The Dark Extra: Awakening of SSS-Skill Demon Emperor Legacy

Seeing Agares soften his attitude made Aoi feel relieved. Their relationship improved after that.

Days passed, and Agares was still living at Milenia's residence, just like he said. He had clearly stated he would stay in that house for one to two months. He needed to make sure Milenia would be alright while he was away.

Agares filled his days by training with Aoi, managing the city, shopping, and relaxing at Goro's tavern.

The city gradually returned to normal—calmer and more peaceful than before. Goro's tavern was once again filled with customers, most of them locals. Only a few visitors came from outside.

To prevent another future battle, Agares worked with Lo to implement several measures. One of the most important was the identity bracelet.

Everyone in the city was required to wear a bracelet that showed their identity and status. Agares enforced a visitor permit system for outsiders.

They were only allowed to stay in the city for seven days, and only with approval from the local authorities. Agares entrusted this to Nan.

They could stay for seven consecutive days, but if anyone tried to cheat the immigration system, Nan and the other officers would catch on and deny their entry.

It worked well.

Not many outside adventurers came anymore. And when they did, they just stayed briefly, shopped, relaxed, then went back to the dungeon.

It was simple, and they followed the rules.

News of the hundreds of adventurers who died had spread across the surface cities. This was because Agares ordered someone to stake the heads of the beheaded adventurers at the city gates as a warning.

They were allowed to conquer the dungeon floors—but they had no right to take over the city's authority.

If they tried, their heads would be stuck on poles and displayed outside the dungeon entrance.

That night, Agares arrived at Goro's tavern with Aoi perched on his shoulder. Mel smiled, welcoming him—glad to see he and Aoi had made up.

As usual, Agares ordered a drink and went upstairs to his reserved seat on the tavern's balcony.

Agares drank beer while Aoi sipped milk. They quietly enjoyed the city's peace, even without Milenia by their side.

"It's been a month and a half. Aizen has grown into a healthy child," said Aoi. Agares cleared his throat and nodded.

"He's getting good nutrition from his mother. Of course, he'll grow up healthy and strong," Agares replied.

"Do you have a dream?"

"A dream?"

"Aizen will grow into a man. What kind of person do you want him to become?" Aoi asked.

Agares went quiet. His eyes stayed fixed on Aoi, who sat sipping milk from her bowl, then turned to look at the city—now far better than he had expected.

As for Aizen's future, Agares hadn't decided yet. The boy wasn't even a year old. It was still too early for an affinity check.\\

'It's hard to predict what his future will be in this age,' Agares thought,

'But I do have a wish.'

"I want him to live a peaceful life. Make friends, go on adventures, get married, have children, and grow old with his partner."

"I don't want him to become a criminal. Especially not someone like me," Agares said.

He raised his glass and drank the beer slowly until it was empty. Aoi smiled at his response—she had expected him to say something like that.

No father wants to see his child suffer.

"Maybe I'll take Milenia and Aizen out of the dungeon, so they can live a normal life."

"Midgard is a nice city, but it would be even better if they could live outside and be part of society."

Aoi nodded. Truthfully, she missed the outside world—the cities, the fresh air, warm food from a grill, and everything else. She missed it all.

But Agares still had a mission to finish. He had to complete what he started. Only ten floors remained before he could reach the top floor of this dungeon.

Until Agares fulfilled his goal, Aoi would wait—even if it took years.

Just as they were talking, Agares squinted his eyes, a frown forming on his forehead. His gaze shifted toward the main road in the city, watching a group of adventurers coming from the dungeon.

They weren't just any adventurers—they were Leon's party.

"Leon's adventurer party?" Agares murmured.

"Leon?" Aoi asked, curious.

It was indeed Leon's party, but Agares didn't see Leon among them. He only saw Cassandra, Anna, and of course—Erika.

"What are they actually up to?" Agares wondered aloud.

"Should we keep an eye on them?" Aoi asked.

Agares looked ahead, then glanced at Aoi who kept watching the adventurer group. Then he looked at them again.

"No need. I don't think they're going to cause trouble," he answered calmly, sitting back down.

Aoi nodded. If that was Agares' decision, then she would follow it.

After relaxing for a while at Goro's, Agares stood up and left late into the night. Even though it was getting late, the tavern was still lively—more and more guests kept arriving.

Agares put on a camouflage earring, and light shimmered from his body. In an instant, his appearance changed in others' perception—he became Rey.

He wasn't worried about the rumor that Agares was still alive. He had already made everyone agree to cooperate. If anyone revealed the truth, Agares had vowed never to protect the city again.

He walked back toward Milenia's residence, with Aoi still on his shoulder. His steps slowed when his eyes narrowed and his forehead furrowed again.

He was right. A group of adventurers was standing in front of Milenia's gate. They were Leon's party—or rather, Erika's.

"Let us speak with Miss Milenia," Erika said.

"You may not. No one is allowed to visit her without Lord Rey's permission."

"Who is Rey?" Erika asked.

"That's me," said Agares, stopping in place.

Erika and her party turned toward him. Their eyes focused on the man approaching from the city—wearing a black shirt with a white fox on his shoulder. A strange appearance.

"Were you looking for me?" Rey asked.

"So you're Rey?" Erika asked. Agares nodded.

"I'm Erika Thorn. My adventuring party and I have come to request help from the ruler of Midgard."

"What?" Agares asked.

"Please help us liberate the city of Berdiver!"

Agares fell silent. He had heard about Berdiver's destruction, but he hadn't seen it with his own eyes yet. He couldn't confirm what Erika meant.

"Liberate it from what?" Agares asked.

"Monsters."

'Monsters? How could there be monsters in the middle of human territory?' Agares wondered.

"We refuse."

"There's no benefit for us in helping you."