"Man... Just look at that night sky. It's stunning," Chase mused, his gaze lost among the twinkling stars. "It almost makes me forget the chaos of today."

  Lai's ughter danced in the air as she stole a gnce at him while Eve observed quietly from the shadows; a hint of intrigue could be seen on her cover.

  "I won't argue that everything feels different now," Lai replied, her voice tinged with a bittersweet edge. "But given what happened, I can't help but wish I could have saved more innocent lives... Thank you for saving mine." Her eyes wandered back to the vast expanse above, reflecting her inner turmoil.

  Chase nodded, his expression somber. "I wish I could have done more, too... And really, don’t mention it. You didn’t deserve to face that."

  Turning towards him, Lai tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "But why did you save me? We didn’t even know each other. What made you take that risk?"

  Chase found himself captivated by her striking green eyes, their glow mesmerizing, while her venom-red hair cascaded gracefully in the breeze. "I just... enjoy helping others. You were in trouble, and I couldn’t just stand by. Call it a fw, but I guess I have a bleeding heart," he admitted, a hint of a smile breaking through his serious demeanor.

  Lai blushed as her heart skipped a beat. No man had ever spoken to her like that, and his words were making her melt. She wanted to believe it, and it was getting harder not to.

  "You're different from any man I've ever met," Lai breathed, her eyes shimmering.

  "How so," Chase asked as he raised his eyebrows in interest.

  “It’s almost as if you’re not driven by the usual desires for wealth or power or the urge to dominate those less fortunate,” Lai remarked, her eyes glinting with intrigue. “You even stepped in front of me to shield me from that talisman Hanz wielded.”

  With a sudden warmth, she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It was… truly brave of you.”

  Chase felt a shiver run down his spine as her breath brushed against his ear, sending a flutter of unexpected emotions through him.

  Chase cleared his throat, a hint of nervousness coloring his voice. "Ahem... W-Well? Money isn’t my main concern... I’m driven to seek power to protect myself and my friends, but... I wouldn’t mind having a girl in my life. O-Only if she’s interested, of course."

  Lai leaned in, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Oh really? So, are you interested in someone?"

  Eve, who had been listening intently, perked up at the question.

  Chase fumbled with his words, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "W-Well, yes, I guess I am. But I don’t want to rush her or pressure her into anything she’s not ready for. She has so much on her pte already."

  Lai nodded in understanding. "That makes sense, but you know, a girl likes to hear it when the boy she’s interested in feels the same way. Don't you think?"

  Chase’s brow furrowed as he considered her words. "T-That’s true. But I just can’t shake the feeling that she wouldn’t want to be with a... Demon Lord like me."

  Lai's cheeks flushed a soft pink, and her gaze fell to the ground, contempting his words. "Y-Yeah, that could be tricky. But she might be able to accept you for who you are, horns and all... Love can transcend those things, right?"

  Chase looked down and poked his horns thoughtfully, like a kid uncertain about a difficult homework assignment. "Do you really think someone could love me despite my title and these ridiculous horns?"

  Seeing his vulnerability, Lai’s heart softened. She reached out, gently taking his hand in hers. "Chase... I may have only known you a short while, but I can see that you’re a good man. Besides, I think those horns give you a unique charm."

  With a tender smile, she removed her gauntlet and brushed her hand against his cheek. Chase felt his face heat up, his heart racing as he pced his hand over hers, feeling a spark of connection.

  Chase found himself entranced, leaning in closer with his gaze firmly fixed on her. “You’re absolutely breathtaking...” He suddenly snapped back to reality, a hint of embarrassment creeping over his features. "Gah! I'm sorry... I feel bad," he stammered, running a hand nervously through his hair.

  "Why do you feel bad," Lai asked, arching an eyebrow curiously as she leaned closer toward him.

  Chase shook his head and sighed. "Because... I really want to kiss you, and I don't know if it's right. I'm trying to hold back—"

  Lai's ughter danced in the air as she drew closer, her forehead gently pressing against his. The tiny horns on her head pyfully bumped against his, sparking a rush of warmth between them. There was something different about Chase; a thrill of courage bubbled within her, pushing her to be bolder than ever before. After all, he had put his life on the line for her.

  “Don’t hold back,” she whispered, her voice silk and honey. Her eyes fluttered, heavy-lidded with intrigue, as she leaned in closer. “If there’s something you want, seize it. Life is too short to hold back."

