CHAPTER 210: MAGICAL CIRCLE

They all sat around the dining table while the servants brought out the food. For breakfast, they were having roasted chicken, mushroom soup, and potatoes. Each of them filled their plates and began eating in silence. The quiet lasted for a few minutes before Charlotte spoke.

"If we bring the people into the palace walls, do you not fear that one of them could let the demon in?" she asked, glancing between them.

"That cannot happen," Lucian replied calmly. "The magic makes it hard for the demon to manipulate anyone who is within it. And I don’t believe anyone would willingly let the thing that threatens to kill them into the castle."

"And the guards will be on watch all day to ensure nothing like that happens," Viktor added.

Charlotte tilted her head slightly. "How about the guards? Can’t the demon possess them?"

"The guards are strong-willed men, trustworthy and reliable. It will be nearly impossible to manipulate their minds. And with the magical circle in place, I can assure you that nothing like that will happen," Viktor explained.

"The demon can only feed on the minds of men who allow it," Lucian added. "It feeds on pain, sorrow, and suffering. As for the guards, years of war and hardship have rid them of normal emotions. Those emotions hold little weight over them, so there is nothing to worry about."

Charlotte took a sip of her water. "Very well. That sounds reassuring," she whispered the last part to herself.

"What are we going to do after this?" Lilith asked.

"Rest for the day," Viktor replied. "By evening, we shall begin making preparations for the villagers’ arrival." He turned to Lilith. "How about you spend these few hours resting, get some sleep, if possible. We might not have the chance to sleep anytime soon. It’s best we make use of this opportunity."

"Very well," Lilith whispered.

After the meal, Lilith returned to her room, Charlotte to hers, while Lucian and Viktor headed to the town’s clinic to check on the injured victims.

As Lilith lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, she couldn’t shake the feeling of restlessness and fear. It was so intense that it caused her to sweat, her hands trembling slightly. She got up and looked out the window for any sign of danger but there was none. Everything appeared calm and orderly.

This feeling lingered for a few minutes before fading as suddenly as it had appeared. A sudden wave of fatigue and dizziness washed over Lilith. The moment her head touched the pillow, her vision blurred and her mind went blank as she slipped into a deep, dreamless unconsciousness.

~~~

Standing in the middle of a dense, shadow-laden forest, Azazel scanned his surroundings for any sign of life. Silence pressed against his ears, so complete that not even the birds dared to sing. A sigh escaped his lips as he adjusted his gloves. He had been searching for Asmodeus, but for reasons beyond his understanding, the demon remained elusive.

Days had passed without a trace of his brother. Azazel could only imagine where he might be hiding, though he was certain Asmodeus was already in this realm.

The faint crunch of twigs underfoot reached his ears. Azazel’s lips curled into a smile as he turned slowly, almost relieved that his brother had finally come to him, but the sight before him wiped the smile from his face.

"Azazel," Zal greeted, voice smooth as silk, hands buried casually in the pockets of his dust stained trousers. "I can’t say I’m thrilled to see you again. Still, I suppose I owe you some gratitude for breaking that foolish prince enough for me to claim his soul."

Azazel’s expression hardened. "Leave. I have important matters to attend to, and I don’t want you in my way."

Zal chuckled, tilting his head. "You’re searching for Asmodeus, aren’t you? I hear he’s escaped his imprisonment and is out for revenge."

Azazel narrowed his eyes. "Do you know where he is?"

"Gods, no. If I’d seen him, do you think I would still be standing here? Truth be told, I both fear and admire him. Unlike you, he’s a true demon, cruel and merciless to the core. I would love to be like him someday," Zal said, his tone laced with admiration and malice.

Azazel’s lips curved into a cold smile. "Unfortunately, he must die. He has committed treason, and the punishment for that is death. Now, if you’ll excuse me." He turned to leave.

"I do have a question, though, one that’s been gnawing at me."

Azazel halted mid step.

"Hades is your blood," Zal continued, his voice carrying an almost mocking curiosity. "And yet you condemned him to an eternity of pain and suffering. After the full moon, there’ll be no saving him, his soul will be locked away forever. Tell me, Azazel... why did you do it?"

Azazel turned around, the smile still etched on his face. "I thought you would be smarter than him. Sadly, you’re both fools. I have no relation to the prince, and whatever happens to him is none of my concern. Enjoy the freedom I’ve given you and stop whining like a pathetic loser."

Zal stared at him for a long moment before a slow smile spread across his lips. He remained still as Azazel turned and began to walk away.

"You know," Zal called out, voice dripping with mockery, "I can hear Hades’ thoughts. And for whatever reason, even after all this, he still can’t bring himself to hate you. He even wonders if you truly loved Celes..."

Before the words could finish, Zal’s body was hurled through the air with bone crushing force. He slammed into tree after tree, shattering thick trunks like it was nothing before crashing into the ground with a deafening thud.

Gasping for air, Zal tried to move, but Azazel was already there towering over him with his face darkened with rage. In an instant, Azazel’s hand slammed against the side of his face, driving his head deep into the cracked ground.

"Do not anger me, demon." His voice was low, laced with a dangerous venom. "I don’t give a fuck about you or that damned fool. But if you dare speak her name with that filthy mouth of yours again..." Azazel leaned closer, his eyes blazing a murderous glare. "I will rip your fucking tongue from your skull and kill you in ways you never imagined possible."

"Do you understand me, demon?" he hissed through gritted teeth.

Zal groaned, chest heaving, pain twisting his features. "Y... yes," he managed to rasp.

"Then don’t appear before me again, if you value your life." Azazel released his head and rose, his presence radiating pure menace before he turned and vanished into the shadows.

Zal coughed harshly, struggling to sit up. Blood dripped from his lip as he winced in pain. "Fuck... I take back what I said," he muttered under his breath, forcing himself to his feet. "This crazy bastard is much worse than Asmodeus."