Chapter 108

EP.108 The Encounter at the Castle

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The place Tairat took Yuria to was a castle she couldn’t even begin to guess the location of.

Surrounded by all sorts of demons, he entered the castle and threw Yuria into a small room.

“Kyaaah!”

Yuria screamed as she was slammed onto the floor.

Thinking she couldn’t go on like this, she mustered all her strength to get up.

But…

“Ugh…!”

Seeing Tairat’s face, her strength drained away again.

Yuria crouched down, legs trembling, and sat back down.

Tairat approached her and said,

“Make yourself comfortable. You’re free to roam the castle. But don’t even think about escaping. Your mother’s head might get smashed.”

“……”

Yuria could only glare at Tairat with a fierce expression.

“Once you’ve regained your strength, feel free to challenge me again. I’ll always be in the Audience Room at the end of the right corridor. You’re welcome anytime.”

Yuria, trembling with helplessness, clenched her fists.

Tairat looked at her with a kind smile.

“The demons attacking the kingdom were sent away because of you. Don’t worry.”

As long as the mages of the Demon Tower didn’t die, the rest could drop dead for all she cared, but Yuria kept her mouth shut.

Yeah, when I ascend to the throne, I’ll need slaves to command.

That’s what she thought.

*Thud!*

As Tairat closed the door and left, the oppressive energy that had been consuming her body instantly dissipated.

“Phew…”

Yuria let out a weak sigh. As her strength slowly returned, she got up and looked around.

The room had an antique atmosphere.

There was even a bed that looked quite comfortable.

Why did he bring me here instead of a prison?

I don’t know. I can’t even guess.

And to kindly tell me where he’d be, inviting me to challenge him anytime… It was humiliating.

‘I’m so angry…!’

She was really angry.

At the same time, she felt a strange emotion toward him, who wielded such brutal power yet showed mercy.

It wasn’t like she had developed feelings for him or anything ridiculous like that.

It was just… she thought of him as someone she could communicate with.

Anyway, Tairat didn’t seem to know about the Device.

Yuria looked at her wrist.

The charge was still at 100%. As expected, it was infinite.

Her bow and quiver were destroyed, but… let’s not lose hope.

‘Mom must be here too, right?’

If so, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to familiarize herself with the castle’s layout to rescue her mother and escape immediately.

Since Tairat said I could roam freely, as long as I don’t cause too much trouble, it should be fine.

Suddenly overwhelmed by fatigue, Yuria blinked a few times.

He said Mom is safe, that she’s fine… I’ll just rest a little.

Unknowingly trusting Tairat’s words, Yuria lay down on the bed.

A very comfortable bed. The breeze coming in felt nice too.

By the way, why did Tairat say he sent the demons away because of me?

Does he plan to put me on the throne and use me as a puppet ruler? That’s probably what he’s thinking.

‘Ugh…’

Recalling what happened at the royal palace, Yuria bit her lower lip.

Tairat’s overwhelming power. Her own helplessness in front of him… Just thinking about it gave her chills.

And thinking about how much he resembled Jihyuk made her want to return to Earth.

“Mr. Jihyuk…”

Yuria called out Jihyuk’s name in a trembling voice and covered herself with the blanket.

Then, after removing her gloves, she placed her hand on her lower body.

Her leotard was wet. Imagining Jihyuk’s face must have excited her.

Yuria lifted her middle finger and slightly pulled aside her leotard.

Then, she slowly began rubbing her thighs.

“Haaah…♡”

Masturbation that started in enemy territory.

Yuria moved her fingers for a long time, thinking of Jihyuk.

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Yuria slept for a while.

She was mentally exhausted from her confrontation with Tairat, and the masturbation had drained her energy.

“Ugh…”

Waking up to the sound of insects, Yuria sat up.

Still in her transformed state. She vowed not to undo her transformation until she left this castle and got out of bed.

Like a sneaky cat, she tiptoed to the door and carefully opened it, revealing a dark corridor.

‘I’m hungry…’

It was clearly dawn.

So, even if someone was around, they’d probably be asleep.

Demons need to sleep too.

Yuria stepped into the corridor, quietly closed the door, and flew around looking for the kitchen.

She wanted to steal something to eat.

You need to eat to regain strength. Trying to stay positive, she sniffed around the corridor until she stopped at a large door emitting a faint fruity scent.

This must be the dining hall.

Worried someone might hear, Yuria pushed the door open with the slightest force.

Inside the dining hall, lit by orange light, was a very long table and numerous chairs.

And at the head of the table was a splendid throne.

Probably where Tairat sits.

Yuria noticed a small door next to the fireplace on the opposite side and headed toward it.

Opening it, the fruity scent grew stronger, and Yuria hid herself, startled.

Someone was panting and vigorously kneading something.

Peeking out from the corner, she saw a three-tailed beastkin demon struggling to knead dough, and her eyes widened.

Bright brown fox ears, hair of the same color flowing down to her waist… and a petite stature.

From the side, she looked like a cute little girl. Even with three whisker-like markings on her cheeks.

With large orange eyes, the beastkin stood on a footstool, pressing down on the dough, and sighed.

“Phew! This is tough…”

Yuria couldn’t help but chuckle at the adorable sight.

“Pfft…”

Hearing this, the beastkin turned her head.

