Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 96: Rescuing Azael (1)

The tower stairs spiraled downward.

The group descended quickly, following Abby, who didn’t hesitate for even a second.

"Abby, take it easy."

Max’s voice remained firm behind her.

"We’re going to rescue your brother."

Abby didn’t respond, but her shoulders tensed slightly. She didn’t slow down.

Moonlight, on the other hand, made a small jump and landed directly on Max’s back, completely exhausted.

"Father... please..."

She adjusted herself, resting her head.

"Carry me until we get there..."

Max let out a short laugh.

"This isn’t exactly the best moment for that..."

He adjusted his grip.

"...but sure."

Moon closed her eyes, satisfied.

Dorian, a few steps behind, was panting.

"...while we’re at it..."

He glanced at Lamia.

"Couldn’t you carry me too?"

Lamia let out a soft laugh.

"This is no time for jokes, dear healer."

Max slightly turned his head.

"Nor for flirting, you slimy elf."

Before Dorian could respond—

thak

Moonlight stretched out her arm and smacked him on the head.

"Get a grip."

A mischievous little smile formed on the young dragon’s face.

Dorian let out a breathy laugh.

"Sorry, sorry..."

He took a deep breath.

Max smiled faintly.

"Still... a bit of humor in moments like this isn’t a bad thing."

His gaze returned forward.

"But focus now."

His voice grew firmer.

"We reach the room, take down Dante, save Azael..."

A pause.

"...and we all get out alive."

As they descended, the air changed. The heat began to rise. Slowly at first—then more and more noticeable.

Abby frowned.

"...you guys feel that too?"

Dorian nodded.

"Yeah."

He looked downward.

"It’s getting hotter down here." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The stairs came to an end.

And gave way to a dark, enclosed corridor. No windows. Only a few candles along the walls, faintly lighting the path. The shadows stretched long.

But Abby kept moving as if nothing had changed. Without hesitation. Turning at every corner. Guiding them, even though she couldn’t see clearly.

Then they felt a wave of hot air coming from the end of the corridor. It passed through them—

And the candles went out. One by one. Total darkness.

Silence.

Max clicked his tongue.

"Dorian, dear elf."

He slightly turned his head, making a small gesture with his hand.

"Use your sparkles and light the way, please."

Dorian made an annoyed face.

"A little more respect for my magic wouldn’t hurt..."

But he raised his hands, and they began to glow. A soft, warm light illuminated the path ahead. The shadows retreated slightly.

Abby didn’t stop. She kept moving. Turning another corner, and another. Searching. Knowing they were getting closer.

***

They reached a corridor that stretched straight ahead. Long and silent.

At the end, there was a white light—intense, but strange. It didn’t illuminate the hallway, only the entrance to the room. Nothing beyond it could be seen.

Abby stopped abruptly. Her breathing grew uneven.

"...it’s there."

Max stepped forward.

"Let’s be careful."

His voice lowered.

"Don’t rush."

Lamia stepped slightly ahead, her eyes fixed on the light.

"I’m ready for whatever we find in there."

Moonlight jumped down from Max’s back. She stretched a little.

"...thanks, Dad."

She smiled.

"Now I’m rested enough to cover you."

Dorian let out a small laugh.

Moon turned her head and shot him an annoyed look, almost mocking him.

The elf raised his hands.

"...alright, I get it. Sorry."

The group moved forward. Step by step.

Slow and cautious.

And then—they heard it.

Screams echoed through the corridor. Pure pain and desperation. A chilling sound that froze the blood.

Abby clenched her fists, certain she recognized that voice.

"...Azael..."

They kept moving—and saw it.

Blood. Stains dragged across the floor. Some dry. Others... fresh.

More and more. Closer. Stronger.

Until they reached the threshold.

And what lay inside made them stop for a moment.

An old, gray-haired devil stood there. Sparse hair. Wrinkled skin. His body hunched, supported by a crude wooden crutch.

But his hands trembled with something else. Anxiety. Obsession. His nails dug into Azael’s head—trying to pierce it. To force something. To get inside, perhaps.

Azael was bound. Strapped to something like a stretcher—like a deranged patient. Naked. Covered in cuts. In blood. The floor beneath him was stained. His body bore too many scars. Some fresh. Others already healed.

Dante was testing him. Measuring him. Preparing him.

Before taking him. Before killing him.

Two figures moved from the sides of the room.

More zombies—but larger this time. They wore the castle guards’ armor. One raised a massive spear. The other, an enormous axe.

They stepped into the corridor. Blocking the path. Waiting for the group to approach.

Dorian swallowed.

"...you’ve got to be kidding me..."

He frowned.

"Are we seriously going to keep having pointless fights...?"

Moonlight clicked her tongue.

"Shut it, complainer."

Her eyes hardened.

"We’re here to save Abby’s brother."

Then Dante stopped.

