Chapter 18 Despicable Tactics
1890words
The sky before me was an unsettling dark red, as if soaked in blood. Lead-heavy clouds hung low overhead, occasionally torn apart by deep purple lightning that silently illuminated the twisted land below. The air was permeated with an intense, acrid smell like a mixture of sulfur and rotting flesh, each breath burning my throat.
There wasn't a single normal plant here. As far as the eye could see, there were only strange trees protruding from the black scorched earth like jagged skeletons, and slowly writhing dark purple fungal mats that emitted an eerie phosphorescent glow on the ground.
"This place... is truly filled with villain aesthetics." I wrapped the tattered cloak that concealed my identity tighter around me, unable to hold back my internal ranting, "That game designer must definitely be suffering from severe chuunibyou syndrome, diagnosis confirmed."
I forced myself to calm down and began to think about my next step. According to the strategy guide, my current identity was a "Moonlight Flower Spirit," a race naturally connected to light and life force. This identity might be welcomed in the human realm, but here, I was essentially a mobile, glowing, premium "Tang Monk flesh" with a sign saying "eat me" attached.
I needed a foolproof disguise.
I took a deep breath and began to mobilize the limited magical power within my body, working hard to contain all the light energy in my body. This was a delicate task—I had to perfectly compress the light energy into my core, leaving only the weakest, most pitiful energy fluctuation on the surface, like a flower about to wither.
Then, looking at a piece of black crystal nearby that could reflect a blurry image, I began to practice my facial expressions. What kind of expression did I need? That of a "fallen one" who had been ostracized by the mortal realm, hunted by the Church of Holy Light, and ultimately lost all faith in light before turning to darkness? That script would work.
Facing the crystal, I tried to squeeze out an expression that was both resentful and desperate, with a touch of neurotic madness. Hmm, it looked somewhat like an office drone who hadn't been paid for three months but was still forced to work overtime—should be convincing enough.
"Alright, Oscar little golden man, here I come!" After giving myself a pep talk, I limped toward the distant fortress built from enormous beast bones that served as the gateway to the demon realm.
To my surprise, the infiltration process went almost too smoothly.
The gatekeepers were two bull-headed demons as massive as small mountains. They wore crude black armor and carried giant axes taller than me, with sparks flying from the hot breath coming out of their nostrils. I had expected to be interrogated thoroughly or even directly cleaved in half with an axe.
But when I lowered my head and, in a hoarse and trembling voice I had rehearsed countless times, said "I... I can no longer survive, the light has abandoned me, I've come to pledge myself to the great Demon King," those two bull-headed demons merely lazily lifted their eyelids and glanced at me.
"A flower fairy? And one that's almost withered." The bull-headed demon on the left spoke in a muffled voice, filled with disdain. "This kind of weak trash? Is the human realm discarding them now?"
"Who cares, she doesn't look like a spy anyway. Just get in and stop blocking the way." The bull-headed demon on the right waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly.
I felt like I'd been granted amnesty, scrambling in on all fours. Only after walking far away did I dare to look back, feeling a wave of fear followed by sadness. Being weak was the original sin here, to the point where you weren't even worthy of being questioned.
Past the checkpoint was a true demon city. The architectural style was fierce and bizarre, with towering black spires reaching into the clouds. The shops along the streets displayed all kinds of strange merchandise—hearts that were still beating, crystals containing wailing trapped souls, bracelets strung with eyeballs of unknown creatures...
The demon residents on the streets were diverse and strange, including seductive succubi flapping their bat wings, strong orcs carrying spiked clubs, and phantoms floating in midair composed of black mist. Each of them emanated a powerful and dangerous aura, and their gazes toward me were filled with undisguised scrutiny and greed.
I lowered my head even more, almost hugging the corner of the wall, and quickly walked toward the most magnificent and evil palace at the center of the city. That was my destination—the residence of Demon Lord Frederick.
When I finally arrived in front of the palace, which resembled an ancient beast crouching on the ground, a huge notice made from a whole piece of tanned monster hide immediately captured all my attention.
"Demon Lord's Palace, Urgently Recruiting Several Maids!"
The words on the notice were written in fresh blood, flamboyant and messy, exuding an air of impatience. Below, in small letters, it noted: Requirements: quick hands and feet, fearless of death, able to endure high-intensity work environments. Benefits: Room and board provided, salary negotiable.
My eyes immediately lit up. This was like having someone hand you a pillow just as you were getting sleepy—a heaven-sent opportunity!
I rushed to the stall responsible for recruitment. The recruiter was a shrewd-looking goblin with a hooked nose and small eyes that gleamed with calculation. He was yawning while impatiently dealing with several odd-looking demonic girls who had come to apply.
