A smile lingered on Asmodeus' lips as she gave her wordless answer and guided the sculptress into the next dream. The next dream that had manifested seemed more like a collection of fragments. As Alisa moved through the maze she could see how Liana had found her among the ruins of the church after the fight had ended, of how she tried to cheer up the poor child and that she had made the promise for them to reunite after a hunter from a nearby village found the girls.

However, as the fragments of the memory went on it seemed that Esperia clearly clung to the promise for their reunion, and finally, she left the village that had taken her in, vengeance clearly on her mind.

The memories soon shifted to Baska, to the memories of her reunion with Liana and it was at that time it became evident just how important the girl was to her.

"When we met again I felt my hatred slowly seep away, the warmth of her kindness overwhelming me. It was at that time I started to understand: I liked Liana and wanted her at my side."

Yet the memory started to shift toward a familiar scene, the events at the Halloween party. "I realized that just as much as I love Liana, I also desire her..."

A particular memory started to emerge, their surroundings changing to the end of the corridor of the haunted house where Liana had been nuzzling into Alisa's bosom and seemed entirely ignorant of her childhood friend's presence. "But she had her eye on someone else... I wasn't the one she desired, and that day I felt a painful sensation in my heart. For someone who holds such strong desires... an unrequited love is the worst venom imaginable..."

The memory showed how Esperia had fled from the train station and returned to the inn-room, seemingly waiting for hours for Liana to return, till finally she gave up and cried herself to sleep.

"Feeling helpless I sought aid... Anything to make me able to numb this pain in my heart, yet when I accepted Doctor Gerard' help I had not expected the end result..."

The landscape swiftly shifted and distorted again to instead show Esperia's first date with Fia, in particular, the little scene at the pizzeria where the two were dealing with a back and forth struggle of their teasing attacks.

"I initially thought I was just using this opportunity to distract myself from the pain... but before I knew it just being around her caused my heart to beat faster, the desire to tease and be teased... It was at that time I understood what I truly wanted, what I truly desired: I wanted to be loved in a way that I didn't understand back then."

It was at that moment that the little steamy encounter between the trickster and her lover ended and the maze started to give way to something more... mysterious.

The landscape seemed to change to a rather rich and stylish mansion, a young nobleman seated in the garden while a familiar figure was hiding behind a pillar. The long black hair, the amber eyes, and that figure clearly belonged to a certain Demon Lord, yet she seemed to still be missing her demonic features.

"Desires are a mysterious something..." Asmodeus' voice whispered in Alisa's ear. the timid-looking figure peered over as the nobleman waved at her, urging the girl to come over.

"Once upon a time there was a girl... an ordinary girl called Lily. The daughter of a scribe who worked for a famous nobleman in a faraway land."

Judging from the interactions between the girl and the nobleman it was clear where this was going, as the voice evidently whispered further. "Are you curious? To discover the true nature of the Demon Lord of Lust? To uncover her origins and to understand her intentions for sweet little Esperia?"

It was at that moment that the familiar image of the Demon Lord emerged at her side, hands folded up behind her as she mused softly. "Don't be alarmed, this is merely a projection of my being, similar to the ones Espy can see in the real world. Although I'm surprised you made it this far without getting lost..."

She gestured lightly toward the unfolding scene as the nobleman seemingly had started to read a book together with her.

"In case you're wondering, the girl in this memory is indeed me, or rather it's the 'me' before I became... the previous vessel for Asmodeus."

The Demon Lord smiled briefly as she explained further. "It's an embarrassing memory really, but it will help you understand a few things about the 'why' part of your questions behind my actions~"

A brief smile lingered on her lips as she watched the nobleman laugh at the explanation she gave her before giving her a gentle peck on the cheek while waving goodbye at her.

"That's right... Once upon a time, even I experienced an innocent love, but unlike our dear Esperia I wasn't able to follow my desires, in fact, I was betrayed by the very person I loved."

Watching the blushing girl that was left behind the scene changed to an underground chamber. Upon an altar Lily was clearly bound to the stone surface, a group of cloaked cultists surrounding her, and judging from the grunts and cries that were coming from deeper inside the room it became evident that they did one of the worst possible things imaginable to her.

"They sacrificed me... The very man I loved stole my purity under the ambition to summon a powerful Demon. Although he desired to use that Demon's power to usurp control over the nation he lived in... that plan backfired a little~"

As she added the last bit in a playful tone the familiar shadowy figures emerged at the far end of the altar while a flurry of pink blossoms stained the room red in the blood of the murdered cultists.