He pulled his nails away from Azael’s forehead for a moment. Slowly turned his head. Saw them—and smiled. A deeply disturbing smile. His fingers still resting on Azael’s head.

"...interesting."

He slightly raised his hand.

And—

BOOM.

The door slammed shut, separating them.

"...you’re interrupting my experiments."

Max didn’t hesitate. He turned and hurled his hammer with all his strength.

The air split. The speed was brutal.

But—

CLANG.

The zombie’s axe rose and deflected it. The impact echoed loudly through the corridor.

The hammer bounced back. Max extended his hand—the hammer spun through the air and slammed back into his grip.

THUD.

His fingers tightened around the handle. His eyes never left the two zombies.

"...that’s enough."

He stepped forward. The air tensed.

"We go straight through."

He slightly raised the weapon, pointing ahead.

"Varis is taking the women to Bloodleaf Village."

His voice hardened.

"Neros and Sophie are fighting other guards."

He clenched his teeth.

"We can’t let all of that be for nothing."

He glanced at Abby.

"We’re saving your brother."

Then he raised his voice slightly.

"And we’re doing it right now."

Moonlight smiled. She turned to Dorian.

"Ready, elf?"

She cracked her fingers.

"It’s time for us to shine."

She pointed at his chest.

"I challenge you to prove you really were a great adventurer."

Dorian raised an eyebrow. And smiled.

"...I thought you didn’t like me."

Moon snorted.

"I don’t dislike you."

She crossed her arms.

"I just don’t like that you’re such a slimy flirt and a complainer."

Dorian laughed.

"How curious."

He leaned slightly.

"You complain quite a bit too."

Moon looked at him, smiling.

"...I’m going to cut your head off."

Dorian blinked.

"...you’re definitely picking up some bad habits from Neros."

Max sighed.

"Guys."

He planted the hammer into the ground for a second.

"This isn’t the time to argue."

He pointed forward.

"We have enemies."

Dorian nodded, adjusting his staff.

"Don’t worry."

He looked at Moon.

"We’ll open the path."

He gave her a small signal—and without waiting, he rushed forward.

Moonlight followed instantly.

"Let’s go!"

Max reached out a hand.

"Hey—wait—!"

But it was too late. The two of them were already charging straight at the zombies.

Moon let out an excited laugh.

"Finally, my time to shine!"

Dorian shook his head as he ran beside her.

"...I can’t believe I’m doing this again..."

His hands glowed. Support magic flowed. It connected to Moonlight, empowering her. Reinforcing her body. Her speed. Her reactions.

Moon didn’t slow down. She leapt. Wind magic swirled around her, lifting her into the air. Her figure rose—faster, lighter.

The zombies reacted. The spear wielder attacked first. A brutal sweep.

But Moon was no longer there. She dodged. Twisted midair.

Another attack. Slower. Heavier.

Missed. Again.

They couldn’t hit her.

Then the spear wielder turned—and charged straight at Dorian.

The tip cut through the air—but the elf had already moved. He vanished from his position.

And—

clack

He stepped onto the spear’s tip. Balanced.

Before the zombie could react, Dorian raised his staff and struck with force.

CRACK.

The blow hit its head—tearing it clean off.

The body shook, unstable.

But Dorian didn’t stop there. He pulled out a small knife. A scalpel.

And cut—fast and precise—the zombie’s fingers.

The spear fell to the ground, leaving it disarmed.

Abby’s eyes widened.

"...what...?"

She looked at Max.

"...the royal healer...?"

Max smiled faintly.

"Told you."

He looked forward again.

"He was a great adventurer."

On the other side, the axe-wielding zombie roared. It tried to attack—but ice stopped it.

Moon descended. Her magic wrapped around the weapon, freezing it to the ground.

The zombie pulled. Struggled. It didn’t move.

Moon didn’t hesitate. She stepped in and struck.

The arms fell.

The axe remained trapped. The zombie staggered back, unstable.

"Now!"

Max didn’t wait. He charged forward.

Lamia and Abby followed.

They passed between the enemies, taking advantage of the opening. The door was right there—closed.

Abby raised her hand. Fire. A burning sphere formed at her fingertips and shot forward. It hit—the door ignited.

Max arrived. He twisted his body and struck.

BOOM.

The door shattered. It opened.

But behind them—the fight wasn’t over.

The axe zombie opened its mouth—and bit down on the handle.

It lifted it. Holding it with its teeth.

Dorian blinked.

"...that’s new."

The other zombie drove the spear tip into its own hand—piercing through it. Blood didn’t matter. It held it firmly, like an extension of its body. Preparing itself.

Moon looked at Dorian.

"...you okay?"

She tilted her head.

"Need a hand?"

The elf smiled.

"Don’t worry, little dragon."

His eyes gleamed.

"I can still keep going."

Moon nodded. She spun her sword.

"Then..."

She smiled.

"...let’s keep going."