Maou Sadao and Ashiya Shirō were doing everything they could to distance themselves from Lucifer—while, without a trace, shuffling one step… then another… farther away from him, as if they wished they could carve a Mariana Trench between them on the spot.

Lucifer's face was swollen like a pig's head and his brain was still reeling from the beating,

but his basic survival instincts were intact.

The instant he saw Maou Sadao and Ashiya practically scrambling to cut ties with him,

panic struck. Chapters first released on n0velfire.net

"Uwaaah! Maou‑sama, don't abandon me!"

Summoning strength from who‑knows‑where, Lucifer shot out of the pit, clamping onto Maou Sadao's leg like a dying octopus.

Tears, snot, and blood soaked Maou's trousers.

"I'm your loyal subordinate Lucifer, Maou‑sama!"

"Remember how I charged the front lines for you? Save me, I beg you!"

"Uu‑uu‑uu… That demon… he's terrifying—he'll kill me!"

Maou Sadao's whole body trembled, his face turning a panicked shade of green.

He could feel unknown fluids soaking into his pantleg.

Even worse, Rei Ao's half‑smiling, half‑mocking gaze was trained right on him.

"Let go! Let go right now! I don't even know you!"

Maou nearly lost his soul from fright, kicking hard to shake Lucifer off while yelling:

"Rei Ao-dono, don't listen to his nonsense!"

"I don't know this purple‑haired delinquent. He's got the wrong guy—no connection whatsoever!"

"Ashiya, get him off me!"

Ashiya Shirō was sweating bullets.

He wanted to help, but one look at Lucifer's pitiful state—and the thought of getting blood all over himself, or worse, being mistaken for an accomplice—kept him frozen.

All he could do was plead from the side:

"Uh… Lucifer-san, please show some dignity!"

"Let go of Maou‑sama. We truly don't know you. Keep this up and we'll call the police!"

He was trying to threaten an otherworldly fallen angel with the laws of this world.

"Maou‑sama, you can't do this!"

"I'm Lucifer—one of your most loyal Four Heavenly Kings!"

Lucifer clung even tighter, wailing like a soul in torment.

"Get off! I'm just an ordinary part‑timer, not anyone's Demon King, and I don't know any 'Four Kings'!"

Driven to desperation, Maou raised his free foot and slammed it into Lucifer's already battered face.

Thud!

"AaaAAARGH—!"

Lucifer shrieked even louder.

Blood spurted from his nose as he flew backward, finally releasing his grip, then curled on the ground, clutching his face and writhing in pain.

Maou seized the chance to retreat several paces,

ducking behind Ashiya and patting his chest in lingering terror—as though some prehistoric monster had just latched onto him.

Ashiya instantly sidestepped to shield Maou completely, watching the rolling Lucifer with a look that screamed "We're not acquainted—don't you dare rope us in."

Rei Ao folded his arms, watching the farce with amused interest: the former Demon King kicking his onetime right‑hand general;

the ex‑Demon Marshal frantically denying any ties;

and the fallen angel who once looked down on all creation now bawling like a three‑year‑old whose candy had been stolen.

"Enough."

With that single, quietly spoken word, the room fell silent.

Even Lucifer stopped rolling and curled into a trembling ball.

Rei Ao's gaze settled on Maou and Ashiya.

"You really haven't caused trouble—this I know. Otherwise…"

He paused, and the unspoken threat made their scalps tingle.

"…it wouldn't have ended with just a few kicks."

Maou and Ashiya bobbed their heads like pecking chickens.

"Y‑yes! Rei Ao-dono sees everything clearly!"

Rei Ao cast another glance at the shivering Lucifer.

"However, someone does want to stir up trouble—and it seems he has a bit of a connection to you two."

He put deliberate weight on the word connection.

Maou and Ashiya understood instantly.

In perfect unison—like trained soldiers—they pointed straight at Lucifer on the floor, heads shaking furiously:

"Don't know him!"

"Not close!"

"Never seen him before!"

"Absolutely no relation!"

Their determination to draw the line was almost awe‑inspiring.

Lucifer: "…"

His heart hurt worse than his face.

Rei Ao chuckled at this ridiculous master‑servant duo.

"Heh, your Demon Army sure has… interesting hiring standards."

Losing interest in the spectacle, he turned to the window.

"Keep an eye on that trouble‑maker. He's got backing."

With that, his figure slipped into a ripple of space and vanished, as silently as he had arrived.

The shabby apartment was left with a shaken Maou Sadao, a wary Ashiya Shirō, and Lucifer on the floor, devastated in body and spirit.

The second‑hand air‑conditioner kept buzzing—

as if mocking the pitiful fate of these three otherworldly visitors.

…

Evening.

Golden sunset bathed Tokyo's skyscrapers,

casting a warm filter over the bustling after‑work streets.

At the entrance of DOCODEMO Telecom, waves of uniformed employees began to spill out.

"Emilia‑chaaan~!"

A lively voice rang out.

It was Suzuki Rika, twenty‑one, sporting a neat chestnut bob and an ever‑energetic smile.

She jogged up to the red‑haired girl ahead, whose graceful gait turned heads.

"So, so? Have you decided? That new Ox King yakiniku place!"

"I heard the meat is amazing and the prices are super friendly."

"It's Monday—let's treat ourselves for surviving last week!"

She linked arms with Emilia, eyes sparkling with expectation.

Emilia, also in a tailored company skirt‑suit,

had her long crimson hair tied in a neat ponytail, showing off a smooth forehead and elegant profile.

At the restaurant's name, her eyes lit up ever so slightly—clearly interested.

But—

"Rika…"

Emilia gave an apologetic smile, her crystal‑clear eyes drifting in the direction of home.

"Yakiniku sounds wonderful, but… I'd like to head back early tonight."

Just thinking of the person at home who always put her at ease stirred a soft warmth inside her.

Besides—she had something to discuss with Rei Ao: whether it was time to pay a visit back to Ente Isla.

~~~

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