The portal spat them back into the main hall at exactly 8:47 a.m. castle time.
The air still smelled faintly of lava salt and barbecue smoke from the retreat. Minions scurried past carrying stacks of fresh contracts and coffee mugs shaped like tiny screaming skulls. The crimson torches flickered higher than usual as if the castle itself sensed something chaotic was about to unfold.
Tanaka stepped out first, clipboard already in hand, suit jacket slung over one shoulder. Behind him came the four heroes now officially Evil Co. probationary employees. The Sword Saint adjusted his black polo shirt like it personally offended him. The Mage Prodigy bounced on his toes eyes wide with excitement. The Holy Archer kept one hand near her quiver. The Support Priestess clutched a small notebook labeled "Healing Notes for Demons."
Beelzebub emerged last.
He had changed back into his full regalia black armor edged in crimson runes long coat billowing wings folded but ready to snap open. His horns caught the torchlight like obsidian blades. His expression was cold stone the same mask he wore when he once razed kingdoms without blinking.
But his tail betrayed him.
It curled slowly behind him eyes flicking to Tanaka then away then back again ears already tinged with the faintest pink.
Tanaka noticed. He always noticed.
Welcome back to the office he said dryly flipping open the clipboard. First item new hire task assignments. No burning no stabbing no holy smiting during business hours. Understood?
The Sword Saint saluted stiffly. Understood Director.
The Mage Prodigy grinned. Lab access?
Third floor left wing. Do not blow up the east wing again.
No promises.
The priestess bowed slightly. Medical wing?
Burn ward first. Minions keep injuring themselves in stupid ways. Start with the imp who stapled his hand to the wall last week.
The Holy Archer simply nodded arrow already half nocked out of habit.
Beelzebub said nothing.
His crimson gaze tracked every movement every word every smile the heroes gave Tanaka.
When the Sword Saint asked a quick follow up question about patrol routes Beelzebub's tail lashed once hard enough to knock over a nearby stack of scrolls.
Tanaka glanced at him.
Problem Your Majesty?
No. Beelzebub's voice was ice. Continue.
The heroes dispersed quickly sensing the sudden drop in temperature.
Tanaka turned to Beelzebub fully now arms crossed. You are doing it again.
Doing what?
The jealous thing. The tail thing. The glaring thing.
Beelzebub's ears flushed darker. I do not glare.
You are glaring right now.
He looked away jaw tight. They are incompetent.
They are new.
They smiled at you.
Tanaka sighed rubbed the bridge of his nose. Everyone smiles at HR. It is literally my job to make people feel heard.
Not like that.
Like what?
Beelzebub stepped closer wings half spreading blocking the hallway light. Like they think they have a chance.
Tanaka stared up at him for a long second then laughed low and genuine. You are ridiculous.
I am not ridiculous. Beelzebub's voice dropped lower claws flexing at his sides. I am protective.
You keep saying that.
Because it is true.
Tanaka studied him the way he studied performance reports cold analytical but with something softer underneath. The ruthless Demon King who had once ended worlds now stood here ears pink tail restless because four ex heroes had been polite.
He stepped closer placed one hand flat on Beelzebub's armored chest right over the spot where his heart hammered like war drums.
Listen carefully Your Majesty. They are employees. They get work attention. You get everything else.
Beelzebub's breath hitched. Crimson eyes widened fractionally.
Everything?
Everything.
The Demon King exhaled slow almost shuddering. His tail curled around Tanaka's ankle slow careful possessive.
Good he whispered.
Then he leaned down forehead resting against Tanaka's for one brief heartbeat before pulling back.
Do not let them forget.
Tanaka smirked. I will remind them.
The day descended into beautiful disaster.
The Sword Saint's first patrol ended with him accidentally slicing through a training dummy that turned out to be a mimic in disguise. The mimic screamed latched onto his leg and refused to let go until the priestess pried it off with holy tweezers.
The Mage Prodigy mixed a "motivational potion" for the research team. It exploded in purple glitter that stuck to everything including the ceiling. Minions spent three hours trying to wash it off their horns.
The Holy Archer mistook a shadow for an intruder and loosed an arrow. The shadow was a minion's pet bat. The bat was fine. The minion was not.
The priestess tripped over a loose contract scroll while carrying healing salves face planted into a pile of burning paperwork and accidentally set her own sleeve on fire.
By noon the castle was a war zone of glitter slime holy feathers and screaming minions.
Beelzebub stood in the main hall arms crossed wings folded tight eyes narrowed as he watched the chaos unfold.
His tail lashed faster with every new disaster.
When the Sword Saint limped in covered in mimic slime armor dented leg bleeding slightly Beelzebub stepped forward voice cold enough to freeze lava.
Report.
The Sword Saint straightened despite the pain. Minor incident Director. Mimic in training room. Dealt with.
Beelzebub's eyes narrowed further. You let it touch you.
It was fast.
Beelzebub's claws flexed audibly. Next time it will not be.
The Sword Saint swallowed hard. Yes sir.
Tanaka stepped between them clipboard raised voice calm. Enough. He is new. Mistakes happen.
Beelzebub looked down at Tanaka ears flushing slightly. He was careless.
He is learning.
Beelzebub exhaled through his nose wings twitching. Fine.
But when the Sword Saint limped away Beelzebub turned to Tanaka voice low enough only he could hear.
He looked at you when he reported. Like he wanted your approval.
Tanaka sighed. Everyone wants approval from HR.
Not like that.
Jealousy again?
Beelzebub did not answer. He simply stepped closer wings folding around them both blocking the hall from view creating a private pocket of shadow and heat.
His tail curled around Tanaka's waist slow possessive.
You are mine he said quiet fierce. They forget that.
Tanaka met his gaze unflinching. I have not forgotten.
Beelzebub's ears went redder. His grip on Tanaka's waist tightened fractionally.
Good.
He released him tail uncoiling slowly but not before brushing one last time against Tanaka's side.
The rest of the day passed in similar fashion.
Explosions in the lab. Healing mishaps in the medical wing. Minions running screaming from glitter clouds. Heroes apologizing profusely while trying to fix their own disasters.
Beelzebub stayed close always one step behind Tanaka always watching always ready.
Every time one of the heroes spoke to Tanaka his tail flicked. Every time they smiled his ears flushed. Every time they asked for advice his claws flexed.
By evening the castle was exhausted.
Tanaka sat in his office reviewing incident reports rubbing his temples.
Beelzebub leaned in the doorway wings folded arms crossed.
Long day.
Very.
He stepped inside closed the door behind him with a soft click.
They are incompetent.
They are new.
They are dangerous.
Tanaka looked up. Because they talk to me?
Because they look at you.
Tanaka set the clipboard down stood up walked to him slowly.
You are ridiculous Your Majesty.
Beelzebub looked down ears pink. I am not.
You are jealous of your own employees.
He growled low. They do not deserve your attention.
Tanaka reached up cupped Beelzebub's face one hand on each cheek forced him to meet his eyes.
They get work attention. You get everything else.
Beelzebub's breath hitched. Crimson eyes widened fractionally.
Everything?
Everything.
The Demon King exhaled slow almost shuddering. His tail curled around Tanaka's waist again slow careful possessive.
Then he leaned down forehead resting against Tanaka's for one long heartbeat wings folding tighter around them both.
Good he whispered voice rough with something deeper than jealousy.
Tanaka smiled small private. Now go scare some minions. I have reports to finish.
Beelzebub pulled back reluctantly tail uncoiling slowly.
As you command Director.
He left.
But the door stayed cracked open.
And Tanaka knew he was still watching.
Protective.
Jealous.
His.