Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 105: What Remained of the Ashes
The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the tavern entrance.
The sound of the wheels faded, and the silence of the forest no longer wrapped around everything.
"...We’ve arrived."
William’s voice came from the front.
Lamia was the first to move. She stretched slightly, adjusting her hair, and opened the carriage door.
William stepped down first and offered her his hand.
"...Allow me, my lady."
Lamia gave a side smile and took it.
"...What a gentleman."
She stepped down gracefully, placing her feet on solid ground for the first time in hours.
One by one, the rest of the group began to descend.
Max was one of the last.
The moment his feet touched the ground—
"—Uaaah..."
A long yawn escaped him without shame. He rubbed his face.
"...I’m completely wiped..."
The exhaustion from everything he had gone through in Morningstar Castle hit him all at once. His entire body felt heavy.
Lamia was already standing in front of the tavern door. She adjusted her outfit, smoothing the fabric with her hands. Then, without looking back, she opened it.
The door creaked softly.
"...Come in, please."
Her voice was calm.
"Welcome home."
But before they entered, William spoke.
"...I must take my leave."
The group stopped.
Abby didn’t hesitate for a second.
"William!"
She ran toward him and hugged him tightly.
"...I’m going to miss you..."
Her voice came out softer.
"...Thank you for everything..."
William returned the embrace, gently placing a hand on her back. And smiled.
"...It is my duty to care for my masters."
His tone was warm.
"...And it always will be."
Azael stepped forward next. He extended his hand.
William took it without hesitation. The handshake was firm.
"...I won’t be returning to the castle, William."
Azael said, serious but calm.
"...I’m leaving on a journey with Elise."
A faint smile.
"...To the countryside. To live in peace."
His eyes softened slightly.
"...Thank you for everything you’ve done for us."
William held his gaze. And nodded.
"...It has been an honor to serve you."
He tightened his grip slightly.
"...I wish you the best in your new life."
Then, he turned to Max. He reached inside his coat... and pulled out an item.
A dark bracelet.
"...Here."
He offered it.
Max looked at it, curious.
"...And this is?"
William inclined his head slightly.
"...An illusion artifact."
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"...It will allow you to take on the appearance of a devil, like the ones used in the castle."
He paused briefly.
"...I believe it may prove useful to you in the future, and it is not an easy item to obtain."
His tone softened.
"...Unfortunately, I do not have a more interesting reward to offer you... for saving Lady Abigail."
Max took it. He examined it for a moment. Then smiled. The dark circles under his eyes stood out even more.
"...This is already more than enough."
He stored it in his inventory without hesitation.
"...Thanks."
He looked at William.
"...And thanks for everything."
He scratched his head.
"...From the moment we arrived at the castle, you had our backs."
William nodded slightly.
"...Rest will do you good."
His gaze was direct.
Max let out a small laugh.
"...That’s the plan."
William said nothing more. He climbed back onto the carriage with his usual elegance. Took the reins.
And before departing—
"...Take care."
The carriage set off. It moved away slowly, until it disappeared among the trees.
The group stood in silence for a few seconds.
Then, Lamia turned on her heel and entered. The inside of the tavern was completely dark. Not a single light on. The air was cold... still.
"...Hmm..."
Lamia raised a hand.
SNAP.
The candles lit one after another, illuminating the place with a warm glow. The tables. The bar. Everything intact. But empty.
Lamia walked to the counter. She leaned forward slightly and frowned.
"...The hatch is open."
She straightened up and looked at the group.
"...Go down."
She gestured toward the floor.
"...They’re probably below. Varis, Abel... and the girls."
She walked toward the door.
"...I’ll lock up, just in case."
Without waiting for a response, the rest began to move.
One by one, they approached the hatch and descended the wooden stairs.
***
The air changed as soon as they reached the bottom. Warmer.
A dense steam floated through the space, slightly fogging their vision.
"...Uh..."
Max frowned.
"...What is this?"
They took a few more steps.
And then they saw it.
A large room, covered in smooth stone, with pools of hot water gently bubbling. Steam rose in constant waves, wrapping everything in a relaxing atmosphere.
The door to one of the sections opened.
And out came Varis. Wearing a loose robe. His hair and beard damp.
And accompanied by a she-devil, one of the women they had saved, also in a robe, leaning casually against his arm.
"...Oh."
He blinked.
"...Well, look who’s back."
His gaze swept across the group.
Whole and without visible injuries.
But when it reached Max, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"...Though someone looks like they took all the exhaustion."
Max raised a hand slightly.
"...You have no idea..."
Dorian looked at him, confused. Then at Varis. Then at the she-devil.
"...Uh..."
He frowned.
"...What are you doing half-naked with a lady like that?"
Varis looked at him. Then smiled.
"...You have no idea how good the steam room is."
He crossed his arms, relaxed.
"...It’s the best thing after an adventure."
Lamia appeared behind the group, coming down the last steps.
"...If you want, you can use it."
She leaned against the wall casually.
"...The spa rooms are open."
A small smile.
"...I don’t usually let anyone in, but..."
She shrugged.
"...I can make an exception."
Sophie raised her hand immediately.
"...Isn’t there a women-only room?"
The she-devil clung a little closer to Varis’ arm.
"...Hmm..."
She smiled.
"...From what Abel said, all the rooms are mixed."
Abby let out a small laugh.
"...I figured."
Sophie frowned.
"...Then no."
She turned around.
"...We’re going to the hot springs."
She looked at Moon and Abby.
"...And no one follows us."
Moonlight nodded, half asleep.
"...Yeah..."
Abby raised her hand.
"...I’m coming too."
Lamia tilted her head.
"...I don’t see the problem with mixed rooms, but oh well..."
She shrugged. Then looked at Varis.
"...And my husband?"
Varis pointed his thumb toward the back of the hallway.
"...In his ’laboratory.’"
He made air quotes.
"...Or whatever he calls that dump."
Lamia sighed.
"...Of course..."
She turned around.
"...Follow me."
The group moved down the hallway.
Behind them, Varis was already turning back with the she-devil.
"...Well, I’m getting back to my business."
He winked at Max.
"...You should try it, human."
The steam room door closed behind them. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
The sound of water once again filled the space.
Lamia stopped in front of a reinforced wooden door. She knocked twice.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
And then—
BOOM.
A small explosion shook the door from the inside.
Max flinched slightly.
"...What the—?"
The door opened, and Abel appeared. Covered in soot. Hair messy. His face blackened with smoke, with only his eyes clearly visible.
"...Ah."
He blinked.
"...You’re back."
His tone lacked energy. But there was relief in his eyes.
"...Glad to see you... in one piece."
He leaned against the doorframe.
"...But..."
His expression turned more serious.
"...I have bad news."
The group tensed.
Max frowned.
"...What happened?"
Abel didn’t answer immediately. He simply stepped aside.
"...Look."
Inside the room, there was a stretcher. And on it...
A figure. A succubus. But not as they should be.
Two heads. Four arms. A body stitched together with mismatched patches of skin, held by bindings, magic, and what looked like desperate attempts at stabilization.
Both were breathing... but weakly.
Abel crossed his arms. His voice lowered.
"...I couldn’t separate them."
He slowly shook his head.
"...The best I could do..."
He looked at the sleeping creature.
"...Was keep them alive like this."
