The Damned Demon

539 His And Her Duty

A while ago,

In the warm and dark expanse of one of Demonstone Castle's royal training rooms, Asher stirred from a deep slumber, his awakening slow, his mind heavy with the fog of exertion.

His senses gradually returned, but his mind still felt hazy and fatigued. He attempted to rise from his seated position, yet found himself too weary to do so without assistance.

"Master! Let me help you," called a voice, soft and concerned.

An alluring figure with long black hair came rushing out from the shadows, her striking red skin glistening under the dim light and her dark blue eyes overflowing with happiness upon seeing her master finally wake up after all these days.

Her huge breasts swayed tantalizingly as she hurried toward her master and grabbed his arm to help him up.

As Asher's senses sharpened, he reached out, taking Merina's hand to steady himself. His gaze then fell on the sight of his human avatar, lying lifelessly in a coffin behind her. Confusion etched across his face, he questioned, "You already retrieved the coffin? How long was I out?"

Merina lowered her gaze respectfully, "You woke up a few hours ago but you seemed so tired that you fell asleep again. I didn't want to disturb you, Master. So I decided to retrieve the coffin and get back while you took some rest."

Asher slowly nodded and realized that he should probably take more breaks instead of leaving his original body for more than two or more days.

It wouldn't be good to let his soul wander outside his original body for too long. But since it was his first time and he had a lot of things to set up, he couldn't find the time to take a break nor did he even get an hour of sleep back on Earth.

"Did everything go well, Master?" Merina's voice broke through his thoughts, her eyes alight with hopeful curiosity.

A smile broke across Asher's face as he gently cupped her face in his hands, "Of course, it did. Don't tell me you were waiting for me here the entire time?"

Merina's response was a shy smile as she averted her gaze, her voice soft and filled with deference. "It's my duty and an honor to look after you, Master."

"Sigh, what would I do without you?" Asher mumbled affectionately, leaning in to kiss her soft, dark red lips and enjoying their taste.

His hands couldn't stop themselves from squeezing her plump breasts over her maid shirt and loved the cozy and warm sensation he got from hugging her.

Merina's eyelashes fluttered as she closed her eyes and felt her heart melting under his kiss. She loved the way his warm hands roamed over her curves, making her feel cherished and loved even if she was just a mere slave.

But suddenly, she remembered something important that he had to know and reluctantly took a step back.

"What is it?" Asher asked upon seeing her suddenly hesitating with something.

"It's..." Merina started, her expression turning troubled, her words hanging incomplete when suddenly, a sharp knock echoed through the room, slicing through the moment. Merina's body tensed, her earlier warmth replaced by caution, "Should I open the door, Master?"

With a silent nod from Asher, Merina hurried to the door, her movements swift and soundless on the cold stone floor. As she pulled the door open, her posture stiffened, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of the queen's cold, imposing visage standing in the doorway.

"Y-Your Majesty," Merina deeply bowed as she greeted her.

Asher wasn't surprised to see Rowena there, knowing that his actions must have caused quite a commotion not only on Earth but also in this world. "Leave us," Rowena said, her voice a cold whisper. Merina nodded with a deep bow again and scurried out of the room.

Asher slowly walked and stopped in front of Rowena, a weary smile tugging at his lips, "I am sorry I didn't wake up earlier to be with you. Things were pretty hectic back there."

Rowena's expression softened slightly as she studied his haggard face and gently embraced him, "Welcome back, husband. I thought you might be away for more than a week. So this is a pleasant surprise," she murmured, her voice a mixture of relief and something softer, tender even amidst the brewing storm.

She felt at ease upon basking in his comforting scent, especially the warm blood flowing through his veins.

Asher wrapped his arms around her, inhaling her familiar scent, "I missed you too," Asher whispered back, his lips brushing against her soft neck in a fleeting kiss, sending a shiver down her spine.

But then her gaze fell on the coffin, making her slowly pull away and gestured towards it, "So this is how you did it? How's this possible?" Her voice carried a touch of disbelief upon studying the human figure lying in the coffin whose face resembled Asher's upon taking a closer look.

"The Necroform Reanimation Art from House Thorne. One of their highly guarded secret arts. I used it to wander around among the humans undetected, as you already must know," Asher revealed.

