Thomas discreetly slipped his phone in his pocket, knowing that Beal could hear everything.

  “Are you really trying to destroy me ?”

  Asmodey tilted his head to the side.

  “Who told you ? Well, not that it matters. We already prepared the spell, so you’ll be gone in no time.”

  Thomas took a step back, but the fierce-looking Byleth had appeared behind him, preventing the human from running away. Thomas was shaking, feeling cold sweat rolling down his back.

  ‘I’m going to die. If Bael doesn’t make it here quickly, I’m dead.’

  A few days ago, he would have felt happy with this conclusion, but it wasn’t the case anymore. He had hope, in a few hours he would have his own body and would finally be free from all the pain. How unfair was it that at this moment the princes decided to kill him ?

  “Stop stalling for time, nobody can help you. We opened the door of a few cells in the dungeon, this should occupy Bael and his aide just enough for us to finish what we have to do. Don’t resent us, it’s nobody’s fault. You are just unlucky to be an imaginary person.”

  With a fake compassionate gaze, Vinea grabbed Thomas’ neck and dragged him down the corridor. The human was screaming and fighting with all his might, but despite his desperate pleas, the demon didn’t rex his grip.

  “Let me go ! I will leave Mariane alone in a few hours, anyway !”

  “I’m sorry. But it will hurt only for a moment, after that you will disappear. Please cooperate.”

  The feeling of the fingers around his neck made Thomas go insane. His cries were becoming louder and less coherent, as a panic attack was taking control of his body. He was shaking with spasms, and the only comprehensible word that left his lips was the king's name.

  “Bael ! Bael…”

  His vision was getting blurry, and they finally arrived in a dark room. It was probably a small study created to entertain guests of the castle, but the furniture had been pushed to the side, and a strange sigil was drawn on the ground with paint. Five of the princes held the human down, while Beliar crouched in front of him with a cruel grin.

  “Goodbye, asshole !”

  He extended his hand towards Thomas’ head, and dark wings sprouted from his back, as a blue smoke escaped his hand, a cloud of magic that was ready to touch the human any moment.

  -Bam !

  Suddenly, the wall exploded and a furious Bael appeared, fully transformed. His tanned skin was covered in white markings that were glowing, and four horns adorned his forehead, each as big as an arm. He had six pairs of bck feathered wings that were fpping furiously, raising a cloud of dust and debris. With a gesture of his hand, Beliar was thrown against the wall before he could react, and the other princes were immobilized in the air, floating above the ground with their mouths sealed shut.

  Thomas weakly raised his head, meeting the angry king’s gaze.

  “Bael…”

  He didn’t answer, but the king looked even more furious after seeing the bruised neck of the human.

  “I hope you are all ready for punishment. Being dumb isn’t a crime, but attacking a guest of the castle and releasing prisoners is. You guys are going to regret this.”

  Thomas, still lying on the ground and incapable of getting up, was looking at Bael.

  ‘He looks so impressive in full demon form. I’m gd he came.’

  His thoughts were messy and unclear, but one thing was certain, he felt happy to see the king.

  Before the demons could object and rebel, Baam appeared in a cloud of purple magic, and immediately created chains to bind the princes, then teleported them out of the room. Only Bael and Thomas remained, looking into each other’s eyes.

  “Are you okay ? You look so bad… I’m sorry, it’s my fault…”

  The king was fiddling with his horns, too shaken to turn back, but anxious that he would scare the human if he got too close with this appearance. However, Thomas crawled towards him, trying in vain to stand up. He was unable to think anymore, but his instinct was pushing him to reach the only safe spot : Near Bael.

  “Wait, stop, there’s debris everywhere, you’ll hurt yourself !”

  Finally, the king leaped towards him, and took the girlish body in his arms.

  “You are a lot of work, you know ? Let’s get you out of here. Mariane will deal with the bruises herself, it’s all her fault anyway.”

  It was time to free Thomas.

  Bael teleported them in his own bedroom. The pce was mostly bare, except for the gigantic bed and a wardrobe to the side, proof that the king never went here except for sleeping. However, the colorful carpet was covered in scrolls, sigils and candles, with a few books opened on the ground, which made walking difficult.

  With a fp of his wings, Bael flew above the mess and id Thomas on the bed.

  “Everything is ready, so just hold on for a while.”

  The king’s voice helped him rex, so Thomas gradually regained his senses and his heartbeat slowed down. He still had some trouble breathing because of his swollen neck, but his panic had diminished enough for him to speak.

