approached Max.

Sniffed.

Frowned.

"...You don’t smell like an elf."

Silence.

"...What the hell are you?"

Max didn’t hesitate.

"The royal pet."

Pause.

"...Summoned from another world."

Lucifero observed him.

Interested.

"...That ’other world’ thing..."

Pause.

"...I thought it was just a story."

A faint smile.

"...but it turns out it’s real."

Deep gaze.

"Interesting."

Max sighed.

"Yeah."

Pause.

"...but that’s not the point."

Silence.

"I’ll make the map."

Firm gaze.

"...but send someone to ask her."

Pause.

"...where she hid my item."

Lucifero thought for a second.

Then snapped his fingers.

A flash.

And appeared—

A small child.

Red hair.

Short horns.

Bright eyes.

"What do you want, father?"

Lucifero looked at him.

"Your sister."

Pause.

"Ask her where she hid the pet’s item."

The boy nodded.

"Yes."

He turned.

Walked toward the door.

Without hesitation.

Dorian made a quick signal.

Moon.

Varis.

’Let’s follow him.’

Both nodded.

And disappeared after him.

Max exhaled slowly.

The tension was still there.

Heavy.

But he couldn’t relax now.

"I’ll need time to make that map."

Lucifero looked at him in silence.

Evaluating.

Measuring every word.

Max continued.

"And a place to stay."

Pause.

"...Could you offer me a room?"

Lucifero smiled.

"Of course."

He leaned back again. Relaxed.

"Sounds perfect."

He turned his head slightly.

"William."

The butler stepped forward.

"Immediately, sir."

Lucifero rested his chin on his hand.

"Take him to the guest room."

His eyes gleamed.

"...but the real one."

Silence.

"...not the trap for idiots."

William bowed his head.

"Of course, sir."

Max swallowed.

’...Great.’

He turned.

"Let’s go, then."

William was already moving.

Max followed. Steady steps.

Without looking back—

Even though he could feel that gaze on his back. Uncomfortable.

Before crossing the door—

Lucifero spoke.

"See you soon."

Pause.

"...pet."

Max didn’t respond. Not worth it.

The doors opened.

Then closed behind them.

The air changed instantly. Less dense.

Max let out the breath he had been holding.

"..."

He walked a few more steps.

Only then, he whispered—

"Sophie..."

Pause.

"...the keys?"

A faint glow. The magic faded.

Sophie appeared beside him. Breathing heavily. She shook her head.

"No."

Pause.

"I didn’t make it."

She frowned.

"...but he had a keyring. On his belt."

Neros appeared on the other side. Arms crossed.

"I saw it."

Pause.

"...it won’t be easy to take."

William nodded as he walked.

"Of course."

Pause.

"That keyring never leaves him."

Silence.

"...he even keeps it while sleeping."

Max grimaced.

"Perfect... just keeps getting better."

They kept moving through the long, dark corridors.

Neros turned his head slightly. Looked at Max.

"Tell me something."

Silence.

"...are you actually going to make that map?"

Max glanced at him.

"...What do you think?"

Neros didn’t answer immediately. He just held his gaze.

"...I don’t think you’re a traitor."

His hand brushed the hilt of his weapon.

"...but I wanted to hear it."

Max scoffed.

"Obviously."

Pause.

"...I was just buying time."

He ran a hand over his face.

"...I improvised."

Silence.

"...and yeah, I got nervous."

Neros looked at him.

"Good."

Then he smiled.

"...because otherwise..."

His voice dropped slightly.

"...I would’ve had to cut your head off."

Max froze for a second. Pale.

Neros chuckled.

Max swallowed.

"...noted."

Sophie sighed.

"Relax a little."

Pause.

"...this is just the beginning."

She looked ahead.

Worried.

"The others are following Lucifero’s son."

She lowered her head.

"...I hope they find something."

Max nodded. Serious now.

"They will."

"...they have to."

The group kept moving. Deeper into the castle. Closer to danger.

And, maybe, closer to Abby.