Watching the little girl fade into the distance, Nevia felt slightly dazed.

Though many had warned her to keep her distance from Alyssa,

Nevia remained deeply intrigued by the girl—not just because she herself was the mightiest Demon, but because Alyssa was simply adorable!

Back on Earth, she’d been a cute boy (definitely not a cross-dresser!), never even holding a girl’s hand. After finally becoming the Demon King, she’d spent her days fighting nonstop until her sealing. That promising, handsome little boy had been beaten into a "god-tier mage" with over ten thousand levels.

Screw destroying the world. Screw ruling the world. Who’d have such lofty ideals anyway?

All she’d wanted was a girlfriend. Was that really so outrageous?

Just thinking about how she’d quit fighting, picked an adorable girl to retire from mage life, and then got chased across half the world by a horde of terrifyingly powerful lunatics made her jaw twitch.

In the end, nearly every top hero from the Light faction had teamed up to seal her in the Dark Forest. How was she supposed to know a random girl on the street would be the Holy Light Church’s Saint?! That overpowered protagonist nonsense was totally abnormal! Where was the promised热血, inspirational shonen story?

Every time Nevia recalled her tragic life, the corner of her mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

"You can come back now."

Her mother’s voice drifted from the house. Nevia quickly scanned the area, relieved her mother hadn’t seen her daydreaming. She patted her flat chest—being caught fantasizing would’ve earned another scolding under that stern gaze. No one could stay calm under it.

Nevia hurried back inside to find her mother’s serious expression.

"Don’t see that child again."

"Got it," Nevia replied casually.

"Sigh. Go upstairs. Weren’t you just begging to see what Ecleston made for you?" Knowing the little girl was brushing her off, her mother didn’t press it, steering the topic away with a sigh.

"Oh, right!"

Mention of it instantly lit up Nevia’s eyes, washing away her gloom over Alyssa.

"I need to check it out now!"

She dashed up the stairs but paused near the second floor, leaning over the wooden railing. "Where’d you put it, Mom?"

"I just said—beside the cabinet," her mother answered calmly, sipping tea.

"Oh yeah, you did. I forgot." Nevia grinned sheepishly.

"Remember now? Should I repeat it?" Her mother shot her a look.

"I got it~~~" Nevia’s voice trailed off as she skipped to her room.

"Hmm, let’s see."

Nevia scanned her room: the pink bed, stuffed toys, the white lilies on the windowsill. Her tiny nose twitched slightly.

A faint, strange scent hung in the air—like sun-warmed petals, alluring yet odd.

"Huh? The window’s open."

Puzzled, she walked over. Her window had somehow opened, noon sunlight streaming in and turning floating dust into light snowflakes. The scent probably came from outside.

—Must’ve forgotten to close it this morning, or the wind blew it open.

Nevia didn’t dwell on it, shutting the window. The cabinet stood to its left, a long wooden box resting quietly on the desk beside it. She opened the box. A dazzling flash blinded her.

Squinting, Nevia saw the "beautiful" dagger at its center—and instantly felt crushing disappointment.

She’d begged Uncle Ecleston to craft her a weapon as a gift. The stubborn blacksmith had refused at first, but her relentless pleading wore him down. He’d even promised a surprise, thrilling the girl who’d always dreamed of her own weapon. She’d even designed it based on her old Demon King weapon, the Soul-Devouring Dagger.

Of course, she couldn’t copy it exactly—Virgil was now the Holy Light Church’s top-priority target! If those fanatical clerics found a clue, it’d be trouble.

Still, no one would guess the "evil, brutal" Demon King had become a little girl.

She couldn’t believe it herself! Tears welled in Nevia’s heart as she stared at the motionless, brilliant blue crystal dagger in the box.

So Ecleston really had delivered a "surprise."

Squinting closer, she recognized Luya Crystal—a rare magical ore from the empire’s southeast. Already scarce, it had grown even more precious as the empire’s turmoil severed regional ties.

"Wonder where Uncle Ecleston got so much Luya Crystal. Didn’t know he was loaded."

Nevia pictured the burly, hammer-toting man in ragged clothes. He didn’t look rich at all. Her mind suddenly flipped to him grinning, tossing gold coins like confetti.

He’d make mages cry.

Uncle Ecleston, any mage seeing you waste it like that would cry. Seriously cry!

She tapped her head, banishing the absurd image back to the endless Abyss atop Mount Everest.

Focusing again on the shimmering dagger.

It was just jewelry, not a real weapon. But it was Uncle Ecleston’s heartfelt gift.

Its color flowed like transparent seawater, the streamlined shape making it seem alive. He’d even carved a lifelike lily at the hilt’s end.

So beautiful.

Nevia gasped, lifting it carefully. She shook it near her ear—almost hearing splashing water.

Truly worthy of the "dream gem" title.

Lost in the gem’s beauty, Nevia didn’t notice the cabinet door slowly creaking open. A shadowy figure crept silently closer. A cold, sharp dagger—not a toy like hers—pressed against her back.

"Don’t move." She heard the voice.

At the same moment, the sharp scent of blood mixed with flowers flooded her nose.