After having her fun (?) with the little loli, Feliana contentedly placed Lilith back on the ground, resuming her elegant queenly demeanor.

The swiftness of the shift, the stark contrast, made Lilith feel like two entirely different people stood before her—first, a perverted, obsessive mother, then the regal queen.

"Ahem."

The queen cleared her throat lightly.

"You're looking for the Demonlord, right, Lilith? Head to the side hall. She's in her private chambers now."

"Mmm... How did you know, Mother—"

"I just discussed urgent matters with her. But it's time I returned."

Feliana gazed regretfully at her adorable daughter, hatched from a wild egg. She couldn't resist reaching out to affectionately pat Lilith's head.

"Truthfully, I wish I could stay longer. But duties keep me swamped. I've barely had time to care for you. Sorry."

"Mmm..."

Enjoying the soft caress on her head, Lilith turned aside.

"I... I don't need you visiting. I'm fine on my own."

"Alright, alright. I know you're capable—more mature than your peers. Capturing that Hero named Alquett? You made our Dragonkin proud~"

Feliana gave an encouraging smile, then added:

"But be careful. Never push beyond your limits, okay~"

"Mmm..."

Feliana chuckled, then remembered something.

"Though if your job's massaging the Demonlord's feet daily? Zero worries—"

Lilith's face flushed crimson. She struggled for words, then drawled shyly:

"Mooom—"

"Mhm. Off you go. Do your best—the Demonlord awaits."

"...I'm going now—"

......

Turning down the side hall corridor, Lilith found a small courtyard of serene beauty.

Her mother had hinted this was the Great Demon King's private residence. Deep within the tranquil garden stood a two-story building—the Demonlord's abode.

Who'd expect the infamous Demonlord to dwell in such peaceful elegance?

Lilith stood stiffly at the door, nerves flaring despite the comfort.

After all... behind it lay the Great Demon King's private chambers...

Wondering whether to announce herself, she knocked gently—only to find the door unlocked.

Creak—

She slowly pushed open the wooden door. A simple living room greeted her.

A study desk. Two stools. An old purple rug.

The spacious room felt utterly empty.

Lilith didn't dare enter. She called from the doorway:

"Is the Great Demon King home?"

"...Who?"

A muffled voice drifted from upstairs.

"It's me—your loyal subordinate Lilith!"

Lilith stood respectfully, hands nervously clutching her skirt.

"You summoned me today..."

"Lilith... Lilith... Oh."

A clatter of bottles echoed above. A listless voice followed:

"First door left. Second floor."

Heart pounding, Lilith entered. She climbed the wooden stairs and stopped before the first door.

"Door's unlocked. Come in."

Filled with awe for the legendary Great Demon King, Lilith pushed it open—

The bedroom spanned half the floor, yet remained plain.

A small bed. Curtains. A desk. A wardrobe. Too simple for Demonkind.

Above the bed hung light pink gauze—a mosquito net. Sky-blue curtains matched the deep red desk. Pink bedding radiated girlish charm.

—But utter chaos reigned.

The quilt lay twisted in wrinkles. Clothes piled in the corner—dirty or clean, Lilith couldn't tell. She even spotted intimate undergarments.

The desk overflowed with discarded delivery boxes and takeout containers. Magic books, empty bottles, snack bags, and food scraps littered the floor.

One word described it: disaster.

Against the far wall stood a massive shelf. It held incomprehensible equipment, raw materials, bizarre jars, and glowing magical reagents.

Beside it sat a petite girl in an oversized white lab coat.

Calling her a "girl" felt generous—she was tinier than Lilith, with a childlike, fair face. The coat swallowed her frame like a kitten in a nest. Snack bags and a fruit plate sat nearby.

Her smooth black hair was unkempt, slightly frizzy. A long ahoge defied gravity—likely from napping. Listless eyes and faint dark circles made her oddly adorable.

The chair turned. Lilith spotted a comic book in her hands: *One Day and One Night*.

"You're the... Great Demon King..."

"Mhm. Call me Lucy."

Lilith froze.

This was Demonkind's supreme leader? The villain who made human Heroes gnash their teeth in fury?

She looked like a shut-in NEET.

And Lucy? Such a common name!

Memories of elementary English textbooks flashed. Her fantasy of a cool, imposing boss shattered completely.

Lilith stepped closer. The Great Demon King didn't glance up. One small hand dug into a chip bag, munching while engrossed in her comic.

"Um... Lady Lucy? You summoned me... for what?"

"Mhm."

The Great Demon King nodded slowly.

"I heard... you captured Hero Alquett alone?"

"Uh... well— umm..."