Alan sat in his office, wearing a pair of small circular reading glasses. He lifted his gaze from the various bills, requests, and parchments. Asmodeus stood a few steps away, with Sariel standing a step behind him, wearing a glossy black dress.

    The former hero rubbed his forehead before his lips curled into a bitter smile.

    "You insist on departing first, even knowing the dangers you will face?" Alan''s brow lifted as he frowned, a stern but helpless voice resounding through the room.

    "Sorry, Alan... It''s something I have to do, and your men need rest."

    He gazed at his so-called best friend, an urge to punch him growing, as his belly grey hot with rage, knowing the dangers. Alan planned to have the Grigorian knights and army push forward together, making it easier.

    ''Yet this fool!''

    ''No...'' Alan understood Asmodeus and the plans in his mind.

    He was grateful that his friend was still willing to face danger and hardships for their kingdom. Alan would do nothing more than follow his brother into battle, but the cold burdens of reality bound him.

    He needed to wait for someone to come and take over management of this territory, for the knights who would replenish those that might leave.

    Should they just abandon it and head into the demon empire together?

    What about the people who believed in him and resisted for the past few months?

    These were thoughts and questions that Alan knew he couldn''t ignore.

    "I am not angry at you; this is the best plan of action. It''s just that I always pictured us going together."

    "Alan..."

    The time for acting young and foolish ended. Now, he needed to become wise and manage things more maturely.

    He would soon be a father, and the kingdom needed him.

    After the recent attack, Alan noticed changes in his friend—a more focused and stern gaze faced him. No longer did Asmodeus act playful or foolish, which worried him.

    ''What if he does something stupid or reckless?'' Alan wondered, watching as his friend sipped the pale and tasteless tea.

    "When will you leave? Do you need my help with anything?"

    "Tonight. If you let me leave with a few knights, then I would be grateful, though the demon knights and Fredrika should be arriving before nightfall.

    Alan didn''t notice at the time, but when Asmodeus travelled to the beast empire and visited his lovers there. However, while there, he also arranged for the troops, which left Grigor to return, the ones who used to serve Alan''s niece, Anne.

    ''Oh... it''s Vinea now.''

    He struggled to avoid mixing up their demon and human names, but Asmodeus and the women didn''t mind. It seemed the demonic names were closer to their pet names and something that carried significance for them as a group.

    Not for outsiders.

    "I see. Make sure you join me for one last dinner in five hours... If I sent my best friend off like this, my ancestors would chase me with a sword, haha."

    Alan laughed nervously, his teeth clenching as he tried to hide his feelings. He clenched the pen in his hands and pushed back the thoughts.

    ''It''ll be okay—nothing will happen to him before I can leave.''

    Aki and Fuuka stood behind him, giving an affirmative response. A former classmate who now looked like a warrior with her two katana and black leather armour. She smiled brilliantly as if achieving a lifelong goal.

    Asmodeus checked their gazes and ensured each woman showed no signs of worry or anxiety before he turned to the last group—a trio of beautiful women who seemed oblivious to the storm or knights around them and only gazed at Asmodeus with focused eyes.

    "Asmodea, Sariel, Erika, is everything in order?"

    "Yes, my beloved. I am ready to depart whenever these women take too long!"

    "Asmodeus, if you need anything, please let me know." Erika followed Asmodea, the of them silently competing for his attention and affection.

    Meanwhile, Sariel just gazed at him with a smile, her soft lips shining with a gloss, like her radiant body. After they spent the night together, she awakened as a true succubus.

    Asmodeus took another look around, glancing at his lovers, feeling nervous about taking them all into such a long and arduous battle. But since they were adamant about being there for him, how could he refuse?

    "Lumina, take good care of her."

    "Anything for you, but please give me a reward after." Sariel didn''t mount a horse or wolf but sat on the back of Lumina, the white Arachne; maybe because they were both more monsters than demons, they got along better than the others.

    Suddenly, Alan''s voice boomed from the walls, a regal and proud voice travelling through the stormy winds.

    "All rise and salute the departure of our hero and hope. Our brave allies venture forward to defeat our enemy. This is the first step of the campaign to return our glorious world to its rightful state."

    All those present bowed to him, their armour clanking and rattling while the rain pelted them.

    "No longer will you have to fear the demons coming to take those you love, to invade our lands or burn down our homes. We have built this paradise together, and we shall protect it until our dying breath!"

    The men stomped their feet, raising their swords and hammers high in salute.

    Alan spread his arms as the gates slowly lifted, a dramatic act but a welcome gift of departure.

    "This day, we, who have united despite race or history, stand against the forces of evil, tyranny, and despair! Never again will any harm come to our home or families!"

    "I swear, upon my name and title, Grand Duke Alan Grigor, that we shall not be defeated and, with our allies alongside us, I proclaim today is the first day of many in our glorious counterattack!"

    "YEAH!"

    "Long Live his Graces! Long Live Grigor!"

    "For justice!" He raised a wine glass filled with expensive purple wine, smiling while watching Ryuji leave.

    Thunder roared overhead, lightning tearing apart the sky above as though blessing the departure.

    ''This fool just wanted an excuse to open that expensive wine!''

    "Haha..."

    "What''s the matter, My lord?"

    "Nothing, I just remembered something funny."

    The howl of wolves and clack of hooves soon resounded as the small army rode out.

    They headed north and straight towards the heart of darkness—the Demon Capital, The Black Throne.