The next morning.
Lin Ling lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
She had been awake for a long time.
But she hadn't gotten up.
It wasn't because she was sleepy.
And it wasn't because she was lazy.
Well, laziness played a small part.
But the real reason was that the events in the bathhouse from the previous night were playing on a loop in her head.
The mist, the steam, the slippery floor tiles.
Herself, nearly falling.
And Ivelia, reaching out to catch her.
Lin Ling slowly raised her hands to cover her face.
“Aaaaaaah...”
She rolled over on the bed.
“Why am I only starting to feel embarrassed now?!”
Last night, she had clearly been able to speak normally.
She had even been able to seriously discuss the bathhouse’s anti-slip issues.
But thinking back on it now, she felt as if her entire soul was being boiled in a pot.
The Demon King was taking a bath.
She had pushed the door open and walked in.
She had almost fallen.
And finally, she had been held by the Demon King.
Lin Ling grabbed her pillow and buried her face in it.
“What kind of high-difficulty event is this...?”
“Is life in another world a bit too exciting?”
She had originally thought the main quest of her life was:
Being summoned, being rejected, being kidnapped, being kept as a pet, working hard at farming, eating soft bread, and then living a happy and beautiful slow life in another world.
But looking at it now, it seemed some strange plotlines had gotten mixed in the middle.
Furthermore, what Ivelia had said last night made it hard for her not to think about it.
—If you ever want to leave the Demon King's Castle, you can tell me.
—The Demon King's Castle will protect you.
—But it will not treat you like a prisoner.
Lin Ling slowly lowered the pillow.
She looked at the ceiling, her gaze growing quiet.
Leave?
Now?
She actually hadn't thought about that question seriously.
When she first arrived, she certainly had.
After all, this was the Demon King's Castle.
She had been teleported here.
Strictly speaking, her door had even been locked once.
Thinking about it, even if she tried to run away, she’d probably just get lost in the corridors and eventually be picked up by Aliviel.
At that thought, Lin Ling fell silent for a moment.
“It seems even if I wanted to run, I wouldn't get far.”
She rolled over again.
But it was different now.
She was starting to become familiar with the people here.
Familiar with Niya’s cautious yet expectant smile every day when she brought food.
Familiar with the slight upward lilt in Aliviel’s voice when she teased her.
Familiar with Phelan’s face, which was so calm it seemed like it could never be pierced by a sarcastic remark.
Familiar with Baroque’s fierce expression, yet always seeing his back as he stood at the front of any danger.
Familiar with Cecil’s jokes, which were clearly asking for a beating but always managed to ease the tension.
And then there was Ivelia.
The Demon King who gave up her soft bread for her, who secretly withdrew her pressure in front of her, and who seriously told her last night, “You can leave.”
Lin Ling reached out and rubbed her face.
“Honestly.”
“This makes it even harder for me to leave.”
She lay on the bed for a while longer.
The more she lay there, the more cluttered her mind felt.
So, she suddenly sat up.
“No.”
“I can't lie here anymore.”
“If I keep lying here, I’m going to start writing a thesis on the philosophy of life.”
She jumped off the bed, performed a quick morning wash, and then opened the door.
Niya was standing outside.
The young girl of the Horned Tribe was holding a tray, looking like she was just about to knock.
“Miss Saintess?”
Niya blinked.
“You’re awake.”
When Lin Ling saw the soft bread on the tray, her eyes immediately lit up.
“Niya, you truly are an angel bringing civilization.”
Niya’s cheeks flushed slightly.
“It’s just breakfast.”
“Breakfast is the beginning of a day’s civilization.”
Lin Ling solemnly took the bread.
She took a bite.
Soft.
Good.
Today’s world can continue to turn.
After finishing breakfast, Lin Ling wiped her hands and suddenly looked at Niya.
“Niya.”
“Yes?”
“Are you busy today?”
Niya thought for a moment.
“I don't have anything particularly important this morning.”
“Then could you take me on a tour of the Demon King's Castle?”
Niya was taken aback.
“A tour of the Demon King's Castle?”
Lin Ling nodded.
“I’ve been here for so long, but I haven't had a proper tour yet.”
She started counting on her fingers.
