Episode 2: Encounter with the Demon Lord

The gaze of the Demon Lord locked onto Viola’s barrier. The Demon Lord, squinting annoyingly, casually raised his hand. Viola had no idea what kind of magic would be unleashed, but beyond that, a fate undoubtedly filled with death awaited.

“Something wrong?” Viola muttered.

She tightened her grip on the hands that had been hanging limply at her sides.

She had thought she might die. However,

“Dying just to let those guys survive… It’s really irritating, isn’t it!?”

At the moment Viola raised her hand, the barrier, trembling as if on the verge of breaking, disappeared without a trace.

The Demon Lord, momentarily halted by Viola’s unexpected action, took advantage of the opportunity to reach out towards Viola’s own body.

Viola’s faint purple eyes and the deep crimson eyes of the Demon Lord intertwined.

After a brief pause, the Demon Lord inquired,

“… What are you doing there, woman?”

“What else? It’s a seduction.”

“To me? You think I’d be interested?”

“Isn’t that disrespectful to a woman? Not as much as that runaway healing magician, Lala, but I think I have a decent chest too.”

With a rustle, the white robe that had draped Viola’s body fell to the ground. Viola, now in lightweight attire, reached for a belt around her waist.

“Oh?”

The moment she heard that voice, the Demon Lord’s face was already inches away.

When Viola realized it, her body had frozen.

That imposing presence

Even the slightest provocation or stimulation could easily extinguish Viola’s life. Viola felt this not as a logical conclusion but as something she sensed on her skin.

However, contrary to that foreboding, the Demon Lord, with an amused expression, twisted his lips.

“Seduction, huh? Interesting. Many have confronted me, but you’re the first to attempt seduction.”

“If that’s the case, are you up for it?”

“Is that because you heard I have a preference for seduction? In that case, it seems you’re a bit lacking in information.”

The Demon Lord’s hand came to rest on Viola’s neck. Its coldness felt inhuman, and Viola realized once again that the man in front of her was not human. The sensation that felt like a sharp, piercing touch might be from his sharp, pointed claws.

“I appreciate seduction, but I choose my partners. It seems you were ready to risk your life, but unfortunately…”

“Too bad. But I have another move.”

“Oh?”

“How about a deal?”

The crimson eyes widened at this, and the Demon Lord abruptly stopped his movement.

Then he laughed.

His low, growling laughter gradually turned into a mocking one.

With the disdainful light in his eyes, the Demon Lord leisurely spoke,

“You? With me?”

“Is there any other option?”

“Then let me ask, do you possess what I desire?”

“Hmm, a housekeeper?”

“…What?”

Viola pursed her lips and retorted, placing her hand on her hip.

“My cooking has a decent reputation, you know. Look, how about this?”

Reaching into her pocket, Viola took out a small bag and tossed it towards the Demon Lord. It contained dried apples soaked in sugar. Since they kept well, she had been carrying them with her, and they were the only edible thing at the moment.

Perhaps the Demon Lord would like them, and with a faint hope, Viola watched as the bag thrown by her landed on the ground in front of him. Seeing the pale purple against the dark ground, Viola pouted lightly.

“How rude. Sweetness is precious in the forest… Wait, does the Demon Lord even eat?”

“You want me to answer that stupid question?”

“Well, you know, can you move around with magic powers like, whoosh?”

“Are you so incompetent that you don’t even know magic isn’t all-powerful?”

“I know that much, but once you’re a Demon Lord, maybe you’re beyond the laws of the world?”

“…Have I deviated from the world’s laws, huh?”

Feeling a momentary implication in those words, Viola raised her gaze slightly. In that instant, the crimson eyes focused sharply on Viola.

Those eyes seemed to be waiting for Viola’s answer.

“At the very least, you’ve deviated from the path of humanity, haven’t you? Trying to tear apart a weak and defenseless healing magician like this.”

“Utterly unpleasant.”

The Demon Lord, with narrowed eyes, glared at Viola. The surrounding temperature dropped sharply.

“Am I needlessly killing humans?”

“Isn’t that the case?”

“No. What would I gain from such pointless actions?”

“Is it fun to kill people like trash?”

“Do I seem that twisted to you?”

Viola stared at the demon lord without changing her expression. Without moving his expression, the Demon Lord tilted his head slightly.

“I don’t know, but if you eliminate me, the force trying to kill the Demon Lord will decrease, right?”

“No matter how many of you gather, I can’t be killed.”

“That’s quite the confidence.”

“It’s a fact.”

The Demon Lord sighed and faintly lifted the corners of his mouth into a smile.

“But it seems that humans think of me as some irrational beast or something.”

“Oh?”

“Despite asking, your reaction is quite indifferent.”

“Well, if I won’t be killed, then it’s fine. Seduction was just a waste. Can I go home now?”

So be it, the Demon Lord muttered.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

In other words, the atmosphere around them changed. The Demon Lord’s expression calmed, and his crimson eyes stared flatly at Viola.

“You, I will kill.”

“…I don’t understand. Wasn’t the previous situation a pass?”

“I don’t care.”

“I’m okay with being killed—well, not really, but can I at least ask for a reason?”

“You said it yourself—the principles of this world. You humans breached the inviolable first. It’s only natural that you should be prepared for that.”

“True. But—”

“Know your place. Do I need a reason other than wanting to kill? ”

In the cold, ruthless gaze, Viola understood the seriousness of the man.

The Demon Lord undoubtedly intended to kill Viola, and indeed, doing so would be easier than twisting a baby’s hand. Viola had no idea what triggered the man, but…

“Well then, as I said before, let’s make a deal.”

This time, the demon lord didn’t smile.

“Fine. Speak.”

With an arrogant posture and raising his chin slightly, the Demon Lord looked down at Viola.

Looking back into those eyes, Viola calmly said,

“I will protect you, Demon Lord.”