“Then let’s go, to Alagahad.”

He entered the portal just by walking into it.

You can’t see anything on the portal, it’s just light and there’s nothing in it.

I was looking around, what if people see us?

But since it’s Raphael, I know that he has already taken that in account.

The demons went in next. Kuro and I were the ones who’re left, Kuro held my hands and said,

“It’s okay, Shiro-kun. We can do this. Come, let’s go together.” She said.

It made me lose all my nervousness, her hand holding mine is just enough to give me strength. And I know that she will protect me when something happens.

“Yes. Whatever happens, I’ll always be with you. Okay?” I said.

Kuro nodded and said, “Me too.”

And then we looked at the portal, and then walked into it.

The feeling of crossing a portal is like crossing a waterfall, it doesn’t hurt. But when you go inside, you can’t see anything except light.

At first, you’ll be blind. And then the next thing that you will see is an image. And then after that, you will see the real place behind that portal.

A palace made of floating rocks and stones was revealed to us, it was certainly big, just like the ones in the fairytales.

“This is strange. There’s no Asmorith around us, only inside that castle. Stay alert, they may ambush us.” He said.

“Raphael-san, where do you think the teachers are right now?” Kuro asked.

Raphael started to fly towards the castle.

“I don’t know. I can’t use my powers on clairvoyance, only by looking at the future and past a little bit. And it only shows major happenings. But what I know, is that we have to save them.”

We followed Raphael until we landed in the huge door of the castle.

The door is also made up of rocks, we can bust this thing out but Raphael didn’t want us to do it.

“This really is strange. In my vision, this is where we started fighting the Asmoriths.”

When he said that the door suddenly started to open. It made us all alert, we felt a strong aura of an Asmorith inside that door and many more Asmoriths.

“Everyone, prepare!” Raphael told us.

We did our battle stance. Kuro’s at the front, with the two demons beside her. Raphael was at the back and I’m at the middle.

And then, what we see after that made us all stiff.

“They’re having… a banquet?” Kuro said.

Yes, the Asmoriths are eating inside.

While the strong aura that we’re feeling is the Asmorith that was sitting on the throne in far front of us. He has two Asmoriths beside him, it was Zecharias and Mordecai.

The Asmorith stood up and said,

“Welcome to my palace, dear guests. I see that you received my invitation.”

All the other Asmoriths stood up too and clapped their hands.

“What’s this?” I whispered to Raphael.

“I don’t know, but judging on their numbers, we can’t win.” He replied.

“But they’re eating!” I said again.

“That doesn’t matter!” he replied.

The man looked at us and he saw us two fighting,

“Ah, if you’re thinking about fighting us, then don’t bother. We don’t want any fights inside my castle. It is prohibited even with my own kin.” He said.

The Asmoriths sat down and continued eating.

The man walked towards us. When he was right in front of Kuro he said,

“Don’t worry. We won’t do anything. I have received Lord Lucifer’s warning when my two soldiers assaulted you.

I’m sorry for what they have done, please forgive them.” And he bowed to us.

Kuro, being a general knows what it means when a higher-ranking official bowed at her.

Kuro fixed her stance, she stands up and then bows too.

“We forgive you and your soldiers. Please, if we may ask.”

They stopped bowing and looked at each other.

“You can.”

“Did you take the teachers of our school? If yes, why?”

Azazel clapped his hands. And then people came from behind him.

It was the teachers.

“I took them over to invite you, otherwise you won’t be coming if I just send in an Asmorith. Also, I didn’t do anything about them. You can rest easy.”

The teachers are not scared, in fact they are having fun. Do they know that they have classes to attend to?

Also if the word spread about Asmoriths, what would Azazel do?

“This is so ridiculous.” Raphael said.

“What’s so ridiculous, Raphael?” Azazel replied.

Raphael walked towards the front to Azazel. He stopped face to face to him.

“You didn’t just take them because you want us to come. You took them in order to have prisoners. That way, we couldn’t do anything since you have them. If we fight, you’ll kill them, right?” Raphael said to him.

