“So, Charmie,” I asked as we walked through the castle halls, “what is Zone 3?”
[Announcement: The Demon Lord will be departing to Zone 3!]
“WHY does it say it like I’m in a field trip?” I muttered.
She leaned in, smiling like a cat who’d found unattended meat.
“And what would I get from the Demon Lord if I tell you~?”
“My gratitude,” I said ftly. “And pin rice.”
She pouted dramatically. “Boo…”
“If you don’t tell me,” I continued calmly, “I’ll ask someone else.”
My eyes nded on a nearby castle guard.
“Hey,” I called, pointing, “you! The one with the red twin-tails!”
The guard snapped around instantly, clearly annoyed. She had red skin, sharp fangs, and an expression that screamed I bite people for fun.
“What do you want?” she started, then Charmie cut in. “Oh, Sparky, rex. This one is the new Demon Lord.”
The guard froze.
Her eyes widened.
Then she dropped to one knee so fast it almost cracked the floor.
“I—I apologize for my behavior, my lord!” she shouted.
I shrugged. “You’re lucky. My mood’s pretty good right now.”
Her cheeks flushed a deeper red.
“T-the name’s Sparky,” she said stiffly, crossing her arms a little too hard.
“C-Castle Head Guard! And it’s not like I skipped the opening ceremony or anything... I was guarding the gates, okay?! So of course I didn’t know what you looked like…! I-it’s not my fault!”
[System Loading…]
[Initializing Vassals…]
[Acquired New Vassal: Sparky, Vassal of Wrath]
[Sparky Affection +1]
I stared at her.
“…Why are all of your names like this?”
“Look who’s talking about names,” Charmie shot back instantly.
I gulped, felt personally attacked, and wisely decided to pretend I heard absolutely nothing.
“So you’re the head guard?” I said aloud. “Impressive. Especially with such a tiny body.”
She exploded.
“D-DON’T SAY IT LIKE THAT!” she yelled, face burning.
“Oh?” I tilted my head. “So you don’t like praise?”
“I—I DIDN’T SAY THAT!”
“Do you prefer insults?” I asked innocently.
“D-DON’T YOU DARE...!”
Ah.
Cssic.
A tsundere.
“…You’re blushing,” I added thoughtfully. “Even through the red skin.”
She combusted verbally.
I ughed.
[Announcement: The Demon Lord ughed for the first time.]
“…Why is that a historical event?” I sighed.
“My lord,” Charmie said sweetly, clearly annoyed, “we need to leave now or we’ll be te.”
“You still owe me an expnation,” I pointed at her.
I waved at Sparky. “Bye, Sparky. See you.”
She waved back stiffly, trembling, cheeks puffed in anger.
Charmie grab and squeezed my hand harder.
“…Why are you so clingy?” I asked.
“Zone expnation privilege,” she replied smugly.
She cleared her throat.
“The Demon Realm was divided into three zones. Zone 1 was the Inner Realm, this castle, elites, you.”
I nodded.
“Zone 2 was the Middle Realm. Working css demons. Economy. Society.”
“And Zone 3,” she continued, “is the Outer Realm. Poor demons. Lowest tier. Bordering the Human Realm. Most conflicts happen there.”
“…Ah,” I said quietly. “That sounds bad.”
“Very.”
[Announcement: The Demon Lord has arrived at Zone 2!]
The moment we stepped in...
“IT’S THE LORD!”
Demons flooded the street.
“LORD GETGUN!”
“THE NEW DEMON LORD!”
“SO BEAUTIFUL!”
“Hi,” I said, smiling politely.
“Thanks for the welcome, but you’re pronouncing it wrong. It’s Geh–Tú–Gán.”
They stared.
Then cheered louder.
"HAIL LORD Geh–Tú–Gán!"
Apparently pronunciation didn’t matter.
Then, a little demon tugged my sleeve.
“M-Miss Demon Lord! I heard you glowing! Please show us!”
Others joined in.
“SHOW US!”
“SHINE!”
“MAGIC!”
My pride colpsed instantly.
I turned slowly.
Charmie was already holding a feather.
Smiling.
“…Don’t,” I warned.
She poked my nose.
ACHOOOO!!
[ACHOOOO!! Skill Activated!]
Light exploded.
Again.
[Transforming…]
[Announcement: Demon Lord successfully transformed into a male!]
“…I hate this job.”
Charmie cpped. “See? Great PR.”
The demons cheered.