"On the altar as I cried out for someone to save me, it was a demon of all things that reached out to me..."

She shook her head lightly as the Demon Lord rose up from the altar and----

The memory faded away, instead making way for a grand throne room where a familiar figure was seated. "And that was the start of my rise as Asmodeus, the Demon Lord of Lust~ But that doesn't explain entirely about my intentions or motives behind helping Esperia, correct?"

The embrace had come rather unexpectedly, but it seemed not unappreciated by Lilith whose hands gently wrapped around Alisa's waist while she mused softly. "I already came to terms that this is the way my story was meant to be."

Yet at the same time she still held desires of her own, and so she soon voiced one of those while Alisa mentioned she had an idea, but not yet a clear explanation. "But Esperia's story is not yet set in stone. The fact her future is like an empty book waiting to be written gives me hope, and the desire to ensure her story becomes a happy one."

Asmodeus briefly closed her eyes, allowing her hand to slip toward the back of Alisa's body, fingers gently trailing up along the small of her back while she mused softly. "Without desire, we can't live, a human who holds no desire or longing for something isn't truly alive, for they lack any ambitions to pursue."

It did sound like something Asmodeus had said before, about the importance of one's desires and longing. "Esperia is still able to experience those things. The love I never was able to experience, the desires I could never pursue. And it's for that reason I urge her to follow her desires in such a strong and honest way. Not only so she can adjust to the power of Asmodeus, but because I want her to find the happiness she deserves."

The Demon Lord smiled briefly, leaning her head on Alisa's shoulder while whispering playfully into her ear. "You made it quite difficult for me~ Your actions seduced the little elf girl's heart, and as a result, she was left clueless about the agony she inflicted onto Esperia. Yet Esperia's affection for Liana goes beyond lust, and as a result, she felt forced to suppress her feelings. In fact, it would have ended up killing her, if not for the fact another is pursuing Esperia with just as much passion."

A playful nibble at Alisa's earlobe followed before she finally revealed the true answer that Alisa was waiting for. "I desire for Esperia to become happy, to become someone who is able to follow her desires without any restraint... so that one day she can become my successor. I might be a Demon Lord, but I was once in her shoes, so as her senior I got my own duty to ensure the little lewdling becomes a splendid Demon Lord of Lust."

She finally leaned backward and explained with a sheepish grin. "Surely you already became aware of how strong her compatibility is as a vessel. In fact, given time she might become the greatest Demon Lord of Lust in history, and with the right people by her side, not even the other Demon Lords would dare to threaten her. A Demon Lord who doesn't seek to conquer or spread terror, but one who simply acts upon her desires. Truly a nature suiting for the Demon Lord of Lust"

So that was Lilith's true ambition: to raise Esperia into becoming the greatest Demon Lord of Lust

Lilith satisfied little hum clearly showed she was appreciating the wandering hands of the Sculptress amidst their tempting conversation. Yet the smile on Alisa's lips as she answered her accusation was quite amusing for the Demon Lord to hear. "True, then again for her to keep on blindly chasing her after having her heart broken would do her no good either."

Feeling the nails of the sculptress sink lightly into her soft flesh Asmodeus shook her head lightly in response. "It is merely a title my dear Alisa. Even if she holds no desire to take up the role of a Demon Lord, her very being has already started the process of its conversion. Although in due time she will lose her humanity, it is merely in body alone. I mentioned before that what I desire is Esperia's happiness, so I have the intention of ensuring nothing will change or erase the things that make the adorable little lewdling that we know as Esperia."

Asmodeus smiled softly while pushing her body slightly forwards, sandwiching their bosoms in that soft and delicate struggle as each breath send those pleasant sensations through their body. "But nonetheless, our desire has interwoven in that aspect. Although Esperia might be the Demon Lord in existence, what she does with it is her own decision. For all I care she can forsake the trivialities that come with the mantle and what was it again: Screw doing bad things, I got cute girls to screw?"

Playfully mimicking Esperia's voice Lilith shook her head lightly. "Although she will have time to make the decision. Although she might have started to grasp the ability to use my body, the actual conversion that will transform her from a human into a Demon Lord should, by all means, be still several years away. It takes quite a while before the body has adapted to the power it possesses and starts to properly change."

Speaking of freebies, a hand slipped forwards, a playful squeeze of that soft flesh following while she remarked slyly. "Besides, for all her fear of being tied up by you, I can see that she is fond of you, Although I have a suspicion that it might be related to this part of you."

