The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 18

“Your Grace, there’s something wrong with you. If the late Archduke could see you now, how heartbroken he would be. Yes, he made mistakes, but he reflected on them and drew mana from thousands of humans. Do you think your powerful magical energy dropped from the sky? It all came from the late Archduke!”

For an Incubus to avoid intercourse was no different from choosing starvation. He wouldn’t die immediately, but there were already five Archdukes actively keeping Asmod in check.

Asmod, still drinking his liquor and not listening to a word, finally pushed Rumpel to the edge.

“Physical intimacy isn’t something dirty!”

“Stop it. Either way, I’ve found a woman I can sleep with. That’s all that matters. Send word to His Majesty that I’ll be attending the ball.”

“You truly mean to raise that one? You’re no different from the late Archduke!”

“How long are you going to keep bringing up my father? It’s not as if I gave that human my heart.”

Maybe it was because he had been created without a mother, carved directly from the late Archduke. Asmod was clearly a different being from his predecessor, yet his mule-like stubbornness was an exact replica.

When Asmod pointed out the greatest flaw of the late Archduke, Rumpel found himself without a reply and shouted in frustration.

“F-fine, do as you please! I no longer care!”

At Asmod’s response, whose stubbornness rivaled the late Archduke’s lust, Rumpel clutched at his chest and slipped straight into the urn.

Asmod, watching the urn rattle like it was steaming from within, gave a quiet sigh and rose from his seat.

His steps carried him across the office and came to a halt before the frame.

‘…That’s what they call wicked?’

Beyond the frame, Theticia was now nibbling at a cookie. The way her eyes darted around gave off the distinct impression that she wasn’t used to dealing with people. The way she had suddenly reached for his face, her eyes darting with light, had felt like a completely different person.

Still, it wasn’t as though Asmod had ignored Rumpel’s warning entirely.

He wasn’t foolish enough to fall for a human and hand over his heart. He wasn’t naïve enough to grow attached to a mere mana pouch.

‘Still… it might be worth finding out what she’s thinking.’

As Rumpel had said, he possessed mana that his father had drawn from thousands of humans. And thanks to that little girl, he could now wield it at will.

***

It was thanks to the ghost maid Jess that Theticia finally began to feel she had arrived in the Demon Realm.

Every time the empty inside of that bonnet came into view, a chill ran down her spine, and yet not seeing a face was oddly comforting in its own way.

She had been startled to learn Jess was a ghost. But hearing that ghosts made no sound and could conceal their appearance, and were therefore preferred as attendants, had made it easier to accept. In the Human Realm, humans treated their servants like furniture, too. It wasn’t all that different.

And thanks to Jess’s patient explanations, she had come to understand a fair amount about the Demon Realm. Things like the nobility and how the society was structured.

Sipping her tea in silence, Theticia began organizing what she had learned.

“So Lord Asmod is one of the seven Archdukes of the Demon Realm, right? And apart from His Majesty the Demon King, the remaining six oversee the realm through the Archduke Council. Below them are titled high-ranking demons, then lower demons without titles, and beneath them, the demonic beasts who lack intelligence. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that is correct. You’re a quick learner.”

In fact, aside from the existence of the council, it wasn’t so different from the human realm. That’s probably why she’d been able to memorize it. Still, at the generous praise, Theticia blushed.

“Then… is Glacia a monster?”

She glanced at Glacia, who was sprawled lazily at her feet, and the large bonnet immediately shook from side to side in denial.

“Lady Glacia was the commander of His Grace’s legion. He is a high-ranking demon. In the Demon Realm, one must never judge rank by appearance alone.”

“That’s right. Glacia’s a Legion Commander.”

To Glacia, who responded with a lazy drawl, Theticia whispered softly, “Sorry.”

‘I stroked the Legion Commander’s head and belly like a dog. And even shared a bed with the Archduke.’

It had all happened under ignorance and leniency, but the realization still sent a chill crawling down her spine.

Forming a contract with a demon was punishable by death. At this rate, even if she were mistaken for a collaborator rather than a spy upon returning to the Human Realm, she wouldn’t have any grounds to object.

‘If I really do go back to the Human Realm… I’m in serious trouble…’

That thought made the hand holding her cup begin to tremble.

Back when she had left home, she never imagined things would turn out this way. And even now, it was hard to accept any of it as natural.

Just then, a soft voice came from outside the door.

“His Grace, The Archduke has arrived.”

Before she had time to prepare herself, the door opened.

“Leave us. I have urgent matters to discuss with Theticia in private.”

At the sound of his voice, Jess vanished instantly. Glacia stretched languidly, then opened his mouth wide and, one bite at a time, swallowed himself whole until he was gone.

Startled, Theticia stumbled in confusion as the heavy door shut with a loud thud. Before she knew it, Asmod was standing right in front of her.

“Ah… Lord Asmod.”

Asmod, in an unhurried manner, reached out and gently touched Theticia’s hair.

“Didn’t I say we would spend your first night in the Demon Realm together?”