"Next!" he called out in a hoarse voice.
I took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said in my most humble tone, "Sir, I... I would like to apply."
The goblin raised his head and lazily looked me over. When he saw my face, which was mostly hidden by the cloak but still revealed delicate features, a barely noticeable flash of surprise crossed his eyes. In this demon realm where grotesqueness was considered beautiful, my face clearly qualified as an "oddity."
"A flower fairy? Applying to be a maid?" His tone was full of doubt. "Do you know whom you'll be serving? The Lord Master! When His Lordship is in a bad mood, little things like you wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps between his teeth."
"I know... I know all that," I lowered my head, my voice carrying just the right amount of trembling and sorrow. "But I have no way to survive in the human realm anymore. I'm someone abandoned by the light, and I have no choice but to seek refuge in darkness. I can endure any hardship, as long as I have a place to survive."
My words seemed to move him, or perhaps he thought that desperate cannon fodder like me could be useful. He stroked the goatee on his chin and fell into contemplation.
I know this is a crucial moment.
I casually lift my head, letting the shadow of my hood slide away, exposing my face that bears a slight resemblance to "Winifred Hendel" more clearly before him. At the same time, I discreetly take something from my pocket, open my palm, and offer it to him.
It's a petal of moonlight that I had concentrated all my energy to crystallize during my journey. Though only the size of a fingernail, it's crystal clear like the purest crystal, with gentle and refined moonlight essence flowing within.
【Item Name: Concentrated Moonlight Petal】
【Rarity: Rare】
【Effect: Contains pure life and light energy, can be used for purification, healing, or as advanced alchemy/enchantment material. Has a special attraction to shadow creatures.】
The goblin's eyes instantly widened.
As a procurement officer of the Demon King's palace who has been dealing with various heavenly treasures for years, he clearly knew value when he saw it. He could feel the pure energy contained in that small flower petal, a precious life-force completely different from the turbid power of the demon realm. This item would be a valuable gift whether he used it himself, sold it for money, or presented it to his superiors.
He quickly snatched the petal, his small eyes narrowing into slits due to greed. When he looked at me again, his attitude had made a complete 180-degree turn.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat, putting on a kind face, "Well, seeing how sincere you are... Your eyes look honest, unlike those crafty fellows. Alright, you're hired. It just so happens that the Master's chamber needs someone to sweep and clean, and I think you're perfect for it. Remember, talk less and work more. Don't look at what you shouldn't see, don't listen to what you shouldn't hear, understand?"
"Understood! Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!" I hurriedly nodded and bowed, though my heart was already blooming with joy.
All according to plan!
And so, I changed into a plain gray maid's dress, covered my face with a black veil that only revealed my eyes, and under the guidance of a stern-faced, tall gorgon head maid, I stepped into Frederick's bedchamber for the first time with an incredibly anxious heart.
I was completely stunned.
This place was less of a bedchamber and more of a vast and deathly silent temple. The dome was so high that one couldn't see its top, and enormous obsidian pillars supported the entire space, carved with ferocious and intricate magical runes that I couldn't understand. In the dim light, those runes seemed to be alive, slowly flowing with an ominous red glow. A faint smell of sulfur and something like... the rusty scent of aged blood hung in the air, making it oppressively difficult to breathe.
"Your job is to wipe these pillars and the floor," the snake-haired medusa maidservant instructed in an emotionless, cold tone. "Remember, do not make any unnecessary noise, and never look up to peek at the Master. The Master detests nothing more than chatter and curiosity. The last maid who made a mistake was thrown into the lava pool behind the palace to serve as fuel."
My heart suddenly tightened, and I quickly lowered my head, putting on a submissive appearance: "Yes, I will remember."
The head maid snorted coldly and turned to leave, her long snake tail sliding across the mirror-smooth black stone floor, making a "shushing" sound that gradually faded away.
When the heavy door closed with a "thud," only I remained in the vast palace.
Holding a cloth, I cautiously hid behind the thickest pillar, my heart pounding "thump-thump" wildly, almost jumping out of my throat. While pretending to diligently wipe the cold stone column, I perked up my ears, nervously catching any slight movement around me.
Ten years.
That six-year-old little one who used to follow behind me, softly calling me "Mentor," who would blush for hours from just one compliment from me... has she truly become the capricious, violent, cold-blooded Dark Lord from the rumors?
I dare not imagine.
The waiting time, every minute and every second felt as long as a century. I hid in the cold shadow, nervous, expectant, fearful... countless emotions intertwined and rolled in my heart, almost swallowing me whole.
