Chapter 4: The Demon King

The Demon King!

No way, how did I end up provoking the Demon King?

It suddenly clicked—earlier, when Frey had been explaining his situation, Karin had interrupted him mid-sentence.

So that was what she’d been trying to hide!

This so-called friend of mine had only come to the demon realm to throw me under the bus.

Why would past me ever befriend such a toxic person?

Right, there was still time.

I could teleport over and escape with them!

But the next moment, that hope was dashed.

The magical energy from the cross-dimensional magic circle was already gone.

“Tch, so he got away, did he?”

The Demon King before me seemed even more frustrated now that his target had slipped through his fingers.

“And what about you?

Damned lich.”

Me?

It looked like I’d been sold out…

No, maybe they’d taken my phylactery with them.

Yes, that had to be it—that would explain everything.

Then I watched as my phylactery flew past me from behind, sailing straight toward the Demon King, who caught it with ease.

Wait, what?!

What was going on here?

“Wh-what?

You—” I turned to look at the maid behind me.

The vampire maid still wore that gentle, healing smile, though now I only felt my spirits sink.

“I’m terribly sorry, Master.

I have always been an agent planted by His Majesty the Demon King by your side.

But I imagine you must have suspected something when you questioned me a few days ago.”

No, not at all.

I’d just been asking casually.

“But you—”

“You must be wondering how I could betray you despite the master-servant contract.

That contract was fake, you see.

I used His Majesty’s great power to deceive you.”

…Past me actually fell for that?

And now I had to pay the price.

“W-wait, how did you get your hands on my phylactery?”

It had been securely placed in that room just moments ago.

Even if Karin hadn’t taken it, there was no way she’d let someone snatch it right under her nose.

How did it end up in the maid’s hands?

“I had already placed a curse formula granted by His Majesty on the phylactery long ago.

I imagine that witch must have been quite bewildered when she went through the cross-dimensional gate.”

What?!

That was even possible?

“I deeply apologize, Your Majesty.

I was unable to stop the witch.”

The maid bowed her head toward the Demon King.

Whatever she said now had nothing to do with me.

I had to think of something.

Fighting was out of the question.

M-maybe I could try begging for mercy?

“Um, Your Majesty, I believe there’s been a misunderstanding here.”

I forced a smile onto my face, trying to act cute to lighten the mood.

“Hmph.

Do you think just because you’re using a child’s body I’ll pity you like some weak human?

You’re only digging your own grave!”

Oh, this was bad.

No, I couldn’t give up hope yet.

I quickly activated a short-range teleportation spell and vanished.

“Hmph!”

The next second, the Demon King’s cold snort reached my ears.

“Pathetic.

You’re only thinking of running now?”

Well, that confirmed it—I was thoroughly screwed.

Then, the tip of a sword pierced through my chest from behind.

“Feel my wrath!”

What kind of torture awaited me now?

I didn’t even want to imagine it.

How had it come to this?

For the first time, I’d transmigrated properly into another world.

For the first time, I’d started with a perfect setup as a lich.

Such a rare, flawless beginning should have set me on a path of power, glory, and absolute badassery in this world.

But why—why had it turned out like this?

With regret, I closed my eyes.

If there was a next time, I would be more cautious!

But would I even get a next time?

When I woke up, I didn’t even dare open my eyes.

When I was separated from my body, I hadn’t felt it, but now that I was back in my original form, fear flooded my heart.

I was so scared!

“Hey, hey, wake up.

Don’t pretend to sleep—you’re safe now.”

Huh?

That voice sounded familiar.

I opened my eyes, and instead of the terrifying Demon King, I saw a girl with black hair and black eyes.

It was Karin!

How?

Wasn’t my phylactery in the Demon King’s hands?

I looked at her, bewildered.

“I figured there might be trouble, so I swapped your phylactery with a decoy,” Karin said with a smile.

“Were you scared when the Demon King caught you?

Hahaha.”

“…Uu…”

“Uu?”

Karin tilted her head, confused by the sound I made.

“Waaaaah!”

I cried.

Yes, I broke down and cried like a child.

I covered my face with both hands, my shoulders heaving, sobbing loudly.

The despair and fear that had been suppressed by my puppet body’s emotionless nature now came rushing back.

And once I realized I was finally safe, my tightly wound heart simply shattered.

“Hey, don’t cry!

I—I’m sorry, okay?

I shouldn’t have kept you in the dark.

This—this—” Karin panicked the moment I burst into tears, her perpetual smile vanishing as she awkwardly tried to comfort me.

I ignored her and kept crying.

After a while, I finally calmed down.

And then I regretted it.

Why did I cry?

Was I really that weak?

It had to be this loli body’s constitution—yes, that was definitely it.

Everything was the body’s fault!

Still, I felt utterly humiliated, my face burning hot.

I looked around.

The room was large, furnished with ornate pieces.

Smooth white walls were decorated with beautiful paintings.

The overall style suggested this was the residence of a noblewoman.

And I wasn’t alone with Karin—a blonde woman stood at a distance, watching us coldly.

Frey was nowhere to be seen.

Wait—there was someone I didn’t recognize here!

I felt my face grow even hotter.

“Phew, you finally stopped,” Karin sighed in relief.

“I’m really sorry.

I won’t ever do that again.”

“Oh.”

I kept my head down and answered softly.

“Are you done making a scene?

Then you can start explaining now, Miss Karin!”

The blonde woman spoke sharply, her tone carrying a chilling edge, as if Karin owed her a mountain of money.

“Well, it’s nothing too serious.

Just a minor matter.”

“Minor?

If it were minor, then why would Rosa the Great… Mistress be here?

Tell me clearly—what happened!”

Huh?

I was worthy of being called “Great Mistress”?

Too bad that image of me was probably completely ruined now.

I’m so sorry about that.

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