Another playful squeeze followed as she grinned mischievously before shaking her head lightly. "What I'm more worried about is the other Demon Lords and those who hunt them. Although I have only heard rumors, it seems the other Demon Lords are steadily emerging in Earthland in similar conditions as my own, and throughout history, there always been those who hunt Demons with an unnatural zeal. It would be problematic if our little Lewdling got forced to deal with those troublesome matters... Could I count on your continuing support on that matter? Perhaps this time I can be the one-" She finally leaned in, her lips just a few inches away from Alisa's own while she whispered temptingly. "To give a reward~"

"Indeed, that title holds power, and whether we want it or not, as the vessel for Asmodeus there will come a point she will be considered as such. Although she will have the luxury to decide for herself whether she truly wishes to take on the mantle, or merely bask in its powers."

Yet as the subject lingered on Esperia's inevitable change left the Demon Lord's gaze to soften, a hint of perhaps sorrow or regret presenting itself for a moment when finally that playful smile returned. "There is a way..."

Asmodeus mused softly, her fingers increasing the pressure lightly on the sculptress her bust while she explained in a somewhat softer tone. "Although, if she was to seek it on her own accord I would tell her."

She took a deep breath before she resumed her explanation. "A certain ritual exists that holds the ability to release me from her body. But disregarding the obvious fact that she would lose the powers associated with her existence as Asmodeus' vessel."

The playful nibble that followed on her lips left Asmodeus giggling softly, counter the gesture with a rather bold mimicking of her own. "But then again, I guess such tales can wait for another time... I have to admit I'm more interested in the story your body has to tell~"

Yet it was just at that moment that a playful voice resounded beside them. "I'm quite interested myself in this story~"

And indeed, if Alisa was to look sideways she would find a miniature form of Asmodeus' throne, with a familiar obsidian-haired trickster seated on it. Her legs were playfully crossed one over another while a bag of popcorn was in her hands, the girl playfully nibbling onto one of its contents.

"Oh mai~ I had not expected your newfound grasp of your powers would allow you to intrude into my domain like this my dear peeping Espy~"

Asmodeus hummed playfully, sure to use the temporary distraction to sneak in for the kiss on Alisa, leaving Esperia to go with an "oooh~" as she watched the Demon Lord's hands sneak to Alisa's cheeks.

"W-Wait is that your tongue sliding in the--- one-hit, two-hit, four-hit,eight-hit,sixteen-hit, thirty-two, sixty-four? one-hundred and twenty-eight hits combo?! I heard sixty-four is a level only reached once every few generations... but that adult kiss just contained way too many hits! Truly a move worthy of the Demon Lord of Perverts!

It seemed Esperia was clearly pleased by this spectacle, watching the sculptress her rather steamy make-out session with the Demon Lord of Lust. Another nibble on a bit of popcorn followed as the girl mused softly. "Considering this is a part of my soul, wouldn't the two of you be intruding onto my property, Not to mention doing all those naughty things."

Her cheeks flushed up lightly as she suddenly heard Asmodeus let out a soft little moan at Alisa's more intense groping of the Demon Lord's breasts, causing Esperia to mumble softly. "I wonder who of the two is softer..."

Then again, it was clear that Asmodeus had an idea of her own, a light tap of her foot on the ground suddenly changing the landscape to a familiar hot spring, although it was now revealed just how much control Asmodeus had over this part of Esperia's dreamscape, for both Lilith and Alisa would find themselves without any clothing... and Esperia?

"W-Why do I get a swimsuit that looks like something a little girl would wear?!" Tugging lightly on it the school swimsuit even had her name written on the bit on the front. "AND WHY DOES IT SAY 'PERVERTIA?! My name is Esperia!"

Asmodeus giggled softly, leaning against Alisa while humming softly, their current state of clothing, or rather the lack of it leaving little to the imagination as their bodies pressed against one another. "If we teach her a lesson it should be by means of a little bit of overheating~ perhaps if she is a good girl she can come in between us."

Esperia's eyes briefly lit up with a spark of excitement before her face turned crimson, the bag of popcorn fading away and the throne giving way for the edge of the hot spring while she mumbled softly. "I think I'll decline that invitation, that seems way too dangerous for me."

Lilith grinned sheepishly, slipping behind Alisa and with her hands sneaking onto the sculptress's bust the little spectacle the little lewdling ended up enjoying was enough to make bits of blood drip from her nose.

