Karos turned the conversation, and Lillis sighed, asking if he was only asking this now. But she quickly regained her composure and answered.

“I am Lillis, Lillis Gastraea.”

“Gastraea? Wait, Gastraea? Isn’t that a prestigious family?”

Karos exclaimed in surprise. It was a well-known lineage that even he, when confronted with the name, recognized.

“Such a lineage must come with expectations, especially for the Demon King’s secretary. The responsibility must be immense.”

“No… There’s nothing like that.”

Lillis replied with a wry smile. It was a twisted smile, but Karos didn’t see it as he had turned away.

“Alright, I’ll have to work hard, then.”

“Just please turn back…”

“Don’t refuse.”

Lillis let out a resigned sigh. They arrived at a massive gate after a short walk. A gigantic black castle surrounded by darkness. Karos frowned at the sight.

It was the place he had seen in his dreams, the place he had seen when he became the Demon King. He didn’t expect to see it again.

Karos waved his hand and walked towards the gate. The guards guarding it looked at him with stern expressions.

“What is the matter?”

“Demon King Karos has business with the Great Demon King.”

“It finally came to this…”

Lillis muttered in disappointment. The guard took out a piece of paper from his pocket.

“In that case, please take a waiting ticket. The Demon King’s turn is twelfth.”

**** ****

The Great Demon King oversees the Demon Realm. They manage disputes between various territories, select the Demon King, and empower them, even providing counsel and assistance. It’s a demanding job in many ways.

That’s why many demons seek an audience with the Great Demon King, from Demon Kings to merchants and nobles. The Great Demon King’s castle was always filled with demons, and it overflowed with them every day.

The current Great Demon King had excellent innate abilities, allowing them to handle all these tasks effortlessly. However, the previous Great Demon King was different.

Plagued by illness, they fought for survival, believing they would die if they continued as they were. This unprecedented situation plunged the Demon Realm into chaos.

In the end, the Great Demon King’s wishes were accepted, and ever since, working hours had been established in the Great Demon King’s castle. Waiting tickets were introduced as well.

“If it’s the twelfth turn, it should take about two hours. Do you want to pass the time outside?”

“No. As a secretary, it’s my duty to protect the Demon King. Besides, it’s my first time here… The atmosphere is quite strange.”

Lillis looked around. Demons sitting in rows, some lavish and some shabby, but most of them had expressions that weren’t particularly cheerful.

Karos replied gloomily, “If you’re coming to see the Great Demon King, it’s obvious. A race on the brink of extinction, a state of near-death, there’s hardly a reason for a cheerful atmosphere.”

“True.”

“Rather than that, take a good look around. Damn, I just realized this is where that guy used to operate. That’s why I didn’t want to come. I hope they don’t attack us out of the blue.”

“Attack us out of the blue? Demons don’t attack the Demon King.”

Lillis raised an eyebrow. The Demon King was the pinnacle of demon society. Unless provoked first, the Demon King was not a subject of disdain or hatred. If any demon dared to attack the Demon King unprovoked, they would be quickly eliminated.

“Even if there were reasons, it would be quite difficult to do so.”

“Normally, yes. But that guy is different. Because…”

“Karos, you little brat! We finally meet!”

Zap!

Just as Karos was about to speak, a shrill voice echoed through the waiting room. At the same time, lightning streaked through the air. People waiting in the room panicked and ducked. The lightning seemed to pay no attention to them as it struck the wall and raced towards Karos.

“Crazy!”

Karos exclaimed in shock and tried to move out of the way, but the lightning was faster. Just as it was about to hit him, Lillis swiftly launched herself into the air, pulling Karos away. She covered his whole body with her arms. The lightning struck, causing an explosion.

Kwaaang!

“Ugh!”

Shockwaves spread, and unable to withstand the impact, Lillis was sent flying. She collided with the wall, letting out a painful groan.

“L-Lillis!”

Karos rushed over to Lillis in a panic. The area where the lightning had hit was tinged with red. It didn’t look good at all.

“What the…? Why did you block it?”

A girl’s sharp voice could be heard. A young-looking girl with fiery red hair and a petite figure stood at the entrance of the waiting room. She wore a large cloak that seemed out of place on her small frame.

She spoke again, her voice tinged with annoyance, “I attacked that guy!”

“This brat! Did you just attack out of nowhere? Don’t you understand how to assess the situation? That’s why your evaluations have always been poor!”

“Sh-Shut up! You’re the bad one here!”

Karos shouted back, and the girl retorted, her face turning even redder with anger. Lillis, her wrist still throbbing, slowly spoke up.

“…May I ask what this is all about? I am Lillis, the secretary of Demon King Karos. Attacking the Demon King is not something that can end peacefully, I assume you are aware of that?”

Lillis’s words were reasonable, and this was the Great Demon King’s waiting room. Even if the girl had some authority, she would face consequences. At the very least, it would be physical punishment, and in severe cases, execution.

However, the girl snorted in response. “It means nothing to me! Besides, that guy and I are the same!”

“Oh, she’s really insane,” Karos muttered. He had encountered quite a few “insane” individuals before, but this girl was particularly severe.

“Karos, tell me more! Who is this girl?”

“Hmph! As if I’d know! I don’t even want to!”

Karos retorted, and the girl fluttered her cloak. If she had a bit more stature, it might have looked quite impressive. However, the size of the cloak didn’t match her, making it more comical than anything. But the girl didn’t seem to mind as she proudly proclaimed:

“I am the ruler who has conquered a tenth of the surface world! A sadist who delights in pain and screams! The demonic, the chaotic Demon King! Bathesia Concretia! And the sworn enemy of the guy next to you! Remember it well!”

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!