“I know my room, I know the experimental field, I roughly know where the kitchen is, and I know there’s a corridor near the Demon King's office that makes it very easy for me to get lost.”
Niya: “...”
Lin Ling said seriously:
“But that is far from enough.”
“As an important member of the Demon King's Castle, I need to understand my environment.”
Niya blinked.
“Miss Saintess, you just want to learn the routes so you don't get lost anymore, right?”
Lin Ling’s body stiffened.
“Don't be so blunt.”
Niya couldn't help but laugh.
“Okay.”
“Then I’ll take you for a walk.”
Lin Ling immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s great.”
“If I went by myself, I might be found in some storage room by the afternoon.”
Niya thought about it seriously.
“That is indeed possible.”
Lin Ling: “...”
“Niya, you’ve become quite direct.”
Niya lowered her head with a smile.
“It’s because Miss Saintess says that about herself all the time.”
Lin Ling was left speechless.
...
The Demon King's Castle was massive.
Lin Ling had known this for a long time.
But only when someone actually led her through it did she realize this place was even more complex than she had imagined.
Corridor connected to corridor.
There were even corridors beneath the stairs.
The dark patterns on the walls were sometimes decorations, sometimes defensive magic formulas, and sometimes markers leading to other areas.
Behind some doors were meeting rooms.
Behind others were warehouses.
And behind some were magical facilities whose purposes she couldn't understand at all.
Lin Ling’s head began to throb.
“Is your Demon King's Castle really not rebuilt from a labyrinth?”
Niya answered earnestly:
“No.”
She thought for a moment, then added:
“However, some areas were indeed designed for the purpose of defending against invaders in the past.”
Lin Ling pointed to three branching paths ahead.
“Like here?”
Niya nodded.
“Yes.”
“The left leads to the training grounds.”
“The middle leads to the west tower.”
“The right leads to the kitchen.”
Lin Ling’s eyes lit up.
“The kitchen!”
Niya looked at her.
Lin Ling immediately retracted her gaze.
“I was just making a mental note of important routes.”
Niya pursed her lips and smiled.
The two continued along the corridor.
The morning in the Demon King's Castle was not noisy.
Occasionally, a patrolling demon would pass by, and upon seeing Lin Ling, they would pause slightly and bow in greeting.
This was something Lin Ling wasn't used to at first.
Her status here before was roughly “suspicious pet.”
Later, it was upgraded to “research-oriented pet.”
And later still, she became the “precious Saintess who can create miracles but might hurt herself at any moment.”
The way everyone looked at her now was completely different from the beginning.
There was respect.
There was curiosity.
And there was also a cautious sense of protectiveness.
Lin Ling felt a bit uncomfortable being watched like that, so she could only pretend to be calm.
Niya walked slightly ahead of her, softly introducing each area.
“This is the old armory.”
“Many things here aren't used anymore.”
“Over there is the infirmary.”
“The Demon King used to often have injured patrol teams rest there.”
“Further ahead is the inner courtyard.”
“When the weather is good, the Demon King handles documents there.”
Lin Ling followed and listened.
She looked at Niya’s small back and suddenly felt that this child was more familiar with the Demon King's Castle than she had imagined.
Not just normally familiar.
But as if she had lived here for a very, very long time.
“Niya.”
“Yes?”
“Have you always lived in the Demon King's Castle?”
Niya’s pace slowed slightly.
Then she gave a soft nod.
“Yes.”
“Since I was very small.”
Lin Ling blinked.
She had only asked casually.
But Niya’s voice was so soft.
So soft it felt as if it were being weighed down by a certain memory.
Lin Ling didn't press further.
But Niya stopped walking.
She stood by the window in the corridor.
Outside the window, the black soil behind the Demon King's Castle could be seen.
A small section of it had already turned a noticeable green.
Niya gazed at it, falling silent for a moment.
Then she said softly:
“Miss Saintess.”
“Actually, when I was a child, I almost didn't survive.”
Lin Ling was stunned.
She hadn't expected Niya to suddenly say this.
Niya looked down at her hands.
They were very small.
A faint glow of magic was at her fingertips.
“When I was born, my body couldn't withstand the magic of the demon territory.”
She gave a light smile.
