"Al!"

Alicia’s face lit up with excitement the moment Albel descended before her like a divine warrior. Even the little Fire Drake beside her flapped its wings eagerly.

"Al?"

Asmodeus frowned. That name felt familiar, yet it slipped through his mind like smoke.

"Seriously, can’t you give me a break? You’re not a kid anymore—why pretend not to know me earlier?" Albel spun around, pinching Alicia’s cheeks between his fingers and tugging playfully.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Alicia winced, rubbing her cheeks. "It’s your fault! I swear my face is getting bigger lately."

"Honestly? A rounder face suits you." Albel tilted her chin up, studying her. "This Holy Maiden’s jawline’s too sharp anyway."

"I don’t *want* chubby cheeks!" Alicia shook her head fiercely, shielding her face with both hands.

"But first—" Albel’s smile faded as he turned toward Asmodeus, his expression darkening. "Daring to lay hands on my wife? You must be tired of living."

"*Your* wife?" Alicia peeked from behind him, sticking out her tongue. "Don’t flatter yourself," she muttered under her breath.

"Pity. My greatest pleasure is watching men see their women violated. Today, I’ll indulge myself fully." Asmodeus sneered. *Who’s this reckless hero jumping solo into my trap? Must’ve lost his marbles.*

"Listen," Albel chuckled, glancing back at Alicia. "If you like someone, fight for them. Snatching isn’t strength, right, *wife*?"

"Exactly! Bullying girls is low—" Alicia shook a tiny fist at Asmodeus, then froze. *Wait. Didn’t he kidnap me too? Hypocrite.* "You’ve got no room to talk!"

"I didn’t *kidnap* you. I’m a domineering CEO." Albel straightened his ceremonial collar, clearing his throat with mock dignity.

"I don’t care who you are," Asmodeus roared. "I *loathe* interruptions before meals. Kill him! First to land the blow gets second turn with the Holy Maiden!"

Laughter boomed from his throat. *Another show-off begging to die. Their corpses could circle the continent.*

"Kill him!"

"Smash that pretty boy!"

"I’m claiming the Holy Maiden!"

The mixed army of demons and humans surged forward, weapons raised. A hulking orc led the charge, its massive axe—weighing over a hundred pounds—swinging down at Albel’s skull.

"Borrow this." Albel plucked the Holy Sword from Alicia’s hand, utterly calm as the blade descended.

The axe missed. Momentum sent the orc stumbling past him. Albel spun, driving the sword backward into its chest with effortless grace.

"ROAR!" The beast howled, collapsing. Holy light seared through its dark flesh, bypassing thick hide to pierce its organs. Blood pooled; its body twitched once, then stilled.

The army halted mid-charge, stunned. *An eight-star orc... slain without effort?*

"Fools! That was the Holy Sword’s power! Swarm him—he can’t handle all of you! First kill gets promoted!" Asmodeus narrowed his eyes. *This black-haired brat has skill... but he’ll drown in numbers.*

"Charge!"

"Attack!"

"No holding back!"

Lured by promises of reward, the horde surged again like a tidal wave.

"Stay close. Don’t let them jostle you." Albel tossed the Holy Sword aside, arms spread wide. "I don’t need flashy toys."

"O-okay." Alicia edged nearer, relief softening her worry.

"He’s given up!"

"The kill’s mine!"

"Back off—I’m the headhunter!"

Their cheers died instantly.

As the wave crashed toward Albel, it split cleanly one meter from him—like water hitting a rock—spilling left and right.

"Oof! My ribs!"

"Get your foot off me!"

"Your stink’s choking me!"

Bodies tangled in a heap, groans and curses rising from the pile.

"Who *are* you?" Asmodeus demanded, horror creeping into his voice.

"Me?" Albel shrugged. "Just a good man rescuing his wife."

"You dare mock me? Witness the power of the Seven Deadly Sins!" Rage ignited crimson mist around Asmodeus.

