The Damned Demon

Chapter 708  A Fruitful Discussion

Asher's eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft, early light that filtered through the room. Beside him, Grace lay with her head propped on her hand, watching him with a tender smile that softened her aged yet elegant features.

"You're awake?" Asher asked with a small smile, though he instinctively went to sit up, feeling like he'd slept longer than he planned.

But Grace pressed a gentle hand to his chest, holding him down as she said, "Stay put. You needed a full night's rest. Even a demon king like you should take a breath and slow down once in a while. I'm sure your wives must nag you to do the same."

Asher chuckled, taking her hand and brushing a kiss across her knuckles, "You think I'm trying to leave so soon? With any of my women, that's the last thing I'd want."

"Oh… am I your woman now?" she replied with a smirk, "At my age, I'm honored to make it to your list."

Asher's laugh was low and soft, "Your sense of humor, Grace. You keep blowing me away."

Grace's eyes twinkled mischievously, "Well, you're not wrong. I did blow you away a bit last night."

"Oh devils," Asher laughed, his tone growing husky as he kissed her, "You're naughtier than I expected, but that just makes you all the more tempting."

She grinned, catching his face in her hands as she pressed a quick, passionate kiss to his lips before looking at him to say, "Last night was the best of my life. If anyone had told my younger self that my best night would be with the demon king, I'd have probably almost killed them for thinking they were trying to insult me. Funny how perceptions and people change, don't you think?"

Asher's expression softened, a flicker of coldness in his eyes, "True. Perceptions can change in an instant. Sometimes, in ways you could never predict," he said, a wistfulness coloring his tone as memories of betrayal crept into his mind—the way the world had crucified him, the moment the WHA branded him as a traitor to the very humanity he had once protected. All within just a day.

Grace's smile faded, sensing the weight he carried, the sorrow lingering in his gaze. Without a word, she leaned forward, drawing his head to her bare chest, her embrace warm and steady as she whispered, "I know you bear a burden you keep hidden, and I won't ask you to share it, but know this—you aren't alone. Whatever the past is or what our enemies have done, it doesn't change our purpose. Together, we'll destroy the truly corrupted ones sitting at the peak and save both our worlds. I am far too spiteful to rest until we've accomplished it. You can count on me for that."

Asher felt her steady heartbeat against his ear, her strength seeping into him, grounding him. With a soft smile, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, "Thank you, Grace. I don't know what I would have done in this world without your direction."

She clicked her tongue playfully, drawing back slightly as she regarded him with a coy smile, "You give me far too much credit. You, Asher Drake, are bafflingly brilliant and more resourceful than anyone I've met. Honestly, I am baffled but impressed that you are so skilled, resourceful, and smart for your age, which has nothing to do with your Immortal Bloodline. It's as if you know a lot of things that you couldn't have known without experiencing things. But that just makes you seem even more mature and attractive in my eyes. No wonder all the women just seem to fall for you," she teased, "I suppose that little monster down there is to blame as well."

Asher broke into laughter, then shot her a wry smile, "Speaking of people in my life, how exactly are we explaining why we're coming out of this room together? In case you've forgotten, your grandson is still around."

Grace let out a soft laugh, shaking her head, "I didn't think a powerful demon like you would concern yourself with such… human concerns."

Asher chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement as he pulled her close, "I don't mind but I asked because of you. You don't mind letting him know? I think your poor grandson already learned too many shocking things in a single day. I can already guess that he thinks I might have done something bad to make you stay in my cult. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Grace's expression softened as she met his gaze, "Give him time. Once he gets to know you, he'll understand. But you're right—my grandson has already faced enough in one day. So, for now, let's say you and I had a very… fruitful discussion."

Asher's mouth curled into a smirk as he slid his hands around her waist and drew her onto him, kissing her, "Indeed we did," he murmured, savoring the moment.

-

Meanwhile, in the quiet halls of the Culthold, Remy awoke to the strange, earthy scents that seemed to permeate the underground. Though the place was a far cry from his Academy dorm, it held a warmth that felt… safe, somehow, knowing his grandmother was nearby. He couldn't remember when he had dozed off the night before, waiting for his grandmother and Hellbringer to return.