It was faint and held little joy.
Lin Ling opened her mouth.
“Niya...”
Niya shook her head.
“It’s okay.”
“It was a long time ago.”
She looked up and continued:
“At that time, the Demon King wasn't as busy as she is now.”
“My parents brought me to seek an audience with the Demon King.”
“They hoped to find a way for me to survive.”
Lin Ling listened quietly.
Niya’s voice was very soft.
“Later, the Demon King told them there was a forbidden technique.”
“It could transfer both parents’ Stamina and a portion of their magic foundations to the child.”
“That way, the child would gain a stronger ability to adapt to magic.”
“But...”
She paused.
Lin Ling had already vaguely guessed what came next.
Niya lowered her head.
“But people who lose their Stamina and magic foundations simply cannot withstand the magic of the demon territory.”
“It’s like handing over the things that support your own life to someone else.”
“My parents still chose that method.”
The corridor was very quiet.
The magic mist outside the window flowed slowly.
Niya gently gripped her own wrist.
“They gave me both of their Stamina.”
“So I survived.”
“But they soon couldn't withstand the surrounding magic.”
“Not long after, they passed away.”
Lin Ling didn't speak.
She suddenly felt her throat tighten.
Niya was clearly still smiling.
But that smile was too quiet.
So quiet it made one’s heart ache.
“Afterward, I stayed in the Demon King's Castle.”
“Because they wanted me to live.”
“They wanted me to live well, carrying both of their Stamina and magic.”
“And they also hoped that one day I could stand by the Demon King's side.”
Niya looked up at the distant patch of green.
“The Demon King saved me.”
“And she has always looked after me.”
“So I want to take care of the Demon King.”
“Even if it’s just bringing food, tidying the room, or helping with small things.”
Lin Ling looked at her.
Usually, Niya was gentle.
A bit shy.
She would blush when her horns were touched, she would seriously bring her food, and she would softly remind her not to sneak snacks.
Lin Ling had never imagined that Niya also carried such a heavy past.
Niya suddenly turned around and looked at Lin Ling earnestly.
“Miss Saintess.”
“Thank you.”
Lin Ling was startled.
“Thank me?”
Niya nodded.
“You made the experimental field grow grain.”
“You made it so the Demon King doesn't have to worry every day about everyone starving to death.”
“And you’ve given many children like I was—who suffer because the magic is too concentrated—a much better chance to survive.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“I truly... am very grateful to you.”
For a moment, Lin Ling didn't know how to respond.
Niya, however, seemed to have finally decided to speak her mind and lowered her head.
“Also...”
“I’m sorry.”
Lin Ling was dazed.
Niya said in a small voice:
“Actually, when Miss Saintess first arrived, I disliked you a little bit.”
“Not a lot.”
“But I did.”
“Because you were clearly a human Hero, yet you were given such a nice room.”
“You had three meals a day.”
“The Demon King even specifically instructed the kitchen to look after you.”
“I just felt...”
Her fingers tightened on the hem of her skirt.
“Why could an outsider who had just been brought here get so many things?”
“While the Demon King herself was eating black bread.”
Lin Ling fell silent.
It felt as if her heart had been gently nudged.
Niya looked up, her eyes slightly red.
“So, I’m sorry.”
“Although I didn't treat you badly on purpose.”
“I really did have those thoughts in my heart.”
“Thinking back on it now, I feel very ashamed.”
Lin Ling looked at her.
After a long while, she let out a soft sigh.
“Niya.”
“Yes?”
Lin Ling stepped forward and reached out to rub her hair.
“I’m already very happy that you could tell me this.”
Niya was stunned.
Lin Ling leaned down and looked into her eyes.
“Besides, if I were you, I’d probably be unhappy too.”
“Some person who was brought here out of nowhere, eating more than everyone else, living better than everyone else, and complaining every day.”
She thought about it seriously.
“Yeah, that really is asking for a beating.”
Niya’s eyes were still red, but she couldn't help but smile.
“Miss Saintess isn't asking for a beating.”
Lin Ling said solemnly:
“No, I’m still quite asking for a beating.”
Niya finally laughed out loud.
Lin Ling smiled as well.
She looked down at Niya, her voice softening a bit.
