Rivel wasn't sure what was worse:
being chased down an alley by angry thugs on Earth... or being cheerfully escorted by a humming Demon Queen through a palace full of creatures that wanted him dead.
Honestly, the thugs felt safer.
Velmira walked beside him with a skip in her step, humming some off-beat tune with the carefree energy of a child showing off a new toy. Except he was the toy.
Rivel cleared his throat. "So... why is the Demon Queen herself escorting me to wherever I'm staying?"
Velmira beamed at him like the question was adorable. "Ah, well...despite wanting peace across the world, not all demons agree with me. Some are... stubborn." She leaned in slightly and whispered, "And by stubborn I mean they'd rather toss you into a lava pit than let you walk around."
Rivel stopped mid-step.
"Oh good," he muttered. "I went from being hunted by low-level criminals to being hunted by high-level demons. Truly an upgrade."
His mind spiraled.
He hadn't signed up to be summoned.
He didn't agree to be here.
He didn't even get a chance to yell at the glowing circle that kidnapped him---
Velmira tapped his shoulder. "Oh, don't fret~" she said with a casual wave. "Because I---Velmira the Demon Queen, will personally protect you!"
Rivel stared at her.
This was the same woman who bit her own tongue while introducing herself earlier.
"This is extremely reassuring coming from the queen who has tripped three times in the hallway alone."
Velmira puffed her cheeks, glaring at him like a scolded cat. "I'll show you I'm perfectly capable!"
She stopped, held out her palm--
And a sphere of dense, dark magic formed instantly.
Rivel blinked.
"...Please don't---"
FWOOOOOOOOM!
The blast shot down the hallway like a cannonball from hell, punching through one wall... then another.. and another... until daylight poured through a fresh hole in the side of the castle.
Velmira spun around proudly, hands on her hips. "See? Strength!"
Rivel stared at the destruction. "Yes. Very impressive. Truly incredible how quickly you can... damage your own castle."
Velmira turned, saw the smoking hole, and nodded. "Someone else will fix that later."
Of course they will.
They eventually reached a tall double door with swirling designs carved along the frame.
Velmira swung it open with theatrical flair.
Rivel froze.
The room was... actually nice.
Warm light pooled through tall windows. A large bed covered in deep crimson sheets sat neatly against a wall. A wooden desk stacked with blank parchment rested near a lamp crystal. A small balcony overlooked the kingdom. The space was spacious, clean, and shockingly welcoming.
Rivel stepped inside, scanning everything.
Then he saw it.
On the bed.
An outfit.
Folded neatly.
Next to... a headband.
A headband with demon horns.
...One of which was broken off.
He turned slowly toward Velmira, who was practically vibrating in place like a child waiting to reveal a birthday present.
"So," he said carefully, "What exactly is this?"
"It's your uniform!" Velmira announced proudly, bouncing in excitement. "Your official advisor outfit! And the horns are for fitting in~!"
Rivel picked up the outfit, lifting the jacket. Heavy fabric, dark military style. Clean cut, sharp lines, high collar. Something you'd see a general or tactician wear.
"This looks like a military uniform."
"Mm! It is!"
He stopped.
"...Why?"
Velmira clasped her hands. "Because the other demon kings and queens don't agree with peace. So sometimes we'll be forced into... negotiations!" She giggled. "And who better to help me than my brand-new human advisor in his brand-new uniform?"
"Sounds more like you're making me into a general."
"Yes!"
Rivel's eye twitched.
"Velmira... I don't have any experience doing that! I'm human. Nobody here will listen to me. And I also don't...how do I put this... know anything about this world."
"Oh! Right!" Velmira smacked her forehead. "I forgot to explain that part."
She forgot...of course she did.
She brightened again. "I can see your stats. You have a skill called Leadership and Strategic Gambling. I've never heard of it, so it must be very special!"
Rivel stared.
A skill that sounds like it belongs in a shady casino drawer.
Thinking about it, maybe his past experience with strategy games counted? Or maybe the system was just laughing at him.
Velmira continued, "leadership skills only appear for people with experience sending others into battle!"
"I've never done that in my entire life," he thought, deadpan.
Curiosity sparked. "Do I at least have high magic?"
Velmira checked.
"Nope! Magic stat is zero!"
"...Can it grow?"
"No! Zero means none at all!"
Rivel collapsed mentally.
Of course.
Of course the isekai gods gave him no magic.
Velmira patted his back awkwardly. "But magic isn't everything! You can still learn weapons!"
Rivel sighed. Weapons meant training. And getting hit. And more training.
His gaze drifted to the broken red demon horn headband.
"What's with the headband?"
"To help you blend in!"
"This has to violate some kind of workplace code."
Velmira laughed. "We're demons we don't have those!"
She stepped back toward the door. "Tomorrow morning, meet me in the throne room! Don't forget to try on your uniform before coming!"
