The Damned Demon - Chapter 735

Chapter 735 A Safe Resting Place

One of the underground halls of the Culthold was cloaked in darkness, the silence hanging thick in the air like a suffocating veil. The dark light from a few flickering lamps cast long shadows along the cold stone walls. Before them stood a black coffin, its surface gleaming faintly, a solemn monument to the girl they had all lost. Emiko's body lay encased within, her final resting place far too close to the very shadows that had claimed her life.

Asher stood quietly, his eyes fixed on the coffin, his features softening with a mixture of grief and regret. He hadn't spoken much since their arrival, but now, with a subtle smile, he finally broke the silence, "I still remember how scared Yui and Emiko were when they first saw me inhabiting a small doll," he began, his voice low and calm, as if recalling a distant memory, "At that time, they were terrified of a demon like me. But even then, despite that fear, Emiko still had her arms wrapped around Yui, protecting her from me. At that moment, I realized that she was not only a strong girl but someone with a loving heart—someone who cared deeply. A heart that was one in a million." Asher felt Emiko's loss deeper than he thought. He knew she truly believed in what he was trying to do, and he felt angry that she had been taken away like this.

Even if Anna was the one who did the deed, his resentment was more directed towards the hand that pulled the strings on Anna. As if what he had taken from him in his past life wasn't enough.

Rebecca's gaze flickered toward him, a bit surprised by this revelation. She knew no ordinary human would care about protecting anyone else before someone like Asher.

Asher paused, glancing at Grace, who stood beside him with a wistful smile on her face, "That's why I didn't protest when you wanted them in," Asher finished, his words filled with quiet admiration.

Grace's smile softened, and she gave Asher a gentle nod, "Like Yui, she had a pure and kind soul. That's why I wanted to take these two in," Grace murmured, her voice heavy with the weight of unspoken emotion. Yui sniffed, her eyes blurred with tears. Her hands trembled as she slowly knelt beside the coffin, gently caressing its surface as if hoping her touch could somehow reach Emiko, "I still can't believe you're all alone in there," Yui whispered, her voice fragile, as if saying the words aloud might make it more real, "Even now, I wish this was just a nightmare. You promised me we would always stay together... and yet you left me behind. You heard our master. If not for you protecting me, I wouldn't be here. You were always the one protecting others... and yet I couldn't do the same for you." Her voice cracked, her tears slipping freely down her cheeks as she pressed her hand against the coffin once more. Yui sniffed, her eyes blurred with tears. Her hands trembled as she slowly knelt beside the coffin, gently caressing its surface as if hoping her touch could somehow reach Emiko, "I still can't believe you're all alone in there," Yui whispered, her voice fragile, as if saying the words aloud might make it more real, "Even now, I wish this was just a nightmare. You promised me we would always stay together... and yet you left me behind. You heard our master. If not for you protecting me, I wouldn't be here. You were always the one protecting others... and yet I couldn't do the same for you." Her voice cracked, her tears slipping freely down her cheeks as she pressed her hand against the coffin once more. Grace's eyes trembled as they closed, holding back the torrent of sorrow and guilt threatening to overwhelm her. Without a word, Asher wrapped his arm around Grace's shoulder, pulling her closer in a wordless gesture of support. Grace leaned into him, her head resting against his shoulder, but still, no words came. The grief was too fresh, too raw.

Rebecca, standing silently behind them, felt something stir inside her. Hearing Yui's words brought a certain weight to her chest—a weight she hadn't expected.

Even though Emiko was wary of her at first and even had the permission from Asher to treat her like a dog, she never took advantage of that.

Instead, Emiko had treated her with silent respect.

Yui sniffled again, her voice barely a whisper as her sobs wracked her small frame, "I... I didn't even get to tell you how much I love you..." she sobbed, her words choking on the weight of her emotions. Grace's expression softened, and she crouched down beside Yui, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, "You didn't have to tell her," Grace said quietly, her voice full of warmth and compassion, "She always knew, without you saying a word. Both of you always showed how much you loved each other through your actions. That was more than enough for her."

Yui's sobs quieted as she listened, her chest heaving with each breath she took. Grace continued, her voice filled with quiet tenderness, "She was always a quiet one, and rarely expressed her true feelings. But just a simple smile from her—occasionally—was enough to know how much she cared about us. And other than you, she was the granddaughter I was blessed to have."

Asher nodded softly, his gaze fixed on the coffin, "She may be gone, but she will never be forgotten."

He knew it came from a place of deep love and loss, and while it didn't surprise him that Yui was searching for a safe place to lay Emiko to rest, it still caught him off guard.

He could see the earnestness in her eyes—this wasn't just about finding a place for Emiko's body, but finding peace for her spirit in a world that had taken too much from her.

He glanced at Grace and Rebecca, both of whom seemed to be watching him with the same quiet anticipation, as if they, too, hoped he would make the same decision. Asher felt the weight of their gazes, both understanding and expectant. They, too, wanted Emiko to rest in peace, away from the dangers of their world.

Rebecca was the first to speak, her tone sharp but matter-of-fact. "I would have suggested our kingdom, but I doubt it can be exactly called a safe place now," she remarked, her voice laced with frustration. Asher's eyes narrowed slightly. Rebecca had a point. Their kingdom was under constant threat, the looming war casting a long shadow over everything they held dear. It wasn't the kind of place where Emiko would find the peace she deserved. The last thing he wanted was for her to rest somewhere that might turn into a battlefield.

Asher's gaze softened, but his thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected revelation. His mind flicked to the one place where Emiko could rest in absolute safety—the Damned Dimension.

The thought hit him with sudden clarity, but it was a difficult one to grasp. The Damned Dimension was a place of torment and suffering, a hellish plane where he sent those who had crossed him—like Victor and Agonon—to have their souls shredded and tortured for eternity. It was a place no one else could enter, a place where only he had control.

But as soon as the thought settled in his mind, doubt crept in. Would a place like that be right for Emiko? He could bury her there without fear of her being disturbed or harmed, but would it be a fitting resting place for someone with a kind, radiant soul like hers? He didn't know.

"I know a place," Asher said finally, his voice soft but resolute. "A place that is the safest of them all... A place where only I can go." He looked down at Yui, his expression solemn. "But it's a very dark and unforgiving place. Even if Emiko can be safely buried there, everything else around her would be literal hell."

Yui blinked, confused, but her lips softened into a warm, accepting smile. "That's more than enough, master. I've known Emiko all my life, and I can confidently say that other than Aunty Grace, she respected and admired you the most. She would consider it an honor if you were to bury her in such a safe place. Nothing else matters to her."

Grace nodded softly in agreement, her voice quiet but filled with the same understanding. "Yui is right. She would trust you with her resting place, master. You gave her peace. She'll find it with you, even if it's a place of darkness."

Asher felt a strange relief wash over him. Perhaps this was the best place for her, after all. If he could guarantee that Emiko would rest safely, away from the horrors of the world, then it was enough.

Rebecca, however, narrowed her eyes, her curiosity piqued. She didn't say anything aloud, but in her mind, she wondered. Just what kind of place is he talking about... She mumbled inwardly, but didn't dare to press him for an answer.

Asher softly smiled, his expression pained yet comforting as he looked at Yui, "Then I shall lay her to rest there, and she will be safe as long as my breath is still within me," he said quietly, his voice full of finality.