This chapter is told from the perspective of Yasmin, the demon maid.
My name is Yasmin.
I used to be a maid at the Demon King’s Castle, but after a long series of events, I’ve ended up working as a receptionist at the Adventurer Guild in Tower City.
Much as I hate to admit it, I’ve grown accustomed to life in a human city. I’ve even become a familiar face to the locals.
Today was no different; I was busy with my duties as a receptionist when my employer—the bearded Guild Master—called out to me.
"Yasmin, is it just me, or does your hair look different today?"
Honestly... He was far too slow to notice. Not that I ever expected much from him in the first place.
"This is Alraune’s Saint Hair Tonic," I said, brushing him off. "It’s been all the rage lately. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of it?"
A few days ago, Alraune had handed me a bottle, saying, "This is a sample... you can have it."
When I actually tried it, the results were staggering. The gloss was on an entirely different level. I didn't quite understand how it worked, but my hair became so beautiful it practically glowed.
I was certain this would be a hit even back at the Demon King’s Castle. It wasn't just my fellow maids who would want it; I suspected even the Demon King’s Army Executives would be clamoring for a bottle. It was a revolutionary product.
When I told Alraune how incredible it was, she officially put it on the market a few days later. I stocked up immediately, but I knew I had to do more. For the sake of my friend, I had to do my part to help.
I started promoting the Saint Hair Tonic to every adventurer I knew. Before long, it became a massive trend among the human women frequenting the guild. It was all thanks to me, really. Alraune owed me one.
Then again, it was starting to trend across the entire city, so it might have ended up this way even if I hadn't lifted a finger... but that's beside the point.
"Hey there, Yasmin."
A human man with light blue hair walked into the guild.
It was Holger.
"...What do you want?" I asked.
"Can't I say hello without needing a reason?"
"Of course not. I'm a receptionist, and I'm busy!"
I didn't know what was wrong with me. Ever since this man saved my life, I’d been acting strange. I never imagined things would end up the way they did on the night of the Spirit Festival...
"That’s cold. After everything we’ve been through together?"
We had danced that night, then stayed out late drinking at a tavern, and he had even walked me home at dawn—but that was it. I was a member of the demon race, and he was a human. Our kinds were enemies.
Besides, if he ever found out my true identity, what would he do? He was an adventurer; he would surely try to kill me the moment he realized I was a devil. Looking back, accepting his invitation that night must have been a temporary lapse in judgment. I needed to keep our relationship strictly professional.
"...Hey, do you notice anything?"
The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I twirled a lock of hair around my finger, asking the very thing I had promised myself I wouldn't.
"Actually, I’ve been mesmerized since I walked in. Yasmin, your hair is stunning—Gah!?"
"H-Holger!?"
Suddenly, Holger was sent flying sideways by someone coming up from behind. The move was so abrupt I could only stand there with my mouth hanging open.
A human woman stepped up to the counter, looking entirely satisfied with herself for clearing the "obstacle."
"Flirting in the middle of a workspace is a nuisance! Move it!"
W-We weren't flirting! As a member of the proud devil race, the idea of me flirting with a human man was absurd. Humans were only good for being Sacrifices.
I was a little worried about Holger after he slammed into the wall, but he wasn't the type to be taken out by a single kick. Knowing him, he’d be fine if I left him alone. For now, I decided to do as the woman said and get back to work.
"I’m here to post a request!" the woman said, slapping down some documents and a pendant engraved with a strange crest.
What was with the pendant? People usually just handed over the paperwork. Why show me jewelry? It looked incredibly expensive, though—the kind of thing that would fetch a fortune if I sold it.
"All right, a quest request. Are you the client, Anna?"
The woman who had kicked Holger was apparently named Anna. If I remembered correctly, she was a female swordsman who had recently moved to the city. Word was she was highly skilled, though she had only just registered as an adventurer. It seemed she wasn't here to pick up a job, but to hire someone.
"The objective is... searching for an elf?"
She was looking for someone. Let’s see... the target was an elf woman named Mercurée. Distinguishing features: very tall. She was an adventurer, but might be using the alias of a Botanist—
Wait. That sounded familiar.
"I'll pay whatever it takes! It’s not my money, so don't worry about the cost!"
"............I might have seen this elf before."
"Really!?"
"She was in town a few months ago. I believe she said she was heading to the forest to the south."
I remembered her well because it was the same day the Witches attacked. She had mentioned she was going to visit a deceased friend.
"That helps a lot! Also, I need you to find this man too!"