The door closed.
Rivel let his body drop onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Trash," he muttered. "My isekai experience is already trash. No magic, no OP abilities. I'm literal fodder."
He huffed, slapping his cheeks lightly.
"...But maybe--maybe I have some secret OP ability somewhere. Something hidden. Something cool. Something---"
He cut himself off.
"Yeah, no. But... I can try to survive. Somehow."
_________________________________________________________________________
The Next Morning
Rivel stood in front of a mirror, staring at himself.
The military-style fit surprisingly well:
dark coat with silver trim, tailored pants, polished boots. The broken horn headband sat on his head...awkwardly... but convincingly.
He sighed. "Huh. Not bad. I look like... a discount villain lieutenant."
Straightening the collar, he headed into the hall--only to stop.
A demon with curled obsidian horns stood at the opposite end of the corridor, glaring holes through him.
Rivel froze.
Okay. That one wants me dead. Noted. Great start to the day.
The demon marched closer.
Rivel Swallowed.
Using anime logic, demons were usually A-rank or S-rank threats. I am... zero magic rank.
Maybe D-rank human at best.
Running wouldn't work; Velmira's speed yesterday proved that. So he braced himself.
The demon raised a hand-
And suddenly a hand grabbed the demon's wrist mid-strike.
Velmira.
One moment she wasn't there.
The next, she stood beside Rivel with murderous grace. Her presence shifted, no goofy smile, no humming, no clumsy aura. This was the Demon Queen he imagined in stories.
Her voice dropped cold. "What," she said slowly, "do you think you're doing?"
The demon trembled. "I-I-I w-was just-just trying to f-fix his headband!"
"Fix it," Velmira repeated with venom, "by putting a hole in his head, perhaps?"
Rivel blinked.
Hole? In my head!?
The demon dropped to his knees, begging for mercy and even bowing to Rivel, who had no idea how to react.
Velmira turned to him. "Rivel, Does he deserve mercy?"
The demon looked up at him with shaking, watery eyes. He looked like a terrified chihuahua.
"...Yeah," Rivel sighed.
Velmira released him.
The demon breathed out in relief-
WHAM!
Velmira's fist slammed into his gut, sending him flying through the nearest wall.
Rivel's jaw dropped.
Velmira turned back with a bright smile. "Sorry you had to see that!"
"...Uh-huh."
Her eyes sparkled. "Oh! Your uniform suits you nicely! You look just like a demon now!"
"Are the horns really necessary?"
"Yes!" she said without hesitation. She adjusted the headband and infused it with a pulse of dark magic.
Rivel flinched. "What did you just do!?"
"Just gave you a few skills you'll need," she said cheerfully. "Try gazing at me as if you want to know more about me."
"That sounds like workplace harassment."
"Just do it."
Rivel rolled his eyes but obeyed and a transparent interface opened in front of him. A state window. Velmira's stats. Detailed, labeled, and powerful.
It worked.
"Now you can see anyone's stats, regardless of your strength," she explained. "Because the magic comes from me."
"...Thank you," Rivel said honestly. "This is actually a cheat."
"I know~," she said proudly.
_________________________________________________________________________
Velmira led him to a new room, an office filled with towering bookshelves, papers, scrolls, and maps.
Rivel frowned. "What's this?"
"Your office!"
"My what?"
"Your planning room!"
"My WHAT!?"
Velmira clasped her hands. "We'll be making treaties! And treaties need paperwork!"
Rivel slapped a hand against the desk. "You didn't say ANYTHING about paperwork! Get someone else to-!"
"Okay," she said calmly.
"...What?"
"I'll find someone else to handle it, if you're sure you can't do it yourself."
Rivel blinked.
That was not the response I was expecting to hear. Kinda expected her to force me into doing it.
Velmira leaned on the desk. "But, you still need to earn the respect of the demons. We're a race that only respects those who are powerful, And right now, you're currently nothing but a fragile piece of glass."
"...Wow. Thanks."
Though she isn't wrong at all. I am nothing more but a piece of glass waiting to be shattered in a place like this, And I highly doubt Velmira can protect me at all times.
In all honesty it would be in my best interest to just to leave this place instead and get stronger outside of this place safely.
Then an idea sparked in his brain.
"Wait. What if I become an adventurer?"
Velmira paused. "And what would that do?"
"Not only do I get experience and time to grow, but I can also make some connections. With that if I ever run into some in a high position and they require help, then I can have you come and swoop in."
Velmira gasped. "That's brilliant! See, THIS is why summoning a human from another world was genius!"
She clapped her hands and bounced in excitement. "Tomorrow, we make it official! But today we still have things to do!"
She began pacing back and forth, brainstorming destinations.
Rivel sighed deeply.
In truth I highly doubt that plan will work or ever get the chance to get put into motion, but whatever gets me out of here works for me.
Welcome to my new life.