"Fatties? Are you kidding? What do you take us for?!"

Sneering openly, the scar-faced soldier showed his disgust. He’d seen this too many times. "You’re just a refugee pauper. Be grateful we even let you into the city!"

Looking around in confusion, the Great Demon King—utterly clueless—asked curiously,

"Refugee pauper... Who are you talking about?"

"Huff... Master... don’t walk so fast!"

Just then, Lily finally caught up, panting heavily. "Huh? What’s going on here?"

Spotting her snow-white knight armor and seeing the girl barely in her teens, the two soldiers jumped to conclusions before she spoke. They bowed respectfully.

"With such noble attire and youthful looks, you must be a young noble on a training journey, right?"

"Huh?"

Lily tilted her head cutely, completely lost.

Assuming she hid her family name, the soldiers hastily cleared a path. They invited her anxiously, "Please enter, honored one. If you need anything, just say the word."

"Hold on! She’s new too—why doesn’t she pay?"

Ink Ash gaped as his disciple strutted inside. He shouted unhappily.

"Fool! How dare you compare yourself to her?"

"Look at her. Look at you. Look at that beggar kid next door. You’re dressed worse than a beggar. We’re being merciful just letting you stay..."

Sneering at Ink Ash’s persistence, the pair played off each other. They left the so-called shameless Demon King speechless. Hmm... his clothes were a bit ragged, maybe?

"Damn it! They were insulting me all along!"

Shaking his head sharply, Ink Ash suddenly realized and cursed.

Watching Ink Ash still at the gate, Lily asked worriedly,

"Master, why aren’t you coming in?"

"Just wait a moment. I have some personal business."

Having missed it earlier, the soldiers now heard clearly. They gasped in unison, "Master?!"

"What? Got a problem?"

Beads of sweat rolled down their foreheads. Their expressions shifted instantly. "N-no, sir! Please, you go right ahead!"

"Oh? No toll now?"

Smirking at their sudden change, Ink Ash teased.

"We’d never dare! This is our month’s wages—please accept it, sir..."

Eyebrows raised, Ink Ash demanded coldly, "Are you bribing me?!"

"No, no! A man as upright and selfless as you, who scorns money like dirt, would never—"

Before he finished, Ink Ash cut him off. "Wait. Did I tell you to take it back? Hand it over now!"

"Uh..."

They stared awkwardly at the coin purse dangling in midair. Their faces were priceless.

Walking through the gate, Ink Ash squeezed the bulging purse. His mood lifted. He turned back, bluffing with borrowed authority.

"Remember this. You got lucky today. Next time... don’t blame me for being harsh!"

Once the pair vanished from sight, the taller soldier murmured doubtfully,

"Boss... that girl. Could she not be who we thought? She seemed so innocent. Not like a noble’s child at all?"