**Asmodeus, "Uranus" of Lust**

**Overall Rank: 12 Stars**

**Attack: 178,000 | Defense: 254,000**

"Twelve stars? Impressive." Albel whistled. *Haven’t seen a demon this strong since the Demon Kings.*

"Hmph. A Stellar Spirit title ensures you die honorably." A dark red spear materialized in Asmodeus’s grip. He lunged—a crimson blur.

*THUD!*

He missed Albel entirely, plowing into the mountain of his own troops. Bodies tumbled like boulders; screams erupted as limbs snapped under the collapse.

"Stellar Spirit title *and* Stellar Spirit aim?" Albel chuckled. "Taking you on a joyride to the trash heap, huh?"

"Hahaha, Al, you’re terrible!" Alicia giggled.

"You... *dare*—" Asmodeus shoved bodies aside, staggering out with disheveled hair and torn robes. Spear raised, he trembled with fury. "I’ll drain you to death in my lustful illusions, you pathetic pervert! **City of Lust—activate!**"

"Al, he’s unleashing his ultimate! Summon Levatin!" Alicia cried, panic rising. *His dodging won’t save us both!*

"Levatin’s under maintenance. A simple kiss won’t cut it now." Albel spread his hands helplessly.

"W-what do we do?!"

"I *could* force an early reboot... but it needs stronger fuel." He feigned hesitation.

"How?!"

"A real kiss." He blinked, grinning.

"You—!" Alicia flushed, ready to scold him—

Pink mist erupted from Asmodeus’s spear, flooding the battlefield.

"Die laughing!" Asmodeus cackled from the haze’s heart.

The mist swallowed his army first. Soldiers clawed at each other, tearing clothes, groping fallen comrades. Moans and wet sounds slithered through the fog.

"*What the—?*" Albel gaped. *Seriously? That’s a move?*

"Ahhh~ mmmph..."

From the captive priestesses’ cage came similar sounds. Albel glanced over—a live pornographic scene unfolded.

*Huh. Useful skill. Coach, I wanna learn that!*

He opened his mouth to shout his admiration—

The pink mist recoiled from Albel like a scalded cat, exploding back at Asmodeus. The blast hurled him skyward.

"H-how?!" Blood trickled from Asmodeus’s lip. *My ultimate technique... reflected?*

**Albel, "Orion"**

The title blazed above Albel like a constellation.

"*Orion*?! The name... You’re *Albel*—the First Demon King! The one even Mephisto fears to name!" Terror drained Asmodeus’s face. "The strongest demon who ever—"

"But it’s too late now." Albel’s voice cut through the silence. "Die."

Albel let out a cold laugh. "You're too late," he said, reaching to pull Alicia beside him. He meant to kiss her, summon Levatin, and obliterate Asmodeus—but his arms closed on empty air.

"Alicia?"

Albel turned his head, puzzled. A golden-haired girl with disheveled clothes lunged onto him, fumbling all over his body.

Alicia's pupils had morphed into two heart shapes. She'd lost her senses, emitting lewd moans that stirred forbidden thoughts, her body rubbing against Albel incessantly.

So even the Holy Maiden fell victim to this.

"Let me kiss you first before you get all worked up," Albel said, pressing her head toward him. But she shoved him away, clinging like a koala, her hands clawing at his clothes.

"Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!"

Just then, a low hissing rose from beneath the ground.

"Haha! Arachne has revived! First Demon King, perish under the Third Demon God's power!" Asmodeus roared with maniacal laughter. While Albel grappled with Alicia, he stepped on the Demonkin corpses, leaped onto the cliff, and fled.

"Something's about to burst from the earth."

Albel sensed an immensely powerful creature stirring below. He had to escape this deep pit now.

He hurriedly scooped up Alicia to leave. But she wrapped her legs around his waist, arms encircling his neck, eyes glazed as she giggled coquettishly.

"Al~ I want you now."