"Is that so..."

I nodded. Evelyn’s explanation made sense. When I was summoned, the only sane-looking Demon Kin around were those three High Rank Demons and a bunch of grunts. Turns out the Mid Tier Demons were all busy working. Guess I really underestimated their dedication to their jobs.

"Never thought Demons would take work so seriously. They’d even skip welcoming the Overlord?"

At this, the corners of Evelyn’s lips curled slightly. Her tone dripped with faint disdain:

"Oh my, oh my, Great Demon King Sibyl—you overestimate them. To us Demon Kin, your presence is like that of an angel to humans. Personally welcoming you? An unparalleled honor, without question."

"The truth is... they simply weren’t ordered to come by Alan. As the de facto ruler of the Western Demons, his command is law." She paused, then added carefully, "No offense intended, Great Demon King Sibyl, but you’re sharp enough to realize... you aren’t exactly fit to command all the Western Demons yet."

"It’s fine! Sibyl knows her place," I replied, tilting my head with deliberate nonchalance. "Just a mascot, right? Won’t cause you any trouble, nya."

Evelyn’s crimson eyes flickered with surprise at my words, but her usual lazy composure returned in an instant.

"Heh~ Carol was right. Great Demon King Sibyl truly possesses wisdom beyond her years~ unlike Carol’s... ahem..." She trailed off abruptly, clearing her throat twice as if catching herself. Swiftly changing the subject, she continued:

"...You’re no mascot, Great Demon King. You’re the Western Demons’ most precious treasure. Our final hope. As for your earlier question—Alan excluded the Mid Tier Demons to prevent traitors among them from sabotaging the summoning ritual. The lowly grunts? They were brought to test whether you, as Overlord, could empower our weakest soldiers."

A chilling realization struck me.

"T-then... what if I couldn’t empower them?"

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed into playful slits.

"Heh~ Didn’t you already pass the test, proving your pure bloodline and essence? That question needs no answer now~" She leaned closer, her whisper feather-light:

"Though... a Demon Lord who can’t empower grunts might not be worth keeping around, hmm? But you understand, don’t you, Sibyl-sama?"

*So if I’d failed... I’d have met my end right there?*

A shiver ran down my spine. Death had brushed past me unnoticed.

Thank goodness this pink-haired loli body—harmless appearance and questionable strength aside—boasted genuinely pure Overlord blood. At least the system’s stats hadn’t lied...

*Wait.*

A critical question surfaced. If I, a Succubus, was the Overlord... why wasn’t Carol one too? Same race, same legend. And what about Evelyn, the strongest of us all? Shouldn’t the mightiest Demon Kin inherit the throne? Or a supremely gifted race rising to power? Why did everyone unanimously accept *me*—a nobody with neither strength nor lineage—as their ruler?

Was it *just* because I could empower grunts? Did this world’s sole criterion for Overlordship hinge on making lowly soldiers frenzy like addicts getting their fix?

"Enough daydreaming, Great Demon King Sibyl," Evelyn cut in smoothly, seizing my hand. "Those poor Mid Tier Demons have waited hours for you. Time to go."

*Fine. I’ll puzzle this out later.*

"Okay~"

I nodded and stepped forward—

Only to lose my balance in the pinching low heels, sliding backward with dramatic flair.

"Careful, Your Majesty!"

In a flash, Evelyn yanked me upright. Her grip was firm; I crashed straight into the silver-haired vampire’s chest, cushioned by two surprisingly springy barriers.

"S-sorry!" I stammered instinctively.

Evelyn righted me, smoothing the wrinkles on my dress with detached efficiency.

"No harm done. First time walking in these shoes, I assume? Practice will help. But remember—" Her voice turned icy. "If you trip in front of the Mid Tier Demons, your breakfast vanishes as punishment."

My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.

"...Wait, Evelyn-nee," I pouted, suddenly indignant. "I’m *starving*. Shouldn’t I eat *before* meeting them?"

"Heh~ Still not grasping the lesson, are we?" Her laugh was velvet-wrapped steel.

"Breakfast only comes *after* you’ve proven yourself worthy, Great Demon King."