In the dim, sealed basement, the lighting crystal cast a faint purplish glow, lending the room a touch of ambiguity.
“Do I really have to… wear this…”
Alquett examined the garment in her hands—an item she deemed utterly shameless—and felt her heart race with unease.
“Yes. Now. Immediately.”
“…I…I can’t… How could I possibly wear something so indecent—”
Blushing fiercely, Alquett covered her face and tossed the backless sweater aside.
Lucy’s expression hardened for a split second.
“…Obey.
“Didn’t you claim to be Lilith’s subordinate now? In theory, you should follow my orders without question.
“Or… are you conspiring with Lilith to fake your surrender… tricking me for credit?”
Lucy’s suspicious gaze made Alquett tremble.
“That’s not true! But… but this outfit…”
“…Hmm. I understand.”
Lucy waved a hand dismissively.
“Since you refuse, I won’t force you. Leave.”
“Huh…? Can I really just… go—”
Alquett hesitated, doubtful.
“Of course—you can go. But your master, Lilith, will have to come in your place to face severe punishment.
“After all, it’s her fault for failing to discipline you properly.”
Lucy stifled a cute yawn behind her hand, then added casually,
“Go. And bring Lilith here. I’ll punish her harshly.”
“…”
Alquett’s foot, poised to step away, froze mid-motion.
Seeing her hesitation, Lucy smirked, her plan unfolding perfectly.
“Well, Hero? You wouldn’t want Lilith to suffer because of you, would you?”
“I…”
“Decide now. Wear the clothes? Or run away?”
Alquett’s mind flashed to Lilith’s frail figure in her sickbed.
She remembered the joy of being rescued by the dragon when she lay dying in that alley.
Lilith’s gentle voice echoed in her ears:
[…I like you. I’ll always take responsibility for you~]
…
(Lilith, limping home with Viola’s support, suddenly sneezed.)
…
Before Alquett’s eyes, the young dragon girl’s warm, radiant smile felt vivid and tangible, reigniting her resolve.
“I…I won’t run away anymore! No matter the challenge… bring it on!”
“That’s the spirit~”
Lucy beamed, picking up the lacy backless sweater again and holding it out.
Rustling sounds filled the air as clothes shifted.
…
“Left arm—lift it higher—”
“Keep your head straight. Smile.”
“Remember: you’re a dignified, elegant housewife now. Nail the character and aura.”
Alquett stood before Lucy’s easel, striking pose after suggestive pose as commanded.
Her usual silver daily dress was gone, replaced only by an oversized, warm gray backless sweater. It draped over her mature curves, leaving her entire back bare except for a tiny heart-shaped cutout at the chest, revealing a deep V of tempting cleavage.
Her smooth, fair back was largely exposed, and her bust—enhanced by special props—looked strikingly full from every angle, radiating an allure that bordered on criminal.
…No wonder this was Abaddon 666’s character design…
Alquett forced a faint smile, utterly uncomfortable in such improper attire.
The sweater’s hem fell to her upper thighs, leaving her long, bare legs exposed—making one wonder if she wore anything beneath.
Her youthful innocence clashed with the sweater’s maternal warmth, creating a perfect blend that even made Lucy flush slightly after a few glances.
“Perfect… absolutely perfect—the Bloodline beauty truly is a natural model.”
Lucy clicked her tongue in admiration, her brush flying across the canvas to sketch rough lines and figures in seconds.
“…Done yet?”
Alquett stood frozen like a doll, waiting for the Demonlord’s session to end.
“Almost… almost… Good. New pose now—bend over, half-squat—”
“…Ugh… so tired… my arms ache…”
Alquett couldn’t help but whimper, but Lucy remained unmoved.
“Hold on—I’m nearly finished—”
“Almost there~”
After about an hour…
“Mm, that’s enough… I’ve finalized the housewife character’s sketch. Excellent material. Thank you for your help, Hero. Thanks to you, my inspiration’s overflowing—”
Lucy nodded in satisfaction, putting down her brush and giving Alquett a thumbs-up.
“…Phew… hah… hah… finally over…”
Alquett collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath.
