Because of the strange monster attacked the outpost, and Asmodeus forced to use extreme force to destroy it.

    The route to enter the elven forest, from the demonic territory, could no longer attack the elven territory from this direction, they would have to wrap around the mountains and attack the central forest.

    "Asmodeus, how are you feeling?"

    In the damaged outpost, several rooms remained intact, as Asmodeus sat calmly with Alice and Asmodeus on either side of him.

    They sat on a red couch, while Velvet leaned against the wall opposite them. Aki and Fuuka were injured during the battle against the orcs and goblins.

    "I''m alright, just a little tired. I forced myself a little too much." Asmodeus couldn''t help but feel weak after he exerted himself to the limit.

    When he saw Asmodea trembling and missing an arm. He lost control of himself and unloaded the entirety of his magic until it started damaging his body, now it would be a few days before his magic would recover.

    "That monster, that abomination, what was it?" Velvet asked, with a low voice, her eyes peeking at Asmodeus, while avoiding his gaze.

    He couldn''t help but sigh, looking a how Velvet reacted, Asmodeus could tell her pride and emotions were in chaos. Velvet knew what it was, but seemed unable to accept the truth, but Asmodeus couldn''t let her look away.

    ''She needs to face reality.''

    "It was the demon queen, the monster that has terrorised your kingdom for generations."

    Asmodeus spoke honestly, and didn''t sugar coat his words.

    Because if he couldn''t be honest with them now, what would happen when they fight the real thing, even if he attacked in the same reckless way. He knew that against the true body, his attack would cause minimal damage due to her immense magic resistance.

    "How could you defeat her so easily, this can''t be true?" Alice muttered, looking up at his face while biting her lower lip.

    "It wasn''t her true body."

    He also felt frustrated that his current limit was to defeat a clone of hers that was likely less than a few months old. Asmodeus understood now why Alan suffered, the mental pollution and psychic magic was more terrifying than Mephisto''s death magic.

    ''Death is the end, but mental magic causes a death after prolonged suffering.''

    "Thank you for saving me, my dear." Asmodea''s left arm now beautiful with a faint red exoskeleton to protect it, along with the tattoo''s matching his leg along with her bloody roses being etched into her flesh, reducing the Mana needed to use them.

    "Don''t thank me." His hand gently caressed Asmodea''s cheek, squeezing the soft flesh as he flashed a faint smile. "I should have been faster, so none of you suffered like that."

    ''If it wasn''t for Lumina helping me, would I have got here so fast?''

    Because of the Arachne killing the flying type monsters, and beasts that would have slowed down his journey, he could arrive just in time.

    ''Just one more monster, or a moment later...''

    Asmodeus gazed at Asmodea, his eyes flickering with gentle emotions, as he swallowed.

    ''I would have lost her.''

    Now he realised it was the brother of this woman who died.

    "If anything it''s my pleasure to meet you, let us meet again in the near future."

    The woman remained graceful, and turned to nod to each woman, a gentle yet fleeting smile on her face as she turned away. "It was nice to see you three as well. Please don''t cause too much trouble."

    Her gaze landed on Asmodeus and the woman smiled. "I''m just happy to have seen the hero in person before he leaves for the capital."

    As if she were trying to remember him clearly. "Adieu." Her long blonde hair fluttered, trailing over the ground as the Duchess left.

    "Wow, she was gorgeous." Asmodea muttered, peeking at Asmodeus likely worried about her being another rival. However, to her shock, he didn''t look in the duchess''s direction, but instead gazed down at her with gentle eyes.

    "You are more beautiful in my eyes." His lips curled into a smile as she blushed from the sudden attack.

    "S-Stop, my lord. Don''t tease me like this."

    Velvet coughed and stood up. "I''m going to check on Aki and the others."

    "Alright, take care, Velvet. If anything is wrong, don''t hesitate to ask."

    Asmodeus knew the witch was struggling to cope. He would rather not push her and would deal with her later on.

    Velvet smiled at Asmodea and Alice. "I''ll take care of everything, just make sure our beloved is safe. He is still recovering from the magic burnout." She snorted and winked at Asmodeus before leaving the room.

    "As for you two..." Asmodeus turned to look at the two beautiful girls on the couch with him.

    Alice was fidgeting, and she glanced up at Asmodea and then at him before a smile spread across her face.

    "I think that we can help with your current state~ if you just lay down on the bed." Alice was eager to get him on the bed, but she was actually trying to help. She knew his Mana was currently being exhausted, and it would take a while for the core to heal.

    So to recover his core better, she would have Asmodea help her pour their Mana into his body.

    This would help nourish and help the cracks in his core recover. "Lay down, and we''ll help you." Alice said with a wolfish smile. However, it didn''t take long for her to realise the flaw in her plan, especially when Asmodea grinned.

    "How are we going to help him, aunt~ ehehe. ??"

    ''Well fuck.'' Asmodeus sighed.

    "Let''s help you get undressed." Alice grinned as her hand slid along Asmodeus'' inner thigh.

    The two demons seemed to have recovered from their loss, or maybe they were pouring their fear and sense of defeat into this action. Asmodeus looked down after noticing her fingers slide along the fabric of his trousers, and he couldn''t help but know where this would end up.

    "It seems this recovery will be rather pleasant."

    Alice then placed a piece of dark cloth over his eyes, blocking his vision.

    "Shhh. Just enjoy it."