Zophiel and Asmodeus walked through the dimly lit corridors of the so-called Wishing Well, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls and the mana candles swaying around them. The conversation between them hadn't happened in a while. Maybe one of them didn't want to do it once he was focused on walking forward and shooting whatever threat ahead. All he said were directions and commands to the demon, nothing more, nothing less.

How they entered the Wishing Well was Asmodeus's courtesy. He had the "keys" Agarath gave him once, so he used them as he should.

The Wishing Well’s location was unknown, but Asmodeus knew it existed in 'nowhere.' It was another illusion provided by Agarath, the Master of Illusions and Ancient Mammon follower. That "place" was just a "place" because Agarath built it with Vitae, incorporating it with a piece of his own mansion in Hell. That explains why the air was flooded with miasma and why that place was labeled an "Instability Rift."

Asmodeus kicked a pebble, and it rolled a few meters ahead. It was terribly depressing because the angel did most of the hard work, leaving the demon to become a key holder or a keychain. Not that he found it bad, Asmodeus was very much pleased with Zophiel's proactivity… but it was boring, terribly boring.

His old Grimoire was left unused, a nuisance for the demon's arms.

"Hey, Mr. Angel," Asmodeus called three steps behind Zophiel. "Will you let me exercise a little bit? This old sin can do something-"

"No," Zophiel cut and halted ahead, stepping on low-class demons that appeared on the floor.

"Really? You'll tire yourself way too much," Asmodeus also stepped on the low-class demons' heads, making them groan displeased. "Little angel, why are you that tense? I told you they would be safe where I trapped them."

"I'm still worried," Zophiel replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

A smile appeared on Asmodeus' face, who quickened his pace and stood next to Zophiel. Despite his confident pose, the angel's hands shook a little, and his face was pale even under the sparse lights.

His hair, hurriedly tied into a long braid, was now coming undone. This showed that he must have gotten ready hastily and didn't tie the braid properly. His wings couldn't open due to the little space they had in the corridors and galleries they passed through, so there was no other choice but to tie them up and cover them with the blouse so that they wouldn't come loose due to some misfortune, leaving only their silhouette on the fabric.

Before the silence could return to dull Asmodeus's boredom, the demon decided to not fall into it! With that, the poor angel became increasingly distressed as the demon talked nonstop.

It was unbearable until a topic caught Zophiel's attention among the gibberishes and Asmodeus opened his Grimoire.

"That's new for me seeing God's heartless angel worried like this," Asmodeus voiced, flipping the old Grimoire's page. "You didn't even fix your braid… tsk, tsk."

Zophiel frowned his nose. "I'm not heartless," he whispered in a low growl.

"You've spent centuries apart from humans, working like a tool. You're a toy to be used and discarded, remember?" Asmodeus chuckled, closing his Grimoire. "Well, it's a surprise to see you showing these human emotions-"

"Shut up," Zophiel snapped, suddenly pressing a gun to Asmodeus's throat. "One more word and our deal is gone." His finger tightened on the trigger.

Oh, this really killed the boredom after all.

Effective and interesting! Asmodeus was satisfied, but he wanted some more free entertainment.

"Okay, okay~" He chuckled, looking at Zophiel but not moving an inch as the cold gun touched his throat. "Don't kill an innocent demon this way~ It's bad for your esteemed reputation~ besides, I'll dirty your beautiful, ivory hair~"

"…" Zophiel narrowed his eyes and pressed the gun further on Asmodeus's neck, feeling where the demon's Adam's apple was located. "A shot here, and your reincarnation is ruined. The damage is worse for you than for me."

"It sure is! Ha ha!" Asmodeus laughed, slowly moving to the side, but the gun followed him like glue. "E-erm… my apologies for teasing you that much."

"…" Zophiel lowered the gun, turning his back to Asmodeus. "Behave."

"I will!" Asmodeus beamed. "I just feel a little lonely walking around these dirty corridors with a mute companion."

"…" Zophiel rolled his eyes and started walking.

They walked silently for a while, the only sound echoing their steps. Something was off. Well, it was finally silent, but it felt peculiar somehow. Zophiel glanced back, and Asmodeus was walking peacefully. The devil's eyes conveyed he was about to say something, so the angel kept alert.

"…" but Asmodeus said nothing.

"…" Zophiel kept walking forward.

"…" but Asmodeus was mute.

"…" Zophiel started becoming irritated.

"…" but Asmodeus remained silent.

"Your silence is getting on my nerves," Zophiel snapped.

"See? It's boring being in complete silence with someone beside you!" Asmodeus protested in an almost teasing way.

