Chapter 3

"Hero? What’s that? Lisbeth doesn’t know anything~"

After hearing Hilda’s words, Lisbeth flashed a cute smile. She spun around right in front of Hilda and added, "Look, how could a cute girl like me possibly be the human Hero? Besides, I’m now a loyal maid to Lord Demon King~"

If any outsider overheard this, no one would doubt Lisbeth’s angelic smile. But Hilda, who knew the truth, sneered coldly. "Hmph, stop pretending. I was there myself in the throne hall of Demon King’s Fortress. You were a complete monster—quit acting cute."

"Hmph, I guess you’re just too old to understand my cuteness~"

"W-What did you say?"

"Waaah! Don’t pull my ears!!"

As Lisbeth finished speaking, Hilda yanked her fluffy fox ears hard again. But this time, Hilda released her grip quickly. "Anyway, I don’t care what you’re up to. You’ve been stripped of that monstrous power, so settle down as a maid. And remember: without Lord Demon King’s mercy, you wouldn’t be serving here. You’d have been executed days ago."

"Mercy? Heh, you really said something amusing~"

"What?"

Lisbeth’s tone suddenly shifted, as if she were a different person. Her face still smiled, but Hilda instinctively shouted. An inexplicable threat washed over her from Lisbeth.

"Don’t act like you spared me on purpose. You simply didn’t dare kill me, right? Every Hero receives the Goddess’s blessing—even if they die, they revive the next day. So you went through all that trouble, extracting my soul from my original body and placing it here, just to limit my power and prevent revival, didn’t you?"

"You..."

If Lisbeth had worn a sweet smile earlier, her eyes now held aggression that clashed with her appearance. Hilda broke into a cold sweat.

Hilda knew Lisbeth had no power left. Yet fear crept over her as Lisbeth spoke.

"Oh dear, don’t look at me with such scary eyes~ As I said, no matter how my appearance changed, I’m a devoted servant to Lord Demon King. Just remember that~ So let’s get along well, Head Maid Hilda~"

*Thud!*

"Ouch!!"

Hilda overcame the unease. She sharply rapped Lisbeth’s head and glared coldly. "Don’t speak to me like that. I’m the Head Maid in charge of all maids here. No matter your past, you’re just my subordinate now. But you’re right—we’re both loyal servants to Lord Demon King. So stop wasting time and get familiar with your maid duties."

"Yes, Head Maid~"

Lisbeth saluted Hilda, then skipped cheerfully toward the hall of Demon King’s Fortress. Behind her, Hilda watched with a puzzled expression, her gaze following Lisbeth’s departing figure.