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

The outside air felt different the moment they passed through the castle gates. Lighter. More... free.

The group moved in silence across the stone bridge that stretched over the red lake, still carrying that strange feeling in their chests. No one spoke much. No one really knew what to say.

On the other side stood Lucifero. Waiting. Watching them. His silhouette framed against the castle, unmoving. And on his face... that same forced, unsettling smile.

"...It was a pleasure to receive you in my domain."

His voice reached them effortlessly.

"I hope your journey is... pleasant."

Moonlight moved a little closer to Max, lowering her voice.

"...Please, let’s go faster..."

Her eyes never left the king of devils.

"...That guy’s face really creeps me out..."

Abby let out a small, humorless laugh.

"...I get it."

She crossed her arms.

"...He’s scared me my whole life."

Max couldn’t help but chuckle.

"...What a lovely family farewell."

Even so, he raised a hand.

"...See you around, Mr. Lucifero."

A simple goodbye. Awkward. No one was truly at ease.

Lucifero didn’t stop smiling. Not even for a second.

Until finally, the group climbed into the carriage.

It was a black carriage with golden details, very elegant. Pulled by skeletal horses whose bones glowed with a faint magical light.

William was already seated at the front.

"...If you’re ready, we’ll depart."

The moment he pulled the reins, the horses moved forward without a sound.

The carriage began to roll, leaving behind the bridge, the lake... and the castle. Heading into the forest. The shadows of the trees slowly wrapped around them.

No one spoke for a few seconds.

Until—

"...Hey..."

Neros broke the silence, looking toward Dorian.

"...You can tell you had a terrible time in the guest room."

His smile was completely sarcastic.

Dorian was leaning against the seat, still pale but conscious.

And Lamia... was pressed up against him. Sitting right beside him. Hugging him naturally.

The succubus let out a low laugh.

"...Yeah, he looks absolutely destroyed."

Dorian sighed.

"...I don’t understand how we got out of that so easily..."

He looked forward.

"...Convincing Lucifero should’ve been impossible."

Azael rested his head against the backrest.

"...It wasn’t because of us."

He closed his eyes for a moment.

"...My father owed everything to Dante."

He paused slightly.

"...And Max took care of him."

He opened his eyes.

"...This is just him returning the favor."

Max scratched his head.

"...How considerate."

But he didn’t sound very convinced.

The carriage kept moving.

Then Moon looked up.

"...Uh..."

She lifted herself slightly from her seat.

"...Look at that..."

Everyone followed her gaze.

The sky. Up above, something was shining. Like cracks of light. As if an invisible layer was breaking apart.

The dome was fading.

Fragments of magic floated in the air like glowing dust, slowly falling and disappearing before touching the ground.

Moon’s eyes widened, fascinated.

"...Wow..."

William spoke from the front without turning around.

"...It is always beautiful to see magic dissipate."

His tone was calm.

"...Especially when it stops imprisoning."

The carriage moved deeper into the forest. Farther from the castle. Farther from the king.

And yet...

The feeling of that gaze remained.

As if Lucifero was still watching them. From afar. In silence. Still smiling... uncomfortably.

***

The carriage swayed steadily, softly... almost hypnotically.

The sound of the wheels against the dirt, the faint creak of the wood, and the silent trot of the skeletal horses eventually did the inevitable.

Everyone fell asleep.

Max didn’t know when he closed his eyes.

He only knew that—

"—YOU PERV—!"

—he woke up suddenly.

"What—?!"

He jolted awake, heart racing.

In front of him, Sophie had her hand extended, still trembling after the slap.

Dorian, beside her, held his cheek, completely confused.

"...I... I didn’t... it was an accident..."

He blinked, disoriented.

The scene was... strange.

Lamia was still asleep. Peaceful. Her head resting between Dorian’s legs, breathing calmly, as if nothing was happening.

But Dorian...

Had ended up leaning the other way.

And his head... was on Sophie’s lap.

"GET AWAY!"

Sophie pulled out several explosive seals in an instant.

"I swear I’ll blow your head off if you don’t move right now!"

Dorian jerked away immediately, nearly falling off the seat.

"It wasn’t on purpose!"

He raised his hands nervously.

"We were asleep! The carriage hit a rock or something!"

He pointed at himself.

"I was fine with Lamia and then suddenly—!"

"I DON’T CARE!"

Sophie activated one of the seals, crackling faintly.

"Don’t come near me!"

Abby reacted quickly. She stood up and grabbed both of Sophie’s arms.

"Sophie, calm down!"

She gently pulled her back.

"It wasn’t his fault!"

She gave her a nervous smile.

"...If you want, we can switch seats."

Max covered his face with one hand.

"...You’ve got to be kidding me..."

He sighed. His whole body felt heavy.

But still...

A laugh slipped out.

"...This is too much..."

He shook his head, still half asleep.

From the front, William spoke through restrained laughter.

"...My apologies."

It was clear he was enjoying the situation.

"...The road isn’t very stable." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

He paused slightly.

"...But we’re almost there."

That calmed things down a bit.

Sophie slowly lowered the seals, though she was still glaring at the elven healer.

Dorian adjusted himself, still tense.

"...It really wasn’t on purpose..." he muttered.

Meanwhile...

Moonlight hadn’t moved an inch. Still fast asleep, leaning against Neros.

And Neros—

"...ZZZRRRR..."

Was snoring without a shred of shame.

Max looked at them.

"...Unbelievable..."

He shook his head.

Lamia, for her part, shifted slightly.

She opened her eyes for a second.

Looked at Dorian. Then at Sophie.

And without saying a single word...

She slowly got up. Moved to the other side of the carriage. Far away. As if she had never been hugging him. As if nothing had happened with the elf.

Dorian looked at her, confused.

"...Uh...?"

Azael, from across, let out a quiet laugh.

"...Don’t worry."

He rested his arm on the window.

"...That’s just how country succubi are."

"You can’t say that!"

Abby shot him a sharp glare.

Azael shrugged, still laughing.

"...What? It’s true."

Dorian sighed, defeated.

"...I don’t understand anything..."

He slumped back against the seat.

Max shifted slightly and sat beside Moon and Neros. He got comfortable as best as he could, resting his head back. Closed his eyes again.

"...I’m going to sleep the rest of the way..." he muttered.

The carriage kept moving.

The forest slowly opened up ahead of them.

And in the distance, the lights of a village began to appear.

And the journey... was about to come to an end.