Chapter 208 - Third Stop - Lust (1) (1/2)

”Zero, my boy~! Lily's come to pick you up!” a song-like voice sang and Zero felt all the hair on his arms stand.

Baal shuddered visibly for a moment and glared at the lady with the sickly sweet voice. ”Lilith...” he growled.

”Oh don't be such a sour puss! I heard that Zero is going around, it's my turn now!” The Succubus Queen pouted.

The teenager didn't have much time to ask questions because Lilith decided to take matters into her own hands...literally. She grabbed the small teen under one arm with her bust squashing the young doctor's face and jumped out of the window. Her gigantic wings caused a huge gust of wind after she took off and blew the neat stack of paper all over the office. Baal cussed at the mess and deliberated cleaning it up or giving chase. In the end, the Demon Lord sighed and bent down to pick up the fallen documents. He would smack Lilith for the stunt and trouble later. For now, he didn't want Mammon adding any more to his existing debt.

Somewhere in the air space, Zero finally freed himself from the bouncy death traps and inhaled deeply with flushed cheeks. He made the mistake of looking down and turned green. Lilith took no notice of Zero's growing discomfort and continued to zip through the air, doing occasional loops with her unfortunate travelling companion.

”Lilith... I'm sorry...” Zero's muffled groan was the last thing the Succubus Queen heard before the young doctor vanished.

Almost at once the Succubus Queen stopped and looked around. Zero's sudden disappearance made her blood run cold.

”Zero? Zero can you hear me? Answer me please!”

Not knowing what to do, Lilith circled the area and searched high and low for traces of Zero's mana. It was faint but knowing that Zero was somewhere in the wilderness set her heart at ease. Baal would have her head if he knew she lost Zero after kidnapping him. Still, she had to find him quickly or the teenager might find himself in trouble. Unlike in domains, there were many wild and ferocious creatures lying in wait for an easy meal.

***

Baal was startled when the coachman pulled the carriage to a sudden halt. He almost fell out of his seat when that happened and frowned. The rat demon coachman reported the emergency in Demon Tongue and Baal raised a brow. A human with brown hair? That sounded awfully familiar. It had better not be who he thought it was or that dumb succubus will pay dearly for not only giving him extra work to do but also losing Zero.

The Demon Lord got off the carriage and approached the teenager who gave off similar vibes to his best friend.

”Zero?” he called out.

The stranger turned around and Baal knew that familiar face. Lilith was going to get smacked later. For now, he was more concerned about how pale his friend had gotten.

”What's wrong?” he asked and tried to get closer but Zero raised a hand to stop him from getting any closer.

The young doctor turned to the side and proceeded to empty out the contents in his stomach. Baal wrinkled his nose and chose to stay a little further back. He didn't know how to help Zero seeing that the brunet was supposed to be the doctor and not him. Also, as much as he cared for his friend, Baal wasn't very fond of getting himself dirtied because cleaning up was going to be troublesome.

Ten minutes later, Zero was lying down on Baal's lap in the stationary carriage. The Demon Lord decided to send a signal to the Demon Queen in the area who was still searching for her missing charge. Baal waited with the patience of a saint while counting down the minutes that Lilith would be on the receiving end of his wrath.

”Baal! Is Zero o-”

Lilith couldn't even finish her sentence because Baal's infamous slap resounded in the carriage. The vehicle shook a little but that was all. The skin that Baal made contact with turned red and the succubus' eyes widened in shock as she cradled the throbbing cheek with one hand. That shock melted away quickly and was replaced by rage.

”How dare you hit a lady's face!”

”What lady?” Baal asked coldly. ”I only see a dumb hag here who couldn't even take care of a teenager.”

At that biting remark, Lilith remained silent. Baal was seething, there was no mistaking it. Still, her pride as one of the Demon Lords didn't allow her to apologise immediately. She looked away, unable to refute or retort. Baal wasn't expecting an apology from the high and mighty queen either. He was just annoyed that Zero ended up in such a condition.

There was a soft groan and both Demon Lords turned their attention to the teenager.

”How are you feeling?” Baal asked.

”Horrible but better now. My head is still woozy but I don't feel like throwing up.”