  "I know, it's jus—mmmm," Chase was about to respond, but the words faded as Lai pressed her lips against his, silencing him in the most delightful way.

  His eyes went wide as the woman pushed her soft lips against his. Lai had her hands on his shoulders as she deepened the kiss. Chase moved his hands around her waist and pulled her body close. He felt her armor pressed against his chest. They both moaned in each other's mouths as they made out. Lai's tongue was rubbing against his. Chase moved his hands down and gave her ass a squeeze.

  'I-I'm kissing him!? He's the first man I ever kissed! And he's a demon lord! Am I betraying everyone and everything I swore to protect by kissing him!? I'm so confused. But his words were so sweet... He's been nothing but kind to me. He's so different from any other man I've ever met. He's handsome, brave, and sweet. It's like the gods themselves blessed him with everything. Aunh! H-his hands! They feel so good on my body... Is this really so wrong,' Lai thought to herself as the Demon Lord cimed her mouth.

  When they broke the kiss, Lai gasped, her chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. Her lips were still tingling with the memory of his touch, and her eyes shone with a hunger that mirrored his own.

  Chase leaned forward, his nose brushing against hers, his voice a husky whisper. "Wow..."

  Lai couldn't help but giggle, a wave of warmth flooding her cheeks as she locked eyes with him. At that moment, it felt like time stood still; she could happily gaze at him for an eternity. Yet, just as their beautiful connection deepened, the sudden voice of the Floating Grimoire shattered the peace, pulling them back to reality.

  "Hey, you two?... Do you remember that vilge we were heading to?" Eve questioned, floating near the helm.

  Chase and Lai looked at the book with an annoyed expression. "Uh... yeah? What about it?" the demon lord inquired, hoping that the grimoire was just bored.

  "Well, Master? It looks like we are going to crash into it," Eve stated, pointing her cover toward the bow of the ship.

  Chase and Lai spun around, eyes wide with disbelief as the quaint rooftops raced towards them.

  "Wah!" they both cried out, panic rising in their voices.

  A chorus of screams erupted from Grace and Marilyn, who stared in shock at the approaching settlement. Meanwhile, Lilith swiftly shut the hull door with a determined click. Fiona unfurled her white wings and soared into the sky in a flurry, her figure a graceful blur against the chaotic scene below.

  "Master, I think we need to brace for impact!" Eve yelled.

  'NO, DAH SHIT!' Chase roared in his mind as he and Lai desperately wrestled with the controls, trying to steer the boat away from disaster. But it was too te—the ship's hull collided violently with the wooden docks, splintering the structure like matchsticks. The impact rocked the vessel, sending it careening through the dirt and carving a chaotic path of destruction through the quaint vilge.

  A massive cloud of dust erupted, shrouding the area as pieces of debris rained down on the nearby buildings. When the chaos finally settled, the ship was irrevocably wedged in the heart of the abandoned town's central market. Chase, Lai, Marilyn, Lilith, and Grace erupted in a cacophony of screams, their voices echoing in the eerie silence that followed the tumultuous crash as they tried to comprehend the wreckage surrounding them.

  "Eve! Why didn't you say anything sooner!?" Chase yelled in a huff as he helped Lai to her feet.

  "You were busy flirting!" Eve said as she floated around him.

  "What the hell! Were you trying to kill us!?" Grace yelled as her bck hair was a mess.

  "Hehe! You are all so lucky!" Eve yelled as she floated around the ship.

  "I'm going to kill that book," Lai said, rubbing her head.

  "Hey! It wasn't my fault that you two were flirting the whole time!" Eve shouted.

  Lai fixed her piercing gaze on the floating book, its pages fluttering in the air like restless wings. Just then, with a ctter, Lilith tumbled out of the ship, nding on her hands and knees. The disheveled state of her dress left her chest and back exposed, adding to the chaos of the moment.

  “Gah! Who did this!?” the blue-haired succubus excimed, her cheeks flushing a vibrant shade as her hands rushed to shield her modesty. The embarrassment radiating from her was almost palpable, blending with the tension in the air as Lai’s eyes narrowed at the mischievous book.

  Marilyn’s heart raced in her chest, each beat echoing the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She pressed her hands against her heart, tilting her gaze upward in a silent prayer. "Thank you, spirits of the universe, for granting us the chance to live another day," she whispered in relief.

  As if summoned by her thoughts, Fiona floated down gracefully beside Chase, her expression one of concern. “Master Chase, are you alright?” she inquired, her voice a soothing balm in the aftermath of the chaos.

