"Layla?" Ryo asked, his voice tinged with doubt as he studied the woman kneeling before him.
Her black tank top and scandalously short shorts were a far cry from the battle maid's gown he remembered, but her long black hair and piercing eyes were unmistakable.
It's her. My loyal maid from the underworld.
"Yes, Master," she replied, still kneeling, her tone reverent.
Ryo's chest swelled with newfound confidence.
With her by my side? This changes everything.
"Where are we, Layla?" he demanded, folding his arms.
"We are approximately one thousand years after the day we were killed," she said, her voice steady.
Ryo's eyes narrowed. "Do you know who did it?"
"I investigated, Master. It was no single person but a coalition—a group of demons and humans who united to bring you down."
"Traitors!" Ryo snarled, clenching his tiny fists. "Demons siding with humans? Disgusting! I'll rip their souls apart and scatter their ashes across the void!" His voice cracked, still annoyingly childish, but the venom was pure Demon Lord.
Layla continued, unfazed. "After that incident, demons and humans forged a peace. This world, one thousand years later, is the result—a realm where both coexist, their conflicts buried."
"Peace?!" Ryo spat, kicking a pebble that skittered across the porch. "This is an abomination! My empire was built on fear and conquest, not some pathetic truce! Those cowards erased my legacy, and for what? This sunlit filth?" He gestured wildly at the bright, cheerful street beyond the house.
"Who were they?" he growled. "Give me names, Layla. I'll hunt them down, dead or alive."
"Their identities were erased from history, Master. They're only referred to as 'the Peacemakers.' No records remain of who they were."
"Peacemakers?!" Ryo's face twisted in rage. "Cowardly worms hiding behind a title? I'll tear this world apart until I find their descendants and make them beg for death!" He paced, his small frame trembling with fury.
How dare they reduce me to this—a powerless brat named Ryo GreenApple?
I will get my Revenge... Even if it's on their descendants.
Pausing, he eyed Layla's outfit again, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Why these clothes, Layla? Not that I'm complaining."
She met his gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I dressed according to your tastes, Master, as always."
Ryo's smirk widened. "Good work. At least someone remembers who I am."
The sight of her curves in that tight outfit stirred memories of his old life—power, indulgence, and absolute control.
This body may be weak, but my desires are eternal.
"Ryo! What are you still doing outside?" A furious voice shattered his thoughts. His mother stormed toward him, her white hair practically bristling with anger, her eyes blazing like twin infernos.
That monstrous woman again.
Ryo straightened, unafraid this time.
With Layla at his side, he was untouchable.
"Now, Layla," he said, smirking, "tell this woman who I am."
Layla rose gracefully and stepped in front of him, facing his mother with a defiant glare. "You, woman, will not speak to my Master in that tone."
His mother's eyes widened, then narrowed as she took in Layla's outfit. "What indecent clothes are you wearing? Those shorts are practically nonexistent! How do your parents let you out like that? I have a pair of pants—go change into them."
"I wear only what my Master desires," Layla shot back, unyielding. "I'll not don your peasant rags."
Ryo's mother tilted her head to glare at him, her voice dripping with suspicion. "Ryo, did you manipulate this poor girl into your silly roleplay games?"
"Don't speak to my Master that way!" Layla snapped.
"Kill her, Layla," Ryo said casually, leaning back. "She's a pain in my ass—literally."
Layla leaned in, whispering, "I can't, Master."
"What? Don't tell me your magic's as pathetic as mine!"
"It works to an extent," she murmured, "but this world has something called 'police.' They forbid even touching someone inappropriately. If I kill without reason, I could face a death sentence, leaving you alone in this wretched place."
"Then kill her for terrorizing me!" Ryo hissed. "That's reason enough!"
"She appears to be your mother, Master. Mothers have… extensive rights here. It's legal for them to 'terrorize' their children, within limits."
"Limits?!" Ryo bellowed. "She spanked the great Xelvar Vaal Vorthyx! I'll burn this world to ash for such humiliation!" His rant was cut short as a wave of heat washed over them.
He and Layla turned to see his mother, her body wreathed in flames, her eyes glowing with rage.
"Ryo GreenApple, you're wasting time to skip academy!?" she roared. "And dragging this girl into your nonsense? Enough!" The air crackled, and there was fear etched in Ryo's face.
Boom!