### Chapter 7

“Stay right there! You buxom fox!”

Christia’s furious yell echoed through the corridors of the Demon King’s Fortress, causing every passing demon to instinctively freeze in place, their expressions mixed with confusion as they turned to watch the chase unfold between Christia and Lisbeth.

The halls were particularly crowded at this hour, and judging from the attire of those present, they were far from ordinary demons. Beads of sweat dripped from Lisbeth’s forehead, as she silently cursed herself. *Damn it, it’s the time for the morning assembly! All these demons showing up now are important figures—how am I supposed to face them after making such a spectacle?*

“You bastard, stop running!” Christia roared.

“Ahhh! Forget it—I’ll just keep running!” Lisbeth shrieked, her survival instincts fully taking over. She sprinted with all her might, dodging past startled onlookers as Christia stormed after her, their pace turning the dignified castle halls into a comic display of chaos. Occasionally, Lisbeth glanced over her shoulder, shouting back between desperate breaths, “Lord Demon King, I was wrong! Can't we just calm down and talk this out?”

“Never! The moment you dared to insult the possibility of my future growth, I swore I wouldn’t let this go!”

“No, no! It wasn’t an insult, it’s just the truth! Even after two hundred years, there’s no hope for your chest to—ahhhhhh!!”

“You filthy liar! You’re dead meat today!”

Fueled by rage, Christia quickened her pace, her strides becoming a blur as she gained on Lisbeth. Even though Lisbeth had been the first to dash into the grand hall of the fortress, it was clear that her speed alone wouldn’t be enough to escape Christia’s relentless pursuit.

*Dammit, speed won’t work! I need to outsmart her.*

Peering back at the fuming Christia fast approaching, Lisbeth forced herself to calm down, her keen gaze analyzing the surroundings.

*Okay, I’m in the Upper District of the Demon King’s Fortress. Straight ahead is the entrance to the conference hall—the throne room. That’s what got me into trouble last time.* She grimaced. *No way I can run there—it’s a dead end! My only option is to take another route. Fine, it’s risky, but I’ll go for it.*

“Level One Enhancement: Swift Step!”

After a breath of determination, Lisbeth muttered an incantation under her breath. Instantly, a bright cyan glow enveloped her body, concentrating around her legs before bursting forth in a dazzling display of speed.

But Christia merely scoffed at the sight, her eyes lighting up with derision. “Hah, physical enhancement magic? Don’t think for a second that rubbish will help you outrun me!”

“Oh no, Lord Demon King. You’ve totally misunderstood!” Lisbeth gave her a cheeky grin, feet a blur as the magical light pushed her even faster. “Who said I need this spell to escape? All I need... is to put *just a bit* of distance between us!”

“What?!”

Before Christia could register Lisbeth’s intent, the fox-woman suddenly diverted to the left, hurling herself toward a seemingly solid wall. With an explosive *bang*, Lisbeth’s agile kick ripped open a hidden doorway in the stone. Without so much as a glance in Christia’s direction, she disappeared into the Secret Passage.

Christia slowed her pace, a smirk playing on her lips as her gaze fell upon the exposed doorway. “A secret passage? Is that your last card?”

Though the move was impressive, she took no immediate action to chase after. Instead, Christia flicked her fingers, conjuring a ghostly blue flame that illuminated the dark passage as she walked in step by step, her posture unhurried yet menacing.

“Why so quiet now, hmm? Scurry along, Lisbeth,” Christia’s mock-velvet voice echoed eerily within the enclosed space.

“Ah! This can’t be!” Lisbeth’s agonized groan rang out, carried forward by the glow of Christia’s flame. Cornered, she frantically pounded against the walls. Her tail, bushy and shaking, betrayed her rising panic.

“This isn’t right—it’s supposed to lead to the Secret Passage that goes to the Middle District!” Lisbeth sputtered.

Christia’s grin widened to impossibly cheerful proportions. “Oh? After your little *visit* to the Demon King’s Fortress last time, I spared no effort in having all Upper District secret passages inspected and revised. See, I couldn’t leave vulnerabilities like this open to pests like you.” Her gaze darkened. “But unfortunately, for you... this particular passage is one of those I’ve had thoroughly secured.”

Lisbeth was left speechless, biting the inside of her cheek as her tail darted about nervously. “That’s just—so unfair! Why did it have to be *this* one?!”

“Shut up! You buxom fox!” Christia’s sudden bellow reverberated through the narrow passage.

“Yikes!” Lisbeth jolted, her entire body trembling from the sheer intensity radiating off Christia’s voice. She was too petrified even to move as her pursuer steadily advanced.

With an unsettlingly sweet smile plastered across her face, Christia stopped right before her prey. “Well, since you wanted to have a little *chat,* let’s have a *real* discussion, shall we? Lisbeth~”

“Nooo!! Somebody, help me! Help!! Please!!!” Lisbeth’s cries of despair echoed down the suffocating depths of the Secret Passage.

Unfortunately for her, no one appeared to answer.