Rowena's brows briefly raised as she looked at him with a hint of worry, "You took one of their secret arts? Why would you do that? Thorin must already know by now, and no lord of House Thorne would turn a blind eye to such a grave offense. The Devourer had given his word to the Ravager that no matter what, he or his House would never demand them to hand over any of their secrets in exchange for helping him build this kingdom. If you broke that promise, then-"

"I wasn't the one who took it. Just like the Ravager might have offered to the Devourer, it was Esther who offered it to me, and I happily accepted," Asher reassured Rowena, who felt relieved upon knowing that Asher's name was in the clear here.

But still, she was surprised by what he said and asked with furrowed brows, "But why? They would never hand over any of their secrets to even the nobles among them, let alone an outsider. The Ravager I can still believe because he was like a brother to my ancestor."

"Because I have discussed a deal with Esther, and now I am going to discuss it with Thorin. Once he hears me out, you won't have to worry about them getting offended. But first, I would like your permission," Asher said as he placed his hands on Rowena's shoulders.

"What are you planning to do?" Rowena's voice was taut with apprehension, her brows knitting together as she gently held his hand.

Asher shared his plan, watching Rowena's reaction closely. Her eyebrows shot up the moment he finished, "I...I am not so sure about this. This is unprecedented, and you might make them stronger than ever. There is a good reason why my father and his forefathers never got themselves involved like that. It could stab us in the back in the future."

"But we will have more control over them and use them to our benefit. Which would you prefer? I will only do it if you allow me. But I promise you I will change this kingdom for the better," Asher said with sincerity and determination in his eyes.

Rowena nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on him, conveying a deep belief carved from her love, "Then I will trust you with this since I know you only do things that protect and strengthen this kingdom."

Asher, reassured by her affirmation, nodded back, his smile warm but tinged with the complexities of the path ahead. The moment's calm was punctured by Rowena's next question, her expression shifting to one of contemplative concern, "But...why is Rebecca helping you?"

Asher exhaled deeply as he said with a casual shrug, "Rebecca is helping me because I took a lot of risks to get Oberon out and get him back to her. I didn't want to let her off that easily, and she does have a duty to help me, considering she is a Drake."

Asher shook his head with a sincere gaze, "I am not trying to help the WHA by destroying those cults. Those cults belonged to our enemies, and I only wanted to force their cults to work for me. Only if they refused did I destroy them. As for those guilds, they are filled with rotten Hunters, and I destroyed and exposed them so that these humans would start doubting the very guilds who swore to protect them. The WHA can't keep ignoring this chaos. And when hen an opportunity presents itself, I will do everything I can to destroy the WHA. Once they are gone, everything will get better for us and our world. Trust me," Asher explained, his plan laid bare, though his heart bore the burden of unspoken plans.

08:02

Rowena hummed in understanding as she realized her guess came true. But her brows knitted slightly as another thought crossed her mind, "But what are you planning by using your cult to destroy not only human guilds but even cults? Why destroy those cults when they help weaken their world, even if it's by a small fraction? The humans are saying that you and your cult are doing their world a favor. People are already talking here, and I don't like any of them doubting your intentions as our king."

Asher shook his head with a sincere gaze, "I am not trying to help the WHA by destroying those cults. Those cults belonged to our enemies, and I only wanted to force their cults to work for me. Only if they refused did I destroy them. As for those guilds, they are filled with rotten Hunters, and I destroyed and exposed them so that these humans would start doubting the very guilds who swore to protect them. The WHA can't keep ignoring this chaos. And when hen an opportunity presents itself, I will do everything I can to destroy the WHA. Once they are gone, everything will get better for us and our world. Trust me," Asher explained, his plan laid bare, though his heart bore the burden of unspoken plans.

Rowena's brows raised in surprise, a hint of admiration in her tone, "Take down the WHA? Even my father never dreamt of such a thing. If you are doing this because it's my duty to—"

"I know it's your duty as the Bloodburn Queen to take up the Last Judgment quest when it's time and try to take over the Severed Realm. But as your king, it's my duty now as well. We will do it together, and we will succeed," Asher interjected firmly, his voice laced with conviction as he took her hands in his and pressed a kiss to them.

He knew Rowena would attempt it after a couple dozen years but he also knew she would take up the quest, knowing she won't return just like her forefathers. Apparently, she and her forefathers had the duty to try to carry out the Devourer's unfulfilled wish of taking over Earth and finally get freed from this cruel world.

But he was determined to never let Rowena sacrifice herself like that and execute his plans before such a time comes.

Rowena's eyes, crimson like the twilight sky, filled with a warmth that spread through her features. She pressed his hands against her cheek, her voice soft and full of warmth, "With you by my side...we can maybe finally fulfill my ancestors' wish."

Looks like our boi is cooking something agian :#