Beep beep beep—

The small communication crystal on her wrist suddenly glowed faintly and buzzed urgently. It was a portable communicator developed by the Demonlord using her rune technology. Just a tiny bit of magic could send messages between specific devices.

Lilith, who had been skipping along carefree, froze mid-step at the sound. A bad feeling washed over her.

Oh no.

A message from the boss this late at night?

Definitely nothing good…

Sure enough, opening the device revealed a notification on the crystal screen from Minister Doros:

"Come to the Demon Palace. Emergency meeting with the ministers."

Lilith blinked rapidly and typed back:

"But I’m not a minister, QAQ"

"Lady Lucy specifically summoned you."

"…"

Lilith dejectedly lowered the communicator.

"Um… Alquett…"

She turned to the silver-haired, crimson-eyed Bloodline Hero beside her.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I’ve got something urgent. I need to go to the Demon Palace for a meeting. I’ll be gone for a bit."

"Eh—? But…"

Seeing Alquett’s grievous, disappointed expression, Lilith helplessly spread her hands.

"Sorry… it’s really urgent—I have to go now!"

She spun on her heel, darting down a side street toward the Demon Palace. Alquett was left alone under the streetlamp by the dungeon entrance.

…

…

Past the magnificent architecture and long staircases, Lilith pushed open the main hall doors. She entered the Demon Palace’s grand chamber.

It had been days since her last visit. Beyond the doors stretched a dim, sunless corridor. Flickering blue flames burned in gray marble torches along the walls, lighting the vast hall.

Despite the late hour, the hall buzzed with activity. The Four Heavenly Kings and seven ministers knelt respectfully on the floor. Before them, the Great Demon King sat on her throne. Her violet form radiated a sinister aura. The cloak pooled on the ground, shadowing her fair, youthful face.

"Great Demon King, I… I’m here… you summoned me…?"

Lilith tiptoed cautiously into the hall. Her small frame looked fragile among the powerful demon elites.

"Hmm. Now everyone’s here."

Lucy half-closed her eyes, legs crossed. Her aura turned stern—utterly different from her casual self just minutes ago.

"I apologize for interrupting your dinners. I called you here urgently because of this."

She pulled a small paper packet from her robes.

"What is that?"

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Lately, this powder called ‘Huashi Powder’ has spread like wildfire among lower-tier demons in Demon City. Despite bans, addiction runs rampant. It’s deeply concerning."

Lucy’s voice grew heavy, her brow furrowed.

"Just now, my guards seized a massive shipment of this illegal powder at the border with the Holy Kingdom. Smugglers were caught red-handed."

The officials exchanged uneasy glances. A buzz of whispers filled the air.

Lucy scanned the room, waiting for silence before continuing:

"But the ringleader behind these drugs wasn’t at the scene. The mastermind remains free."

She passed the white powder packet around for inspection.

"I gathered you for two reasons. First: stay vigilant. Don’t accidentally get hooked yourselves. Second: reiterate our zero-tolerance policy. Demon City bans all smuggling, distribution, and use of this substance. Report any suspicious activity immediately. I won’t let dealers run wild in my city!"

The demon elites chorused agreement.

Lilith studied the strange powder closely. It looked like fine flour—crystalline white, with a faint, odd scent.

"Great Demon King… may I ask—what does this powder do when consumed?"

Only Lilith’s timid voice echoed in the corridor.

"Hmm, good question."

Lucy frowned, shifting her crossed legs.

"When inhaled or licked, it spikes your heartbeat and appetite. Your body heats up, flooding you with intense euphoria. Your physical strength and magic power surge temporarily…"

She paused, tone turning grave:

"But it’s dangerously addictive. One or two doses hook you for life. Withdrawal brings severe symptoms if you skip doses."

"Most Huashi Powder comes smuggled from the Holy Kingdom. It’s spreading among their commoners too—even Church personnel secretly push it to followers. The damage is significant."

Lilith’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably. *Drugs? Seriously? This is just like the narcotics from my past life…*

"I understand…"

"Right. Sorry for the late summons. You’re dismissed—all except Lilith. I need to speak with you alone."

Count Vladimir, the Snow Woman, the Slime Queen, the Fallen Death Knight, and others nodded, leaving in their own ways. Minister Doros and the rest followed. Doros even winked at Lilith on his way out—his eyes screaming: *Jealous~*

*What weird fantasies is he spinning about me and the Demonlord…?*

Lilith could only smile bitterly. *She’s keeping me for work. Obviously.*

"Great Demon King, what are your orders?"

Once alone, Lilith bowed respectfully toward Lucy on the throne.

"Take this packet."

Lucy gestured dismissively.

"Huh? Why give me… this stuff—?"

Lucy’s eyes narrowed. She hopped down from the throne, stepping close to Lilith and lowering her voice:

"I suspect the drug smugglers and the traitors who let spies into the city are the same group."

"Eh?!"

"The spy you caught might be our key to exposing the dealers."

Lucy’s expression was dead serious.

"I… see…"

Lilith stared at the white powder in her palm, lost in thought.

*Why does this feel so heavy? I’m just a lazybones who eats and naps all day… When did I become a spy-catcher and drug-buster? This is way too much responsibility.*

"Keep this. It might be useful later. Huashi Powder is devastating to Demon City. Worse—criminals are hiding it in candy for young demons. This must end. Now."

Lilith gazed at Lucy’s delicate face, inches away. Her usual cute laziness had vanished, replaced by chilling seriousness.

*She looks so reliable in crises… totally the opposite of my mom.*

"Understood. I’ll extract vital intel from the spy."

Lilith hesitated, then added shyly:

"About the overtime pay…"

Lucy smiled faintly at her awkwardness.

"Don’t worry. You’ll be rewarded. Like last time—if this succeeds, I’ll raise your salary by two thousand gold coins."

"Really?!"

Lilith’s eyes lit up.

"Leave it to me, boss! Mission accomplished!"