"With this, we will no longer be able to go unnoticed by the Heroes of Derival, Milady."

"How did you go unnoticed in the first place? There's so much about you that already stands out!"

"Maybe so, but destroying a village while we're already on the run isn't going to help us either."

"I didn't destroy anything. It was the sword's fault. Blame the sword!"

"Arileia, how cruel can you be to leave without telling me? I even did your shopping for you-- Master?! You're awake!"

Oh? Is this another follower of the demon lord? With a voice that sweet it's not too difficult for me to imagine what kind of figure is hidden under her cloak either. Not that I have to imagine for very long, as the newcomer removes her hood and kneels before me as soon as she gets closer.

"Forgive me, Master, I was not aware that you had awoken."

"You are forgiven." Tanned skin? Long ears? Dark elf acquired. Yes!

"Master, if you don't mind me asking ... What exactly happened here? It must have been quite the army to have pushed the two of you to release so much of your power. I'm sad to have missed the party."

"Ah ... haha ... ha ..."

"Don't jest, Enika, I know full well that you were already here watching in the shadows."

"Oh, I guess nothing slips past you, does it, Arileia?"

Was there really someone like this in the village when we arrived? I don't remember seeing anyo-- wait! Isn't she the cloaked figure that shouted out Arileia's name when we first arrived?! Doesn't that make this her fault? No, no, that's unfair. They were firing arrows at me before I even landed in the village. Man, that crash landing hurt even more than the stumble out of bed, too. Gravity really has it in for me. Actually, now that I think about it ...

"This is all a dream, right? I mean, I did feel some pain earlier, but that's just a part of that lucid dreaming thingy that people talk about, right? I'm not actually ... right?"

"What are you saying after finally waking up? We waited for your return for two years. If this really were a dream, I don't think I could take it."

"Like the lizard said, you're not dreaming, but if you really need someone to prove it to you ..."

"Umm, where are you taking me?"

"Enika! Watch how you speak to the demon lord. Also, I'm not a lizard."

"You're right, lizards aren't so quick to bark. Now then, if you'd follow me, Master."

I'm not really sure what the elf was talking about, but being led around by a mysterious beauty ain't too bad.

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"Hmm, yes, you really do share her face, but your eyes can't lie to me," after leading me out of the dragon-girl's sight, Enika quickly turns around and grabs my chin in order to see my face from various angles. "Eyes are a window to the soul, as they say, and yours lacks the same flair as my master's had."

"W-what are you saying? Didn't you hear, uh, Lei-Lei? I'm the one and only demon lord!"

"Haah ..." a slender finger presses against my lips, "If you want that story to hold up, then I suggest you keep your mouth shut for the time being. Understood?"

The way she slips a few locks of hair behind one of her ears before flashing a coy smile just adds to her allure. Although, I feel like maybe she was trying to be intimidating.

"Good girl. Now, to be honest, I already know the truth of who you really are. You're predecessor revealed her plans to me before we were defeated by those damned heroes, so that I could guide you when you finally woke up. Until now, I was afraid our plans may have failed, but even after meeting you, I still can't say that it was a complete success either. Our master left Arileia in the dark about our her plan for Arileia’s own sake, so I would appreciate it if you could refrain from saying anything stupid after this. Understood?"

"Actually, no, you lost me."

"I'm the only one who knows that you're not who everyone thinks you are, but it's my job to help you become that person in more than just name. Simple, right?"

"Nope, still not getting it."

"Oh, Amodath save us. Just don't talk so the lizard doesn't kill you for being an imposter. For now, you're the demon lord, so act the part."

"Got it. Don't talk, because I'm the demon lord, and the lizard is an imposter. ... What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Just shut up. We need to return to Arileia before she has a panic attack. She's been carrying you around for two years, after all."

"Finally. The elf didn't do anything to you, did she?"

"I didn’t do anything that you wouldn't have done. Wait, why did you just avert your eyes? What did you do to the demon lord while she was sleeping? Haah, nevermind, forget I asked. More importantly, even though she woke up, the demon lord still hasn't recovered completely."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning her memories are still a little foggy. It's going to be a while before she'll be able to become a leader of the same magnitude again."

"Then what are we supposed to do in the meantime?"

"Why don't we just return home for now? Is it nearby? I can fly you know, so, yeah." The elf presses her hand against her face when she hears me speak.

What? It's a good, simple plan. Stop glaring at me like that. It's scary.

"Milady, our castle was siezed from us two years ago. Don't you remember everything we went through and all the sacrifices that were made to get you out of there?"

Oh yeah, I think I remember her saying something along those lines once before.

"Yeah, sure, I knew that, but, we can, you know, go to our other home or something?"

"Excuse us again, Arileia."

"What? Whoa, whoa, whoa, where are we going?"

"I thought I told you to let me do the talking."

"Well, yeah, but--"

"Look, Arileia might be naiive, but she was without a doubt the one closest to the previous demon lord, whom which she believes you to be. If anyone is going to find you acting out of character, it would be her. That's why you just need to keep your mouth shut. Understood."

"Ye--"

"Shush ... Just nod."

"..."

"Good."

"It's worse than I feared, lizard. It seems our master no longer has memories of the events that transpired that day and doesn't understand the grave position we find ourselves in. Perhaps you can remind her? The two of you were together when everything happened, were you not?"

"I ... if you think it will help, I'll try my best. And stop calling me a lizard!"