The Reluctant Alliance

The Demon Lord had once declared, “Do not become a puppet manipulated by fate.”

Li Longkang pondered this all night, finding a certain wisdom in her words; he resolved to seek out the souls of his four companions on his own.

As for the Demon Lord’s reincarnation?

Li Longkang couldn’t care less; whether she lived or died was none of his concern.

While information about his mother was undeniably crucial, the Goddess had always been unreliable.

Even if he completed this mission, would she truly disclose everything honestly?

It was highly improbable.

After all, her instruction was merely to “go ask her colleagues.” If no results emerged, she wouldn’t be held accountable, would she?

Of course, there was another reason.

Regardless, the Demon Lord was the mastermind behind their deaths.

To cooperate with her in finding them, even if he managed to locate all their reincarnations, how would he then face them?

For this very reason, Li Longkang concluded that finding them on his own was the optimal solution.

Yet, a practical problem remained: even if they had truly reincarnated on Earth like the Demon Lord, how would he find them?

And if they hadn’t awakened their past life memories, how could he possibly convince them to believe him?

‘Hmm, I have absolutely no clue.’

As the Demon Lord had rightly pointed out, searching for a mere four individuals in a metropolis like Tian Yuan City, with its tens of millions of residents, without knowing their appearance, names, or any distinguishing features, was an exceedingly difficult task, akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

Even if he brushed past them, Li Longkang wouldn’t be able to recognize them.

“…Well, I suppose I’ll just go out and look around for now.”

Li Longkang changed into casual wear for going out, then gathered the household trash, preparing to take it downstairs.

Before leaving, he glanced at the clock on the living room wall; it was only eight in the morning.

He then stepped out of his apartment, taking just a few paces.

The very next second, a heavy object tumbled from the crotch of his wide-legged shorts, landing on the hallway floor before clattering down the stairs with a series of metallic rings.

Li Yue let out a sharp cry, darting back into the entryway and slamming the door shut.

She then reopened the door, dashed downstairs, and swiftly retrieved her crucial holy sword, moving with the stealth and speed of a thief.

“Damn it, why is that woman here again?” she muttered under her breath.

Li Yue leaned against the door, her chest heaving beneath her shirt.

This brought a stark realization: it seemed she had no option but to cooperate with the Demon Lord.

Even if she intended to work alone, relying solely on herself to find her four companions, the Demon Lord would still be searching all over Tian Yuan City, wouldn’t she?

Tian Yuan City was indeed vast, but the possibility of them being within a kilometer of each other within the city…

It was low, but not zero.

At least for Li Longkang, it wasn’t a gamble she could afford.

If she transformed into a golden-haired beautiful girl in public just once, her life would be utterly ruined!

Would she become famous? Or would she be captured by some research institute for dissection?

Regardless, neither outcome was something Li Longkang wished to face.

Soon, a knock echoed from the entryway door.

Li Yue tiptoed slightly, peering through the peephole.

A dark purple-haired high school girl stood at her doorstep, hands on her hips.

She didn’t look at all like someone destined to die in three months; merely standing there, she exuded an aura of haughty confidence.

‘Was it because that was the Demon Lord’s soul?’

‘Or was it simply because she was tall, well-endowed, and beautiful, naturally possessing the air of someone who had won at life?’

Mo Linyu called out, “Stop peeking at me! Open the door!”

She then covered Li Yue’s peephole with her finger.

With no other choice, Li Yue opened the door and let Mo Linyu into the house.

“…What are you doing here again?”

Li Yue wasn’t about to offer the Demon Lord a pleasant expression, but the latter replied nonchalantly, “I’ve come to hear your answer: are you willing to assist me in completing the task the Goddess assigned?”

“…I am not.”

Though she inwardly acknowledged that she had no option but to cooperate, her lips refused to yield so quickly.

As it turned out, Mo Linyu didn’t even try to persuade Li Yue.

“Is that so? Then I’ll just come back tomorrow.”

She didn’t even sit on the sofa, simply turning to leave.

“…Huh?”

This unexpected move left Li Yue bewildered.

“Wait!” she asked. “You’re just going to leave like that?”

Mo Linyu’s index finger brushed her upturned lips as she countered, “What? Have you changed your mind?”

“…No.”

Even as the Hero, Li Yue was reluctant to assist the Demon Lord so readily.

“Alright then. I’ll come every day to check on your decision, until you change your mind.”

‘Huh? Every day?’

‘This means I’ll have to transform once every morning?’

This would undoubtedly complicate her life, not to mention the possibility of random encounters and transformations when she went out.

On the contrary, keeping the Demon Lord close and operating as Li Yue seemed a more stable approach.

“You’re not allowed within one kilometer of me.”

“That’s not for you to decide. After all, my life depends on this, too, you know?”

Mo Linyu showed no intention of backing down, which only made Li Yue even more unwilling to surrender first.

“Besides, there’s something I’m quite curious about.”

Mo Linyu asked, “Is your refusal merely because you hate me? Even if cooperating with me could help you find your former companions, and even your mother’s whereabouts?”

Li Yue found it difficult to answer.

She couldn’t very well admit that she was refusing out of pride, could she?

Seeing her silence, Mo Linyu leaned against the door and sighed.

“It’s a good thing I found a clue to locate them. Since you’re not planning to cooperate… oh well, never mind then.”

“Huh?”

Li Yue certainly couldn’t pretend she hadn’t heard that.

She instantly appeared before Mo Linyu, blocking the entryway door, and demanded:

“You mean, you know how to find them?”

“Yes, why?”

Li Yue pressed, “How do you plan to find them?”

A wider smile spread across Mo Linyu’s face as she retorted:

“Why would I tell such a secret to someone who isn’t willing to cooperate?”

“…I accept,” Li Yue whispered.

“What? Human ears aren’t as keen as a demon’s. Could you speak up a little?”

“I said I accept!”

Li Yue pressed her hand against the wall beside Mo Linyu and continued:

“I will cooperate with you to find those otherworldly souls!”

‘Was this a `kabedon` (TL Note: A common trope in East Asian media where one person pins another against a wall with an arm, often to confess feelings or assert dominance.)? This was a `kabedon`, wasn’t it?’

‘But performing a `kabedon` on someone taller than herself felt somewhat awkward and unconventional.’

However, having received the answer she wanted, Mo Linyu didn’t draw out the suspense.

“The Goddess mentioned that a certain connection exists between otherworldly souls, and that includes you and me.”

“…Why would that include me?”

“Because of this.”

Mo Linyu reached out and picked up the golden baseball bat Li Yue had casually placed on the shoe cabinet—the very weapon that had once killed her.

“Just as I need to shed my identity as the Demon Lord to survive, you also need to shed your identity as the Hero.

Otherwise, you will remain merely a puppet of that Goddess…”

Suddenly, she tossed the baseball bat back to Li Yue.

“…Tsk, why is your thing heating up?”