Chapter 5: The Demon Lord Who Can’t Even Get a Room

The cold night air cut through me as I sat on the park bench, staring into the starry sky. My cloak barely kept me warm as I slumped, defeated. How had this happened? I was Leonard Nightfall, the mighty demon lord of the underworld. I should be seated on a throne, surrounded by loyal servants, not stranded in a park with no bed, no food, and no idea what to do next.

The whole day had been a disaster. I had tried and failed to get a room at four different inns—each more humiliating than the last. The innkeepers hadn't even tried to hide their amusement as I struggled to pay the ridiculous prices they demanded.

Now, here I was, alone and cold in a park, with nothing but a thin cloak to protect me from the biting chill of the night.

Maybe I'll just sleep here, I thought, though the idea made me feel even worse. How far have I fallen?

The sound of approaching footsteps broke my thoughts, and I glanced up, half-hoping it was someone who could at least point me in the right direction.

Of course, it was Aria—the sharp-tongued guild clerk who had already made it perfectly clear how unimpressed she was with my "demon lord" claims. She approached with her usual air of annoyance, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.

I sighed. Great. Just what I need right now.

"Seriously?" Aria said, her voice laced with sarcasm as she stopped in front of me. "You're really out here again?"

"I... I didn't have a choice," I muttered, trying to act like it didn't bother me. "I was rejected from every inn. This is the fate of a demon lord betrayed by his own people."

She blinked. "Right, right. Demon lord. You know, you've really got to stop saying that. People are starting to think you're insane."

I shot her a glare. "I am Leonard Nightfall, the demon lord of the underworld!" I said, voice growing louder. "I once ruled entire realms, and—"

"Oh, please," Aria interrupted, rolling her eyes. "You're a noble who got kicked out of his family's house, aren't you?"

I froze, eyes widening in confusion. "What? No! I wasn't kicked out—"

"I bet you were," she said, a smug look crossing her face. "You know, you really don't have to make up some 'demon lord' act. You're just some rich kid who got thrown out on his butt. Happens to the best of 'em."

I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out. My pride was bristling, but she wasn't entirely wrong. I was stranded here, in a reality that wasn't even mine, completely alone. This isn't what I planned.

"Look," she said, sighing as if she were done with my "story." "I get it. You've got your pride, fine. But you're not going to last out here on your own. You have no money, no food, and you're definitely not going to get any sympathy from the inns. So... do you want a place to stay tonight, or are you planning to sleep in the park like a beggar?"

I blinked. "Wait, what?"

"I can't just leave you out here to freeze," she muttered, her voice softening, though still tinged with annoyance. "You're coming with me. You can stay the night."

I blinked again, barely processing her words. "Stay with you?" I repeated. "But—why would you—?"

"Don't get any funny ideas!" she snapped, her tone turning sharper again. "You're sleeping on the couch, nothing more, and I'm serious. If you try anything weird, I'll kick you out on your butt, got it?"

I stammered, feeling my face heat up at the sudden accusation. "I—I wouldn't dream of it! I'm a demon lord! I wouldn't—"

"Yeah, sure, demon lord," she said, clearly not buying it. "I'm letting you stay only because I'm not that cold-hearted. But don't think this is some invitation for you to take advantage of me, okay?"

I nodded quickly, too flustered to even speak properly. "I—I understand! I wouldn't! I swear!"

She gave me an exasperated look. "Right. Well, if you're coming, follow me. I'm not leaving you out here to freeze."

The walk to Aria's house was short but filled with the strange weight of awkwardness between us. She hadn't said much more since offering me a place to stay, and I couldn't blame her. I had no idea how to even begin to explain my situation properly without sounding ridiculous.

When we arrived at her modest home, Aria opened the door and stepped inside, motioning for me to follow her. I stepped in, still unsure how to act in this situation. I had expected to find some grand hall or at least something more... noble. But no, this was a simple, humble house.

"Alright, you'll sleep here," she said, pointing to a couch by the window. It wasn't much, but it was better than the park bench. "You better not make a sound tonight. Don't touch anything, don't try to go into my room, and don't even think about doing anything weird, okay?"

"Absolutely," I said quickly, sinking into the couch. "I'll be on my best behavior. You have my word."

Aria raised an eyebrow at me, clearly skeptical. "I swear, if you even think about trying something funny, I'll toss your ass out without a second thought."

"I swear!" I repeated, almost pleading now. "I won't do anything! I swear I won't!"

Aria sighed, clearly done with my antics. "Good. I'm only doing this because it's cold outside. Don't make me regret it."

She turned to walk toward her room, casting one final glance at me. "Don't even think about sneaking in there. I'm serious."

"I won't," I said, my voice small as I collapsed further into the couch.

She gave a final huff, disappearing into her room, leaving me alone in the living room. The silence stretched, and I could only stare up at the ceiling.

What has my life become? I thought as I lay there, exhausted. Once a demon lord... now sleeping on a couch in a random girl's living room.

It didn't matter. I had to adapt. I had to figure out how to regain my power in this strange world. But for tonight, I had no choice but to rest and hope that tomorrow would be better.