There was a second request. Let’s see: a blond-haired gentle man, human. Name: unknown.
"This one will be difficult. If there’s a sketch, we might have a chance, but searching for someone with no traits other than 'blond' is nearly impossible."
As soon as I said that, the guild’s front doors swung open. A large, blond-haired man stepped inside.
"Wait, Anna, is that the blond guy you’re looking for?"
"Hmm, probably not. I’ve never met him myself, but the impression I got from the Dog-ear Leader was completely different."
The blond man over there was way too muscular to be called a "gentle man." He had a flighty, casual air about him, too. He spotted me and gave a lazy wave.
"Yo."
...Hah? Who did this guy think he was? We’d never met, yet he was acting like we were old friends.
"Wait, don't you remember me? I thought I recognized your face. Did I get the wrong person?"
I didn't know him at all. Was this a pick-up line? He had some nerve trying to hit on me out of the blue. Maybe I should show this puny human what happens when you mess with a devil.
"Hey, receptionist lady. I just got to town and I’m a bit lost. Tell me, who’s the strongest man in this city?"
First a pick-up line, now he was looking for a fight? Outside adventurers were like this sometimes.
The strongest man in town? Every human in the building turned their gaze toward one person.
"If it's a strong man you want... that would be me," Holger said, picking himself up off the floor.
If we were talking about the strongest woman, that would be Alraune, without question. But among the men, there wasn't a human in this city stronger than Holger.
"Oh? The blue-haired guy. How about a little test of strength?"
"Private duels are technically forbidden, but fine. I can't look the other way when a man starts bothering Yasmin."
Was this it? The "Please, don't fight over me!" moment?! I’d joked about it with my fellow maids back at the castle, wishing I could experience it at least once before I died, and here it was!
The blond man, Holger, Anna, and I all ended up outside, followed by a crowd of spectators. We couldn't have them wrecking the furniture, so the duel was moved to the street.
I couldn't believe Holger was actually going to fight this flighty blond guy. But Holger was strong—he was the city’s only A-Class Adventurer for a reason. Surely he wouldn't lose to some random traveler?
Or so I thought. The duel ended in a heartbeat.
Before Holger could even manifest his signature Water Magic armor, he hit the dirt.
"...What just happened?"
I hadn't seen a thing. It looked as if the blond man had used Instantaneous Movement; one second he was standing there, and the next, Holger was facedown.
"A-Are you okay!?"
I ran to Holger’s side. Thankfully, he was just unconscious. But who was this blond guy? To think an A-Class Adventurer like Holger didn't even stand a chance...
"You're pretty good," Anna said, stepping toward him. "I like strong people. Why don't we form a party?"
What was wrong with this woman? Was she a battle maniac too?
The chaotic scene was interrupted by the bearded Guild Master, who came charging out of the building. "What in the world are you all doing!?"
Unsurprisingly, the blond man was hauled off to the Guild Master’s Office. And for some reason, Anna and I were dragged along with him. I really wanted to stay and look after Holger, but I didn't have a choice.
The four of us sat around the table in the office. Private dueling was a serious offense. Was I about to get chewed out as well?
"Young man, I saw that fight. To shut down Holger like that... you're no amateur," the Guild Master said, stroking his beard.
Wait, this wasn't the lecture I expected.
"I'm just a guy in training. Name’s Kyle."
"Kyle, your skill is easily A-Class... maybe even S-Class. An S-Class Adventurer is a hero-level figure. There are only three in the entire Kingdom of Gardenia. You’re on the same level as the Hero or the Saint."
I’d heard that one of the kingdom's S-Class Adventurers was stationed at the Royal Capital, while the other two were missing.
"You said you're training, but what brings you to our city?"
"Nothing special. Call it a winter vacation? I was curious about this whole adventurer thing, so I thought I’d drop by."
"...If you're looking for work, would you accept a request?"
Guild Master, are you serious!? You're giving a job to this suspicious guy?
"The mission is to investigate the Southern Dryades' Forest and search for a specific person."
Ah, I saw where this was going. The Guild Master was using this as an excuse to clear a difficult quest. Two years ago, a massive fire had scorched the Southern Dryades' Forest, leaving it a blackened wasteland where nothing would grow. He wanted this Kyle guy to find out why.
"The Dryades' Forest is home to many dangerous monsters, including the Laobubear. It’s a death trap for anyone below A-Class, and there have even been sightings of a giant Dragon. But with your strength, you should be fine."
