Carol praised that mind-blowing pattern a few more times before pulling me into her arms. She gently stroked my head as she spoke:

"Little Sibyl, you should understand the answer to your earlier question now."

I forced down the turbulent emotions stirred by learning my true race and replied:

"Because Carol-nee and I are the same species?"

The raven-haired beauty flashed a meaningful smile:

"Yes... and no. Just remember this: I’m someone you can trust. From now on, whenever Great Demon King Sibyl feels upset, you can always come to me."

*Someone I can fully trust? Then why not add your name to my vassal list first!*

A strange split tore through me. My loli body instinctively craved Carol’s warmth, but my rational mind screamed that this succubus was still playing a role.

Seeing her tenderness versus trusting the system’s data—I still leaned toward the latter.

*Same species? So what! She tried weird stuff when she lost control earlier. My poor butt’s still red from her spankings. Seeing isn’t believing. Sure, Carol’s usually sweet—but until her name appears in my vassal registry, I’ll stay wary.*

Outwardly, I beamed and chirped:

"Mhm! Sibyl understands~"

"Such a good girl~"

Carol looked pleased. Ignoring my deadpan expression, she ruffled my already haywire pink hair again—tugging my cowlick and stealing a few strands of "all-natural, pollution-free" hair in the process.

*Damn it! Being patted feels nice, but at this rate, my precious hair’ll vanish in days! I’m the almighty Overlord—if I go bald young, how embarrassing!*

I pouted, not resisting but clearly displeased. I even considered goring her with my forehead horns for a "super headbutt."

Carol noticed my mood shift. She stopped patting, propped me against her chest, then pulled a delicate blue crystal comb from her pocket. Silently, she began untangling my hair.

*Wait—why does she carry a comb? Is she the reincarnation of that round blue robotic cat?!*

After my internal rant, I shamelessly enjoyed the service. Haircare was tedious anyway.

*I’ll just ignore the extra strands falling out with every stroke...*

***

For the next hour, Carol stayed by my side while I grilled her about the war.

The situation was dire—truly a fight for survival for all Demon Kin.

Long ago, demons ruled a unified realm. Now, four fractured factions occupied east, west, south, and north. They’d once squabbled over territory, but humanity’s invasion had severed all contact between them.

My faction—the Western Demons—were trapped in Demon Valley. We clung to life behind the Devil King Fortress, a stronghold guarding the valley’s only pass.

I currently resided in the Garden of Death, deepest within the valley and the Western Demons’ last bastion.

The Eastern Demons had been wiped out. The Southern faction held steady. Only the Northern Demons shared our plight—both driven to their homelands by human armies.

Before me, Alan commanded the Western forces. He’d likely retain control long after. His strategy? A scorched-earth policy: hunker behind the fortress, retreat inward, and build fortifications at every chokepoint. Basically, play turtle.

Carol claimed Alan’s defensive architecture surpassed even humanity’s master craftsmen. *Go figure.*

Then there was Warlord Evelyn. True to her title, she spearheaded every battle. Without her holding back high-tier threats—like those damn isekai’d Valiant Heroines—the Western Demons would’ve followed the Eastern faction into oblivion.

Carol herself provided large-scale battlefield auras and dabbled in summoning. Occasionally, she’d indulge her succubus nature: seducing human elites one-on-one before harvesting their souls.

Beyond these three High Rank Demons (all level 60+), thirty-odd Mid Tier Demons (levels 40-60) formed our backbone. But some had likely defected—humanity’s overwhelming strength made betrayal tempting. I’d already sensed this.

Humanity’s side? Seven level 60+ mages and swordmasters remained *after* splitting forces to attack the Northern and Southern fronts. Weaker troops were uncountable. Per Evelyn’s report: "They swarm like pesky flies—crush one batch, and fresh ones appear by dawn."

Three days ago, Evelyn unleashed her True Ancestor form at great cost. She repelled humanity’s fiercest assault, buying us breathing room. That pause let them set up the summoning circle for me.

Carol revealed Evelyn’s ferocity shocked the human coalition. Secret intel suggested internal disputes might delay their next attack. *These might be my last peaceful days.*

I needed intel. I needed preparation—

*Though realistically, I’ll probably just farm some EXP on the battlefield.*

Speaking of EXP... Other isekai protagonists get cannon fodder mobs the moment they wake up. My progress bar still glowed a mocking 0%. *What rotten luck.*

Still, logic said the battlefield would level me up. I almost looked forward to humanity’s next assault.

***

After Carol finished briefing me, she suddenly frowned. "Hm?" She pulled an ornate crystal ball from her pocket and pressed it into my hands.

"Almighty Great Demon King Sibyl, I must attend to urgent matters. Rest here. *Never leave this room.* If you need anything, grip this orb and whisper my name—I’ll come when I can. But for your safety, stepping outside is forbidden. Disobey..." Her smile turned sharp. "...and you’ll face my punishment."

"But—"

*This is house arrest!*

"Hush. If you fear sleeping alone tonight..." She cut me off abruptly, already heading for the door. "I’ll keep you company."

She vanished, leaving only the crystal ball.

I sat alone on the bed—a pitiful pink-haired loli Overlord. My childish face twisted with wronged resentment.

*Locking me in this dim, cramped room "for safety"... It’s not quite imprisonment, but it might as well be.*

*How dare they.*

*Should I ignore Carol’s warning and explore anyway?*