"At this rate she might either die from blood loss or faint from a nosebleed~ Although that would be kind of ironic considering the nature of this encounter. Heh, the little lewdling waking up all flustered and your panties a mess? I wonder how the two of you would hide what is happening in here from Lumen~ poor girl is still too innocent to learn about this type of thing~"

Oh mai, speaking about a steamy situation. Hearing the sculptress her warning Esperia was quick to shake her head in return to the statement, a sheepish grin on her lips. "Theoretically speaking this is all happening in my dreams, so in reality, I'm still a nice and pure girl who is just taking a nap."

Asmodeus chuckled in amusement, her fingers still teasingly delivering their playful torment as she replied with a smug grin. "Pure? You're dreaming of a Demon Lord and your senior doing lewd things, you're about as innocent as I'm a Seraph 'Pervertia'."

Hearing the nickname clearly caused a reaction out of the girl, who puffed her cheeks out in annoyance and remarked rather quickly. "It's ESPERIA!" Yet judging from how her sight remained glued on the sculptress her pillows it was clear she was quite focused on a certain area.

It didn't help that Alisa was being quite stimulating herself also, the sway of her hips as she brought Lilith along to the hot spring leaving the girl curious enough to sneak after the two of them, clearly wanting to figure out what type of shenanigans the sculptress would be up to next.

Poor Esperia, she clearly was getting herself from the frying pan straight into the fire, wasn't she? Her cheeks flushed up lightly as she watched the playful exchange between the sculptress and the demon lord, and it seemed Alisa had decided to give Lilith a taste of her own medicine. Lilith was quick to let out a soft sound of excitement as she shivered underneath Alisa's touch, and Esperia's eyes remained locked onto that traveling hand of the sculptress, constantly wondering where she might venture to next. Of course, the moment she reached her destination a soft gulp came from Esperia, who felt her resistance shattered and a playful bounce following, leading the girl to dive face-first into the pliant globes that Alisa was teasing.

"Oh mai~ Could it be that our little lewdling is taking this opportunity to engage in a trio? I mean, I understand the famous saying: When two girls play it's more fun than if only one plays the game, but if a third one gets involved... things get a bit 'messy'" With a playful tug of her hand she placed Alisa's hand onto Esperia's own bust, the sensation making the poor girl let out a soft yelp as she scurried a few steps backwards.

"Oh mai~ could it be that Pervertia didn't expect to get involved in this little quest?"

The girl shook her head lightly in response while she exclaimed. "I... I was simply caught off-guard!"

Current State of being: Overheated, please send help.

Poor Esperia, it was clear she was not prepared for what was about to happen, for the spectacle that followed was quite steamy, to say the least, to the point that once the climax of the scenario had been reached, the dreamscape seemed to distort and the two girls found themselves back within what could only be described as 'reality'. Nonetheless, it had been quite an embarrassing experience for her to say the least, her eyes opening and her cheeks flushed red as Esperia's small hands reached for Alisa's chest, hands flailing lightly into tiny fists that lightly bumped against Alisa's pillows.

"What part of that contributed to negotiations?! You two were making out in my head!" The girl pouted while the doctor tilted his head slightly to the side in confusion, meanwhile Sebastian raised a hand to his forehead and sighed softly as if he had figured out this would have been the conclusion of the little escapade.

"Although for some reason the two of you seem to be in quite a good mood. I wonder why~" The girl mused in an accusing manner as the dabbing with her hands continued.

"So, did you figure out what you came for?"

Dab, dab, dab. as her hands slowly slowed down their pace she nodded quietly at Alisa's warning. It made sense that she should try to think for herself, rather than always seeking counsel from others. Perhaps that would be the next thing for her to work on! However, Sebastian curiously enough merely nodded his head and replied in his usual warm yet somewhat polite tone.

"Lady Alisa has a point there young master. To be able to think for yourself would be considered a natural aspect of the skills you'd acquire as you mature. Think for yourself, decide for yourself, it are those type of things that both Master Asmodeus and Lady Alisa would like to see from you."

Esperia nodded her head lightly, a hand raised for her chin as she pondered softly. "Think for myself... decide for myself. What do 'I' want to do..."

The question lingered in her mind, playing itself over and over as she tried to figure out a right answer and yet oddly enough it seemed that right now none directly came to her mind. She had no solid thoughts about the future, aside from the fact she wanted to spend them alongside Fia and Liana.

"There is no rush to find them young master, in due time you will find the answers you seek for yourself. I'm sure we'll be able to help ensure you'd have as much time as you need and desire."

