I picked up the crystal ball. Right on cue, the emotionless system voice sounded in my ear:

【Received 1 gifted item. Added to inventory.】

I pulled up the system interface, curious. My eyes landed on the item slot:

【Held item: Mana-depleted, utterly useless crystal magic ball.】

【Usage: 1. Throw it on the ground. 2. Throw it against a wall.】

【Effect: Creates a crisp sound to attract certain beings’ attention.】

【Rating: Grade D magic item. A dignified alternative to shouting for help.】

“...”

I nearly spat blood.

You call this a magic item? Grade D??

This is just a cheap glass ball! The kind sold for pennies at roadside stalls. What kind of magic item is this? Damn it!!!

My face darkened. I almost hurled the unreliable thing right then, fulfilling its “magical” purpose early.

“Oh, by the way, Great Demon King Sibyl,” Carol added before closing the door, as if remembering something.

“If anyone asks you to open the door, no matter who, throw this crystal ball on the ground. I’ll rush to help immediately.”

“Sister Carol, this isn’t magical at all!” I blurted out.

Carol chuckled softly. “Apologies for the trouble, Sibyl-sama. But could you even activate a communication orb? With your mana limit, you’d drain it dry. Also, I’m truly happy you call me ‘sister.’ Thank you for the honor, Great Demon King Sibyl.”

I glared at her. Her tone was gentle, no mockery. Yet stripping away the empty flattery, her words boiled down to three classic syllables:

Are you worthy?

Expanded:

Cute little Sibyl, Demon Lord, are you worthy of a communication orb?

Frustrating, but at level 1, I truly wasn’t. All I could do was rage helplessly.

I doubted Carol would withhold a real orb. Probably, it required serious mana. Too weak to use magic, I’d have to rely on scientific, physical methods instead.

In the end, it’s about power...

Seeing my dark, silent face, Carol turned back. She walked over, gently stroking my head. “Don’t be discouraged, Sibyl-sama. Your growth potential is high. One day, you’ll be a capable Overlord, striking fear into human armies. Until then, leave everything to us.”

“Mmm...” I unconsciously purred, eyes half-closed. This loli body was sensitive. The head-pat felt amazing, making me forget Carol’s yandere side.

But the next second, I froze.

Peck.

A cool, soft touch brushed my right cheek. Faint breath tickled my ear. A sweet scent filled my nose—like strawberry cake.

After a brief daze, I realized what happened. My face flushed crimson.

That Carol! She’d crouched down and kissed me while I was off guard!

Before reincarnating, I’d dated briefly. But I failed a “trap question” early on—never even held hands, let alone kissed. A life winner’s privilege.

Now, less than half a day after rebirth, I’d experienced a dreamy beauty’s kiss.

Well, not a full kiss. A bit disappointing... Wait, what was I expecting?

Was this lonely single dog finally turning the tables?

No. Even after Carol’s kiss, her name didn’t appear in the 【Vassals】 list. I’d overthought it.

I met Carol’s gaze. Her emerald eyes sparkled with unhidden amusement. Kissing me clearly delighted her.

Her expression deepened my confusion. Earlier, I’d felt I’d gained something. Now, it felt like violation.

Makes sense. For a loli-con like her, kissing the cute pink-haired Demon Lord was a jackpot.

Boosting affection while stealing a kiss? Why didn’t I think of that?

Noticing my stare, Carol gently head-patted me again. “Good girl. No matter who knocks later, don’t open the door, okay?”

That patronizing, child-training tone aside—even my title had changed?

Her eyes mirrored Evelyn’s earlier look. Not quite seeing me as prey, but close.

That damn black-haired beauty didn’t love me. She just craved my loli body! Maybe even my “young” mind!

To her, I was no different from that vampire or shadow demon—just a clever, manipulable, soft loli.

Unforgivable!

I fumed. Yet my traitorous body purred like a kitten under her touch. I mumbled softly, “Mhm. Sister Carol, don’t worry. Sibyl’s good. I won’t open the door.”

Fine. Body over mind. Carol wins this round, Demon Lord loses.

...

After Carol left, I finally had solitude and rest.

I’d planned to analyze the situation, make preparations. But sinking into the soft bed, all that work drifted into dreams.

I didn’t feel tired, but this loli body disagreed. Two minutes after lying down, I was asleep.

My sleep was light. I jolted awake to persistent, weak knocking—enough to rouse me.

Damn it! Can’t a Demon Lord sleep properly? This growing body needs quality rest!

Morning grumpiness hit. I snapped upright, grabbing the crystal ball to hurl at the door.

But I froze mid-motion. Outside, two low, unfamiliar voices murmured.

Not my three subordinates. Strangers.

Instantly alert, I crept to the door, straining to eavesdrop.