Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 98: Rescuing Azael (3)

Moonlight spun midair, narrowly dodging the axe blade that passed inches from her face. The zombie held it in its mouth, biting down like a wild beast, spinning in place in a desperate attempt to reach her.

"Could you stay still?!"

Moon complained.

A burst of wind exploded around her. Her body shot upward, and in the same motion, a layer of ice crawled up the zombie’s legs. The crack was sharp.

Then came the fire. Flames surged from her free hand, pouring down like a cascade, engulfing the zombie’s body.

CRACK.

The monster’s legs gave out.

On the other side, Dorian stepped back in short movements, measuring his opponent’s rhythm. The spear kept grazing him again and again, each thrust packed with brutal force.

"One, two... three..."

he murmured.

The spear lunged again.

Dorian twisted his body—just enough to dodge—and placed his foot on the weapon’s tip.

"Thanks."

Before the zombie could react, the staff came down.

CRACK.

The head was sent flying. The body staggered—but remained standing.

"...always so persistent."

He kicked the spear’s tip, forcing it deeper into the arm it was embedded in. Little by little, the enemy lost the distance it had gained by using the weapon that way.

At that moment, a green flash lit up the corridor.

They both felt it. The heat. The pressure.

Moon turned her head toward the room.

"...what was that?"

The glow lasted only a second.

Then smoke began pouring out.

Black. Thick. Billowing from the shattered doorway.

Both zombies stopped. Their bodies trembled.

And then—they collapsed.

The spear wielder fell backward, its own weapon piercing through its arm and torso, as if it no longer had the strength to hold it.

The axe wielder dropped forward. The blade slipped from its mouth and, by inertia, drove into its chest.

Moon blinked.

"...that was weird, but I think we won."

Dorian lowered his staff, breathing heavily.

"I don’t like things that happen on their own."

They looked at each other. No more words were needed. They ran toward the room.

The smoke hit them like a wall.

Moon frowned and raised her hand.

"Move."

The wind roared.

A violent gust swept the smoke away, clearing the room instantly.

And what Moon saw—

Made her freeze.

"...Dad?"

Max stood in front of Abby, on guard. His body tense, ready to react.

Abby was on the floor. Crying. Shaking.

And in a corner stood Lamia. Motionless. Her eyes unfocused. Her body rigid, as if she couldn’t process what had just happened.

Dorian stepped forward.

"...what happened?"

He looked toward the stretcher.

Empty.

He frowned.

"...where are Dante and Azael?"

Max turned his head sharply. His eyes widened.

"—GET OUT, NOW!"

Too late.

Something cut through the air. A direct hit.

A sound... impossible to ignore.

THUD.

Dorian froze. His eyes slowly widened.

He looked down—two horns. Black. Twisted. Protruding from his chest.

Blood spilled in silence.

Behind him stood Azael.

Or what remained of him.

His naked body, covered in wounds... now threaded with green fire. His hair completely white. His eyes glowing with a dark light.

Dante.

In his new body.

"I found a better one."

Moon froze.

"...no..."

Dorian turned his head slightly, looking at her—face to face, just inches apart. His voice came out broken.

"...hey there, little one..."

Moon trembled.

"Why...?"

Tears filled her eyes.

"Why did you do that, stupid healer elf...?"

Dorian smiled faintly. Blood ran from his mouth.

"...because... I like you..."

He struggled to breathe.

"...even if you’re... a little... careless..."

Moon broke into tears.

Max reacted. He rushed to her, grabbed her, and pulled her out of the line of attack.

"Moon!"

He held her tightly.

"Are you okay?"

She clung to him.

"...he protected me..."

Her voice cracked.

"...but he..."

Max looked up.

And saw it.

Dante advancing—in Azael’s body.

With Dorian still impaled on his horns. Blood dripping down his torso.

"...what a beautiful scene."

Dorian trembled—but didn’t fall.

"...not... yet..."

His hands began to glow. Warm light.

Weak—but steady.

"...I still have... one..."

With effort, he pulled out the scalpel. Raised it, coating it in magic—and cut.

SHK.

The horns gave way—cleanly severed.

Dorian broke free, falling backward.

Blood poured out faster.

But he smiled. Weakly.

"...well..."

He looked at the horns piercing his chest.

"...at least now we have... this..."

He coughed blood.

"...for the king’s ritual..."

Max couldn’t help it—he let out a short laugh.

"...you’re an idiot."

Dante growled. His expression twisted.

He grabbed his head.

"...MY HORNS..."

His fury exploded. He kicked.

Dorian was sent flying.

CRASH.

His body slammed into the stretcher. He fell to the ground—motionless.

Silence.

Blood spread slowly.

And his breathing... faded.

Lamia vanished.

Her body dissolved into that dense, sharp violet mist—and reappeared behind Dante like a deadly whisper. Her claws gleamed.

She struck.

Or tried to.

Before she could even touch him—

BOOM.

An explosion of green fire burst from Azael’s wounds. As if his body itself reacted. As if the magic inside him had become unstable.

The shockwave hit her directly.

"—gh!"

Lamia was thrown back, her body reforming midair before crashing into the ground and sliding several meters.

Dante didn’t move.

He simply lowered his gaze, watching the green fire slither across his skin.

And smiled.

"...really?"

He slowly turned his head toward her.

"You’re still trying the same tricks twice?"

His voice was calm. Mocking. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Cruel.

From the ground, Abby clenched her teeth.

"...you bastard..."

Dante heard her.

Of course he did.

His eyes settled on her—and he started walking.

Naked. Covered in wounds... and that ever-moving green fire.

"...such foul language for a future wife."

Abby glared at him with pure hatred.

Dante tilted his head, analyzing her.

"...though I suppose it’s understandable."

He smiled.

"You have a very... interesting brother."

His eyes roamed her body without shame.

"Good physique... resilient... useful..."

Abby didn’t hesitate. She spat in his face.

PTSS.

The saliva hit his cheek.

Dante blinked. Then let out a small laugh.

"...relax."

He wiped it off with the back of his hand.

"I don’t have those kinds of fetishes."

He leaned slightly toward her. His eyes gleamed.

"But we can discuss it when we reach my land."

His smile widened.

"...when I make you my wife."

Before Abby could respond—

THUD.

Something struck—hard, directly against the back of Dante’s neck.

His head jerked forward slightly.

The impact wasn’t enough to bring him down... but it was enough to interrupt him.

Max’s hammer.

Spinning through the air.

Returning.

Max extended his hand—

And caught it.

THUD.

His fingers tightened around the handle.

He had set Moon down carefully just seconds earlier.

Now he stood. Breathing heavily.

His legs... trembled slightly.

But not his gaze.

That remained steady.

Locked onto Dante.

"...that’s enough."

His voice came out low. Controlled. He stepped forward.

The hammer resting on his shoulder.

"Moon."

He didn’t look at her.

"Don’t worry."

Another step.

The ground creaked under his weight.

"...from here on out, I’ll handle it."

Moon, still on her knees, tears in her eyes, looked at him.

"...Dad..."

But he didn’t respond. He didn’t look away.

Dante slowly turned his head.

He looked at him—and smiled. As if he had been waiting for this.

"...finally."

He straightened up. The green fire coursed over his body as if responding to his excitement.

"I’ve been waiting for this."

He spread his arms slightly—inviting him.

"Come to me, pet."