Doros guided the preoccupied Lilith out of the mausoleum and back toward the Demon City.

Noticing Lilith’s hesitant steps behind her, Doros slowed her pace and asked with concern:

“What’s wrong, little Lilith? You’ve seemed so gloomy ever since leaving the Great Demon King’s presence~”

“Mmm… His Majesty assigned me a huge task… said I have to welcome the new recruits…”

“Oh~ That’s all? Don’t worry—I’ve already prepared the venue, costumes, everything! Though… you’ll need to design the actual reception and evaluation methods yourself~”

“Huh? I… I have to design the tests?”

Lilith had assumed she’d just show up, follow a preset script, and go through the motions.

“Exactly~ But no stress! The Demonlord has great faith in you. He said to use your own judgment—no blame no matter the outcome~”

“…”

*Why does that sound like he’s expecting me to mess up…? Must be my imagination.*

“Come on, cheer up! Let’s visit Sea Green House—the biggest women’s boutique chain in the Darklord Citadel. I’ll get you a proper formal outfit. And we’ll bring little Tea too—time she got work attire!”

“Thank you, Sister Doros~”

Lilith looked up gratefully, and Doros waved it off with a smile:

“No trouble at all—oh! Looks like rain’s coming. Let’s hurry!”

Lilith quickened her steps behind Doros, watching her voluptuous figure ahead. Yet her own expression remained heavy.

A cool dampness seeped through the air, slipping beneath her skirt through the gap between her translucent black stockings and hemline. A shiver ran down her spine.

They first returned to the Demon King Army’s residential quarter. In the living room of their newly acquired villa, Viola and Alquett sat across from each other on sofas, sipping afternoon tea.

“Alquett, right? Come on—we’re shopping for new clothes!”

“Eh!? Y-you mean… I’m coming too?”

“Of course! I’ll cover the costs. Just remember your dear sister’s kindness when you’re rich and famous~”

“Yes! Shopping for new clothes!”

Alquett bounced like a child handed candy, while Viola remained poised and serene beside her.

“Little Vi, join us?”

“Mmm… I went last time. I’ll pass.”

Viola set down her teacup elegantly, took a delicate sip, and smiled faintly at Alquett’s excitement.

“Please take Alquett out often. She’s never been shopping before.”

“Got it! The three of us—let’s go!”

…

Lilith stayed silent the whole time.

The succubus department head charged into the clothing megastore with her usual fiery energy, while Alquett darted around like a country bumpkin dazzled by the city, overwhelmed by racks of dazzling outfits.

Only Lilith, trailing behind them, felt a creeping chill. For some reason, watching their happy smiles made her feel *on edge*.

She suddenly understood the uncharacteristically grim aura the Demonlord—Lucy—had radiated earlier.

*His Majesty… even suspects Aunt Doros…?*

*If even Doros could be a spy—*

Lilith shuddered, cutting off the thought.

Her eyes glazed over as Doros held up one OL-style pencil skirt suit after another—white blouse, high heels—but her mind was already far away.

*What could those stolen secrets be about…? Something so critical it roused our lazy, homebody Demonlord… It must threaten the very survival of the Demon City.*

*Right now… the only ones I can trust are Vi and Tea.*

Tea had willingly signed a soul-binding slave contract—absolutely obedient. But…

Lilith sighed softly.

She hated suspecting those close to her, yet… Viola fit the profile too perfectly.

*Defected to Demonkind almost effortlessly, matching the “recent infiltrator” description. Rose to second-in-command of the Dungeon Department within days. And… won my trust with that youthful charm, that flawless figure…*

*Could it be Vi?*

*Without proof, I can’t be sure…*

Her heart grew heavy.

*Vi fought so hard to help me recruit the Hero…*

*—Unless she engineered that whole event to earn my trust.*

*Sacrificing one Hero to plant a spy deep in the Citadel’s leadership… Is this war?*

*I must stay vigilant…*

The more she thought, the colder her spine felt. Her mind tangled into knots until her head throbbed, screaming to clutch it in agony.

“Lilith… you look pale. Are you ill?”

“What’s wrong, Lilith?”

She snapped back to find Doros and Alquett standing before her, worry in their eyes.

