The Incubus Archduke Dreams of a Pet Human - Chapter 30

“Ah, so it is that fastidiousness of yours.”

As if the greatest question had now been resolved, Lucifer gave a shrug. Knowing how much Asmod’s father had drilled him, he pressed no further.

Even so, it seemed best to at least once see the face of the human who had endured Asmod’s exacting scrutiny and given him mana.

“Now that you can make use of mana, fill yourself a little under the Blue Moon. If there are no soldiers to send to war, then at least lend a hand to the defense of the capital. From now on, expect no leniency.”

“Understood.”

At Asmod’s calm reply, Lucifer let out a sigh and gladly dismissed him.

“Very well. Our talk is finished. You may go.”

“I will take my leave.”

As Asmod hastened his steps to depart, Lucifer called after him.

“Asmodeus.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

No matter how much he denied it, Asmod could not escape the nature he had inherited from his father. For such is the nature of blood.

In a solemn tone, Lucifer gave his counsel.

“Do not give too much affection to a human.”

“There will be no such thing.”

Asmod, showing irritation instead, only looked all the stranger in Lucifer’s eyes.

Thud!

The sound of the door closing rang hollowly through the empty corridor.

To grow attached to a mere human. Lucifer was surely speaking without knowing him. To a human who served only to prime the flow of mana, what affection could there be.

The flow of mana that had begun to circulate could now be opposed by no one. Even if something were to happen to that small human.

‘Something has happened, it seems.’

Asmod’s gaze turned toward the end of the corridor. Theticia’s mana, which had been bothering him throughout the audience, was restless.

‘Of all places, the lower floor.’

A sudden, reasonless unease surged over him. Below the ballroom, in Sodom Hall, another gathering would no doubt be unfolding for the young demons who could not restrain their lust.

‘Why is she separated from Glacia?’

Without realizing it, his pace quickened, and he was down the stairs in an instant.

At the narrow door, Asmod met a familiar face, and his brow furrowed.

“Cellis……”

“Lord Asmod!”

Cellis greeted him with delight, her face lit by a bright smile.

***

A few minutes earlier, Theticia had been locked inside Sodom Hall.

She could not guess Cellis’s intent in shoving her here, but even just the tightly locked door was enough to tell her nothing good was waiting.

‘W-what is all this……’

Squish. Squelch. Slap.

The sounds of flesh colliding and moans spread obscenely from every direction. A heavy incense, like burning snowbell bark and agarwood, mingled with the sweet smell of caramel and made her head spin.

Even more dreadful were the mangled human faces mixed among the demons.

‘H-humans…… Are they demon worshippers?’

Flesh reddened with lust was stamped with all sorts of brands. Different in shape from her own, but surely proof they were humans who had made contracts with demons.

Humans with demons, demons with demons. Naked bodies tangled together in sticky clumps.

‘So this carnal act…… was it this revolting?’

At that moment, something hot coiled around her ankle.

“Eek……!”

A sticky, formless body tinged with faint bluish light had wrapped around Theticia’s ankle.

“A s-slime. It’s my first time seeing one.”

The prickling heat rising on her skin was surely from its acidic body. And yet, some strange sensation made Theticia tilt her head.

The heat spreading up from her ankle brought to mind Asmod’s touch. Goosebumps rose over her body, and the itch stirring inside her felt exactly like his hand.

This is strange…… Mmph……!”

In an instant, the slime sprang into the air and engulfed Theticia’s head.

“Mmff……!”

Gurgle gurgle.

With the sound of air escaping, a sweet, pulpy texture filled her throat. Her shallow breaths hitched, and her nape flushed hot.

Drained of strength, Theticia collapsed on the spot. Even as she tried to tear the soft, pliant body away, her hands had no power.

As she held her breath, the liquid went down her throat with a thick gulp. Breathing became somewhat easier, but in return, her whole body blazed with heat like a fireball.

‘This slime……. it must have something like an aphrodisiac in its body. Could it be that I’ll end up like that too?’

Beyond the slime’s opaque body, lumps of flesh panted and shook. The grotesque sight made her shudder.

‘I don’t want this…….’

No matter how much she tried to deny it, the d**g-like aura seeping into her body made her legs curl up on their own. Unknowingly, Theticia clutched her skirt tight.

She should have remembered that this was the Demon Realm. But she had relaxed, seeing the Demon Realm appear more like the human world than the human world itself, and now she was paying the price.

‘Anyone at all……. please, just stop this…….’

Her lungs were drinking in the liquid spewed by the slime without restraint. Her folded, trembling legs shook, and her mind grew hazy.

Then, through the bluish liquid, a soft light poured in.

With unfocused eyes, Theticia blankly followed the light. When she saw the shadowed figure striding toward her, the tension drained away from her body.

‘……It’s Lord Asmod.’

Even without seeing his face, she could tell.

Was it because of the contract? Or was it, as everyone said, because Asmod’s mana still remained in her body? She did not know the reason, but Theticia could feel him.