“Once you’ve rested a bit, I have a few more character ideas for you to try…”
“Huh… eh?!!!”
…
…
…
As dusk fell and night descended, Alquett stumbled out of the courtyard in her original clothes, swaying unsteadily until a succubus attendant caught her arm.
“Oh dear… you look utterly drained. The Demonlord must have worked you hard today—”
Doros covered her mouth in mock shock, but Alquett only shook her head, clutching a brand-new sketchbook to her chest.
On its cover page, an elegant signature read [Abaddon 666], accompanied by a heart.
—After the backless sweater housewife session, she’d been forced into countless other outfits, posing endlessly as Lucy’s muse. The Demonlord, lost in a creative frenzy, had used her as a living mannequin all day.
Her legs trembled from exhaustion; it had taken nearly a full day before she was finally released.
Of course, nothing untoward had happened beyond modeling! Absolutely nothing else at all!
Though Lucy had treated her like an iron-willed mannequin, her attitude while directing poses had been surprisingly friendly—even shockingly so to Alquett.
As a diligent model, she’d earned her reward: this unreleased copy of Abaddon 666’s latest work, *One Day and One Night*, complete with a signed dedication.
Receiving a signature from her long-admired author thrilled her, but more importantly… Lilith wouldn’t be punished because of her…
At that thought, Alquett’s guilt eased slightly—only to return as worry.
Alone and penniless, she was adrift in this unfamiliar Darklord Citadel, surrounded by strange buildings, faces, and environments.
A wave of loneliness washed over her.
“Come, come—I’ll take you to rest first. I heard about your situation from Lilith. The apartment for new Dungeon Department staff needs approval from higher-ups; it’ll take days. Until then… hmm, you’ll stay at Lilith’s place, just like little Viola.”
Doros’s gentle voice cut through Alquett’s thoughts. She blinked, then nodded softly.
“Thank you… Auntie Doros—”
“Call me ‘sister’!”
“Eep… sis… sister…”
“There we go. Good girl~”
Doros smiled warmly, patting Alquett’s head and guiding her wrist toward the residential quarter.
“You’re one of us in the Dungeon Department now. Big sister’s got you covered~”
Her comforting tone, like a caring elder sister, warmed Alquett’s heart.
“Thank you, sister…”
“No more ‘thank yous’—too formal~”
The moonlight cast equal shadows of their vastly different races onto the street, their silhouettes merging intimately.
After walking silently down one block, Doros pointed at their elongated shadows while waiting at a crosswalk.
“You know, little Al~ hearing your story reminded me of my past.”
“Hmm?”
“Long ago… a troublesome guy told me: happiness is like the shadow behind you—if you chase it desperately, you’ll never catch it.”
Doros spoke thoughtfully, her usual playful tone gone, a trace of nostalgia in her eyes.
“Mm…”
Alquett glanced at her own blurry shadow.
“But if you just keep walking forward… it’ll follow you forever~”
Doros smiled faintly.
“Thanks to him, I’m happy now—what do you think?”
“Keep walking forward… huh…”
Alquett savored the words, a bittersweet ache swelling in her chest.
“I understand… thank you, sis—sister!”
“Green light! Let’s go, let’s go—”
Holding her sketchbook, Alquett followed the succubus across the Darklord Citadel’s intersection, her heart filling with hope for the new life ahead.
But first… how would she face Lilith?
After all, Lilith had risked her life to rescue her from the kingdom’s clutches.
Though she’d sworn a soul contract on the spot… it still felt insufficient.
Lilith was too timid, too passive—she adored Alquett yet hadn’t dared to ask for even small intimacies during their morning alone.
Like a quick kiss… holding hands… or a morning kiss… things couples did in those little manga books…
Alquett’s eyes drifted to the cover of *One Day and One Night*, where two girls embraced. A smile crept onto her lips.
Fine. If you won’t take the lead… I’ll help you out.
Someone has to make the first move in love—why not me?
Perfect timing—I learned something new from this manga… tonight, I’ll pleasure her until she’s completely satisfied—
At the thought, Alquett’s face burned crimson.
…
…
…
