Under the warm glow of candlelight, the Demon King’s Gifted Restaurant seemed to be bathed in golden warmth.
The silver candlesticks at the center of the table stood noble and solemn, their flames swaying gently, reflecting bright light across the surrounding tableware. Through the orange-red glow, even the air seemed touched with a dreamlike haze.
Shadows from the flickering flame danced across the tabletop. The gold-trimmed white tablecloth contrasted against the dark wooden surface, everything warm and beautiful—almost enough to make one forget all troubles.
“Huperion, did you see? I successfully put an end to food waste.”
Lan Qi looked at Huperion as he spoke, radiating pure positive energy.
“…”
Huperion bowed her head, refusing to respond, not even daring to utter a word.
She worried that when the Goddess came to deduct Lan Qi’s merit, she would be punished too simply for being beside him.
No matter what, she had been raised in a human kingdom as if she were human—deep down, she still wanted to be a person!
—At a distance.
The manager, having dealt with the silver-haired demon who broke the restaurant’s rules, now strode quickly toward Lan Qi with concern.
Within moments—
“My deepest apologies. For you to suffer such an unpleasant dining experience in our restaurant… We will do everything we can to provide proper compensation.”
The manager placed a cup of warming demon-brewed liquor by Lan Qi’s hand, then spoke sincerely.
“N-no… this isn’t your fault. Thank you.”
Lan Qi’s trembling fingers lifted the cup.
After one sip, the frailty he had shown—as if struggling through a snowstorm—seemed to ease.
Drawing a deep breath, he looked to the manager again:
“Sir Manager, earlier that silver-haired guest had already ordered dishes that were never brought out. Are those ingredients still available? And would it be possible for us to order them now?”
He hadn’t seen those two limited dishes on the silver-haired demon’s table.
Clearly, the demon had ordered them in advance, intending to savor them as his final centerpiece.
“Of course.”
The manager inclined his body slightly, nodding.
“Then we’ll take these two.”
Lan Qi opened the menu and pointed to the pages with the exclusive dishes.
“No problem. And, by our restaurant’s custom, we must still compensate you additionally.”
The manager accepted the menu, bowing to them both.
Lan Qi hesitated briefly, then sighed.
“I don’t believe you bear any responsibility. If anyone is at fault, it’s that one who wasted food so wantonly, showing no respect for the chef’s painstaking efforts.”
His tone carried regret and helplessness. He glanced at the silver-haired demon’s corpse:
“Compensation shouldn’t fall on you. This is a restaurant I am truly satisfied with. I like it, and I hope it flourishes—that’s all.”
“…”
The manager was silent for a moment, then nodded again in gratitude.
Those words filled his heart with comfort, even pride.
As a restaurant that prided itself on the highest standards of service, they naturally felt resentment toward guests like the silver-haired demon—overly critical, looking down on their work with condescension.
By contrast, Lan Qi—someone who valued food, appreciated it with genuine gratitude—was like night and day.
“Still, debts belong to the debtor. If possible, may I take that corpse with me? I’d like to personally bury him—and offer him a requiem.”
Lan Qi looked down at the lifeless silver-haired demon again.
Of course, what he truly wanted was the gold coins that had dropped.
Who knew what treasures or credits this hidden boss might carry?
“Of course. I’ll see it prepared for you.”
The manager, noting the music-department badge on Lan Qi’s chest, quickly understood his meaning.
He knew the music department had forbidden necromantic arts, and this demon corpse would make excellent material.
Such a request was easy to grant. Besides, a teacher would collect the corpse anyway—this saved them the effort.
“Sir, we’ll continue striving to provide you with the best service during your meal. May you be fully satisfied.”
The manager bowed again before withdrawing.
—
Time seemed to flow slower, quieter.
In the restaurant, music trickled softly. Occasionally, the clear clink of silverware broke the calm, mingling with the faint aroma of dishes drifting from the kitchen. The atmosphere was harmonious, serene.
“First, let’s eat our fill. Later, we’ll tally the spoils.”
Lan Qi cheerfully spoke as his fork pierced fresh vegetables, bringing a small piece to his lips.
On his face shone pure satisfaction, true happiness.
He had prevented food from being wasted, earned a corpse stuffed with coins in return, and once again done a “good deed.”
“…”
Huperion snuck a glance at him. She wanted to speak, but the words stuck in her throat.
“Lan Qi, when we return, let’s both go to the Goddess’s temple and pray.”
Her voice was soft.
She felt she needed to repent. Lan Qi, even more so. Too many sacrifices of merit—this couldn’t continue.
Even for the sake of her missing father, she needed to accumulate virtue, hoping the Goddess might one day grant her blessing.
From childhood, she had heard: the Goddess loved all beings equally. Even demons—so long as they carried goodwill—could receive her guidance and salvation.
“No problem. Though… this kind of promise feels like a death flag…”
Lan Qi suddenly realized the danger in her line.
Often, words of agreement like this meant one never made it back alive.
But then again—wasn’t that a blessing? If he could really stay here, never return to the human world…
Twelve hours was far too short.
He longed to live through a true student life in Purgatory Corridor Academy.
“…”
Huperion noticed the flickers in Lan Qi’s expression, sensing his restless thoughts.
But she couldn’t read them.
She didn’t know whether this gap was because she failed to understand human hearts—or demon hearts.
Ever since spending time with this strange “human” called Lan Qi, she often felt confused, even doubtful of herself.
Shaking her head, she sighed.
The merits had already been deducted.
What was done was done. Best to focus on the meal before her.
—
Readers are welcome to guess in advance: just what identity does this silver-haired demon, carelessly killed by Lan Qi, truly hold? And what identity will Lan Qi have when his time in the Demon Academy finally comes to an end?