Azazel looked in his eyes and then he closed his eyes. And he laughed.

“I didn’t think of that! Thank you for telling me! Now, without further ado, let’s all eat our food.” Azazel said.

He didn’t care about what Raphael said to him, instead he insisted on us eating. He’s not a bad guy. In fact, we’re the bad ones. We barged in, we accused them, we doubt them inside their own place. While they were eating. Who’s the bad guy now?

Since we have no choice, even if Raphael is pissed at him, he still told us to go and follow Azazel.

Ah, I remember. We didn’t have any breakfast, we slept late and Alicia didn’t wake us up. Maybe she knew we were tired, that’s why she didn’t wake us. Anyways, we went to an empty table. The demons didn’t say anything to us, they just boldly follow orders. I hate it, they have their own personality so why?

The teachers that we saw earlier were eating next to us, Raphael went to their table and asked them some questions.

He asked them if someone did something to them, they answered no. They took them without saying anything, and when they knew it, they were already here. They were told that they’re here because some guests will come, and they need them to stay.

Confusing enough, why did they accept it? I know that they have classes today, they know it too. But why did they just accept it? It’s so strange.

Raphael asked them what happened after that, they told him that they were fed, given place to sleep and then asked them questions about humans.

Raphael was kinda amazed, “These Asmoriths really did nothing to them.” He said. Then he came back on our table with a relieved face.

“I’m happy that they didn’t do anything to them. But… I just can’t trust them enough.” He said.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

I patted his shoulders and replied,

“Me too, we just wanted to be sure.”

He can be really worried sometimes, even though he has such a badass aura around him, what we saw when he’s a teacher is what he really is, sometimes.

“Then, let’s all eat.” He said.

“We’re awready eashing.” Kuro said with a muffled voice, she’s already eating.

This girl, sighs.

I took a bit on their curry. My eyes widened with an “I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS” expression.

“Their food here is delicious!” I said.

The demons nodded and ate. Raphael didn’t answer since he’s chomping down his food just like Kuro.

And then, an Asmorith came near us. It was Mordecai.

“Hello my good friends!” he said.

Kuro looked at him with sharp eyes with food in her mouth.

“Wash shou you need?” she said.

Mordecai laughed a bit and said, “I’m sorry for intrusion, you can continue your feast while I’m talking. The truth is, I advised lord Azazel to invite you here, we didn’t want any misunderstanding with you all.”

“But you took our teachers. And then you said you don’t want us to misunderstand?” I said.

“Ah, that is…”

I drank the water beside my plate and said, “Hey, does Azazel still wanting to kill me? Or my father?”

Mordecai’s expression became serious. “Yes. He badly wants to kill your father. Or just capture you, since we need you. But it looks like it’s impossible. I can’t beat the general even if she’s just using some demonic powers, and you have

Lucifer’s demons, interesting enough that they are as strong as a 2nd class demon, no, maybe they are.

And also, an Archangel. There’s no point in explaining that now.”

“Why does he badly want us? What happened to him? He just—”

“He just lost his son. Well, it’s not ‘just’ anymore since it’s two thousand years ago. But still, have you ever lost someone in your life? Have you ever felt happy when they are gone? Because him, he didn’t. He always feels guilt that he can’t be there when his son was born, he felt guilty because his own son killed his mother. He lost everything, and when he learned that you were born, he felt relieved because finally, he can have his revenge. But I advised him not to, and he ordered us instead to just observe you. And then here’s now.”

What he said made me think. I lost my dad when I was young, I didn’t know what to do. I just do what I always do but deep inside, I really wanted to see him. That feeling, maybe Azazel feels it too.

“I’m sorry.” I said.

“Even if you say sorry, his son will not come back. But even so, he’s still here, being a king to us all. If he hadn’t, then we wouldn’t be living this way now.” He replied.