'Maybe they're back now,' he thought as he stretched and headed down the corridor.

In the main hall, Amelia was seated at a long stone table, tapping her fingers anxiously. Her gaze drifted back and forth, her brows creased. Staying overnight had seemed prudent, just in case Remy's curiosity led him to wander into a private setting that would only add to his confusion and shock.

Yui, looking groggy and rubbing her eyes, came in with her arms hugging Emiko, who wore her usual calm expression, "Amelia? You're still here?" Yui asked, blinking in surprise.

Amelia chuckled, trying to hide her nervousness. "Thought it'd be wise to stay. We did just pull off a rather… delicate mission."

"That's true," Emiko nodded, her expression turning serious. "For a moment, I thought we'd be caught by that ambush."

Yui's cheeks puffed as she chimed in, "It's alright, Emiko. Master always has a plan and would never willingly send us to die. He already guessed that evil president would be planning to ambush us like that."

Remy, approaching the group, overheard their conversation, his curiosity piqued. He found himself wondering if Hellbringer, the demon king, could really be the ally his grandmother and these people claimed him to be. Even Amelia, the famous Elemental Maiden, was here—a fact that still was hard to process.

"Hey, Remy," Amelia greeted him with a gentle smile, "Did you sleep okay?"

Remy nodded, smiling faintly, "Yeah, thanks. But I haven't been able to find my grandma. Do any of you know where she is? I'm still figuring out my way around here."

Yui exchanged a glance with Emiko. "Oh, right! Emiko and I were also wondering if Aunty Grace was done with Master. She's usually here by now, making something for breakfast…"

Emiko nodded, "Maybe she's just resting? She must have been exhausted."

"Let's go check on her," Yui suggested, concern flashing in her eyes.

Remy nodded, suddenly feeling a pang of worry himself. But just as the three were about to turn towards the corridor, Amelia sprang to her feet. "Wait!" she blurted out, her voice echoing in the hall.

Remy, Emiko, and Yui all turned back, startled by her urgency.

Amelia cleared her throat, trying to hide her panic, "I mean, I… already checked on her. She's still talking with Master. It must be important. We should wait for them to finish."

"Oh… makes sense," Yui said, relaxing with a smile. "It has to be important if they're talking so long."

Emiko nodded in agreement, "Hm, hm."

Remy blinked, his curiosity only intensifying. He wondered what could be so important they spent the entire night talking. He then wondered if it was related to him or whatever they were planning to do in the future.

Amelia let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful she'd defused the situation just in time. She flashed them a reassuring smile and invited them to sit, buying a little more time before Grace and Asher would emerge.

"Nonsense!"

Remy was startled by a woman's annoyed cry and turned to the side to see the scary Bloodice Mistress walking in with her hands on her hips.

Rebecca scanned the hall as if in frustration to see the absence of two figures, "I doubt they are up to no good. Otherwise, why would he even forbid me from entering that specific corridor? I can smell something foul here now that bitch drank my medicinal soup, hmph!" Rebecca snorted with a look of displeasure since she knew a man and a woman spending a night alone could mean nothing but something shameless, especially since Grace might utilize a few thousand life crystals to seduce him.

"It's barely morning, and you are already causing a commotion, my pet?"

Remy's eyes widened upon seeing his grandmother and a tall, devilishly handsome young human man walking into the hall with a charming smile.

He immediately knew in his gut that this man was Hellbringer but what still caught him off guard was how human he looked like this demoness with no demonic aura surrounding him.

Rebecca harrumphed as she switched her glares between him and Grace, whose aged face had a kind of glow and faint redness that she had never seen before on her, making her feel that something was very suspicious!

But before she could say anything, Asher walked past her, making her stumble back, much to her annoyance.

"So, Remy…Are you ready to join the Coven of the Damned?" Asher asked as he looked down at him, making Remy feel his entire body freezing up as he looked up at him