  “Y-yeah, I’m okay,” Chase stammered, his eyes scanning the surroundings. “But what about everyone else?” The tension in his voice mirrored the uncertainty that hung in the air.

  Marilyn was panting, Lai was rubbing her neck, Lilith was standing next to the door fixing her dress, and Grace was sitting on the deck of the ship fixing her hair.

  Chase's brow furrowed, a pang of guilt resonating within him. "Sorry, everyone. That crash probably could have been avoided," he said, his tone remorseful.

  Eve chuckled, her pages rustling, which made everyone gre at the book.

  "Don't be too hard on yourself, Master. This is just part of the adventure. I can't wait to see where the road leads us," the book teased, her words dancing with mischief.

  Lai was rubbing her temples, her gaze fixed on the floating grimoire. "This is not the kind of adventure I had in mind..."

  "I couldn't agree with you more," Chase whispered, his eyes surveying the destruction surrounding them.

  "M-Master? Can you make me a White Vampire too? Flying away seems like a good thing to have," Lilith asked as she slowly walked up to him.

  Chase hesitated, uncertainty clouding his features. “I-I’m not sure if I can manage that… Eve? Do you think it’s possible?” he inquired, gncing toward her for guidance.

  "You can only do that to Grace or Marilyn. Lilith has already been transformed once and can't be again... But if she gets stronger, she can unlock her wings so that she can fly," Eve said.

  "How do I get stronger?" Lilith inquired, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

  Eve floated pyfully and moved in closer. "Oh, it's simple! Just fall in love with Master!"

  Lilith's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as her gaze darted to Chase, who was caught off guard. "Falling in love? With Master Chase? I—I think I could manage that..."

  Chase's ughter broke the tension, his tone a mix of amusement and concern. "Lilith! Don't rush into it! And you, Eve... stop pnting those ideas in her head."

  "But I want to be useful to you, Master!" Eve chimed in, her voice bright and earnest, setting the stage for a delightful banter among the group.

  "I don't want to push things on people… Haah… I'll figure something else out for you, Lilith. Let's check the ship. Hopefully, we can get it back into the water," Chase said.

  "I don't think it's seaworthy, Master Chase... I saw a lot of wood paneling being broken off from the hull. And it sounds like the ship took a lot of damage," Fiona said.

  "Uh... T-thanks Fiona. We should at least check the damage, though," Chase said as he made his way into the cargo hold.

  ***

  Chase and the girls stepped cautiously into the dimly lit interior of the wooden ship's hull. Shadows danced around them as they surveyed the cargo area, its air thick with the scent of aged wood and salt. They rummaged through the remnants of supplies, dust motes swirling in the beams of moonlight that filtered through the gaps. The ship had clearly seen better days; much of the bottom was missing, a gaping wound from its disastrous crash against the earth, while the keel y twisted and bent, a testament to the violent impact. The once noble vessel now sat, a forlorn wreck in the midst of the abandoned vilge's marketpce.

  "Alright, everyone. It looks like our journey will be on foot," Chase announced, his voice weary and determined. "Let's salvage what we can and find a pce to rest for the night. I don't know about you all, but I'm in desperate need of some sleep."

  The women exchanged gnces, their expressions a mix of agreement and anxiety. While Eve decided that she wasn't going to be useful for moving stuff and flew inside of Chase's chest.

  "What should we do with the ship, Master Chase?" Lilith inquired, her brow furrowing with concern.

  "Gather anything of value: food, clothing, weapons, and medicine. We'll bury the vilgers in the morning," Chase directed, his tone firm but compassionate.

  "Understood, Master Chase," Lilith replied, her voice steady.

  With a shared sense of purpose, the women began to scavenge, moving quickly through the remnants of their ship. The grim reality of their situation weighed heavily on them; they were among the few survivors from the vilge, devastated only hours ago by the rage of out-of-control guards, all triggered by the ominous seven lights signaling the rise of the Demon Lords.

  In the aftermath of the devastation, the vilge y in ruins—most homes reduced to mere rubble, some engulfed in fmes until nothing remained but ashes, while others stood precariously, half-colpsed and forlorn. Yet, amid the destruction, one building stood as a beacon of resilience: a rge church at the heart of the vilge. Though it bore the scars of damage, it still stood tall, its steadfast presence a testament to hope. It seemed to whisper promises of shelter and soce as if it were the st refuge for those seeking comfort in a shattered world.

  "Lai, can you see if we can use the church tonight?" Chase asked.