Yes, that’s right. In Azazel’s case, his son will never come back. My dad came back after six years, and I became so angry at him. But Azazel, his son will never come back. Now I know why he was angry at my father, even if Kuro was the one who killed Azazel’s son.

“That’s all, enjoy your meal.”

Mordecai added.

He bowed to us and then walked towards the throne.

And then, we ate our food. Kuro was definitely hungry at that time as she doesn’t care about anything, she just continues to eat it all.

The other Asmoriths that was finished eating their meals gave thanks to Azazel, they bow at him and then went out.

All the Asmoriths except Mordecai, Zecharias and Azazel is gone. The teachers, and we five are the only ones that was left in the big hall.

Then, we finished eating all. As thanks, we all went to Azazel and said thanks.

“Thank you for giving us such a meal, what can we do in order to pay you back?” Kuro said to him.

Azazel stopped for a second to think. And he said, “It’s okay, I just have a little question to that boy beside you, general.”

Kuro thought for a second, she said that she wanted to talk to me first, so we did.

“What’s the problem, Kuro?” I asked her.

She whispered at my ear and said, “I received an order from master, he said I need to go to his place right now. It seems like your dad’s situation is dire, because he wouldn’t order me to go back and help him when your safety is his number one’s priority.”

I was surprised, what happened to him? Is he okay? I don’t know. But if he needs his general, then I won’t have any problem with it.

“It’s all right, you can go. I’ll take care of my own for now, but be sure to get back okay?” I said.

“Yes. I’ll be back, Shiro-kun.”

She kissed me on my cheeks and then we went together towards the throne.

“You can ask Shiro-kun anything now, but first, I should be on my way. I have something to attend to, please understand.” She said.

Azazel nodded.

Kuro went outside the castle, and she flew towards the portal Raphael made.

When she got out of Alagahad, we continued to talk.

“So, what is it that you wanted to ask of me, Azazel?” I said to him.

Azazel closed his eyes and said,

“Would you… stay here at Alagahad?”

Raphael was surprised, he can’t believe what Azazel just said to me.

I was surprised too, I never knew that my dad’s enemy would ask me this thing.

To be honest, is this the reason why he invited us here? To ask me a question when he already knows the answer?

“You could be a prince, I’ll teach you everything you want to learn. You want to learn how to fight? I’ll teach you. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.” He added.

But of course, I answered with a no.

“I’m sorry, but I already have a place to stay. It is on earth. Also, I already have a teacher, it’s Raphael-sensei. And most of all, I already have everything I need, when I met Kuro. So, forgive me but, I have to say no for your question.” I smiled.

Azazel stopped for a second. He hid his face and said, “That’s a waste, I thought I would get a yes for an answer, but it seems like you already have everything that I can offer from the very first time. It’s sad but, we have to move on. Anyways, the Armageddon—”

When he said that, I became serious towards him. He removed his hand on his head and continued,

“—won’t happen. Why? Because we Asmoriths, are pledging for peace with you all. We don’t want any war anymore, and about my son, I already moved on. Inviting you here without killing you is the proof that I have already moved on.”

I was surprised, that means the Armageddon won’t happen anymore, and Raphael’s foresight is wrong.

Raphael walked towards him and said, “Do you, Azazel, really mean what you just said?”

Azazel looked at him and said, “Yes, Archangel Raphael. I swear in the name of God; my brethren will never release their powers on anyone.

Except for other beings who attack us first. But the important thing is, we won’t let Armageddon happen again. I don’t want to see an innocent boy get killed again for the sake of having his power, or suppressing his power for all of the world’s gain.”

Azazel looked at me and smiled, Zecharias went down and bowed at me, “I’m very sorry for what I have done, would you please forgive me?” he looked up at me with sad eyes, he really means it.

“Yes, I forgive you. So stand up.” I said.

“Thank you so much.” And then he stood up and went back to the throne.

Everyone was happy with it, Raphael, who just wanted to save the teachers, saved the world because of a pledge that the Lord of the Asmoriths made, and the demons, who just wanted to protect me was happy too because they didn’t have to hurt anyone, even if they’re just following the orders of their master.

