"L-Little Vi... I don't think this is quite appropriate..."

Lilith trembled at the bathroom door, clutching her lace underwear.

"Hm?" Viola glanced back, puzzled, as she changed near the entrance.

"I... maybe you should shower first... I'll wait my turn..."

"No need! That'd waste time—and how would we scrub each other's backs? Backs matter too—"

"But... bathing together... doesn't it feel embarrassing...?"

Viola gave her a strange look. "We're both girls. What's embarrassing? At school, I shared baths with dozens of others—"

"Mm..."

"Even as Demonkind, you’ve gotta care for your skin, Lilith~ Backs need love too~"

"Mmph..."

"Stop hovering in the doorway—you’ll catch a cold! Ugh, my arm’s still sore from that wound... can’t reach the ties. Help me?"

Hesitating, Lilith seemed to steel herself before stepping into the steam-filled room.

Warm mist blurred her vision, but not enough to hide Viola’s confident stride toward her. A wave of youthful warmth—and maybe floral soap—washed over Lilith. Beneath the bulky mage robes lay a surprisingly supple figure, smooth porcelain skin glowing under the steam. Elegant shoulders, like drawn bowstrings, bore faint crimson scars. Her gaze drifted lower...

Sleek waist. Thighs plump yet firm, soft from lack of exercise but not excessive.

"Here—undo these ties. My arm won’t bend," Viola said, turning to bare her back, oblivious to Lilith’s flustered state.

"O-okay..."

Lilith’s fingers trembled as she fumbled with the knots. The last scrap of white fabric shielding Viola’s chest slipped away.

A wave of heat surged up Lilith’s spine. Her breath hitched. It felt like standing before a door slowly swinging open to a world she’d never known—

"Thanks~ Now it’s your turn, Lilith—" Viola’s voice held a teasing lilt.

"W-wait! Don’t turn around yet—eep!" Lilith clapped a hand over her nose, sensing something hot and urgent rising within her.

"Hehe~ Behold my legendary skill: Speed Demon of the Showers!"

"W-what are you—?!"

"Fair’s fair~"

Lilith squeezed her eyes shut—but through her fingers, she saw Viola crouch with a mischievous grin before yanking hard.

A chilly draft hit Lilith’s lower half.

...

...

In the dim, ancient dungeon—

"Lockchains: retract."

Golden anti-magic chains slithered back beneath Alquett’s skirt at her command.

Silence pressed thick in the damp cell. Only dripping water and her own breath echoed. Alquett’s crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dark. She shed her clattering scale armor, leaving only a thin white slip dress. Pale shoulders and neck gleamed in the gloom.

Her skin now held a sickly pallor. Tiny fangs peeked from her lips. Her silver bob had lengthened wildly, pooling near the floor like liquid moonlight.

"Tch. Annoying." She tied the cascading hair into a low ponytail with a ribbon from her waist.

"Foolish Demonkind. Did you think this rusty cage could hold me?"

Her slender hands gripped the iron bars. With a soft *creak*, she bent them inward, carving a gap wide enough to slip through.

Alquett slid out, cat-quiet, pressing against walls as she darted toward the dungeon entrance. She placed a palm on the heavy iron door, murmuring a spell. It groaned open—too easily.

"...Unlocked? Wasted mana on that *Knock* spell for nothing."

Beyond the door lay an empty hall. Oil lamps, spears, and armor cluttered the corners. Unwashed tables and benches littered the center. No guards.

"Not even a sentry outside the cells? Pathetic for a Hero..." She clicked her tongue, though relief flickered beneath her annoyance. *Their carelessness is our advantage.*

"Little Vi’s direction..." Alquett pressed fingers to her temple, eyes shut, sensing the unique "scent" of each soul—a power that pierced stone and distance. Viola’s presence drifted from one corridor.

"Little Vi! Hold on—I’m coming!"

She raced down the passage, turning sharp corners until—

Dead end.

Only broken furniture and stacked crates filled the space. Solid walls blocked all paths. Viola’s "scent" vanished here.

"This can’t be... interference?" Alquett’s brow furrowed. Lost in the unfamiliar Darklord Citadel, she’d charged blindly after the scent. Now, every corridor looked identical.

Then—a familiar voice cut through the silence from a pink-tinted window in the wall:

"...What’s wrong with you—?"

*Little Vi!*

Alquett froze, electrified. She tiptoed to the small, sealed window, pressing her ear against the frosted glass. Water splashed inside.

"...must—"

"...not here..."

*Not here? Not what?* Alquett’s mind raced. The muffled sounds and rushing water made words slippery. But instinct screamed: *Something terrible is happening.*

"Mmm~ the... limit is—"

"Eep! Too much at once... it’s scalding—"

*Plop. Plop. Plop.*

Viola’s breathy whimpers mixed with wet, rhythmic slapping sounds. Alquett’s heart clenched.

"...don’t rush... I’m... joining you...!"

Another voice answered—Lilith, the young dragon who’d tried to surrender her earlier. *Didn’t she clock out?*

"Adjusting... this position... fits better..."

*Position?* Alquett’s blood ran cold.