Chapter 13: Asmodeus (1)

The Legion Commanders held significant meaning for the demons.

Some admired their strength and pledged loyalty.

Others coveted their positions.

And some feared them.

If you were to ask which Legion Commander was the most feared, most would name one demon:

Asmodeus, the Second Legion Commander.

The reason for her ascension was widely known, albeit simplified.

The previous Second Legion Commander had simply annoyed her.

No one knew the details of what transpired. The truth was known only to a select few, including the Demon King, the Legion Commanders, and the survivors of that day.

Only one fact remained undisputed.

On that day, a single demon decimated thirty percent of the Second Legion’s forces and brutally killed the Second Legion Commander.

Demons who heard the rumors feared her strength, terrified that her wrath might turn on them.

But the survivors of that day feared something different.

The day the Second Legion Commander died.

A lone woman, painting the battlefield crimson as she slaughtered an entire legion.

C-Crazy btch…!*

Well, they’re not wrong.

A woman who smiled, even as she tore the previous Second Legion Commander’s throat out.

What they truly feared was not Asmodeus, but Bathory’s cruel and beautiful madness.

Her subordinates would be shocked if they saw her with Aria.

Lately, she hadn’t shown a shred of madness, at least not when she was with Aria.

She sent her subordinates to the battlefield, where blood flowed freely, but she didn’t go herself.

It would take time away from Aria.

But did they know?

Just as hot oil is deceptively still…

The more she suppressed her outward madness, the more her emotions, which should have been madness, grew in a different direction.

The Demon King had visited.

He said he would brainwash Aria, turn her into a puppet.

She had managed to dissuade him, but as a Legion Commander, she couldn’t openly defy him.

Lilith, the Seventh Legion Commander, had visited.

Killing intent surged when that woman dared to get close to Aria, but she managed to suppress it.

When Lilith asked Aria to join the Seventh Legion, she almost plunged a knife into her heart.

Aria was hers, after all.

But what about after that? And after that? What about the future?

Would Aria still be hers as time went on?

Could she make Aria look only at her, forever?

She wanted to ask Aria.

No, an answer wasn’t necessary. She had the power to make it so.

Aria. Aria. Aria.

She wished Aria wouldn’t show interest in others.

Aria’s attention should be directed solely at her.

She wished Aria wouldn’t look at others.

So that she could be the only one in Aria’s sight.

She wished Aria wouldn’t give her heart to others.

Because Aria belonged only to her.

The girl she had brought here for the sake of despair had become something more. Even beyond despair, every aspect of Aria felt new and captivating.

When she discovered Aria’s affection for her sister, she considered eliminating her. Everything about Aria should be hers alone.

After some investigation, she learned about the Saint and gave up on that idea, shifting her approach, though the unpleasant feeling lingered.

Who would be happy knowing that the affection meant for them was being diverted?

She wanted to lock Aria away in a place known only to her.

A deep, dark place where even light couldn’t reach.

Then, she would be Aria’s only light.

Chained and bound, unable to escape.

No, perhaps it would be better to sever her tendons?

It would be painful, but then Aria wouldn’t be able to live on her own, becoming even more reliant on her.

Aria’s joy, sorrow, hope, and despair… all focused solely on her.

A doll just for her.

That would be ideal…

But that wouldn’t do.

The Aria that resulted wouldn’t be the Aria she knew.

The joy of easily obtained fruit would fade just as quickly.

Even now, she could do it if she wanted to, but that wasn’t why she had waited.

But still…

She was closer than anyone else. She had been watching Aria since that first day.

Wasn’t it Aria’s fault for ignoring her efforts?

“Bathory?”

Aria looked at her from the sofa.

Unaware of the thoughts swirling in her mind, even in her dreams.

Yes, she had waited long enough.

Aria’s expression was slightly flustered as she approached.

The lingering unease in Aria’s eyes was a bit unpleasant, but the prospect of conquering her ignited a strange excitement.

A burning thirst arose every time she looked at Aria.

Even though the fruit of her desire was right in front of her.

Even though she could take it by force at any moment.

She had waited patiently, but she couldn’t wait any longer, not with others vying for Aria’s attention.

So, Aria…

Now, she would make her move.

If Aria hesitated, she would drag her by force.

If Aria ran, she would sever her limbs and hold her captive.

She would continue until Aria could no longer hesitate.

Yes…

“Bathory? What’s—”

“…I can’t wait any longer, Aria.”

It was all Aria’s fault.

Alone in the room.

The strange heat that had filled the air was replaced by an unnerving silence.

I had sensed something was off since Lilith’s visit, but I didn’t understand what was wrong until Bathory pinned me down, holding my arms above my head.

Struggling was pointless; she was far stronger than me.

“Bathory? What’s the meaning of this?”

“…I can’t wait any longer, Aria.”

What did she mean?

I tried to understand, but my thoughts scattered as her face drew close.

Her eyes were filled with intense emotion.

A sticky, unsettling gaze scanned my body, as if trying to burrow into my very being.

W-Why is she doing this?!

I was on the verge of panic.

Even after six years as a woman, I still lacked resilience in these situations.

And now this?

It was a miracle I could still think straight.

“Let go of me first…”

Bathory didn’t budge, despite my attempts to free my wrists.

In fact, she tightened her grip, as if displeased, the pressure increasing.

Objectively, this situation wasn’t bad.

Being in this position with a woman as beautiful as Bathory, a rarity even in Academy Hero Party? Most people would welcome it.

But that’s just objectively.

Subjectively, it was terrifying.

Fear, not excitement, filled me, the fear of what she might do.

Oblivious to my fear, she leaned closer.

“Eek?!”

The space between us, which had been comfortable moments ago, was now close enough to feel each other’s breath.

Her hair tickled my skin.

“Aria.”

Her green eyes locked onto mine.

Closer, and closer.

Finally, her face inches from mine.

“I love you.”

“…What?”