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

Max stepped through the doorway. The violet smoke stayed behind—but not the feeling.

Lamia rested in his arms. She felt warm... but her breathing was uneven. Weak.

The hallway was in ruins. Broken paintings, burnt furniture, walls covered in soot.

The skeletal knights moved in formation. Some carefully carried Dante’s wives. Others guarded the flanks.

Azael walked at the front, Elise in his arms. His pace was fast. Firm. Desperate.

Max followed.

That’s when they heard footsteps coming from the other end of the corridor.

Varis and Vimel appeared.

Their clothes were torn, stained with blood. They were breathing heavily.

"Max!"

Varis spoke first. His gaze swept across the scene—the women, the skeletons, Azael.

He stopped, frowning.

"...is everyone alright?"

A brief silence.

His eyes locked onto Azael.

"And who’s this guy?"

Max didn’t bother lying anymore.

"He’s Abby’s brother."

Flat.

"He came to help—and to save his wife."

Azael didn’t even look at them. He kept walking.

"There’s no time for explanations."

His voice was low. Firm.

"We need to get them to your healer. Now."

Vimel clicked his tongue and nudged Varis with his elbow.

"Don’t just stand there. We came to help."

Varis raised his hands, relaxed—but his gaze... had that glint.

He approached one of the women.

"Well, well... if we’re helping..."

He leaned slightly.

"I don’t mind carrying this beauty."

Max shot him a deadly glare.

"This isn’t the time for your nonsense."

Varis let out a short laugh.

"Hey, I am helping."

Still, he turned serious—and lifted her carefully.

Vimel was already picking up another. Efficient. No wasted movement.

Then his gaze fell on Max.

On Lamia in his arms.

He frowned.

"...and her?"

A tilt of his head.

"Isn’t she the one who attacked us?"

Max didn’t hesitate.

"Yes."

One more step.

"And we’re going to need her. That’s why I’m bringing her."

Vimel held his gaze for a moment longer—but didn’t press it. Not now.

The group moved quickly through the corridors.

Straight to the stairs.

Max adjusted his grip on Lamia.

"...is everyone else okay?"

He looked at Varis.

"Did you handle the situation?"

Varis made a face.

"More or less..."

He shifted the woman in his arms.

"Some of them swallowed poison. Those little devils were tossing those vials around like candy."

He exhaled.

"But Dorian’s already dealing with it."

Vimel nodded.

"Thankfully, the one who took the worst of it was the knight—Neros."

A pause.

"The rest aren’t in serious condition."

Max lowered his gaze.

For a second.

To Lamia. Her weak breathing.

Then forward again. Azael didn’t slow down—not even for a second.

"..."

He clenched his teeth.

A thought crossed his mind. Cold.

"...do you really think Dorian can handle all of them?"

No one answered.

Only the sound of footsteps—fast—descending the stairs.

***

Bodies of little devils covered the steps.

Some didn’t move. Others writhed on the ground, foam spilling from their mouths. Their own poison vials lay shattered around them.

Others bore deep cuts. Bruises. Unconscious.

Several were pinned to the walls—seals embedded in their bodies. Immobilized.

Sophie’s work.

Max stepped down a few more stairs—and saw Dorian, kneeling beside Neros.

The knight was struggling to breathe. Foam spilled from his mouth. His body trembled.

Sophie was at his side, activating seals one after another.

"Easy, big brother... easy..."

Her hands didn’t stop moving.

"This will pass..."

Max arrived.

Sophie looked up.

And the first thing she saw was Lamia.

Her eyes hardened.

"...what do you think you’re doing, carrying that traitor in your arms?"

Max didn’t hesitate.

"I need Dorian to heal her."

A pause.

"And not just her."

Footsteps behind him.

The skeletons began descending—carrying the bodies of the other women.

Then Vimel and Varis.

And then Azael appeared, Elise in his arms.

His expression didn’t change—but his voice did.

"Please."

Direct.

"Take care of my wife."

Abby took a step back. Her eyes filled with fear.

"...what is he doing here?"

She looked at Max.

"What’s going on?"

Max opened his mouth.

"I can expla—"

"I made a deal with him."

Azael cut him off. Flat.

"I came to retrieve my wife."

He tightened his hold on Elise slightly.

"And in return, I’ll help you face Dante."

His eyes swept over the group. Cold.

"But right now..."

He looked down at Elise.

"I need you to save her."

Abby shook her head.

"No."

A step back.

"We can’t trust him."

Sophie nodded. Firm.

"No way I’m trusting the guy who kidnapped my best friend."

Varis raised an eyebrow.

"...wait."

He looked at Abby.

"Your brother?"

Moonlight had already drawn her sword.

She pointed it straight at Azael.

"Don’t come any closer."

The tension thickened.

Dorian didn’t even look up. He kept working—but spoke.

"You should be grateful Neros is unconscious."

Cold.

"Otherwise, he would’ve already cut your head off."

Max stepped forward.

"Enough!"

Firm.

"Azael is not the enemy right now."

He looked at Abby.

"He did all of this to get his wife back."

He pointed at Elise.

"And he’s willing to help us against Dante."

Abby clenched her teeth.

"If he needed help..."

Her voice trembled.

"He could’ve asked for it."

Azael lowered his gaze.

"...you’re right."

Brief. Sincere.

"My methods weren’t the right ones."

A pause.

"But we’re here now."

He tightened his jaw.

"And she’s in my arms."

He looked at Dorian.

"All I ask..."

Low.

"...is that you save her."

Max exhaled.

"We’re wasting time arguing."

He looked at everyone.

"We need a safer place."

More suitable.

"To treat them."

A pause.

"Before Dante comes to check on his wives—and finds us here."

Abby reacted.

"Follow me."

She turned.

"There’s a hidden room nearby."

Vimel glanced around—at the little devils.

"And what do we do with all this?"

He gestured at the chaos.

Azael didn’t hesitate.

"Don’t worry."

He raised his hand slightly.

The shadows moved.

They opened.

The skeletal knights began dragging the bodies—one by one—into the darkness.

No trace left behind.

As if they had never been there.

Max blinked.

"...didn’t expect that."

Dorian finally looked up.

"Less talking."

He pointed at Neros.

"I need help with this big guy."

Vimel stepped forward immediately.

"I’ve got him."

He crouched and helped Dorian lift him—with effort.

The group reorganized.

And began to move.

Following Abby.

Toward the hidden room.