When she had first joined the Demon King’s Castle, Kurei recalled her early days there. Because she had been too nervous and not yet skilled in her duties, she had caused quite a few blunders.
During cleaning, she would get scared by magical creatures and couldn’t sleep. Back then, she had gone to the Demon King for help.
The Demon King had helped her by arranging for her to stay in another demonkin maid’s room. That maid was Melu.
Coincidentally, the two were even from the same hometown. Melu had entered the royal court earlier than Kurei, making her something of a senior.
As her senior, Melu had provided Kurei with plenty of help, transforming her from an inexperienced maid into a professional one.
However, she truly never expected that after the royal court was disbanded, Melu would fall into such a slovenly state.
“Melu, whether the Demon King is dead or not, you shouldn’t be like this.”
Kurei glared at Melu. “How many years has it been since you last worked?”
“Not that long, right?” Melu blinked.
“Eighteen years!”
“Hm? It’s already been eighteen years?”
“That’s right! A full eighteen years!”
“Can’t be helped, Kurei. You know, the salary others offer us isn’t great.” Melu lay on the bed and crossed her legs. “After all, we’re former members of the royal court. That little bit of pay isn’t nearly enough!”
“That’s exactly why we don’t need to pledge loyalty to anyone else. We only need to offer our loyalty to the Demon King!”
Melu sighed.
Sometimes, she really felt Kurei was completely unreasonable. Was it because of this that she kept going to the Demon King’s Castle ruins to clean up humans who trespassed, even without anyone paying her?
“Then you just keep working hard, Kurei. I’ll continue cheering you on.”
“Melu, you need to get ready too. The Demon King will return soon! You have to adjust your state immediately!”
“You haven’t actually gone crazy, have you?”
“If you keep acting like this, starting tomorrow, I won’t buy snacks for you anymore!” Kurei slapped the bed hard, causing the potato chips on it to scatter everywhere.
“Ah?”
Melu froze for a moment.
Right now she was living with Kurei. Strictly speaking, she had come to rely on Kurei. She didn’t go out to work and just stayed home every day. Her income depended entirely on the junk Kurei scavenged from the Demon King’s Castle ruins and the spoils she obtained from killing humans.
If she had no money for snacks, wouldn’t she have to go out and work?
“Don’t!”
“Then fix your attitude first!” Kurei looked around the room. “Look at this place. It’s practically a dog kennel. It’s hard to imagine that you used to be a head maid just like me. How can you tolerate such a mess?”
“This is going to kill me.”
Although Melu had many complaints in her heart, she still slowly climbed out of bed.
She might as well humor her for now.
“Fine, fine. I’ll clean up then. Have you prepared yourself for work?”
“I have, I have. Don’t worry, Kurei. As soon as the Demon King revives, I’ll immediately become the most diligent and capable maid in the world!”
Melu waved her finger expressionlessly.
She knew the Demon King was finished anyway, so she might as well say some nice words to keep Kurei happy. At least she could continue living here, eating and drinking for free.
Melu carried several large black trash bags downstairs. After throwing them into the trash bin, she dusted off her hands.
“Heave-ho!”
“I didn’t even notice. Did I really accumulate this much garbage in the room?”
Currently, she and Kurei lived in a town in the northern part of the Desolate Fallen Continent, relatively close to the Demon King’s Castle.
Not many people settled in this town. Mostly because it was too chaotic. The demonkin world had always operated on the law of the jungle.
Fortunately, both she and Kurei were fairly strong among demonkin, so they didn’t have to worry about that.
“All right, time to head back. I haven’t finished reading my comic yet.”
Melu turned around, ready to go back inside, when she suddenly collided with someone and fell to the ground.
She felt angry. What kind of person was so blind that they stood right behind her?
Were they looking for trouble?
The green-haired girl looked up, about to lash out, when she saw a familiar black cloak.
Instantly, her expression changed dramatically. Her eyes filled with disbelief.
“How is this possible? You… You…”
“It’s been a long time, Melu. Seeing that you’re still so energetic puts my mind at ease.” The Demon King greeted Melu.
“Kurei, I’m not dreaming, am I?”
“Dreaming? How could this be a dream? This is reality.”
“I don’t believe it. Let me test it.”
“Ow! Why are you pinching me!”
Kurei cried out. It was real?
Melu stared at the Demon King sitting in front of her with wide eyes.
When she was throwing out the trash, she had run into the Demon King. First came shock, then doubt.
The dead Demon King had revived?
So she called Kurei over.
Kurei was overjoyed upon seeing the Demon King and immediately invited her inside.
“Demon King, you’ve finally come to find me! I’ve been waiting for you for so long!”
Kurei clasped her hands together. She leaned her face close to the Demon King’s, her eyes practically sparkling with stars.
“Mm.”
Via, with the Demon King Armament activated, replied to Kurei using the same voice from her previous life.
She had previously guessed that Kurei was most likely living in the town closest to the Demon King’s Castle ruins. After all, no one could actually live in those ruins, so she had come here.
Sure enough, her guess was correct.
“Demon King, have you really revived?” Melu asked skeptically. She walked over to Via and looked her up and down.
“What do you mean ‘revived,’ Melu? I already told you, the Demon King never died. It was all part of the Demon King’s plan!” Kurei corrected her.
“Come out, Desolate Fire.”
Via commanded.
“Understood, Demon King! Ahh, the silent mode is finally off. I was about to suffocate!!”
Desolate Fire was summoned by Via. The demonic blade floated in mid-air and circled around Kurei and Melu twice.
“Demon King, aren’t these the two maids who used to follow you?”
“Desolate Fire! This is the Demon King’s demonic blade!!”
Melu quickly recognized it. This was something that couldn’t be faked.
Through Desolate Fire’s attitude, she could finally confirm it. Yes, this was indeed the Demon King herself.
A trace of emotion finally appeared on Melu’s previously lazy face. The corners of her mouth curved into a happy smile, and she even stepped forward to hug Via.
“That’s wonderful, Demon King! You’re finally back!”