Chapter 50

"Wahhh..."

"Wahhh wahhh..."

"Sigh... You two are such idiots..."

Hilda and Ovelia sighed helplessly, watching Lisbeth and Stalos sob in the cell. They truly didn’t know how to scold these fools. Though still a little angry, seeing one clutch her chest and the other hold her head, their last bit of irritation vanished.

Hilda softened her tone and asked Lisbeth first, "Lisbeth, is your chest okay?"

"How can it be okay! It really hurts!! Wahhh, Lord Demon King was so mean—she squeezed my chest so hard, it almost tore off!"

"No, no, this is clearly your own fault..."

Honestly, when Christia flew into a rage, Hilda thought Lisbeth’s chest was doomed. But seeing it still intact, she unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. After all, Christia was just a child at heart; sharp-tongued but not truly cruel. Thinking this, Hilda silently smiled with relief.

"Ah! You old hag! I’m in so much pain, and you’re smiling!? You’re awful!!"

"Shut up! Who are you calling an old hag!!!"

"Wahhh wahhh wahhh!!!"

As Lisbeth finished, Hilda suddenly grabbed her fox ears. She turned to Stalos and asked, "And Stalos, are you alright? Lord Demon King drilled your head for ages."

"That wasn’t drilling! She used magic to smash my head against the wall!! I really thought I’d die!"

Watching Stalos tearfully clutch her head, Ovelia snorted coldly, "Hmph. You brought it on yourself with all that nonsense. If it were me, you’d be lucky to be alive."

"Wahh..."

Stalos wanted to snap back but remembered her own rude words to Ovelia. She lowered her head silently. But Lisbeth wouldn’t stay quiet.

Lisbeth slapped away Hilda’s hand and glared at Ovelia, "Ovelia, I haven’t asked you yet! Why set such a boring test? Just give us the medicine honestly, and none of this happens!"

"Hmph. How shameless."

Ovelia pushed up her glasses. "You broke into my lab to steal. How is it my fault your thievery failed? Huh?"

"Ah... no... that’s not..."

Lisbeth realized how wrong she’d been. Ovelia had warned her earlier, so she’d assumed the potion would be handed over. But now, she saw her mistake clearly.

"Ovelia, I’m sorry. I was wrong..."

Ovelia had no obligation to give free potions. Seeing Lisbeth’s sincere apology, she sighed and gently took her hand. "Knowing you were wrong is enough. Don’t say such off-the-wall things next time."

"Okay, I understand."

Ovelia smiled and squeezed Lisbeth’s hand. When she let go, a small Magic Array appeared on Lisbeth’s palm.

Lisbeth knew it’d vanish in a day. She looked at Ovelia questioningly, but Ovelia just turned back to Hilda’s side.

Just then, Clothilde’s voice echoed in Lisbeth’s mind.

"Alex, don’t react. That Magic Array is likely a message spell. Play along for now."

"Got it."

Lisbeth nodded unconsciously. Ovelia had wanted a private meeting before, so Clothilde’s guess made sense. Hilda cleared her throat softly. "Anyway, you can go. Lord Demon King has calmed down. Hurry and apologize to end this."

"Huh!? She’s forgiving us!?"

"Really!? I thought she’d kill us this time!"

Watching their relieved faces, Hilda sighed again. "You two knew those words would anger her. Why keep saying them? I’ve calmed her this time, but next time, you’re dead."

"I know! We won’t repeat it!"

"Mhm!!"

Hilda led them to Christia’s office.

*Knock knock.*

"Lord Demon King, I’ve brought them."

"Come in."

Hilda gently knocked and led the dejected Lisbeth and Stalos inside. Christia’s expression darkened instantly. She glared coldly. "You’re here?"

"W-we’re here..."

"Hmph. Get over here now!"

"Ah! Yes!"

Seeing Christia’s anger flare, they scrambled to her desk. "Lord Demon King, we were wrong! We talked too much—we shouldn’t have said those things. Please forgive us!"

"Hmph. Good you know it. Say those boring words again, and I’ll cut off those useless lumps of fat!"

"Ah! Yes!"

Christia’s sharp gaze swept over them. She took a deep breath. "But punishment is necessary. You’ll do something for me next."

"Huh!? We’ve been tortured—isn’t that enough?"

"Huh!?"

"Ah, no no—nothing! Please continue, Lord Demon King..."

Christia’s glare made them shake their heads frantically. She pointed at Hilda. "For now, you’ll follow Hilda’s orders completely. The Demon King’s Fortress will host a grand Victory Banquet soon. We need helpers. Your punishment: work diligently as maids."

"Huh? That’s it?"

"That’s it."

Lisbeth almost doubted her ears. Their daily chores were similar, so this seemed easy.

But Hilda gave a sympathetic look. "Don’t underestimate it. Setting up the banquet is no joke. Even conservatively, it’s three times your usual workload."

"What!? Three times our tiring work? And that’s conservative!?"

Lisbeth and Stalos’ faces crumpled into tears. Christia smiled, clearly enjoying their reaction. She added to Lisbeth, "This banquet is related to you. Do a good job."

"Related to me? Ah! Could it be—?"

Lisbeth had nearly forgotten her past. Christia had captured her as the Hero—of course a Victory Banquet would be held. High-ranking Demon Clan officials would attend.

"Hm. You understand. But remember: only I, the Personal Maids, and a few Demon Clan leaders know your identity. Don’t expose yourself during the banquet. That’s all."