Normally, the Guild Master would have given this to Holger. However, Holger had been commissioned by the kingdom to guard the Fortress City for the winter. That city had fallen to a swarm of the Demon King’s Army Dragons two winters ago; Alraune had reclaimed it last year, and the kingdom was terrified of losing it again. As the strongest local adventurer, Holger had to help with the defense.
"Look, Guild Master, just poking around a forest sounds boring. I want to fight someone strong."
"There's more to it than that. We’ve had reports of suspicious individuals in the forest—possibly Glanz Empire remnant soldiers. And finally, I need you to find an important person."
The reports of suspicious people were a recent development. The city's skirmish with the Glanz Empire was still fresh in everyone’s mind, and the Lord had requested an investigation. But the "important person" part was new to me.
"Guild Master, who is this important person?" I asked.
"Didn't you realize, Yasmin? It's the person from the request Anna just gave you. That's the important person."
"Wait, the elf woman and the blond gentle man? Are they that famous?"
"A tall, female elven adventurer? She’s legendary. She’s one of the three S-Class Adventurers in this country."
Wh-What!? That elf I met months ago was an S-Class Adventurer!?
"An S-Class, huh? Sounds like fun. I was bored anyway, so I'll take the job," Kyle said, suddenly interested.
I was worried about letting a complete stranger handle such a high-stakes mission, but we didn't exactly have anyone else. Before I knew it, it was settled: Kyle and Anna would party up and head to the Southern Dryades' Forest to investigate the ecology, hunt for imperial remnants, and find the missing VIPs.
As they left the room, the Guild Master caught my arm and whispered in my ear.
"Yasmin, I'm worried about those two. I want you to go with them as a guide."
"WHAAAT!? Guild Master... why me!?"
"I can't trust them to be on their own. They need a monitor."
"But I'm just a receptionist! I can't fight!"
"You won't have to. Anna is a renowned swordsman from the Empire, and Kyle is at least A-Class. I can't send a normal adventurer to watch over people like that. I can only trust you, Yasmin."
Was there some kind of hidden catch to this job? I was the one with the catch—I was a literal devil!
"Yasmin... you have the pendant Anna gave you, right?"
"This one?" I pulled out the pendant with the complex crest. I still needed to return it.
"That crest belongs to a certain Great Noble of this kingdom. That search request didn't come from Anna; it came from the nobility."
So it was a noble's commission. That explained why Anna was looking for the elf.
"But that's not the real problem. It’s the other person—the blond gentle man. My gut tells me he’s the dangerous one."
"Dangerous? How?"
The Guild Master swallowed hard, his expression grim.
"The guild hears everything—the good and the bad. If that man is who I think he is, an S-Class elf is the least of our worries."
I was starting to put the pieces together. The Guild Master knew those two targets were near the forest. He used Kyle as a powerful, disposable bodyguard and sent the client, Anna, along. But because this mission was so sensitive, he couldn't send a normal adventurer. He needed someone from the guild staff.
"Since you're a woman, they won't suspect you're a monitor. And for some reason, you have much more stamina than the other girls."
Well, obviously. I'm a devil. Don't lump me in with human women. I’d walked through that forest alone before (though I was mostly just lost).
"Guild Master, who is this blond man? Is he another S-Class?"
"He’s someone a Great Noble is hunting in secret. He isn't normal. This is just a guess, and I’m afraid to even say it out loud for fear of the trouble it would bring, but listen to me."
He looked me straight in the eye, his face dead serious.
"If Anna finds that man, watch her very closely. If a fight breaks out and your life is in danger, hide behind Kyle."
I finally understood what he was implying. Why was Anna looking for this man? Likely to "dispose" of him the moment he was found. The Guild Master suspected the target was a criminal or someone equally hazardous.
And Anna? She was a skilled warrior who had appeared in town out of nowhere. Was her true identity a professional assassin hired by a Great Noble?
It was totally possible!
Which meant, once the job was done, I might be killed to keep me quiet about the assassination!
This was way too dangerous! This isn't what a receptionist is supposed to do!
Am I going to die?
It made sense, though. I was the newest hire at the guild. They were just forcing the dirty work on the rookie.
I don't want to die! I've worked so hard to survive this long by hiding my true identity!
...Wait. I have a plan.
In times like this, you have to rely on your friends. I felt a little bad about it, but my life was on the line.
Clutching my bottle of Saint Hair Tonic, I decided right then and there to drag my friend from the forest into this mess.
All three of them seem to be hiding something. Misunderstandings are bound to happen when you don't truly know your companions. Also, the appearance rate of blond-haired characters is skyrocketing. Next time: I'd like to try being an adventurer at least once!