  Lai's body tensed up.

  "U-um... Y-yeah, sure, Chase," Lai said.

  "What's the problem?" Chase asked.

  "A-ah, it's a church... The Goddess's power might hurt us... I'm not sure if it's safe for us to be inside a church. We are demons, right? It might kill us if we stay inside," Lai said.

  Chase raised an eyebrow.

  "But I got rid of that weakness for you and Lilith... We should be fine," Chase said.

  Lai didn't look convinced as she remembered what holy magic felt like when Hanz used his holy talisman on her.

  "We'll see what happens. If it's dangerous, then we'll camp outside the building. But there should be beds for everyone," Chase said.

  "I'll check right away, Master!" Lilith excimed with a bright smile, brushing past Lai with a spring in her step. For a fleeting moment, Lai entertained the dark wish that Lilith might fall victim to the Goddess's overwhelming powers, freeing her to cim Chase for herself. But as quickly as that thought crossed her mind, guilt washed over her, leaving her feeling conflicted.

  Lilith stepped into the church, her eyes scanning the sacred space with curiosity and purpose. Time seemed to stretch as she explored, but just a few minutes ter, she emerged with a beaming grin. "Everything's just fine, Master Chase!" she procimed, radiating a sense of reassurance.

  Chase sighed with relief while Lai couldn't believe that Lilith was "still" alive.

  'That's amazing... She's not dead,' Lai thought to herself. 'Then Chase is right. I won't get hurt by holy magic anymore... That's a relief.'

  "Awesome, thanks, Lilith!" Chase excimed, gncing back at the group. "Alright, everyone. Let's head inside and catch some sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long one."

  Lilith nodded and held the door wide open for her master, Lai, Fiona, and Marilyn to enter. Grace lingered for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but eventually, she stepped inside, too. Chase turned to Lilith and offered a heartfelt thank you, making her eyes light up with a bright smile.

  As they crossed the threshold into the church, they were met with a scene that both amazed and saddened them. The interior, though bearing the scars of time, stood resilient. The pews had been pushed aside haphazardly, some fabric torn and frayed, while the roof overhead had suffered a few gaping holes that let in shafts of moonlight. The once-vibrant stained gss windows now y shattered, casting a kaleidoscope of colors on the dusty floor.

  Yet, amid the ruins, the mural behind the altar remained a beacon of hope. It depicted Sera, the radiant Goddess of Light, surrounded by her devoted followers, their faces alight with reverence. It was a poignant reminder of the church’s past, whispering promises of guidance and resilience to those who lingered in its embrace.

  Lastly, there was the Idol of Sera, a statue that resembled the Goddess. The idol was adorned in a flowing white dress with silver trim. Her long golden hair flowed around her. In her hands, she held a scepter. Her head was tilted slightly forward as if she were staring at something in front of her.

  'This is... A bit surreal,' Chase thought to himself.

  "What is it, Master?" Lilith asked.

  "Huh?... Oh? It's just a beautiful piece of art... Look at all the details. And the colors... It must have taken forever to make," Chase said.

  Lai and the other dies were looking at the Demon Lord with a smile. They never thought that a Demon would be impressed by art with the Goddess. But his reaction was cute, and they didn't want him to stop.

  "So, do you know the Goddess, Master Chase?" Lai asked.

  He just shook his head. "I really know nothing about this world... Except that I'm a Demon Lord, and I'm in a different world," Chase said.

  Lai pced a reassuring hand on Chase's shoulder, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Lucky for you, we’re here to help! We’ll share everything we know, right girls?" She turned to her friends, beaming with excitement.

  The others nodded enthusiastically, their energy infectious—everyone except for Grace, who hung back with an air of hesitation.

  Chase shrugged, looking a bit uncertain. "I’ve caught glimpses of your dreams here and there, but I’m not sure how helpful that really is," he admitted with a shy smile.

  When dreams were mentioned, Lai, Lilith, and Fiona exchanged flustered gnces, their cheeks flushing with a mix of curiosity and embarrassment.

  Meanwhile, Marilyn felt a pang of isotion as the group bonded over their shared experiences while Grace maintained her distance, watching quietly from the sidelines.

  “Um... so, Chase, what did you see?” Marilyn asked, her curiosity piqued.

  Chase hesitated, gncing away. “I... I don’t want to say. It’s their dreams, not mine,” he murmured softly.

  Marilyn let out a frustrated sigh, feeling the weight of his words. He was right, after all; it wasn’t her pce to pry into their secrets.

