Demon Lord: Erotic Adventure in Another World

"What?!" Ciela's voice echoed through the air, a mixture of disbelief and confusion. "How can you say that, when I am standing here!"

Turan's blue eyes narrowed, his fingertips drawing the string of his bow further. "A dark elf, dares to imitate our princess, do you think that we, the guardians of the forest are that easy to trick, to mock?"

Asmodeus watched the situation, and he understood how the elves felt about the dark elves because of her sister. It might have been a miracle they didn't call her a forsaken one because that might have crushed Ciela even further.

I cannot leave her to face this alone.

"Where is Princess Ar'Orina? She would be able to vouch for Ciela." Asmodeus stepped forward, his tall height and muscular build causing the elves to focus on him with their arrows. Their bows creaked from the pressure of remaining fully drawn.

"How dare an outsider speak her noble name!" Another elf with short white hair and green eyes shouted, causing Ciela's body to shudder.

Her dark green hair fluttered in the wind as she hid her face from Asmodeus.

"I will burn this forest to the ground, unless you bring her to me. You dare ignore me, while I stand before you, Elf!"

A heat grew inside him, and Asmodeus couldn't control it. The image of quivering Ciela, the elves stating she died, and the dirty looks all of these people gave her. He promised to make things right so she wouldn't suffer... but his inability to do so made the heat explode into a fire, a fiery desire to crush and burn the entire forest.

"Enough... it's enough, Asmodeus." Ciela's low mutter, her hands clenched together so tight that her knuckles became pure white like bone.

"What of my mother, Ar'Sarina... is she well, Turan?"

Turan's eyes widened gently, observing Ciela before narrowing again as if unable to remain calm.

"The Empress must fight, to prove her belief in goddess Aristella, or so the oracle foretold!"

However, hearing about an oracle, Asmodeus noticed a flicker of anger in Ciela's eyes. Her lips distorted into a ferocious sneer before returning to a faint smile.

This subtle emotional tell made him realise something important.

When did I last speak to Ciela or the other women about their feelings, goals and families?
Discover more content at empire

"You say an oracle, but who gave it... the whore of a concubine?" Ciela's words sounded harsh, like blades tearing into the wounds of her most loathed enemies. Her lips curled into a slightly distorted smile. "That woman, Er'Gladia never cared for this forest, or her people, Turan YOU must know this, why send the sick empress to the north, with her only heirs?!"

Twang.

Woosh—!

Several arrows flung towards Ciela as her eyes narrowed. Turan also seemed shocked that people had released the arrows.

However, before he could take action, Asmodeus stepped in front of her, letting the arrows penetrate his demonic armour and body, only for the Elf behind him to twist his body and shout.

"What are you doing?! You idiot... those are enchanted arrows!" A voice filled with worry, upset and dismay, Ciela knew Asmodeus could easily block these arrows with his black exoskeleton. "So why? Why did you let them penetrate your body?"

Asmodeus wasn't perfect, but he learned that each day, since starting to accept the world and people around him after falling in love with Serena, his heart and mind began transforming, becoming more human as he struggled with these emotions.

In response to her eyes becoming filled with tears, dripping down her cheeks, he reached out with both hands, cupping the sides of her face and brushing her tears with his thumbs. "I never understood how you girls were suffering, dealing with secret pains, worries and issues. Each day forced to smile and act as if nothing is wrong for my sake."

"Who is acting fine?!" Ciela's outburst caused tears to flow even more. The elves behind them drew their bows once more, a subtle warning. Yet she didn't care right now about the forest or her mother—the arrows oozing with his blood became her focus.

"Idiot... I never want to see you hurt... why are you stupid?" Ciela's hands hit his chest, soft yet filled with her emotions and anger.

"If I can see you all smiling and content, then who cares if I am an idiot? Ciela, tell me, what can I do to help you right now? I do not know, and it makes my chest ache." He grasped her hand, placing her palm on his chest, and she felt the thunderous pounding of his heart.

"Leave this place, outsiders! Or face the might of the forest." Turan's warning sounded, likely irritated by the two people putting on a show.

However, the other women were seething; from the moment arrows pierced Asmodeus, the elves became their enemy.

Only Asmodeus and Ciela stopped them from attacking.

.

.

.

"Can you stand behind me, support me if I falter, and lift me if I fall?" Ciela's eyes shone with a gleaming light. Her hand stroked his chest, and her distorted smile returned to normal.