“However, I’m not angry.”
“Really.”
“I should also thank you.”
Niya blinked.
“Thank me?”
“Yes.”
Lin Ling said:
“Thank you for bringing me food at the very beginning.”
“Thank you for telling me about the issues with the demon race’s land.”
“Thank you for always talking with me.”
“And thank you for being willing to tell me all this today.”
Niya stared at her blankly.
Lin Ling patted her own chest.
“Miss Saintess has a broad mind.”
“A mere low initial affection level is nothing.”
Niya: “Affection level?”
“It’s...”
Lin Ling thought for a moment.
“Never mind, it’s a hassle to explain.”
She stood up straight and said with feigned casualness:
“In any case, we’re already friends now.”
“Friends aren't allowed to keep feeling guilty over those little thoughts from the past.”
Niya sniffled slightly.
Then she nodded vigorously.
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
She lowered her head, looking as if she had finally let go of something.
After a while, Niya looked up again.
“Then let’s keep walking, Miss Saintess.”
There was no response.
Niya blinked.
“Miss Saintess?”
She turned around.
Behind her was completely empty.
Lin Ling, who had been walking right beside her just a moment ago, was gone.
Niya: “...”
The air was quiet for a second.
Niya’s face turned pale instantly.
“Miss Saintess?!”
She ran forward a few steps, then suddenly stopped.
There were three branching paths here.
The left led to the training grounds.
The middle led to the west tower.
The right led to the kitchen.
Which path would Miss Saintess take?
An answer flashed through Niya’s mind instantly.
The kitchen.
But she wasn't sure.
What if Miss Saintess had been lured away by something else?
What if she had walked into a defensive area?
What if she had gotten lost again?
What if she encountered danger?
The more she thought, the more panicked she became.
Niya instinctively reached out to lean against the wall to steady herself.
As a result, she forgot to control her strength.
Boom—!
A loud crash echoed.
The thick wall of the Demon King's Castle had a massive hole punched through it by her casual grip.
Debris clattered to the floor.
Niya froze.
She looked at the large hole beside her hand, her expression even more panicked.
“Ah...”
“I-I didn't mean to...”
The loud crash immediately drew nearby people.
“Yo.”
A familiar voice came from the other end of the corridor.
Cecil walked over quickly.
He first looked at the large hole in the wall, then at the pale-faced Niya.
“What happened?”
Niya’s voice trembled.
“Miss Saintess is gone.”
Cecil paused.
“Lin Ling?”
Niya nodded.
“She was right behind me just now.”
“I was just saying a few things.”
“Then I turned around, and she was gone.”
“I-I didn't keep a good eye on her...”
Niya’s voice grew increasingly urgent.
Her fingers tightly gripped her skirt.
“She’s not familiar with this place.”
“There are still many dangerous areas in the Demon King's Castle.”
“If she took the wrong path...”
“Niya.”
Cecil reached out and pressed his hand on her shoulder.
His voice was rarely devoid of teasing.
“Calm down.”
Niya looked up at him.
Cecil smiled.
“No matter how lost Miss Saintess gets, she won't just vanish into thin air from the Demon King's Castle.”
“She only just disappeared, so she shouldn't have gone far.”
Niya said in a small voice:
“But...”
“I’ll go call the others.”
Cecil said.
“Aliviel is the best at finding people.”
“Phelan can detect the holy light residue on her.”
“Baroque can seal off several dangerous areas.”
“I’ll also notify the Demon King.”
He paused, then glanced at the hole in the wall again.
“As for cute little Niya, try not to break any more walls out of nervousness, okay?”
Niya’s face turned red.
“I’m sorry...”
Cecil sighed.
“It’s fine.”
“The wall had to be repaired sooner or later anyway.”
“Isn't the Demon King's Castle planning to add new signposts and anti-slip floor tiles recently?”
Niya was stunned for a moment.
Cecil smiled.
“We’ll repair the wall while we’re at it.”
Niya finally calmed down a bit.
“Yes.”
Cecil looked up at the branching paths.
“However, given Miss Saintess’s personality...”
His gaze slowly turned toward the right.
Toward the kitchen.
“I think I roughly know which way she went.”
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