★51
THIRD POV
As scheduled, Hinamatsuri went to his room the following morning. True to her expectations, Asteri wasn't asleep, he never was.
When she opened the door, she found him sitting calmly at the table, posture relaxed, as though he had been waiting all along.
"Good morning, Hinata."
He said, lifting his gaze to meet hers. His voice was gentle, unhurried.
"How was your night?"
"It was fantastic."
She replied honestly, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. There was a brief pause before she continued, her tone softening. "I came as promised. And… I want to start by apologising for what happened last night."
Asteri studied her for a moment, not with judgement, but with quiet understanding. Then he waved it off lightly.
"No problem. You were just tired. I get it."
Relief flickered across her face. The tension she'd carried since the night before eased almost instantly.
She nodded in approval, shoulders relaxing, reassured not just by his words, but by the sincerity behind them.
"So, what is it you wanted to tell me?"
"I want you and Issei to move back to the first floor."
Suddenly there was an odd silence.
"It's not that I don't want it but I'll prolong the conversation...why is that?"
"Ever since what happened. I wanted to protect you all. Especially you two."
Asteri said quietly, his gaze drifting somewhere past her shoulder.
Hinamatsuri hesitated, then spoke the doubt she had been holding back.
"Forgive the question, but… why us? Why not Mikasa and Ryota? The children, the queen..."
"I care about you the most."
He cut her off before she could finish, the words leaving him too quickly, too honestly, as though they had been waiting behind his teeth.
Hinamatsuri fell silent, startled, not by what he said, but by how raw it sounded.
"It's like a blessing,"
He continued, his voice slowing, losing its certainty.
"or a curse. Something I never asked for, but still… something I can't turn away from. I—"
He stopped. The thought refused to become language.
Before the silence could harden into distance, she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, just enough to let him know he wasn't alone. Asteri stiffened on instinct, his body rejecting closeness the way it always had. After a brief moment of resistance, he exhaled and allowed himself to lean into it.
"I understand."
She whispered, her voice brushing against his chest rather than his ears.
And she did. Not because his feelings were clear, but because they weren't.
<
"No one will even notice if you want."
"Ok. I agree to stay with you."
<
Hinamatsuri smiled maliciously.
"We'll pack straight up."
"What are you talking about?"
There were initially two big rooms and the hall on the first floor. Asteri held her hand and took her to the second room, as he opened the door, all their belongings just appeared.
Hinamatsuri was surprised.
"Did you move the entire room in an instant?"
"Not just your belongings. Your previous room is still down there. What do you think? You like it?"
"I love it. Everything on this floor is on another level."
Her previous room was full of gold now it had crystal, diamonds, and gold. Asteri didn't find gold more luxurious than crystals. Since some of them are alien to this world, their worth is ultimately unknown.
"Yeah, and I want to share them with you. Now then, all that's left is eating. Which do you want? Someone to cook for you here..."
"No, I'll be eating all alone since you don't have to eat. I will be going down to eat with the rest."
"Isn't that stressful? Going up and down?"
"The portals are here, transportation won't be a problem."
"Where's Issei?"
"He's down playing with the kids."
"Already? Children do have a lot of energy. Playing over and over all day long. I wonder how it feels."
Hinata was surprised to hear that.
"Don't you have people to play with in Star Realm?"
She asked.
"They aren't actually kids in Star Realm. It's pretty rare to see newborn Stars. If found, they usually play but not like humans do. Fighting is playing for us, although there are situations where they fly around to different places. As for your questions, I do have people to play with, a Hypergod and Supergod. Paradys and Errai respectively."
Hinamatsuri couldn't help but feel worried.
"Don't worry, I'm enjoying my time here."
Shinn spoke in spirits.
"Sorry to interrupt your precious time. The citizens of Raja are here for an exchange."
"Hmm. You ought to go with Annie and Elfaria. The two might know something about exchange in this world."
"Excuse me then."
He left as swiftly as he came.
"Looks like it's time for breakfast. Go eat and prepare."
"Prepare for what?"
"I'll visit the Underworld and I want to be by my side."
He smiled softly as he stepped back, deliberately creating distance between them. He departed right away to prevent any complaints.
