I Don't Want To Be An Omega In My Sister's Trashy Reverse Harem [BL]

Chapter 210: Banished Or Not! 2

Niblet finally let out a long, tired sigh.

His small body twisted unnaturally, bones cracking softly as dark smoke wrapped around him. In seconds, the dog was gone. Standing in his place was Cerberus in his human form, with dark hair falling messily over his eyes.

"I knew you’d figure it out," he said quietly.

Rin didn’t move.

His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his eyes sharp and unreadable as he stared at Cerberus. There was no surprise on his face. No relief either.

"So you really can’t enter the palace," Rin said flatly.

Cerberus rubbed the back of his neck. "No."

Rin let out a short breath through his nose. "Then you lied."

"I didn’t tell the full truth," Cerberus corrected. "There’s a difference."

Rin scoffed. "That’s what liars always say."

Cerberus looked at him carefully. "You’re angry."

"I’m cautious," Rin replied. "There’s a difference."

Cerberus lowered his hand. His expression turned serious.

"I can’t enter because I was banished," he said. "Not just me. Asmodeus too. When we left the demon realm, we were never allowed to return."

Rin’s fingers twitched slightly.

"You said you weren’t banished."

"I said I was never banished alone," Cerberus replied. "We were cast out together."

Rin stared at him for a long moment.

"So you want me to believe that," Rin said slowly, "you just suddenly decided to betray Asmodeus. That you need my help. And bringing you to my grandfather won’t cause a disaster."

Cerberus dropped to one knee.

The sound echoed in the dark corridor.

"I swear it," he said. "I need to speak to the Demon King. I can’t do it without you."

Rin didn’t react.

"What if you planned this with Asmodeus?" Rin asked. "What if you bring him a way inside?"

Cerberus’s head snapped up. "I would never—"

"You already did," Rin cut in. "You followed him once. You destroyed towns and cities with him."

Silence fell.

Cerberus clenched his fists. "I know."

Rin looked away. He remembered the news about the slaughter and massacre he heard through gossip. He also remembered Asmodeus’s voice.

"I can’t risk it," Rin said quietly. "If anything happens to my grandfather, that blood will be on my hands."

Cerberus bowed his head. "Then leave me here."

Rin turned back to him.

"Good. I’ll go alone," Rin said. "If what you’re saying is true, you’ll still be here when I return."

Cerberus nodded slowly. "I’ll wait."

Rin hesitated, then turned away. As he walked deeper into the darkness, he kept glancing back.

Cerberus didn’t move.

He stood exactly where Rin left him, his figure slowly swallowed by shadow.

.

.

The path narrowed.

The air grew heavier with every step Rin took. His skull ring pulsed faintly, warm against his finger, like a heartbeat.

Then he saw it.

A massive black door.

It had no handle. No markings. No seams.

Just solid darkness.

Rin stopped in front of it.

"...Great," he muttered. "Now what?"

The last time he’d been here, his grandfather had brought him through without effort. He just found himself there at the snap of a finger. There was no door to disturb him.

Now, he was alone.

Rin raised his hand and placed his palm against the surface.

The skull ring burned.

His eyes widened as he watched the door tremble... then slowly and silently, it split open down the centre.

Rin swallowed.

"So that’s what you were for," he murmured.

He took a step forward about to enter, when something rushed past him.

Fast. Too fast.

"What—!"

A dark blur slipped through the opening before Rin could react.

"...Niblet?" Rin hissed.

He didn’t wait. Rin rushed inside.

The space beyond was wrong.

It wasn’t the grand hall he remembered. This place felt empty and cold.

"Grandfather?" Rin called.

There was no answer.

"Niblet!"

Only silence answered him... until a sound reached his ears.

A groan. A low and strained groan. Rin’s heart dropped.

He formed a fireball in his hand, the flames lighting the darkness as he followed the sound. Each step made his chest tighter.

Then he saw them.

His grandfather stood in the shadows, tall and unmoving, his hand wrapped tightly around Cerberus’s throat.

Cerberus was lifted off the ground, his face red, veins bulging as he clawed weakly at the Demon King’s arm.

"Grandfather!" Rin shouted.

The Demon King turned.

His eyes softened instantly when he saw Rin.

"...You shouldn’t see this, child," the Demon King said calmly. "You’re too young."

"I’m not," Rin snapped.

He rushed forward.

Cerberus gasped violently as his grip tightened. Rin stepped between them.

"I brought him," Rin said. "If you’re going to punish someone, punish me."

The Demon King paused.

Then he smiled.

"Still soft," he said fondly. "That hasn’t changed."

Rin clenched his fists. "Let him go."

"He’s a traitor."

"He’s begging," Rin replied. "And you should listen before killing."

The Demon King studied Rin’s face. Then Rin grabbed his head suddenly, hissing in pain.

The Demon King’s expression changed instantly.

"...Your head hurts?"

Rin nodded sharply. "It will keep hurting if you don’t listen."

The Demon King sighed.

"...You’re cruel," he muttered.

He released Cerberus. Cerberus collapsed to the floor, coughing violently, gasping for air.

With a snap of the Demon King’s fingers, the world shifted.

They were no longer in the dark hall.

They stood in a large chamber filled with expensive furniture, tall shelves lined with ancient books, and a massive couch carved from black stone.

Cerberus lay on the floor, breathing hard.

Rin stared around. "How did we—?"

"The palace has over a hundred rooms," the Demon King said. "When I took it from the human world, I scattered them across the demon realm. Only I know where each one is."

Rin blinked. "That’s unfair."

The Demon King smiled. "Life is."

He turned to Cerberus.

"Speak," he said coldly. "Why are you here?"

Cerberus pushed himself upright and bowed deeply.

"I came to help you."

The Demon King laughed.

"Help?" His eyes glowed faintly. "You sided with Asmodeus. You burned worlds. And now you want to help me?"

"I was wrong," Cerberus said. "I made a mistake."

Rin’s eyes widened slightly. Cerberus continued, his voice steady despite the pain.

"I signed a contract with Asmodeus. I regret it. I want to break it... But I can’t. So I came to make a deal."

The Demon King’s smile vanished.

"A deal?"

"I will return to his side," Cerberus said. "I will act as his loyal servant. And when the chance comes... I will kill him."

Rin’s breath caught.

"That’s..." Rin whispered. "...that’s actually not bad."

The Demon King stared at Cerberus. Then he shook his head.

"No."

Cerberus stiffened. "What?"

"I don’t trust traitors," the Demon King said calmly. "Leave."

Rin stepped forward. "Grandfather—"

"No," the Demon King repeated. "This conversation is over."

Cerberus looked at Rin. Rin looked back at his grandfather.

The room felt heavier since the decision had been made.