"Meow～～"

For the students here, it was a ferocious beast. But Alice and Lulu—mainly Alice—defeated the one attacking Muse. Still, they paid a price.

"Haha!" Lulu wiped blood from her face. Honestly, being drenched in thick, sticky gore was utterly disgusting.

"Back home... I—I need the first shower. This is... ugh, so uncomfortable. My whole body’s sticky." Lulu panted heavily.

Alice, who’d exerted more effort, remained spotless by comparison.

"We’ll talk after we return. I hate this too. Shower together?"

"Sure. Huh... huh..."

Lulu took a deep breath. "What next? Keep fighting? Or rescue that archmage first? With him, things’d be easier."

"Sorry, lovely ladies, but I’m afraid you won’t get that chance."

A voice cut in behind them before they could decide. They spun around instantly. That had been dangerously close—if he’d ambushed them just now, they’d be dead. Why hadn’t they sensed him? He’d shown not a trace of hostility.

And it wasn’t one person—it was two. Both were familiar to Chu Xueyue.

"You? Evelyn and Zhang Yong? What’s happening here?" Lulu shouted, pointing.

This incident clearly tied to them. Ten ferocious beasts had fought nonstop since appearing, yet these two were untouched by blood. Even with invisibility items, why not flee or fight? Using hiding gear to reach this spot? Over eighty percent chance they were involved.

"Huh? We haven’t met. Only a few know my name here. Explain?" Zhang Yong stared at blood-soaked Lulu, racking his brain. Sadly, she wasn’t in his recent memories.

Alice, meanwhile, gaped in disbelief—not at Zhang Yong, but at Evelyn beside him.

"Evelyn? Here? I get it. Your Demonfolk orchestrated this. The Demon King Power’s appearance... it was you all along."

Alice’s words startled Lulu. Her memories of the Dark Lord were vivid; lately, she’d dreamed nightly of first seeing him. *So the Demonfolk caused this. Guess it’s my turn to save the day?*

"You know her?" Lulu asked.

"Yeah. She’s one of the Dark Lord’s subordinates—the Succubus Queen, Evelyn. No more games. Let’s fight to the end!" Her voice was sweet, but the aura clashed violently with it.

Evelyn yanked Zhang Yong back instantly. No need for a head-on clash—she was mage-type. Why the girl recognized her didn’t matter; she’d avoid close combat.

"You know me? Has my beauty already swept this nation? Alas, beauty is such a crime. My darlings, come play with her."

"ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!"

"Howl～"

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

"Puff! Puff! Puff!"

The remaining beasts swarmed in, encircling Lulu and Alice. Defeating the first beast had relied on their strength and that initial sneak attack—especially the iron rod jammed into its gut. Now, facing these intact monsters, their expressions turned grave.

Zhang Yong stepped forward. They held the advantage; the girls wouldn’t move rashly.

"May I ask questions? Truly, I’d rather not harm two beautiful ladies."

*Still gentlemanly? Just knock us out and lock us up—imprisonment play, anyone? Wait, what am I thinking? Shout it: "Come on, let’s hurt each other!"*

Zhang Yong froze at Lulu’s shout. But he hadn’t finished. Ignoring it, he pressed on: "Who are you? Why know me and Evelyn of the Demonfolk? Answer honestly, and sparing you is possible."

*Yes! Perfect show-off. Time for my verbal barrage. Harem collection starts now. This is a Hero’s life.*

A strange roar echoed—only locals recognized it as a dragon’s cry.

Everyone turned. A Battle Aura slash descended from the sky, dramatic as a theme song, cutting toward the beasts. It carried faint pressure, slowing their movements. Yet it hit no one, struck no beast.

BOOM!

The slash carved a crack in the ground, forcing Lulu and Alice back, widening their gap from the monsters.

THUD!

A figure dropped from above. With a weapon swing, wind scattered the dust, revealing a damn handsome man.

"I heard everything. Leave the rest to me."

*Who is this guy? Better at showing off than me. And playing the selfless hero—no name given.*