Indeed, it was clear Esperia was just as eager to turn the subject of their conversation toward the existence of a delicious meal, and after Lumen approached them the obsidian-haired trickster couldn't help but pounce against the girl, playfully rubbing her cheek against hers once more. "Lumen~ Did Alisa ever tell you how soft you are? Your cheeks are so soft and squishy, perfect to nuzzle again!"

And then came a rather curious response from the demonic butler. If you wish Lady Alisa, I could offer a rather pleasant proposal: It appears Mare and Aura were hoping to surprise the young master by preparing a little feast for the lass, and even Shalltear will be present. Should you be fine with it, how about entertaining the twins their request and dine with them?"

An opportunity to meet more members of Asmodeus' household? While the twins were already familiar to Alisa, it seemed a new name had been dropped.

"Not to mention, Mare is quite skilled in the kitchen, perhaps even better than the local chefs of Crocus." Wow, those words carried a lot of praise in them, because the inn at Crocus did serve some delicious food. Perhaps a good opportunity to confirm the truth behind those words?

A hearty laugh escaped Sebastian's lips while he explained, a gentle smile emerging on his lips. "Please let him not hear that Lady Alisa, although he might look quite feminine, Mare is actually a boy."

The poor dark elf truly had taken the short stick when it came to the twins, looking so adorable and feminine while his sister Aura was the boyish of the duo. Although the fact Alisa had not yet met Shalltear certainly proved to be an interesting subject to observe.

As the two trailed behind the playful duo of Esperia and Lumen the butler explained a bit further. "Shalltear is a member of Asmodeus' household like myself. Although among Asmodeus' followers she might be the most devoted.... to the young master that is. Quite a peculiar feat for a True Vampire to possess."

He mused softly as he leaned in a bit closer and whispered so that Alisa could only hear him. "You'll understand why soon enough."

And indeed, as soon as they arrived at a small house within one of the residential districts and Sebastian opened the door a collection of voices greet them.

"Welcome back Master Asmo--- Oooh if it isn't Espy~"

A familiar boyish voice greet them, and in the corner of the room one could see a dark-skinned elf having been busy playing some sort of game involving a multi-colored cube.

Espera waved her hand lightly with a smile. "Mhmm~ I'm back, and brought along some guests."

However, at that same moment she spoke up a figure darted at full speed from the staircase, so fast that likely only Alisa was able to keep up with her movements. "Master Esperia!"

A flying tackle knocked the poor girl straight onto the ground as a young pale-skinned noblewoman straddled the girl, tears in her eyes. "I was worried when Sebastian informed us that you disappeared from your room..."

The girl smiled weakly, raising a hand to pet the young woman's head. "Yosh~ Yosh~ Sorry to have worried you Shalltear. Thank you for helping Fenrir train earlier."

The noblewoman smiled brightly at the words of praise before realizing the presence of Alisa and the others, leading her to stand up and make a polite curtsy.

"My name is Shalltear Bloodfallen, one of Master Esperia's followers. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance~"

How curious, rather than mentioning Asmodeus she called Esperia her master? quite an interesting bit.

"Oh~ I'm curious to find out whether you heard as many stories about me as I have about the famous 'Blue Pegasus Femme Fatale' and her fondness for tying up poor innocent maidens~"

A playful smile lingered on her lips at the jest while Esperia flailed her hands lightly before her. "I-I-I" whoops, seems she was caught off-guard by that remark, but fortunately Shalltear was quick to fix the silly scenario she had triggered. "That was a partial jest~ Thank you for taking care of Master Esperia during our absence. The poor lass just has a knack for getting herself involved in 'shenanigans' as she would call them."

Esperia puffed her cheeks lightly in response, hands resting on her hips as she protested softly. "I'm doing perfectly fine! I'm not a child anymore~ Is Mare in the kitchen?"

Shalltear raised a hand to her cheek, seemingly pondering for a moment. "I believe he is, he was preparing some spices for the dishes he made. Seems he found some rather rare meat. Most humans here don't know how to cook it considering it's a beast that roams in the dark---"

But before she could finish her sentence the girl zoomed off toward the kitchen "Mare~~~" and a soft girlish yelp came from inside the kitchen.

"And off she goes~ It's refreshing to see such innocent cheerfulness~"

Shalltear smiled for a moment before turning to look at Alisa. "I guess we can continue our conversation at the table, I think Mare will likely finish the preparations for dinner momentarily."