Stepping out of the Demon Palace and into the rain-soaked streets of Demon City, Lilith felt unsteady, as if walking on cotton, with a strange sense of unreality.
Though she’d confidently guaranteed everything to the Great Demon King, stepping onto the damp street left her dazed.
Such a huge responsibility… just dumped on my shoulders?
Me… someone like me… can I really handle it?
Cold raindrops drummed noisily against her umbrella.
“System, how can I root out those rotten drug dealers as fast as possible?”
【Ding! Gryette Fi Lazaluz: Submission Level 10%】
“So it means… the key really is that mysterious spy girl, huh…”
Lilith sighed softly, closed the system panel, gathered her thoughts, and headed home.
If that’s the case… my next steps are clear enough—
Probably.
……
……
“I’m home!”
Lilith strode to her door and habitually called out—then realized Viola and Alquett must have moved into their new places. A pang of loneliness hit her as she fumbled for her keys.
“Welcome back~”
Unexpectedly, the door creaked open slowly. The living room light was on, and Viola stood there in a heart-patterned apron, wearing a gentle, sweet smile, a steaming ladle in hand.
“Huh… Viola, you—”
Lilith gasped, then spotted Alquett at the dining table, shoveling rice and gorging on roast meat with loud slurps.
“Uh…”
“Don’t just stand there—come in! Oh, and swap your shoes first. Unlike a certain rude someone who stomped right in, tracking mud all over my freshly mopped floor…”
At Viola’s chattering complaint, Alquett paused mid-bite and coughed lightly.
Viola blinked at Lilith, pointing to two rabbit slippers by the entrance.
“The smaller pair is yours, Lilith. The pink one’s mine—and the white one? She’s wearing it.”
“Mm… okay…”
Lilith changed shoes and stepped inside, her heart swirling with mixed emotions. For the first time in this other world, she felt a warm sense of “home.”
—Unlike in her mother’s dragon lair… this was a true home, full of warmth and belonging.
“You both worked hard today~ To reward you, I made my secret roast suckling pig! Marinated in pickled red chilies, onions, garlic, and special spices, then glazed—it smells amazing, and the meat just melts in your mouth. Totally worth trying~”
Viola beamed proudly, while Alquett’s frantic eating silently proved her words weren’t empty boasts.
“Uh…”
Lilith hesitated, but Viola gently guided her to the table.
“We’ve got cheese and honey mead to go with it—I wasn’t sure about your taste, so I picked crowd-pleasers. And for dessert? My famous raisin shortbread. Can’t wait~”
“Really? That’s great… wait, no—”
Lilith frowned suddenly.
“Aren’t you two supposed to be in your own houses? Why are you still here?!”
“To cook for you, of course~”
Viola untied her apron, sat across from her, and teased warmly:
“You’d never bother making a proper meal alone, would you?”
“Well… true…”
Lilith nodded—she’d skip the kitchen entirely if solo, just grabbing street food.
“Duh, I’m here to mooch meals—we agreed!”
Alquett finally spoke up, mouth full, sounding utterly justified.
“Fine, fine… I guess it’s okay—”
Lilith eyed the lavish spread and swallowed hard.
Seriously… that glossy, fatty-but-not-greasy roast pig looked just like red-braised pork from her past life. Mouth-watering.
Viola sat opposite, smiling softly but expectantly, eyes fixed on Lilith for a verdict.
Alquett silently refilled her rice bowl.
Lilith picked up her knife and fork, but a nagging unease tugged at her.
“What’s wrong? If you hate greasy food, I’ll take it all—”
Alquett’s voice snapped Lilith back.
“Right! Alquett, why are you here?!”
“Huh? I just said I’m here to mooch—”
“No, no—I mean… that spy! The one we locked up today for insulting examiners—”
“Oh… what about her? We already jailed and searched her—”
Alquett looked confused.
“I mean… why aren’t you guarding her?!”
“Huh? Just locking her up’s enough, right…?”
“No!”
Lilith facepalmed, then slammed the table—making Viola flinch.
“…Such a critical target needs round-the-clock guards!”
If she escaped, not only would the Great Demon King’s new mission fail… but Lilith’s promised bonus and promotion would vanish too.
Alquett scratched her cheek, stammering:
“Well… it’s the same cell they held me in. Should be fine—the bars are super sturdy…”
“…You, who bent those bars barehanded, have zero right to say that.”
“Uh… heh… guess you’re right—”
Alquett rubbed her head sheepishly.
“Sorry, sorry—I didn’t think. She seemed so frail and out of it… I just came home…”
Lilith couldn’t sit still anymore. She dropped her cutlery, stood up, and headed for the door.
“Nope. I’m checking on her now—at least assigning night guards for shifts.”
“Huh? It’s late, and raining… you’re going out again?”
Viola interjected gently, watching from the sidelines:
“Bundle up first… don’t catch a cold.”
“Mm.”
Lilith nodded, then glared at Alquett.
“You’re coming too.”
“Eh? Let me finish this—”
“Now. With me.”
“Ugh… coming… you’re so bossy today—”
“It’s not bossiness… sigh… just to be safe. Viola, hold down the fort—”
Lilith grabbed Alquett’s hand and yanked her toward the door under Viola’s gaze.
“Mm, okay.”
Viola nodded obediently.
*Slam!* The door shut abruptly behind them. Lilith dragged Alquett into the rainy street, their footsteps fading.
Viola stood alone, head bowed, staring at the steaming, fragrant feast on the table.
Her ever-gentle smile now tasted faintly bitter.
She slowly poured herself a cup of mild honey mead, lifted it, and downed it in one gulp.
But the familiar sweetness never touched her tongue.
“No matter where I go… she always wins, doesn’t she…”
The pattering rain seeped through the half-open window, mixing with a muffled whisper.
“Then what am I even doing here…”
Her pale, delicate hand gripped the cup tightly, knuckles whitening with a grating *creak*.
“…I tried so hard… just to get a little more of your attention…”
……
