"I'm all ears."

"Yue Duling of the Twelve Demon Commanders has made an offer," Rui Jing explained smoothly. "Steal the Imperial Seal within two days. Whether the Dark Lord exchange succeeds or fails, he fills a vacant Demon General spot. If it fails, war erupts. If it succeeds, the Church won't rest. When a Demon General falls, he takes their place. Isn't that a bad deal?"

"He Yu, why is the Demon General position so sought after when the world despises it?" the Hero whispered.

"Immortality." I shot him a glare. "Trading soul freedom for possible eternal life. Serve the Dark Lord forever to gain physical and spiritual immortality. That's how Demon Generals inherit and replace."

"So crazy."

Some chase even crazier things—taboo power and true immortality. I thought silently.

"What a mad trade."

"I think it's worth it," she said coldly, eyes hostile. "How will you keep your promise?"

"Soon. But will you serve the Dark Lord for life?"

"I've long accepted that fate." Her gaze was serious. Truly serious.

"Put me down." I poked Lott's chest.

"Impossible. You're injured." He raised an eyebrow, mischief in his eyes.

"Put. Me. Down!" I enunciated each word.

"Unless~ you marry me!" How did he say that without blushing?

"Marry (shyly)~ marry your whole family!" I slammed a fist into his face. In my rage, I forgot the danger. Lott stumbled, tripping over his feet. We flew through the air in a spectacular throw.

"Woc, that hurts! Why's your chest so hard?" Even landing on him, stars danced in my eyes. So clumsy! Who princess-carries someone and then trips?

"It's the sturdy chest of your future man! Argh! Don't burn my face!" I pressed a fireball angrily against the Hero's face again.

"Demon King...?" Rui Jing's voice was weak.

"Huh? Demon King? Where? Don't look at me!" Discovered already? I scanned around. A linen-robed figure stood eerily on the path. He bowed slightly, voice genderless: "Your Majesty the Demon King."

Chilling!!!

I touched my head. My hairpin had fallen. When did he appear?

"Get down first," the Hero whispered.

"Huh?"

"Get off me." He repeated.

I carefully shifted off him. A cold gleam flashed. Lott rolled aside. A trembling steel needle pierced the ground. A hidden weapon? Terrifying!

"Who are you?" Lott crouched, hand on his sword. Why fight without warning? Who was he? In the dim light, the robed figure was thin, short—not a muscle-bound brute. The robe hid their shape. An oval face wore a purple bronze mask, ferocious.

He raised his hand. Gears clanked loudly behind him. Crossbow bolts like clock hands pointed forward, gleaming coldly.

"Hero?" His voice was deep. "I count to three. Leave His Majesty. Crawl back to your palace!"

Gloved hands—fingers thick, palms oversized.

Why start fighting suddenly? Hey, when counting to three, don't just flash three fingers!

"Your Majesty, stay still." "Don't move!"

A vortex exploded behind him, robe flapping wildly. A needle shot like a silver comet toward Lott, sonic boom trailing.

The Hero drew his sword instantly, deflecting the weapon.

Tip met tip. The needle expanded, then burst. Gears and levers flew like bullets, smashing craters into walls. Spectacular.

Debris avoided me, but stone chips scraped my cheeks.

"Ah!" A scream behind me. I turned. Rui Jing huddled in the corner, arm pierced, blood flowing.

What are you two doing? Someone's hurt! Stop fighting!

"Stop it! Must someone die for you to quit?" I yelled hoarsely.

They glanced at me, then resumed battle. Bolts whirled, clashing with the Hero's treasury weapons. Battle Aura raged. I felt like a helpless leaf.

"If you fight again, I'll... slit my throat here!" I shouted. Rui Jing was weak from her seal and wounds—she couldn't lose more blood.

They froze instantly. Only panting and faint moans filled the tunnel.

They glared, tension thick.

"Jing, Rui Jing! Stay awake." I scrambled to her.

A strange light flickered in her eyes. Weakly, she whispered: "My Lord the Demon King~" Gratitude? Awe? It didn't matter.

"Don't talk. Stay awake. I'll help." I tore her sleeve with my teeth. A through-and-through wound gaped. A bloodied gear lay nearby.

"It's fine. A scratch." "Don't move!" I glared fiercely at the others. Mana flow blocked healing spells. I cleaned the wound with a water ball, then bandaged it with a strip from my underskirt.

"Who are you?" I stood, staring at the figure.

"One of the Twelve Demon Commanders. Yue Duling." His voice was calm.

"So," I breathed deeply, "we're allies. Why fight like fools?"