Reincarnated As A Demon

Chapter 11 Who Is She?

....

"Let me go, useless dragon!"

"No! If I let you go, you’re gonna go back to those stalls and cause trouble again!"

Garren had Ecanus in a chokehold, dragging him back like an angry babysitter hauling a tantrum-throwing child.

"What? When did I cause trouble?" Ecanus flailed, trying to pry the dragon's grip off his clothes. Unfortunately, no amount of wriggling helped, Garren's strength was like iron shackles.

"Just earlier! You were about to buy a useless weapon, picked a fight with the demon hunters, and insulted the merchant that was selling weapons! You literally laughed in her face and told her it was overpriced garbage!" Garren's voice cracked with frustration. "She threw daggers at us, Ecanus! My master almost got hurt! F*****g angel!"

Ecanus gagged as Garren grabbed his collar and gave him a good shake. "You’re f***ng spitting on me! Ugh! Spit on me again and I swear I’ll file a celestial harassment lawsuit!"

“If it weren’t for my master, I would’ve roasted you by now!” Garren’s eye twitched with pure fury.

A crowd was gathering nearby, others watching them with concerned faces, but most of them were just silently rooting for a fight.

“Stop it, Garren,” a voice hissed. Foxy stepped beside him, her voice a low whisper. “People are staring. We’re supposed to stay low, we shouldn’t stand out, especially when there are a lot of demon hunters. What if someone notices we’re not human?”

The words hit Garren like a bucket of cold water. He immediately released Ecanus, who fell to the ground with dramatic coughing.

“Milady? Did something happen?” Sage returned, brushing his coat off from the dust of his errand.

“Oh, just Ecanus causing trouble again.” Zerha sighed and rubbed her temples. “Anyway, did you find us a place to stay?”

“Yes, Milady. Please follow me.”

“Garren. Ecanus. Let’s go,” Zerha called over her shoulder as the two continued to glare at each as if there were electricity coming from their glares.

…

After a not so long walk, they stopped in front of a large guesthouse.

“We are here, Milady,” Sage said, gesturing to the place with a hand over his chest as if he’s some kind of butler.

The group stared at the massive structure before them. Zerha's jaw dropped.

“T-That one?”

“I know… it’s not that good,” Sage said sheepishly, as if the palace-sized building behind him was a wooden hut. “I tried to find another place that suits you, Milady, but I’m sorry. This was all I found.”

The four turned their heads slowly toward Sage with equal parts disbelief and awe.

Not that good?! This place looks like a villa for royalty! Like in the movies! Zerha thought, blinking rapidly. Also this is not any ordinary shelter that you can find in a public place!

“Well, ahem… I admit that this house is not that big for a mighty angel like me,” Ecanus began, puffing out his chest. “But I still appreciate your effort, Sage.”

The others stared at him with poker faces. Just moments ago, he had been gaping at the structure like the rest of them.

A woman in her 30s stepped out from the front door. Her brows furrowed slightly. “Are you the ones looking to rent a rooms in this guesthouse?” She scanned their outfits, clearly skeptical. They don’t look like they are demon hunters. Instead, they looked like a strange traveling troupe. That boy with the black hair earlier acted like a noble so I thought that maybe he came from a wealthy family, but now that I saw them up close…

They don’t look like they can afford the rent. The owner let out a long sigh.

“How much for a night?” Zerha asked politely.

“50,000 NIXXIS each person per night,” the woman replied with a haughty tone. “That includes meals.”

“WHAT?!” Everyone yelled in unison, except for Sage, who wasn't even surprised, as if the price was perfectly normal.

Why am I even surprised that this high-class guesthouse is expensive? Of course this is f*****ng expensive! She may not know the value of that because of the currency. Zerha thought that maybe that is better than the buildings in the modern world which are three times more expensive.

“W-Well, guys,” Zerha turned around with a nervous chuckle. “Do we have any m-money?”

“Ahem… I don’t think so…” Foxy answered honestly.

“Sage is the one who recommended this place,” Garren pointed out, squinting at him. “He must have money to pay, right?”

All heads turned toward Sage.

“U-Uhh…” Sage froze upon realizing something. “I… I’m sorry. I don’t have any money either.”

Cracks formed in their collective hopes.

I ran away from home and didn’t bring any money with me. Sage thought, shrinking under the weight of disappointment.

“If you can’t pay, then please leave,” the landowner said curtly. “I have other guests to attend to.”

“Wait!” Zerha quickly pulled some items in her storage ring which Foxy made. “We don’t have coins, but will this work for at least one night?”

The woman’s eyes widened at the handful of things Zerha handed over. There are glimmering pieces of gold and rare gemstones.

Her hand trembled upon receiving the treasures Zerha handed. “Y-You can stay here as long as you want…”

“Oh? Is that enough? Thanks!” Zerha smiled, completely missing the woman’s shock.

"You may go inside. The housekeeper will show you around." The landowner clutched the bag where she put the gemstones while her mind was spinning.

