Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill

The gates to the royal hall stood before them.

Tall. Black. Carved with ancient engravings that seemed to shift under the torchlight.

William stopped. Without any effort, he extended a hand forward, inviting the group inside.

The doors were already wide open. As if they had been waiting for them.

"...Please, come in."

Max stood still for a second. He looked into the hall. Long. Dark. Too vast. Then he shook his head.

"...I’ll stay out here."

He hadn’t even taken a step back when he heard a voice.

"I would appreciate it if you came in."

The voice echoed from the far end of the hall.

Deep and imposing. Impossible to ignore.

"I want to see your face... when I tell you what I have to say."

Max’s body tensed.

A chill ran down his spine.

...another fight was coming.

Of course, that’s what he thought.

His hands tightened around the hammer.

Azael didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward first.

"...Father."

His voice rang firm as he crossed the threshold.

"I don’t want anyone to get hurt."

He kept walking.

"Open the dome... and let us leave."

Max swallowed.

’...Great.’

And stepped inside.

The hall was even larger on the inside. A massive table stretched across the entire room, covered with an excessive banquet. Meats, fruits, goblets, dishes he couldn’t even recognize.

And at the far end sat him. Lucifero. Waiting.

"...Welcome."

His voice carried through the hall without rising. He made a slight gesture with his hand.

"Please, take a seat."

A pause.

"...And enjoy this banquet."

The group didn’t move.

"...But first—"

His tone changed. Heavier. More serious.

Moonlight stepped forward instantly.

"Don’t you dare lay a finger on them."

Her eyes glowed.

"Not my friends... and not my dad."

She drew her sword. The metal sang through the air.

Lucifero turned his gaze toward her. And held it. Cold and sharp.

He remained silent.

Moon tightened her grip, certain an attack was coming.

But then, a hand rested on her shoulder.

It was Neros.

"...Relax."

His voice was low.

"This isn’t an invitation to fight."

He looked at the table.

"...It’s a banquet."

A small smile formed.

"...And that can only mean one thing."

Lucifero interrupted him.

"...Correct."

Slowly, a smile appeared on his face. But it wasn’t warm or kind. It was... tense and somber, like a smile forced from someone not used to smiling.

"...I want to celebrate."

He rested his elbows on the table.

"...That my kingdom is no longer under the rule of a miserable dictator."

His eyes moved across the group.

"...Like that bastard Dante."

The smile didn’t fade.

"...Has been eliminated."

He gave a slight nod.

"...Thanks to you."

The silence turned uncomfortable.

"And also..."

His gaze passed over Abby.

"...I thank you for saving my daughter, Abigail."

Then to Azael.

"...And for my son Azael surviving that abomination."

No one responded.

Sophie frowned. There was something in that face...

Something in that "kindness"...

...that scared her.

Abby pressed her lips together. She didn’t understand anything. That man...

Wasn’t he the same one who was going to hand her over to the enemy?

Max, on the other hand, let out a laugh.

"...Heh..."

He stepped forward a couple of steps.

"...How kind of you."

He stopped in front of the table.

"...Inviting us to eat after not helping us at all."

He crossed his arms.

"...So I guess you won’t mind that I didn’t make you that map of Eldoria Castle."

Lucifero’s smile vanished instantly. His eyes locked onto Max.

"...I already knew you wouldn’t. I knew it the entire time."

His voice was flat.

"...But if you hadn’t eliminated Dante..."

He leaned forward slightly.

"...I would have let you die."

The air grew heavy.

Max felt a drop of sweat run down his back. But he still laughed.

"...How funny."

Lucifero didn’t move.

"...It isn’t."

Silence.

Max raised a hand, giving a small signal to his group.

"...Sit."

The group hesitated for a moment. But one by one, they took their seats.

The table creaked slightly under the weight of the dishes.

William closed the doors behind them.

THUD.

The sound echoed.

Azael looked around.

"...It’s a shame the healer didn’t come."

He leaned back in his chair.

"...He would’ve enjoyed this banquet."

Neros let out a laugh.

"...Nah."

Sophie gave a faint smile.

"...He’d probably rather spend time with the company that left."

Abby rolled her eyes.

The atmosphere lightened... a little.

But her gaze never left her father. Pure distrust. She picked up a plate and examined the food. Then she looked at Lucifero, waiting for him to eat first. Only then did she take a bite from her plate.

Azael rested his elbows on the table.

"...So, I assume you won’t have a problem letting us go."

He looked directly at his father.

"...I suppose you’ll open the dome."

Lucifero picked up a goblet. He slowly swirled it.

"...No, I wouldn’t have any problem."

The group tensed.

"...I had it activated..."

He took a small sip.

"...So you wouldn’t avoid saying goodbye to me."

He looked up.

"...I’m proud."

A pause.

"...To see what you’ve become."

His voice softened slightly.

"...My children."

The silence was uncomfortable.

"...As you leave the nest."

No one spoke, because... those words didn’t fit. Not coming from him.

Azael broke the silence.

"...Don’t worry."

He looked at the group.

"...He’s probably in a good mood because he got the kingdom back."

He leaned back.

"...He doesn’t need to sell us anymore or conquer other lands."

Abby let out a dry chuckle.

"...And if we leave, he won’t have to share his fortune either."

She crossed her arms.

"...We’re doing him a favor."

Sophie looked around.

"...Hey..."

She frowned.

"...Where are Moon and Neros? They’re awfully quiet."

Both were in their seats. In front of completely empty plates. Everything that had been in front of them... was gone.

Moonlight was leaning forward. Her head resting on the table. Asleep.

Neros was still sitting upright. Perfect posture. Motionless. Also asleep.

Sophie blinked.

"...What...?"

And everyone at the table burst out laughing at the two gluttons.