Finally an update. As I already said before, it's the end of year and I just can't find the time to write. Don't worry though, I'm not dropping this story, I'm just saying I may spend more time without updating. Really sorry.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Chapter 8 - Rose

"Welcome back Master!"

"Hey. I'm back, Rose."

Waiting for him, as soon as he got to the throne room, was Rose, his maid NPC from the game. After the battle against Modinalaam, she was heavily damaged and had to return to the dungeon to heal. Since healing items did not work on her, Diablo ordered her to return, heal and wait for further orders.

"So, anything happened while I was gone?"

"No, nothing worthy reporting Master. There were no invasions or anomalies. Everything was perfectly quiet. Oh! But maybe I let my guard down because of this so…. Please punish in any way you desire Master!"

"I see….Wait! I already told you to stop with that punishment thing!"

"Hm… The angry and flustered Master is wonderful too."

"Listen here, you….."

(What the hell am I even discussing….)

The conversation barely began and was not moving on. Diablo had no idea what their relationship was supposed to be like since it was only a game to him before but to Rose, they already had spent a long time together. Her obsession with him was, needless to say, troublesome. It helped him that even if he exposed a part of his former self(the NEET one), she was most likely not going to mind it, but that unbelievable acceptance also disturbed him greatly.

(...Guess I should just take my chances then.)

"Rose, I have something to ask you."

"Please Master. Everything I am belongs to you and you alone. Don't ask me, order me."

"...I am thankful, but this time I want to hear your opinion. It's important so listen closely."

"Yes, I'm all ears, Master. I will catch all words with my entire being!"

(Does listening even require that much focus? Well, whatever. I guess if I try to correct every single thing she says, this will never end. Let's leave it alone.)

Explanation time!

"...and that's why I'm here now."

"Rose?"

"..."

"R-Rose? Are you listening?"

"...Yes. I hear everything Master."

"O-ok..."

(She looks scary right now! That silent expressionless face...It's like just the pressure could kill me!)

After Diablo stopped talking, Rose suddenly went silent. Her face with no expression though, was scary. Even if her face contained no emotion, her eyes definitely did, it was not pretty.

"Err...Rose? Are you okay?"

"No, I am not Master. Right now, this Rose is deeply regretting the fact that she was not there to protect Master."

"Protect me? From what?"

"From these clinging insects of course. They had the nerve of marrying Master. I am so envi-. Unforgivable. I really should've killed them before."

"...are you saying they should have refused?"

"No, that would be even more unforgivable. I would need to brutally kill them."

"Isn't it going to end in the same way then?"

"Oh my. It's true. I guess there was no other choice since the beginning. Please wait here, Master. This Rose will go and punish these vermin that dared defile you Master."

"W-wait a second! They didn't defile me! Rather, I'm the one who-"

"It's alright, Master. You don't need to pity those inferior beings. Just leave everything to me."

(Damn! She's not listening! At this rate, she might really kill everybody!)

"Calm down Rose! Listen to me!"

"I'm going to make them regret being born. Kukukuh!"

(She really not listening! And that laugh was really uncharacteristic and scary too!)

While Diablo was thinking, Rose was already moving towards the door. She was releasing killing intent all over. Seeing her in that state, Diablo decided it was time for some drastic measures.

(As I thought, my usual approach won't work. Different from the others, Rose was loyal to me from the very beginning. And to an absurd level as well. To deal with someone like that and taking into account all that happened until now… I guess there's only that, huh? The one thing I avoided doing until this point. Right now, it's the only way.)

Gathering his resolve, Diablo ran towards Rose, who was almost out of the room, and grabbed her by the arms, turning her around and making her face him.

"M-Master?!"

"Don't think about other people. Focus on me now."

Diablo was holding Rose's cheeks with both hands, peeking at her face closely with a straight face.

"E-Eh?! Ye-Yes!"

"Rose, I know you don't like having other people getting close to me but this is something I wished for. Are you gonna deny me that?"

