CH. 445: Life and Death Negotiations

Yasaka was a bit baffled when Asahi teleported into her room. Putting aside her phone, she quickly got up and dragged him to a room not far away from her own. He could feel a presence inside the small room. A presence so faint, it might as well not exist. It was the familiar presence of the former Devil King Lilith.

Yasaka slid open the room which confirmed his doubt. Lilith was tucked in a futon. Her breathing seemingly shallow. She was sick when he met her last time, but nowhere close to this miserable state. As if something caused her life force to hit the bottom.

'What the hell happened?'

Asahi kneeled before Lilith and touched her cheeks. "Hey, wake up."

She opened her eyes and eyed his face for a few seconds. "Your… Majesty?"

She tried to get up, but Asahi pushed her back. She wouldn't even be able to move in her current state, much less sit properly. So, Asahi transferred some of his life force to her and helped her up.

Lilith's eyes widened in surprise; an expression she shared with Yasaka. Even the strongest Nekousho, the master of Senjutsu and Youjutsu arts, had told Yasaka to give up on Lilith. There wasn't anything they could do to mend Lilith's deep-rooted exhaustion. Her life force had almost run dry.

"Your Majesty, why did you pick up so many skills? Don't answer," Lilith muttered as she scratched the back of her head before turning to Yasaka. "You traitor. I told you not to call him."

Yasaka sighed. "I had to do it… Asahi-dono is a precious ally. He would be angry if one of his people died in our place."

Yasaka had to lie. An excuse to save the life of the most resolute person she had ever met. Besides Asahi had helped her in finding her kin. It was only appropriate for her to return the favor.

"One of his people?" Lilith pursed her lips. "Your Majesty killed the soul of my husband… former husband if I must say. He took over the Underworld, the land I and my children cultivated. He should be happy with my departure."

"Lilith," Asahi said as he narrowed his eyes. "You have grown more sarcastic."

"We learn from the best, Your Majesty," she said with a chuckle and stretched her numb arms, and the futon covering her dropped. Lilith kept stretching as if her bare breasts weren't bouncing in the open. She was completely naked under the blanket.

Asahi shook his head. "Devils love to show off, don't they?"

Lilith patted her nipples, grinning. "Pride is in our bones."

"Screw your pride. Explain. How did you get to this state?"

"I became sick from the toxic air. I cannot believe I wanted to conquer this world… Your Majesty, don't make that face. See, I'm fine. As a matter of fact, I'll start a new journey right away."

"What?" Asahi asked, baffled. "This solution was just temporary. I need more time to replenish your life force. If you push yourself like this, you'll die in a few days."

Lilith gave out a dry laugh. "What will I do even if I survive? That god will drag me back to Hell and rip me open for his disgusting research."

Lilith had pleaded death at the hands of Yasaka. She would rather die than fall into Hades's hands who was always in possession of the Book of Lucifer. Alas, Yasaka did the opposite of Lilith's desire and called for a troublesome man.

Asahi frowned. "Did Hades do this to you? It can't be someone else. Only that retarded god is interested in devils."

"I don't know," Lilith lied with a poker face. "It could all just be a metaphor for my destined death."

She was lying. Asahi could easily tell from her uneasy aura.

"You're a natural liar." Asahi sighed. "I'll talk to Hades after I fix you up."

Asahi reached out to touch her forehead, but Lilith took his hand in her grasp and shook her head.

"Your Majesty, do not," she said in a stern voice. "I have nothing left to accomplish in this world. Don't prolong my suffering."

She had started the era of devils. She had ruled as queen of the Underworld. She had given birth to one of the strongest beings of her race. She might not be proud of those achievements now, but they were her own. She will always be remembered by the devils as their progenitor.

Lost in her thoughts, she allowed Asahi to grasp her face.

'Is he going to kiss me?'

A thought passed through her as she sat there, looking into his eyes. Asahi, however, had different plans as he pinched her cheeks.

"Ou—"

"You are a frog in the well if you think you have seen everything," Asahi said with a mocking smile. "Let me ask you, are you happy with those accomplishments? In the past, you might be pleased with those, but the current you? I don't think so."

Lucifer's change had an immense effect on Lilith's outlook. She went from a proud woman to an utterly depressed person. She didn't feel proud of her past self. Rather, she felt repulsed by her overindulgence in power.

Lilith closed her eyes in silent agreement. "Your Imperial Majesty, we live polar opposite lives," Lilith calmly stated. "You wouldn't understand my agony."

"What the fuck do you know about me?" Asahi clicked his tongue. "I used to be just like you at one point. I had given up on having fun until a wonderful woman reached out to me. So, yes. I understand you more than you understand me. That's why I'm helping you."

(Fufufu.)

"He isn't talking about you," Ddraig said. "Klyscha isn't a wonderful woman."

'I was indeed talking about Klyscha.'

"Quite hard to believe."

Lilith saw a serious glint in Asahi's eyes. "I see… Your Majesty had a rough upbringing. It's hard to believe… but it also explains your obsession with women."

"Rough? Nope. It was too smooth of a journey until nothing mattered anymore," Asahi said. "You just need time to find what's fun for you. And I'll help you discover that."

"What's fun for me?" Lilith muttered with a frown, seriously contemplating his advice. "Your Majesty, I find some resonance with your wisdom. Alas, this dream isn't meant to be."

"Why?!" Yasaka was the one to raise a question.