The Damned Demon

Chapter 741  Gift Of Salvation

Amelia's eyes widened as she processed Asher's words, her heart pounding in worry.

A low gasp escaped her lips, her voice laced with disbelief, "The Tower of Hell?" she murmured. "You can't be serious, Asher."

Asher, his face set with a steely determination, met her gaze, his eyes unwavering, "I've already completed the first three levels," he said, his tone firm. "The fourth one remains closed to me, but Naida told me something important. She said that somehow, I had passed the fourth level the moment I completed the Quest of the Worthy. And because of that, the fifth level has opened to me. I've never had the time to attempt it, but I can't put it off any longer," Asher wondered if it was because he fought against his past self in an illusion and won.

Amelia's heart ached at his words, the gravity of the situation pressing heavily on her chest. She pressed her lips together, her brows furrowed with worry, "I know you survived a few levels, but there is always the danger of something happening to you," she said softly, her voice trembling with concern, "Even though I know you're capable of surviving the entire tower, I won't feel good about you attempting it now, especially in a situation like this where your mind is desperate. If we lose you... then everything is lost."

Asher softened, his eyes gentle yet resolute. He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear as he gave her a reassuring smile, "Trust me, the tower isn't as dangerous as you think. Almost all the powerful lords have completed the 5th floor, and the lords of the three Great Houses have already completed the sixth in their younger days. If they can do it, so can I. So I'll be back soon, stronger and better."

Amelia felt better to know that and realized he wouldn't be reckless anyway in this situation.

His smile faded as he remembered something that had been gnawing at him, "I've been unable to reach Rachel or Cecilia for a while, and I'm getting worried. Knowing that dog, Derek couldn't have killed them. If he wanted to, he would've done that already. He's planning something with them, and I have to save them too. That's why I have to do this, Amelia. A lot is at stake here."

Amelia's expression softened, but the worry never left her eyes. She nodded slowly, her voice tinged with sorrow, "Okay," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, "We'll wait for you back in the Culthold. You better return quickly, Asher."

—

Not long after,

The Tower of Hell was an imposing structure.

Located at the edge of the Bloodburn Kingdom, it loomed over the harsh landscape like a monument to the suffering that had transpired within its walls. The air was thick with an oppressive heat, and the ground trembled slightly beneath his feet as he crossed the long, wide bridge that connected the tower to the landmass. Below the bridge, a river of red-hot lava churned, its molten surface glowing a deep, fiery, dark orange that seemed to lick the underside of the bridge with fiery tongues.

Demons of various races walked along the bridge, their eyes trained on the ground as they made their way to and fro. But the moment they felt the heat of a familiar presence above them, they all paused, their heads tilting upward in unison. Asher descended from the sky with grace, his figure silhouetted against the hellish glow of the lava below. His movements were fluid, almost ethereal, and the air around him seemed to pulse with power.

The young demons, their eyes wide in awe, watched as their king descended without guards or any entourage, making them realize he must be in a hurry. His presence alone was enough to command their respect, and they immediately dropped to their knees in reverence. There was no need for words—just the sheer act of being in the same presence as their king was enough to inspire feelings of warmth, admiration, and devotion.

Asher's eyes softened as he gazed at them, his heart swelling with both pride and a deep sense of responsibility. These demons, his people, looked up to him, not just as a ruler but as a protector. They had faith in him, and that faith had to be repaid. He couldn't falter now. He couldn't afford to fail them.

He entered the massive black gates of the tower, the cold, metallic sound of the doors grinding open, echoing in the silence of the surrounding landscape. The gates shut silently behind him, sealing him within the tower's dark and foreboding interior.

Not long after, he was already near the door that led to the 5th floor.

As he approached, the door recognized his presence, and with a loud, mechanical groan, it slowly opened wider, revealing the darkness beyond. He could sense the power and danger that lay beyond it, but he was undeterred. According to what he had heard, only the 1st and 7th floors were truly dangerous with the latter one being the impossible one that nobody dared to try after so many died without any success.

He took a deep breath, his hand resting on the door, and then, with a single determined step, he crossed the threshold into the heart of the floor. The door slammed shut behind him with a resounding finality.

As he entered, the atmosphere on the fifth floor was immediately suffocating and icy. The walls of the chamber were made of dark, jagged stone, their surfaces slick and almost wet, as if the very walls of the tower were alive, absorbing the torment that had transpired here. The ceiling was low, and shadows clung to every corner, making it feel as though the very air was thick with the weight of forgotten souls.

The floor was a gleaming expanse of polished black stone, reflecting the dance of blood-red ice above and the figure that stood in the center of the room.

Esther Thorne was a vision of otherworldly beauty, her silver hair cascading down her back like a river under moonlight, shimmering with an ethereal glow. Her bearing was regal, her back straight, and her chin held high, exuding an aura of icy elegance that matched her dark blue off-shoulder elegant gown.

Her face was a study in pristine perfection, high cheekbones lending her an air of aloofness that only added to her allure. Her skin was a flawless porcelain surface, and her figure was a harmony of curves, slender yet voluptuous in all the right places, reminiscent of a marble goddess come to life. Her medium-sized bosom heaved slightly with each breath, accentuating her slim hips and narrow waist.

As Asher's eyes met hers, he noticed a subtle change in her icy demeanor. Her previously pale red eyes flickered with a hint of softness. She approached him slowly, her movements graceful and deliberate.

"I was awaiting your arrival, Your Majesty," she said, her voice a melody of ice and silk, making Asher wonder if he was imagining it or if her voice didn't sound aloof anymore like in the past.

Asher smiled, a genuine expression that reached his eyes, "It's been a while since we shared some time together. I suppose we will have to honor the blood contract soon after everything settles down."

Esther's pale face briefly reddened at his words, a flush of color that betrayed her otherwise composed exterior, her memories suddenly transported to the night before. She had returned to her castle tired and exhausted, her body aching from the day's trials. But as she sank into her sofa, her thoughts drifted to Asher—the passionate, steamy moments they had shared, the way he made her feel free and alive.

Her hand had unconsciously slipped between her legs, rubbing her crotch through the thin fabric of her panties. She knew she shouldn't be doing something unlike a lady, and yet she found it hard to stop.

That was when she remembered the 'gift' her daughter had sent her, a big, thick blue object that resembled a man's penis, perfectly matching the size of Asher's. Sabina had told her to use it whenever she missed a certain someone.

With a desperate need, she had opened the drawer, her fingers wrapping around the cool soft yet firm material. She had found it too shameful to even consider using it to satisfy herself but now it seemed like an object of salvation.

Before she knew it, her panties were lowered, and the thick shaft was sliding into her wet, eager pussy. She moaned his name, her voice a breathless plea, "Haannn~....Punish me harder, Your Majesty!" Her hips had bucked against the toy, her body chasing the release that only Asher could truly provide. Yet she couldn't help but feel thankful towards her daughter for giving this 'gift' to ease her nerves for a while.

The memories made her face redden even more, and she quickly cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure, "I...Pardon me, you must be here to attempt the trial this floor has to offer."

Asher smirked and said, "Not exactly. I am here to complete the trials of both the 5th and 6th floor."