"Eh? T-tha's…."

"Rose, you are and always was my most faithful servant but now, I want you to be more."

"M-Master…."

"For that sake, you must endure it. You have to endure your displeasure."

"I know it's hard for you but I only asked this because I know you can do it. I believe in you and that's why I choose you for this ritual. Are you dissatisfied?"

"N-no! Not at all!"

"Good."

"Y-yes! I will follow you anywhere Master!"

"...Umu."

(...Was it bad to be pushy? It seems to have worked though...she seems happy as well, I can almost see her heart-shaped eyes. And I can't really think of another to make her agree without throwing a fit. I was my first time doing this but I think I did good.)

"Then, let's start."

"...yes."

Rose became silent while looking at Diablo's lips with eyes full of expectation. Diablo was a little concerned that she would faint from the shock(happiness) but decided to press forward anyway. He leaned his head down and touched her lips with his.

kiss*

The not so sudden contact made Rose jump but she managed not to faint or break the kiss. Diablo was actually surprised, not just because she remained conscious but also because her lips were more soft than he thought. Sure, he did touch her breasts before(more or less and accident?) and they were really soft, but he was still a little afraid that her lips could be cold and hard like steel. She is a 'robot' after all.

"Mnn!"

Rose suddenly started clinging to Diablo, her hands grabbing his cape and her body pressing more and more against his. Something hot and soft pressing against Diablo was filling his head with all sort of thoughts. Then came the premonition of danger.

(Isn't this really bad?!)

Diablo tried to create some distance but Rose was still clinging with her heavy metal arms. Diablo realised he couldn't break free and started to sweat waterfalls. Rose, completely oblivious to his predicament, was only getting more excited by the second.

(Have...to...do...something! At this rate….the promise!)

Just as Diablo was considering using magic, even with the risk of causing some damage, Rose suddenly fell limp on his arms. Actually, he just used his arms a little to make her fall a little slower on the ground, with her weight, it was out of question to carry her.

"Eh?"

For second Diablo felt relieved but also worried. He looked at her exhausted form saw that she did not pass out. Her eyes were still open but unfocused, her mouth was gasping non-stop. She just reached her moment of bliss. Since the scene looked a little stimulating for Diablo he quickly took out something resembling a blanket and covered her with it, before running off….not. He couldn't just run after what he had done. He had to speak with her again and make sure she wasn't going to kill anyone.

10 minutes went by and….

"Please forgive me, Master! It's just, kissing Master was like all my wishes coming true so I ended-"

"It's fine. I don't mind. So don't start that punishment talk again, is that clear?"

"...! Yes, Master."

"Good. Then, I shall speak once again. I trust that you won't try to kill any of my other brides. And I hope you, as my most loyal servant, will never betray that trust, is that okay?"

"Yes! I will never betray your trust, Master! I swear on my life!"

"Well said. Now then, I have to depart. There are still some places I have to visit so I want you to go back to Faltra City. Can you go back alone?"

"Yes, I have properly recorded the way, but… about Master..."

"Do you think there's anything that threaten me?"

"No, I just wanted to be by Master's side."

"It's fine. When I return to Faltra City, there will plenty of time for that, so I'm leaving it to you in case another invasion occurs."

"Yes, Master!"

"Oh, before forget, Rem entrusted me with this. She said she wanted to convey something to you."

"Making Master act as some messenger..."

"...Rose."

"I-I wasn't thinking of killing her, Master! I swear!"

"*sigh* okay then. I'm leaving."

"Have a safe trip Master! If anything happens, just call me and I will arrive before anything happens!"

"O-okay..."

(...Does that even make any sense? I have my doubts. Well, I managed to overcome it, this trial. But that sure was a close one. I actually had some doubts whatever the ritual would work on Rose since she was a not a character in the game and was mostly considered a living object in the game, but I'm glad all ended well.)

Feeling proud of having surpassed this challenge, Diablo departed to his next 'target', the Royal Capital.