After a period of renovation, the interior of Tilves Palace was now filled with the aura of the Demon Race. The bricks and walls were all covered in a layer of dark protective coating, shrouded in gray, resembling the eerie castle style often seen in ghost stories. In reality, it was just the design of the Nest to prevent various human spells.
Avira felt a tingling in her belly, and by the time she reacted, she had already been teleported to the Demon King’s side. Catherine acted swiftly and supported her to the Demon King’s side when she felt unwell.
Ophitia had been working, but upon seeing Avira being brought over, she anxiously scooped her up and carried her back to the bedroom, muttering under her breath, “What’s the point of having maids?”
And so, Avira lay back on the bed again—she hadn’t been off the bed for long, and now her next meal would have to be eaten in bed as well.
Avira felt truly helpless. Her original plan had been disrupted by the child again. Although she wanted to obediently give birth to the child before thinking of other things, the reality was that she might not even be able to sit up from the bed.
When she closed her eyes, Avira could picture a miniature Crystal Dragon curled up inside the Dragon Egg. This should have been a warm and cute scene, but thinking about this little dragon living in her belly turned it into something that disturbed her sleep and appetite.
What did it feel like to be pregnant with a monster?
It felt even stranger that the monster’s child was constantly providing her with nutrients…
“Ophitia, I want to go out.”
Finally, Avira couldn’t hold back anymore and said so.
Since Avira had been brought back, Ophitia had moved her workspace to the bedroom so she could keep an eye on her at all times. Hearing Avira’s request, she looked at her with incredulous eyes.
Avira had been obediently staying in bed these past few days, waiting for her belly to grow bigger day by day, just as docile as before. Why did she suddenly want to go out?
“Where does Avira want to go?” Ophitia walked to her side, acting all soft and sticky.
“Of course, it’s to help you.” Avira sighed.
“It’s not a big deal, really. There’s just another traitor.”
“What…?”
Ophitia’s expression shifted from interest to shock, then disbelief, before she dejectedly lowered her head. The tail that had been wagging excitedly drooped down again.
This fool had no idea how she started feeling sad again.
Alright, alright, a little comforting and she’d perk right up.
“You don’t think I’m unfit to be the Dragon King, do you? How could I fail so badly…”
“Huh?”
Ophitia kept her head down: “Traitors keep popping up, and every time, in the end, everyone betrays me, leaving me all alone. If it weren’t for Avira, I would have given up long ago.”
The words Avira had prepared to comfort her got stuck in her throat and swallowed back down.
Her impression of the Demon King was that of an overwhelmingly oppressive villain who collected Seals, became one of the most powerful members of the Demon Race in history, and eyed human territories covetously. But that was what was supposed to happen in the plot, not after Avira had transmigrated.
If she considered the events before the time reversal, Oleniya truly hadn’t succeeded.
Before the time reversal, she had tried to conquer Tilves, capture the Hero, and control the world’s lifeline, only to be countered by Avira, losing her strongest soldier and allowing the protagonist’s team to grow stronger. Back when Avira was still the human Saintess, she had made Ophitia “eat dirt” multiple times.
At that time, the Demon Race’s situation was nearing its most desperate moment, on the verge of total collapse with just a little push.
The most correct thing Ophitia had done was to bring Avira into the Demon Race.
As long as she had Avira, the Demon Race could be revived, and everything would get better.
Avira clearly remembered that during the purges of traitors, some demons died in front of the Demon King, muttering to her, “You’re not fit to be the Demon King.”
Even after Field’s death, opposing voices persisted and never fully disappeared.
Later, when Ophitia realized she couldn’t save her sister, her mood plummeted to rock bottom. That was when Avira completely lost her first time—it wasn’t the usual training, but true lovemaking.
That was also when Avira started to like her.
The Demon King was such a clumsy person.
She had let down the Demon Race and let down Avira too.
In the end, there was only the outcome of dying alone, as if that was the fate of a villain.
Then, sealed away by unknown forces, waiting in solitude for the next time once again.
“Anyway, I’m just standing in for my sister as the Crystal Dragon King. Maybe I’m really not suited for it.” Ophitia said regretfully. Of course, she knew life had to go on; it wasn’t a voice of doubt, but rather a plea for Avira’s comfort.
“You’ve been the Demon King so many times—how could you not be suited?”
“If I were really suited, I would’ve conquered the world and made you my wife ages ago.”
“What are you saying? Aren’t I your wife right now? Don’t worry, Demon King—you’ve got me. As long as I don’t leave you or betray you, it’ll be fine.”
As Avira said this, she inexplicably felt a pang of heartache. Not long ago, she had indeed considered betraying the Demon King and sidelining her. But now, the idea of sidelining her was still there, though Avira believed it would be a seamless process—Ophitia might even end up counting the money for her.
She smiled: “Besides, there won’t be any more betrayals.”
Ophitia suddenly smiled, brightening up. Avira wasn’t sure if it was her comforting words that worked or if she’d remembered something happy.
Avira wanted to ask what happened between Ophitia and her future self, but she closed her mouth just as she opened it.
She didn’t want to know what kind of relationship they had.
No matter how she thought about it, it couldn’t compare to now.
Ophitia had already made spoiling her a daily routine, along with all sorts of little details in life. If she paid close attention, it would tug at her heartstrings.
But those memories might never return—or maybe they would.
Seeing Avira about to get up, Ophitia held her arm. As her fair foot stepped into the shoe, Ophitia fetched Avira’s usual clothes, massaging her body while helping her change… This wasn’t the life Avira had originally imagined.
“You’re going to find that Lilina now, right? Let me support you, Avira.”
“Demon King, you need to have some dignity. Normally, I’m the one supporting you.”
But Ophitia just gave her a look like she was the fool:
“You used to take care of me, Avira. Now it’s my turn to take care of you.”
