Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill-Chapter 77: Fire in the South Tower

The group was now complete, gathered in the guest room.

Neros leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression serious.

"...we have information about Dante."

The atmosphere shifted instantly. The calm vanished.

Sophie adjusted her hair.

"...tell them."

Neros gave a slight nod.

"...Dante didn’t come with an army. It seems he came alone."

Silence.

"...well... not exactly."

He raised a finger.

"...he’s not alone."

He looked at everyone.

"...he’s with his wives."

Abby frowned.

"...do we know how many came?"

Neros exhaled.

"...apparently, he brought all six."

Sophie let out a low whistle.

"...what a disgusting guy..."

Neros continued.

"...a gossiping she-devil was talking."

He smiled.

"...she said they sent her sister to clean the six women’s room."

He pushed himself off the wall.

"...according to her..."

He glanced toward the window.

"...they’re in the south tower."

Sophie crossed her arms, thoughtful.

"...then Dante is more confident than he seems."

A faint smile.

"...coming without guards is a big advantage for us."

Max shook his head.

"...I don’t know, I don’t think he needs them."

Everyone looked at him.

Max continued.

"...if I’m not mistaken, he can use necromancy."

Silence.

"...he can raise the dead, they obey him, and he can also possess their bodies."

Neros raised an eyebrow.

"...how do you know that?"

Max shrugged.

"...to rescue Abby..."

He crossed his arms.

"...I had to fight some zombies."

Moon suddenly raised her hand, her eyes shining.

"...zombies?!"

She leaned forward, excited.

"...I would’ve loved to fight zombies..."

Dorian looked at her, unsurprised.

"...of course, because almost dying once wasn’t enough."

Moon puffed her cheeks, annoyed.

Dorian returned to the topic.

"...we already have the location."

He straightened up.

"...we should go tell Lamia."

Confidence was clear in his eyes.

"...so she can take care of rescuing her daughter."

He looked at Max.

"...and we leave with Abby."

Direct. Practical.

"...without facing Dante."

Another pause.

"...or Lucifer."

Silence weighed heavily in the room.

Max hesitated.

"...no."

Everyone looked at him.

"...no?"

Max crossed his arms, thinking.

"...I’d rather not tell her yet."

Pause.

"...not until we’re sure the women are actually there."

Dorian frowned.

"...I don’t understand why not delegate it."

He sounded annoyed.

"...the Phantom has his men."

He shrugged.

"...let them handle it."

Max shook his head firmly.

"...I want to confirm it first."

Sophie stepped forward, smiling.

"...then we go ourselves."

Pause.

"...all of us."

She looked at Abby, then at the rest.

"...we’re going to the south tower."

Her eyes gleamed.

"...and we’ll see those women."

A crooked smile.

"...I’m sure they want to be saved too."

Abby raised her hand.

"...important question."

Everyone looked at her.

"...what about Dante?"

Vimel, who had been silent until now, spoke.

"...I heard something in the halls too."

All eyes turned to him.

"...some guards."

He smiled.

"...they said Dante has a dinner tonight."

He took a breath.

"...with Lord Lucifer."

The air grew heavier.

"...most of the royal guards will be covering that."

He looked at Max.

"...the south tower will be much less protected."

Pause.

"...it’s the perfect time to act."

Max stared at him.

Something didn’t sit right. A faint sense of distrust.

’...something about this feels off...’

But before he could think further, Varis stepped forward, smiling.

"...perfect."

He cracked his knuckles.

"...then we have a plan, let’s go."

***

The group moved through the castle corridors.

But they were no longer themselves. Now they all wore false demon appearances, thanks to William’s bracelets.

All of them... except one. Max walked in the center. The most exposed.

Abby led the way. A faint magical mark glowed on her forehead—Sophie’s mark.

Her face was no longer her own. Now she looked like a completely different demon. But her eyes were still the same. They scanned the corridor slowly. With more than attention. With memories.

"...I used to play here."

Her voice came out softer.

She pointed to the floor.

"...with a ball."

A small smile.

"...when I ran away from etiquette classes."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"...with Azael."

Silence followed the moment.

Dorian looked around.

"...this is strange."

He frowned.

"...these halls are usually crowded."

Moon rolled her eyes.

"...well, yeah."

Her tone completely flat.

"...if all the guards are at Lucifer and Dante’s dinner."

She crossed her arms.

"...they already said that."

Dorian nodded, but not fully convinced.

"...yeah... but still."

He glanced to the sides.

"...it’s still strange."

Moon stuck her tongue out at him.

The elf, in his demonic appearance, didn’t even react.

They kept moving. Long corridors. Tall columns.

Until they stopped in front of a massive door. The entrance to the south tower.

And they weren’t alone. Two guards stood there, firm, watching.

Max narrowed his eyes, thinking fast. Then he looked at Moon and Abby.

"...I need you to do something."

They both looked at him.

"...can you each cast a fireball?"

He pointed down the corridor.

"...I want you to set everything on fire. I’ll handle the guards."

Abby frowned.

"...you’ll burn if we do that."

Max smiled calmly. Confident.

"...don’t worry."

He stepped forward.

"...I’ve got it all figured out."

His gaze. His smile.

Abby blushed slightly and looked away.

Moon grinned, amused.

"...this is going to be fun..."

The two stepped forward, revealing themselves.

The guards reacted instantly.

"...what the—?!"

But it was too late. Two fireballs shot forward, straight into the corridor.

Impact. The hallway erupted in flames.

Fire.

Heat.

Smoke.

Visibility dropped to almost nothing.

The guards stepped back, confused.

"...what’s happening?!"

And then, Max moved. He ran straight into the fire. The flames engulfed him—but didn’t harm him. His fire-resistance ring glowed, protecting him.

He passed through the blaze like it was nothing. Appearing right in front of the guards.

One barely had time to react when Max raised his hand. The sleep stone activated. He brought it close to his face.

"...good night."

The guard collapsed. Instantly asleep.

But the second one reacted in time.

He drove a brutal kick straight into Max’s chest.

Max was sent flying back into the flames.

The impact was harsh. Pain.

In his vision, a number appeared.

[-2 HP]

But almost instantly, another effect triggered. Regeneration. The ring activated again. His health returned to full.

Max stood up. Brushed himself off. Smiling.

Completely confident.

In front of him, the guard stared at him, utterly confused.

"...what the hell...?"

Max tilted his head, still smiling.

"...now it’s my turn."