Hearing High Priestess Carol of the Demon Kin speak, I shivered involuntarily.

So my self-introduction earlier had failed completely. Not only did it fail to intimidate those three high-ranking Demon Kin into submission, it backfired spectacularly—revealing my low level and exposing how weak I truly was.

What now? Should I really trust this black-haired beauty claiming to be the Demon Kin High Priestess and let her carry me off so easily?

No, no, no! I’m the Great Demon King now—I can’t just give in like this!

Ugh… but being princess-carried for the first time in my life feels so comfy…

Her princess-carry posture was odd: one arm looped around my waist, the other supporting my thigh midway between my short skirt and knees. It felt less like holding me and more like cradling a precious treasure.

This hold gave me plenty of room to move, yet I instinctively leaned into her embrace anyway.

Soft and cozy; fragrant and soothing.

Utterly irresistible.

"Great Demon King," Carol said gently, her voice low but laced with unmistakable threat, "if you have no objections, I’ll escort you to the council hall. Of course, you may walk yourself—but I can’t guarantee your safety. The path is crawling with terrifying monsters and disgusting bugs. If you can handle them effortlessly, I’ll set you down."

She’d clearly sensed my hesitation. I snapped back to reality. We’d just met—why would she be this kind, this considerate?

This High Priestess was using the classic carrot-and-stick tactic: sweetening the deal first, then scaring me into obedience to control me!

Heavens, I’d almost fallen for it. My body’s instinctive craving for comfort nearly overpowered my will. Only Carol’s abrupt words jolted me awake—I’d been seconds from surrender.

And "terrifying monsters and disgusting bugs"? That’s clearly meant to scare little girls! Sure, my body’s now a cute pink-haired loli, but my soul’s still a grown man. Threats like that shouldn’t faze me!

Just then, a giant mutated spider demon—overzealous in its dancing among lowly Demon Kin—landed right before Carol and me by sheer coincidence.

My beautiful sky-blue eyes locked with its countless tiny ones. We stared at each other, big eyes meeting small.

"Eeek!!!"

I froze for two seconds, then primal disgust and fear hijacked my body. I shrieked and burrowed deeper into Carol’s arms.

What is that thing? So scary!

Stay away!!!

Carol’s lips curved up slightly. She barked a sharp command, shooing the spider demon away.

"Don’t be afraid, Great Demon King," she cooed like I was a child, stroking my hair gently. "This is merely your subordinate—it won’t harm you. But wild monsters on the road? They’re another story. You’re clever, aren’t you? You know the right choice."

"Ugh…"

My body trembled uncontrollably, but my resolve hardened.

Back before my transmigration, I’d always been the type who responds to kindness, not threats. Trying to force me through intimidation? Hah—you’re sorely mistaken!

"High Priestess," I demanded, my voice still shaky from fright but firm as I met her eyes, "put me down. That’s an order!"

"Is that so…"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Carol’s emerald-green eyes, but to my surprise, she didn’t get angry.

She nodded, her tone calm and obedient:

"As you wish, Great Demon King. But remember—my loyalty to you is absolute."

True to her word, Carol set me down, bowed deeply, and stepped aside.

Before I could even sigh in relief, a sultry, mocking voice—tinged with amusement—cut through the air right beside my ear:

"Oh dear, Carol. Looks like your prediction came true—you really couldn’t win over the Great Demon King."

I turned—and all I saw was an enormous chest filling my entire view.

The black battle armor etched with mystic patterns strained tightly over it, threatening to burst any second.

Ahem! I-I wasn’t staring on purpose! It’s just this body’s height… and that speaker stood way too close.

Another tall, elegant Demon Kin woman—nearly identical to Carol in presence—had silently drifted beside me. I hadn’t sensed her at all.

I instinctively stepped back to take in her full figure.

After a quick glance, only three words captured my first impression:

Elegant. Gorgeous. Arrogant.

Her revealing black armor couldn’t mask her noble aura. Every movement flowed like a stage performance—graceful, poised, like a seasoned noble from an ancient bloodline. Her manners felt so refined, never offensive.

Silver hair cascaded to her hips. Blood-red eyes gleamed with a faint crimson sheen. Her pale, almost sickly face contrasted with full, vivid lips. A black parasol casually blocked the harsh afternoon sun—confirming my guess about her race.

Vampire. Based on novels I’d read pre-transmigration, she must be high-tier; sunlight didn’t faze her at all.

Compared to Carol—whose race I still didn’t know—this likely high-ranking vampire made a far stronger first impression.

But what good is that? Why did she approach me? Did she plan to carry me to the council hall too?

If I refused her, would the silent purple-haired youth—the last of the three high-rankers—be next?

Seriously? A relay tactic?

"Who are you?" I snapped, hands on hips. My voice stayed soft and cute, but my tone was sharp.

"Great Demon King," the silver-haired beauty murmured casually, her elegant smile never fading as she bowed, "it seems you haven’t learned proper etiquette yet. No matter—you’ll have ample chances to learn."

"It’s my honor to introduce myself," she continued smoothly. "I am Evelyn Scott, commander of the Western Demons’ army and the strongest among them. Let me be clear: I disapprove of gambling-based summoning rituals. Your arrival was undoubtedly an accident. Yet since you’ve come to our world and agreed to lead us against the human armies, I pledge my loyalty to you. I will aid your growth in every way possible, O supreme Great Demon King Sibyl."