How could this be…
How could this happen?
Looking at the massive corpse before her, Histori felt as if her entire world was collapsing.
Although she hadn’t spoken more than a few words or chatted with him many times in her life, the Demon King had always been the greatest pillar supporting her lazy, lawless behavior within the Demon King’s Castle.
But now, the Demon King—the man claimed to be immortal, eternal, and matchless in the world—had actually fallen so easily to the Hero’s blade?!
And this was after he had made her stall for nearly 2 hours so he could make every possible preparation!
Fine, fall if you must, but couldn’t you have at least lasted longer than the time it took for me to paint two of the Hero’s nails?!
Dying like this…
He looks just like a stray dog on the side of the road…
“…”
In that moment, an unprecedented surge of anger and grief, mixed with the despair of her lazy lifestyle being shattered, erupted from Histori’s chest.
That damned Hero!
How dare she do such a thing to the Demon King!
How dare she ruin the happiness of my future life as a demon!
I, Histori Klein Historia, swear I will make you pay a pri—
“…Histori.”
The Hero twirled her heavy sword through the air with practiced ease.
She leaped down from the Demon King’s back as lightly as a black feather.
“What were you just trying to say?”
“I said go for it! Great Lady Hero!!”
Histori spun around and pressed her hands together in a prayer-like gesture toward the Hero, her eyes welling with a few sincere-looking tears.
“Today must be the day that foolish Demon King meets his end! Justice will prevail! The Hero will prevail!”
“…Is that so?”
The black-haired Hero frowned slightly, then hoisted the heavy sword back onto her shoulder.
…Phew, looks like I managed to fool her.
That makes sense.
Considering I provided her with a full grooming service, anyone would show a little mercy and spare a poor beautician like me…
*Clang—!*
Accompanied by a loud crash, the Hero’s figure blurred as she leaped over Histori’s head with that pitch-black greatsword.
In the next second, Histori was pinned to the ground by an irresistible, monstrous force.
The cold, heavy sword pressed against her cheek, sinking deep into the floor right beside her ear.
…As expected, there was no way she’d actually let me go!!?
“Thank you, Histori.”
The Hero pinned Histori’s waist down with her legs, then leaned forward, pressing her lips close to Histori’s ear.
“…And now, goodbye.”
“Wait, wait a minute!! Miss Hero, Sister Hero, Great Lady Hero!! Please spare my life…”
…Life!!!
The pressure of impending death was practically choking Histori, but at that critical moment, a flash of inspiration struck her mind.
Without any hesitation, Histori raised her hand and grabbed the pair of small, black horns on her forehead—the very symbols of her identity as a demon.
…It hurts!
But I can endure it!
It just feels like having a fingernail ripped out, right!?
Time waited for no one.
After a sharp *crack* as she wrenched the horns off, Histori took a deep breath.
Biting her lower lip, she squeezed out a pitiful expression for the Hero pinned on top of her.
“Lady Hero, look… I’m actually… a human!”
“…”
Never having seen such a display, the Hero stopped her movements and blinked softly at Histori.
“Human?”
“Yes, human! Lady Hero, look at my face, look at my skin, and look at this gentle, kind heart beating in my chest!”
Histori patted her rather flat chest and nodded vigorously at the Hero.
“If I were a demon, why would I have dressed you up just now? And why would I have cheered for you during the battle?!”
The Hero pursed her lips and thought for a moment, then slowly lowered her gaze from Histori’s cheeks.
—From her neck, past her chest, down to her abdomen, and finally landing on Histori’s waist.
“…Tail.”
“T-Tail?”
Looking at the thin black line that had slipped out from the side of her waist, ending in a heart shape, Histori’s mouth twitched.
Ugh, I usually find ways to hide this thing.
I must have been so nervous when the Hero tackled me that it popped out naturally…
“Um, Lady Hero, let me explain. This tail… it’s just like the horns on my head! It’s just a decoration—*Eeek! Ahhhh❤!?*”
Whether to verify Histori’s claim or out of pure curiosity, the Hero reached out her fingers and grabbed the tail that was twitching in the air.
In that instant, a sensation like an electric current surged from Histori’s tailbone straight to the top of her head.
…It, it tickles!?
No, I can’t make a sound.
It’s just a decoration.
Decorations don’t have nerves!
If I scream, my lie will be exposed on the spot!
“…”
The Hero seemed completely unaware of the abnormality of the person beneath her.
Her fingertips traced along that smooth, delicate black curve all the way up, finally stopping at the soft heart at the end of the tail.
…Hold it in, Histori.
You can do this.
What does this level of stimulation matter when my life is on the line?
Even though her face was flushed bright red and her toes were digging into the floor, Histori firmly covered her mouth, refusing to let even a single strange sound escape her throat.
Fortunately, after a few light strokes, the Hero finally seemed to lose interest in her tail.
She loosened her grip, letting the heart-shaped tip fall toward the ground…
…No, she didn’t let go.
Instead, she switched to her other hand to cradle the heart.
Then, under Histori’s despairing gaze, the Hero brought her two thumbs together and squeezed one corner of the heart firmly.
“*Eeek! Ahhhhhh❤❤❤!?!!?*”