Her eyes focused on Asmodeus... returning to the beautiful green colour when she met him as her body fluttered with a sweet apple-scented wind. "You being beside me, is enough to make me feel invincible, Asmodeus."

With one last wipe, he removed the tears from her slightly swollen, red eyes and nodded. "I won't leave your side for a moment."

His body erupted with red flames, melting and burning the arrows into ash in seconds. Asmodeus caused the elves to gasp and mutter amongst themselves.

"A monster!"

"Is he a demon, we must tell the royal guard!"

"That woman... she really reminds me of the princes, are we not wrong?"

Mixed thoughts, some starting to believe, others terrified of Asmodeus. At this moment, Ciela stepped forward with a renewed vigour and pointed towards the silver forest.

"Although you might doubt me, I am the daughter of this forest, your princess Ar'Ciela. If you do not believe, I shall not force you, but do not press my hand." Ciela spoke confidently, her body swirling with the spirit of air, causing the forest trees to whisper in elvish.

Turan's eyes once again regained a flicker of clarity—this time, they didn't return to the doubtful fog from before. "P-Princes... we heard that the blood tyrant who perished in Grigor took your life after defiling you."

"What?!" Ciela's mouth gaped open, her eyes trembling. "Did my sister Orina not tell you the truth?!"

"Princess Orina claimed you were fine, that one day you should return a stronger and more suitable heir... but then an oracle came, and the imperial concubine announced your death... and its gruesome details."

"What's going on... does the captain believe her?"

"However, the princes had pure white skin—this woman is a dark elf!"

"Maybe the change Princess Orina mentioned... was this?" A counterargument muttered in the crowd, the dozens of elves slowly snapping out of their strange stupor.

"I will make you regret it, Er'Gladia... the nerve to tell everyone I got defiled and killed!!" Ciela trembled like a leaf in a storm, the veins on her forehead pulsing as she scrunched her fist tight.

Though her anger weakened the moment Asmodeus grasped her delicate fists, "Focus on your mother and sister... revenge can come once they are safe."

"Right..." She breathed deeply, calming herself while raising a hand in the sky. A glowing orb appeared, twisting and turning until an elven script materialised within. "Thank you... for protecting my heart, Asmodeus."

This item proved her identity to all the elves, who suddenly knelt in two rows, their bows placed to the left and their right arms across their chests—a pledge of loyalty.

"This is..." Turan approached and touched the floating item gently. His face showed disbelief until the object vanished into dust.

"Princess... you really... you're really alive?"

Turan dropped to his knees ahead of the others, his agonised face making him look up at her pleadingly. "I-I failed to protect you back then, and now I even doubt your existence. I apologise, Princes." He struck his chest twice, hitting with a loud bang before bowing. "I do not deserve to be forgiven."

Ciela stepped forward and pressed a foot onto his shoulder, causing him to collapse flat on his stomach. Her mixed expression showed her complex feelings. After several moments, her voice echoed through the quiet forest.

"If there is a next time, Turan... there won't be a second chance."

"Yes... your highness." He bowed his head while trembling in fear.

"Welcome, her royal highness, Princess Ar'Ciela, daughter of the forest, blessed by the wind." Each person spoke while lowering their heads, expressing loyalty and respect for Ciela and hoping for atonement.

At this point, Ciela seems to have returned to her roots as an elven princess, raising her chin and turning to Asmodeus.

He glanced at the situation and could only nod while walking beside her. Although Velvet and the others expressed worry, the group followed, heading into the divine forest, the capital of the Elves.

.

.

.

The elves born inside this silver forest couldn't boast enough about its beauty. The grass glistened under their feet; however, unlike the green of the northern areas, a vibrant silver glow filled everything.

No matter the season, it maintained its appearance and temperature all year long. An eternal summer caused all plants to bloom endlessly, granting a perpetual spring with flowers that released a sweet fragrance.

"I cannot help but find this place stunning..." Asmodeus whispered to himself, while Velvet, Asmodea and Vinea all agreed, nodding at him.

"It's incredible that this place stays the same all year round..." Even Alice found the spectacle breathtaking despite living in the royal castle of Grigor most of her life.

"It's all thanks to the world tree, without her... we would lose everything." Ciela showed a bitter smile, noticing that parts of the forest seemed to wither and fade. "It seems the demons are truly invading, for the forest to be this unsettled..."