Chapter 110: The New Waitresses of The Phantom
Max headed to the tavern to grab breakfast before leaving. The noise caught him off guard before he even finished climbing the stairs.
Voices. Lots of them. Laughter. Glasses clinking. Chairs scraping.
Max frowned.
"...what...?"
He pushed open the tavern hatch.
And froze.
The place was... packed.
Completely packed.
All kinds of demons filled every table. Some were huge, with twisted horns and intimidating gazes. Others were smaller, almost harmless. Old wrinkled ones drank calmly. Young ones laughed loudly. There were even a couple who looked like drunkards slumped over their tables.
But they were all there for the same reason.
"...what happened here...?"
Abel stood behind the counter, serving drinks with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
"...good morning!"
He raised a mug.
"...all of this..."
He gestured proudly around the room.
"...is thanks to my new employees."
Max followed his finger.
And saw them.
The she-demons... and the succubi, the ones who had been Dante’s wives.
One served drinks, leaning slightly over a table with a charming smile. Two others carried plates. Another handled the register, counting coins. One swept in the corner. And another... dealt cards at a table where several demons played something that looked suspiciously like blackjack.
All dressed the same. Low-cut outfits. Short dresses. And perfect... perfect smiles.
Max raised an eyebrow.
"...ah."
He turned his head slightly.
At the bar sat Dorian, holding a beer, staring into nothing. Completely defeated.
Next to him, Varis. Ten empty bottles lined up in front of him. Just as broken.
"...they don’t look at me..." Varis muttered.
"...me neither..." Dorian added.
Max walked over and patted both of them on the back.
"—cheer up, champions!"
He grinned.
"...the journey’s almost over."
Then he laughed openly.
"...perverts."
Dorian scoffed.
Varis took another drink.
"...you don’t understand..."
"—Max."
Abby called from a table.
Sophie, Moonlight, and Neros were with her, having breakfast.
Fruits. Smoothies. Everything neatly arranged.
Max walked over.
Moon looked up.
"...dad."
She smiled.
"...did you sleep well?"
Max nodded.
"...yeah."
He sat down.
"...I feel much better."
He sighed.
"I already want to go home."
He smiled faintly.
"I want to see Elanor."
Sophie raised a hand.
"...speaking of her..."
She pulled something from the table.
"...this came for you."
A magical seal, like Sophie’s. A letter.
Max took it immediately.
"...huh?"
He opened it.
Moon already had an apple in her mouth.
"...what does it say?"
Max looked at her.
"...swallow first."
Abby and Sophie burst out laughing.
Max looked down and started reading silently. His expression softened.
’Dear Max: These days in the castle without you have been completely boring. Because of that, I’ve realized how much I miss spending time with you. I hope you all return safely, and that you complete your mission without problems. Greetings to Moonlight, Sophie, and Abby...’
And—
"...and to take care of Dorian..."
Max raised an eyebrow.
"...and not to marry any country girl he meets along the way..."
He glanced at the elf.
"...well said."
He kept reading.
"...and if that happens, Neros already knows what to do..."
Neros didn’t look up.
"...yeah."
He kept eating calmly.
Max finished.
"...kisses and hugs, Elanor..."
He lowered the letter and stayed quiet for a moment. Then he blushed. He brought it closer and inhaled.
"...it smells like her..."
Abby looked at him and smiled.
"...what a lovestruck pet."
Max turned even redder.
"...stop teasing."
Sophie laughed.
"...it shows on your face."
Max grumbled.
"...she says hi."
He looked at Moon.
"...to you too."
Moon gave a thumbs-up.
"...I already knew."
Abby rested her cheek on her hand.
"...yeah, we already read it."
Sophie nodded.
"...we just wanted to see your reaction."
Max looked at them.
"...you’re such gossips."
Neros, without looking up from his drink—
"...that’s how they are."
He took a sip of green strawberry smoothie.
"...what do you think maids do in castle hallways?"
Abby and Sophie laughed.
And everyone went back to breakfast.
***
The carriage was ready. Varis’s horses were already harnessed, restless. The luggage was packed on top, and the road into the forest stretched ahead.
But the mood...
Wasn’t great.
Varis and Dorian stood by the carriage, checking straps and bags.
In silence. With long faces.
"...done..." Varis muttered.
"...yeah..." Dorian replied, just as lifeless.
Lamia approached from behind, arms crossed.
"...are you really leaving like this?"
They glanced at her.
"...you accomplished all your goals."
She smiled.
"...you should be celebrating."
Dorian lifted his head and looked her in the eyes.
And then Lamia winked.
The elf narrowed his eyes.
"...I’m not falling for that again."
He turned away.
"...save your tricks for someone else."
Lamia shrugged.
"...your loss."
Dorian ignored her completely.
Varis sighed.
"...I’ll come back..."
He looked toward the tavern.
"...I have unfinished business."
Lamia let out a soft laugh.
"...I wouldn’t recommend it."
She stepped closer.
"...unless you bring coins."
She smiled.
"...they work for me now... for The Phantom."
Varis froze.
"...oh..."
He looked down.
"...I’ll figure something out..."
His face fell even more.
Lamia turned away, laughing.
"...how adorable."
Neros, watching nearby, raised an eyebrow.
"...what did you tell them? They look worse than before."
Lamia smiled innocently.
"...I just said goodbye."
Abel, behind her, looked at her suspiciously.
"...sure..."
He knew exactly what his wife was like.
Max approached with Abby, Sophie, and Moonlight.
"...well..."
He stopped in front of them.
"...thanks for everything."
Abby raised a hand.
"...take care."
Sophie nodded.
Moon gave a small wave.
Abel smiled widely.
"You’re welcome anytime."
Lamia tilted her head.
"Hopefully not."
She smiled.
"...I don’t feel like working with you again."
Max laughed.
And then—
"Hey, Lamia."
She looked at him.
"Yes?"
Max took out his cloak.
The Cloak of Economized Movement.
"...I want to ask one last favor."
Lamia raised an eyebrow.
"Sure."
Max unfolded it slightly.
"...it can copy abilities..."
He looked at her.
"...and I want to copy your mist."
"...the mist?"
Max nodded.
"...yeah."
Lamia smiled.
"No problem."
She closed her eyes.
Within seconds, a violet mist formed around her.
Max extended the cloak, passing it through the mist. The fabric glowed, vibrating slightly as it absorbed the magic. Then it dimmed.
Max looked at it.
"I think it worked."
He smiled.
"...thanks."
He put it away.
"...take care."
He paused.
"...and try not to get into trouble."
Lamia laughed.
Abel nodded.
"...same to you."
They said their goodbyes, just like that.
One by one, the group climbed into the carriage. They settled in as best they could, a bit cramped now that they were more people.
Varis took the reins. He sighed.
"...well..."
He looked ahead.
"...let’s go."
He pulled gently. The horses moved.
And the carriage began to roll.
Leaving behind the tavern. The Bloodleaf Village. And everything that had happened in the demon kingdom.
The road home...
Had begun.