Even as nearly twenty thousand years passed since her encounter with Shaltier, Pandemonium remained hollow. Though she did not change, the world around her did, and its very nature transformed.
Order was born within the Demon Realm. Terms like "Six Kings" and "Peerage-class High-ranking Demon" became common knowledge, and a Friendship Treaty was eventually signed between the Three Worlds.
Pandemonium eventually took on the role of General Manager of Information for the Kingdom of Sinfonia. Using the real name she had not uttered once since meeting Shaltier—Illness—she began working as a maid within the royal castle.
Yet, no change visited her heart. She continued to live as she always had, offering everything of herself while seeking nothing in return.
"Illness! Listen! I took second place in the martial arts tournament! I lost to Sieg in the finals, but... I'll win next time!"
When the princess she had looked after since childhood—Lilianne—delivered that news, Illness responded according to her own internal logic. She decided that the correct course of action was to praise someone who had worked hard with a smile. Illness felt no personal fulfillment from the act, but Lilianne was satisfied. For Illness, that was enough.
"I beg of you, Illness! I understand how to carry myself as a duchess, but I haven't the slightest clue how to lead servants! Most of those following me are former knights with no experience in domestic service. I don't know what to do!"
Watching Lilianne bow until her head practically rubbed against the ground, Illness simply thought that if someone pleaded so desperately, the "correct" thing to do was to consider the request.
She sought confirmation from her master, Shaltier, believing it would be wrong to decide on her own. To Illness, it didn't matter either way. She would simply continue to walk the path laid out by others, guided by her own standards.
The turning point for the hollow, desireless Illness finally came four years later.
Gathering the servants, the head of the house—who now went by the name Lilia—made a firm declaration. She announced that the first man ever to stay in the mansion was her important guest, Kaito Miyama, and that no harm was to come to him.
However, the words failed to reach Illness. She was focused entirely on the guest. She stared at Kaito, her normally unfocused eyes fixed on him with an intensity that bordered on obsession.
For the first time in her life, she looked upon something and felt it was beautiful. As she watched him, an emotion welled up in her heart.
"I want to see more," she thought. "Not that anxious look... I want to see his smile. I want to see what he looks like when he is happy."
It was the first thing she had ever sought for herself—she, who had only ever given without wanting. She wished for his happiness; she hoped he would never look sad. She truly desired Kaito's joy.
This realization brought about a dramatic change. Wishing to serve him, she volunteered to be his exclusive attendant. To ensure Kaito settled into the mansion as quickly as possible, she assisted him tirelessly from both the shadows and the forefront.
And then, a mission came.
"Pandemonium, I have a new task for you. Gather as much detailed information as possible on the otherworlder in the mansion, Kaito Miyama, and report every detail to me."
"I refuse."
"...What did you say?"
"I believe you told me at the very beginning, Shaltier-sama... that you would grant me the freedom to refuse orders. I am exercising that right now."
To put it bluntly, Shaltier was stunned. Since the day she had become a subordinate, Illness had never once voiced a complaint or a hint of dissatisfaction. Now, she was explicitly refusing a direct order. She had been obedient to a fault, yet here she was, rejecting the command with an undeniably strong will.
"...May I ask the reason?"
"There is no special reason. It is simply that I wish to prioritize Kaito-sama over you, Shaltier-sama. I realize this is lèse-majesté, but from this moment forward, Kaito-sama's interests will be my highest priority."
"...So you've found him. The person to whom you will offer your devotion."
"Yes."
Seeing Illness answer so clearly, a faint smile played across Shaltier's lips.
"I see. Then it can't be helped. I shall have to find another way."
"What about my punishment?"
"There will be none. You have simply exercised a right that I granted you; I have no reason to reproach you. I have only one thing to say to you... Congratulations."
After confirming there would be no punishment and offering her blessings, Shaltier waved a hand and vanished. Illness simply bowed her head deeply toward the space her master had occupied.
Perhaps it was because she had happened to tell Kaito about her past. As she cleaned his ears, Illness found herself recalling that old exchange with Shaltier—now known as Alice. She marveled at how much things could truly change.
"Kaito-sama, do you have any plans for later today?"
"Eh? No, not really."
"I am nearly finished with your ears, but... if you don't mind, would it be alright to stay like this a little longer?"
"Huh? Ah, y-yes, that’s fine, but... I might get too comfortable and doze off."
"That is perfectly fine. If you do, I shall wake you when dinner is near."
She was no longer the woman who sought nothing and expected nothing. She had reached a place where she could naturally voice her own desires. The change still confused her at times, and she hadn't quite adapted to it all, but Illness did not hate the person she had become.
She loved Kaito from the bottom of her heart. Being able to stay by his side and serve him brought her such profound happiness that she was grateful she had learned how to want things again.
"However... it really is a problem that there is no limit to it. It pains me to only ever have my own wishes granted. I wish there was something I could do in return..."
Serious-senpai: "That was a touching story. I feel like I understand Illness much better now... Alright, let's move to the next episode! We can pick up in the afternoon a few days from now!"
???: "Oh? Since Senpai has gone and set a flag..."
Serious-senpai: "I didn't mean to set a flag!"