And me too. I want everyone to be happy, if everyone is happy, then I’ll be happy too.

“And by that, the Asmoriths and the Demon Clan of Lucifer, and the Angels will have peace towards each other, in all times.” Azazel proudly announced it.

Raphael released his wings, and light came from them.

Raphael’s eyes brightened, it was as if something was controlling him.

Then he talked, “Azazel, the Angels of heaven recognizes your announcement. From now on, the Angels and the Asmoriths will have an alliance, do you agree?”

Azazel went down the throne and said, “I agree. Archangel Michael.”

It was Michael, the one who spoke through Raphael was Michael.

And then Raphael slowly descends downwards.

“So, that’s it. We shall go now, thank you for inviting us on your banquet, brother.” Raphael said to him.

Azazel became silent, maybe because of what Raphael referred to him.

I looked at Raphael, he was serious when he said that.

And then, I looked at Azazel.

He was crying.

“Brother… it’s been so long, since someone said that word to me.” He said.

Mordecai and Zecharias helped him when he cried.

Raphael looked at me and said,

“Let’s go now, Shiro. The teachers are confused at what’s happening. If we don’t go back, they’ll be confused more.”

“Wait. As payment, I’ll erase all the teachers’ memories from yesterday up until now.”

It was Azazel, he said that he would erase our teachers’ memories, as payment for what Raphael had called him. Small price to pay, eh?

Azazel casted a spell towards the teachers, and then they all fell asleep. Raphael told the demons to take care of them, he opened a portal to the school and the demons brought them there.

“Well then, let’s go.” I said.

I entered the portal and helped the demons, the teachers were all unconscious and was brought into their respective desks, Raphael also pretended to be unconscious, in order to know what will the teachers say.

When they woke up, they were confused, they forgot everything, the people told them that they were missing for a day, and they don’t believe it since they were just there at the faculty, sleeping.

After that, the demons and I went to my house. We’re at the front of it when they said, “Shiro-sama, Lord Lucifer told us to go to hell, we already reported him about what happened. That’s why he’s ordering us to go back.”

“Yes, you can go.” I replied.

Then, they blinked and then vanished.

“Ah, the Armageddon, it won’t happen now.” I said while smiling.

And when I was about to open the door, I felt an aura behind me.

And this aura, has a killing intent focused on me.

I turned around and enhanced my body.

It was a demon, he has a sword and was about to slice me with it.

I held his sword, it was so close to my face. And I broke it with my hands.

And then I punched his face, and then he fell down to the ground.

I asked him, “Who are you? Are you Lucifer’s demon? Why are you attacking me?”

The demon stood up and laughed,

“I’m not Lucifer’s demon. I’m a demon of the Dark Lord. And I came here to kill humans. And look what I got here, not an ordinary human, are you?” he said.

My eyes widened, "Why are you here?”

The demon answered, "Did you think that I'll tell you the reason?"

He pissed me so I held his neck by both of my hands.

"A-Ah! Sorry! Please don't kill me!" He said while trying to get out of my grip on his neck.

"Then tell me, why are you here? How did you get here?"

The demon answered,

“Lucifer is guarding the hell’s gate, and the only way to get out of hell is go to through it. Lord Sanata can go through it anytime she wants, and we, the lesser demons can’t. So, she ordered us to pressure Lucifer’s army, and too bad. They are almost wiped out. I was one of the demons who got out of hell since they’re too busy fighting the other demons.”

Ah, that's it.

“Thanks for the info!”

I punched him to the ground, and his body vanished.

“Ah… I killed him. Anyways, he said he was here to kill humans, so killing him is the best choice. Now…”

I used Presence Sensing to sense other demons, it seems like a lot of them came out. I don’t know where the gate of hell is located, but what I know is that I should kill these demons, because they’re here to kill humans.

And then I set myself to jump and said,

“Well, then. Let’s kill some demons, shall we?”

- End of Chapter 12 -