Chapter 9: A Demon Lord’s Burden

Whoosh—

Yunajin opened the storage cabinet in her office, and scrolls of varying materials cascaded from the cabinet like a tidal wave, instantly engulfing her.

“D-Demon Lord!”

Vivi’s small face registered a shock, and she hastily dug through the mountain of scrolls until a pink cowlick poked out.

Yunajin poked out half of her head, wearing an expression of utter despair.

‘What to do, what to do! So many documents unapproved. If that old woman finds out…’

As Yunajin frantically sorted through the scrolls, many of which she hadn’t even glanced at, a significant portion had been left untouched for ages, with some parchment scrolls already growing mold. In her mind’s eye, Meredith’s reproachful, purplish-red gaze materialized.

A few days of rest would have been inconsequential. With well-established internal structures and the assistance of the Eight Demon Generals, the Demon Lord was not required to oversee every single affair of the demon race. Only crucial decisions from various regions and the governance of Demon Lord City absolutely necessitated her decree.

The former was a matter of course, while the latter was tradition.

No matter how much Yunajin slacked off, she understood the gravity of certain matters. Therefore, the proposals occasionally submitted, primarily drafted by the Eight Demon Generals, absolutely had to be reviewed.

What lay before her now, however, consisted almost entirely of the daily minutiae of Demon Lord City.

‘Regarding repairs for residents’ homes, regarding the proposal from prison inmates, a joint petition seeking self-supervision outside the prison… Nonsense! Which idiot came up with this? If I find out who, I’ll chop them down first!’

There were even documents concerning the unclogging of Demon Lord City’s sewers, expecting the Demon Lord to formulate plans, including dispatching personnel and allocating funds.

‘Damn it, a bunch of overgrown babies! Do these things really need such detailed plans? They’re acting as if it’s some special operation.’

Yunajin cursed under her breath, her face grim throughout the document review. Her red eyes blazed with ferocity, a stark contrast to the innocent maiden Qiaolun had previously encountered.

Meanwhile, Vivi tidied up the chaotic mess beside her. Observing her mistress’s distress, yet unable to alleviate her burdens, she felt a surge of anxiety.

‘I am merely a humble Slime, and to serve the Demon Lord personally is already a blessing of three lifetimes, an unparalleled honor.’

She didn’t aspire to accomplish great deeds for the Demon Lord, but Vivi would do everything within her power.

“Vivi…”

“Ah, Demon Lord! I’m here!”

Yunajin paused her work for a moment. She said, “I might be working very late tonight. You should go back and rest. The work at the ancient castle these past few days must have been taxing for you.”

While Vivi’s clones were convenient and highly efficient, they were also single-use. They not only depleted her magic but also significantly drained her energy.

“Demon Lord, I—I’m fine…”

“You don’t look well, though I’m unsure if your condition truly manifests normally after a Slime transforms.” Yunajin smiled faintly. “Go back and rest. That’s an order. And, what reward would you like?”

“A reward?” The black-haired maiden’s cheeks flushed. “If I may… I wish to attend to your chambers.”

Vivi’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, barely audible in the air. Nevertheless, Yunajin caught her words. With a knowing smile, she simply replied, “Then hurry and prepare.”

“Thank you, Demon Lord!” The small maid’s face glowed crimson. Upon receiving the Demon Lord’s permission, she bowed deeply, suppressing her burgeoning joy, and departed.

“Honestly, it’s not like it’s the first time.” Watching Vivi’s back tremble with excitement, Yunajin chuckled silently.

‘No, no, I must rush this work now! One night, one miracle!’

Yunajin patted her cheeks, steeling her resolve.

“Hmph, life as the Demon Lord isn’t so different from how it felt in my original world. No wonder that old woman Meredith always says I still have much to learn. It seems even in another world, being a student is a tough profession.”

Had Meredith been present to hear the Demon Lord’s words, she would likely have exhaled another breath infused with magic, lest she choke from sheer exasperation.

These, after all, were certainly not the assignments she had given!

****

The deep night was silent. The bright moon gathered the clouds around itself, sinking deeply into them to sleep.

“When will your demon race return the lands of the Mistmoon Forest?”

“That is not for me to decide. Matters of territory have always been at the discretion of the Demon Lord.”

“Then what about the pleasure houses your demon race established in the human realm? Do you know how many commoners those succubi have driven to ruin?”

“To my knowledge, what you refer to as ‘pleasure houses’ are mostly large casinos disguised by your own human populace. The succubi’s services are merely a byproduct; the true devourers are precisely your own people.”

Qiaolun and Meredith’s argument drowned out the chirping of insects in the tranquil night. Following a faint light, they arrived at a room still brightly illuminated.

“What is that place?”

Rows of hanging candles cast a dim glimmer along the corridors on either side, barely illuminating the path ahead, until a sudden burst of white light appeared not far off.

“It seems we’ve inadvertently wandered into the Demon Lord’s usual office, and despite the late hour, she’s still working.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

Leading any nation is never an easy task. Does even the Demon Lord find herself bound by such a rule?

“Let’s go take a look.” Meredith maintained her composed, inscrutable expression, yet Qiaolun sensed she might already know something.

‘In the few days I’ve spent with her, I’ve barely seen her handle any matters. Did she deliberately push all her work until night-time? Just so she could show me around the Demon Lord’s ancient castle during the day?’

In Qiaolun’s impression, Yunajin lacked the aura of a Demon Lord. Perhaps it was his own preconceived notions of a Demon Lord that were to blame, making him subconsciously believe that a Demon Lord should be an emotionless, violent creature.

However, his interactions with Yunajin during this period, his conversations with Meredith, the Demon Race’s High Priestess, and even observing Vivi, the Slime by the Demon Lord’s side, had led Qiaolun to realize that humans, demons, and even the powerful rulers of the United Kingdom—including the Demon Lord herself—were fundamentally no different.

It was his own vanity, his desire for glory, that had clouded his judgment.

Amidst the numerous scrolls strewn about, a mass of pink hair lay casually spread across them.

“She’s asleep.” Both spoke at once.

Compared to the surprise etched on Qiaolun’s face, Meredith remained considerably calmer, as if she had anticipated this outcome.

“As expected, in my absence, she clearly hasn’t been diligent with her work. A Demon Lord without supervision is far too dangerous.”

“You’d better be…” Qiaolun found himself too drained to retort. If those old fogeys in the kingdom were to learn that their supposedly powerful and cruel Demon Lord was tormented by a room full of official documents, and kept awake by them, what would their reaction be?

‘Anyway, I’m beyond words.’

Qiaolun’s desire for battle had dwindled by more than half. Even if he were to defeat the Demon Lord in such a state, there would be no glory in it. And if he lost, it would be even more humiliating.

“Oh, right, honored guest of the Demon Lord…” Meredith offered a suggestion.

“My name is Qiaolun.” Qiaolun stated flatly.

“Would you be so kind as to escort the Demon Lord back to her room? I’ll take over the work here.” Meredith said without hesitation, as if such a situation were entirely commonplace to her.

“Me?” A string of unspoken questions immediately surfaced on Qiaolun’s face.

‘How would I know where her room is? Besides, how am I supposed to carry her? Carry her on my back, over my shoulder, or just drag her…? What if she wakes up? Waking someone from a deep sleep would leave me feeling quite guilty.’