  Fiona broke the silence, her voice filled with awe. “You’re nothing like the stories of Demon Lords we hear, Master Chase. They’d never act like this or show mercy—it’s almost unfathomable!”

  Chase rubbed the back of his head, and a mix of uncertainty and embarrassment tinged his expression. “Yeah, but I hope that doesn’t mean I’m weak...”

  “No way! You’re anything but weak, Master!” Lilith chimed in, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she rushed over to throw her arms around him in a warm embrace.

  "Lilith's right, Chase. You have a different kind of strength. Something that no one else has. And if you're worried about being weak, you can train your body," Lai said with a smile. A part of her wish was that she was the one to hug him, but she knew that Chase was hers and that starting a fight would make her look bad.

  "Train my body?" Chase asked.

  Lai's face had a red hue on her cheeks. "U-Um, yeah. We can spar with each other. And, um, you can have... m-my body anytime," she said.

  "Thank you, Lai. I'll take you up on that offer," Chase said.

  He gave her a smile and patted her head. Lai felt like her heart would explode. She had butterflies in her stomach, and her legs were shaking. She had never acted like a maiden before, and she was beginning to like it.

  "Um! I'll help you too, Master!" Fiona said as she floated towards him.

  With a determined gleam in her eyes, Marilyn stepped closer to the group, offering, "I'll do whatever it takes to help." The four women encircled Chase, their faces illuminated by smiles that masked an underlying tension.

  Grace, however, felt like an outsider in this warm setting, her heart heavy with doubt.

  'This isn't right; he's slowly corrupting us, and they're too blind to see it... It’s up to me to save us all. But I can’t act yet; I need to bide my time until they’re asleep. He won’t let me leave otherwise—he’s too powerful...'

  "So... are you guys hungry?" Chase asked.

  Everyone nodded.

  "Then let's make some food. Hey, Eve? Are there things I and the others can't eat?"

  The book flew out of Chase's chest, and she looked at her master before she shook her body.

  "You all can eat whatever you want. But Fiona will need a drop of blood once in a while. Oh! Lai and Lilith will need to feed on lust and sexual energy if they aren't around you. But if they're around you, they'll get plenty," Eve said.

  "Wait... does that mean?" Lai asked as her face got redder.

  "Pff! You think you had sex with him? No, no, you silly succubus. Master's body releases sexual energy, and others around him can absorb it. But I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing his body—"

  "Eve, that's enough... I don't want to make Lai uncomfortable," Chase said.

  "But, Master," Eve whined.

  Chase ignored her. "So, who’s stepping up as our chef tonight, and who’s up for fire duty?" he called out, breaking the tension in the air. Fiona and Lilith jumped at the idea of tending the fmes, eager to share their skills. Marilyn, with a bright smile, eagerly raised her hand to take on the cooking responsibilities. Lai chimed in, ready to lend her support in the kitchen, while Grace remained perched in the corner, lost in her thoughts.

  With that task accomplished, Chase turned his attention to creating beds for everyone to rest on. The dim light of the room cast a warm glow on the worn wooden pews as he began to rearrange them, transforming the sturdy seats into makeshift beds. As he worked, he sensed a familiar presence beside him. When he gnced over, he found Eve floating there, her cover fixed on him with a blend of curiosity and something deeper, something unvoiced yet palpable.

  “What is it, Eve?” he asked, intrigued by her intensity.

  "Master, I've been meaning to ask you something..."

  "Shoot."

  "Why are we pnning on sleeping in the house of a goddess? And not a cave?"

  Chase paused his work and looked at his grimoire.

  "Is there a problem with sleeping in a church?"

  "Well, no. It's just, aren't Demon Lords supposed to destroy churches and other religious buildings to weaken the Gods and Goddesses?"

  "Huh? I don't know. I guess if what you say is true, then I could destroy this church... But why should I do something so stupid? Destroying buildings doesn't help me in the short run, and maybe I can show that I'm not a threat to them."

  "It hasn't been five hours, and you keep intriguing me, Master. Do you really think a Divine One would give you the time of day to talk?... But what do you pn on doing if they don't want to be peaceful and they learn about your existence inside of their house? They will most likely try and attack you and the girls. Are you willing to destroy their churches and temples to protect them?"

  "Eve... We'll cross that bridge when we get there, okay?"

  "Hmm, alright. I'll let you worry about that when the time comes."

  Chase let out a sigh and went back to building makeshift beds.