The Young Demon Lord and her Maid-Knight

Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods, Oria reclined on her luxurious sofa, a crystal goblet in hand, her golden locks cascading lazily over the cushions. Her glowing orb hovered nearby, displaying a comedy play performed by mortals in another world. She laughed heartily. "Oh, this is good! These mortals are surprisingly talented. The timing, the wit—they might even rival divine entertainers!"

As the play ended, Oria stretched and yawned, her celestial form shimmering in the ambient light of her realm. "Hmmm, I suppose it's about time I checked on Eldoria." She leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "How is the new Demon Lord handling her power? Perhaps the balance has been restored… or completely upended." Her lips curled into a mischievous smile, though a fleeting worry darkened her features.

She glanced around her realm cautiously and sighed in relief. "At least that troublesome demon Jakinn isn't lurking about. He'd turn this into a disaster before I could even enjoy it."

With a wave of her hand, the orb's image shifted, revealing the World Tree sapling. Oria's serene smile faltered as her jaw dropped. Instead of a small, fragile sapling, the tree was now a towering, radiant entity, its branches stretching majestically toward the heavens. The energy it emanated was overwhelming, a beacon of vitality and magic that pulsed across realms.

"Wait a minute…" Oria leaned closer, her eyes narrowing. "That's the World Tree Sapling? How in the name of the cosmos did it grow this massive?" She paused, her mind racing. "Could this all be thanks to the new Demon Lord? What happened here, i only looked away for like 5 - 10 years perhaps?"

Oria's curiosity burned as she studied the scene, her golden eyes glowing with intensity. "This warrants a closer look. Perhaps the sapling's growth is tied to the balance being restored… or thrown entirely into chaos. Either way, I must unravel this mystery."

Her playful demeanor was replaced by resolve as she prepared to contact the mortal realm—her thoughts swirling with both excitement and concern.

-----

"So there's the talk of the town!" Maia's cheerful voice rang out as she approached Lilith. Her bright smile was as radiant as ever, and her energy seemed to fill the space around them. "I've been searching for you! When I got back from my dungeon run with the party, all anyone could talk about was how a newcomer made it to Platinum. That's insane! I knew you were powerful, but still." Her words tumbled out in excitement, and her eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at Lilith.

Lilith turned to Maia, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, hey, Maia. Yeah, it's… kind of crazy, honestly. One thing led to another, and what was supposed to be a scouting request turned into a rescue mission." She gave a light shrug, her tone casual despite the magnitude of her achievements. "Ended up killing some goblins. And a king."

"A king?" Maia's eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. "You took down a goblin king? That's a big deal, Lilith! Not just anyone can do that!"

Lilith chuckled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I suppose it is. But honestly, it wasn't about the rank or the glory. There were people who needed help. That's what mattered most."

Maia tilted her head, studying Lilith with a grin. "You're so modest. But don't sell yourself short! People here need someone to look up to, especially with all the chaos that's been happening lately. You're an inspiration."

Lilith's smile softened as she replied, "I'm just doing what I can. There's still a lot of work ahead. And knowing you, you're no slouch yourself. How'd your dungeon run go?"

"Oh, you know," Maia said with a laugh, waving a hand dismissively. "The usual—traps, monsters, loot, more traps. But nothing nearly as exciting as a goblin king showdown! You'll have to tell me all about it sometime. Over drinks, maybe?"

"Sure," Lilith replied with a smirk. "Then you can tell me all about your dungeon adventure."

As the two continued their conversation, whispers began to ripple through the crowd around them. The murmurs were impossible to ignore, and Maia's sharp ears caught snippets of the gossip first.

"Look, it's the Platinum mercenary!" one person whispered.

"Yeah, I heard she slayed three goblin kings," another chimed in, voice hushed but full of awe.

"Three? No, no, I heard it was five! And ten warchiefs!" someone else exclaimed, their tone dripping with exaggerated reverence.

Maia burst into laughter, nudging Lilith with her elbow. "Looks like your legend is growing by the second. Goblin kings are multiplying faster than actual goblins now."

Lilith sighed, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a faint grin. "Gossip really is its own monster, isn't it? By tomorrow, they'll probably say I took down an entire army single-handedly."

