The snow kept falling which covered the whole place in vast whiteness. The mountain and the forest are becomes a beautiful world of cold and desolate. Especially in the mountains, the temperature sharply drops as the snow keeps piling up on its top.

However, open caves on its base are warm contrary to the temperature outside. On a very specific cave hidden from eyes of travelers lies a stone-built house where three fair maiden lives. However, these three fair maidens are actually oni who are renowned as fearsome race even within the demon race.

Salis the Brute dons a broadsword that would scare the hell out of everyone because of her natural strength and how she effortlessly carries the said sword. The broadsword is also enchanted with magical properties as it carries a strong vibration that could cause a shock on the earth and in the air.

Lisb the Keen uses a bow with infinite arrows that she can nock by magic. Among the three, Lisb is the only one who gained knowledge behind the use of oni’s innate magic, however, the nature of her race couldn’t get past its limitations.

Ury the Violent is the smallest among the three maidens, however, she has a power akin to a huge monster. The axe she swings around is the proof that she is indeed strong, a strength that could easily shake the earth.

Together, the three of them are called the mountain bandits presumably by the forest bandits, by Falikh’s group.

Inside their stone house are all the necessities for living, complete with bath, bedrooms, and cooking utensils. They also have preserved foods and complete resources to keep them alive for the rest of winter days since the probability of someone traveling down the mountain is next to none.

However, even the three merry maidens can have problems too that they brood over. The very prime example is happening right now.

“Whoa! Delicious! Is this scotch?! It’s rare in the demon kingdom! Give me another glass!” is shouted by the blond girl who sits in front of the three bandits carelessly.

“You seem like you can really hold your liquor…Demon Lord Ivy…” Lisb timidly said.

That’s right, within their abode is currently infested by an existence called the demon lord. Ivy Hellbing personally found their place and took shelter for the harsh cold night where the temperature drops harshly.

“Yeah…demon lord is used to drinking?” Ury followed a question as she chomps on a meat on a stick. The juices of the oily meat gush as her teeth sunk in.

“Well yeah, papa really likes to drink so we kind of got the habit!” Ivy said as she takes another glass of Salis happily.

“Papa?” Salis questionably tilted her head from the very word itself. Ivy notices that something was wrong with what she said and reddens.

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“NO! I mean no, did I really said that? I mean my damn father! That’s right! That damn bastard who does nothing but drink and be lovey dovey with mama—I mean that damn woman!” Ivy said as she panics from her wording.

Lisb and Salis felt a little relieved knowing that such existence could show such emotions. They never actually met Demon Lord Ivy Hellbeing personally and only heard rumors that she is odd and cold.

They seem heard wrong.

“Hmm? Demon Lord seems pretty close with her papa…” Ury muttered from the side that catches Ivy’s attention. Her body excitingly turned to her.

“That’s right! Among us eight siblings, papa…err I mean that damn bastard… loves me th—I mean sees the most potential in me! Ahahah…Ahahahaha…” Ivy said as she becomes jumpy about the topic. Her…front jiggles violently.

“Then, what about your mother?” Lisb inquires as she pours another glass for Ivy to drink.

“Hehehe, that hag never had a chance against me!” Ivy boasts as she smug obstinately as she closes her eyes.

“Oh? So even as a full vampire, you are stronger than your mother?!” Salis asked with an interested face as she becomes piqued of Ivy’s claim.

“No! My bust completely dominates! Ahahaha! My mother is damn flatty!” Ivy Hellbeing, the rude young girl laughs as she mocks her own mother’s inadequateness of cup size. “I can’t defeat either my damn father or my damn mother, they are really strong!” she added.

“Ah…so Demon Lord is a papa’s girl?” Ury muttered again…quietly.

Ivy Hellbeing eyes widen. She gulps in nervousness and her face is invaded with shyness.

“W-what are you saying?! I-It’s not like I really looked up to him or anything!” She nervously replied as her hand trembles making it difficult to drink the liquor in her glass.

The three are relieved to see something refreshing, however, Lisb felt something amiss. Firstly, the demon lord being here is weird enough. She needs to be in the Demon Kingdom Capital but instead, she is staying the night here.

Second, how she found their base. She didn’t even assume anything about them, mostly being a bandit too since this place is common for thievery.

Third, why the hell are they drinking with her anyway?!

“Demon Lord Ivy…it might be a little rude to ask this but…why are you here? What is it that you want to do?” Lisb asked bravely as she looked straight at Ivy’s eyes. In return, Ivy’s gaze became serious that it gave chills to the three.

“You are asking my motive? That’s simple. I am finding my way towards the human kingdoms.” She said as she tilted the glass in her hand as she crosses her legs. “By the number and variety of your liquors here, it seems that three of you have contact beyond this mountain, no? I may be called odd but I am no fool or dumb.” She added.

“That’s…we cannot deny…” Salis said as she gets cold feet from the demure that Ivy shows that they didn’t get to witness earlier as they chat peacefully.

“A hero summoning has been confirmed. I am on my way to weed him or her out early. I am no fool to let that hero becomes strong enough to defeat me. That’s why, the three of you, I am going to look the other way around of your thievery and expect your cooperation.” The Demon Lord Ivy shows her other side that cannot be seen from her daily exterior.

The three mountain bandits become flabbergasted. It seems that she already knows about them. They could only look down. They know they cannot say no to her.

“We understand…we will abide by your order, after all, we are still a demon who acknowledges the existence of the demon lord.” Lisb said as she represents the answer of all three. “So, what do you want us to do?” she asked boldly.

“First, I want the three of you to take me where you got these drinks!” Ivy said with a cheerful face as she gulps a glassful of liquor again.