"Shallow! Don't you know noble brats love pretending to be pure, innocent, and poor these days—only to slap you back when you're feeling smug?"

"Oh, I see! No wonder you're the boss—you really see through things..."

"Exactly! Stick with me, and I guarantee you won't get into big trouble!"

But in reality, they'd completely overthought it.

Walking down a bustling street, unlike the sparse stalls of a frontier town, this place truly deserved the word "prosperous." Especially... the food scene, which mattered most to their Great Demon King.

Aroma-filled roast chicken, succulent roast goose that was fatty but not greasy, thick-sliced braised beef—countless varieties made Ink Ash feel like he'd reached heaven... Oh right, demons in heaven would suffer worse than death.

"This one, this one, and this one—I'll take one of each!" Ink Ash shouted excitedly, darting between vendors and ordering dozens of items in one breath.

Watching their wallet empty rapidly, Lily frowned and reminded him, "Master, we don't have much money. Can you be more frugal?"

"What does it matter? Out with the old, in with the new. Money isn't worth cherishing." Ink Ash waved dismissively, convinced he was rich (though it was a joke), and replied carelessly.

Stomping her foot, Lily grumbled helplessly, "Seriously, always this excuse. I'll see how you handle this!"

In the blink of an eye, Ink Ash—gnawing a chicken leg and about to buy desserts for his disciple—suddenly realized with embarrassment... the looted money bag was empty?

"Huh? Why's my ring completely empty... Oh right, I gave it all to that someone!" Flipping through his storage ring in shock, Ink Ash's expression grew increasingly awkward.

Standing silently behind him, Lily asked in a low, ominous tone, her face darkening, "Master... don't tell me we can't even afford a place to stay tonight."

"Heh, heh... How strange. There should've been plenty. Uh, Lily, do you have any spare cash?" Ink Ash hastily covered his ring, turned guiltily, and asked sheepishly.

Lily's once-spirited golden ahoge slowly drooped. She looked up expressionlessly, her eyes flashing icy cold. "So... worst-case scenario?"

"There must be a way... Lily, you have to believe in your master!" Ink Ash assured desperately, sweating as he watched his disciple teeter on the edge of going dark.

Ever since his disciple gained that royal ahoge, Ink Ash had discovered—by accident—that his usually sunny, obedient student hid an extremely dark side.

How terrifying was it? Just look at the Great Demon King himself, normally fearless, now trembling in sheer panic.

Apocalyptic, earth-shattering levels! —Ink Ash, after curiously yanking his disciple's ahoge once.

Just then, an excited voice reached Ink Ash's ears: "Big haul! Took down two Shadow Cat Demons these days. Taking their claws to the Adventurers' Guild for rewards—no worries about living costs for half a month..."

"Adventurers' Guild? Sounds like quick cash—handsome brother, mind if I trouble you a moment?" Ink Ash's eyes lit up; spotting hope, he instantly stepped forward to block the man.