“Oh… I’m fine—”

Lilith shook her head, forcing a weak smile.

“Good! Now try this—brand-new business suit. Wear it, and you’ll radiate executive confidence!”

“Mmm… okay—”

Lilith took the clothes and headed for the fitting room.

“Tea… come with me?”

She turned, beckoning Alquett.

“Huh…?”

Alquett dropped the dress she’d been holding and approached, puzzled.

“What’s… w-wait—”

She glanced at the fitting rooms, then at Lilith, eyes widening in realization.

“…You want to steal a kiss in there? I’m ready anytime—!”

“It’s not that!”

Lilith’s face flushed crimson as she fumbled in her spatial pouch.

“This… is yours. I’m returning it.”

Alquett’s gaze dropped. Her relaxed expression tightened instantly.

It was her Holy Sword, *Temperance*—embodying the Holy Scripture’s Virtue of Moderation.

“…My sword? How did you… Ah. Of course.”

She recalled: Lilith must have picked it up after her first staged defeat.

“If… if anything unexpected happens later—”

Lilith pressed the sword into Alquett’s hands, whispering:

“Protect me. With everything you have.”

Alquett gripped her long-lost blade. Its familiar weight settled in her palm, and the ever-present bloodlust within her quieted.

Each Hero’s Holy Sword granted unique passive blessings merely by being carried. Hers offered mental clarity—“purifying the soul, maintaining balance,” the Church scholars called it.

*Though I still don’t know what “soul balance” even means…*

She eyed the blade’s pulsing power, doubtful.

*They say Holy Swords choose their wielders… Will it still accept me—a traitor to humanity?*

*Huuuum—*

The sword hummed warmly, its vibration soothing.

Alquett swung it twice, satisfied.

*Good news: it still recognizes me.*

“I understand… Though I don’t know why you’re so serious all of a sudden… You just want me as your bodyguard, right?”

Lilith nodded slowly.

“Yes. And… I hate to say it, but even if it’s Aunt Doros… or Viola… show no mercy.”

“Don’t worry! Even if it’s Vi—er… *Little*—you mean Little Vi?”

Alquett’s eyes widened, but Lilith’s solemn nod was firm. She placed a hand on Alquett’s shoulder.

“…Until I uncover what the Demonlord tasked me with… everyone around us could be an enemy. Except you, Tea.”

“…M-me?”

Alquett felt the weight crash onto her shoulders.

*Weren’t we just shopping?! Why this heavy talk?!*

“…The soul-bound slave contract means I trust you completely. You’re no traitor.”

Lilith’s voice was quiet but certain.

“But others… stay cautious.”

“…Even Little Vi?”

“…Yes.”

Alquett’s breath hitched.

*Viola… my white moonlight. My salvation. The one I’d burn the world to win back.*

*In truth… I ended up here because of her.*

*And now…*

Her heart tore itself apart. Each breath stretched into eternity.

Finally, Alquett exhaled slowly. She knelt on one knee before the earnest young dragon girl.

“…You saved my life. I have no way to repay you. I pledge absolute loyalty to you, Master Lilith.”

Her voice was raw, heavy with pain yet unyielding.

“…I will eliminate every enemy, shatter every obstacle in your path—even if it’s… Vi… Viola… or Doros…”

“W-wait, no! It’s not that extreme!”

Lilith waved her hands frantically.

“I just meant… if trouble comes, keep me safe! I never said *kill* anyone!”

“Oh… oh! I misunderstood…”

Alquett stood up sheepishly.

“Exactly! It’s all just suspicion for now—might be nothing! I just need you to stay alert too—”

“Got it…”

*Alone hunting enemy spies… such a crushing responsibility.*

Lilith wasn’t built for this pressure—this silence, this distrust toward everyone she knew.

She needed an ally. Someone to confide in.

But she hadn’t expected Alquett—after just a few words about guarding her—to pledge such ruthless loyalty. To stand against her beloved Viola without flinching.

*People’s hearts are truly unfathomable…*

Something in Lilith’s view of Alquett shifted, just slightly.

“Then… I’m counting on you as my guard—”

Lilith smiled at the flustered girl before slipping into the fitting room. She quickly changed into the sleek, professional OL suit—the uniform of an examiner.

It’s almost time—

…