  “Bael ?”

  The demon stopped mid action, a scroll still in hand.

  “Yes ? What’s happening ? Does it hurt ? Wait a bit, I’m almost done !”

  Thomas smiled weakly.

  “Thank you for saving me again.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It would have been stranger if I didn’t do anything. You did well calling me.”

  “You were already on your way, even if I didn’t call you, right ?”

  Bael blushed slightly, and hid it by continuing the preparations.

  “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  The human was staring at him with warm eyes.

  “It’s strange how you always appear before me when I need you. You wouldn’t have done something with magic to be alerted when I’m in danger, right ?”

  The king dodged the question while pcing another scroll around the bed.

  “Will you feel bad if Paimon comes to help me ?”

  Thomas immediately tensed up.

  “What do you mean ?”

  “Oh, he won’t approach you. It’s just that I need someone to prevent us from being interrupted and to take Mariane away once you’re out. Normally I would have asked Baam, but I feel like he would kill that stupid girl for disrespecting me and ordering your destruction. I mean, I wouldn’t be mad, but it would be bad if I did what I prevented the princes from achieving.”

  The human greeted his teeth.

  ‘Technically, Paimon didn’t participate today. He even alerted me. But he didn’t prevent his brothers from acting either, and he is still one of Mariane’s boyfriends. Isn’t it dangerous to have him here ?’

  As if reading his mind, Bael smiled gently.

  “He already accepted his punishment. He has a seal pced on him that restricts his powers and causes him unimaginable pain if he disobeys me. It’s a light punishment, but he helped me with my research and he alerted you, so I think it’s fair.”

  Thomas nodded slowly. If Paimon was restricted and didn’t approach him, then it would be alright. Very uncomfortable, but bearable.

  A moment ter, the blonde haired prince entered the room with his usual stoic face. A strange red marking was etched into his forehead. He could have hidden it, but instead Paimon had gathered his hair into a high ponytail, as if to make it more visible and show the seal to everyone.

  ‘Isn’t he ashamed ? It’s strange…’

  Thomas couldn’t understand, but he was not interested enough in the prince to ask. Whatever he might be thinking, it was none of his business. After all, the situation had escated due to every single one of these guys, not one of them was without fault. So whether he was repenting or not, it wouldn’t change the weight of his guilt.

  Paimon stopped at a reasonable distance from the bed, greeting Thomas with a nod.

  “Gd to see you are alive.”

  “It’s not thanks to you.”

  “I know. I accept my shortcomings.”

  ‘So what ? Are you forgiving yourself ? Forgiveness is supposed to be granted by the victims, what right do you have to make peace with your own mistake ? Every single one of them is a bastard…’

  As if sharing his thoughts, Bael narrowed his eyes, keeping his usual smile.

  “I would be grateful if you could assist me in silence.”

  The prince tilted his head but didn’t speak further. Soon, the preparations were over, and Bael leaned towards Thomas.

  “Close your eyes and try not to fight it. I don’t know what it will feel like, I hope it won’t hurt, but even if it does, please don’t hate me too much.”

  “I won’t hate you. Even if it doesn’t work, you changed my life for the better. I should thank you.”

  The king gently put a strand of hair behind Thomas’ ear. He didn’t have his gloves on, but none of them noticed.

  “You need to hate me if I hurt you. Just not too much, alright ? Just enough so that I can make it up to you.”

  Thomas ughed softly.

  “Alright. So do it correctly, so that I have the occasion to be angry.”

  “I promise.”

  With that, both of them closed their eyes and Bael let his magic fill the room, the air becoming thick with red glowing smoke. The scrolls and papers started levitating, buzzling with red electricity, and Paimon took a step back to prevent himself from being pulled into the magic win that was twirling around the bed. The king, greeting his teeth under the effort, put his hand on Thomas’ head.

  “For the one who is broken, by my will can a life be created. Once again, exist in this realm and meet your peers.”

  Slowly, a white ball of light exited the girlish head and started floating above. It was Thomas.

  “Paimon, take her away right now !”

  The prince leaped forward and grabbed Mariane’s body, then exited the room.

  “Okay, it’s time Thomas. Be strong !”

  Bael exuded even more magic, his horns and wings glowing, trying to nourish the white soul.

  ‘Please, make it work !’

  Sweat was dripping down the king’s forehead, as he watched the light slowly expand.