ASTERI'S POV
After a few hours, I went to see Elfaria. She was unusually quiet, her gaze drifting away whenever our eyes almost met, clearly still affected by what had happened the previous night.
"How did it go, Queen of the Land?"
I asked, keeping my tone calm.
"I… it went perfectly."
She replied, her voice a little too careful.
"They supplied iron ore in exchange for the fishes our men caught."
I nodded, satisfied, yet I couldn't ignore the faint tremor in her posture, the way her fingers subtly clenched and relaxed, betraying thoughts she refused to voice. The first exchange had been a success, but her mind was elsewhere, caught between duty and something far more personal.
"Fish keh? I didn't know about that but it's good to have something to give them."
"Yes."
"Where's Annie?"
"Right here, Your Highness."
She replied.
"You were eavesdropping, weren't you?"
"N–No! I was just passing by!"
She stammered, flustered and waving her hands defensively though her expression betrayed the truth.
<
I narrowed my eyes, studying her for a moment, before letting them return to their normal size.
"Anyway, don't you think we need more plants? Like the crops you farm. If we have more we should be able to use some for exchange rather than just fish."
"That's a great idea. But we don't have enough seedlings."
"At least you should know where to get them."
"Of course, I do."
"Money isn't the problem here. Use what you want and buy enough."
"The la.."
"Don't worry, I can expand the island. That won't be a problem."
"Ok, my lord."
"I'll send Elaine with whoever's willing to tag along."
Annie nods.
"I'd like to go personally."
"Ok. Be careful."
"I will."
She turned around and left.
"I'll be leaving soon. The land's always in your hands."
"I'll protect it with my life."
"Atlas and Ban are here. No need to put yourself in danger."
I left for the training ground and called upon Tokito.
<
"You called for me, my lord."
Tokito knelt immediately, forehead almost reminding the ground of its place. His posture was rigid, disciplined to the point of stubbornness.
"You're all the same. Too stubborn for your own good."
I sighed softly.
The moment he rose, I struck.
Not with an attack but with pressure.
"White flames? When did that start?"
I asked, eyes narrowing.
Lying was pointless. Tokito straightened, jaw clenched.
"Ok. I knew this day would come so..."
He should his head, aligning his thoughts.
"After weeks of training under Lord Eto. My flames began to lighten. As a result, my stamina drains faster than before. I can still use my old red flames, they consume less energy, but they're weaker. The white flames are far more potent… and far more demanding."
"What's your elemental affinity?"
"Fire and wind."
I shook my head slowly.
"A simple elemental fusion doesn't explain a colour shift like that. And even if it did, it wouldn't help you control it."
Before Tokito could respond, footsteps echoed behind me.
"I'm ready, Ati-chan."
Hinata had caught up.
"Good. Majo."
At her name, space trembled slightly as she manifested beside us, arms folded, gaze sharp.
"Give me a minute."
I told them, then turned fully back to Tokito.
"I will bestow my energy upon you."
The reaction was immediate. Elaine and Atlas appeared in an instant, their expressions dark with alarm.
"I am not one to decide your actions, but this borders on suicide, Young Master."
Atlas said carefully.
"He's a kijin."
Elaine added, voice tight.
"There's no way his vessel can endure it. Only True Dragons, Seraphims, and at extreme risk, a Primordial Demon, can withstand even fragments of our true power."
"Just have fate."
I replied plainly.
"…Why him? Why not me?"
Majo muttered, irritation barely concealed.
I didn't answer her. Instead, I raised my hand and pointed a single finger at Tokito. A small harmless speck of light shot forward and struck his chest.
Tokito collapsed instantly, dropping to his knees as a strangled groan tore from his throat. Veins lit beneath his skin like glowing threads.
"It's concentrated. So don't worry."
I said calmly. He shook violently, teeth clenched, yet he didn't scream.
"Looks like you're taking it all in."
I crouched before him and placed my hand gently atop his head. The chaos within him began to stabilise, the raging white flames condensing rather than exploding outward.
"Endure it. This pain is the boundary between what you were… and what you're becoming. You'll be out for at least two days."
I said, my tone soft yet firm.
"I can't guarantee you won't suffer any damage, but when you wake up, you'll be surging with overwhelming power. Stay put, Tokito. You're strong."