Spotting Yuria, she was about to scream.

“Kyaa…!”

But Yuria rushed over and covered her mouth, causing the beastkin to flail.

“Mmph! Mmph!”

*Thud! Thud!*

Yuria watched the tiny hands hitting her body and couldn’t help but laugh.

The beastkin was cute, and it didn’t hurt at all.

Soon, tears welled up in the beastkin’s large eyes.

Seeing this, Yuria warned with a stern expression,

“If you scream when I let go… I’ll kill you.”

The beastkin, terrified by the threat, nodded vigorously.

Thinking that was enough, Yuria slowly removed her hand.

“Uuu…”

As her mouth was freed, the beastkin was about to burst into tears.

But remembering Yuria’s warning, she tightly sealed her lips.

She even covered her mouth with her flour-covered hands.

Sniffling, the beastkin sneezed as flour went deep into her nose.

“Ueeh… Achoo!”

Yuria stifled a laugh.

She’s so cute… If she weren’t a demon, I’d want to take her home and raise her.

Seeing Yuria’s softened expression, the beastkin relaxed, wiped the snot from her nose, and looked at her with curious eyes.

“Who are you…? Huh?”

Asking herself, she suddenly exclaimed as if she remembered something.

She stared at Yuria’s green hair and then went, “Ah!”

“You’re Yuria Elenard, right!? Right!?”

Her voice was quite loud.

Yuria raised her index finger to her lips.

“Shh! Be quiet…!”

“Ah… Shh…!”

The flustered beastkin mimicked Yuria.

Finally reassured, Yuria asked,

“How do you know my name?”

“Umm… The Demon King told me. He said a beautiful woman with green hair…”

“T-Tairat said that?”

“You mean Tairat-sama…?”

Yuria’s face stiffened.

“From my perspective, he’s someone I’d tear apart without a second thought. You’re giving him honorifics? Absolutely not.”

“Eek!”

The terrified beastkin scurried to a corner and trembled.

A demon more scared than a human child… It was absurd.

Yuria sighed lightly and apologized.

“Sorry. I was a bit harsh.”

“……”

“What’s your name? Do lower demons even have names…?”

The beastkin puffed up her cheeks.

“We do! And I’m not a lower demon! I’m really strong!”

“Shh! I told you to be quiet.”

“Ah… Yes… I have a name…”

“What is it?”

“Meril.”

“Meril? That’s a pretty name.”

“Really…?”

With just one compliment, Meril relaxed and trotted over.

As if she’d follow if offered candy.

Yuria chuckled and nodded.

“Yeah. Really.”

Meril giggled shyly.

Yuria asked again,

“How old are you?”

“Seven years old.”

“Seven…? So demons grow similarly to humans?”

“Yep. But I’m an adult.”

“Right… Let’s go with that. But if you’re not a lower demon, what are you? You seem really weak…”

“Ugh…”

Feeling dismissed, Meril spread her arms and clenched her fists, trembling.

Yuria quickly apologized.

“Ah, got it. Sorry.”

“I get really scary when I’m angry! I’ll forgive you just this once.”

Her bravado was adorable.

Barely holding back her laughter, Yuria crouched down to meet Meril’s eye level.

“What else did the Demon King say about me?”

“Umm… What did he say… Ah! He said to treat Lady Yuria Elenard, who possesses great power, with respect.”

Well, at least he has some sense as a king. Of course he should.

Yuria crossed her arms and asked,

“What do you demons think of me, a human?”

“We follow the strong. Lady Yuria Elenard is…”

“Just call me Yuria. It’s annoying if it’s too long.”

“Ah, okay! Lady Yuria is unmatched among humans, and among us, aside from the Demon King, you’re the strongest… So we must respect you.”

“Really…? Even though I’ve killed your comrades?”

“Yes. Is that strange?”

Demons definitely act based on a hierarchical structure.

In that regard, Yuria thought demons were far better than humans. Hearing her stomach growl, she blushed.

Seeing Yuria’s reaction, Meril beamed.

“Are you here because you’re hungry?”

“Uh… Yeah.”

“I’m making bread. Want some?”

“You were kneading flour… Do you know how to make it?”

“Of course! I’m a chef!”

“You…?”

“Still an apprentice, though… But why do you keep underestimating me?”

Meril’s pouting was really cute.

Yuria felt like teasing her more.

“Sorry. But… you’re not putting bugs in it, are you…?”

“Do you eat bread with bugs, Lady Yuria? Do all humans do that?”

“……”

Yuria was speechless.

She walked right into that one.

Looking at Meril’s innocent eyes, it didn’t seem like she was deliberately mocking her.

Yuria, struck by the child’s pure retort, smiled softly.

“It was a joke. So… should I wait here?”

“Yes! I’ll make it quickly, so please sit on that chair and wait!”

Meril, her eyes sparkling with excitement, climbed back onto the footstool and started kneading the dough again.

I need to find Mom soon, but… Tairat promised nothing would happen to her, swearing on the Demon King’s name… Let’s fill my stomach first.

Or maybe I can ask Meril. She might know where Mom is.

Thinking that, Yuria sat quietly on a nearby chair, resting her elbows on her knees and her chin on her hands.

Watching Meril, so pure and delicate for a demon in the Demon King’s castle, energetically kneading the dough, Yuria smiled warmly.

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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