Zophiel looked at the demon thoroughly and remembered how much he hated working those businesses with someone. He was used to people, sure was. He had a Pub and worked as the manager and bartender. But when it comes to his official work God gave him… he hated working with people, especially demons that had their curiosity sparked for his identity.

He could easily exorcise Asmodeus with his special bullets. But Zophiel needed that nuisance to guide him and open the illusions' doors. He was the key, after all.

So, Zophiel took a deep breath and turned his back to Asmodeus again.

"You have the right to three questions along the way. Use it wisely," Zophiel sighed. "I also have the right to the same number of questions. This way, the conversation won't be too boring."

"This is way better than teasing you," Asmodeus chuckled.

Even though Zophiel heard and answered Asmodeus's nonsense, something in that demon instigated curiosity and distrust. Not that Zophiel didn't know about the Asmodeus/Shire contact network, but that all sounded contradictory.

If Asmodeus had the keys to the Well, Agarath would have given them to him. Agarath is a very suspicious demon, so Asmodeus is someone he can trust.

If Agarath trusted Asmodeus, it meant that under Shire's skin, he would let the Wishing Well work freely and without supervision. Also, of course, Asmodeus would not get out of hands shaking by an act of benevolence to an old acquaintance. Asmodeus would be benefiting from this well as much as Agarath, whatever means.

What would be the benefit? What would his rehabilitation be worth if he used the profits of the Wishing Well, touched in miasma? Zophiel thought, ignoring Asmodeus's chattering.

Zophiel frowned and looked at Asmodeus, who walked through those corridors as if he knew the ways by heart. And he really knew the ways.

Why would he want to help Mine and add under such circumstances? How would he know Mine and Addai would be there? How was Asmodeus so sure that Addai and Agarath would meet and the subject of the clash would be the exposure of Addai's identity? He questioned himself.

Something in those lines of thinking caused more and more distrust in Zophiel's heart, who was already suspicious since Asmodeus entered his dressing room.

"I think you should do your questions now, little angel," Asmodeus grinned. "I spilled all my three, unfortunately, but I'll be pleased to hear you more."

"..." Zophiel looked at the demon, slowing his pace. "Say it, Asmodeus..." He touched the gun on its sheath. "What is your business with Agarath?"

Asmodeus slightly chuckled and patted Zophiel's head. "Why so curious? I thought this frivolous matter didn't need much attention."

"You told me you want to keep Mine and Addai safe," Zophiel took a step in Asmodeus's direction, "then how do you know they would be here? Aren't you a feeble teacher and bystander?"

Asmodeus's smile twitched, and his jaw tensed. Still, he was as composed as usual. "What made you think I-"

"Tell me," Zophiel cut, glaring at Asmodeus. "You let the Wishing Well prosper only to use it as bait for Addai and take Mine as well, so you could trade him for Addai."

"…" Asmodeus frowned. "This is not how a conversation works. It takes two, but one speaks, and the other-"

"Tell me," Zophiel insisted. "You're being the same old selfish Sin pretending to be that joyful mister named Shire, who beams to whoever he finds interesting only to toy with them like a puppet and study them as you please."

Asmodeus's mouth twitched, and he clenched his jaw, tensing his hands as the Grimoire floated beside him. "You don't know what you're talking about," he growled.

"I do," Zophiel replied, saying it between teeth. "Remember? I'm God's spy. I know you've been studying the boy since he was admitted or am I wrong?"

Asmodeus's face twisted into an unreadable expression. "It seems you have a really bad thought about me, right? Ha ha ha…" He looked away, but soon the corridors' lights turned lower, and only the demon and angel's eyes were glowing under the darkness. Asmodeus chuckled a little then lost control of his laughter. "I always laugh when I'm nervous! Ha ha ha ha!" He wiped the tears of laughter from his thin eyes and looked at the angel.

His gaze had changed. What once was gentle and elegant, turned monstrous and oppressive. The Grimoire beside him started wildly flipping pages as if it lost control.

"What if I've been studying him?" Asmodeus chuckled darkly and looked at the angel again.

"Then I'll take your keys and deal with the threat in front of me," Zophiel replied, loading a single bullet into his gun. "Who's the heartless now?" He grinned joyfully, mimicking how Asmodeus had behaved earlier.

==== QUICK INTERMISSION =====================================================

Let's appreciate this adorable fanart made by the creator iHateFridays, the creator of "Not So Typical Magical Girls" a sweet, thrilling and colorful story with lots of action and self-reflection moments <3

Umbra is sure an icon, isn't she? 🥰🥰❤️