“What the hell? Where am I? Wasn't I in the hospital?”
Lilith patted her head as her vision gradually cleared. She reflexively looked down at herself.
She saw a pair of very, very small hands.
“Wait, these don't look like my hands!”
She snapped her head up and looked around, only to find herself sitting on a throne.
Surrounding her were all sorts of bizarre, monstrous beings.
Half-kneeling before her was a man with a single horn protruding from his forehead.
She froze for a moment. A throne, monsters... had she dreamed herself into the presence of the Emperor?
“Is my life over?”
No, she realized instantly; a dream couldn't be this vivid.
The thought flashed through her mind.
Before she could think further, a voice rang out.
“Lady Lilith, are you... listening?”
She snapped her head down.
It was the man from before.
He was half-kneeling there, one hand resting on the floor, but his tone was quite casual.
“What are your thoughts on the matter I just mentioned—attacking the Human Empire?”
Lilith frowned. The man before her appeared respectful, but his attitude was clearly dismissive.
“The elders and generals are all waiting for your answer.”
He added, looking up. His amber, slit-pupiled eyes stared directly at Lilith.
“Of course, if you need more time, we completely understand.”
He drew out his words, and a few snickers drifted from behind him.
Lilith sat dazed on the throne, her face a mask of confusion.
She had just transmigrated; how could she possibly know anything about a plan to attack the Human Empire?
The horned man remained half-kneeling, patiently awaiting her response.
His slit pupils narrowed slightly, likely reading something into her silence.
“Lady Lilith? You... haven't forgotten, have you?”
“Let me consider it for a moment.”
Lilith could only offer a vague reply.
She felt like her brain was short-circuiting. Being stared down by a group of humanoid creatures and asked whether to invade the Human Empire was bizarre no matter how she looked at it.
Just then, she noticed something.
The horned man's hand.
Though he was half-kneeling in a respectful posture, his right hand was resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.
Lilith shifted her gaze away from him, scanning the creatures standing on either side.
They were all watching her. Some were expressionless, while others scrutinized her with undisguised judgment.
Not a single one of them was truly subservient.
She caught snatches of their whispered conversation.
“Just anyone can be the Demon King these days?”
“Yeah, and she's a coward too. Aside from inheriting the former Demon King's power, she has zero combat experience. She has no business leading the demon race; she's completely useless.”
“Exactly. I think even I’d make a better Demon King than her.”
“I'm the Demon King? For real?” Hearing everyone around her address her as such, Lilith rubbed her temples, trying to organize her thoughts.
Suddenly, the horned man stood up, casually shifting his stance.
But Lilith noticed his thumb move away from the crossguard, positioning itself to draw the sword fully.
“Your Majesty must be tired today.”
The horned man's tone was even more casual than before, and he even dropped the “Lady” honorific.
“How about I escort you back to your private chambers to rest? As for the invasion of the Human Empire... there is no rush.”
Lilith sat on the throne. Although she lacked the original owner's memories, she had heard them mention her great power. She focused and indeed felt a surge of immense energy within her body.
While Lilith was lost in thought...
The horned man had already stepped onto the first tier of the dais and reached out his hand toward her.
“Your Majesty?”
Lilith looked at the hand extended toward her.
She stared at it, panicking internally while maintaining a calm exterior.
She had to bite the bullet and act like a total badass. She swatted the horned man's hand away and barked:
“Back off! Who gave you permission to approach me?”
The horned man's expression shifted, seemingly shocked by Lilith's attitude.
He didn't answer but gave her another once-over.
The creatures lined up on either side fell silent as well. The snickering and whispering vanished.
He took a step back, returning to the bottom of the steps.
“Forgive my insolence.”
His tone was slightly more formal than before, but only slightly.
“It seems Your Majesty is unwell today. I shall summon a healing mage immediately.”
“That won't be necessary. And who told you that you could make decisions on my behalf?”
Lilith slowly rose from the throne, betting everything on the weight of her title as the Demon King.
“Furthermore, what is your status, and how dare you speak to me in such a manner?”
Veen froze for a moment. “I am Veen, Your Majesty's personal butler and guard captain.”
“And regarding the invasion of the Human Empire?” Veen asked.
“We shall discuss it another day,” Lilith said, keeping her voice as steady as possible.
Veen was silent for three seconds.
Then, he lowered his head and bowed.
“As you command.”
He turned and raised a hand toward the gathered crowd.
“Her Majesty requires rest. Everyone, dismissed.”
Rate on N.U.
