Though they kept their voices low, their words couldn’t escape my sharp hearing as the Great Demon King.

No wonder—Carol had picked such a silent spot for me. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Their chatter, even through the door, reached me crystal clear.

“...You sure the Overlord’s here? Why no answer when we knock?”

“Should be nearby. Lady Carol just walked this way.”

“Damn it. All doors are locked. Gotta test them one by one.”

“No choice. We’re short on time. Those three lords might show up any second. Speed up.”

“Fine. No answer? Switch to Plan B. But will it really work?”

“Didn’t the Valiant Heroine we met say this trick always works on the summoned loli Overlord?”

“Right. Just confirm the Overlord’s location. Mission complete.”

As I listened, my expression turned serious.

Those two outside moved freely in the castle. They must belong to the Dark Forces.

But they mentioned meeting a Valiant Heroine. That instantly revealed their true identities.

Traitors to the Dark Forces!

Mole detected! Abort the mission!

No wonder the Light Forces, dominating and crushing our armies, were so sharp. Especially those transmigrator Valiant Heroines—planting spies deep in our stronghold. Truly skilled.

I’d barely transmigrated, yet they already knew, contacted the Heroines, and launched this op. Their efficiency was terrifying.

They said, “Just confirm the Overlord’s location.” So their goal was finding me. Staying silent was my best move.

Before I could think more, a voice outside started humming a tune I knew too well:

“Little loli, be good, open the door~ Open quick, I wanna come in~”

A deep voice, humming in a guttural tone mixed with the nursery rhyme’s softness, sounded oddly pleasant.

But I froze, facepalming internally.

Thunderstruck.

If one word described my feelings hearing that song? This.

Why, as a transmigrated pink-haired loli Overlord, was I hearing this in another world?

No—why this perfectly timed song, even adapted for me??

These transmigrators really knew how to mess with minds.

That song nearly shattered my sanity. But as the Great Demon King, I wouldn’t crack over a tune.

My mind exploded. I bit back the urge to rant. My instinct kicked in—

I clamped a hand over my mouth. To stop humming, I covered my nose too.

A minute passed.

Those jerks didn’t stop. Verse after verse, looping like a broken record.

Damn it. Did they know I was here?

To avoid blurting “No, no, I won’t open,” my rosy cheeks flushed beet red. I was about to burst.

Seconds later, I snapped to my senses. Almost slapped myself.

What was I doing, idiot?! Holding my breath like a game?

Wait—Carol had told me: knock means throw the glass orb for help. I hadn’t gotten why. Even Alan, the Demon Kin strategist I hated, had no reason to barge in. Unless he wanted to break ties with Evelyn and Carol, he wouldn’t hurt me. Evelyn? Forget it.

But traitors in the Dark Forces were different. To them, I—a loli Overlord threatening the Light Forces yet powerless—was the perfect assassination target.

Now it clicked. Carol likely knew about the traitors. She was using me, this juicy bait, to fish them out!

That explained why she left me alone here, sealing the door with defensive magic.

This wasn’t impulsive. She’d planned it long ago.

By extension, Alan and Evelyn’s fight, Carol taking me away—it was all staged by the three High Rank Demons. A trap to lure the traitors into killing me.

I’d thought they were acting for my sake. Truth was, I overthought it. Those traitors were their real targets. I was the only fool in the dark.

They probably knew I saw through their act, laughing at my fake cooperation.

Terrifying. I’d badly underestimated my subordinates’ smarts. Controlling them would be far harder than I imagined.

Yet their smart-led Demon Kin army was getting crushed by the Light Forces. Proof those Valiant Heroines weren’t pushovers. Hell, they’d moved within hours of my summoning.

...

I shivered. First time feeling this helpless since arriving. Even Alan’s death threats hadn’t scared me this much.

I’d prided myself on being sharp. After becoming this pink-haired loli Overlord, I analyzed my three subordinates—no freebies—and made a detailed (?) world-conquering plan. Among transmigrators, I was cautious. I thought I could easily handle Alan, win over Evelyn and Carol, crush the human alliance.

But my analysis just slapped me hard—

Little loli, you’re still too young.

...Wait, that actually fits perfectly?

Anyway, life goes on. Face fear to kill it. I calmed fast. Blank-faced, I glanced at the “magic” crystal ball. In this nine-year-old pink-haired body, I took a deep breath. Expressionless, I grabbed the orb and hurled it at the door.

Forget overthinking. I’m the Overlord. My subordinates catching traitors helps me. I should cooperate.

Simple. Clear. Straightforward.

Glass shattered with a crisp ring. Shards glittered under the dim magic lamp, like exquisite art.

The singing outside died instantly. Those two must’ve been terrified.

I smirked. Then sharp pain shot through me. Smile vanished. Gritting my teeth, I chanted a healing spell for the glass wounds.

Damn it! Threw the orb too hard in anger. Shards pierced my hand. Hurt like hell, this Overlord!

But the real show was starting.

Run, traitors! Buy yourselves a few more minutes.

Go for it! You can do it!