No one knew how much time had passed before true breakfast time finally arrived.
Laer’s personally prepared dishes sat alone on the wooden table in the restaurant, rising with curls of steaming white mist. The Evil Dragon Palace felt somewhat desolate as a result, so unless Lady Leia made a special request, such lavish breakfasts were unavailable—at least not the kind of giant feasts that started with ten dishes.
The reason was simple.
“Hibernation?”
“That’s right, Xuefei. As Dragon Clan members, hibernation is a necessity for us. In other words, it’s also a kind of tradition.”
“Lady Leia is absolutely correct.”
Without the other maids around to interrupt, Laer grew a little more relaxed and dove into the topic.
“It’s not the same as the hibernation living creatures use to avoid the cold. This is for… resting.”
“Resting?!”
“Exactly.” Laer nodded. “During this season, dark filth races—including dragons—grow sleepy and lethargic. And, well… their lustful urges become more intense. So it’s time for you, Lady Xuefei, to keep adapting to life among the dark filth. Of course, once you get used to it, it won’t seem strange at all. It’s just like how you adapted to Lady Leia.”
“Did I just hear some seriously heavy information…?”
Xuefei clutched her head and let out a sigh.
“So the Evil Dragon’s hibernation period is the Maid Corps’ holiday. As elite Demon Race members, they come to guard and serve the Dragon King. Winter is their one truly free time. That’s why, during this season, only the most essential members of the Maid Corps remain in the palace.”
“Got it.” Xuefei nodded.
No matter what, the maids were living beings of flesh and blood, with families of their own. And the ‘hibernation’ Lady Leia had mentioned seemed tied to that.
After mulling it over, Xuefei realized the primary factor was still herself.
Gazing at that smiling face, Xuefei felt a swirl of complex emotions in her heart. She was deeply grateful that Leia had stayed sane after becoming the Evil Dragon, rather than devolving into a tyrant or a Demon King lost in endless slaughter. Though Leia had long cast aside any notions of benevolence, she remained a blazing sun in Xuefei’s eyes.
It made her very happy.
But it still felt a bit off to think of the maids in quite that way.
Any maid who worked in the Evil Dragon Palace was guaranteed to be at least third-layer Soul Tier in strength. And to draw such powerful elites here of their own accord, the compensation had to be extraordinarily generous.
For instance, every maid in the palace received a lifetime’s worth of gold coins—more than any one person could spend—as pay, which could even double based on their workload. Xuefei recalled one maid from an impoverished rural background; after working here, her hometown had blossomed into a prized scenic destination.
The rewards extended far beyond money.
Every maid in the Evil Dragon Palace owned land and could maintain private armies on their territories, wielding authority second only to that of the Demon Kings’ Parliament…
On top of that came a host of benefits. Their families received the utmost protection, along with treasures and privileges rivaling those of the wealthiest magnates. Their children and descendants were guaranteed spots in the finest classes at the best academies, studying magic until the family line itself died out.
“By the way, how has Celi been lately, Laer?”
“Thank you for your concern, Lady Xuefei. She’s doing well now… but…”
“But?”
Laer’s gaze drifted toward the restaurant door.
The warm sunlight hid just beneath the window, peeking cautiously at the four young women inside.
That snake demon among them pushed the door open gingerly and hurried over, bowing deeply to the trio.
Her long hair gleamed with an inky green sheen, styled into a high ponytail with two exquisite butterfly bows at her temples to match—paired perfectly with the maids’ signature white headpiece.
Her movements were grand yet elegantly refined, radiating professionalism from every angle. Her impeccable appearance was enough to soothe the soul.
“Celi? Good morning! Wait a sec…” Xuefei waved in greeting, but something felt off.
On the eve of hibernation season, this snake demon ought to have enjoyed a perfect holiday, living it up like the other snake demons. If memory served, she even had a little sister.
Did she miss home that much?
Laer explained.
“Oh, and by the way—I originally insisted that Celi head back to her hometown, but she stayed behind under the pretext of ‘apprenticing to learn a trade’…”
“Good morning, Lady Leia, Lady Xuefei. This one is eternally grateful for your shelter. Of course, the real reason this one wishes to continue serving the Dragon King through the winter… is that I may not be ready to face Beili just yet.”
“We respect your choice. And thank you for your service during this time.”
“It’s nothing…”
Xuefei nodded in satisfaction, but what she felt even more was astonishment.
Laer had truly managed to turn Celi into a cute little maid. Not long ago, she had been the Snake Demon Princess who harbored wicked intentions toward the Demons and the Evil Dragon.
As for now…
Celi’s forehead had sprouted two Demon horns due to her transformation into one of the Demons.
Noticing Xuefei’s gaze, Laer explained, “Well, turning living beings into Dark Filth is no great feat, Lady Xuefei. There’s no need to be so surprised.”
“No, no, no! This is a path unprecedented and unrepeatable. Do you really have no concept at all of what it means to defy the natural order?!”
“Lady Xuefei, forgive my bluntness, but this isn’t anything remarkable. I’ve simply mastered a method to gradually acclimate and transform souls. The true challenge… I haven’t overcome that yet. But give me a few months’ time, and I can break through.”
“…The method to turn a Light Envoy into Dark Filth.”
“Wait, what are you talking about? And a few months?” Xuefei’s jaw nearly hit the floor. She had never heard of two utterly incompatible existences being able to convert into one another.
“Yes, it can be done in just a few months. By then, Dark Filth’s reach will extend to every corner of this world.”
“Laer.”
Suddenly, Leia called out to the somewhat excited Laer, gesturing for her to stop. It was as if she had broached a forbidden topic.
“My deepest apologies, Dragon King…” Laer bowed deeply.
“It’s all right. This is partly my fault as well, but it’s something that was bound to come up sooner or later.”
Xuefei suddenly sensed that something wasn’t quite right.
She felt a strange unfamiliarity with the conversation between these two, yet she couldn’t put her finger on what was wrong. In short, she had no idea what they were actually talking about… Perhaps she had simply slept too long and muddled her mind.
Leia gently lifted her teacup and took a sip of the clear tea. Crossing her legs leisurely, she said, “You’ve all worked so hard during this time. Of course, do you remember why I summoned Laer here?”
“Of course.”
Laer’s expression turned grave and solemn. Her two Demonish eyes fixed unwaveringly on Leia, brimming with unshakeable loyalty.
“Then now, let me report on the matter of the Tide of Dark Filth.”
