The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 12

“Come out now, Halima.”

The view by the window fluttered like fabric, and a faint scent of flowers and leaves wafted through. The once-blurred shadow took on a vivid blue hue.

At last, a woman with sky-blue skin appeared, dressed in a deep red-black gown encrusted with jewels. Beneath a tall triangular headdress, lace trailed down like mist grass, covering her face.

“My, my. Where did you find such a rare human? To notice my veil, she’s no ordinary girl.”

The woman, called Halima, restlessly moved the four pairs of arms attached to her elongated torso. Startled by the strange-looking demon, Theticia flinched.

“…A spider?”

“Oh dear, a spider? What a terribly rude thing to say. I am Halima, the Weaver.”

All eight of her arms gently gathered her layered robes as she bowed lightly.

“T-Theticia Pelloni.”

Theticia also bowed her head in turn. Asmod, watching the playful scene unfold, asked with an intrigued expression,

“You’re not afraid of that one?”

“Huh? No, not at all.”

Far from being afraid, Theticia was so curious about what kind of environment Halima had grown up in, and what relationship she might have with spiders, that she couldn’t look away.

“She just has a lot of arms. It’s fascinating.”

Asmod glanced over Theticia with narrowed eyes. She had decent mana, and she had even seen through Halima’s camouflage.

If that was the case, perhaps she could survive in the Demon Realm for a little while.

More than that, her attitude of how easily she had accepted being separated from him bothered him most. After a moment of deliberation, Asmod gave Halima an order.

“Halima, take us to your salon. You’ll make her clothes to conceal the brand.”

“You’re bringing a human into my shop?”

“Stop whining and open the door.”

At the curt command that cut her off, Halima hesitated for a moment, then moved her eight arms.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Dark red threads rose from Halima’s fingertips like curling smoke. The threads twisted and wove together on their own, and before long, a massive door appeared in the middle of the dining room.

“A dimensional gate…?”

At the marvelous sight, Theticia let out a small gasp. As she stood there amazed, Asmod gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Let’s go.”

“Y-yes!”

She never imagined she’d be using a high-grade magical artifact, tsomething only the wealthiest nobles could even dream of, like this. As Theticia hurried after Asmod, the silent old servant gave the two of them a deep bow.

“Please return safely.”

The servant’s farewell did not seem to carry the expectation of their return. Something about it left an uneasy feeling, but Theticia’s attention was already shifting to the grand salon beyond the door.

The moment she stepped through, the air changed. The humid air was laced with a sharp, spicy scent like cinnamon.

“Wow…”

A chandelier studded with mana crystals glowed brightly, and a massive tapestry was embroidered with beautiful scenes that seemed to flaunt the weaver’s skill. What caught Theticia’s eye most were the vases and pots of plants placed throughout the salon.

“My goodness, I’ve never seen any of these flowers before.”

From pale bluish-green blossoms resembling ground cherries to jelly-soft stems slick with slime, the place was overflowing with strange and marvelous flora.

As Theticia fussed over the vases, Asmod’s intrigued gaze lingered on her.

“Are you alright? You’re not feeling dizzy?”

“Huh? No, not at all. More importantly, do you know what this flower is?”

Still caught up in excitement, Theticia picked up a large white blossom. As she held it out to show him, Asmod’s eyes gently curved in amusement.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

With elegant fingers, he tapped the flower in her hand, and the petals burst apart like fireworks, scattering through the air. Through the falling white petals, his eerie violet eyes met hers.

If a bird had already been caught could be kept in a cage; there was no need to tag it and let it fly.

“You’ll be living with me in the Demon Realm.”

“……What?”

Theticia echoed in disbelief, still holding the flower stem with its petals all gone.

What was he saying? Live in the Demon Realm?

The peaceful life in Kraven she had just imagined scattered like the petals on the floor. She quickly shot back a response.

“You said humans can’t survive in the Demon Realm!”

“Where do you think you are right now?”

Asmod lazily pointed toward the window. Only then did Theticia look past the glass of the grand salon.

A strange blue sky she hadn’t seen from the attic window. A massive orb of light, larger than the sun, floated far in the distance. Countless magical lamps embroidered grotesque buildings like stars. Things even the Imperial Capital could scarcely dream of.

Only then did she realize where she was.

Theticia was already in the Demon Realm.