[This land... used to be a beautiful vineyard, where they created a rare flavour of wine.]

    Asmodeus observed the broken, desolate land lacking water, nourishment, and care. The moment they left Grimholt and reached the surrounding land. Serena became more vocal, telling him about the mountains and different locations.

    ''Really, can it be salvaged?''

    He discovered that after learning of his potential future as the ruler of demons, many thoughts and ideas started growing. It was as if someone planted a seed within their heart, and with each beat and pulse of blood, the small seed grew, becoming the roots of a majestic tree and desire.@@@@

    ''You mentioned I could find a special mineral and gemstone in the north-west, wine in the south, then is there anything in the east and far north?''

    [Fufu, My beloved Emperor. Are you starting to become interested?]

    "Darling, are you alright?"

    Asmodea''s horse trotted beside his fierce dire wolf.

    Her gaze filled with concern as she reached over and grasped his arm.

    "I''m just thinking about the future, Asmodea. I wondered if this land might become a vast vineyard one day and our kingdom might create a special wine."

    "O-Our kingdom?" Her voice echoed a modest, lovely hum.

    Because of the long journey and his many women, they took turns, each staying beside him for an hour before the formation switched.

    Though this was something the women decided, not Asmodeus himself.

    Upon hearing his response, her lips curled into a smile. Asmodea, like a cat wrapped around his arm, let out a soft purr leaving her throat. She hummed to herself and climbed onto his lap, while her Asmodeus grasped the reins of her horse.

    ''Oh? Why does she look so happy?''

    [Don''t you even realise? Haha, such a funny man... of course, because you speak of your dreams in a collective tense, any woman who loves you would be happy to know how much you considered their happiness in your thoughts and dreams!]

    Serena enjoyed nagging and guiding him since becoming pregnant, though if he contested her views she would become like fury incarnate.

    ''Well, why wouldn''t I include them? They''re my women.''

    [Hahaha~ I love you so much, my gentle and ferocious demon emperor.]

    ''Those two statements conflict with each other.''

    His lips twitched, feeling Asmodea''s hands slip inside his robes, not to do anything but rub against his chest, likely to enjoy the warmth.

    "It''s freezing here, maybe we should have packed more clothes."

    "Darling, it''s fine, hehe your chest is so warm and feels nice to touch."

    The murmur of the demon knights and other women echoed through the plains, their horses passing along the former paths that used to be roads thousands of years ago.

    "Just don''t go any further, there''s no time to quell those urges while we are travelling in enemy territory, Asmodea."

    "Hehe, of course, but after... you should reward me well."

    "We''ll see..."

    If they rushed north, the journey would be short. However, Serena and Asmodeus wanted to view the lands and fight any lingering enemies to prevent future reinforcements from causing troubles for Alan, who needed to wait for his brother''s aid.

    ''King Avandar will send the army when needed. I am sure of it.''

    The storms continued along the western reaches of the demon empire before their army reached a massive lake.

    However, a few moments before, Asmodea pouted because the time had changed. Now, he sat with Ciela, who gazed back at him with her green eyes shimmering with light.

    "Did you enjoy the ride with Asmodea?"

    "Who cares about that, when I am not sitting with the most elegant and beautiful elven princess?"

    "S-stay still..."

    Ciela shifted behind him, adjusting the cloak around both their shoulders while her arms wrapped around his waist. The distant mountains reminded her of what happened in the canyon a few weeks before. She gazed up at Asmodeus, her lips parting as if ready to speak, but closed a moment later.

    [Ciela seems to be embarrassed because you are too cruel to her.]

    ''How am I cruel?''

    [You didn''t hold a wedding after saving her family, but rushed to Grigor for Alan!]

    The loud growl of his wolf echoed as they passed a pack of demon wolves. These wolves were smaller than the dire wolf and much easier to train and make into pets or tamed creatures for battle.

    Many within the demon empire would ride a wolf over a horse because of their versatile abilities. Though horses could move faster, wolves were more agile, and the rider could use magic to help them.

    ''I plan to marry you all at once, is that so bad of me? How could I marry them all without you beside me?''

    [...]

    Serena fell quiet, unable to argue against him.

    "Darling, where are we heading to now?" Celia asked, peering over his shoulder, curious why he didn''t continue towards the mountains in front.

    Most of the group listened, unsure of what the demon empire looked light because no humans reached this far. But even Asmodeus couldn''t help but become doubtful, since they saw a handful of weaker demons but none of the man''s forces.

    ''This is dangerous...''

    "We will be heading around the river and following the western Demonbane mountains which protect the elven forest along with the second set of mountains to the south."

    Asmodeus narrowed his gaze.

    In the distance, at least ten hours away, he noticed the existence of a castle, with a dull grey atmosphere. It looked similar to Grimholt, but he knew this would be dangerous, if not suicide.

    "Why there? Isn''t our goal, the castle?"

    "The castle is not safe," he murmured to himself. Serena stayed silent the whole time, just like him, trying to think of an answer about why they have faced no enemies so far.

    "We will face our first battle at that castle because there seem to be a few demons remaining outside the capital. I see someone is judging our strength and waiting in the dirt."

    [Do you believe someone is controlling them?]

    ''I think the demon queen evolved somehow. Though when or how I know this... I have no idea.''

    If in the past, the demons just rampaged happily. Then now, there seemed to be a dark, itchy feeling when watching them flee at the sight of him.

    "It feels like they are preparing something, likely to defeat me."

    "I see, then I will keep my eyes open for you, my dear husband, but you have to let me shoot all the demons I want later!"

    "I appreciate it, Ciela and please, fire away."