Though Gami had subtly implied she should keep it on, Azalea took it as praise for her accessory. Clutching the silver mask tightly, her expression grew dreamy.
 
Watching her flushed face, Gami sighed inwardly. Then, his eyes fell upon the silver mask in her hands.
 
That very mask—the one Azalea had worn for years—was the reason Gami had met her in the first place… and the root of all his troubles. But there was no use lamenting it now. Shifting his thoughts, Gami decided to focus on the matter at hand.
 
“Lady Azalea. Governor Ganis has just … Read the rest

Stepping out of Darian Prison, Gami gazed at the sky and smiled.
 
It wasn’t freedom or the open air that pleased him. No—what delighted him was that Ganis, Chief Commander of Lowburn, had been forced to come begging for his release.
 
Gami was well aware of his own ugliness. He also knew that his personality was unpleasant and that he was disliked. While the former was something he was born with and could not be helped, the latter was something he deliberately cultivated.
 
All of it was for the sake of proving himself.
 
From the moment he was born, Gami … Read the rest

 
Having concluded the meeting, Ganis immediately boarded a carriage and headed for the outskirts of Lowburn.
 
Through the carriage window loomed a grim, circular structure—oppressive in its enormity. This was the dreaded Darian Prison, a place whose very name struck fear into the hearts of Lowburn’s demons.
 
It housed criminals, and many who entered never left alive.
 
As the carriage arrived, Ganis stepped out and gazed up at the prison. Despite the daylight, the air felt unnaturally dim.
 
Led by a guard, he entered and walked down a narrow hallway lined with iron bars. The stench of mildew, filth, and … Read the rest

Chapter 3: The Dragons’ Scheme
 

Ganis, the Governor-General of the Lowburn Garrison—headquarters of the Demon King’s Army’s continental invasion force—slightly twisted his scaly cheek and pressed his left hand against his abdomen during the meeting. His stomach ached.
 
Yet the black armor he wore prevented him from soothing the pain.
 
Five years had nearly passed since the Demon King Zelgius fell to the humans.
 
But in all that time, not a single message had arrived from their homeland, the Gordia Continent. No one had seen the magical guidance ships meant to maintain contact. The demonkin were stranded on the … Read the rest

“Oh! Is that so?”
 
Helen was surprised, but making people unaware that you’re wearing makeup is very difficult. Like a first-class painter drawing on canvas, it’s completed only through delicate techniques.
 
“When I first met her and asked what kind of makeup she used, she said ‘I always keep it simple.’ But that’s definitely a lie. She must have a very skilled makeup artist in her employ.”
 
Lelia’s face twisted with disgust.
 
She absolutely despised women who carefully arranged their hair and makeup, dressed in expensive clothes, yet claimed with their mouths that they weren’t doing … Read the rest

 
Representing the Hovos Federation as the eldest daughter of the Scor family, one of the Five Great Ducal Houses, Lelia returned to her tent in the Hovos encampment after the allied war council.
 
Inside, red dresses were neatly arranged, hats piled on a desk, and shoes of various styles placed atop boxes. A jewelry chest spilled over with rings, necklaces, and hair ornaments adorned with colorful gemstones.
 
Though the tent was relatively spacious, the sheer volume of clothing and accessories made it feel cramped.
 
Lelia weaved through the clutter and approached her bed, where a worn-out teddy bear sat solemnly.… Read the rest

 
Zephyr sighed at the war council table.
 
When he saw the flooded Gangaruga Fortress, he had been so stunned, no words came to him.
 
A water siege on a fortress—it had been unthinkable. But the results spoke for themselves. Most of their food stores would be ruined, and disease would soon follow.
 
If the flooding continued for thirty days, the Demon King’s army would lose its fighting strength.
 
Against Gangaruga Fortress, once deemed impregnable, Romelia had dealt a devastating blow without losing a single soldier. Her achievement was undeniable.
 
Yet, at the war council held after the flooding, what awaited … Read the rest

 
Surveying the fortress, now encircled by water, I was filled with satisfaction.
 
On the opposite side of Gangaruga, the trench carved by explosive magic stones linked to the Line River, diverting its flow into the basin. Everything had gone according to plan.
 
“Well done, young lady!”
 
Ganze, the master engineer, laughed heartily.
 
“All thanks to you, Ganze. You accomplished an incredible feat.”
 
I praised the true hero of this operation.
 
“Hah! Coming from the famous Saint herself, that’s high praise! But the real work starts now. Gotta make sure this holds.”
 
With a booming laugh, Ganze descended the hill to … Read the rest

“Still, right now, the problem isn’t your achievements—it’s her. She’s gone and made a grand boast, hasn’t she?”
 
Hughes sounded exasperated, recalling yesterday’s events.
 
Zephyr shared the sentiment. At the war council, Romelia had boldly declared that the Lionel Kingdom alone would conquer the Ganganruga Fortress.
 
“If she fails, there’ll be no saving face.”
 
“Indeed. My father has been planning how to condemn her if she fails.”
 
Zephyr sighed in agreement.
 
He didn’t want to criticize Romelia, but he couldn’t defy General Zebul.
 
“The only hope is if the Saintess succeeds. Do you think she can do it, Zephyr?”
 
“Well… … Read the rest

“Well?”
 
I stood and twirled.
 
“Absolutely radiant.”
 
“Like a painting come to life.”
 
Leila and Tetis showered me with praise.
 
The reflection was striking—enhanced at least fifty percent by the hair, makeup, and dress. Not that it mattered much, given my average baseline.
 
“Such flatterers. As a reward, you may join me for breakfast.”
 
“”We are deeply honored!””
 
They bowed theatrically as I spoke grandly.
 
Soon, they brought in the meal: tough black bread and wilted cabbage soup—the same as the soldiers ate—supplemented by eggs, cheese, and fruit, the commander’s privilege.… Read the rest