Chapter 31

"Huff... huff..."

"Wake up, it's already morning~"

"Huff... huff..."

"Lisbeth, wake up already. If you don't get up soon, I might just kiss you~"

"Huh!?"

Since Hilda always came to wake her up every morning, Lisbeth would initially just roll over and pretend to be asleep whenever she heard someone calling her. But when a sweet fragrance and words Hilda would never say reached her, Lisbeth instantly opened her eyes and hastily retreated to the edge of her single bed.

"Y-you! What are you doing in my room!?"

The only person who'd say such flirtatious things, in Lisbeth's mind, was Elinest. Sure enough, the first thing she saw was Elinest herself—and worst of all, Elinest had already closed her eyes, leaning in for a kiss. If Lisbeth had opened her eyes a second later, her body's first kiss might have been lost right there.

Seeing Lisbeth's wary expression, Elinest smiled lightly. "Good morning, Lisbeth. I don't think I look that bad, so you don't have to guard against me like I'm a wolf, do you?"

*No, no. In a way, you're far more dangerous than a pervert, you maniac.*

From their first meeting—when Elinest had flirted with her in front of everyone—Lisbeth had already marked her as a top-level threat. And after their last conference room encounter, Elinest's meaningful smile and words had left her deeply uneasy. If possible, she really didn't want to be alone with her.

But dwelling on it now was pointless. Lisbeth took a deep breath, adjusted her breathing, and put on her usual smile. "Good morning, Elinest. I was just startled because someone suddenly entered my room."

"Is that so? My apologies. I did want to knock, but Hilda said you'd never answer anyway, so I came right in~"

*Damn old hag! If I ever get attacked in my room, it'll all be your fault!*

Though Lisbeth was grinding her teeth inside, she kept a calm smile. "Well, that's true. I'm hard to wake up, so I rely on her. But Elinest, why did you come find me?"

"Of course—it's time you started working formally with the other Personal Maids."

"Hm?"

The reply didn't come from Elinest, but from Hilda standing outside the door. Lisbeth turned to see Stalos already dressed and waiting there too.

"So what's going on? Why gather so many people in my room?"

"Nothing much. Just assigning your new job. Hurry up and wash up. Once done, head straight to the Lower District gate."

"Hm? The Lower District?"

The Lower District was basically the exit of the Demon King's Fortress. Beyond it lay the Inner District, where ordinary Demon Clan members lived.

"Are we going shopping today?"

"Shopping? No." Elinest shook her head. "We'll pass through the Inner District, but today we're gathering herbs in the Outer District. Because of your army's attack on the Demon King's Fortress recently, I haven't collected herbs in ages. I must go out today."

"Ah, I'm really sorry about that."

"Oh, no need to apologize. Your position was different back then. And thanks to your sudden betrayal, the Human Race-occupied towns were quickly reclaimed. It's no big loss."

"Is that so? Reclaimed already? But then again, this is a war zone."

Though Christia was one of the Six Day Devils, she wasn't at the pinnacle of the Demon Clan. Beyond them stood three Great Dark Lords, each governing a major region. Each had six devils handling affairs and guarding territories. Christia's Demon King's Fortress was the frontline border between the Human Race and Demon Clan. That's why Elinest could speak so casually about territory gains and losses.

"Anyway, skip that. Once ready, prepare for combat. Though reclaimed, Human Race remnants might still lurk around. And the Outer District is full of magical beasts—this herb run won't be easy."

"Huh? Then why not call guards? If herbs are vital, guards would be safest."

"What are you saying? We called you and Stalos precisely to use you as labor and guards."

As Hilda finished, Lisbeth's pupils contracted sharply. "Old hag, are you joking? I'm a delicate girl who gets sore from light chores! How can you do this to me!?"

"Less talk. Your aches are just from not adapting to this body yet. According to Ovelia, your physical strength far exceeds average Demon Clan members—but your magic limit is severely restricted. Swinging a sword at a few beasts won't trouble you."

"Huh? Is that so?"

Lisbeth had never heard this before. Though unused to her body, during that night in the Treasure Vault with Clothilde in Class Change mode, she hadn't felt any magic drop. If restricted, she'd know.

She closed her eyes and whispered to Clothilde on her arm, "Little Sword, has my magic been restricted? I feel nothing."

"Hmm, no. Your stats dropped due to the body swap, but you can still use magic up to your current body's max limit."

"I see. So Ovelia's hiding something—she lied about my magic restriction as the former Hero, deceiving everyone including Christia."

"Yeah. But stop talking to me—you've been silent too long. They'll get suspicious."

"Ah, right." Lisbeth put on a troubled expression, patting her head. "Alright, I get it. But if truly troublesome beasts appear, you handle them yourselves."

"Of course. If you die and respawn as a Human Race member, Lord Demon King's reputation would be ruined."

"Hm? Reputation ruined? What does that mean?"

"Nothing. Stop chattering and get up."

"Alright, alright." Though curious about Hilda's words, pressing further wasn't wise. Lisbeth smiled again. "Elinest, please wait outside. I'll join you after washing up."

"Okay, Lisbeth. We'll wait at the door."

After Elinest spoke, Hilda and the others left. The moment they were gone, Lisbeth's smile vanished. She turned serious, speaking to Clothilde. "Clothilde, this feels off. I should be the top-priority protection target—I absolutely can't afford to get hurt. Yet they calmly take me herb-gathering and beast-fighting? What's their game?"

"Isn't it obvious? They just want to test your current strength. Don't forget the shock you gave them before. Even knowing your power's restricted, I'd test you too to be safe."

"Hmm, that makes sense. We'll take it step by step. Besides, Stalos isn't pushing me toward Ovelia's lab now—I can probe her during the herb run."

"Exactly. Now hurry and change. Lingering won't help."

After this brief exchange, Lisbeth quickly put on her Maid Outfit, washed up, and left her room. Yet in just this short morning, she now had several new suspicions weighing on her mind.