With that, I sealed his consciousness, gently blocking his mind from the pain that was yet to come.
"Have someone take him to his room."
"Leave that to me."
"We,ll be leaving. Elaine, can you accompany Annie when she's leaving?"
She nods.
"She informed me about it."
I rose slowly, my gaze following Atlas as he departed with Tokito. The air still carried traces of unstable energy, but it no longer concerned me.
"Good."
I said at last.
"Majo. Summon the demons."
She smiled, sharp and snapped her fingers.
The world answered immediately.
Space folded inward, shadows tearing open like wounds, and in a single instant all one hundred and five Archdemons materialised across the field.
They did not stand, they knelt. One knee to the earth. Heads bowed and wings folded. An army that could drown nations reduced to reverent stillness.
"Keep our home safe."
I gave a few final instructions before departing to Paradis with the one hundred and six demons and Hinata.
The moment we arrived, the scenery shifted into a strange, vast expanse. A colossal black castle loomed at the centre, its spires reaching into an endless crimson sky. The air was thick, heavy tainted with an ominous aura that felt eerily similar to the Underworld itself.
Everyone stood in silence, unease creeping through the ranks. Amid the darkness, Hinata alone glowed faintly a soft, ethereal white light wrapping around her form like a divine veil, gently pushing back the gloom.
"Barrier?"
"Yeah. Only a few lifeforms can inhabit this part of Paradis. This is your new home."
The demons expressed their gratitude with solemn sincerity.
To beings who knew only conquest and dominance, this act of kneeling was not submission born of fear, but acknowledgement of authority they willingly recognised.
"Now for the selection."
I said calmly, my voice carrying across the kneeling ranks.
"As usual, Majo will be coming with me. The top five demons under her command will be divided into two groups. One will accompany Majo. Two, along with any twenty‑five others of her choosing, will be sent to the Kingdom of Raja. The remaining two will stay here as generals, overseeing the demons who remain."
I said nothing more.
I stood still, hands behind my back, allowing the weight of authority to settle. This was Majo's decision to make.
She stepped forward.
"It is a great pleasure to continue serving you upon this island."
Majo said, her tone steady and resolute.
"Amri, you will be with me."
The demon clad in crimson nodded once, immediately.
"Barak and Zelda, you will remain here as my generals."
Majo continued, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
"Spike and Vasal, you two will accompany the force to Raja. Your task is absolute. Protect the queen with your lives."
At once, the named demons dropped to one knee, save for one.
"Even in death, I shall remain useful to my Master and safeguard the queen."
Vasal declared solemnly, his voice ringing with unwavering conviction.
Spike let out a low chuckle, a sharp grin cutting across his face.
"Unlike this fool, I'll stay alive and protect her personally."
Before the tension could settle, Zelda's aura erupted.
"Anyone who steps out of line will die!"
She barked, dark‑blue magicules flaring violently from her body. The surge rippled through the formation, sending visible shivers down the spines of the lesser demons.
Only Barak remained unmoved. Amid the charged atmosphere, he merely inclined his head slightly, not in submission, but acknowledgement.
"Rest assured, my mistress. I will maintain order among these… especially Zelda, in your absence."
His voice carried quiet authority. Despite his small frame, the faint yet tightly compressed magicules radiating from him told me everything I needed to know. He was second only to Majo in strength. And notably, he did not bow.
Zelda turned sharply, eyes widening.
"Huh? Me? Why me?"
She understood the implication immediately. She was strong, but now she would be watched.
"I can count on you, Barak."
Majo replied simply.
That was all that needed to be said.
"Now then."
A magical arm formed at my side, shaped from condensed will and authority. I placed it gently upon Majo's shoulder. She stiffened at the sudden contact, momentarily startled, but whatever sensation followed erased all tension from her posture.
"With this, you are granted permission to access this world freely. No limitations."
Majo turned and bowed deeply. Accepting her responsibilities.
"I... I'll live up to your expectations."
"What about your other worlds? Where are they?"
Hinata asked.
"They exist beyond that veil. The demons can't reach there no matter how fast they run. The more they approach it, the farther it takes to reach the veil. Now then let's go."
"To where, my Lord?"
Majo asked and I couldn't help but smile.
"The Underworld of course."
The four were transported to the Underworld.
To be continued...