Alderia Continent — a vast land divided among eight great kingdoms and numerous smaller territories.
Among them, the human-ruled United Kingdom and the demon-held Evernight Domain stood at the very top as two dominant powers.
As for humans, there’s little need to elaborate.
With their astonishing reproductive rate and the sacred light magic bestowed by the Church, their cavalry could almost trample every corner of the world.
On the demon side, although high-ranking demons were few in number, their overwhelming individual combat strength—combined with the tens of millions of beastmen armies under their command—allowed the Evernight Domain to run rampant across the continent.
—Until today, that long-standing balance of power was finally broken.
The Demon King is dead, and the demons’ mysterious second-in-command, the Blood Demon Princess—Jisitori—who was said to appear only at night, is now being escorted by the Hero on the way to the United Kingdom.
…
Night falls over a desolate wilderness in the Evernight Domain.
“…So, Hero… are we really sleeping here tonight?”
Jisitori rubbed her hands together and cautiously asked the figure ahead.
Having shed the heavy black armor she wore in the Demon King’s castle and changed into a standard light uniform of the demon army, Emil looked much taller and more slender.
She lightly dusted off her hands and drove her massive greatsword into the ground beside her.
“My name is Emil.”
“So, Lady Emil… are we really sleeping here tonight? Without even a tent?”
Looking at the rough wooden stake in front of her, Jisitori quietly rubbed her nose, a wave of bitterness rising in her heart.
Just last night, she had been sleeping on a luxurious velvet bed in her chambers, enjoying the wake-up service of succubus maids.
And now, in less than a day, she had fallen to this state…
After the Demon King’s death, the attendants and guards of the castle had all scattered.
Jisitori had originally planned to carefully guide the Hero along a path where no one would pass, trying to minimize casualties.
But along the way, the massive castle had been completely deserted—not even a ghost in sight.
Even the valuable paintings and statues had been taken away!
Damn it!
This is all the Hero’s fault!
How dare she shatter my peaceful life…
Sooner or later, I’ll make her pay for this with interest!
“—Grrr…”
Jisitori’s face flushed red as she quickly covered her stomach.
“…Hungry?”
Hearing the sound, Emil tilted her head slightly.
She turned, looked around for a moment, then struck the trunk of a nearby tree with force, catching a fruit that fell from the branches.
Then, glancing at Jisitori’s modest chest, Emil took out a string of dried meat from her storage ring and handed it along with the fruit.
“Here. Eat.”
“…”
Holding the cold, tough jerky in her hands, Jisitori gently bit her lower lip.
…Even the food is this miserable!!!
And what was that look just now?
Sympathy?
That had to be sympathy!
As if she herself looks any better…
She glanced at Emil’s chest, then at her own, silently abandoned the comparison, and opened her mouth to take a bite.
So salty!?
And bitter too!?
Isn’t the Hero the strongest in humanity?
Is this really the kind of food they provide!?
Let’s try the fruit instead…
Something natural shouldn’t taste rotten…
…It’s spicy.
The fruit is spicy.
The strong nausea suppressed her appetite.
Jisitori turned away, secretly spat out the food, and then gave Emil a satisfied smile—
“…Thank you, Hero. I’m full.”
“Mm.”
Emil nodded and calmly continued eating the remaining jerky.
Watching her expressionless face, Jisitori couldn’t help but ask—
“Um… have you always been eating things like this?”
“Mm.”
“…Do you think it tastes bad?”
“Mm.”
“…”
Jisitori scratched her forehead in frustration, then shifted her gaze to her storage pouch.
Though she didn’t usually stockpile food, for convenience she carried some snacks and fruit—most of them sweets and cakes.
I need to eat properly if I want the strength to escape.
That stuff definitely won’t fill me up, so…
While Emil was still focused on chewing her jerky, Jisitori carefully reached into her bag and took out a small piece of cake topped with a cherry.
Whether human or demon, everyone loves soft, sweet desserts!
She stuffed the entire cake into her mouth, savoring the sweetness as she prepared to eat the cherry—
But just then, a slender finger silently rested on her shoulder.
“Jisitori.”
“W–Wah!? Hero—!”
Startled, Jisitori trembled.
She quickly chewed and swallowed the cake, then raised her hands above her head—
—while cleverly hiding the cherry stems between her fingers, avoiding Emil’s sight.
“…”
Though her actions were suspicious, Emil didn’t seem to mind.
She simply opened her palm, revealing a small white, hard cube, and handed it to Jisitori.
“For you. Milk curd.”
“…?”
“Brought from the kingdom’s border. I’ve tried it—it’s edible.”
“…………”
Looking at the small white cube—barely the length of a finger, still carrying a faint warmth—Jisitori felt her heart grow heavy.
Even though this person is technically my father’s killer…
She still gives me her most precious food…
Emil…
What kind of person are you…?
“Um, Hero, I’m really full. You should keep it for yourself.”
Emil shook her head, then reached out and gently pinched Jisitori’s cheek.
“It’s fine. You need it to grow.”
“………………”
After a long silence, Jisitori sighed deeply and resigned herself, putting the milk curd into her mouth.
Just as she expected, it wasn’t particularly delicious—but it had a rich milky flavor, with a hint of sweetness.
After swallowing it, she turned her hand over and revealed the two cherries hidden between her fingers.
“Oh, right, Hero… I just found these on the ground.”
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