"Oh, don't worry," Maia teased, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll make sure to correct them. I'll say you took out two armies, not one."

Lilith chuckled and shook her head. "You're incorrigible."

"Maybe," Maia said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "But hey, at least you're famous now. Enjoy the spotlight while it lasts!"

Lilith glanced around at the curious onlookers and muttered under her breath, "I just hope the stories don't get so out of hand that they bring me more trouble."

"Trouble?" Maia said with a wink. "Lilith, with how strong you are, I think trouble's more afraid of you than you are of it."

As the whispers and curious glances began to fade into the background, Maia grabbed Lilith's hand and tugged her toward the bustling streets. "Come on," Maia said with a playful grin. "Let's head to the tavern. My merc group's there, eating and drinking. You'll love the stories they have, and I can tell you about my dungeon adventure properly."

Lilith raised an eyebrow but didn't resist. "Fine," she said with a small chuckle. "Lead the way."

The tavern was lively, filled with the sound of laughter, clinking mugs, and the occasional off-tune bard strumming a lute in the corner. Maia's group was gathered at a large table, their camaraderie evident in the way they bantered and toasted each other. When Maia and Lilith approached, the group erupted in cheerful greetings, some raising their mugs in acknowledgment of Lilith's presence.

"This is the platinum mercenary I was telling you about!" Maia announced proudly, her voice carrying over the din.

Lilith gave a small wave, her expression a mix of amusement and mild embarrassment. "I'm just here to hear about your dungeon adventure, not to be the center of attention."

"Too late for that," one of the mercenaries joked, sliding a mug of ale toward her. "Here, take a seat and join us."

Lilith settled into the seat Maia had saved for her, and soon the table was alive with stories of daring escapades, near-misses, and treasures unearthed. Maia leaned forward, her eyes sparkling as she recounted the details of their most recent dungeon run.

"So," Maia began, gesturing animatedly, "this dungeon was nothing like the usual ones. It had shifting walls—like, actual stone walls moving to trap us. And the traps! Don't get me started on the traps. If not for our rogue, we'd all have been pincushions by now."

Lilith listened intently, her sharp eyes scanning Maia's expressions as she spoke. The excitement, the camaraderie of her group, and the sheer unpredictability of their journey reminded Lilith of the thrill she had once found in exploring Babelheim's wilderness.

The hours slipped by as Maia detailed their encounters with strange creatures, intricate puzzles, and a final, grueling fight with a massive, rune-covered construct guarding the dungeon's treasure. The mercenaries chimed in occasionally, adding their perspectives and bits of humor to Maia's storytelling.

By the time the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the tavern windows, Lilith realized how much she had enjoyed the simple act of listening and sharing stories. For a brief moment, it felt as though the weight of her responsibilities had lessened.

"Thanks, Maia," Lilith said softly as the group broke into laughter over another joke. "This was... nice."

Maia grinned. "Told you you'd enjoy it. Next time, we'll drag you into the dungeon with us."

Lilith smirked. "We'll see. But for now, let's just enjoy the moment."

A couple of days passed, and the moment Lilith had been waiting for finally arrived. After spending an eventful evening with Maia and her mercenary group, filled with laughter, stories, and camaraderie, they had agreed on this day to venture into the dungeon together.

Lilith was brimming with anticipation. She had been eager to test herself in the dungeon, to see how this world's challenges compared to the ones she had faced in Eldoria. The memories of her conversation with Maia's group, detailing the perils and treasures they had encountered, only fueled her excitement.

As the first rays of dawn spilled across the town of Haxorb, Lilith was already awake, her gear meticulously prepared. Her black-and-crimson attire was polished and pristine, her mana saber humming faintly at her side. She double-checked her supplies, ensuring her magical boxes were stocked with essentials—potions, rations, and a few offensive scrolls, just in case.

The morning air was cool and crisp, carrying with it the promise of adventure. Lilith stepped out of her quarters, her steps light but purposeful. Her crimson eyes gleamed with determination, and a faint smirk played on her lips.

By the time she reached the meeting point near the town's gates, she could already hear the lively chatter of Maia and her group. They were gathered around, making final preparations, their laughter and banter filling the air with a contagious energy.