"Oh, but Lily thinks you're dodging the topic? Master, you still haven't properly explained that last question~!"

Her golden ahoge kept bobbing. After two months together, Lily knew her master’s quirks inside out. Wearing a mischievous grin, she pressed on with a smile.

The enlightened-master act lasted barely three seconds. Exposed, Ink Ash collapsed to the ground with a *thud!*

By the way, the Great Demon King—bearing the demon race’s top-tier bloodline—could easily survive a month without food or water. At his level, it was trivial.

But... his core principle was simple: "Man is iron, rice is steel; skip a meal, and hunger makes you reel." If I abandon gourmet delights, what’s the difference between me and a useless dried fish?!

Tugging Ink Ash’s sleeve, Lily suddenly cheered, "Hey hey, Master! Look—a city ahead!"

"I don’t buy it. You’ve tricked me with this excuse dozens of times! Tch, do you really think I’ll fall for it again?" Ink Ash scoffed, curling his lip dismissively.

As the supremely clever Great Demon King, the same trick shouldn’t work twice—so far, it had worked twenty-three times.

Pouting aggrievedly, Lily protested softly, "Really! When have I ever lied to you, Master?"

"Last time?"

"A mirage!"

"The time before that?"

"Poisoned by carnivorous grass mist."

"The time before *that*?"

"We wandered into an illusion realm—even you didn’t spot it, Master..."

Ink Ash’s face flushed crimson. Guiltily, he blustered, "Nonsense! I was just too busy enjoying my meal to notice!"

"Hmph! Lily warned you so many times back then, but you wouldn’t listen." Recalling her master’s stubbornness, she still held a trace of resentment.

Panicked that his dignity would vanish completely, Ink Ash snapped his gaze forward. "Eh? There *is* a city! Let’s hurry!" he yelled.

"Ah... Master’s doing it again. Wait for Lily!" Lily grumbled, watching him vanish ahead.

In a blink, they stood before ancient city walls, weathered by time. Ink Ash inhaled deeply, body and soul seemingly refined.

Was he honoring martyrs? Contemplating life? Elevating his realm? No—none of that. You vastly underestimated this one-of-a-kind Demon King! He was clearly—

"Ah~~ that familiar scent... fragrant roasted chicken~!"

Director, director—I demand a replacement! Narrating for this guy is exhausting... What? An extra drumstick? Fine, I’ll manage!

Just as Ink Ash—eyes gleaming—prepared to enter and savor the rare feast, two spear tips abruptly blocked his path. "Halt! Pay the entry fee!"

"Fee? How many copper coins?" The tall soldier eyed the dust-covered Ink Ash coldly, exchanged a glance with his partner, and snapped, "One silver coin!"

"Oh ho? Do I look like easy prey to fleece?" Ink Ash stroked his chin, smiling brightly despite the outrageous price.

Clearly, the Great Demon King was furious. The consequences would be severe.