Chapter 39

After dinner, I walked up to my bed, ready to sleep for the night—or so I thought. Something felt off. The pillow beneath me was harder than usual, cold and unyielding. I flipped it over, fluffed it up, and even pressed down on it a few times, but nothing helped. Sleep was slipping further and further away.

Annoyed, I sat up and glared at the offending pillow.

"Why are you so hard today? You were fine last night!" I grumbled.

That's when I felt it—a faint, ominous energy emanating from the pillow. My annoyance turned to suspicion as I focused on the source. The energy was unmistakable.

"Zoth!?" I hissed, louder than I intended.

Instant regret. I clamped my hands over my mouth, but I'd already given myself away.

"Aleena? What's wrong?" Papa's concerned voice carried from the other room.

"N-Nothing!" I called back, trying to sound casual, though my heart raced.

Turning back to the pillow, I glared at it. The surface rippled unnaturally, and, to my complete lack of surprise, a familiar face began to form.

The pillow chuckled. "I, Zoth, have arrived for Her Majesty's service!" he declared as he fully transformed, his lanky figure now standing proudly beside my bed.

My irritation reached its peak. With a forced smile, I said, "Zoth..."

"Yes, My Lady?" He tilted his head innocently, as if he hadn't just sabotaged my sleep.

"Come closer," I said, voice calm but eyes narrowing.

He stepped forward eagerly, his devotion blinding him to the storm brewing behind my calm demeanor.

The room around us darkened, the walls dissolving into an endless void of black. Zoth froze, sensing the shift in energy, but it was too late.

I grabbed his head, pulling him close. My voice dropped ominously. "Enjoy."

Before he could respond, I hurled him across the void with immense force. He bounced off invisible walls, each impact echoing like thunder. Bang. Bang. Bang. For an entire minute, he ricocheted around the space like a pinball until he finally crashed to the ground in a heap.

"I-I a-am s-sorry, Your Highness..." he muttered, barely conscious, his words slurring together.

With a sigh, I approached him and knelt down, healing his battered form with a faint glow of divine energy. "Just don't mess with my pillow again," I said, turning away nonchalantly.

Within seconds, he sprang back to life, as energetic as ever. "My Liege, may I ask for your next set of orders?"

I blinked. "Orders? I don't have any orders for you right now."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "Whaaat?!" He clasped his hands dramatically, as though the idea of being orderless was a tragedy. "My Liege is a goddess! Surely there must be something I can do for you! It would bring peace to my soul!"

I frowned, considering his words. Zoth wasn't just an ordinary follower—he was a blind devotee, the kind who would jump off a cliff if I told him to. That kind of loyalty was rare, but it was also… exhausting. I didn't want him to be completely dependent on me for purpose.

As I pondered, he suddenly dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Please, My Lady, give me any task, no matter how menial! I will even clean your toilet if you command it!"

For a moment, I seriously considered it. The image of a toilet so clean it sparkled like a jewel flashed in my mind. But the thought of using such a pristine work of art felt... wrong. No, that wasn't the solution.

I needed to give him a purpose, something meaningful that would help him grow beyond me.

"Raise your head, Zoth," I finally said, my voice soft but commanding.

He looked up, frozen tears still clinging to his cheeks.

"From this moment onward, you will serve as a protector of humanity," I declared. My voice carried the weight of divinity, and a golden glow began to emanate from me, illuminating the void. "Defend them from external threats and from themselves. Borrow whatever strength you need from me to fulfill this duty."

His eyes sparkled with awe, and he bowed his head low. "Your will shall be done, Your Majesty."

"If you follow this path," I continued, "you will find the peace you seek one day."

Tears of joy replaced his earlier sorrow as he smiled, his expression brimming with purpose. "Thank you, My Lady. Allow me to carry out your will."

I placed my glowing hand on his head, transferring a fraction of my divine power into him. The air around us grew heavy with energy, and golden light enveloped Zoth, changing him. His form solidified, his once playful aura replaced by a sense of solemnity.

"From now on, you are a Lesser Demon God, Zoth. Congratulations," I said, my voice tinged with pride.

He looked at me with gratitude before suddenly grabbing my legs and kissing them.

"Hey!" I yelped, pulling my legs back, my face burning red. "What are you doing!?"

"A show of loyalty, My Lady!" he exclaimed earnestly.

"Just bow next time!" I snapped, flustered.

Zoth laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "As you command, My Lady."

I sighed, shaking my head. Having a devoted follower like him might be exhausting, but at least now he had a purpose—and maybe, just maybe, I'd get a peaceful night's sleep.

Or so I hoped.