Chapter 23

"Lisbeth, wake up! You can come out now."

"Huh?"

"Lisbeth, wake up."

"Mmm... so sleepy. Just five more minutes..."

The next morning, Hilda arrived promptly at Lisbeth’s cell to release her. But when she opened the door and called out, Lisbeth—the prisoner—was still sound asleep inside, completely unresponsive.

"Hah… Seriously, what a heavy sleeper." Hilda rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Then, taking a deep breath, she shouted, "Lisbeth! If you don’t get up right now, I’ll suggest to Lord Demon King that we cut off your breasts!"

"Eh?! No way!" At the mention of her chest, Lisbeth jolted upright in panic. "Lord Demon King, I’m sorry! It’s my fault! Anything but my—" She paused, blinking. "Oh. You’re awake at last, Lisbeth."

Hilda winced at Lisbeth’s groveling but steadied herself. "Since you’re up, I’ll relay Lord Demon King’s orders. You’re released—leave this cell. But today, you must meet the other Personal Maids of your rank. No more lazing around."

"Eh? Personal Maids? Oh right, those exist." Seeing only Hilda, Lisbeth slumped back into her usual lazy demeanor and yawned. "Yaaawn... But did you have to wake me so early? It’s barely dawn."

"Hmph. Even as a woman now, you’re still a man at heart. Don’t forget—you spent a night in this cell. You haven’t bathed since yesterday. Do you plan to stink up Lord Demon King’s presence?"

"It’s not that bad! One night without a bath? Seriously." Lisbeth couldn’t grasp the fuss—on battlefields, she’d gone days without water, let alone baths. But Hilda’s icy glare warned her not to push it. "Alright, alright! I’ll wash up. Just stop looking at me like you’ll eat me alive."

"Hmph. Good. I know sleeping here was rough, so after your bath, rest in your room. Once the Demon King’s Fortress morning meeting ends, Lord Demon King and the five Personal Maids—including me—will wait in the conference room. I’ll call you for introductions."

"Yeah, yeah, got it~"

Hilda freed Lisbeth from the cell. Yawning, Lisbeth shuffled back to her room to prepare.

---

"Lisbeth, ready?"

"Yep, all set."

After sunrise, Hilda arrived at Lisbeth’s room. Her presence meant the morning meeting had ended. Nodding at Lisbeth’s reply, Hilda said, "Follow me. And no trouble today—unlike yesterday’s regular Maids, these Personal Maids work beside you daily. Piss them off, and you’ll regret it."

"I won’t mess with people I see every day. Relax."

"Hmph. See that you don’t."

Though Lisbeth had caused chaos yesterday, she’d behaved well before entering Christia’s bedroom. After this warning, Hilda led her through the Demon King’s Fortress corridors to a large door.

"Behind this door are Lord Demon King and the other four Personal Maids. Ready?"

"Pfft. They won’t eat me. Why be nervous?"

Hilda knocked. "Lord Demon King, I’ve brought Lisbeth."

"Enter."

The door creaked open. Lisbeth stepped inside—and her heart skipped a beat. She nearly bolted.

"Eh?! Why are that brute and that pervert here?!"

"Huh?"