**Chapter 2**
**Episode 8: The Price of a Miracle Ticket (Part 2)**
"Hmph…! Just a little more and sweet heaven will be mine…!!"
"D-Demon King, let's just smash the wall! I can blast it open in one—"
"NO! I told you a hundred times—no harming humans!"
"E-eh, but—"
The blonde loli and the green-haired girl were still stacked on each other's shoulders, bickering at full volume.
Even I could hear every word from across the street.
For burglars, they were impressively terrible at stealth.
I walked up casually.
"Hey, you two."
"—!? I-it's not burglary or anything! …Hiii!? A demon!?"
The tiny blonde startled so hard she toppled off her friend's shoulders and scrambled backward.
Why am I suddenly a demon!?
"D-Demon King, calm down! His hair isn't black anymore! Totally different person! Probably!!"
"True… the hair's red now… but those dead fish eyes are exactly the same…"
"Excuse me!? My eyes are not dead fish eyes!"
I'm being bullied by children on my first day out. I'm gonna cry.
"More importantly," I pointed at the half-open window, "care to explain the break-in attempt?"
"W-we just noticed the window was open! We were gonna close it for you—"
"Wow, such kind employees. You work here, right?"
"That's right! I'm totally an employee, so—"
"Huh. Weird. I know the owner pretty well, and I've never seen you before."
I tilted my head, oozing fake confusion.
"Grrr…! I got tricked…!!"
The loli gnashed her teeth and glared like I was her mortal enemy.
Girl, you walked right into that one.
The green-haired one—Yuri—suddenly exploded.
"Hey, human! Know your place! The great Demon King here will one day rule the world and trample everything underfoot! Weaklings like you will be livestock—"
"YURIIII! Shut up! And stop calling me Demon King! It's Luna!"
Luna frantically jumped to cover Yuri's mouth.
Poor kid. Life must be tough with that loudmouth around.
I glanced at them again.
Short golden-blonde hair with curled ends.
Long, deep jade-green hair that looked silky even from here.
Both wore cheap, slightly oversized clothes you'd find at a second-hand stall.
Didn't match their refined faces at all.
Slum kids? Runaway nobles?
Or… desperate sweets addicts who lined up for limited cakes and lost the lottery?
Either way, theft is theft.
"—Wait here a sec."
"Um… okay?"
I left the confused duo and slipped around to Charlet Sweets' back door.
Then I stood there, racking my brain.
I need money fast.
The Magic Tournament is coming up—perfect chance for gambling on winners.
But participants can't bet on themselves, and I don't trust anyone enough to place bets for me…
…Wait.
A bolt of genius struck.
I almost applauded myself.
I dashed back to the two girls—who were still standing exactly where I left them.
"Hey! You two owe me for those sweets earlier, right?"
"Time to pay up—with a little job."
Luna llooked confused. After I explained what I needed, Luna finally gave in.
Plan success.
Money problem solved.
Yay me!