These aren’t just gemstones. Some of them… I’ve never even seen one before. Even nobles wouldn’t casually give this away. Could she be a member of some royal family? But I’m sure that she isn't a member of the royal family since this is the first time I’ve seen her, as well as her companions.

The owner watched them walk inside, suspicion growing.

…..

After the housekeeper showed them the rooms and amenities, the group relaxed in the lavish living room.

“What should we do while staying here, Master?” Foxy asked, lounging in a velvet armchair.

Zerha leaned back, her fingers tapping her chin.

Right. What should I do? I got reincarnated in a different world that I didn’t know existed! And on top of that, why do I feel like I’ve easily adapted to this new body and place? Is it because I read too many fantasy stories in my previous life? Sigh. All the people that got reincarnated in the novels, got reincarnated either because they wanted to take revenge or because they had a mission to do. But I got reincarnated. Do I need to take revenge? Hmm… But on whom and why would I need revenge? Perhaps I need to accomplish some mission?...Or I guess I’m just a simple demon girl that got reincarnated without any special task... Then that’s a relief! All I need to do is live a normal life here. Zerha thought.

She exhaled.

“Well, I just want to live an ordinary life,” she finally said with a weak smile.

“I’m afraid you can’t, Milady,” Foxy replied bluntly. “This world isn’t peaceful.”

Zerha chuckled. “I guess you’re right. But let’s try not to get into fights. Especially with those demon hunters!”

“May I ask where you got all those rare gemstones earlier, Milady?” Sage asked curiously.

“Oh, Garren gave them to me,” Zerha said casually.

“So the rumors are true, dragons can find treasure.” I also can't believe that a dragon still exists in this world. They are mythical creatures, powerful creatures like dragons, can annihilate a city or maybe a whole kingdom, Sage thought. But why is a dragon with a demon?

“I thought that was just a myth as well…” Zerha turned to Garren. “Is it true?”

“Yes. Dragons have the innate ability to sense precious metals and gemstones,” Garren said with pride.

Zerha stared at him, starry-eyed. Wow! So if I want to find some rare treasures, all I have is to ask Garren where they are located! Zerha looks at Garren with evil eyes, she could have all the treasures with Garren’s help.

Garren blinked, tilting his head. Why is Master looking at me like that...?

“You gave the landowner a lot of gems,” Sage noted.

“Don’t worry, I still have a lot,” Zerha said, waving it off. The pink and blue diamonds are still with me, hehe… those are my precious treasures. If Zale and I had these in our world, we’d be stinking rich… she thought wistfully, her expression softening. I miss my brother… I wonder how he’s doing...

…..

Dinner time arrived.

Zerha drooled as she saw the dining room, a long, elegant table lined with shimmering dishes.

“Heaven…” she whispered. The food sparkled like anime-style feast magic had been cast.

“Wow…” Foxy breathed, eyes wide.

Sage gulped. I haven’t eaten like this since I ran away from home...

Garren’s and Ecanus’s stomachs growled in perfect harmony.

“Please help yourselves,” the landowner offered.

They didn’t need to be told twice. Within moments, food vanished from the table like it was being absorbed by black holes in their stomachs.

Ecanus let out an unholy burp.

“I’m so full…” Garren leaned back in his chair.

“Thank you for the food!” Zerha beamed.

The landowner watched them from the doorway.

Definitely not nobles because of how they act, well except for one person… But who the hell are they...?

…..

“Hey! My room’s upstairs!” Ecanus shouted, sprinting up the stairs like a child calling dibs.

The guesthouse only offered single rooms, more like luxury suites than bedrooms.

“Let me stay in your room, Milady,” Sage asked with a serious face. “To protect you.”

“Okay.” Zerha nodded.

Ecanus tripped on a stair. “WHAT THE F**K?!”

“HUH?!” Garren shouted in sync.

Foxy burst out laughing behind her sleeve.

“If Sage is staying, then I’m staying too!” Ecanus barked.

Garren facepalmed. “You're an actual moron. You were supposed to STOP him!”

“A**holes! Neither of you is allowed in my master’s room!” Garren pointed a flaming finger at both of them. “Try to sneak in and I’ll burn you to ashes!”

“What’s the big deal? I don’t mind sharing a room with you guys,” Zerha said honestly. I used to share my room with my brother, Zale.

“Master, you don’t understand,” Garren nearly wept.

“What don’t I understand?”

“What...? Haa, it's not proper! I don’t trust these guys. What if they do something to you while you’re asleep? I can’t believe you agreed---“ Foxy sighed and interrupted Garren. She knew that if he got annoyed, he would not stop blabbering.

“Shut up. I’ll be the one to stay in Master’s room. I’ll guard her, so let’s all calm down, especially you, Garren.”

“Hmph,” Garren sulked but obeyed.

They all went to their rooms, and Zerha was about to close the door when she noticed Sage standing in front of her room. “Why are you still standing there, Sage? Go to your room.” Zerha said.

“At least allow me to stand guard outside your room, Milady.”

Zerha sighed. “You don’t have to do that. There’s probably no danger here. So go to your room and get some rest.”

Sage hesitated, then bowed. “As you wish.”