"Don't think this means you've won!"

With those words, Crenina fled the library—no doubt unwilling to let anyone see her utterly crushed expression.

*Cheer up, Crenina. If you can't compete in size, why not showcase your charm another way?*

*Heh. What delightful entertainment she provides.*

Noah twirled her twin tails, a pleased smile playing on her lips. She’d initially disliked the vampire princess’s haughty attitude, but now felt no threat from her at all. In Noah’s mind, Crenina had been downgraded from "annoying menace" to "fierce-but-fluffy little creature."

*Next time we meet, I’ll tease her some more,* Noah mused lightly.

While Noah savored the moment, Ledyah quietly sidestepped toward the exit, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

"Oh dear, Demon Lord~ Where are you off to?"

A slender hand seized Ledyah’s chin. Noah pressed her generous curves against her, pinning the Demon King to the bookshelf with a knee sheathed in over-the-knee socks.

"Now that the nuisance is gone... shall we finish what we started earlier~?"

Noah’s warm breath ghosted over Ledyah’s cool skin. Her eyes glazed over for a heartbeat before clearing.

*I’ve been through this before. I can’t keep falling into her rhythm!*

"N-no," Ledyah murmured, gently pushing Noah away. Meeting Noah’s startled, almost dopey gaze, she explained softly, "I have official duties to attend to. We can... continue tonight, alright?"

She had to phrase it as a request. Otherwise, the entire Demon King’s Castle would hear just how loudly their Demon King screamed.

*She doesn’t seem unreasonable... She’ll listen if I speak properly... right?*

"Oh? Official duties as Demon King?"

Noah’s vacant stare reignited with allure. She dipped her head, her cherry-blossom eyes shimmering with captivating light. Her innocent smile deepened, never fading.

"As a proper wife, I’d never hinder my husband’s responsibilities."

"But if you don’t come back tonight to feed me properly..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "...I can’t promise what I might do~."

"Y-yes! I’ll be back tonight!" Ledyah nodded vigorously like a chick pecking rice. Only when Noah’s smile turned bright and sunny did she hurry after Crenina’s trail.

Ledyah wasn’t chasing her to apologize or comfort her. She was simply stating facts—and felt no guilt whatsoever.

Still, Crenina had abandoned her investigation in town to rush back to the castle. Whatever she needed to report directly to the Demon King was urgent. Attending to such matters was part of Ledyah’s duty.

Work and romance were always separate for her.

"Holy Maiden, I’ve brought the materials you requested from the treasury..." Astolfo entered the library just as Ledyah left. She approached Noah by the window, sensing lingering magic in the air. "...Did His Majesty the Demon King visit earlier?"

"Mmhmm~ Thank you, A-fo-chan! You’re just too adorable~"

Before Astolfo could react, Noah swept her into a tight embrace, stroking her head like a proud parent rewarding a beloved child.

Astolfo’s eyes widened. Her mind went blissfully blank—no resistance this time, melting completely into the Holy Maiden’s arms.

The warm, maternal embrace felt achingly familiar. A sweet, milky fragrance wrapped around her, pulling her deeper into comfort.

Unlike her slight discomfort that morning, Astolfo now relaxed fully, trusting Noah without reservation.

Noticing Astolfo’s surrender, Noah’s lips curled in delight. *Truly, obedient and sweet girls are the best!*

*Even the Demon Lord’s constant inner turmoil is charming... but even I need a little recharge sometimes,* Noah thought.

Both Baitong and Noah found the Demon King’s Castle alien. These small, intimate gestures nourished her spirit.

"Hmm... Revitalized Ancient Dragon Blood, Moonbloom Grass, Deepslumber Blossoms..." Noah opened the wooden case Astolfo brought, cross-referencing the items with her notes. She flipped through a thin calendar, tracing dates with her finger.

"The full moon is in two days. Perfect timing for the ritual. By then, I might finally activate the dragon blood and regain my player account!"

Noah beamed, pumping a tiny fist in excitement. Pure joy radiated from her—she might solve a mystery that had haunted her for so long.

...

Southeast of the Holy Empire. Falmond.

Once one of the continent’s grandest cities, Falmond now lay in ruins after the Demon Race’s recent conquest. Reconstruction had just begun, casting a pall of desolation over its streets.

Yet adventurers (players) moved through the chaos undeterred. They restocked supplies, headed out to level up, and gathered materials.

If anything, the influx of town-repair quests kept them busier than ever.

*Pay well enough, and adventurers (players) would even assassinate the Demon King. That’s just how we are.*

At the bustling south gate, one figure stood apart.

Her robe’s hem fluttered in the wind, revealing glimpses of lightweight chainmail beneath. A dark metal helmet fused seamlessly with her hood—a rugged, wanderer’s elegance.

Slung across her back was an iron-ruler-like greatsword, heavy and long. Her fitted attire accentuated a youthful, vibrant silhouette.

An aura of "do not approach" radiated from the impatient wanderer girl.

"Isn’t that the Sword Monk? Rank #1 in the Asia server?"

"Seriously, how long has she been standing there?"

"Over three hours! Who dares keep the Sword Monk waiting? Do they want to die...?"

Players whispered as they passed. The girl ignored them, glaring at her blank chat log. A vein throbbed on her forehead beneath the mask.

"*So slow!* He promised to meet me here this afternoon! Where is he!?"

Fuming, her cheeks puffed out like a blowfish under the helmet. She huffed sharply, trying to calm her racing pulse.

"And why hasn’t he replied *at all* since the ‘Beast Siege’ event!? What’s going on!?"